Opinion.
Mine is mine.
Where did I get mine? Experiences in my life. From reading the bible. From people who impacted me in my life.
Where do you get yours? Same place. But for you not me.
Clear?
PS. I'm not saying this to point out people take my opinion, but I think people's beliefs are too richly based off others opinions instead of their own. Well that's what feel anyway.
-Brent
Monday, August 21, 2006
I'm for Christ
I was talking to my friend on msn today.
Derek and I were discussing my beliefs and we started to discuss religion.
I simply added my view of how I view Christianity.
"Religion is about Power, Christ is about Love, I'm about Christ."
When the government couldn't control Christians they established the clergy.. and through that power and selfishness took place over love, and the maintaince of this system became vital.
Revivals have occured now and again to show the love of Christ in a way "out of your comfort zone" but if we look at modern church-goers who all flock to a single place to "do" their worship, we are still controlled by the government, aren't we?
Not saying we need to revolt, but I'm just putting my thoughts onto paper again.
I'm not really making an argument, just stating my point. I'm for Christ. I really don't care for religion, or at least my view of religion.
-Brent
Derek and I were discussing my beliefs and we started to discuss religion.
I simply added my view of how I view Christianity.
"Religion is about Power, Christ is about Love, I'm about Christ."
When the government couldn't control Christians they established the clergy.. and through that power and selfishness took place over love, and the maintaince of this system became vital.
Revivals have occured now and again to show the love of Christ in a way "out of your comfort zone" but if we look at modern church-goers who all flock to a single place to "do" their worship, we are still controlled by the government, aren't we?
Not saying we need to revolt, but I'm just putting my thoughts onto paper again.
I'm not really making an argument, just stating my point. I'm for Christ. I really don't care for religion, or at least my view of religion.
-Brent
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Beach Day
I had a reunion with some of my "distant" relatives at the beach today. We met up at White Pine Beach, which is a lovely beach about 35 minutes from our house. When we arrived it was nearly empty and breezy. When I say empty I mean, on our side of the beach (their are actually two beachs on the coast of the lake we were on) there were about 50 people or less. Which is like no one compared to the like 300 people packed on a small space of land like the last time I recently went.
Anyway, we met up with our relatives had a picnic. Discussed Battle School, and then because I was fairly bored, I wanted to toss a football my dad recently pulled out of his back-pack. Because none of my family wanted to, I went on search to make a new friend at the beach. The first kid I walked up to couldn't be older than six. I met him on a rock, and we said our hi's and how are you's, mostly with me asking him, and him giving me short answers. Then he was off, wearing his towel like superman to go into all sorts of 5 year-old adventures. Anyway, I was out of luck for making a new friend, so I sent off in the other direction to try and make a friend. I saw a man on a towel sitting by himself, so I went over to talk with the fellow. I said hi, and how are you, and he just was sitting there, responding much like the kid. Then he said "I don't want any company" so I said "Ok" and I was off. After that all I could see were kids swimming and people sun-bathing, so I returned to my family and eventually pursuaded my dad to play with me.
I was amazed how hard it was to make a new friend at the beach, compared to my six weeks at Battle School, where I probably made at least 150 new friends. Then I look back in my community, how no one smiles at each other, we all converse with our work colleges or peers and when we walk outside, we keep our heads down and don't speak to anyone we don't know.
I know children aren't suppose to talk to strangers, but grown adults are scared of a little social conversation? Come on.. something is terribly wrong with this generation. I should know, it wasn't so long ago that I would spend 8-12 hours in my basement playing computer games, and only talking to people on my msn buddy list. But if we are going to bring Jesus to the people of this world, it can't be done from our basement. You can argue me on this, but evangelism requires a one on one interaction between the person and Jesus within us.
Anyway, I really did have fun, I got to read alot more of Luke today, which I have to say is my favorite gospel now. I understand the parables alot better when I read Luke's version, and I find he has all the timbits I missed in the other Gospels.
