Entering the room - I tried to create an environment that was different from any thing people were use to. Lights were shut off. Candles were scattered. Tables were covered with kraft paper from Montana’s Restaurant. Crayons were distributed for doodling. Music like U2’s “City of Blinding Lights” played.
I did [...]

Posted in Christ, Culture, communication, confessions, creativity, stories 6 Comments »

I’ve been speaking at Teen’s Conference over the last few days. Looking into the eyes of these incredible emerging adults, I had forgotten how lost I was when I was their age.
- thoughts of ending my life secretly plagued me
- I mocked anyone who wanted to do anything significant with their life
- my journals [...]

Posted in Character, Hope, confessions, life, stories, youth 8 Comments »

Years back as a young punk kid, a friend and I stole some video games downtown.
Even worst, we put it in the backpack of another friend, without telling him. I remember sweating as I watched him prance through the metal detectors completely oblivious he was carrying our stolen goods.
Needless to say my friend wasn’t [...]

Posted in Hope, confessions, life, stories, youth 3 Comments »

I’ve got focus issues. I’m serious. Our small group did a test for A.D.D. earlier this week, and every single one of us are categorically A.D.D. We were so restless we couldn’t even finish the test!

The mere moments I’m focused, I gun straight through things, and am fairly effective. Maybe I’m overly [...]

Posted in Ramblings, confessions, life No Comments »

Rick Tobias, CEO of Yonge Street Mission in downtown Toronto, teaches my Youth at Risk class.
Rick stated that “We abandon our kids when they abandon our values. Whether they are gay or chemically dependent, they are still our children and worthy of our love.”
How easy is it for us to withdraw our love when people [...]

Posted in Love, Quotes, confessions, seminary No Comments »

So things didn’t work out this week.
Last week I was reading a book, and it was talking about how “success in God’s eyes is defined by faithfulness”.
I shared this with my wife, and half-jokingly said, only ‘losers’ say this.
The truth is, I do take some solace in this. God looks to the heart and [...]

Posted in Character, Church planting, confessions 2 Comments »

There’s a couple of ‘girly shows’ that I’ve had a craving for recently.
Here it goes… Dawson’s creek and Party of Five.
I missed the last few seasons of Dawson’s Creek and the early seasons of Party of Five. If anyone has them on DVD it’d go a long way in quenching this gnawing temptation.
I really [...]

Posted in Culture, confessions 4 Comments »

I’m adding a new category to my vox called ‘confessions’.
I think there’s something liberating about confessing. Just as the scriptures call for us to confess our sins, and as Peter confessed that Christ was the Son of the living God, I believe that confession is something that is raw and profound.
I love writing and [...]

Posted in Character, Quotes, confessions No Comments »

Inspired by a recent article in Relevant Magazine by Flowerdust, I’ve decided to post up this note I wrote after an unexpected and profound experience at an event several years ago.
“Looking back, I was too consumed to comprehend all that was happening as we laid hands and prayed that Sunday night. Although I did not [...]

Posted in confessions, sex 2 Comments »