The Joy of the Season

I realize I’m a little late in wishing everyone the Joy of the Season.  But life’s been a little hectic!

I’ve had many reasons to be joyful in the last two months (for it is about 2 months since I blogged about anything).

The big trip home...

So, my memory is a little hazy now – note to self: must blog more frequently – my itinerary was as follows:

Leave Canada Thursday evening.

Land at Gatwick Friday morning. Be re-united with gorgeous Gamble girls after 5 long weeks away. They were running towards the big Christmas tree in the arrivals hall, and nearly passed me by.

Drive to Swindon – final clear up of old house, phone all utility and financial companies advising them of new address (it takes longer than you think)

Final tea (dinner) with Howarths.

Sleep Friday night at the Firths.

Saturday morning – English Cooked Breakfast at the Hodges, with the Pollocks in attendance. Many treasured photos taken, on Facebook for all to see.

Saturday lunch / evening with Durrants, Martins and Clarks at Pizza Hut followed by bowling.

Saturday evening drive to London to stay with Durrants in New Malden.

Sunday morning fly back to Canada.

Sunday evening all arrive at our new house in Canada – all together at last. Phew! No wonder we’re all so tired!

Since then, it’s been a lot of adjustment, A LOT of shopping. A lot of generosity received from other people. A lot of getting to know people. A lot of late nights and early mornings. A lot of snow! A lot of getting used to new and different things. A lot of talking on Skype. A lot of tantrums. A lot of ‘it’s too early to be up, Jocelyn’ mornings. A lot of cartoons.

A lot of normal life actually.

And so the build up to this year’s Christmas celebrations has somewhat passed us by. Yes, we got a Christmas tree – but that in itself was its own challenge as we only have a small car now and buying a tree from a store is kinda difficult (unless we left the kids at the shop, which did cross my mind).

Without the usual people being around, and without the usual songs on the radio or in the shops (I don’t think I’ve heard Slade once this year!). It’s actually given me the opportunity to re-evaluate what all the fuss is about.

Jesus possibly wasn’t born on December 25^th. (At least, Wikipedia can’t seem to make its mind up.)

But people were generally partying around the time of the Winter Solstice. So it made sense for the earlier Christians to join in with a little party of their own.

At least, that’s how it all started.

And then, over time, somehow the meaning has all but gone. Some guy called Saint Nick started doing some good work. And then we all started remembering him, rather than remembering why Nicky was giving out gifts.

And so now everyone has to get everyone else a gift at this time of year.

And so a whole industry sprung up to cope with the demand. And  now 70% of retailers profits are made in this one Season, as we all try to satisfy the expectation that we should get something for each other.

How is this Joyful?

Where, or where, is the joy to be found in this supposedly most joyful of seasons?        

What is Joy anyways? A few years ago, everyone was raving about the Wii and how it’s great for kids. How much joy it brought them. Today, the Wii is gathering dust as the new joy is found in the Kinect – you don’t need a controller with this one…

I’m not saying video games are bad. Or that it’s bad to buy video games as gifts. But is there really any lasting joy to be found in the pursuit of things that ultimately are destined for some back street in an Indian slum, where children are paid $1 / day to strip them of their rare earth metals?

To wish someone 'the Joy of the Season' seems a little strange. Surely it’s better to say ‘hope they like what you’ve bought them’ or ‘hope the credit card bill’s not too high this year!’ ?

Doesn’t that better sum up what we’re all doing?

The thing I love about Jesus, perhaps more than anything else, is that in a world where even a D-list celebrity on Big Brother pulls up in a Limousine. Jesus, the King of the Universe, chooses to arrive in a stable. Not to the sound of flash guns popping and people clammering for Him to stop at their camera and give a comment.  But to the sound of waters breaking and mother screaming (probably).

That Jesus chose to arrive this way shows just how highly God rates what culture and society perceive to be important. Rank and standing are entirely defused by such self-denial from someone of crucial importance to human history.

Jesus’ birth is God’s most significant act since creation. It’s the pinnacle of his interaction with his wayward creation. The fulfillment stage of his great rescue plan.

Everyone would agree that joy is found in knowing you’ve been rescued.  In seeing your rescuer come.              

But for us in the West the challenge is actually to become aware of our own need for rescue.

I believe we are the most pampered society in all of human history.  We have built for ourselves an empire of selfishness that sees us wrapped up warm and cozy while infants starve to death.

Our ability to deny even this harsh reality demonstrates our ability to deny the facts of our own slow descent into Spiritual, and yet very real, oblivion.

Oblivion. Not a joyful thought! But we will all face it one day…

And yet. God supremely intervenes in our headlong rush towards it.

It all got underway, 2,000 (or so) years ago in a filthy barn in the Middle East. Your rescuer has come. Jesus is born.