-Brent
Anyway, we met up with our relatives had a picnic. Discussed Battle School, and then because I was fairly bored, I wanted to toss a football my dad recently pulled out of his back-pack. Because none of my family wanted to, I went on search to make a new friend at the beach. The first kid I walked up to couldn't be older than six. I met him on a rock, and we said our hi's and how are you's, mostly with me asking him, and him giving me short answers. Then he was off, wearing his towel like superman to go into all sorts of 5 year-old adventures. Anyway, I was out of luck for making a new friend, so I sent off in the other direction to try and make a friend. I saw a man on a towel sitting by himself, so I went over to talk with the fellow. I said hi, and how are you, and he just was sitting there, responding much like the kid. Then he said "I don't want any company" so I said "Ok" and I was off. After that all I could see were kids swimming and people sun-bathing, so I returned to my family and eventually pursuaded my dad to play with me.
I was amazed how hard it was to make a new friend at the beach, compared to my six weeks at Battle School, where I probably made at least 150 new friends. Then I look back in my community, how no one smiles at each other, we all converse with our work colleges or peers and when we walk outside, we keep our heads down and don't speak to anyone we don't know.
I know children aren't suppose to talk to strangers, but grown adults are scared of a little social conversation? Come on.. something is terribly wrong with this generation. I should know, it wasn't so long ago that I would spend 8-12 hours in my basement playing computer games, and only talking to people on my msn buddy list. But if we are going to bring Jesus to the people of this world, it can't be done from our basement. You can argue me on this, but evangelism requires a one on one interaction between the person and Jesus within us.
Anyway, I really did have fun, I got to read alot more of Luke today, which I have to say is my favorite gospel now. I understand the parables alot better when I read Luke's version, and I find he has all the timbits I missed in the other Gospels.
-Brent
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Be Ready
It's a large part of Jesus' teachings. I was reading Luke 12 today when I finally got out of my stubborn laziness and sat down and did my rations to the sound of "Fire Fall Down" by Hillsong United.
What stuck out to me was the parable Jesus taught of interpreting the signs of this age, and how they point towards Jesus' resurrection. What I got confused on was when he said:
"Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right? When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to the officer, who will throw you into prison. And if that happens, you won't be free until you won't be free, until you have paid the very last penny."
Then looking at it in context it all came together. Jesus wasn't only literally talking about how to settle grivences with one another before we take it to the court, he was also referring to our crime against God. The sin in our lives that we will be guilty of unless we settle the grievence here on earth before the day of judgement.
Then once I had that revealed to me the whole chapter made sense, I knew why Jesus told us to fear God and not man or death, I knew why Jesus pointed out we need to acknowledge him, I knew why he told us to not to store up earthy goods but lose our relationship with God. It all made sense. These were guides on how to live the like the servant who is dressed and has kept his lamp burning.
All I got to say is I've learnt I needed to settle my grievences with God before the day of judgement comes so now I can be ready all the time for my master's return.
-Brent
What stuck out to me was the parable Jesus taught of interpreting the signs of this age, and how they point towards Jesus' resurrection. What I got confused on was when he said:
"Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right? When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to the officer, who will throw you into prison. And if that happens, you won't be free until you won't be free, until you have paid the very last penny."
Then looking at it in context it all came together. Jesus wasn't only literally talking about how to settle grivences with one another before we take it to the court, he was also referring to our crime against God. The sin in our lives that we will be guilty of unless we settle the grievence here on earth before the day of judgement.
Then once I had that revealed to me the whole chapter made sense, I knew why Jesus told us to fear God and not man or death, I knew why Jesus pointed out we need to acknowledge him, I knew why he told us to not to store up earthy goods but lose our relationship with God. It all made sense. These were guides on how to live the like the servant who is dressed and has kept his lamp burning.
All I got to say is I've learnt I needed to settle my grievences with God before the day of judgement comes so now I can be ready all the time for my master's return.
