Ethereal
Thoughts & other musings…
His Love…
06 months ago
This past Saturday night I was descending into Calgary on a plane. I was returning from northern BC where I was speaking at a youth camp. While I was descending I was finishing up a book I had been reading all week. The book was called “Love Wins” by Rob Bell.
This is a book that has churned up so much controversy that being who I am, I had to read it. I went in not knowing what to expect or what I would get from it. The reason for the controversy was Bell’s take on hell. Some prominent leaders from across the many different streams of Christianity have accused Bell of being a “heretic” or a “false prophet”. They called him a “universalist” (all people go to heaven) or a pluralist (many paths to God). Which lead me to ask the questions “What was everyone so afraid of?” and “Why do we feel we need to hold God’s hand across the street like a little old lady?” (pardon the U2 lyric) when someone might have possibly a different revelation than we have been taught or indoctrinated?
I have read the book and was deeply impacted and transformed by some of the truths that Bell was imparting. Some of you are asking the question, “do you agree with him?”. My answer to that question is “the verdict is still out”. There is so much to process both theologically and spiritually.
I can tell you this. The revelation that I now have of Gods love for me and the role I actively play in seeing the redemption of all creation is more clearer than ever. Just ask the young man who was sitting beside me on the plane, his concern for me as I was crying uncontrollably was both endearing and comical. I never really did explain myself to him. Poor guy…
One thing I have learned as I watch the church rip apart their own when a new idea is presented contrary to another’s idea is, Christ is not the cause and it gives Him no Glory.
Just my 2 cents…
U2…been too long…
18 months ago
Tonight, one of my most long awaited and most anticipated desires is coming to fruition. I get to see, who arguably, is one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time, U2. I remember walking the halls of my high school listening to Joshua Tree on my headphones in 1986. Yup I am that old. Since then I have followed them closely and they have inspired me both in music and in life.
Today, in dedication to tonights show, here are my top 10 U2 songs of all time:
10. Cedars Of Lebanon
9. Mysterious Ways
8. Beautiful Day
7. Sunday Bloody Sunday
6. Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
5. Bad
4. Pride (In the name of love)
3. Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For
2. Where The Streets Have No Names
1. With Or Without You
*Note: I could make at least 4 top ten lists from their musical offerings 
To listen to samples or to purchase the songs listed above click here…
Coffee Shop Cool…
011 months ago
This morning I am sitting in a new “trendy” coffee shop that opened near our church several months ago. I am looking around at those who are, like myself, in a seemingly hypnotic trance as they gaze into their screens on ipads and macbooks, all the while feeling sorry for lowly character sitting in the corner with a dell. “If he only knew how “technologically” lost he is” we are thinking to ourselves. Hoping that one day, he will see the light.
This is coffee shop cool at its worst and snobbery at it’s pinnacle. “Why are you even sitting here?” “You are not one of us.” “Dude, you need to be technologically saved and when that happens you can come back here and sip your coffee with absolute confidence of inclusion and acceptance” ”Don’t come back unless you have glowing Apple shimmering off the background of a smoked steel canvas.”
It might seem like I am exaggerating but I am not. The tension at times is so thick you can cut it with a knife. I think some pc users sense it and want to stand up and scream at the top their lungs “stop looking at me you pretentious, arrogant, assimilated geeks!!!” It’s like some weird scene out of zombie movie.
I don’t write this today to muse about my daily rituals (well maybe a little). I write this to pose some questions.
1. What do we do in our churches that make people feel this way?
2. Where have we allowed the culture of the world to define church community and it’s expression? Is this healthy? Why or why not?
Who do we honour?
011 months ago
by Keith Waara
in Personal Thoughts
John 7:18 (New International Version – UK)
“He who speaks on his own does so to gain honour for himself, but he who works for the honour of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
This passage is powerful and challenging on so many levels. These are the words of Jesus. Being that they were spoken by Jesus means we need to take note.
