Premier - The Link

The premier of the Link went off with a blast on Saturday November 18, 2006. A link represents a strong connection that unites an object and that definition was exemplified through the connection of 3 different St. Stephen youth groups. We were brought together as a body of people, adolescence, leaders, young adults, and adults in the name of love, fun and God. We are one - And the world is flawed But these scars will heal "Switchfoot".

The Link: Intro Video - "We Are One"

Prints of Colour

The minds-eye is what I see
To see a world, and be amused
But what do I really view
My perspective on life is skewed

I view the prints of colour
Trees, birds, people and mothers
Who all bring life into creation
Could we include all into one nation

This is all, all that unites us
A fallen being, fighting, fleeing
From the simple to something other
Bring back, the prints of colour

The Road To Emmaus:

Recognizing The Resurrection Of The Physical Jesus

The story of Jesus' resurrection is one that is rarely thought about, except for special occasions. Evangelical Christians love to skip right to the good stuff: our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is risen, Halleluia. This joyous story seems to finish without a glitch. After a challenging 'Tim course' in New Testament Theology, I realized that I had never learned about the significance of the time Jesus spent on earth after he rose from the dead. In this little reflection, I want to think about the revealing of the physical Jesus but know that there are a number of neat and new truths in this part of the gospels.
I find this part of Luke 24 very fascinating. The disciples are going to the village of Emmaus, a stranger approaches them and conversation begins. These disciples had just lost the one they had believed in and consequently they were questioning his existence, the prophets and his message. Jesus challenges the disciples in their disbelief and they like him so much that they ask him to stay for dinner, beautiful eh? While they are beginning to eat dinner, Jesus breaks bread. The disciples finally realize that this is the Jesus they had been following before his death. Their eyes were opened to his being but he disappears from their sight. Like the story of Peter walking on water, why does Jesus disappear every time we seem to catch a real glimpse of his truth, reality and power?
I think both of these stories about Jesus are not about the character of Christ but about a message he is trying to tell his followers: you are ready to embody the life I have and bring. I believe that the point of knowing the truth of Jesus is that we turn to our fellow brothers and sisters and show them what we have seen. But telling them is not the method that Jesus used. I think we need to break bread with our neighbours, in a loving service without an agenda. Too often, I think that I can share Jesus by talking about him but when we have seen him, like the disciples we have the opportunity to follow him by doing what he did - breaking bread.
Today a couple named Ben and Jen visited our school from Minnesota. They are a vibrant, like-able and intellegent team. They shared their story, which turned out to be a living example of what I am trying to express in the thoughts above. The couple is learning valuable truths about humanity, love and themselves because of a move into the most diverse, poor, and crime ridden neighbourhood. They do not have an agenda but they simply want to break bread with their neighbours in more ways then food. Their goal is to set up a economy of love: serving each other instead of paying for things that take money away from the community. Please pray for them as they try to introduce revolutionary ideas into the neighbourhood.

What if the disciples knew they were walking on water as they went to Emmaus? I think Ben and Jen have challenged me to realize that we walk on water when we do what Jesus did and break bread with our neighbours. What a privaledge they have.

a needed force

Would we still ask the question
If force was lost from our heritage
Rebellion or resistance needs a catalyst

The leaders will lead and push only so we will think

I question when I resist to
Make the most of it, this life
I know is not yet right…so
Stand-up in love and fight

But I know there are two paths of resistance

One leads to a truth the other too
Which one will you decide to choose
One effects positive change: constructing towers of hope
While the other causes pain

Choose to resist but build while you do

So don’t judge the unwilling, the warriors, wonders and wantlings
They may be closer to the goal or prize then we

Who forget what love really is
And find ourselves caught up so tightly
In our forefathers ideas, not ours
Unshaped, unquestioned, unworn

When will I love those who fight
We both head for a goal but their way is right
They experience it with their whole being and I get stuck on finding their meaning

To The Home of A Celtic Saint

A few weeks ago, a group of us from SSU had the opportunity to visit the home of Dr. Gregg Finley (Uncle G). The visit was far from ordinary, above and beyond the fact that we were even able to visit a professors house. That day was also a day well spent; Fredericton Market, Lazer Tag (Boys won), and a beautiful day in the fall colours. As we reflected on the weekend, we realized the increase in our level of appreciation for this Celtic Saint.

After arriving at Greggs' home in the afternoon, the group took advantage of comfortable beds, the peace and quite (serenity), wisdoms of Uncle G, and a couch to help finish a history paper. Tyler was challenged by Allieren to finish his paper before 12:00pm. Ironically, the paper Tyler was working on was for Gregg. I think he accomplished the challenge but Allieren begs to differ.

Our evening was spent over a Celtic meal, which Gregg deemed to be called "Celtic Sapaghetti. He cooked a mean dish and the enjoyable conversation made for a wonderful evening. After supper we took funny pictures, gave massages, and chatted with Gregg and Linda (Trixy).

The most important detail of the whole trip was Uncle G's plan for showering. Since there were ten of us at his home, we would need to time our showers properly and therefore maximize our hot-water potential. Gregg did the rounds and surveys which allowed him to create a document of the "Morning Schedule" from THE MANAGEMENT. We laughed when he posted the list on the shower and table. He is truly a man who would make an excellent pilgramage partner.

"Sanctification - a believer who conforms more and more to the image of Christ"

He Had Asthma

July 15 2006 - London

Once, he was a person
Now, he is a being.
Once, love was on his door step.
Now, distain is his balcony.

Now, the man has lost colour
Once, the issue of colour would have mattered
Now, he sits alone on every corner
Once, he would not have known waiting.

For he is merely a shell of a man
Aft, he will be restored to riches
For, he claims to have asthma
Aft he will breath the sweetest aroma.

The ebb and flow takes a man
Where many will dare to go.
But his riches are greater than these
Who chose to pass him, NO NO NO.

A Cold and Lonely Island

Gran Manan island is a place for vacationing, drug houses, Roussevelt houses, and most importantly school trips. During the first week of school, myself and a bus load of students had the opportunity to trek over the American/Canadian island.

The climax of the trip is portrayed in the picture of Zach and myself. Here we are trying to keep our bodies warm because the polar-swim had tightened our skin and caused little pores to protrude the skin. As students we are inclinded to be thrill seekers whenever possible. The work thing keeps us a little too caged in so we have our own way of expressing our passions. Though these passions are sometimes ridiculous, they are always a laugh to look back on.

The island has most recently become more famous for the vigilanty expressions against a drug house. My reflection on the topic is sub-par so I recommend reading up on the events. What I know is that the community was aware of a drug house on the island and after the silence from higher authorities, the community took matters into their own hands. They closed off the roads to the island, firebombed the drug house and many shots were fired. The trial is currently underway and the question of justice is: Was this act of civil violent disobedience justifiable?

What is Blog?

A good question, one that I will soon learn about as I delve through the unknown space of Blogs.