Now I finally found my gifts... I'll be a Celebrity Missionary! (look out Kirk Cameron)

Moving and breathing again in Edmonton...

I returned to Edmonton from my two-week Christmas vacation in Thunder Bay just over a week ago. I’m so glad to be back at work, which I was longing for during most of my vacation. In TBay, I was realizing how I am most satisfied when I am fruitfully engaged in my work, as the image of God engaged in creation. Don’t get me wrong, I like having the rest (for which I set aside 1day/week anyway), and it was great to see everyone home in TBay. But while I'm on vacation in my hometown, I have yet to learn how to maintain the routine, structure, and discipline that I've grown into. Back in Edmonton, I feel like I can move and breathe again.

I hope I never retire. Slow down, change vocations, retool – maybe. But I don’t see such a thing as retirement in God’s kingdom.

Something Christian-ey about those fish?

Just thought I'd publish something just in case it comes in handy some day (like my "One Pint Sermon") ....

On a walk near my mother's house, my sister asked me if I would ever put a Jesus fish on my car if I had one. I answered no, that I didn't want to look like a Christian-by-fish-only. She then said, "there's something fishy about those Christians." It was such a clever remark, that I wanted to see if anyone else ever used it. On a google search of the term, there is only one person who did so, commenting about a new Linux operating system (or "ubuntu") for Christians. In this case, however, the writer appears to not be making any intentional pun or comment about Jesus fish.

Once again, it should be emphasized that Jesus, when he called his disciples, said "follow me" (not follow ministry endeavours, programs, activities, books, gimmicks, pastors, etc.). And this was after he gave the call to repentence (that is, agreeing with God and what he says against you, and what he did for you through Jesus).

(picture credit: from http://mikemariano.com/weblog/2004/10/)

Blogging reorganization; Hi from T.Bay (home for xmas)

The other day, my friend Sandy Taddeo said something thoughtful about blogging. He said, "You have to be pretty vain to keep a daily blog. I mean, who cares if you're mad at the store clerk who gave you bad service??"

My general agreement with Sandy's sentiments explains my "lack" of blogging. For the past year and a half, I've been blogging maybe an average of once every 2 months at http://hirenny.mindsay.com.

I'm thinking of using this Blogger site as my regular blog, mostly because my friends and associates use it. Please visit my Mindsay site if you actually want to read my previous thoughts on:

• doctrinal issues (mostly the sovereignty of God and our response to him revealing himself);
• my bizarre work search experiences (like having great difficulty getting work as a substitute teacher yet having no problem getting permanent contract offers);
• living in Vancouver (holding the distinction of fusing the stifling crowds of Asia, the gross debauchery of Europe, and the excessive individualism of North America).
• moving to Edmonton (where I can breathe again for awhile anyway -- before the red-hot oil economy inflates the city to near-Vancouverian proportions. Tories rule the land, no GST, low income taxes, and the public school system even includes religious schools; even the secular schools sing Christmas carols -- including the hardcore Jesus and Mary ones. It's like running to the last conservative compartment of Canada's Titanic before the whole kaboodle sinks).

Other than that, may I encourage you to seek the purposes of the God who created you. Come Lord Jesus Come.

Back in B.C.

My one-week journey to the Old Country of my ancestors was short and sweet. I'm reminded that I have lost my sense of tourism, and am confirmed in purposeful travel. Seeing Scott and Brian was both purposeful and refreshing.

One highlight of the trip was Brian's and my visit to the Eagle and Child -- C.S. Lewis' and J.R.R. Tolkien's old watering hole in Oxford. It was here that Brian coined the phrase "One Pint Sermon": while I spoke, Brian finished his pint of Guiness. Try looking the term up on Google -- it's an original!

Maiden blog - Oxford, UK

I'm in Oxford visiting Brian my buddy during my reading break. Arrived here last night after 3 days in Cheltenham visiting Scott. What a great visit, rediscovering my roots on many different levels. What a pilgrimage!