Seek Jesus!

 

Here’s the thing. It’s all become so complicated lately and there are so many voices out there telling me how to feel and what to think. Some days I could easily descend into fear. Most days I struggle to not rant out loud about the burgeoning nonsense.

I’ve been having a very hard time maintaining a redeemed perspective of living in this world. It’s frustrating; constantly dealing with the newest round of imposed restrictions, seeing and hearing people willfully deceived to the point of pursuing oppression, watching modern society seemingly crumble into obsolescence. I’ve come to have an idea of what I deserve as a Canadian citizen and what has been promised by the government and celebrated on Remembrance Day. At the thought of that loss, and without very much effort, I can easily become overwhelmed by the voice in my head that is influenced by the plethora of voices in the ether — both passive and active.

But. It’s Christmas. My pastor reminded me recently of the most important thing we need to keep in mind here. SEEK JESUS! He said. What a reminder. What a powerful truth. A reminder I deeply need.

For the Christian, living in a world that seems to be in chaos. It’s Christmas. We celebrate Christ. Not simply as a quaint affectation of holiday cheer. We celebrate Christ as the central figure of our Faith. God Incarnate.

At Christmas we are reminded of where to fix our gaze. The author and finisher of our Faith. Our Hope. Our Affection. The Light. Truth and Peace.

This Christmas, we have an even greater reason to lean into God’s Word and His promises — as a reminder for us of real hope. He is still greater than the critical mass of sin in the world.

As loneliness seems overwhelming and oppression mounts; as corrupt leadership persists, and conspiracies grow, when things are bleak and life seems unjust. Remember Christ, preach the Gospel to yourself.

Seek Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-20
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross — whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

Happy New Year...

Now that January is almost over, it would seem that I have been a little negligent of posting updates to our blog. We enjoyed a nice Christmas break in Nova Scotia, and returned shortly after New Years day. It was nice to have a bit of vacation with friends and family. It was very exciting for us to share in Ivy's first Christmas.



Our Holiday festivities weren't without incident however, I fell after Christmas and damaged myself. Initially I presumed to have sprained my arms, there were bruises and a good deal of pain. So, as I had decided that they were simply sprained I elected to let them heal on their own and didn't go to the clinic. After coming home to New Brunswick, the bruises were healing, but the pain and mobility were not. So I went for an x-ray, to find out that I had two fractures in my left elbow and one in my right. Further to that, they had no treatment option. So, I am left to my own healing, which reportedly,  will take a couple of months. But, I'm fine.

We had our first ANBC Advisory Team meeting of 2013 this past Saturday. There are some exciting new things afoot for this year. Stay tuned here for updates on the progress of planning our events and schedule for this year.

I will be leaving in the wee hours of Monday morning for Richmond Virginia. My flight leaves at 6:00am, which means I need to be heading out of Cumberland Bay at about 3:15am or so. Prior to Christmas, I received a call from NCEM General Director, Albert Heal. NCEM has five summer Bible camps and a Bible school, and numerous children's Bible Clubs and Sunday School ministries. It is vital for us to be aware and sensitive to the needs and safety of those children. As a manager of a Bible Center, they felt it would be valuable to have me as a representative on the committee. The conference is run by the Child Safety Protection Network and will take place at at the IMB: International Learning Center in Rockville, VA. If I am able I will post an update or two throughout next week. I will be attending the conference with Albert Heal and Pat Elford. It promises to be a challenging conference, we covet your prayers as we take in the meetings and discuss issues surrounding children's ministries.

Christmas.

It is sought after by everyone. It is a quest that begins every year after Thanksgiving and burdens us until new years. We all muddle through the month of December desperately seeking that feeling, those sweet sentiments of Christmas past. We have food and drink, enjoy concerts, music and film, read books and burn incense, hang ornaments and play games. All done tenderly as we seek to recreate magical moments from our past. Sharing the magic of leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus, the excitement and anticipation of gifts on Christmas morning, the satisfaction of the turkey dinner and the languid peace of falling asleep in front of the fire afterward. All of these things are pieces of the ritual of Christmas that our society has created, gradually, through the decades.

