On Three More Things

First Thing:

Another Chris Clements Lookalike was found.

Second Thing:

A Picture of Nyssa and I. I am told the last post does not (and should) have a picture under the engagement post. So here one is.

Third Thing:

For the first time Trey has been arrested on drug related charges. Perhaps he is now becoming a bonafide rock star. For an interesting look into the drugs in his possession, surf to drugsandpoisons.blogspot.com

On Three Things.

The First Thing:

I became engaged to Nyssa Dhillon on the 9th. You may see her blogspot for details. I can vouch for all she has written.

The Second Thing:

It has recently come to my attention that Christ was a man of the people; I suppose this includes (but is not limited to) the village people.

The Third Thing:

Penney has found this picture online, and it is not me. This mystery me apparently resides in England, and is a friend of a friend from Penney' s camp. Penney has also taken a few liberties with his new photo program. ( I feel you can click the image for a larger view)

-C.D. Clements

On Tyndale College, where I recieved my undergrad degree

Preaching class trip to an organic farm to explore the Parable of the Soils

-C.D. Clements

On Jason Penney Buying a Bike

There is nothing quite like a good bike. Recently Jesse, Nate D. and I went to Sunnybrook park, and came back very covered in mud. Here is why this is fun:

A) Going fast

B) Steering around obstacles

C) Having trees whip by your face

D) Physical burn of muscles

E) Performing great falls

F) Commenting to one another on how ‘awesome’ any given bike maneuver is, or particular terrain type.

G) Having that girl in the car check us out.

H) The knowledge that together we successfully completed a grueling ride in cold rain.

Dear Penney: come on man.

Also, special thanks to Chris Drudge for biking fast down the hill in the picture.

-C.D. Clements

On Al r. Hounsell

Al is my former roomate. We don't hold it againts him. He still loves the Lord.

-C.D. Clements

On the Desert Fathers

26. The brethren came to Abba Anthony and laid before him a passage from Leviticus. The old man went out into the desert, secretly followed by Abba Ammonas, who knew that this was his custom. Abba Anthony went a long way off and stood there praying, crying in a loud voice, 'God, send Moses, to make me understand this saying.' Then there came a voice speaking with him. Abba Ammonas said that although he heard the voice speaking with him, he could not understand it.

32. Abba Anthon said, 'I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear.' (Jn 4.18)

-C.D. Clements

On Going to Feenie's Cottage.

- C.D. Clements

On Coming back from Camp.

Community is the best and worst thing there is.

Best: Laughter, Morning Prayer, Mid-Morning Staff Run, Meals, Discussions, Honesty, etc.

Worst: Differences, Noise, Little Personal Space/Time, Sin, Miscommunication, Conflicting Personalities, etc.

We also went on a enjoyable canoe trip.

-C.D. Clemetns

On Trey

Trey Anastasio: Toronto, CANADA July 18, 2006

Set list:

Sand
Drifting
Trouble
Sleep Again
Something For Rockets
Goodbye Head >
Plasma
Waste*
You've Got Me Floating*
On The Road Again*
Mexican Cousin*
Suskind Hotel
Who Are You

Encore:
These Eyes
Dragonfly
Tuesday
*Trey on acoustic guitar, Mike on banjo.

I have gone to see Trey Anastasio of Phish play the other night. Amongst the lengthy jams within the songs (which were in themselves somewhat of a transcendent experience) I consider the following points:

A) Trey refers to music & jams as a sort of divine language. (I am beginning to feel this is a valid point)
B) There is this ‘belonging’ sort of feeling/concept that happens amongst people while enjoying music.
C) I appreciate the cathartic/transcendent nature of a relationship with God, and great music. Not that Trey jams are a replacement for God, but just as language is used in conversation/communion with the divine, I find myself to be considering the role of music in communion with the divine.
D) At any rate, little jams in worship where one is able to stop singing prescribed words, and enter into a sort of worshipful communion (often without words) is unique and wonderful.

Okay. C.D. Clements.

On Work

I work with a bunch of Jamaicans. Here are some “tings” they will say, and I have no clue what they are talking about.

1.“Criiis, where next glove!” = Chris, have you seen my other glove?
2.“Criiis, dumppen ‘n de middle” = Chris, please dump this bag of spice through the middle hatch of the mixer.
3.“Ohhhhhhnoo… I’m ‘ungry tooday Criiis” = Oh no, I am feeling hungry currently, but will be full after break.
4.“Criiss bruddah” = Hello Chris
5.“Criiis, getta next bag fruum Brender” = Chris, I need another bag from Brenda.
6.I ‘eard like-it tooouching… Tiiim!” = I hear a sound from the blender as though the blade is rubbing against the side. Better get Tim.

