The leaves will change

This is my 9th year at SFU, every fall is full of change ,hope and optimism. These word have become more prevalent in our culture this year as we see a shift in the culture toward this themes. (Thanks Obama)
These words are in fact the very message of Jesus about the kingdom Of God, the restoration of the kingdom of God is the fulfilment of the promise of hope, and peace God has given to man. God initiated this by sending His Son Jesus to begin the process of over throwing injustice and instituting a just society. As we look around our world today we are once again painfully aware of the need for justice. From homelessness, to racial discrimination , terrorism, and war, we are reminded that in fact everything is not OK. As Christians who believe in and hope for God's justice to bring everything to rights, we are looking for ways to live justly in an unjust world. Join us this Fall as we attempt to serve a just God in an unjust world.

Summer Schedule

Hey, Summer is coming! get ready for the summer UCM program starting on May 12th. Details to come.

Growth

I've often looked at my 5+ years (oh it has been a lot longer than 5 but I've decided to stop counting), and wondered what I've learned. I've learned chain rule, glycolysis, torque, post-colonial literary theory, the wonders of Salman Rushdie. I've also learned to always pack an umbrella, how to shush a talker on the 6th floor with one look, and how to get through a semester without buying a textbook. But I think the most important concept I learned had nothing to do with carbon-hydrogen bonds or derivations, it was the whole process is change is awkward, growth is awkward, life is awkward. Now I realize that's not Earth shattering like finding a new quark or what have you but it was in the sense, that I thought I had passed that stage, passed the awkwardness of adolescence, passed the feelings of inadequacy, of being lost of being wholly unsure of who I was. I have found the greatest paradox in being at SFU and my years semi-weaned from the Hill - it is in these stages of greatest awkwardness of being lost that we find ourselves in Him.

Maybe I should explain myself in a different way - I fished out my old Sara Groves cd for Leaha about a month back - for what reason I'm not sure but it came at a time that I didn't want to hear a song on it a song that forced me to end a relationship I was starting, and that song now plays again as I ended another relationship, purely because I realized something I am in exile - song reference - that this is a time where I need to focus on God and what He provides, no storing manna (relationships, dreams, present or past whatever) in the hopes that it will be here tomorrow, it won't be.

So fumble forth into the desert and know that Egypt sure isn't what you think it was - be that Egypt a past relationship, dream, high school whatever it may be - it may be desolate but there is a promise - He will lead you. Now unfortunately I have yet to find a clip of the song that doesn't involve a cheesy Christian music video - regardless listen to the lyrics.

Emerge Highlights

So if you weren't able to make it out to the Emerge retreat this weekend you missed a really good time. Think epic poker matches, awesome worship, and a speaker who wasn't afraid to say the things he needed to say to get his point across. To give you a taste of what it I have linked in Jim's message that he delivered to another church below (this is pretty much exactly what he said the first night at Emerge). For those of you who don't know Jim is the leader of Visionledd a ministry which is helping the church respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. He has a heart and a passion to see the church rise up and respond to this crisis out of a pursuit for righteousness and justice. Take a listen but be warned Jim will push you, challenge you, and make you want to get on a plane to Africa right now.

Jim's Sermon

Welcome Back All

Happy New Year and Welcome back All,

I hope you all had a good break and are eager to get back to your studies and lives here at SFU. We've missed you here at UCM and want to hear how you are doing and how your holidays were so drop by and see us at our table out in front of the IFC from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

While you are at the table give us your schedule and sign up to be a core bible study this semester. The topic this semester will be The Spiritual Life and we will be covering topics ranging from "Who is God?" to "What Role Should Money Play in My Life?".

As well the deadline for the Emerge retreat is fast approaching so if you haven't registered yet...do it now. Emerge is our province wide UCM retreat from Jan.18-20 and is always a great time of both learning and discipleship and hanging out having fun (so many board games so little time). This year our speaker is Jim Cantelon who will be sharing his passion for the justice and righteousness of God and what that means to us as Christians. For more info or to register go to www.ucmonline.ca and click on the events link. I hope to see you all there.

I'm finished, how about you?

Leaha (my roommate) has been my muse as of late, maybe she’s tuned me into a frequency I’ve missed out on, or turned off of years ago. While I'm not a big Christian music person, I do like Shane and Shane, as they seem to prefer to write songs directly related to the Bible, and none of the the fluffy, feel good stuff. They have a new song about Radshach, Meshach, and Abednego. Now I know the first thing we think of is the Veggie Tales or the flannelgraph version of the story - which I think is a shame. No offense to the Veggie Tales, but I think we're old enough to stop getting the Bible through cartoon simplifications. While I was it all came into perfect clarity, combined with a sermon from Mark Driscoll I had listened to a while back and something my Yiddish Literature professor told us. I didn’t agree with Sheila when she insisted the entire Old Testament was false but it was purely didactical. The authenticity issue aside – it is didactical and as such relevant. Have we not been bowing to the golden idols of N. American culture (Mark Driscoll – believes we are in no position to be sending out missionaries considering our current state – I’m beginning to agree)? Do we not bow every time we hear the music of money, in some way or another? We can’t believe that every single person who bowed the day R, M, A wanted to but they were compliant…

Are we able and willing to stand? When, how and where do we stand – knowing the Church cannot and will not do this and say independently: “Burn us up, Burn us up, Burn us up, oh, king won't you burn us in the furnace your desire. We give up. We give up. We give up. Oh, king won't you burn us in the furnace your desire. Oh won't you throw us in the fire.” And in response to the world – we know “You are able to deliver from the fire of affliction! It's the declaration of my Lord! You're not an image of gold! You're the God of Old. You have made us. Come and save us. We are yours! But even if you don't we will burn.”

I've included to the video clip since I can't find just a plain audio clip on Imeem.

Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Hey All,

Just in case nobody told you Sunday was prayer for the persecuted church day as well as remembrance day. It is the start of a week of prayer for those around the world who are persecuted for their belief in Christ. Now just in case you think that number is small here are some stats. Worldwide over 200 million Christians are persecuted for their faith each year approximately 100,00 of them will be martyred for their faith. Think about that as you freely go to church, bible study, walk around with one of the six bibles you own (ok that one might be just me), and announce your faith openly to anyone you choose to with no thoughts that you might be imprisoned, tortured, or maybe even killed and offer up a few prayers for your brothers and sisters around the world who don't live in that very enviable situation.