The world’s memories of 2020, including Christmas, will forever stand out in history with a kind of bleakness - a wilderness terrain for the whole of humanity. But even in the wilderness, tiny blossoms show up now and then. They convey a kind of hopefulness to move us forward. Thirteen months ago, I took up a new instrument. If anyone had told me I’d ever learn to play the … [Read more...] about A year like no other, a year of discovering blossoms in the wilderness
Marion Van Driel
Marion Van Driel delights in her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother; her soul is fed by both composing and composting. Music, words, form and colour are ingredients on which she thrives. She considers her garden a gift where family and friends gather to visit, heal, reflect and celebrate. Called as writer, artist, worship leader, gardener and (sometimes reluctant) follower of Christ, she bears evidence of God’s abundant grace without which she’d be someone else entirely.
Lament and the Church: Part 2, in the context of worship
When we accept a theology of suffering there’s the question of how to introduce lament as a truthful, healing practice that leads us back to hope. Worship leader and recording artist Brian Doerksen agrees that offering a space for lament in our worship draws us together as community, reminding us we’re not alone in our feelings of hopelessness and grief. Taking it one step … [Read more...] about Lament and the Church: Part 2, in the context of worship
Lament and the church: Part 1, A theology of lament
Grief. Mourning. Sorrow. Weeping. These are elements of lament. As children of God, we are not immune to feelings of abandonment and desolation. In scripture, most of God’s chosen leaders enter into a time of lament – Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, all the prophets, the people of Israel and even Jesus, whose anguished cry in the Garden of Gethsemane was accompanied by … [Read more...] about Lament and the church: Part 1, A theology of lament
The early church and BC Christian Leaders – commonality of believers
As we enter the season of Pentecost, the compelling story of the early Church moves us. The Spirit’s gifting, bold faith, the commonality of believers in their eagerness to share with those in need. The Spirit’s outpouring and subsequent results were truly amazing. Local BC Christian leaders and the Church today has every reason to believe that God’s Spirit is still in the … [Read more...] about The early church and BC Christian Leaders – commonality of believers
Spiritual discipline in the wilderness
Today we, along with the rest of the world, wander in a spiritual wilderness. We face an unknown future, and everything seems beyond our control. We are only able to choose how we will respond. With the Spirit’s help, we can act in ways that bring hope and healing to ourselves, and others. To respond well is to be intentional about our spiritual wellbeing. Just as physical … [Read more...] about Spiritual discipline in the wilderness