No..Really......I'm posting!!!

Well, after 2 months of silence, I have returned........(moment for those of you faithful to my blog posts in the past, to stand back up).
I have been extremely busy over the past two months; getting my life in order, meeting with people much wiser than myself, and making changes, both in my spiritual life and in my future professional goals.
After months of silence about what was going on in my life, I can now announce that as of December 11, 2006, I will be taking up my position as Pastor of Creative Arts and Young Adults at Coquitlam Alliance Church in ...................Coquitlam. This move for myself and my family could not have been made more clear if a banner had been floating in mid air outside our home.
After a missions trip in late June / early July, in which I was face to face with hands on ministry (something I had placed aside 8 years ago), and flooded with a strong sense that I needed to get back on that track. After much prayer and suggesting that Lalainia do the same, I arrived home to find a very loving and supportive wife, regardless of what I decided to do. What a relief that was!!
After a few weeks of wondering what all this meant, and discussing several scenarios with Lalainia, I was approached and asked if I might be interested in ministry at my church (should the occasion ever arrive). YES!!, I thought, having no idea when this might be. However, after a shorter time than I had anticipated, it became clear that I could very possibly be holding a pastoral position at my own church soon.
So, after getting my credentials and talking to all the really important people, I've been given the thumbs up.
My next "hurdle" was to let my current boss know. Although I was unsure of how he might take the news (plus my wish to make my move as quick as possible) he could not have been more supportive and encouraging. Further, the meeting of the board to allow me to leave before my contract was up (which was until June) was also full of understanding.
So, here I am 2 weeks from my new job; excited, scared and eager. Remember Lalainia, Caedence, and myself in your prayers.

PAX

Don't Walk away, Daddy. Don't walk away.

Well, after many years of trying to educate those around me on the importance of taking time out for family, to relax and tune in, it appears I will have to take some of my own medicine.
Lalainia is working hard on Fiddler on the Roof, these days, and I have been getting more and more involved with my church; meeting with several groups during the week. This means that at times we have been two ships passing in the night. Saying hello and goodbye seemingly in the same breath.
On top of this, Caede has had his first nightmare; and here it is.

I was walking away from him. As I'm walking away, he is calling my name asking me to stay. Rather than respond, I simply continue walking, ignoring his pleas. I then (with him continuing his screaming for me to stay) get into a car and drive off.

Later in the day, my lovely wife calls me and puts him on the phone to tell me his dream. When he is finished describing it to me, he begins to whimper, as he repeats over and over, "Don't walk away daddy. Don't walk away."
Thanks dear!! Made my day!
I needed to make some changes. I have several appointments on my schedule over the next few weeks(in fact I read an email immediately following my conversation with Caede that asked for two more within the next few days).

Some of them will be cancelled. I like the people who I had planned to meet with, but I can't have my son feeling like I'm walking away from him; even for a short time.

Ah, me boy!!

Rather than write out everything my love did on her blog, I'll simply suggest you follow this link and check out her photos of my boy on his first trip to pre-school.
Oops! I just realized that the pic doesn't say I'm a proud dad, it says, I'm proud OF Dad. Well, I'm not changing it now.

What's in a name?

That's right, I've changed the name. After several months (and turning Lalainia on to her own blog) I have realized that this is definitely not a family blog. It's not like we sit down to a Brady-style family meeting to decide what goes on here. Therefore, I will have mine, Lalainia hers, and when jr. gets older, he can have his. If they even exist any more!
Sure I had big plans; plans of a unified family posting on a family blog. But alas, it was just a pipe dream. Lalainia does not see this blog as fit to post on, thus she only posts on her own (which if you want a good laugh, you ought to check out).
The name is of course temporary(taken from the freaky Irish guy in Braveheart). As this blog implies, I titled it too quickly last time. I will not make that mistake again. So please send me your comments/suggestions for a blog title that truly represents all that is Brad!

Donald Miller and Santa taking a leak

Lalainia and I like to read books together. We are just now finishing a book by Christian writer Donald Miller. Searching for God Knows What is a refreshing book with some great incite onto the way Christians think (and maybe shouldn't) and the dangers of trying to box Jesus, and the entire Bible story, up into little neat tiny boxes bound with formulae.
I encourage anyone who wants to read some thought provoking Christian writing, by an intelligent, well read author, to pick this book up.
While I'm on the topic of stimulating writers, I would also suggest Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell. Again, here is an author who will (for those who grew up in an evangelical environment) challenge you on some of the "axioms" you hold to.
Oh, and if you are wondering about the title of this blog, read Searching for God Knows What.

Rice and Water

Continuing along the same vein as my last post, I want to encourage some action. There are many simpl things that we can be doing in our community to make a differentce. Maybe not over the whole problem all at once, but little by little person by person. Lalainia and I are sick of talking about it, we want to take some action.

Does it bother anyone else that in North America we spend more on ice cream in a year, than it would take to completely abolish world hunger!? That is insane! It is not some way out there, unatainable goal. like we all thought it was in the 80's. It is actually possible.

So what are some practical things we can do at home?

One simple idea, is to have a "Rice and Water Meal" either once a week, or once a month. Find some sort of charity, mission, etc., and gather save up money which would have been spent on the former, and give it to this charity. A small sacrifice, but probably worth at least $1000 year, for some of us, much, much, more.

Another idea is to give up one thing every month (eg. going to movies or renting, Starbucks, etc.) and using this money to support a charity or mission. There are plenty of local groups, but I think in this day and age, and with our global village, our neighbours are from further away than they used to be. Africa (as I've mentioned previously) is dying. I would suggest financial help to groups working with AID's victims, or their orphans in Africa. Check some of the links to the right for some ideas.

And please keep your sad judgements/theologies of the suffering and why they are in their predicament to yourself!!

Bono's Mission to the Church

I have never been a devoted fan of Bono, or U2 for that matter.

Now, for those of you who are still reading, let me say this. It is not because I never liked Bono, or U2, I just always felt I didn’t have time for them. Sure they are a great band and have had great endurance, but I have always felt that one has his/her favourite music to listen to (usually chosen late teens early 20’s), and that they follow those artists, without adding too many new ones to the fold. U2 never made the cut for me.

However, I attended a conference this past week of which Bono was a guest (via satellite interview). During his interview with Bill Hybels (pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago) he revealed his heart for the suffering AIDs victims in Africa. Wow, a pop star explaining to the church the injustice in the world. That is a problem.

It is estimated that 8000 people are dying daily of the AIDs crisis. Wives are becoming widows, children are becoming orphans, and mothers are passing their infection to their children, because they have no means of stopping it; no help. We need to wake up. This is not a UN issue, it is not an African issue, it is an issue of our neighbours needing food, and us providing; needing clothing, and us giving; people being sick, and us doing all we can to bring health. After all, whatever we do to the least of these, we are doing to Jesus (he said that).

I find it interesting that in the Hebrew Scriptures, after rejection of God, the worst sin mentioned is the neglection of the poor, the widow, the orphan; allowing injustice. So what are we going to do? Whatever we can!!! Check out come sites and educate yourself on what is going on, and what we can do(ONE, WorldVision, Bread for the World , DATA, etc.). Make some donations. Encourage others to do the same.