On Water

This post is a small info piece for some folks I'd like to corral into a brief trip this spring.

Info:

- Proposed Dates June 15 -18

- Lower Madawaska River (Link to Madawaska on Google Maps)

- About four hours from Toronto

- Well travelled river; many accesses.

a. 46 Km

b. About 12 sets of runnable rapids

c. Great location for easy fun in white water

- One massive lookout (small hike)

- Cost per person: About $170

a. Transportation

b. Rental canoes

c. Shuttle to Put In location

d. Food

e. (We can outfit ourselves beyond canoes)

Some photos from past trips on this same river:

- Paddling at Dawn

- Morning Day 3

- Catching A Wave

- Side Hike + View

- C. D. Clements

On Nouwen

Breaking news:

My professor tells me I had a good idea in class last night! Typically I try to add to the conversation, but I have a sneaking suspicion my classmates (all fourth year PhD candidates) endure me politely.

"Nouwen seems to view the goal of the Christian life as communion with God and relates to our attention and inattention to God. Nouwen’s understanding of being Godly is downward mobility and cruciformity, Philippians 2."*

Not my words, but mostly my idea. Score.

-C.D. Clements

*As opposed to godliness as sinning less / becoming more holy.

On Road Closures

The road in front of the church is common route for folks to bypass the the traffic on the more major routes through town. While the portion of the road immediately in front of the church is open, the road past the church is being dug up for water main repair.

The construction workers have put up very visible signs to indicate there is construction and that the road beyond the church is closed.

From my desk, I look out onto the road mid-way between the "road closed" sign, and the construction. It is actually, the precise point at which a driver realizes that the sign they just drove pass was indeed accurate and the road beyond the church is impassable due to large trenches and construction vehicles.

This has been the situation for about 2 months now, and not a day goes by where a good number of drivers who believe they are the exception have a 'teachable moment' and are forced to turn around and retreat.

This action all goes down right outside my window.

I write this post as a small pack of BMW's admit defeat and are considering how to turn three cars around in one driveway.

Funny.

Peace,

-C.D. Clements

On public speaking

I am developing a new theory on public speaking.

I hypothesize that the better someone becomes at public speaking, the less people feel the need to encourage this individual after an incident of public speaking.

In short: the less people tell you how well you did, the better your presentation actually was.

According to my new theory, I feel today's sermon went medium well.

Nice.

Peace,

-C.D. Clements

On Bank Service

Today I was at TD to submit some funds from our youth’s 30 Hour Famine event. There was a good amount of paper work, as well as much small change, and so I was with the teller for about 20 min doing deposit-type stuff.

This gave me time to notice that more than half of clients were asked if they had any weekend plans.

When he initially asked about my upcoming weekend, I had thought my teller had a keen interest in my life . [Oh boy!]

Then I discovered I was nothing but a means toward a happy manager and a good customer relations grade. [Oh boy…]

What a roller coaster of emotion.

-C.D. Clements

On work

Sometimes I waste time at work and will probably need to stay late to get it all done.

http://somuchepicwin.com/

http://grooveshark.com/s/Billy+Comes+Home/3IdFEp?src=5

-C.D. Clements

On Stoners

Three apartments down from me live a bunch of stoners. And they have a patio. When Nyssa and I had first moved in for the summer, they could often be heard out on the patio until the morning hours yelling about stuff and carrying on about Pink Floyd and how stoned they once got. (No word of a lie; I know it seems stereotypical, but it is true)

It seems they take a winter sabbatical starting in November (presumably to brush up on lesser known Floyd albums) but with the warmer spring temperatures, I noticed them today back on the porch.

My senior pastors tells me I should make friends with them and tell them about Jesus. I think Jesus would draw the line at 12:00am shouting.

Anyway, all this to say... wish me luck this summer.

Peace,

-C.D. Clements

On good advice

In small towns or communities, remember not to talk about others in public places. Even if it is mostly business.

