We all know that the church today is getting smaller. Denominations are dwindling; churches around the country are closing their doors; more and more people live without any discernible church connection. Sure, there is a rise of spirituality, but that rarely translates into involvement in a faith community. When someone describes themselves as ‘spiritual not … Continue reading Individualism: The scourge of the Church.
Faith
Bad Fruit and Bobble-Heads
One of the most engaging books I read recently was J.K Smith’s You Are What You Love. It was in reading Smith that I first came across the term “Bobble-Head Christians.” A Bobble-Head Christian is someone who has a head full of information about God but an underdeveloped body. That is, while the individual may … Continue reading Bad Fruit and Bobble-Heads
Requiem for my mother
On the last day of this year, just hours before the flipping of the calendar, my mother died after an extensive fight with Cancer. The road had been long and painful, but the death itself was relatively quick. Time after time my mother had shown her resolve, living even in her last moments with a … Continue reading Requiem for my mother
Getting our feet wet
Scripture speaks into our lives. The words we read, in Old Testament and in New, penetrate our hearts and our souls, addressing the dynamics of our own lives. As we place ourselves before scripture, allowing the Word to address us, we find that the words of scripture open up new perspectives in our life of … Continue reading Getting our feet wet
Spirit-Filled decision-making: the way of discernment for individuals, councils, and communities.
Life can be messy. The path ahead is not always clear. In such moments, we can be left with the daunting task of having to decide what course of action to engage in, which path to follow. Sometimes it’s a decision between A and B. Sometimes it’s a decision to act or not act. Sometimes … Continue reading Spirit-Filled decision-making: the way of discernment for individuals, councils, and communities.
Leaping wombs: Does Elizabeth hold the key to being church?
For liturgical churches, such as my own, May 31st celebrates The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. It is not a celebration we normally think about, except maybe as a forerunner to the Magnificat as the Gospel of the day includes Mary’s exultant song. Obviously, thoughts and reflections normally reside here. And why … Continue reading Leaping wombs: Does Elizabeth hold the key to being church?
A 3-step way of understanding Spiritual Formation
Every month my Spiritual Director gives me a passage of scripture to sit with throughout out the month. For this month he gave me Galatians 6:14-18. Just four small verses, but they are packed with content. So, this morning I thought I would spend some time in prayer and reflection on this passage. I went … Continue reading A 3-step way of understanding Spiritual Formation
Cancer and the Cross
Maundy Thursday has always been my favourite service of the year. I love the solemnity of the service. The stark contrast between the celebration of the Eucharist, immediately followed by the removal of all signs of life, leaves me continually awestruck. I find profound poignancy in the church being left as nothing but an empty … Continue reading Cancer and the Cross
To those who can’t sleep
How well do you sleep? Are you one who drifts off into dream-land the second your head hits the pillow? Do you toss and turn for hours, trying find the comfortable groove in the bed by which your body will release its tension and you will sink into dreams? Do you rely on aids to … Continue reading To those who can’t sleep
Living the Beatitudes
Does anyone else feel that the world is spinning out of control? The inauguration of the US president, and the opening days of his rule, has turned the world on its head – or perhaps it is better to say that what used to lie simmering beneath the surface of contemporary life has now broken … Continue reading Living the Beatitudes
Reverend Kyle Norman 