After having a wonderful holiday in Tennessee and Alabama, Anna and I returned back to Vancouver to a life of major decisions and an interrupted rhythm of life.

Before we left for our little holiday we had slowly moved into a good rhythm of work, life and people and had even made a couple major decisions with our future in Vancouver, but after 9 days of relaxing, contemplating and spending time with friends we came back with varied success at getting back into it. We made a major decision 2 days after we arrived home, and after a week of trying to personally get back into the flow, I am really struggling to find my rhythm.

I don’t think it is supposed to be that easy, that you can go away on holiday and come back like nothing ever happened and move right back into the routine. In fact I think that if you do come back and everything is back to normal there is something terribly wrong. If we don’t attempt to mess up the status quo in our lives, whether it’s asking good questions or taking a reflective holiday I think we broach the subject of insignificance. Uneasiness in life, and uncertainty in the decisions we make are a part of human maturity. It seems to me that when I reject or push away this feeling of uncertainty in my life I am actually hindering my development as a person for the sake of comfort…or perhaps numbness.

And for me, this is where discipline comes to play. We need to be disciplined enough in our lives to move forward. Sometimes I can get set on the idea of discipline as something that will help me get more in shape, eat better, and work harder, but I think it has a lot more to do with personal development and spiritual formation.

When we equate discipline strictly to the physical (eat, workout, sleep) we miss what our mind needs to stay sharp and to move us in our maturity from making decisions out of ignorance. As we make the effort to discipline ourselves to think about our own personal development, and formation of our spiritual nature I think we begin to lead a more developed, harmonized lifestyle.

That to say (as I still try and flesh this thought out) that I think we need to live in waves of uncertainty, risk, and discipline in order to develop truly into whoever God wants us to be.

And right now I really want to be safe…but I know I don’t.

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Originally uploaded by urbanplanter.

before I take off for 10 days to my bro Adam‘s wedding, i thought i would show you one photo from our recent easter gathering.

follow the link to the other pics from my profile link below.

thanks to Andrea for taking the pics.

I have been asked by a few people my thoughts on our gathering we had Sunday evening, and so I thought i would write a few thoughts.

Basically i left the gathering really inspired.

I saw our church gather around each other all month and give toward a project together.

Some have asked me who this gathering was for and all I can say is it was for anyone and everyone. I know that sounds ambiguous, but each gift that each person brought to the gathering was for someone specific.

Melanie’s organization of the Hope Totes was to bless those in need. Sarah’s reading of the poem spoke words of life and death to those who needed to hear. Deric’s video shared stories of some in our church who are working through what it means to deal with transition and understanding of who God is, and there are many who needed to connect with that story. Anna and Andrea’s arrangement and decor were beautiful representations of what they see in the Easter story and were a way in which they could share their story with those around us. Kristin’s constant devotion to being authentic in who she is in how she organized the gathering was a testimony to her gift of being hospitable and extremely relational. Luc’s last minute set-up and design of our lovely signs outside showed his humility in serving wherever he felt needed. Laurell’s beautiful song and singing brought a sense of the familiar to so many that needed it, and brought life to those who find that music brings the most out of their soul. Joel’s patience with the children as they drew and played in and amongst the adults during the gathering time. Andrea A’s flyer’s allowed her to represent her creativity to anyone who encountered her design as it was our only means of information. Julie’s baking that left each of us not only satisfied but appreciative of how the gift of baking can go much further than simply filling stomachs, and her husband Tim’s help toward that end in providing drinks wont be forgot as well. Rory and Matt’s technical expertise allowed for quite a smooth night. And lest I forget the countless others who by their presence made this a powerful night to be a part of.

Those are just a few snapshots of the night.

Who was this for…don’t ask me, ask each of them, ’cause I know who I did this for, but I can’t speak for them.

In the end all I can say is we did this together and if you want the perfect answer to “who this was for?” you will probably get 20 different answers.

…and I like it that way.

My good friend Alastair was baptized in Florida this past weekend and I am pretty stoked for him.

Alastair was a big part of the open house‘s first days as a new born church plant in Vancouver. And now he is saving the world with relevant magazine!