Rouge River Community Church

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Daddy Day Memories

Below are a few favourite "dad" memories people posted on Sunday June 21 at the River's AWE gathering. Enjoy!

River Dad Memories

"My dad came to watch my hockey game, then we went to an outdoor rink and played hockey until 1:00am or so!"

"The time he tried to teach me how to start a fire with steel wool and a 9 volt battery... in case I ever got lost in the woods alone. We spent an hour or more trying to light the fire."

"I remember the time Dad went horseback riding with me. That was great."

"A great memory is more of a great realization during a not so great time, when my mom was seriously ill. I never realized just how much Dad loves Mom until that time."

"Dad taught me how to face terminal illness with peace, hope, and dignity. His faith was quiet, but shone so brightly in his last few months on earth."

"Busting out his stack of firecrackers from when he was younger so we could set up little green army men to blow up."

"When my dad and I do homework together I always hear something new."

"I thank Dad for making me feel beautiful. :)"

"Dad showing up unexpectedly at my sports games."

"My dad taught me many things. He always displayed his love for God. He worked at OPC (ed. note: Ontario Pioneer Camp) for many years and passed his love of that place on to me."

"I remember as a grade-schooler being 'past over" at McDonalds when standing in line so that the waitstaff could serve the "adult" standing behind me. My Dad used the moment to teach me about treating everyone fairly- and also encouraged me to consider lobbying the government for equal rights for kids..."

-Some editing was done to ensure privacy.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 11:02 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Our Father...

On Sunday, Father's Day, our AWE used The Lord's Prayer as the theme. We explored fatherhood, not only of God, but of humans as well. One of the stations asked us to take the Lord's Prayer and rewrite it for our earthly fathers, or personalize it for ourselves and our heavenly father. Here are some of the prayers...

First- The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,Hallowed be thy Name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. [For thine is the kingdom,and the power, and the glory,for ever and ever.] Amen.

River "Our Father's..."

"My father, who teaches me lessons of life, you have taught me things you may not know or remember. Lessons of patience and love come from you, selflessness and perseverance. I don't know if I would be the same if it wasn't for you. You have impacted my life so much. Thank you dad- thank you. I love you."

"God my heavenly father, everything about you is holy. The time is coming when all the earth will serve you and worship you as the angels do now. Please supply us with what we need, but not with too much more. God, again and again we fall short of the standards you have set. We are sorry for that and ask that you would forgive us and turn our hearts from evil desires. Your kingdom, where everything is perfect, will continue forever as will your power and glory."

"My stepfather who is here, your name is special to me. Your legacy will be here for years to come. I hope to honour you in my decisions, as I hope to honour my heavenly father. Give us today our special moments. Forgive me my immaturity as I forgive you your maturity! Let us not be tempted to take each other for granted. Keep us safe from evil, for yours is the legacy, the greatness and the goodness, forever and ever."

"To my heavenly father, who lives in heaven, but also in my heart. I praise you father. Help me to care about the things you care about in this world. Please provide me with the things I need. Forgive me for my disobedience and selfishness- help me to extend the same care to the people around me. Keep me close to you- listening to your voice. you are the way, the truth and the life."

-The above were written by those in attendance at the gathering on Sunday, June 21st. Some edits were made to ensure privacy.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 10:41 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Hands

My hands are clean.

I stand before God, all my sins confessed.

I read from the right Bible, I sing the right songs, I wear the right clothes.

I put money in the right box.

My hands are clean.

My hands are clean.

I do not touch the man sleeping on the sidewalk.

I do not use that kind of language.

I do not get my hands dirty for the one who asks for help.

My hands are clean.

My hands are clean.

I do not associate with the wrong people.

I do not drink the wrong beverages.

I do not eat the wrong foods.

My hands are clean.

My hands are clean.