Now that doesn’t mean that life will be a bowl of roses. In fact, often it more resembles the brown stuff doubtless on the floor of the stable.

Jesus himself said that in this life we will face trouble (wise guy!).

And even then, he’s given us the Holy Spirit to comfort us and remind us of His closeness.

So the Joy of the Season for me is found in knowing that my rescuer has come.  And that this life, with all its ups and downs - and yes, death with all its unknowns and uncertainties - are merely passing trials in comparison to the rescue God has afforded me, and all those who put their life in Jesus’ hands.

I pray that more of you will know this Rescuer. And will have the lasting Joy in knowing that he did come to rescue you.

May the Joy of the Season be yours, now and forever. Amen.

Love you guys!

Bruce.

Canadian Rookies

>> In Canada, no matter what the balance of your current account, there’s a limit for how much you can buy on your debit card in any one day, even if your available funds easily exceed that daily limit. And when you are new to Canada, your limit is set low. This is especially important to remember when visiting Ikea. A $400 daily limit will not secure the purchase of 3 shopping trolleys full of stuff.

>> Stop means stop (no I haven’t been caught again, but yes it is worth repeating).

>> Minus 7 is not cold.

>> Shoveling snow is good exercise. Shoveling snow is good exercise (& repeat)

>> Kijiji is good (pronounced: ka-gee-gee, look it up online!)

>> “Kitty corner” is not where cats do their business; it’s actually a colloquial phrase that describes “the diagonally opposite corner to where I am standing”. Strange but true.

>> To tell all the funny little coins apart, instead of looking at the shape (as you would in England) look at the picture on the front. Speeds up the time it takes to pay the bus fare. 

>> An hour’s drive really isn’t that far away.

>> The weather here would gladly kill you given the chance. I’m not being too melodramatic here, as a British person the weather is occasionally an inconvenience. Here if you’re not prepared, it will murder you and use your frozen body as a popsicle.

>> Open air ice skating is fun, but it’s really scary without a hand rail around the side! 

Swindonians

A letter to Gateway Church Swindon...

To the church called Gateway, in the town of Swindon. May you know the full extent of the confidence with which you can approach the Father, because of the Son’s great love and self-sacrifice for you.

I’ve been away for long enough now that this whole moving to Canada business no longer feels like just a little break from the norm. As this reality sinks into my soul it does strange things to me! Sometimes I ache in a way that is without easy definition. Although God has, in his grace, transplanted us into a new family -  I long for the sweet, easy familiarity and affection we had when we were with you.

It’s not that I’ve had a change of heart. Or that coming to Canada is wrong for us.

I simply want to see you all again. Not so that I can impress you with tales of our travels, but because I feel that God is doing so much in you that I am jealous to witness for myself your continuing journey as a people marked out by Christ.

So this ‘letter home’ is a dedication to you, the good people of Gateway Church Swindon.

It’s what I remember when I think of you. It’s what I would say to you were I there with you in person. It’s what I feel God would remind you of for this next season that you are entering. (And I’m not talking about the weather).   A prophetic reminder, if you will…

Always welcome “Amazingly” - You gave me and Susie such a great welcome, even when we were not yet part of God’s Kingdom: your unconditional love and acceptance of us so reflected the heart of the Father who abandons his honoured position and runs toward the prodigal son.

God opposes the proud, but shows favour to the humble. And God would raise you up because of your continued, humble, seeking of Him.

Maintain a teachable spirit. Revelation is God’s business. He gives us all we need – The Word and The Spirit. As Isaiah said ‘Here am I. Send me’ and so, in response to Isaiah’s teachableness (is that even a word?) God gave him special revelation for the people of his day. In the same way, God will use you as you remain open to His teaching and join with Isaiah in saying ‘here I am, send me’.  

Uphold each other in the highest regard, as Christ upheld you when he gave his life for you, so you should uphold one another - encourage one another to overcome evil by doing good.

Listen closely to the Holy Spirit. Do not become so enamoured with your own ideas for your life that you miss what God is saying. Confusing your ideas for God’s only leads to disappointment. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Do not force God’s hand, but instead create opportunities in your life for Him to move. Align your life to the Spirit’s will. Die to your own will.

In God’s kingdom there is no ‘hierarchy’. At the moment you became a Christian your life was hidden in Christ. Therefore there is no ‘higher’ you can go from the moment of Salvation. You are already co-heirs with Christ. What you do after that moment is nothing more than the fulfillment of the truth sealed in that moment, for in that moment your identity was forever secure and your name forever written in the book of life.

God does not use people who think they have it all together. It is in our weakness that God’s power is revealed. Jesus said – ‘You will receive power to be my witnesses’. God’s work is achieved by God’s power, not man’s. 

I say all of these things not because I know any of them any better. Nor because I fear that you are slipping away from any of these points. I say them because it’s what I recall when I think of you all and to encourage you to energetically continue your pursuit of the whole Gospel of Christ. Be bold and very courageous, for the Lord your God is with you Swindon!