Although my most recent experience of this rule is not as bad as the time I made fun of the women's volleyball team while they were at the adjacent table.

Peace,

-C. D. Clements

On FIGHT CLAP

I have recently become aware of a new underground movement amongst Tyndale Alumni [between class of 2004 - 2006]. It is called FIGHT CLAP. In careful research, I have discovered the following references and descriptions to FIGHT CLAP:

Here at FIGHT CLAP we may not have it all figured out. We may not have it all together. We may not even know what ‘it’ is. But this is a safe place to explore FIGHT CLAP. It’s a safe place to get to know FIGHT CLAP. It’s a safe place to come at things from the side, to figure out things as you go along. And the beauty of it is in the way we’re trying to do this together. Well, sometimes it’s beautiful. Other times? Not so much. But it’s always real. And we like that .

FIGHT CLAP represents over 320 nonprofit providers of long-term care and housing services for 65,000 elderly residents across Pennsylvania. FIGHT CLAP is committed to helping its members provide quality care efficiently and effectively for the individuals and families they serve. In an age of impersonal care, FIGHT CLAP members put people before profits.

In the criminal justice system, clapping based offences are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as FIGHT CLAP. These are their stories.

These are the voyages of the starship FIGHT CLAP. It's continuing mission, to FIGHT strange new CLAPs. To seek out new FIGHTS and new CLAPS. To FIGHT CLAP where no one has FIGHT CLAPPED before.

When I find myself in times of trouble, FIGHT CLAP comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness FIGHT CLAP is right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Yours in uncovering the real truth behind FIGHT CLAP,

-C.D. Clements

On Offices /size

My friend Pat has a new job and a new office. He reports having a bigger office than mine. I'll not repeat the saying about sizes and functions. But I will challenge Pat to beat the ministry potential of this office layout:

-C.D. Clements

On Spam

My recent post which compares Fergus & Toronto was met with much enthusiasm from the spamming community. (Thank you all... you do flatter too much.)

However I'd like to point out an unhelpful misunderstanding in one of my supportive spammer's comments.

Ray is quoted as:

It should be pointed out that the bible (which witnesses to Jesus) is a book. And we would not have the bible, let alone the bible in English, if it were not for Christian scholars.

I feel this is one good reason, among many, why we shouldn't act rashly to discard smart people & their books.

-C.D. Clements

On Youth Ministry & Theology

On Thursday afternoons there is a group of students from the church who gather for scripture study and dinner together. We have been moving our way through Romans, which is quite a book for a youth study. (!)

One gem I discovered within the last two months is to incorporate a paragraph or two from an "accessible" writer within the study. This gives students the a fresh voice which is neither Romans, nor myself; two voices which seem to tire out their thought processes.

Apart from the usual suspects such as C.S. Lewis, two authors which write in a way that the students understand and resonate with are Wayne Grudem & Richard J. Mouw. (Note: I work in a reformed church) In particular, the students love Mouw's Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport.

Turns out I do too.

That's all for now!

-C.D. Clements

10 ways in which Fergus and Toronto differ from each other

Nyssa and I have moved to Fergus Ontario three weeks ago. Here are the 10 most notable ways in which Fergus and Toronto differ from each other.

1. Toronto has very few youth jobs which pay a living wage.

2. Fergus has no bike racks anywhere.

3. But in Fergus people don't steal bikes so it doesn't seem to be a problem.

4. Toronto has many well stocked Blockbuster outlets

5. Fergus has an independent rental outlet which will let you exchange, and also refund the difference, if you've accidentally rented a blu-ray.

6. In Toronto people will try to run you down in their cars if you bike on the roads

7. In Fergus they will run you down in trucks

8. In Toronto you never see people you know

9. In Fergus you can not get anything done in town without a 10min conversation.

10. Fergus has the Elora Gorge. But you can go on Saturday and visit everyone from Toronto.

Thats all for now,

- C.D. Clements.

