FROM: Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
ABOUT ME: Living the highs and lows of life in the adventurous pursuit of God Himself and of who I'm meant to be as the Bride of Christ.
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007,5:26 p.m.
A DEFINITION OF WORSHIP
I've just started a book called Teaching Kids Authentic Worship by Kathleen Chapman. In the Introduction she asks her readers to write down our definition of worship and place it in the back of the book, not looking at it again until we've finished reading. I usually ignore these kind of instructions, but for once decided to comply, and this is what I came up with, for better or for worse:
Worship is a personal, truthful and deep-spirited response to the revelation of God's glory, power and character, not limited in expression or by circumstances but lived out every moment of every day of our lives, both here on earth and soon in Glory.
Worship is a personal, truthful and deep-spirited response to the revelation of God's glory, power and character, not limited in expression or by circumstances but lived out every moment of every day of our lives, both here on earth and soon in Glory.
Thursday, July 26, 2007,3:35 p.m.
STUPID MOTH
I just found one of those giant moths (the kind I really hate) lurking quietly in a corner of my apartment just waiting for an opportune moment to leap out and attack me. (Or sleeping until it was time for it to get up - one or the other....)
I Matrix-ed all over it with the vacuum.
I Matrix-ed all over it with the vacuum.
Monday, July 23, 2007,7:59 p.m.
I SPY
Raelene and I have decided that it is NOT a good idea to play "I Spy" on the prairies all the way from Saskatoon to Weyburn (about 3 and a 1/2 hours). You can only say "I spy with my little eye something that is hay-coloured...." so many times before your partner catches on. Though I did stump her at one point by attempting to make her guess which one of the hay bales I was spying.
Thought I would also show you Saskatchewan's ski hill. It's the little bump in the middle of the picture. I'm not even kidding. And it has a chair-lift (which you can just see on the top).
And a pretty nice shot of the sunset on our way up to Saskatoon on Sunday evening....
Thursday, July 19, 2007,8:05 p.m.
ONLY IN SASKATCHEWAN
Only in Saskatchewan.....
....should you remember to run with bug-spray.
....do you need to run with your mouth CLOSED or risk having a mid-run snack.
....can you have to slow a run because Bambi and his mother are crossing the path in front of you.
Another stunning experience.
....should you remember to run with bug-spray.
....do you need to run with your mouth CLOSED or risk having a mid-run snack.
....can you have to slow a run because Bambi and his mother are crossing the path in front of you.
Another stunning experience.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007,9:09 p.m.
ATTEMPTED AMBUSHES and FALLING STARS
So apparently I need to blog - I got an e-mail from my dad this evening that said this:
"Been following your vacation on your blog... but notice you haven't entered anything for a couple of days.... did the giant-woman-eating-butterfly/moth sneak up behind you and ambush you?"
That's just in case any of you were wondering where I get my weird sense of humour. Between the Baker side and the Smith (my mom's) side of the family, I was completely hooped from the start.
Obviously, the news of my incredible skills in self-defense have preceded me everywhere I have been in the last couple of days, and the butterfly/moth has wisely decided not to press his luck even in a surprise attack. Good bug. On to educate the mosquitoes....
One great thing yesterday - a lifetime first - after coming home from a show in Regina, Raelene and I stayed outside for a few minutes looking at the multitude of stars - far more than you can see in Vancouver with all its city lights - and I saw a falling star!! Stunningly beautiful. And then, after seeing my first ever falling star, I saw another one!
Always after seeing such incredible beauty in nature I am forced to wonder how people can reconcile themselves to not believing in God....
Couple of pictures:
River Park in Weyburn, SK (and the Souris River)....
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Saskatchewan is called the "Land of the Living Skies" for good reason....
"Been following your vacation on your blog... but notice you haven't entered anything for a couple of days.... did the giant-woman-eating-butterfly/moth sneak up behind you and ambush you?"
That's just in case any of you were wondering where I get my weird sense of humour. Between the Baker side and the Smith (my mom's) side of the family, I was completely hooped from the start.
Obviously, the news of my incredible skills in self-defense have preceded me everywhere I have been in the last couple of days, and the butterfly/moth has wisely decided not to press his luck even in a surprise attack. Good bug. On to educate the mosquitoes....
