the friesen blog

For a few years I was able to listen to the monthly audio journal - Mars Hill Audio Journal.  Ken Myers has an interview with Eugene Peterson.  It is an excellent discussion based on Peterson's new book Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology.  One of the things I love about Peterson is how he always tries to get out the right word to express an idea or feeling.  Peterson often speaks about the power of words and how we need to pay attention to words.  So in typical ironic fashion.  On a day when I post about Information Overload here is some more information.  But I post it because Peterson talks about how Scripture, Theology, Doctrine are never meant to be abstract ideas or thoughts but rather that they are meant to be lived in reality.  Take a listen here.

I was recently talking to a friend and in the course of our conversation, I said that typically, I am an "audible learner." I told him that I used to be able to hear something and remember it quite well, but now I have to write everything down. So I make lots of notes these days. He said, well, maybe your brain is full. I think he might be right.  This is what I read in a two year old Business Management Magazine this morning,

"people are in a frenzy to acquire ever-increasing amounts of information. They remain firm in their belief that the more information you possess, the more powerful you become. Lewis said, "The exact opposite is proving to be the case." The problem is information overload. Research shows when faced with vast amounts of information and forced to make decisions quickly, humans can be overcome by stress."

I have felt in my own life the need to slow down the information that I subject myself to. Of course, I can't limit everything but I am renewed in my need to be my own 'gatekeeper.'  

Blessings on your journey through our information age. peace.    

I saw this picture online.  Confession.  Beautiful.  Confession is liberating.

peace.

So Leanne and I are connected with two daycares.  Our offices are beside a daycare and I used to serve on the Board of a daycare and now Leanne serves on the Board of that daycare.  We are very honored to be connected with the Pumpkin Patch daycare.  We thought it would be fun and a neat opportunity to sing some songs with some of the kids.  We had already done that with the other daycare that we are connected with.  The first time it went alright but we felt we could have prepared a little more.  Our first showing was a little embarrassing.  So this morning, we practiced up and were all ready to go.  We sang for about half an hour, Leanne and I singing and me playing guitar.  As we were leaving Leanne turned to me and said that turned out pretty good.  At that moment, I took my guitar off looked down and there was my zipper completely open with, oh yes, my shirt sticking out.  I was mortified, so I figured I had to laugh about it with the teachers- the teachers said they didn’t notice but lets be honest, there are certain lies that are not only allowed, they are actually encouraged, even if they are said in front of 15 little kids.

In the last two weeks, I have had the opportunity to share my story twice in a formal setting.  I find that it is refreshing to think through my story.  Every time I think through what has brought me to where I am today I see the touch of the Divine.  I think the people that I respect most in life are those who have been able to own their story. 

my prayer is that I will own my story in a way that is faithful to my Creator.

my prayer is that I will own my story in such a way that I am able to make space for others in my life and so that my life can be open to others.

my prayer is that I will own my story so that I will see that my life is connected with others.

my prayer is that I will own my story so that I can be a gracious husband.

my prayer is that I will own my story so that I can be responsive to the author of my life.

amen.

This Sunday, Oct. 16 at 7pm Jacob Moon is playing at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church.  I got to see Jacob Moon at the FRWY cafe grand opening.  He is a great story teller through song.  I would encourage you to check it out.

Oct. 16th
7:00pm
Fundraiser concert at
Mount Hamilton Baptist Church
626 Upper Wentworth Street
Hamilton, Ontario
$10 with two canned goods donation
$15 general admission

Leanne and I were able to get to the freeway cafe grand opening on Friday night.  It is a great new space in Hamilton for coffee, food and conversation.  I would encourage you to check it out.  Go online to see when they are open.  Much peace and blessings to all of you who put so much effort into making this great space.