The Great Shaking - Part 1

There has already arisen a time of people’s core beliefs and values being tested and shaken. The current “unrest” and world-wide “uneasiness” will continue to place stress on the already shattered lives of those who placed their hope and future into the hands of others. Many people continue to feel that their lives are completely out of their control and furthermore feel that their lives have become pawns in a greater game of chance. It has always been humanity’s greatest source of contention, anxiety, and stress when we feel that our life is no longer our own and that external circumstance now dictate our actions in a way contrary to our personal desires. But herein lays the importance of realizing how true “freedom” and “happiness” are perpetuated in a democratic society.

Firstly, we must fully realize that the last of the human freedoms is to choose our “attitude.” Many things can be taken from an individual but the last of the human freedoms is the choice of how you will ultimately let circumstances shape you. The worst fallacy that anyone can fall into during this these “difficult times” is a victimization mindset. There is nothing wrong with freely admitting and realizing that some things may have “beset” you that were not fair - but to continue in this “attitude” only empowers the individual or thing that firstly victimized you and this will only continue to strip you of your own dignity, freedom, and happiness. Most individuals who have been “wronged” by an individual or institution do not desire to continue to empower the very “thing” that “victimized” them – yet this is exactly what we do if we continue in a victimization mindset.

This may appear as a silly “mind-game” but our attitude directly affects our actions, which directly affect our lives, which directly affects our community, which directly affects our country. Thankfully God has given us the ability to dictate and control such an important aspect of our lives (i.e. Phil 4:8)

Victimization in the form of fear and uncertainty will come at you in many various forms during these “uncertain times.” The reason? Because it empowers the individual or institution that is perpetuating it. This is why the first step we must take in regaining a sense of hope is the realization that God has blessed us with the ability to decide our “attitude” and subsequent approach during difficult times. We have been blessed with a free democracy which allows us to “pick ourselves up by our boot straps” and be free from a perpetual victimized mindset.

The second part of this article will deal with how freedom and happiness can only be perpetuated through the sacrificial giving of oneself to their community and country.

Feelings for Emotivism?

"We as Christians have no authority or right to tell others how they ought to live or act just because we may feel uncomfortable with some of their actions or lifestyles.” This was a frustration expressed to me from the wife of a Main-line denominational minister. This is a true statement – since, for us to base our beliefs of morality (right or wrong) on strictly a “feeling” is faulty and quickly leads to the ethical philosophy of Emotivism.

What is Emotivism? Quintessentially, (my apologies to any Emotivists for not having the space to lay out their philosophy entirely) the belief that the highest good (what is right) in society can be based on “rational feelings.” Unfortunately, what constitutes a “rational feeling” can cover a wide range of possibilities- many of which have been seen as extremely un-ethical in the past. One such example is Genocide - Whereas individuals who headed these movements “felt” thoroughly, through reason, that they were accomplishing the greatest good for society. Does this then excuse their actions? I think most of us would agree not. Thus it is also fallacy for Christians to use “feelings” as the barometer of what is moral or unethical. For us to dictate a moral stance (of what is good or bad) based on feelings effectively makes the issue “about us” and our emotions rather then the best interests and greatest good for the other people involved.

Genuine “Christian” or “Godly love,” is concerned about the individual’s well-being and commands us to live in such a manner as to protect ourselves from effective self-destruction. My response to the minister’s wife was that I agreed “feelings” should not be the motivating force behind labeling something or someone moral or immoral– rather love should be. Why? True wholly (and/or Holy) love is concerned about the whole well-being of the individual and society and seeks what is best for all people involved. In other words this is not a sentimental love – but a tenacious love. This love would not hesitate to challenge or confront a person’s actions and/or behavior if it was being detrimental to themselves - even if it wasn’t popular opinion or even politically correct. The truth will set people free (John 8:32) when based in genuine, sincere, Godly love. Be it far from us to base morals and ethics on what we “feel.” Rather let us be guided by God’s love as the moral standard– a love which is concerned for the greatest good for our neighbor, fellow worker and fellow Canadian. This is much more far-reaching and important of a matter then merely one group “stone-throwing” at another, etc., etc. This is about searching God’s word and discovering the moral and ethical law that He has placed to protect ourselves from ourselves.