One great thing yesterday - a lifetime first - after coming home from a show in Regina, Raelene and I stayed outside for a few minutes looking at the multitude of stars - far more than you can see in Vancouver with all its city lights - and I saw a falling star!! Stunningly beautiful. And then, after seeing my first ever falling star, I saw another one!
Always after seeing such incredible beauty in nature I am forced to wonder how people can reconcile themselves to not believing in God....
Couple of pictures:
River Park in Weyburn, SK (and the Souris River)....
Saskatchewan is called the "Land of the Living Skies" for good reason....
.jpg)
Raelene and I at dinner before the show (Oliver Twist!) last night (I SERIOUSLY need a tan)....
Monday, July 16, 2007,11:39 a.m.
THE DESERT PLACES
OK, just finished the second book of my holidays (I love holidays for that), Soul Survivor, Finding Passion and Purpose in the Dry Places, by Mike Pilavachi. I love Mike Pilavachi's stuff - highly recommended for anyone - an easy read with deep truths. Plus he is pretty funny - always a bonus when you're slogging through truth that's potentially tough to process.
This book is about the desert places in our lives. Biggest revelation: I don't always recognize the desert places as opportunities to grow closer to God, which is what they are over and over again in the scriptures. Instead of looking for the places where God wants to refine and remake me, I look for an exit sign for most of the time I'm there and probably only inquire of the Lord as to why I'm there in sheer exhaustion and frustration.
Did you know that the 40-YEAR journey that the Israelites took from Egypt to the Promised Land could have been completed in 11 DAYS?
Obviously their extended time in the desert was ordained by God for them to learn. My time in the desert places is ordained by God for me to learn, whatever the lesson may be. Sometimes, though, I wonder how much extra time I have spent in those deserts not seeking out the lessons or the refinement.
Food for thought....
This book is about the desert places in our lives. Biggest revelation: I don't always recognize the desert places as opportunities to grow closer to God, which is what they are over and over again in the scriptures. Instead of looking for the places where God wants to refine and remake me, I look for an exit sign for most of the time I'm there and probably only inquire of the Lord as to why I'm there in sheer exhaustion and frustration.
Did you know that the 40-YEAR journey that the Israelites took from Egypt to the Promised Land could have been completed in 11 DAYS?
Obviously their extended time in the desert was ordained by God for them to learn. My time in the desert places is ordained by God for me to learn, whatever the lesson may be. Sometimes, though, I wonder how much extra time I have spent in those deserts not seeking out the lessons or the refinement.
Food for thought....
Saturday, July 14, 2007,6:19 p.m.
THINGS LEARNED TODAY
1. Bare feet and asphalt mixed is a good recipe for running from one shadow to the next. Saskatchewan could use one or two more trees for this purpose....
2. Crickets in the bush in Saskatchewan sound a LOT like rattle snakes in the rocks in South Dakota. Not a great revelation - about as great as the first one.
3. I have Matrix-like reflexes to avoid butterflies that look like giant moths. These skills are a pleasant but somewhat useless surprise.
4. God's tenderness to teach me even the tough lessons and to open my eyes to the places where I have failed is more proof of His grace and perfection as a Father.
5. Birds are LOUD. Actually, they probably are in Vancouver as well, but traffic tends to be louder. (Or the crows and sea gulls - they might out-scream all the rest of the birds!)
6. Everyone is insecure on some level and needs to be built up, regardless of whether we think they deserve it or not.
7. Samson (as in "and Delilah") might have been a Rastafarian. Oh no, wait....that's not it..... Rastafarians take a Nazarite-type vow to not cut their hair or beards. I don't think all the pot smoking is from Numbers 6, though....
And lastly....
8. For Primary School Chapel God recommends play. Since children that age especially love to play, He wants to play with them in worship and teach them the fun and friend side of God. That's cool.
2. Crickets in the bush in Saskatchewan sound a LOT like rattle snakes in the rocks in South Dakota. Not a great revelation - about as great as the first one.
3. I have Matrix-like reflexes to avoid butterflies that look like giant moths. These skills are a pleasant but somewhat useless surprise.
4. God's tenderness to teach me even the tough lessons and to open my eyes to the places where I have failed is more proof of His grace and perfection as a Father.
5. Birds are LOUD. Actually, they probably are in Vancouver as well, but traffic tends to be louder. (Or the crows and sea gulls - they might out-scream all the rest of the birds!)
