Dreams Unlocked

Like most Canadians I was shocked and saddened by the passing of Jack Layton. Full disclosure: I'm pretty conservative politically and socially, but I do like the commitment to justice and the poor that marks the NDP. Jack Layton seemed to be the best our country could offer in the political arena. He was a man of integrity and eloquence. He had a commitment to the poor, and those often overlooked by those in power. Layton pulled off the incredible feat of being the leader of the Official Opposition - when only a few years ago the NDP were written off as being finished in federal politics. He won in politics, but sadly lost in health. A keen intellect and passion for Canada were no match for the cancer cells that regrouped and returned in his body. His death shows us the fragility of life. Layton's followers went from jubilation to mourning in just a few short months. There are Canadians who didn't like his policies, but they still liked him. His final words t...

I've been reading the new biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. Its really well done and reads like a thriller. Bonhoeffer has long been a hero of mine, and have been greatly influenced by his writings on discipleship and community. One new thing that I learned was the influence that the black church in America had on his faith. It basically transformed his faith from mere intellectual assent into a vibrant dynamism. When he returned to Germany from the U.S., everyone noticed this difference in him. It is amazing to me, that the faith of a persecuted minority, would ignite someone like Bonhoeffer , who would go on to lead a powerful counter movement of resistance to the most tyrannical power of the 20th Century. God used the plight of african americans to transform a privileged German clergyman, who in turn would not silence the cries of his jewish brothers and sisters. I pray and hope that this kind of transformation can continue on in our day - that we might hea...

I'm preaching at the end of the month at a local church.They are going through a series and I have to follow along. The series they are doing are the 7 churches found at the beginning of the book of Revelation. I have to do two of the churches. Good gig. I've been reading Richard Baukhams book on Revelation. Revelation is confusing - you need to read this book to help you figure it out. Revelation is a poem, filled with amazing artistic imagery. It also contains a lot of literary skill. You could study it your whole life, and still discover new things. It is an assault on empire. It's like a punk rock song, raging against all that is unjust. But, the anger against injustice flows out of worship of the One who will bring all things to rights. I read through the whole book this afternoon at Starbucks. It is fantastic. "Those who bear witness to the one true God, the only true absolute to whom all political power is subject, expose Rome's idolatrous self-d...

Dr. John R.W. Stott passed away on July 27 2011. I know I'm a bit behind in posting my thoughts, but I was on holiday last week, and just couldn't get around to putting my thoughts down. I spent all day today writing a longer article which will appear in the Light magazine next month. I interviewed several people who knew him well, including Dr. J.I. Packer and Dr. James Houston. When I got the news (via Facebook) of Stott's death, I was really sad. You see, I was friends with John Stott. Seriously. He knew my dad, and his affection for my father was passed on to me. I met Stott a total of 4 times in my life, and each time he greeted me with a warm hug and concern as to how I was doing. The last time I heard from him was three years ago. I had written him about one of his older books and its impact on me. He said he was delighted to hear from me, and that I was to pass his love on to my father. Stott was truly a great man. A fierce intellect coupled with a disarming...