-Brent
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Lie of this generation
" You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are."
Ponder about it..
I'll update this later.
-Brent
Ponder about it..
I'll update this later.
-Brent
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Character
A good one is crucial to leadership. Not just leadership either, every part of your life, good character will turn you from a "Christian" to the guy who people want to aspire to be.
Danielle Stricklen gave us a great class about character, and how it applies to leadership.
She gave a great analogy about a sailboat and its comparison to our lives.
All the parts of a sailboat are esscential to making it work. Most of the time people only see the part of the boat that is above the water, this is your gifts/abilities, which are esscential to making the boat go anywhere, but there is the bottom of our boats that people can't see that are also there so we don't sink. This is our character. People might not be able to see it up close, but it's still very crucial for a sailboat to have. Especially a strong, sturdy, good character. Our character is how we act in every situation, it's how we are in all circumstances, and it's what people are looking for in good leaders.
Your character needs to be one like Jesus, and often times our bottom of our boat needs alot of work. I noticed the one thing I lacked in my leadership was good character, and only recently have I learnt to be a servant leader, one who listens, encourages and helps the group instead of being an aggressive, selfish, egotistical know it all.
I still got lots of work to do, and I need you guys to hold me accountable and to help with with this part of my life. I believe we can't be two faced about who we are, and we have to be the same person we are to our friends, as we are to our enemies. That means a caring and loving person in all circumstances. Like for me it's serving even the people who tell me "how it's done" or encouraging those who just insulted me. It's reading my bible everyday, and asking questions to a trusted friend when I don't understand, other than letting my pride get in the way and being stubborn and refusing to ask.
How is your sailboat?
-Brent
Intimacy
God's been laying on my heart most recently that I need to work on my intimacy with him. The Battle School was a great way to do this.
"A scheduled life is a simple life" after all, and it helped me to focus on what's really important. I had to sacrifice my video games and my computer time at Battle School, because God called me to instead spend the time reading his work and in time of prayer with him.
Now I come back with a schedule, that no longer includes six hours of video games with friends topped off with three hours of television. Instead those things no longer matter to me at all. My scheduled day starts off with a shower, a meal, and rations (reading the word for 45 minutes).
God has been teaching me that the fundamental goal in life is not to serve, nor is it even worship (sorry Karyn Baker, but I totally am firm about this belief) it is to have intimacy with our Creator.
Truely, how can you even serve for the right reason if you don't know why your serving? If you serve to make people happy, there will be a time where people will spit in your face for helping them. If you do it for God your service will always matter.
How can you worship something if you don't even understand what that something is. I realized that in my life I was producing gifts for God without even knowing who God really was. I was missing intimacy. I was serving, doing ministry, worshipping, disicpling others, but I wasn't reading God's word, nor was a I praying as much as I should've.
I should have been spending more time with God, and letting those things come out of what I learnt about him.
One last thing, and it's something I've just been starting to dig into hardcore, what's with Christians who don't know God's word? Seriously you can't really grasp God without his word in your life. You can't understand who God really is by listening to the sermon, or worshiping him up on a platform. You understand someone through spending time with them. How do we spend time with God? Reading his word and praying. Raw basics of our Christian faith.
Time to shape up though, I've had six weeks of discipline spending more time with God, and now that I've experienced it, I never want to lose it.
-Brent
"A scheduled life is a simple life" after all, and it helped me to focus on what's really important. I had to sacrifice my video games and my computer time at Battle School, because God called me to instead spend the time reading his work and in time of prayer with him.
Now I come back with a schedule, that no longer includes six hours of video games with friends topped off with three hours of television. Instead those things no longer matter to me at all. My scheduled day starts off with a shower, a meal, and rations (reading the word for 45 minutes).
God has been teaching me that the fundamental goal in life is not to serve, nor is it even worship (sorry Karyn Baker, but I totally am firm about this belief) it is to have intimacy with our Creator.
