A few things happened today that got me thinking about the fact that this coming year is ultimately in God’s hands.

We started this unique Sunday, January 1st with a Church family gathering. This wasn’t any ordinary gathering, though. Our expression of the body of Christ (Converge Church) gathered with another expression of the body of Christ (Radiant Life Community Church)…together…as one. My brother-in-law, Benny McGrath and I led music, singing some great songs and leading the Church to worship God with songs from their hearts. Pastor Art preached a word of confident Hope and Peace that comes only through Jesus Christ. Afterwards, we helped set up tables as they geared up to feed some of Campbell River’s hungry men, women and children. The pastor’s wife, Sally said to my wife, Keely, “We should do this once a month…and wouldn’t it be great if we could become one?” (She was referring to both our churches.) And those of you who know me know that I don’t normally say things like this, but I got a sense of foreshadow…it was like God’s Spirit was telling me, “Don’t laugh this off.” Not necessarily saying that it will happen, but the fact that Jesus prayed that we be one (John 17) gives me reason to think that there are things in the coming year that may cause more expressions of the body of Christ to function more as one that we did in 2011.

Afterwards, my immediate family joined my Dad and Mom for a late lunch at their house. One of my resolutions is not to take moments like this for granted anymore. It was a memorable, enjoyable meal as the Leo Myles family was gathered around the table. My dad (Leo) and Mom (Pam). My brother (Matthew) and his fiancee (Jessica). My lovely wife (Keely Erin) and our children (Levi Joseph, Dexter Hugh Anthony and Talitha Snow). I couldn’t help but thank God for the opportunity to take a mental picture of the scene.

Then it was off to Keely’s parents place (Tony & Didi). New Years Day is also Keely’s youngest sister’s birthday. Emma turned 17 today…and it was fun to have ice-cream cake with her and their oldest sister (Kristen), who was celebrating a wedding anniversary with her husband (Marc). I got to spend a bit of time talking with one of Keely’s brother’s, Riley as well. Its always a restful and enjoyable time at the Teufel house.

Then, the late evening came with a phone call about an uncle of mine who is in the hospital…he’s okay…docs are looking after him well. But all of this family time and talk of partnering with other expressions of the body of Christ and with so many people talking about the end of the world has got me thinking about the important things…and really, about what God has called me to. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Am I stressed about the upcoming year? If I’m honest? Yes. But my hope is in Christ. I know God is in charge and I am confident that I will go home to be with him one day, but for now, I pray that whatever God brings me and my family through this year, that we would make disciples along the way, enjoying Him with love and obedience.

It gives me a sense of fight for knowing the Gospel in my own life every day in light of the fact that I do not know when my last day will be. Have a read, let me know what you think!

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

By Dylan Thomas

I’ve posted a 4 part series reflecting on Advent at the Times Colonist Spiritually Speaking Life blog. I followed the 4 messages we’re giving at our Converge Family Gatherings asking the question, “How does the Gospel inform how we celebrate Christmas?”

Reflections on Advent Part 1 – Worship Fully

Reflections on Advent Part 2 – Spend Less

Reflections on Advent Part 3 – Give More

Reflections on Advent Part 4 – Love All

How are you thinking about Christmas this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Your turn to interact with the Converge Basics series.

The BASICS series set out to answer 3 questions: What is the Gospel? What is the Church’s Identity? How do we live life with Gospel Intentionality?

I wanted to have some interaction and hear some feedback on the BASICS, so below I’ve put together some questions that you can answer by simply hitting REPLY to this e-mail (OR if you’re on Facebook or on theCity, you can respond here). I’d LOVE to hear your feedback, so here are the questions…

Read the original email.

Answering (some) Misconceptions about Christianity, the Church and the Bible.

as a young Pastor of a new Church, when I tell people what I do, it’s a bit of a conversation killer. I assume most people think I only want to talk “religion” and get them to come to my church. It’s almost like they have an allergic reaction to me when I say the word “Pastor”…and to be honest, I find it quite funny.

Common Misconceptions About Sayings Thought to be in the Bible.

Not only is this [misconception] not in the Bible…but it goes against one of the basic premises of the Gospel.

The Church is a Building…Another Misconception.

Some may say that this is just semantics (arguments about words), but I say that language is very important. Do you think language and the way we talk about things is important? Why or why not?

Christianity is a Religion: an Intriguing Misconception.

I wanted to clarify something that many people and many Christians themselves may not realize. That is, Jesus didn’t set up a new religion that is now known as Christianity. As a matter of fact, he came to bring something altogether different — a non-religion.

Answering Your Misconceptions about Christianity, the Church & the Bible.

 In my mind, if a church is boring, either the leaders don’t get it, or you don’t.

Enjoy!

Recently I read a great post by another Pastor, Yancey Arrington titled, “Sorry for the Delay. Not Really.” In it, he gives reasons why he hasn’t been blogging lately and it was a hit-me-on-the-head accurate post for me (a little Holy Spirit convicting as well) and as a result, I’ve been spending less time blogging, and more time pastoring this church plant in Campbell River.

I’m taking stock of the things that I spend my time on and measure the value each of those things contribute to the mission I’m on. (Been using the free version of RescueTime for some of this.)

Stay tuned to the Converge Church website, where I will be posting new documents (like the Converge Basics) and sermons and things.

I started “Bible Time” with my kids the other night by asking the question from youngest to oldest, “What is the Gospel?” They didn’t really know, but when I said that “gospel” literally means “Good News”…
Talitha knew it had something to do with community.
Dexter said that the good news was Jesus rising from the dead.
Levi said it was basically everything to do with Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

My next question was, “Why is it good news?” Levi answered right away stating that it was good news because Jesus died FOR US. YES!

Then I wanted to help them understand better WHY it is good news for each person, particularly each of them. I started…

…READ THE REST AT THE CONVERGECHURCH.CA BLOG.

The song, Jesus Paid it All (lyrics by Elvina Hall, music by John T. Grape), originally written in 1865, is a favorite of mine. Many song come and go, but few remain as great songs. This is one that will be around for a long time yet and if you happen to be at my funeral, you’ll likely be singing it….

…read the rest at the Converge Church blog.

God’s creation is full of variety. Next time you find yourself in a busy downtown, look around; be amazed at the vast array of skin colors, personalities, styles of dress and even hair styles. See the beauty in this diversity that God has created.

I may be getting in over my head here and opening up a bit of a can of worms at the same time, but what I see on the street and read in the Bible is very poorly reflected in many churches today. Many churches either segregate or tend towards being a melting pot, not a diverse representation of the communities in which we live….more.

READ THE REST at the Times Colonist blog, Spiritually Speaking.