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In February 2003, my wife Jocelyn and I spent a week with David and Jacquie Den Otter and their seven children in Tangier, Morocco. I happened to pick up a copy of “The Divine Conspiracy.” from David’s library. After reading a few pages, I couldn’t put it down. Dallas Willard was a Professor of Philosophy at USC and an author. Dallas influenced literally millions through his own works and multiplied millions through those he influenced. Richard Foster authored “The Celebration of Discipline,” THE classic book on growing a personal relationship with Jesus. Dallas and his wife Jane were in Foster’s first congregation when he was a rookie pastor. The Willards led worship and taught alongside Foster. It was from Willard…

Death Café: where the living are talking about dying.  It sounds morbid but its actually freeing. The Death Cafe movement was started in England in 2011 by Jon Underwood, a British web designer and self-described “death entrepreneur.” Underwood wanted to encourage people to talk about death with each other, rather than ignoring it or being too afraid to talk about it until the very end when we’re often overwhelmed with illness and the legalities that come with the end of life. TALKING ABOUT DEATH As a pastor, I have counseled with countless family members and conducted hundreds of funerals. Working with grieving people is a sobering experience. I’ve entered into the emotional roller coaster of people facing their own death…

“…this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22(NIV) What’s the “THIS” in your llfe? We all have one…or more. Day by day we are faced with circumstances that demand more from us than we can give. That’s where reliance on God, hope and the prayers of others become our deliverance. Carolina Sandell was born the daughter of a pastor in Sweden in 1832.At the age of 12, Lina, as she became known, was…

3% - a small difference but enough to change your world. The city I live in, Edmonton, Alberta, faces severe cold and sweltering heat. (Some Edmontonians may disagree on the heat side.) What got my attention was the difference in distance between the earth and the sun in winter vs summer. The difference is only a measly 3%. Three percent is all it takes to create miserable -  -40C windchill - and amazing - +30 humidex reading. What is a "3% difference" that can change your world? 1. Adjust your focus. Focus on the permanent, rather than the temporary. The winter snow is temporary. The changing of the seasons is permanent. Life is like the seasons. We have our winters,…

Being a Pastor is a privilege...I’ve done it for 33 years now. Its my life. Pastoring is not leadership. You can be a pastor without being a leader. It took me about 6 months into ministry to figure that out. Leaders help bring about change. My first change in ministry was to make a change in how youth ministry was being done. (Up until that time the first 6 months had been good. I was pastoring and made no changes. I thought I was doing great.) Then our volunteer youth leader, who did not like the change, called a Board member to complain about me and rallied up the rest of the youth group to resist the change. So I…

At North Pointe’s Good Friday service, everyone was given a carnation. The carnation is one of the world's oldest cultivated flowers. Its name derives from "coronation" for the floral garlands that were fashioned for ancient Greek ceremonial events. Carnations are, “The Flower of God.” Carnations come in a variety of colours and each one has an associated meaning. Light red carnations are often used to convey admiration. Dark red is an expression of love. White carnations are associated with purity. Pink carnations are often given as a sign of gratitude. As an act of worship, each person took their carnation and attached it to a rugged wooden cross. The carnations served as a coronation – honouring Jesus as Victor, King…

Easter weekend is a perfect time to experience “the true grace of God.” North Pointe’s church family has been reading, studying, memorizing and being challenged by the Holy Spirit through the New Testament book, 1st Peter. It can feel like a “deep” book to get into. Every paragraph is saturated with layers of theological terms and Old Testament throwbacks. However, its also an inspiring, grace-filled book when you take it at face value. It was written to people whose worlds were being rocked because of their commitment to Jesus of Nazareth. They were persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and executed just for being Christians. Peter encourages his readers to choose the “resurrection road.” To follow the example of Jesus when he faced…

The “Monk and the Merchant” is a modern parable written by Terry Felber. In God’s economy, a businessperson’s occupation is holy. It is their ministry. From a “merchant’s” business, “monks” can be supported. Excellent life and financial principles presented: 1. Work hard and God will prosper you. 2. Financial prosperity is connected to soul prosperity. 3. A man must do whatever he can to provide for his family. 4. Trials develop your character, preparing you for increased blessings. 5. Take responsibility for problems that are the result of your own bad decisions. 6. See challenges as stepping stones, not as obstacles. 7. Be meek before God, but bold before men. 8. Loaning money destroys relationships. 9. Live debt free and…

“The world is watching right now and we are incredibly humbled by the reaction to the series. Ultimately The Bible will be seen and felt by billions around the globe.” History Channel’s venture in presenting the Bible has attracted one of the largest audiences in their history. Are you watching? The series has its detractors. Trying to condense 4,300 years of history into a 10-part series is bound to leave a few gaps. Some depictions are intense and violent. However, this is a series that lets God be God. God is seen inspiring faith, directing individuals, and guiding the events of history toward the completion of His work of salvation through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and Resurrection. I couldn’t count…