Life in the day of a Painter

My son and a few friends spent the afternoon painting the basement of another friend of mine today. Anybody that knows me has heard the stories of my painting struggles. It is not that I can't paint, it is just that there is a right way to paint and a wrong way. I seem to paint naturally the wrong way. So if you need a painter of the quality kind, you might need to look else where. But if you don't mind some paint splatter and the increased possibility of having to do a second coat - I am your man. Actually my son Cameron and I make a good team - he lays down a thick coat of paint about 4 feet from the floor and I come through and even it out :-)

Here's to messiness!!!

The Story of Christianity

I am currently reading a book "The Story of Christianity" by Justo Gonzolez. It is a historical book of Christianity starting with the Reformation of the church to Present day. I am reminded in the reading that the church and christian faith continually experiences changes that in some ways have been experienced before, but in others have a whole new expression. Here is a quote that caught my eye this week:
"An old world was passing away, and a new one was being born in its place. It was unavoidable that the church too would feel the impact of the new times that, just as new forms of being human were emerging, new forms of being Christian would also emerge."
I am gaining a whole new appreciation of where Christianity is at today, buy understanding how we actually got here!

Kevin

It's a New Year!!

The last couple of weeks are usually a time of reflection for me and my family. Just something about nearing the end of the year and also beginning a new one. My wife and I were having dinner last night a few hours before the ball dropped and were reflecting on the year. I think we summed it up as a trying year for us. From the death of a parent, much uncertainty on my own health and some major financial stress. But as we look back, we have been blessed with a deeper sense of peace than we have ever had. And with that peace is great hope! I have discovered that with trial comes a greater awareness of who we really are and what is really important to us.

That being relationships and more importantly our walk with Christ. Christ provides the framework for us to live our lives. We cannot and do not accomplish anything without his willing it for us. And going along with that, the struggles I mentioned above are more about our growth towards Christ than anything else. It is in times of adversity that we have the greatest growth.

My prayer as I begin a New Year - that I would love God with all my heart, and that I would love those in my life that are hard to love. That Christ would continue to convict me of sin, and that I would run to the cross as I live a lifestyle of repentance!

With great peace and hope -

Kevin