6. Everyone is insecure on some level and needs to be built up, regardless of whether we think they deserve it or not.
7. Samson (as in "and Delilah") might have been a Rastafarian. Oh no, wait....that's not it..... Rastafarians take a Nazarite-type vow to not cut their hair or beards. I don't think all the pot smoking is from Numbers 6, though....
And lastly....
8. For Primary School Chapel God recommends play. Since children that age especially love to play, He wants to play with them in worship and teach them the fun and friend side of God. That's cool.
Friday, July 13, 2007,9:12 p.m.
CITY GIRL ON THE PRAIRIES
Some beautiful things about being on holidays in Saskatchewan (besides time with Rae, of course)....
It was SO silent when I arrived in Weyburn that my ears rang for an entire evening. I can't remember the last time I heard NOTHING. I love it. You actually look outside when a car goes by because it's a rather rare occurrence.
You can go for a walk after dark by yourself in the evening and not worry about anything accosting you worse than a mosquito (though that's a consideration).
You can walk everywhere and be almost anywhere in the entire town within about half an hour.
And possibly the best thing ..... I HAVEN'T WORN SHOES IN THREE DAYS.
It was SO silent when I arrived in Weyburn that my ears rang for an entire evening. I can't remember the last time I heard NOTHING. I love it. You actually look outside when a car goes by because it's a rather rare occurrence.
You can go for a walk after dark by yourself in the evening and not worry about anything accosting you worse than a mosquito (though that's a consideration).
You can walk everywhere and be almost anywhere in the entire town within about half an hour.
And possibly the best thing ..... I HAVEN'T WORN SHOES IN THREE DAYS.
Thursday, July 12, 2007,3:25 p.m.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND UNCONDITIONAL RESPECT
I started reading For Women Only yesterday, a book by Shaunti Feldhahn. The book is sub-titled, "What You Need To Know About the Inner Lives of Men."
Now, before you all start giggling at the idea of a single chick reading a book about men, think about it. Friendships between men and women are not restricted to life after the words, "I do." All women have relationships (and by that I am actually referring to friendships) with men. I'm hoping that this book will give me some insight into how to better love my close friends who are guys and understand a bit more how they tick.
So here's the first profound thing that I found reading this last night - how different men and women can tend to be when it comes to love and respect. The shocker isn't that most men crave respect above love (or equate the two) and that most women would prefer to be loved than respected, if they had to choose. The shocker came with a section on unconditional respect and these words:
"...we've come to think that love should be unconditional, but respect must be earned (page 26)."
THAT was huge. I was certainly brought up to believe that respect must be earned. Not necessarily by my parents, who taught me to be respectful of everyone, but probably by society at large. It taught me that though everyone should be respected, to have respect for someone is something they have to have earned. Not so, according to this book, and it struck a chord somewhere in me that says it makes sense. That phrase goes on to say:
"Instead, what men need is unconditional respect - to be respected for who they are [i.e. our husbands], apart from how they do (page 26)." (Parentheses are actually quoted.)
Wow. I have a lot of work to do. Even just thinking about it overnight, I can see that unconditional respect is going to be hard. But then, so is unconditional love. I think what is cool is that God gets that we are each made this way. Ephesians 5 lays it out already, but I don't think I ever really made the connection until recently that it's done that way not culturally, but because of the way we are all wired.
Jesus, help us to execute unconditional love and unconditional respect!
"Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)"
Now, before you all start giggling at the idea of a single chick reading a book about men, think about it. Friendships between men and women are not restricted to life after the words, "I do." All women have relationships (and by that I am actually referring to friendships) with men. I'm hoping that this book will give me some insight into how to better love my close friends who are guys and understand a bit more how they tick.
So here's the first profound thing that I found reading this last night - how different men and women can tend to be when it comes to love and respect. The shocker isn't that most men crave respect above love (or equate the two) and that most women would prefer to be loved than respected, if they had to choose. The shocker came with a section on unconditional respect and these words:
"...we've come to think that love should be unconditional, but respect must be earned (page 26)."
THAT was huge. I was certainly brought up to believe that respect must be earned. Not necessarily by my parents, who taught me to be respectful of everyone, but probably by society at large. It taught me that though everyone should be respected, to have respect for someone is something they have to have earned. Not so, according to this book, and it struck a chord somewhere in me that says it makes sense. That phrase goes on to say:
"Instead, what men need is unconditional respect - to be respected for who they are [i.e. our husbands], apart from how they do (page 26)." (Parentheses are actually quoted.)
