Tag: Life

Saying “All Done”

I blog a lot about my little boy Hudson. This is because he is a huge part of my life. The other reason is because I learn so much from him. Jesus says that little children can teach us about his Kingdom. And Hudson did that today.

I think we all struggle between often not doing really bad things, but just doing okay things. We often choose to do things that are urgent, but maybe not important. You might not make the terrible choice, but instead settle for a rhythm of regular or okay choices. Hudson taught me this today.

I was trying to send off some emails before work, and to get a jump on the day. And Hudson was running around. All of a sudden he runs up to me, shuts the laptop, hands me a book, and says “all done”. He then grins, snuggles up to me, and says “sit” and “again” which means to read his book again. So that’s what we did.

What a good reminder though. That sometimes we need to say “all done” to the stresses of life, to emails, to outside pressures, so we don’t miss what’s important right in front of us. For me that was a little boy running around in his diaper wanting to be read stories. But for you maybe it’s spending time with your spouse. Maybe it’s connecting with a friend. Maybe it’s getting some alone time for yourself reading, walking, or a good cup of coffee.

But my challenge to you today is to say “all done” to something good, and spend that time on someone great.

by Andrew Mills

Tears as Prayers

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu by dogmadic

I often remark to my church family that if they want a pastor who doesn’t cry, they should get a different pastor. I often cry because I’m moved, because my soul feels something deep, or something deep within me is trying to express itself. But I don’t believe tears are to be avoided but that tears are in one sense prayers. Expressions of our depth.

That’s why I believe tears can be healing. Tears are the prayers of the soul. Tears are what we give when we can’t give anything else. When my dad died we found this quote in his to-do list:

I cry tears to you Lord, tears because I cannot speak. Words are lost among my fears, pains, sorrows, losses, hurts. But, tears you understand, my wordless prayer you hear. – Joe Bailey

There is truth in that. Tears are the prayers of the soul. But we also know that there is a time coming when we no longer need to cry or shed tears. Revelation 21: 4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” But in the meantime it’s okay to shed a tear. There is a future that is coming that is full of energy, connection, depth, light-bursting, and life- giving reality. In that place we won’t cry because our souls will be whole.

But today if your soul doesn’t feel whole, if your spirit feels low, it is okay to cry. Shedding tears is a prayer to God, asking him to make whole what hurts, to mend what’s broken, and to give to what feels gone. And if today that’s where you are at…then know that those tears aren’t wasted but that God hears, cares, and, in the end, will act…

by Andrew Mills

Living in Light of Easter

The biggest challenge of Easter isn’t to believe it happened; but to actually live in light of its happening right now. In essence,Easter isn’t something we are called to just believe in but to be transformed by.

So on Sunday I shared how resurrection can transform us, and why Easter matters. You can download it here. We talked about how when we are in the dark, resurrection teaches us that light is coming. No matter how dark, and “tomb-like” our lives may feel, light is coming. Darkness didn’t win. We explored how sin is disconnection and broken relationships. But Jesus, in his death and resurrection, takes on all separation, disconnection, and brokenness so that we can be made whole and holy. And lastly, even in the midst of death, life wins. Death would have us live in light of its lies: that life is over, that relationships are lost, that dreams can be crushed. But Easter reminds us that Jesus says it is finished, not death.

So this is why Easter matters. But if the point isn’t just to believe it, but to live it. So how do you do that?

Well that’s the hard part isn’t it, because we live in a reality where darkness seems to last, linger, and cover over us. We live in a reality that is fragmented with broken relationships, broken selves, and a broken planet. We live in a reality where death seems to win and loss seems irreparable. So how do we live out resurrection in this reality?

Well maybe a simple way to start is to let resurrection shape our reality.

We do that by holding onto Jesus, and onto hope. We hope even in the darkest, most broken, and death filled places, that life, light, and healing can still spill forth. Because that’s the message of Easter. This isn’t simply positive thinking. This is deep trust in the God who doesn’t let death, darkness, or sin win.

Andrew Root writes,  “Optimism says, ‘Something good will come out of this experience’. Hopes says, ‘In the midst of this hell, God will act'”. That’s the message of Easter, that out of this hell, God will act. That’s how we live in light of the resurrection by holding onto hope even in the midst of hell.

So hold onto hope, hold onto the trust that the God, who was active in raising Jesus from the dead, is still active in your life as well. Hold onto the God who is active in the dark. Hold onto the God who doesn’t let anything but life, light, and love have the last word…

by Andrew Mills

Easter is Coming; Resurrection is Happening

Why does Easter matter and what does it actually mean?