Some speak in hushed, reverent tones of the meaning of Christmas, as though they are talking of the meaning of life. Most often these discussions conclude with talk of family and love, peace, sharing and giving (all noble, to be sure). Occasionally people will declare with conviction that Christmas is about Christ and the baby Jesus coming to earth. Although, sadly, this is often an afterthought whispered by people too embarrassed to declare openly their love for Christ, lest their celebration of Christmas interfere with those simply celebrating 'The Holidays'.

We have been lulled into a sentimental mush of humanistic self indulgence, and I fear it is more damaging than simple misdirection. The traditions of our culture have taken over the formerly Christian celebration of our salvation in Jesus Christ. As we have moved through time we have slowly adopted humanistic, religious and animistic traditions into our own Christmas celebrations.

We begin the indoctrination with the young, telling our children that if they behave that Santa Claus will bring them presents on Christmas day. This introduction to animism is subtle but is always clearly understood by a child. They are given control over the spirit of Saint Nicholas by their actions, and they believe it. We encourage them to write letters to Santa, some children pray to him, and we cinch the deception by having them leave cookies and milk for the spirit and ensure that it is gone by morning, confirming his existence in their minds.

This fall, as I did some Christmas shopping, I strolled through an antique shop that offered a large variety of Buddah and Ganesha statues. As I continued to visit other shops, many offered relics, small idols, icons and religious trinkets. It gave me pause as I thought how strange that a society striving so hard to be independent of religion would provide a thriving marketplace for such items. Then I began to notice the number of Saint Nicholas statues that were to be found as well. I began to wonder just how comfortable we are with having graven images of spirits in our homes.

It may very well be that you've already dismissed this article as being hyper conservative legalistic tripe. It is the farthest thing from my mind to stick a pin in the spirit of Christmas. Heaven forbid that we think critically about why Christmas is the way it is and why we do the things we do. I want to draw attention to the misguided affection for Christmas that exists. I've heard a lot of people say that Christmas has become 'so commercial' and that all of the commercialism is destroying Christmas. I would contend that it is not the commercialism that is the problem with Christmas, but that it is a symptom of far deeper problems. The Spirit of Christmas is a sacred thing in our society, as exemplified by the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, anyone who cannot 'get into the spirit' is a humbug. Sidelong glances are cast, whispers of antisocial are heard at water coolers with some conviction and a certain amount of self righteousness. It is unacceptable to contravene the current social traditions of Christmas (parades, trees, gifts and all).

If we cast aside the animism of Santa Claus, and the obvious pitfalls of lying to our children and look more directly at just what it is we love about Christmas, perhaps you will follow my point.

We have trained ourselves to revel in avarice, gluttony, self indulgence, pride and selfishness. The quest for the perfect Christmas is about us, it's about feeling good and happy, for many it's about filling the lonely hole within. We deceive ourselves and say that it's all about family, yet most often we fight with family as we get in each others way while seeking yet another perfect moment. Some spend a great deal of time and money to aid charities at Christmas, earning themselves the right to enjoy Christmas, neglecting the great need throughout the year. Many of us even wander into church in an attempt to contribute to our Christmas experience, forgetting entirely that we should be there in abandon to ourselves to honour the God of Heaven. Even in the giving of gifts, aside from the excitement of receiving piles of shiny trinkets, the wonderful feelings of goodness in giving to others, can (and often is) as much about cozy warm narcissism as it is about simple giving. This is pride.

It is these attitudes that have created the commercialism of Christmas, not the other way around. The marketing machines capitalize on the worst of our attitudes at Christmas and serve to inflate our naturally materialistic tendencies. Within the Christian Church we have been trying to celebrate Christmas the same way the rest of the world celebrates 'The Holidays'. It is confusing.