As of late I have been wrestling with many things, faith, life, church and what it all means. I watch those around me say they love God. I wonder if they have sat back and ask what it means to “love God”? Do I know what it means to love God? Because if “loving God” is self seeking, ego inflating and attention whoring than I guess the whole world is thus “in love with God”?! I see this in the church today. I have even been a willing participant from time to time.
When I read these words, I’m moved to a place of humility and honour. I am very aware of my own shortcomings in this area. I am not perfect by any stretch but one thing I try to do, is be aware of my hearts posture before the Lord. Am I living for his glory or my own? Do I serve him or self? I think these questions can get convoluted quickly in the context of church because sometimes we do a poor job of bringing glory to him in all we do.
“He who speaks on his own”
Sometimes, I think we speak on our own. Not from Him or for Him. He sent His Holy Spirit to be our guide, inspiration, the very source of our breath. To lead us into all truth so that we can speak in truth.
I don’t think we do this on purpose. I think that our problem isn’t just a flesh issue, it’s an intimacy issue. You can’t bring glory (which means to bring focus to one’s character or nature) to someone outside of relationship. We can attempt to but we will do a poor job but there is grace for this. Why would we try to serve outside of intimacy? “Those who know their God will do exploits”. Daniel 11:32
When we do this we become frustrated in our striving and achievements. We will quickly realize that we will never be enough to do the job in and of ourselves.
The key is to “know” him. Not the knowledge that is found in reading about Him but in the knowledge that is discovered when you meet with Him, time in His presence. I believe Jesus is saying, we lie to ourselves and others when we try to minister from that place of not knowing who He is. Mary and Martha comes to mind.
When we avoid intimacy with the Father we will never know the Father’s heart and thus we will not bring glory to the Father, we will not properly reflect who HE is to those around us. We are just lying to ourselves and others.
When we work for the honour of the “One who sent us” everything changes. We begin to walk according to His will. We sow His will and not our own and we will reap His harvest and not our own. Actually, the context in which Christ spoke these words support this conclusion. Read John 7: 14-18
Besides, I wouldn’t want my harvest, it’s bears no fruit. My desire is to be a man of truth…
The “Beat” Is On For A New Generation of Music Fans
01 year ago
The Beatles
The Beatles are possibly the most popular band in history with the greatest and most diverse musical legacy. The influence of The Beatles has been felt literally all around the world. They made more than music, they made statements. Not only were they brilliant song writers and entertainers they always broke paradigms within the music industry and within culture. They challenged the status quo on regular basis. They were also innovators in music recording and technology.
I remember when I heard “Let it be” for the first time. I was pretty young but for some reason the lyrics resonated with me;
“And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.”
-Let It Be (The Beatles)
I think it was the hope these lyrics presented. A hope for people. Pretty bold message in a world that focuses on the “hopeless” state of humanity. A humanity that can’t be trusted and is completely dis-functional, but yet McCartney and Lennon thought differently and wanted others to know that. Pretty sure this song is my favourite.
They were truly a great band. I don’t really see the genius in anyone because I think genius is overrated and should be accredited only to God, however, I do believe in “beauty” and I think these guys looked at the world through rose colour glasses. They saw beauty in the people around them and wrote about them. Their ideas were not often popular with the “status quo” but the records sales would say their message resonated deep within the hearts those who listened. By 1964 they had sold over 80,000,000 records worldwide and according to wiki, The Beatles have sold over 1 billion units to date. That is 1/6 of the world population!! I would then conclude that their message has resounded with every generation since.
Now with Apple (which didn’t come easy) finally releasing the first digital catalogue of The Beatles music, a whole new generation can listen and be inspired, as I was, by great songs that had changed the way a generation looked the world.
-k
Just getting started!
01 year ago
by Keith Waara
in Personal Thoughts
Just getting this blog up and running. Thanks for stopping by.
Cheers,
-K