Truely, how can you even serve for the right reason if you don't know why your serving? If you serve to make people happy, there will be a time where people will spit in your face for helping them. If you do it for God your service will always matter.
How can you worship something if you don't even understand what that something is. I realized that in my life I was producing gifts for God without even knowing who God really was. I was missing intimacy. I was serving, doing ministry, worshipping, disicpling others, but I wasn't reading God's word, nor was a I praying as much as I should've.
I should have been spending more time with God, and letting those things come out of what I learnt about him.
One last thing, and it's something I've just been starting to dig into hardcore, what's with Christians who don't know God's word? Seriously you can't really grasp God without his word in your life. You can't understand who God really is by listening to the sermon, or worshiping him up on a platform. You understand someone through spending time with them. How do we spend time with God? Reading his word and praying. Raw basics of our Christian faith.
Time to shape up though, I've had six weeks of discipline spending more time with God, and now that I've experienced it, I never want to lose it.
-Brent
Saturday, August 12, 2006
My Battle School Synopsis
To say Battle School was a while new experience for me would be like saying the 700 dollars to get there was easy to obtain.
But the difference between a mission trip to the DTES and living an incarnational ministry out for 6 weeks is contrast of large proportions to say the least.
First theirs living in community with your fellow Battle Schooler's, and mine were the "cream-of the-crop".
First there's Jordan, who's stubborn attitude and perfectionism ideally suited a lot of the situations we faced living together in the apartments. Not to mention she is soft hearted, has a tight fatherly relationship with God, and her freedom in worship can encourage you to keep on trucking till you bleed.
Then comes Chris, this guy can make you smile as soon as he opens his mouth, and then about in 5 seconds make you want to hit him so he stops talking about your mother. This guy can serve, I would have to honestly say I've never seen him complain while given an instruction or task, something that encourages me a lot and a aspect that I need to have while I serve. His willingness to follow along with anyone in the group is another crucial character trait that makes him awesome. This guy will do anything with anyone, and not give a second shake on the subject.
Finally there is Ed Bell. Enough said.
Honestly though, that kid is like the squirrel from "Hoodwinked" on 5 cups of coffee. He has more energy (when he gets out of his "morning phase") than all the electricity on this planet put together. Ed's able to talk to anyone without a fear in the world. Now he is usually picking fights with them in the conversation eventually, but still loving them with the same love Jesus would give. I think.
Next I'll talk about the people who discipled into my experience during Battle School.
Jeni was always trying to wake us up in the morning, to get us roaring for the rest of our exciting day. She loves God passionately more than I love monkeys, and her experience with him as a healer and comforter really showed in her classes as she caused us to lay things aside that distracted us from the real reason we were at Battle School. To love God and to Love others.
We went through the experience of "fun" workbooks but her attitude while teaching is what brightened your day up and made you want to actually "play" with the kids at Oppenheimer instead of just watching them.
Let's move onto Danielle. This lady classes I found were the most upbeat for our group. Comfortable couches, movies as homework, questions that made you think. Man my type of class. Her knowledge of God and experience with leadership opened my eyes to a whole new playing field of what it really meant to lead. Her ability to be humble with who she is and where God has placed her in her life inspires me to go deeper in finding a firm "character" of who I am as not only a leader but every aspect of my life. Plus, as I meationed earlier, we watched movies as homework. How sweet is that?
Then there was Stephen Court. His classes were like taking a test, long, annoying, agitating, and you left feeling relieved that it was finally over, until the next test. Steve was very in our face about everything. Especially when he switched from teaching us "Inner city Mission/Ministry" to just plain old Evangelism. It's not like his classes were hard, it's just his "fun-loving" character he brought to each one of them that made them so exciting. I did get to learn about the Bridge finally, and sharing the Gospel is now as easy for me as 2 minutes, a napkin, and a pen. I think the best part of his classes were the homework assignments, where you had no idea what the question was, so when you came to class, you hoped you did it right. Yay fun!