At any rate, they are a good deal of fun. (and confusion).

- C.D. Clements

On Going to Camp

I will be on staff at Pioneer's L.I.T. program this summer. Please dig the the ideas behind L.I.T.:

a)"To promote the personal growth and leadership development of Christian teens."

b)"To train young people to serve as Christian leaders in Pioneer's camping programs and their broader home, school, and church communities. "

-also-

"Community is a vital component of the program, and L.I.T.s spend a great deal of the time in various groups. Activity groups, small groups, and room groups are all facilitated by carefully selected staff who model the servant lifestyle that L.I.T.s will seek to emulate. Through all of this community interaction, relationships are built which flourish into amazing and lasting friendships."

Looking foward...

-C.D. Clements.

On the Probable Case

Here is a theory: People who attest to make decisions based on facts are probably,* not actually making decisions/actions based solely on facts.

1. Everybody has emotions and reasoning capabilities.
2. Emotions affect decisions/actions, on a ‘below the surface’ sort of level.
3. This is part of being a whole person.

It can be an interesting puzzle trying to discern the ‘underlying issues’ which are affecting the facts of a decision/behavior.

*Note: ‘Probably’ excludes things like buying the less expensive chicken to save money. This is an example where there is not a significant emotive component to behavior.

On Two Pictures with Captions

This is my Hebrew (biblical language) class. We were all ‘in it together’ which made for a unique sort of classroom community bond.

Myself and Storm on the Play Fort. A swing jumping competition ensued.

-C.D. Clements

On the End of the World

I went to see N.T. Wright at U. of T. He suggests there will be no rapture (as understood traditionally ) , and that the age to come will be a union of the heaven and the ‘new’ earth, where we will exist in ‘spiritual’ bodies.

He said many more things, but I was thinking about this one particularly. There is a prevailing theology (which is a sort of Gnosticism) whereby Christians get to flee the world as it self-destructs. But consider the following:

1. The New Jerusalem is going to be ‘let down’ from heaven. Who is going to live in it?
2. Why is God has God established his kingdom on earth if at the return of Christ (an the fulfillment of all things) there is not going to be any one to be in the kingdom?
3. The crated order is ‘groaning’ in anticipation of the right ordering of the cosmos. (Romans 8) The creation is groaning for man to rule and serve it the way God intended. (N.T. Wright)
4. The Bible asserts a new heaven and a new earth.
5. Inheritance as sons (and daughters) of God. This inheritance is also ‘the nations.’

This means that Christians are to anticipate a renewed (or new) earth in their actions, and avoid (among other things) attempts to preserve God’s kingdom by dropping bombs on evil.

-C.D. Clements

On Phish Rocking Out

Please Dig these Pictures of Phish, live in Vegas, 2000 - 09- 30.

-C.D. Clements

On Community

I am now ending a four year stay in the dormitory of Tyndale University/College and Seminary. Two of these years were spent in the capacity of a ‘residence advisor’. Here is a very brief reflection on my experience:

Christian Community is purposed for:
A) Relating to God
B) Relating and Ministering to each other. (in good times/bad; the idea of ‘being’ or ‘peregrinatio’, which is apparently Latin for ‘pilgrimage’) Relating to one another has to do with being honest and vulnerable (commonly termed ‘real’). Ministering (in a tiny nutshell) is the renewing of the image of God on a person’s life.
C) For inner healing & giving one’s self character definition. Please note: God defines the person, but others are certainly are employed by God in the process.
D) Equipping for ministry
E) Having lots of Fun

Role of the Individual Christian in Community
A) Commune with God (devotion, covenant faithfulness/experience)
B) Co-Facilitation of a community where ALL members belong. (Co-Facilitation in the sense that fellow man and God are also involved in act)
C) Self-Sacrifice (in many capacities. Two specifically: 1) The only way one can get what one wants consistently is in isolation, which is not pleasant. 2) Service is a Christian moral imperative)
D) Enjoy the community and its benefits.
E) Realize one’s commitment to God and one another in trial.

The Tyndale residence experience is something that has given my person definition is various appreciated aspects. Living in an intentional Christian community (in my opinion) is an anticipation (albeit fallen anticipation) of Heaven where we will know God perfectly and one another perfectly.

Two Notes:

A) This is my reflection, as oppoesd to a widely accepted systematic theology excerpt.

B) Read: Ephesians, Chapter 2; Life Together - Bonhoeffer

-C.D. Clements.

On Josh Healey

Josh Healey has told me on several occasions to reconstitute this blog. I have heeded his words and re-post with the understanding that it is useful to keep in touch and discuss over long distances with a blog.

-C.D. Clements