Wow. I have a lot of work to do. Even just thinking about it overnight, I can see that unconditional respect is going to be hard. But then, so is unconditional love. I think what is cool is that God gets that we are each made this way. Ephesians 5 lays it out already, but I don't think I ever really made the connection until recently that it's done that way not culturally, but because of the way we are all wired.
Jesus, help us to execute unconditional love and unconditional respect!
"Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)"
Wednesday, July 11, 2007,8:35 p.m.
SASKATCHEWAN!!
Well, I officially made it - I'm in Saskatchewan! For those of you wondering why I would be in Saskatchewan on holidays, a great friend of mine, Raelene Russell, ministers as a pastor here and we were long overdue for a visit!
It was an eventful morning, too! I saw Darren Hailes at the WestJet counter, I saw Bill and Deb Blackman and their son, Liam, check in almost right after me (they flew home to Milton, Ontario, today after Bill spoke at Teen Camp in BC), and I saw Deb's dad, Howard Coulter, since he was dropping them off - thought I might run into a few hundred more people I knew, but had to get on the plane, so that was it! You have to love the airport....
Raelene met me with bright yellow happy-face balloons at the airport, which was cool. Though in true Bakes style, though I heard my name yelled - "Karyn Baker!" - I didn't see her anywhere. Who can miss half a dozen bright yellow happy-face balloons with a person that matches? (Barring the yellowness....) Me, apparently. I am going to claim the excuse that I was walking down the large flight of stairs at the Arrivals part of the Regina airport and didn't want to look away too much and fall (though that might also be able to be classified as fairly accurate Bakes style). Anyway, she found me, we found my bags, and within an hour we were eating and then shopping. Ah, holidays with tight friends are good....
And in case anyone was wondering, I didn't throw any pencils on this plane. Not a one. (Refer to a blog from August 6th, 2006.)
Couple of pictures to prove I'm on the prairies....
Wednesday, July 04, 2007,11:45 a.m.
THINKING....
I've been reading Olivia Munn's blog this morning. It's caused me to grieve, think, rejoice and pray. Pretty good fruit for an online log of someone's thoughts and experiences in the last couple of weeks.
What it caused me to think about was the idea of ministry and what it looks like. Or perhaps, more accurately, what it is supposed to look like. Is it even supposed to look like anything? Are all ministries supposed to look or feel the same? I highly doubt it, since the places in which and the people to whom we minister are all so vastly different.
But in reading Olivia's recent blogs, I was struck by how different sometimes the ministry at 614 (our Vancouver inner city congregation) is compared to, for example, the ministry at the Sunday evening congregation at Cariboo Hill Temple (suburbia), or even the congregation in New Westminster (somewhere between suburbia and inner city). I've heard people say that "We are The Salvation Army - we are supposed to be in the inner cities!" Fair enough, I suppose, though it makes me rebel and wonder why The Salvation Army would want to condemn 99% of our country to hell simply because they live in the more suburban areas (they absolutely don't want that, just to be clear).
And then I realized, it's not an inner city ministry thing, I am reading about a ministry that prays and sees many miracles, that does its best to love unconditionally, and that has a heart to love Jesus and follow Him to the Nth degree. I find that I am experiencing a bit of holy jealousy (if that's possible).
And then I wonder if perhaps the reason I see it in my friends at 614 or their experiences is because I'm removed from it and hearing pieces. If I were to step back from the ministries to which God has graciously allowed me to put my hand, would I see the same things? Would I witness the same passion, persecution, miracles, love and Presence?
Man, I hope so. Not for any glory of my own but rather to know that the Lord is at work, and that we are being faithful to what He has called us to do and to be. Maybe it's God's grace that we don't see these things in ourselves? Pride is such a powerful weapon of the enemy, and all too easily accepted by us.
No answers on this one. It just made me think. Thanks, Olivia.
What it caused me to think about was the idea of ministry and what it looks like. Or perhaps, more accurately, what it is supposed to look like. Is it even supposed to look like anything? Are all ministries supposed to look or feel the same? I highly doubt it, since the places in which and the people to whom we minister are all so vastly different.