On Summer Reading

This summer I have had a personal goal of reading more and playing video games less. If any of you are in the same boat, here are two brilliant suggestions; from one gamer to another.

Alex Garland, The Beach: It is like Lord of the Flies, except we are not in grade 10, and it is not compulsory reading. Also it is about a select group of backpackers who are trying to re-create Eden [Wow!]. You may have seen the movie, but as with many movies, the book was way better. The Beach weighs in at 439 pages, and is very engaging the whole way through.

Cormac McCarthy, The Road: Father & son survival in a post-apocalyptic America. Also a movie, but I haven't seen it yet. Some people say this is the most important fiction or non-fiction in the past 25 years. I can't come down on one side of the debate, or the other (in that I'm not well informed), but the statement certainly reveals the quality of writing in this novel. The Road weighs in at 256 pages, but you will likely read the ending at least twice.

Yours in switching up addictions,

-C.D. Clements.

On the value of being concise.

Hope my previous post was not too long.

I found this image shortly after I posted on Matthew 5.

Jokes!

-C.D. Clements

On Matthew 5

I've come across a way of reading of the Beatitudes which I've not put together before. Simply, Matthew 5:2-12 is a picture of what New Creation will be when the Kingdom of God appears in fullness. Jesus relates a present point of tension and its outcome in New Creation.

Case studies:

V. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

- In New Creation those who have had cause to mourn previously will be entirely comforted.

Or

V.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

- Those who are pure [made righteous in Christ] will see God when the Kingdom comes in fullness.

However, these verses are not limited to a future hope. (Note the present tense 'are'!) Scripture tells us that the Kingdom of God is appearing even now. As we act as the body of Christ on earth, we can expect to see these verses being realized as New Creation happens in our lives, and the lives of those around us.

Granted there is some mystery about why the Kingdom does not come in fullness a.s.a.p. I'll leave that for a later time; more can be said, but we all know nobody reads long blog posts.

-C.D. Clements

On worth while things.

A short while after my previous post I attended a conference where the speakers made fun of different social media, including blogs. At one point an image was shown of a trendy young person typing on a mac; the caption read: "I have nothing to say, and I say it often".

Nothing to say?... I suppose we have been found out.

Although I feel the trendy mac part does not apply in my case.

Regardless, let me post this link to a modern creed which I think is brilliant. I am strongly considering adapting it into curriculum format for use in my new church. Let it not be thought that this post has "nothing to say". (Even if its significance is outsourced)

Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony.

-C.D. Clements

On Being Reformed

I recently decided that I am totally digging being Christian Reformed. I've never been Dutch, but I am now way reformed. We probably have the best tag line of all time:

"All of life, in relation to God"

Also, I just spent the past 30 minutes reading about our different positions on various issues. Not convinced? I don't believe you.

-C.D. Clements

On switching it up.

This used to be a stupid post, and now it is nothing.

-C.D. Clements

On Phish & the Olymipcs | Reposed from Phish.net

Just a few fun facts [phun phacts] about Phish on network/stadium playlists during the Olympics.

Ocelot was played during trials for the ski jump on 12/26/09.

First Tube was used in the bump to a commercial about the upcoming bobsled competition on 2/20/10.

Tweezer Reprise (a good 3 minutes worth!) was the background music for the Ono speedskating segment late on 2/20/10.

Kill Devil Falls (the version from Joy) was played over the PA at the Canada vs. USA men's hockey game 2/21/10, with about 15 seconds left in the first period. They played about 20 seconds of the chorus before the puck was dropped again.

Axilla (Part II) (from Hoist) was played with about 8 minutes left in the second period at the same game.

***

On another note loosely related to the Olympics; Skate skis are the new Downhill skis. Maximum fun + no lift ticket. Snow is becoming plentiful up Uxbridge way.

-C.D. Clements