Consider this

Founded in 1854, Centralia, Pennsylvania looked poised to have a good future. Nestled in a valley surrounded by tree-covered hills, Centralia was close to a good water source and an abundance of coal. People moved in, industry sprung up and the little town was on its way. Then in May of 1962, everything changed. One story states that the town wanted to clean up the local landfill, so they hired five fire fighters so go set the dump on fire. Unfortunately, the fire not only burned the garbage, but also a coal seam that ran under the dump. Whether the fire fighter were unable to deal with the coal fire, or whether they thought it would just burn itself out is unclear. What became clear, though, was that the fire was going to be heard form again. Seventeen years later, in 1979, the owner of the local gas station was checking the level of fuel in his underground tank. When he brought the stick back out, it seemed warm, so he lowered a thermometer into the tank. To his shock...

On Friday night, I was in “enemy territory”; namely the “Weyburn Colosseum”. The Bruins were playing the Red Wings in the first half of a “home and home” series, so two of my buddies and I decided to head up there and catch the game. For a while, we tried to be inconspicuous. None of us wore Bruins’ gear or “black and gold” clothing. In fact, I don’t think any of us even had the name “Estevan” on any of our stuff. Just by looking at us, no one would know where we were from. That was not the case for 90% of the people at the game, though. Everywhere we looked, we saw people wearing “Red Wings” hats, jerseys and coats. We even saw a few “Red Wings” face painted kids. As these folks filed in, my two buddies and I mostly just stayed to ourselves. Then something happened that changed our attitude. We began seeing people we knew. “Bruins” hats, jerseys and coats filled the lobby. In fact, after a while there were enough “Estevanit...

A few years ago, an acquaintance of mine found out that his company wanted to relocate him to Scotland, so he and his wife packed up and moved. About six months later, a mutual friend received this report from them: “Scotland is great! There is a Wal-Mart right down the street from us!” Technically, they were living in Scotland. In reality, they were just living like Canadians in a different place. Rather than immersing themselves in the culture and in a different worldview, they shopped at Wal-mart in Edinburgh. That story makes me wonder, “Is it possible to do the same thing in spiritually?” In other words, can we really say we are living in the “kingdom of God” if we are never challenged and if we never change? Am I really experiencing kingdom life if I am I still the same person I have always been (I just happen to go to church now)? As you think about that, consider this passage. “Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor wid...

Last Wednesday I was invited to “Government House” in Regina to watch Jasmine Erickson, a young lady who grew up in our congregation, receive a “Saskatchewan Youth Award”. When the organizing committee needed someone to say “grace” at the meal, they asked if Jasmine would like “her minister” to give the blessing. Graciously, she said “yes”, so I got a phone call asking if I would be available to attend the ceremony. The evening was formal, but comfortable all at the same time. I was introduced to several political leaders and had a nice chat with the Premier and the Lieutenant Governor. The meal was delicious (If you are invited to a formal dinner at Government House, go hungry…Yum!). I was inspired and encouraged as I listened to what these young people had accomplished. It was a special night. Now, I did not attend that banquet on my own merit. I did nothing to garner any special recognition that night. No one nominated me to receive an award for something that I had accom...