Thursday afternoon I left for Calgary… alone.¬† In some ways I was looking forward to some alone time during the drive, but a few hours later I was beginning to change my mind.¬† Then, after stopping for 5 hours to sleep at a Motel 6 in Butte, MT, I was ready for a new day.¬† A long day.¬† By the time I arrived at the border at 8:30 AM, I was starting to hear an unfamiliar grinding in the front wheels of Dan’s car.¬† The GoodYear shop in Lethbridge could not take another vehicle that day so on I went to Calgary where I got the bad news.¬† Needed: a complete front brake job – rotors, pads, caliper servicing… $ 330.00.¬† WOW!¬† Then when I got to Red Deer there were other issues, including a lost Blackberry (I found it after awhule).¬† By the time I pulled into SunnySide Camp at 4:15 PM, I was exhausted.¬†

I wish I could tell you that I had joy in my heart as I parked the car.¬† I didn’t.¬† In facr, I was feeling quite sorry for myself.¬† Here I was, all alone for the next three days among people who speak a strange language – Arabic.¬† I wanted to turn around and drive somewhere – ANYWHERE – as fast as I could.¬† But I didn’t

So I parked the car and started the 150′ walk across the parking lot to the main building.¬† And that’s where it happened.¬† There on the steps were four Arabic speaking men… and they immediately called my name!¬† my heart leaped, not because of some wierd attraction (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) but because these men were my brothers!¬† And I hadn’t seen them for a full year.¬† We shook hands and hugged and exchanged the year’s events.¬† We greeted others as they came in.¬† There was the man who was baptized at the end of the baptism last year (he had served in the Iraqi army), and another couple who were Egyptioan.¬† There were Iranians, Jordanians and Syrians.¬† And even though we spoke different languages (actually I was the one who was different), we were united because we were family… God’s family.¬† We were brothers and sisters and that Christ-bond was greater than culture, greater than language and greater than the year of separation.

So here’s the point.¬† On Sundays we meet together, this rag-tag group of Lakesiders.¬† We bring different experiences, different hurts and vastly different personalities.¬† But the moment we see one another, the day gets a bight broghter, the burdens we bear become a bight lighter, and the hurst and disappointments of life seem to become less hurtful, less impactful.

When you pull into the parking lot this Sunday, know that the ministry of your presence will make a difference other lives.¬† Greet one another with joy.¬† Give great hugs and words of encouragement.¬† Cherish the moment with your family – God’s family.¬†¬†We are blessed!

Pastor Derek

Yesterday, while flying home on a Dallas – Denver leg, God chose the most unlikely event to drive home a point that is timely for us at Lakeside. ¬†I wasn’t looking to hear from God; in fact, I just wanted to get home with no more cancelled flights. ¬†So here is the story.

I was seated at the back of the plane in seat 25B. ¬†Most of the passengers were seated and 25A was open. ¬†GREAT! ¬†This was going to be the flight where I could stretch out. ¬†But then I saw her… a mom carrying a little boy in a frontal harness. ¬†And just that quickly, 25A disappeared. ¬†So did my hopes for a nice relaxing flight. ¬†Great attitude, eh? (That’s Canadian-ese for “huh”)

This little guy, though, had plans for me. ¬†She was barely in her seat when he stretched out his arms, wanting me to take him. ¬†His mom, wanting not to bother me, tried to pull him back. ¬†But he was determined. ¬†So there we were… and this 14 month old guy (Julian) had already won me over. ¬†I played with him a bit and fed him (or he fed himself a bottle) as he sat in my arms. ¬†His mom, who was exhausted from the trip from to visit a very ill grandfather, was thankful for the break. ¬†

As I held Julian close, God took my thoughts to a different time and a different place. ¬†Some 2,000 years ago, the God who created all that is chose to become flesh and walk among us. ¬†And I know that he held little boys like Julian on his knee. ¬†I pondered, “When Jesus held little boys like Julian, what did he think? ¬†How did he respond to these little children who seem so willing to interrupt our lives? ¬†Did he see the value of their soul and the prospect of eternity for them?” ¬†Without a doubt! ¬†When Jesus was asked about greatness in the kingdom, he responded using a little child (Matthew 18:1-6). ¬†He went on further to say that whoever welcomes a little child welcomes him (Jesus). ¬†But Jesus said much the same thing about helping the poor, caring for the sick, and visiting those in prison.

So here’s the point. ¬†In all that we do, nothing (apart from our personal walk with God)… and I mean NOTHING is a greater priority than people – big or small. ¬†Some of us are getting tired from the labor. ¬†When fatigue sets in, so does ungodly practice. ¬†We “chirp” at one another and find fault. ¬†We become short tempered and hard nosed. ¬†It’s just natural. ¬†However, the Father calls us to life life in the supernatural. ¬†Hear Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. ¬†As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ¬†By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”¬†¬†Let’s not get so caught up in the tasks of the moment that we forget what the real objective is. ¬†It’s all about people and the kingdom!

Pray this with me: “Father, thanks for the way you love me unconditionally and for being so extremely patient with me. ¬†Help me to love the way you love… and help me to show it with grace and forgiveness and patience, just as you do. ¬†In the power and authority of Jesus’ name alone, Amen.

 

Finishing note:

So how did my trip end? ¬†Well, when Julian started to fuss, I took him out into the aisle and walked him forward and aft in the aisle many times, all the while holding his hands so he wouldn’t fall. ¬†At one point a flight attendant asked to hold him because she was on a four day trip and was missing her little boy who was about the same age. ¬†Eventually I wore him out. ¬†I picked him up and gently bounced him in my arms until he went to sleep. ¬†Only then did I return to my seat. ¬†And Julian? ¬†Well, he slept on my shoulder all the way to the gate. ¬†He had truly touched my heart, and his mom had given me a given me a gift of unmeasurable value. ¬†To Julian I say, “God bless you little man. ¬†Jesus was right. ¬†When it comes to the kingdom, you’re the greatest”. ¬†To Mom, I just want to say, “Thanks for sharing your most precious gift with me”.

Let’s now be careful to see one another in the same light. ¬†You just never know how God might bless your life!

 

Pastor Derek