Dreams Unlocked

I have spent most of last week working on a story on Occupy Vancouver. The piece I wrote will come out in the light magazine the first week of December. (www.thelight.ca) . I have written an article every month for the past year for the light. One article I wrote generated a plethora of responses. It was called "the false mask of ministry" It was mainly about th epressure pastors feel in putting on a brave face, or a false mask in order to do their jobs. That is, Christian communities are environments where authenticity and honesty are not allowed. Just this weekend I received an e-mail from a pastor in Norway thanking me for that article! I feel that my piece on Occupy will generate a lot of comment as well. Here's a teaser and preview: Could the Occupy Movement be a movement of the Spirit to awaken the world to the cry emanating out of the very heart of God? Indeed, as I spoke to people at the site, the theme of injustice and inequality kept coming up over and over. I...

By now, most of you are aware of this growing movement in America called "Occupy Wall Street". Tomorrow it crosses the broder to the north with a demonstration in Vancouver. I have a day filled up with kids birthday parties and the mayors prayer breakfast, otherwise I would be there. Here is why I support this movement: We are at a time in human history when large corporations and mammoth financial institutions hold a disproportionate amount of power over the economic, social and culture development of civilization. Most of the practices of large corporations are in direct destruction of our already fragile eco-system. Until responsibility and care are brought in, we are all living on borrowed time. Unrestricted capitalism has led to the dehumanization and commodification of human life. We have denuded human beings of their souls and dignity. People are mere commodities in the current economic model. And when that happens, empires fall. When material goods and products are mo...

3 that I'm thankful for. It was a nice enough day for us to venture out to a local park. Adam has gotten into football, thank to Charlie Brown cartoons on his ipod. So, we tossed the old pig-skin around. Football on Thanksgiving weekend - felt very New Englandish. We just needed to have a boat we were going to lunch on after. Felicia spent most of the day cooking a full Turkey meal. I kept the kids occupied. They're all hooked on this ipod game called "Monster Pet". They play it constantly. James just enjoys having books read to him - but now he has also started playing with some toy cars. I wrote a tweet earlier today for people to pause and actually give thanks in between the turkey eating. I should follow my own advice. I'm thankful for an abundance of food in our kitchen when for the first time in my life-time, people living in North America are using the term "food insecure" to describe lower middle-class Americans who now have to use food banks on ...

My brood sight-seeing somewhere near Whistler. For the past month I have been a stay at home dad. I wake up early and get the kids breakfast, if they haven't already helped themselves. Then I take Adam to school. I come back and read my Bible, while James and Sophia hang out, playing or reading. (Unless it is a Tuesday or Thursday, then I drop Sophia at pre-school in the AM). Sophia is pretty independent and can play on her own. James will usually pull some of his books off a shelf and drop it on my lap, indicating he wants me to read to him - or sometimes, he'll snuggle up w. me and read on his own. Every so often, he'll grab onto the fridge door and yell, indicating he's hungry. So, I give him something to eat. After awhile, I go downstairs, catch up on e-mail and other messages. James follows and again will usually sit on my lap and also try to bang on the keys. At 11:00, James has a nap - then it is very quiet, and I can get some work done. I usually check out job d...

September 11 2001 was supposed to be a day of firsts for my wife and I. It was her first shift as a neuro-intensive care nurse at Vancouver General Hospital, and it was my first day as a divinity student at Regent College. We had just gotten married a couple of months ago and were wide-eyed at our new lives together. I dropped her at the hospital and drove down Broadway towards UBC. As I reached the campus I turned on the radio and this is what I heard: "Yep, a lot of people are turning around and heading home on the roads out there. This is a day you want to be at home near loved ones. If you are just joining us ... 2 planes have flown into the World Trade Center in New York City." I had passed through the "gates" of the campus, past Alma street and my whole body started to shake. I tried to focus on the road, and steer my car into an empty spot. I parked and ran into Regent. They were trying to figure out how to link up a tv, so we could watch history unfold. That...

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...

