Robin and Ben share some personal wilderness stories, how God led them through times of uncertainty, doubt and fear, through Robin’s journey into ministry at Bashaw United Church, and through Ben’s solo flying adventure across Canada. We talk about what we learned from these “wilderness experiences” and also dive into...
I began the season of Lent as I always do. I even said “I say this every year but, much like Lent, it bears repeating.” So, here it is again. I think it’s important to remind people that when Jesus goes into the desert, he does not go alone. In...
The wilderness, literal or metaphorical, can feel like a scary place. Temptation, isolation, solitude, struggle and hopelessness is what we often associate with finding ourselves alone in the desert, or cast out of the garden. But maybe the bible’s many “wilderness stories” point to something else, something that could offer...
I’m know I say this every year but, much like Lent, it bears repeating. When Jesus goes into the wilderness for forty days – the story that is the foundation of Lent – he does not go alone. Each of the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke tell the story...
What role does religion/church/faith play in your life, really? What better time to ask that question than right after the story of Jesus being revealed (transfigured) on the mountain, and right before the season of Lent? Let’s take a look at the “why” within our religious structures, routines and practices,...
It’s time for Lent. I know we’re all excited about that. It’s been a long season of Epiphany and it’s time to get on. Hang on a minute, though: don’t be in a rush to go to the wilderness just yet. There’s one more ray of light, one that might...
If Jesus gave an inspiring 18 minute lecture at a TED conference, it would probably sound a lot like the “sermon on the mount”, which he began with, “you are blessed.” In this conversation, Robin and I dove into this famous teaching to explore what Jesus’ words mean for us...
How do you spell “love?” said Piglet. You don’t spell it … you feel it, said Pooh. There’s a lot of wisdom in A.A. Milne’s stories of the Hundred Acre Wood. And, right here, some really good Jesusing. That’s the word I’m trying to coin for being like Jesus. Jesus...
You are salt and light. You, a child of God, are salt to season the world around you and light to illuminate life. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not. You are. Not just because I say so. Jesus says so, right near the beginning of what we’ve called...
You are blessed. You, a child of God, are blessed. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not. You are. Not just because I say so. Jesus says so. I think that’s part of what that passage in Matthew we call The Beatitudes is all about. Matthew says that a...