Lisa, Andrew MacDonald, Jenea and Aaron White were great influences as well. Lisa managed the group and kept us focused, as well as just kept us from killing each other the whole 6 weeks. Andy was like the pal for me out of the whole 614 group there, as soon as I met him we had the weirdest relationship ever, that if you were an atheist you'd be like "Dude, your touching his butt".. on the other hand, it really doesn't matter what your stance on faith is for that.
Umm, moving along. Jenea and Aaron were awesome with us getting us hooked up with UGM and chilling with the kids at Oppenheimer. Both knew how to assign tasks, and then once all the work was assigned go and relax... I mean find something to occupy themselves. They were great to have us motivated there and were the backbone to why Oppenheimer was exciting.
Jacynta, did you think I'd forget you? Well I did, so tough love... I'll blog about you some other time. :P
Then of course there is Jonathan Evans, who influenced my Battle School experience, about as much as the Queen influences Canada's government. But really, without Jon we wouldn't even be here, so I have to give him major props for having a very successful impact on my life with the organization of this past 6 weeks. He gave out bonus blessing when we deserved them, he encouraged us during pray the bible, he took the credit for all the hard work we did with all the places we helped. You know he was just a great role model for us.
Ok now that the personal attacks are over, and I have about 20 less friends then I did two days ago..
I have to say the whole 614 community was awesome, from Steve Bell, to Becs, to Kathleen and Katie. Don't worry (Wes, Crystal, Lindsey, Sean, Matthew Champ, Dallas, Tara, Darren, Rebecca, Ashley, and anyone else I might I missed) I didn't forget you. You guys rocked!
My experience overall was tiring. I was poured out spiritually, emotionally and physically during this six weeks, and God just emptied me out. He also poured a lot into me. Ultimately, I finally understand that he has been making me into that new wine skin so that the new wine and the skin both can be preserved.
I've had to learn sacrifice, true love, what to take home with me, character, a true grasp of intimacy, a new desire for worship, I stronger passion for service and prophesy, no longer a fear of man especially when it comes to encouragement. I'll be talking specifics in other post through-out this week so stay posted.
All in all, I'm never going to forget this six weeks, and it's a start to a whole new side of Brent the world has never seen.
I don't think their ready for it, but Jesus is going full throttle anyway.. So look out.
I just want to thank you guys for all your prayer, all your support, and especially your love.
-Brent
But the difference between a mission trip to the DTES and living an incarnational ministry out for 6 weeks is contrast of large proportions to say the least.
First theirs living in community with your fellow Battle Schooler's, and mine were the "cream-of the-crop".
First there's Jordan, who's stubborn attitude and perfectionism ideally suited a lot of the situations we faced living together in the apartments. Not to mention she is soft hearted, has a tight fatherly relationship with God, and her freedom in worship can encourage you to keep on trucking till you bleed.
Then comes Chris, this guy can make you smile as soon as he opens his mouth, and then about in 5 seconds make you want to hit him so he stops talking about your mother. This guy can serve, I would have to honestly say I've never seen him complain while given an instruction or task, something that encourages me a lot and a aspect that I need to have while I serve. His willingness to follow along with anyone in the group is another crucial character trait that makes him awesome. This guy will do anything with anyone, and not give a second shake on the subject.
Finally there is Ed Bell. Enough said.
Honestly though, that kid is like the squirrel from "Hoodwinked" on 5 cups of coffee. He has more energy (when he gets out of his "morning phase") than all the electricity on this planet put together. Ed's able to talk to anyone without a fear in the world. Now he is usually picking fights with them in the conversation eventually, but still loving them with the same love Jesus would give. I think.
Next I'll talk about the people who discipled into my experience during Battle School.
Jeni was always trying to wake us up in the morning, to get us roaring for the rest of our exciting day. She loves God passionately more than I love monkeys, and her experience with him as a healer and comforter really showed in her classes as she caused us to lay things aside that distracted us from the real reason we were at Battle School. To love God and to Love others.