That’s what we will be exploring on Easter Sunday. Yes I know that Jesus’ death and resurrection atones for our sin. But what does that actually mean for our lives? Because if Easter is true, it shouldn’t just affect our beliefs but our very lives. The point isn’t to just believe in Easter and Jesus’ resurrection, but to be transformed by it.

So that brings us back to our question. What does Jesus’ death and resurrection actually mean? Why does it matter?

Why does it matter to you? And why should it matter to our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends? Because Jesus didn’t just die for us, but for everyone. So how does Easter change all of us?

That’s the question we’ll be tackling on Sunday. We’ll be looking at it very personally and practically because if the message of Easter doesn’t change our lives’ then we’ve missed the point. And if Jesus’ death and resurrection doesn’t first change and impact our lives, how can we expect it to change others?

So that’s our journey for Sunday. And if you don’t have a church to join in with, please join us.

But for now, what do you think Easter means? How does it change your life? How does it change you? And most importantly,how does it change our entire world?

by Andrew Mills

Roar!! I’m a Lion!!

At any given time when there is a lull in our life with our little boy he will do this. He will look at me and then yell, “Roar!”

In essence, Hudson loves to be a lion. Here’s a video to give you a sense of his “lion-ness”.

I love this about him. His given attitude at any time is to laugh, is to play, and is to roaarrrrrrr! And of all the animals he could choose to be I’m happy he’s chose a lion. Except early in the morning that is. If you think being woken by a rooster is tough, try a roaring lion.To me though, it’s wonderful and funny that Hudson’s natural disposition is to just be a happy little lion. His life is a good day when he roars, runs, smiles, and laughs. But what does this have to do with anything other than my son being cute?

Well I think for me it triggers the fact that we all have natural dispositions. We all have emotions, dispositions, or attitudes that become our natural state, regular, and normal. We all have a set of emotions that, for us, is our normal. We all have chosen patterns, and rhythms that become routine and regular. The question I have for you is, are they healthy? Is your natural disposition to be at peace, calm, happy, full of life, and full of hope? Do you more often than not slide into bitterness, disbelief, anger, or depression? Is your normal, healthy? Is your natural disposition life giving?

In essence do you roar like a lion? I think it’s a good question to think of because it is too easy in our lives to let our normals be less than they should be. It is too easy to let bitterness creep in, or anger, or disbelief.

For me though I’ve found a little someone that makes sure my natural disposition is happy, healthy, and true. Because every time I’m tempted to be down, to be draw into bitterness, a little lion with a big roar draws me out of it. And maybe if you’re having a down day he can do the same for you…

by Andrew Mills

Moving into the Neighborhood

In the first chapter of John we read that the Word was God, with God, and moved into the neighborhood. Jesus came and joined us where we are at. He joined our communities. He joined our lives.

That’s really what being a Christian is about. Joining a neighborhood. Joining a community. Moving in and taking part. I’ve been noticing that a lot more lately, because when you are a part of a community that’s when connections begin.

Hudson and I frequent the same coffee shop every Friday together. And because of this consistency we have been developing friendships. We also go to our local park. Today at the park an older couple came up to us and remarked that we have a very happy boy. They said they’ve noticed how happy, and energetic he is whenever they’ve seen him. And we started a conversation and a connection. That’s what happens when you truly join a community, you get to know people and they get to know you.

And this is how you spread the gospel – one life, conversation, and connection at a time. This happens when we truly decided to become a part of our neighborhoods. This is what Jesus’ example demonstrates. He moves into our neighborhoods and joins us there. He frequents our locales, he shares his presence, proximity and his life. We are called to do the same. So here is an easy but important question:

Whose neighborhood are you a part of? Who are you developing friendships with? Are you a part of your community?

These are questions we need to ask if we are going to follow Jesus, because following Jesus means moving into a neighborhood just like he did.

So let’s follow Jesus’ example and truly move into our neighborhoods with good news and grace following us. Let’s change our street, our workplaces, and families by being a part of them and spreading grace and life. Let’s be like Jesus…

by Andrew Mills

What Type of a “Place” are You?

Back in Jesus’ day you knew where God was. He was in the temple, he was in Jerusalem, he was surrounded by four walls. This was the place where God was found.

Jesus changed all of that. God was now fully found in a person. This was the place where God was found. The amazing thing about Jesus is that he walked around, talked, and connected with others. He became a place where God was found – all over the place.

I got to thinking about these things because today I am sitting in a coffee shop working on vision, planning, and the future I hope to see. While doing that I am surrounded by different people, values, and stories. It’s then that I read a tweet from Ian Morgan Cron who asked this, “Are you a place where God happens for somebody else?”