Yeah - I've blogged about him before. But, he turns 70 this week. Here are 7 Dylan songs I love 1. Highway 61 Revisited - Title track of one of his best albums. It's a blow-up of a song - a cast of characters who find salvation in different ways - all on Highway 61. 2. If Not For You - Appeared on 1970 album "New Morning". Not very well known album. Song is a straight ahead love song. Biograph 3. Visions of Johanna - Wow. Stand-out song on stand-out Blonde on Blonde album. I prefer the live versions found on and the Live 1966 albums. A wealth of poetic imagery piles up one on another. 4. Up To Me - How this stayed off the Blood on the Tracks album is beyond me. Only available on the Biograph 3 CD set - this song is just such a moving gem. One line of many that are amazing: " If I’d lived my life by what others were thinkin’, the heart inside me would’ve died." 5. Percy's Song - Another outtake - this time off the Times They Are A'Chang...

Sophia looking very smart. Spiritual direction sounds weird. When I first heard the term, and the corresponding "spiritual director", I had images of dowsing rods and sanitized horoscope readers. But, Eugene Peterson said that EVERY pastor needs a spiritual director if they expect to survive ministry. Considering the source, I decided to take him up on it. I started to see a spiritual director in North Vancouver. I discovered him through the Henri Nouwen society of Canada. Our first visit was in a JJ Beans. We hit it off right away. He was cool and funny... and most importantly he wasn't weird. So, we started to meet once a month - sometimes in his home and sometimes at the church he attends. Once we met in a cramped church library. The first meeting in his home, I remember I was talking non-stop. I finally paused, and asked "Is this ok?" He nodded that all was well, and I was welcome to continue. Now, this betrayed a truth to me, as I reflect back on it. The t...

I enjoy reading to my kids. Last year, I tried reading The Hobbit to Adam (age 6). We got about halfway through it, and I could tell he was losing interest. So Tolkien was shelved for C.S. Lewis. We started with The Magician's Nephew, which was good - but didn't contain as much adventure to capture a young boy's attention. We still finished it. We have now been reading the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. Adam has engaged with this book so much, that he now claims it his favorite. Last night we read the section where Aslan is killed, after negotiating his life with the White Witch, in order to spare the life of Edmund. Adam was stunned that Aslan would do that, especially since Edmund had been so bad earlier in the story. He also couldn't figure out why Aslan just didn't kill the witch and all her followers, and make everything ok. I spent the next 10 minutes explaining that this was his plan. For some reason Aslan chooses to sacrifice his life for the life of Edmund....

In less than 2 weeks I leave for India. I haven't been back to India in 10 years, since I lived there in 2000 and 2001. The main purpose of the trip is to visit an orphanage and school that Felicia and I have been financially supporting. I will also be visiting the hospital I was born in: the world famous Christian Medical College in Vellore. After that I go even further back in my roots by visiting my home state of Kerala. Kerala has a high Christian population with legend saying that the apostle Thomas evangelized it in the first century. I don't believe that I am going, despite picking up my visa form the Indian Consulate today and booking my tickets and everything. Our trip to Disneyland over Adam's spring break seems more real. It will feel real enough once I'm over there. I will be traveling with a friend of mine, who is investigating various mission opportunities all over the world and has added India to his itinerary. I am hoping to have my eyes opened and heart...

Last night, I saw one of the best movies I have ever seen. If a film can be a conduit of grace, this one is it. As It Is In Heaven is a Swedish film made in 2004. I had never heard of it, until Eugene Peterson recommended it to a group of pastors in Colorado this past fall. I came home from that retreat and I added it to my queue from my local videostore that has a mail delivery program like netflix. It finally arrived this past week, and man, I wish I had discovered this film earlier. It is absolutely stunning. It is along the lines of Babette's Feast or Chocolat, but more powerful. I am not going to reveal much about it - I knew nothing about it when I ordered it - only Eugene's endorsement. Even watching the trailer, it is hard to know what it is about. But, I learned so much about the power of community, grace and love. I would love to show this to my elders board - but it has some nudity in it, so that might turn some folks off. You will enjoy this movie - Felicia and I r...

Well here ya go. Again, as a pastor, husband and father of 3 kids, it's getting tougher and tougher to see as many movies as I like. But, these are the 10 best as I saw them: 1. Toy Story 3 - Pixar strikes gold once again. Last year my fave movie was Up. Some friends were surprised I put TS3 at #1. Maybe I am getting more sentimental in my old age, but this film is just so great. I almost teared up at one point as the toys grasp onto one another as they face what looks like certain doom. 2. Carlos - A leftover gem from the Vancouver Film Festival. This was originally a tv series - and you can tell why, as it clocks in at 5.5 hours! The VIFF, screened the entire film, with a 15 minute intermission to make it tolerable. It was edited down to 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is the version I saw. Traces the ascent of the most formidable terrorist of the 20th century - Carlos the Jackal. Spy thrillers are probably my fave genre of film - and this is one of the best I have ever seen. So m...

