When I lived in Moscow, Russia during my high school years, I had the chance to go on a school trip to the Ural Mountains for a week as part of Discovery Week at my school, which was a program designed for us to explore parts of Russia we wouldn’t normally see. The Urals aren’t a particularly high set of mountains, but they are the divide between Europe and Asia which is their claim to fame and as part of the trip we took a trip up on of the peaks of the mountain range. I’ve never been a huge … [Read more...]
I Can Only Imagine – Wk. 8 Biblical Imagination
Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion, too. Imagine all the people. Living life in peace... You.. – Imagine by John Lennon Who recognizes those lyrics? They are from the second verse of John Lennon’s famous song ‘Imagine’ – where he waxes melodically about imagining the world a better place. When I was attending seminary, I lived near Sheppard Subway station and would take the subway into class. On many afternoons and evenings as I … [Read more...]
Sabbath and Jubilee – Wk. 7 Biblical Imagination
“It tastes awful. And it works.” Can anybody guess what that slogan is advertising? (Buckley’s Mixture cough syrup) Has anybody tried Buckley’s? Was it awful? And did it work? (Wait for response) Buckley’s thought up a pretty clever way to sell their cough syrup – a product that’s not glamourous, or even very interesting. They admitted how bad it tastes. But they also highlighted the most important thing that buyers would want to know – does it work? In other words, is it good for you? Sometimes … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk About Sex – Biblical Imagination Wk 5
This, and this alone, is Christianity, a universal holiness in every part of life, a heavenly wisdom in all our actions, not conforming to the spirit and temper of the world but turning all worldly enjoyments into means of piety and devotion to God. – William Law Do any of you remember music videos? I know that music videos still technically exist but their real heyday was in the 80s and 90’s. I remember when I was around 10 or 11 and there was nothing else on TV I would flip through the … [Read more...]
Worship You – Wk. 3 Biblical Imagination
“There is something powerful about singing to God as an act of worship, but it is time to reframe our perspective and our language to genuinely encompass all of life as worship.” – Erwin McManus I remember when I was a child, when my family and I were visiting England my parents as good Anglicans wanted to visit Canterbury Cathedral – the mothership so to speak. My parents were often very excited about visiting churches, but as an uncultured teenager I usually dreaded it. I had been to enough … [Read more...]
Imagine! – Introduction to Biblical Imagination Series
““I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” – Robert Fulghum I have a confession to make…. I am a terrible Canadian. I am a terrible Canadian because growing up I never read or watched the Canadian Classic ‘Anne of Green Gables’. Now in my defence I did spend most of … [Read more...]
Sermon on Exodus 14:19-31
When I was young, I loved comic books. I was enthralled by the adventures of the mighty, spandex-clad super-heroes and villains. I was especially fascinated by their origin stories – how they got their super-powers, and what motivated them to lives of crime or heroism. One monthly series, called “Secret Origins” fed my curiosity. Take Spider-man. He got his spidery powers after being bitten by a radio-active spider. His first impulse was to use his power for selfish gain. It was only when … [Read more...]
Sermon for July 9th – Great Expectations
A sermon exploring our great expectations surrounding Jesus and how God is a God of the unexpected, a God who we cannot box in with our expectations of who he is. May you find both challenge and comfort in Jesus, who's yoke is easy and who's burden is light. Blessings, Rev. Graham Audio and sermon notes available at the bottom of the page … [Read more...]
Trinitarian Life – Sermon for Trinity Sunday
Sermon exploring the nature of the life of the God as Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And how our lives are shaped by God's very life. … [Read more...]