The vast majority of Westerners, (those of us residing in the oh so very advanced North America) will dive into debt through this season. Honestly this is just a ridiculous testament to our culture and I'm not going to address it beyond the fact that it contributes to having the opposite affect of what is promised in the adverts. Buyers remorse, anxiety, and the February blahs are dangling on strings from your credit card.

It is entirely possible to have a wonderful nostalgic Christmas with family, friends, food and gifts and yet bring honour and glory to God throughout the season. The only way this can ever happen is if we are diligent about seeking Christ in everything this Christmas (as we should in all things). Abandon humanism, defy commercialism, reject materialism, dismiss the distractions and celebrate the sacrifice of Christ by talking to someone about a changed life in Jesus Christ. (what a gift!)

It is often overlooked that the suffering of Christ began when he came to this defiled planet as a baby. He left the perfection of heaven and arrived to the plight of a human body. If you think about the birth of Christ as a suffering sacrifice, it will give you a new perspective of Christmas (as you open your new iPod touch on Christmas morning).

I'm not a humbug. I love Christmas. But think.

It has not been my intention, with this article, to suggest that you do or do not have a Christmas Tree, or a Santa Claus, or exchange gifts. I simply want to express the importance of examining closely our hearts in Christmas and allow ourselves to enjoy Christmas in Christ.

Eastern Field Christmas

This past week we've had Len and Lorrayne Breen with us and enjoyed spending time with them. On Friday all of the NCEM missionaries migrated to Arrowhead for a meeting and a time of fellowship and a wonderful Christmas Dinner. It's always a good time together.

Our meeting detailed some of NCEM's plans for future and ongoing ministry here in Atlantic Canada. We're all very excited about where things are going and just what the Lord is going to do here among Canada's First Peoples. NCEM is actively seeking applications from individuals who have a heart for ministry among the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet people here. We would love to have some couples come and join us in ministry here in Atlantic Canada!

Our ministry family!

Oh! Christmas Tree!

A fabulous time of fellowship and food!

Today a friend of mine sent me a link to a movie trailer. The movie is called 3rd World Canada, and after watching the trailer I am very interested in seeing the entire film. It deals with the issues of poverty, suffering, suicide and child welfare among Canada's First peoples. These are all real issues faced by many of Canada's First Nation communities, often overlooked and forgotten about as we enjoy many of the social benefits not readily available to all Canadians. The film follows the struggles of a family and community in Northern Ontario. Below is the trailer as offered by the film maker.

Festive Frolics

The Northern Canada Evangelical Mission, Eastern Field Ministry Team.

It has been a wonderful Christmas Season. We have very much enjoyed having with us these past few weeks our Eastern Field directors Len and Lorrayne Breen. They have been traveling the region visiting with NCEM missionaries and encouraging all of us in our various ministries. On Wednesday we had a meeting at Arrowhead with the whole team. Len updated us on some new policy information, some details about our upcoming training (P.A.T.H.) and we talked about how some of these things will impact Arrowhead this coming summer. It is certainly going to be a team effort with both the Strouts and ourselves away for 9 (+) weeks leading up to camp. But we are certainly up to the challenge and are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do this year at the Center.

Our Christmas meeting was punctuated by a lovely lunch brought to us by Lorrayne and a gift exchange that was a lot of fun! After the meeting, we all piled into vehicles and made a convoy to The Homestead Restaurant in Riverview. We were met there by some of our Associate Missionaries and MK's living in the area. It was not only a wonderful homestyle meal, but a very enjoyable opportunity to fellowship. A grand time was had by all. We sure do have a great bunch down this way! Thanks Len & Lorrayne for all of your work - it was a great encouragement to have you among us. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Len & Lorrayne Breen, our Eastern Field directors. We sure do love em'.

Good Friends...

...Good Fellowship!

Secret picture taken covertly during the big meeting.