Dirty Knotty Blankie

This past Sunday I had the day off. I did not have to preach at either of the services. In fact my neighbor said to me that I am becoming a part time minister, I mean, I didnt even have to work the 2 hours a week that I normally have to work! :) (This coming from a neighbor who is a self proclaimed AAA Farmer, April, August and Arizona! Meaning they only work two months and then spend time in Arizona! That made me laugh!) Anyway, it was very refreshing to have Sunday off.

We had a guest minister who I have never heard preach before, but have heard his reports 2 times a year for the last 2 years. He is the Chaplain at the University of Calgary for the CRC. It was refreshing to be able to listen to good preaching. (Someone else said to me, "That is what others in our church were saying! ha ha ha). In the morning service though, he really tied in neatly with something I had talked about a couple of weeks ago.

A couple of weeks ago, I had done something pretty scandalous...I wore jeans and a t-shirt with a devilish looking skull with a cross going through it to church. I was talking about "By Faith alone" and how we all agree it isnt by our works, but but faith in Christ alone that saves us. The point I was trying to make was the fact that we agree with this, but how many people in our churches would accept someone coming to church dressed in this way? Every single person that morning had some thought in their mind about what I was wearing. It really helped to prove my point.

Sunday we heard about the fact that Jesus was hanging out with Prostitutes and Sinners! (gasp!) The pastor shared with us from Phillip Yancey's book "What's So Amazing about Grace" a story of a prostitute who needed to employ her 2 year old daughter. She said something along the lines of, "Why would I go to church? They just make you feel so bad." The pastor went on to talk about the fact that it was people like her, that Jesus hung out with. It wasnt the people in the suits, which we could almost associate many "Church people" as the modern day pharisees.

He used an analogy that was very moving. He talked about his kids and their blankies and how important those blankies are to his kids. The most important thing to take on any trip is those "dirty, knotty blankies." We are like the dirty knotty blankies to Jesus. He rejoices over us, like when he finds his lost sheep. He finds us and celebrates over us. The pastor's point, how do we react over the "lost sheep" are we part of the 99 that dont need to be saved? Do we accept the prostitute at our church? Or do we make her feel bad? It really tied in with my point of my friend who designed the shirt I wore to church that one Sunday.

The afternoon was equally was refreshing. I could go on and on about that here. It is amazing to me to see how a day off like that can really energize me and refresh me. I really needed that, especially as we head into the Advent/Christmas season.

New Hobby

I am finding that the more I try new things, especially new sports, I really like them. My latest thing that I found to be really fun is fly fishing. A few weeks ago I went with someone on a Monday evening. We got to the river about 4-4:30. We had to hike down to the river from the road. It was a place where the guy I went with said, "We will catch fish." Not many people go there since you have to hike down hill a bit. He also said to me, "I dont want to scare you, but I have bear spray just in case." I thought to myself, "good to know!" He said he has never encountered a bear, but he doesnt want to be caught empty handed if one did come on him.

But I tell you what, that was something I really enjoyed. We spent about 3 hours in the river fishing. By the end my feet were frozen! It is a sport that requires a lot of attention. Afterward I said I could see how a bear could sneak up on you. You are so focused on the fly and the river that you lose almost an awareness of your surroundings. It was absolutely amazing to be out in the mountains, in God's creation just enjoying his creation. It was extremely relaxing, yet not boring at the same time.

I like regular fishing as well, but after trying fly fishing only this one time, I think I might prefer it. You are constantly doing something as you fish. And it takes some skill. So, for my birthday last week, my wife bought me one of this guys fly rods and reel set up. I am excited to try my new hobby more and more...but unfortunately I have to wait until next season! Oh well, Ski season is right around the corner!!

Oh yeah, we did catch a bunch of little fish, but we let them all go.