Tonight, I (along with 40(!) other people) spoke at a Public Hearing concerning a proposed permanent shelter to be built in the city of Coquitlam. The place was packed with tons of overflow seating. I got there an hour early and nabbed a front row seat with several other supporters. I was on the official speakers list and spoke a little after 8 PM - the hearing started at 7, so there were several other speakers ahead of me. Most were people representing homeless agencies supporting the initiative. There were a few nearby residents who expressed thier anger that this thing was going to be built so close to their homes - fear and insecurity rang out from these voices. This is the complete text of my message: Message to City Council Mr. Mayor, Council members and fellow citizens, thank you for this opportunity to speak tonight. I come here tonight as a resident of the tri-city community and the chair of the tri-city ministerial – an umbrella group made up of a variety of different ...

I preached this morning on "the church". Pretty broad, I know - I used 4 images found in scripture to describe the church: 1. People of God 2. Family of God 3. Living Stones 4. Holy Priesthood. After preaching, I was exhausted - I mean I usually am a bit tired after a sermon - but this was something else. I could barely stand - and in fact sought out the help of a nearby chair. Preaching is an activity that is taxing mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I find there are not many activities like it. It is mentally grueling, not necessarily during the act of preaching itself, but more in the preparation of it. I love writing and delivering sermon, but that doesn't mean that it is easy. In fact, most times I struggle to complete a sermon that I think will achieve its purpose. The emotional toll comes about through the use of personal illustrations or the sheer passion that sometimes emerges when making a particularly salient point. I'm not a very demonstrat...

Eugene Peterson in Colorado saying something good. It's an overcast afternoon in Port Moody. I'm in my home office drinking Tazo Awake black tea. My office has sliding glass doors that open up to our small back patio. I usually have squirrels and cats roaming around back there - but no visitors today. just me, my tea and some Van Morrison to keep me company. I have had 2 separate invitations from editors inviting me to submit articles to their respective publications in the last 2 months, which I am taking as some kind of sign to start writing again. I used to write quite regularly for Relevant magazine from 2001-2005. And then for some reason, I just stopped. Even this blog - I used to write a ton., but have not written in quite some time. With the increase of demands from church and other areas, I simply found it was too much to keep the blog updated and to dream up interesting magazine articles. But, here I am back at it. I also even have a book idea I've been toying wit...

Pastor Terry Jones pastors a church of 50 people in Gainesville Florida. It is unlikely many people would have ever heard of this guy who sells furniture on e-bay to make a few extra bucks. But Jones' anonymity changed forever when he announced his churches' intention to burn 200 korans on September 11 of this year. The announcement was met with the expected outrage from Muslims. But, now the outrage has spread to virtually every sentient human being on the planet. General Petraeus, Hillary Clinton and even Angelina Jolie have expressed their concern and disagreement with this guy. Petraeus' and other military leaders' concerns have been the most serious as they are saying that the burnings will ignite actions against US troops. Jones' church is ironically called "Dove Outreach Center". The dove is normally a symbol of peace, yet it is the home of this loony tune. I have no clue what Jones' is hoping to achieve by this stunt - he has certainly garnered...

The hermitage I stayed in. I have said before that the mentors to my generation of Christian leaders would include the following: Richard Foster, Leslie Newbign, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, Mirozlov Volf and Henri Nouwen. The writing of these men have been hugely formative in my spiritual life and in the life of my ministry. I just finished WIllard's book "The Great Omission". It is a collection of past essays he has written on the lack of discipleship in contemporary Christianity. It is a great book. He makes several references to the necessity for solitude and silence in the life of Christian, and in the life of leaders. Since, I fall into both categories - Christian and leader, I paid attention. And I tried it out. Last Friday, I checked into a hermitage at a local Catholic retreat center. A hermitage is a small living space set aside for monastics who have chosen to live a life of solitude from the rest of society. Other terms include Poustina or Ashram. The herm...