Can’t wait to be with you all again some day!

Love and Peace

Bruce.

Blog Post 2 (No I can't think of a title)

I'm trying to decide whether this blog should be exclusively about describing my/our adventures in Canada, or whether it should be about my random musings on life. I'm unhappy with just saying 'it's a mix of the two'. But it probably will end up being a mix of the two...

Perhaps some headings will help?

Things that happened to me this week:

1. Found a house that ticks all the boxes. Had to convince Italian landlord via Skype that I was not a secret Hells-Angel-type-party-animal who will smoke the house out, scare the neighbors, keep dogs and generally trash the house (As the previous tenants had done) ((Don't worry, the house has been entirely remodeled since said incident). 

2. Got stopped by the Police for not coming to a complete stop at a Stop sign. Correct use of apology, smile and British accent lead to successful avoidance of $110 fine and 3 points on new Ontario licence. 

3. Work is very busy. Good, but busy. Lots to catch up on in a short space of time. 

4. Been to lots of churchy-type-meetings - God is on the move in Canada as He is across the nations. It's an exciting time to be part of what's already happening here.

Observations on Canadian Life

 

Yes, in Canada you really do DRIVE EVERYWHERE. That's because everything is SO VERY FAR APART. 

You may think this is a small change. But should I attempt to walk to the nearest grocery store it would take a good 45 minutes each way. And I'm not staying out of town. 

Put simply, I think Canada is bigger than England in the way that the moon is bigger than a golf ball. If you don't drive then you don't actually get anywhere. 

Yes, the houses are huge (comparatively) THAT'S BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SPACE. Plus (I'm told) it gets cold in winter therefore you are inside A LOT and therefore you want A LOT of inside to be in. 

Yes, Tim Hortons is the best place ever.

Yes, people who serve you in shops are actually friendly. (Apart from McDonalds, which is staffed by the same surly teenagers the world over). 

Yes, they have at least 100% more sky than the UK (you'll see what I mean when you get here) and the landscape is beautiful and just begs to be explored. 

The weather here is either 'ON' or 'OFF'. It's either one thing totally FULL ON or it's another. - and this time of year it all goes a bit haywire. Muggy and Thunderstorms one day. Frosty and Blue Skies the next. Then Monsoon rainstorm, followed by Fog... you get the picture.

Options - the choice of what to do and where to go is seemingly unending. I can't wait to explore the lakes, towns and villages of Ontario, and then other Provinces in Canada, and then the USA... so much to see and do. 

"So far, so good." you might say. 

But the 'Canadian Lifestyle' is not the reason we've come. And it's not the reason we'll stay. 

God plants a seed in our lives. Whether we choose to allow it to grow or not depends on us, doesn't it?

 

Like a sailor on a boat, the wind can be blowing in one direction, but unless the sailor aligns the sails properly he doesn't catch the wind. In fact, the sailor can build a great big diesel engine and steer the boat wherever he pleases. But maybe, by doing that, he shortens his horizons.

It's only by God's grace that we've come this far. And I am convinced that God's grace will continue to lead us home. Not to some 6 bedroom mansion overlooking a lake in the Canadian Rockies (as nice as that may seem), but to the riches of heaven itself. 

I'm praying for more and more of God's grace to be evident in my life. As I prepare for my family to arrive (not long now!) I also want to prepare for that even better day, when God's grace towards those who trust in Jesus will be revealed in all its fullness.

Now that's something worth living for. 

Much Love and Peace,

Bruce. 

A bit from the Bible...

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Philipians 3:12-21.

One round trip to Canada: $603.00. Having a good friend drive you to the airport? Priceless.

I started crying because of the Abba song  “Mama Mia”. Not that Abba usually brings out that reaction in me. But it was about 7am, I had just said (a fairly dry-eyed) goodbye to my wife and kids and left for a 5 week round trip to Canada. I pulled out of the driveway, got 200 metres down the road and turned the stereo on. Out came...

“Mama Mia, here I go again, my my, how can I resist you?” 

...a song that all 4 of us sing along to in the car frequently. Then it hit me. Just how much I was going to miss 'my girls'. It would be a long time before I got to have fun like that again. The reality of the adventure God had called us on, hit home. This was going to COST. Big time.

But then I pulled myself together (something I think I’m going to have lots of practice at) and arrived at my good friend Nigel’s house. He would be driving me to the airport (we had decided it would be too much to do the whole, dramatic...

“Goodbye! I love you”

…with my family at the airport itself.) So my chauffeur would be Nigel. The car sped up the motorway as we talked, like we had so often over the last 7 years, about the world and how it should be put to rights. I didn’t feel sad because I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we would do this. It was just going to be a bigger time gap than usual. Plus, I was off on an adventure and was purposefully looking forward to my flight, landing in Canada and, crucially, applying for a Work Permit at the border.