That is a beautiful question. It is a deep and important question. Are you a place where God happens? Are you a place where God is experienced? Are you a place where God is made real?

As I look into the future, and look around at the present, that’s what I hope to be. As I look forward a few years I hope that I will be a place where God is found. As I am sitting here typing away, I am still hoping that in my conversations, actions, and beliefs, I will be a place where God happens. In essence, I’m hoping to be like Jesus. He became the place where God was fully found, and experienced. So the question is:

What type of place are you? Are you a place where God happens for somebody else?

Because if we are truly following Jesus, living in and through him, God should happen in our places…

by Andrew Mills

Where I Saw Jesus This Week…

This week I was sitting in my office writing a sermon.I heard a faint knock on my door and in walked a youth from our church. She had made this for me.

She gave it to me as a gift to say thank you for being her pastor. We chatted briefly and she left. As I was reflecting on this small and simple gift ~ it struck me how profound it was. Here was someone thanking me for being their pastor. But all  I could think of is how thankful I am that I get to be her pastor.

So this week I found Jesus in a small and simple act. But those are the acts that are often the most meaningful. Mother Theresa said famously “Do small things with great love”. And this is what this youth did. A small act, but an incredibly meaningful and encouraging act.

So this week don’t focus on doing something huge for someone. Do something small, meaningful, but make it full of great love and demonstrate Jesus to others.

This picture is now hanging in my office. Luckily I have a huge empty space on my wall where I could put it up. And this picture makes that space feel a bit fuller. And the amazing thing is that it did the same for me in my life. It made my life feel a lot fuller…

by Andrew Mills

Throw a Party ~ Be Like Jesus…

This Sunday we talked about how God’s Kingdom is like a party.

But not just any party a great party where different people mix, connect, and are invited. God’s Kingdom is like a great banquet where invitations go out to the unlikely, unnonticed, and unwanted. It’s this party where everyone gets great food, where lonely people connect, where people who are down have fun, where boundaries are crossed and life begins. And you’re invited not because of who you know, but Jesus who knows you. This is a picture of what God’s Kigndom is like.

So my challenge to you this week is simple: throw a party.

Throw a good party. Throw an awesome party. Invite friends, neighbors, and people would never get invited. Get great food, great music, and have a great time. Samir Selmanovic  “Christians know how to talk about life, but they don’t know how to love life”. Let’s prove this statement wrong this week. Let’s love life and help others to love it too by our grace, generosity, and inclusion. Throw a great party, and watch as God’s Kingdom surprises you all around.

Following Jesus means throwing parties…so get busy loving life by throwing a party…

by Andrew Mills

Giving from the Grave

This week I got a gift from my grandpa and grandma, who we call “Nanny and Poppy”. The odd thing is that both of them passed many years ago.

So how did they give me a gift? Well it happened in a round about way, but also because giving lasts.

Hudson came downstairs with my favorite book as a little boy. It’s “Little Squirt the Fire Engine”. This was a book that I loved growing up. Inside the book was a card given to me from my Nanny and Poppy for my 1st birthday. Inside of that card was a crisp $2 bill and a $5 bill that I had never seen before. We don’t know why it was there, but it was a fun surprise because what was a gift for me, became a gift for their great-grandson.

So even though they never met their great-grandson they did impact him. Krista and I used the money for something special that my Nanny and Poppy would have loved. We took our little boy skating for the very first time. We donated the $5, strapped on some bob skates, and took him out on the ice for an hour. He loved it, and I know in heaven Nanny and Poppy love it too. My Poppy loved hockey, loved skating, and even tied the skates for the leafs way back in the day. So here he was passing along his love to his great-grandson years after he had passed. Here was my Nanny passing along her love for me, to her grandson. They both somehow, 27 years ago, gave a simple gift of a book, a card, and $7 that lasted.

That’s the amazing thing about gifts – they have the potential to change not only people but generations. Gifts can last and linger long after they have been given. My Nanny and Poppy never thought their $7 gift would change a great-grandson, but it did. They had no idea how long their gift would last, or how far the impact would reach. But that is the beauty of giving ~ we never know how far or how long the impact will last.

So today why don’t you think of someone special and give to them. Who knows who it might impact, and how the gift might last and change someone. I surely didn’t expect this gift from my Nanny and Poppy. But aren’t those the best gifts? The unexpected ones that shape you. So do that for someone else today, give a meaningful gift that lasts.

And in case you’re wondering…we kept the $2 bill to give to Hudson when he’s older, so my Nanny and Poppy’s gift continues to last and linger just like them…

by Andrew Mills