And God asks why He got his hands dirty...for me.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 10:47 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Our Global City

The demonstrations in Iran over the last few days have reinforced how small our world has become. Many have called it "The Global Village"; I prefer the term "Global City" (not to be confused with 'a global city'). The major news organizations seem to have dropped the ball on coverage of the Iranian post-election unrest. Tehran was in flames, and CNN showed a Larry King repeat. The Twitter-sphere has been on fire with reports, many coming from those right in Iran.

While the government seems to be moving to cut off communication lines to the outside world, the Internet, and especially Twitter, has allowed for micro-blogging to continue. Even a casual search of Twitter right now shows people finding ways around the government firewall. The stories, pictures and video that are leaking out of Iran give an immediacy to the situation. Here is a link to a series of photos from the protests (warning: some graphic content) - http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html .

I sent an email this morning to some of my friends who follow politics/ breaking news and tech. The convergence of those two worlds is fascinating to watch. This week on TWIT, Leo Laporte et al debated how the next generation of tech helps to democratize not only countries, by journalism as well. As the traditional newspaper breathes its last, bloggers and citizen journalists are thriving. Add into the mix the new iPhone 3Gs, now capable of streaming video, along with other uber-gadgets like the Nokia N97, and we see information available immediately to the entire world. Think back to some significant news stories of the past. During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we saw compelling personal video and pictures emerge within hours. During the July 7, 2005 London Bombings, videos and pictures from mobile phones were shown on BBC and Sky News within minutes. Now, with the new generation of hand-held and online "tech toys", the next major disaster (God forbid) will have live video, and real-time Twitter updates.

I also posited in my email, based on some the TWIT 199 discussion, that with a minimum of start-up capital, one could develop a "citizen news network" (a 21st century CNN, if you will) online, with the anchor switching between feeds of live streaming video coming in from cell phones and other devices, while also conducting Twitter interviews with those in the middle of breaking news. Anyone have an extra 20-50K for start up costs? I have no idea how to monetize the idea ethically, but wow!

I'm not really sure what the implications are or should be for the missional church. I think the old model of overseas missionary work needs to give way to an emerging missional living model, where the credibility we establish at the local level grows to the regional (continental) and global levels. I think we will see missions organizations and denominational mission endeavors replaced by smaller church by church missional living initiatives.

What do you think? What are the implications of the Global City on the missional church? How will "citizen missionaries" carry out their calling? Leave comments via the link below!

Peace!

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 9:54 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Clutter

I can't breathe.
I am surrounded by noise-
-noise in my ears
-noise in my eyes
-noise in my soul.
It is too much.

All these images fighting for attention,
screaming for me to respond-
-crackers on the floor
-disks on the table
-papers on my desk.
It is overwhelming.

Why can't I toss everything and begin again?
I just want peace-
-it's not about control
-it's not about being tidy
-it's not about avoiding the judgment of others.
It is about rest.

Clutter fills my eyes, my ears, my soul.
I need a clean sweep.
I need to stop buying, stop binging, stop burrowing.
I need to stop hearing, stop watching, stop consuming.

God, help me to maintain a clear table top,
not for appearances, but for my soul.

God, give me the courage to stop,
not for any other reason but for my soul.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 9:43 AM • Comments (1) Trackbacks (0)

Friday, June 05, 2009

River Missional Creed

This creed was written by members of the River community

as part of the gathering on May 24. 2009.

We believe everyone matters to God. We believe God has a plan and a standard in His Word (the Bible).

By faith we know that's true. Through small and large acts of obedience, we can make a difference. We are willing to step outside our comfort zones to take action.

We trust God to guide and we know obedience brings blessings, encouragement, and hope.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 9:26 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Missional Prayer of Confession

This prayer of confession was written by members of the River community

as part of the gathering on May 24. 2009.

We have been unconcerned about being merciful. We have focused on ourselves and have been self-centered.

We have failed to recognize your blessing in our lives is to be passed on to bless others who are in need. We have seen the needs of others and failed to respond.

Forgive us when we have ignored or found excuses to not act according to what you have called us to do. Make us aware of issues that break your heart and move us where we can be used to make a difference.

Posted By Andre Lauzon At 9:22 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

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