Seeing my Mum and Dad at the airport was awesome. They even helped out by paying for my excess baggage (turns out, with all the sweaters in my case, I was 7 kilos over limit).

Lining up to go through passport control, I saw the guy who used to present GMTV. Don’t know his name. Used to be a tennis player. Yes, that one. And then I thought I was standing behind Tara Palmer Tomkinson in a hat and sunglasses. But then I saw she was flying Easyjet and quickly assumed it wasn’t her.

They have movies on Planes?

Flying without children under 5 is quite an experience. They have movies you can watch. With sound and everything. Shame my movie ‘choice’ consisted of that Vampire series Twilight, Prince of Persia or some talking dog comedy. Joss would have liked that one.

Anyways, I arrive feeling not tired and head for the border to apply for a Workers Permit.  They’ll either let me have one, or I’ll be living – Tom Hanks style – in the departure lounge waiting for my flight home on November 18.

Officer: “Sir, you need a Labor Market Opinion.” Me : “No I don’t”

After explaining the Canadian immigration system to the Immigration Officer (a LONG and humorous  story, one I’ll tell you when you come visit) I was through the border with a Permit to work in Canada until at least October 2012. I resisted the urge to do a little dance as I walk away from the desk. One nil to God, I think.

Feeling tired, I’m taken out for a Boston Pizza with my new boss – I have to drive a manual car on the wrong side of the road. Apart from a few wheel spins trying to keep up with Gayle as she pulls out of intersections, I think I did surprisingly well all things considered.

I’m staying with an amazing family, Lloyd and Hildie Peters and their two boys Isaiah (4) and Liam (2). They’ve opened their home and offered their friendship to me in such an unconditional way that I can’t help but give thanks to God for his faithfulness and ability to supply my every need. Even though it’s been painful to be away from my family, they’ve made me feel part of theirs and that’s been a big help. Thanks guys.

Working for Barefoot Creative is a blast! Some days I feel like I’ve been here way longer than two weeks. Other days I feel like the new kid who knows nothing. Most days are a combination of the two. They have some funny sounding clients too. I challenge any of my English friends to pronounce the word ‘ERDO’ and say that it doesn’t sound weird coming out of their mouths. (Think ‘hairdo’ and replace ‘hair’ with ‘errrrrr’)

Larry Neufeld and family left for Beautiful British Columbia TM on Friday. Larry is the person I’m supposed to be ‘handing over’ with at work. These are big shoes to fill. And not just because Larry’s a tall guy. I miss him already and it’s not even Monday yet.

House hunting is fun but painful. I feel as though I have to get it right. With the help of Hildie (Area of expertise: School Quality Checker & Negotiator with Landlords), Lloyd (Area of expertise: Handy Man), Isaiah and Liam (Area of expertise: Kid-proofing) I may just get there.

Car hunting is proving a little troublesome. Prayers for the right vehicles (x2) to come at the right time would be most welcome.  

Church wise – King’s Family is just that, a family and they’ve welcomed me with open arms. Really looking forward to getting stuck in with the Kitchener guys and their church plant (Lamplight) and seeing what God does in this city.

Kitchener itself is a wonder. The people are many and varied. The road layout curiouser and curiouser. God has such a heart for a significant ministry to be worked out of here. Perhaps, if we all pull together, this can happen.

The end of the honeymoon?

Kings Church meeting today was good. Tafari Hibbert knocked it out of the park.

And then I met my first officially non-friendly Canadian. It took me by such surprise that I was almost speechless (I will not be caught off-guard again)...

“All Christian preachers just use the power of positive thinking. That’s all” – If I had a quicker mind I would have responded “Well, the bad ones probably do” But sadly, I wasn’t anywhere near thinking straight.

And then I spoke to Susie and she’s  having a bit of a tough time at home. Nothing major. But when you’re 3,000 miles away there’s not much you can do other than give advice and direction and pray. I’m trusting our friends to look out for her while I’m away.

And then my GPS packed up. We’d had quite a relationship going. I would chat to her while driving along as she gave me helpful pointers as to where to go. (For Kitchener, trust me, you need one!). All I get now is some strange yellow screen. No more soothing voice.

And then… I thought I’d blog about my adventure so far.

Because, this is exactly what this ride is. An adventure.

Who knows where it will end up? Will I find the right house? Can we afford two cars? Is there more than one rude person in Canada? How am I going to cope for another 3 weeks without my family?

One thing I do know: Christ crucified and raised to life. And me now hidden in Him. And I guess that’s all that matters. And because of that, I can trust that this period of time will work out for our benefit. 

Keep watching, keep praying. Expect The Blog: Round 2 in about 2 weeks.

Much Love and Peace.

Bruce.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 17