We went through the experience of "fun" workbooks but her attitude while teaching is what brightened your day up and made you want to actually "play" with the kids at Oppenheimer instead of just watching them.
Let's move onto Danielle. This lady classes I found were the most upbeat for our group. Comfortable couches, movies as homework, questions that made you think. Man my type of class. Her knowledge of God and experience with leadership opened my eyes to a whole new playing field of what it really meant to lead. Her ability to be humble with who she is and where God has placed her in her life inspires me to go deeper in finding a firm "character" of who I am as not only a leader but every aspect of my life. Plus, as I meationed earlier, we watched movies as homework. How sweet is that?
Then there was Stephen Court. His classes were like taking a test, long, annoying, agitating, and you left feeling relieved that it was finally over, until the next test. Steve was very in our face about everything. Especially when he switched from teaching us "Inner city Mission/Ministry" to just plain old Evangelism. It's not like his classes were hard, it's just his "fun-loving" character he brought to each one of them that made them so exciting. I did get to learn about the Bridge finally, and sharing the Gospel is now as easy for me as 2 minutes, a napkin, and a pen. I think the best part of his classes were the homework assignments, where you had no idea what the question was, so when you came to class, you hoped you did it right. Yay fun!
Lisa, Andrew MacDonald, Jenea and Aaron White were great influences as well. Lisa managed the group and kept us focused, as well as just kept us from killing each other the whole 6 weeks. Andy was like the pal for me out of the whole 614 group there, as soon as I met him we had the weirdest relationship ever, that if you were an atheist you'd be like "Dude, your touching his butt".. on the other hand, it really doesn't matter what your stance on faith is for that.
Umm, moving along. Jenea and Aaron were awesome with us getting us hooked up with UGM and chilling with the kids at Oppenheimer. Both knew how to assign tasks, and then once all the work was assigned go and relax... I mean find something to occupy themselves. They were great to have us motivated there and were the backbone to why Oppenheimer was exciting.
Jacynta, did you think I'd forget you? Well I did, so tough love... I'll blog about you some other time. :P
Then of course there is Jonathan Evans, who influenced my Battle School experience, about as much as the Queen influences Canada's government. But really, without Jon we wouldn't even be here, so I have to give him major props for having a very successful impact on my life with the organization of this past 6 weeks. He gave out bonus blessing when we deserved them, he encouraged us during pray the bible, he took the credit for all the hard work we did with all the places we helped. You know he was just a great role model for us.
Ok now that the personal attacks are over, and I have about 20 less friends then I did two days ago..
I have to say the whole 614 community was awesome, from Steve Bell, to Becs, to Kathleen and Katie. Don't worry (Wes, Crystal, Lindsey, Sean, Matthew Champ, Dallas, Tara, Darren, Rebecca, Ashley, and anyone else I might I missed) I didn't forget you. You guys rocked!
My experience overall was tiring. I was poured out spiritually, emotionally and physically during this six weeks, and God just emptied me out. He also poured a lot into me. Ultimately, I finally understand that he has been making me into that new wine skin so that the new wine and the skin both can be preserved.
I've had to learn sacrifice, true love, what to take home with me, character, a true grasp of intimacy, a new desire for worship, I stronger passion for service and prophesy, no longer a fear of man especially when it comes to encouragement. I'll be talking specifics in other post through-out this week so stay posted.
All in all, I'm never going to forget this six weeks, and it's a start to a whole new side of Brent the world has never seen.
I don't think their ready for it, but Jesus is going full throttle anyway.. So look out.
I just want to thank you guys for all your prayer, all your support, and especially your love.
-Brent
Returned from War
Long days these past six weeks. Learnt so much.
Updates Monday*
-Brent
It's good to be back.
Updates Monday*
-Brent
It's good to be back.
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