But in reading Olivia's recent blogs, I was struck by how different sometimes the ministry at 614 (our Vancouver inner city congregation) is compared to, for example, the ministry at the Sunday evening congregation at Cariboo Hill Temple (suburbia), or even the congregation in New Westminster (somewhere between suburbia and inner city). I've heard people say that "We are The Salvation Army - we are supposed to be in the inner cities!" Fair enough, I suppose, though it makes me rebel and wonder why The Salvation Army would want to condemn 99% of our country to hell simply because they live in the more suburban areas (they absolutely don't want that, just to be clear).
And then I realized, it's not an inner city ministry thing, I am reading about a ministry that prays and sees many miracles, that does its best to love unconditionally, and that has a heart to love Jesus and follow Him to the Nth degree. I find that I am experiencing a bit of holy jealousy (if that's possible).
And then I wonder if perhaps the reason I see it in my friends at 614 or their experiences is because I'm removed from it and hearing pieces. If I were to step back from the ministries to which God has graciously allowed me to put my hand, would I see the same things? Would I witness the same passion, persecution, miracles, love and Presence?
Man, I hope so. Not for any glory of my own but rather to know that the Lord is at work, and that we are being faithful to what He has called us to do and to be. Maybe it's God's grace that we don't see these things in ourselves? Pride is such a powerful weapon of the enemy, and all too easily accepted by us.
No answers on this one. It just made me think. Thanks, Olivia.
Monday, July 02, 2007,11:58 a.m.
CANADA BABY
OK, my apologies for anyone who almost gave up on this blog and hasn't been here in a while, since there's a couple of new blogs in about as many days, which will throw many of you off! However, I couldn't resist posting this picture of my niece, Eliana, and sister-in-law, Stephanie. I'm pretty sure the fake tattoo on Eliana's cheek actually reads, "Made in Canada." Nice.
Sunday, July 01, 2007,9:23 a.m.
CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM
I read an interesting concept today that talked about mysticism, and Christianity being mysticism.
At first it startled and kind of offended me, and then as I read more, the writer defined a mystic as someone who believes there is a spiritual world outside of the physical world that we see and touch, and he then went on to explain that a Christian mystic simply believes that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Master over that spiritual world. And that's Christian mysticism.
I thought it was an interesting perspective, and reminded me of a couple of friends of mine who like to define their faith in terms and phrases of the popular culture so as to attract the attention of those they desire to invite to the truth. The word "Christianity" is a bit of a blocker these days in conversation, but the word "Mysticism" might just open some doors that would otherwise be shut.
Interesting thought..... I guess the trick is to be careful how it's used and to ensure that when using this idea in conversation we are still married to the truth, not watering it down or leaving out its power and strength. While "Mysticism" might be a more attractive word to some than "Christianity," the truth is that Jesus Himself is the most attractive part of our faith, so He had better be a part of that conversation in full force.
It does make me smile, however, to think that the next time I get caught in that conversation where someone says, "I'm into spirituality, I just don't like religion" (which, by the way, tends to mean, "I like the idea of stuff I don't understand, but I hate Christianity" - which is ironic, because they obviously don't understand it), I'm going to say, "Me too - I'm totally into mysticism and the spiritual" and see where that leads!
At first it startled and kind of offended me, and then as I read more, the writer defined a mystic as someone who believes there is a spiritual world outside of the physical world that we see and touch, and he then went on to explain that a Christian mystic simply believes that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Master over that spiritual world. And that's Christian mysticism.
I thought it was an interesting perspective, and reminded me of a couple of friends of mine who like to define their faith in terms and phrases of the popular culture so as to attract the attention of those they desire to invite to the truth. The word "Christianity" is a bit of a blocker these days in conversation, but the word "Mysticism" might just open some doors that would otherwise be shut.
Interesting thought..... I guess the trick is to be careful how it's used and to ensure that when using this idea in conversation we are still married to the truth, not watering it down or leaving out its power and strength. While "Mysticism" might be a more attractive word to some than "Christianity," the truth is that Jesus Himself is the most attractive part of our faith, so He had better be a part of that conversation in full force.
It does make me smile, however, to think that the next time I get caught in that conversation where someone says, "I'm into spirituality, I just don't like religion" (which, by the way, tends to mean, "I like the idea of stuff I don't understand, but I hate Christianity" - which is ironic, because they obviously don't understand it), I'm going to say, "Me too - I'm totally into mysticism and the spiritual" and see where that leads!