Wall Wisdom 101

Wall Wisdom 101

Have you ever run into a wall? Either figuratively or literally will do but I’d like to focus more on the figurative. Maybe it’s a wall in your job whereas you feel powerless to advance any further within your organization. Maybe it’s a wall in a current relationship where further intimacy or closeness seems impossible to achieve. Maybe it’s a wall financially - a wall which many are having difficulty scaling in light of the current credit and overall economic crunch. To simplify (In true Reader’s Digest form): A wall in your life represents anything that appears to be immovable and sometimes un-scalable at first appearance.

But the very fact that a “wall” exists points to a very simple and encouraging fact: Walls are only erected to protect something of value on the other side. Consequently, we realize that the very fact that a “wall” exists within our personal lives points to something of value on the other side worth having. One of the most well-known walls which comes to minds is “The Great Wall.” A wall which stretches over four-thousand miles long and was guarded by more then a million men at its peak usage. This “Great Wall” existed to protect a big country and vast dynasty.

Thus we learn another truth about walls: The “bigger the wall” the “greater the value” on the other side. Now take this principle and apply it to your personal life and “personal walls.” Suddenly we realize that even though the personal wall we may be facing is foreboding it is also promising of something of great value on the other side of it – and the more insurmountable the wall may appear the greater the victory and value on the other side.
God completely understands these principles of walls both literally and figuratively and consequently promises us that He will help us gain victory over these hindrances which many times seemingly keep us from moving forward. (Psalm. 18:29)

But that brings up a final truth about “walls:” Dealing with walls and “Scaling walls” builds endurance, strength, and experience for future “walls.” And this is preciously one reason why God allows “walls” in our lives. God says “We have need for endurance.” (Hebrews 10:36) Why? Because this endurance, “produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:4) Through facing our “personal walls” a Godly character infused with hope is created, since we realize with each subsequent wall that nothing is impossible with God. As Soren Kierkegard once said, “Hope is passion for what is possible.”

The seemingly insurmountable wall in your life right now is being used by God to build endurance, character, and hope. God’s desire is for you “conquer your wall” but only after building a necessary endurance and character that will aid in building an unshakable hope and strength for your present and future.


Rev. Kevin Mills
Prairie Community Church

The Wilderness made Habitable

The Wilderness made Habitable

“And he was in the wilderness until his public appearance…” (Luke 1:80) Talk about a scripture completely saturated with hope! Why? Let’s look at the definition of wilderness first. A “wilderness” by definition is an uncultivated and seemingly uninhabitable area – a wasteland. With this definition clear in our minds the question is posed: Have you ever felt this same way in your own life? Have you ever felt that your life (i.e. health, mind, body, soul) was situated in an uninhabitable wasteland? If you have - you’re not alone. I was sharing a few Sundays ago with our congregation about the numerous “wilderness” experiences that great men and women often went through in biblical times and the subsequent victories that can ensue. A few examples: Abraham waited twenty-five years “in the wilderness” before seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise to make of him a “great nation” (i.e. The nation of Israel). Moses wandered in the wilderness over forty-years before being called back to lead the “great exodus” of Israel. John the Baptist (New Testament – Luke 1:80) lived (and waited) in the wilderness for over twenty-five years before beginning his great ministry of “preparing the way” for Jesus.

In our “instant gratification” society we usually expect answers and results to be instantaneous – especially when pertaining to our life’s situations. But this is usually not the case. Instead we find ourselves waiting on God’s time-table all the time wondering if he has abandoned us in our “uninhabitable place” (or “wilderness”). Fortunately, as we go through history (both biblical & secular) we see that many great men and women suffered through great times of anxiousness and anxiety before seeing the fulfillment of their hearts desires and dreams. Consequently, we must press through and hold-fast to God’s unchanging character of faithfulness and fully believe that the honorable desires and dreams of our heart were placed there caringly by Him and He will help them be brought to fruition! Furthermore in the Bible God constantly reminds us of His consistent ability to “sympathize” with our weaknesses, struggles, and doubts - consequently we should except this God-given understanding while sincerely pressing forward into His promises. Jewish scholars used to state (and still do) that, “The Fatherhood of God is synonymous with His love for human family. Every creature is living proof that the Father of all is a God of love.” (Everyman’s Talmud, Abraham Cohen) God will lovingly sympathize with our weaknesses when we sincerely desire to trust Him through “wilderness” times. But we must be sincere and hold fully to His unchangeable attribute of complete and utter faithfulness towards His children. My friend, your wilderness experience and the subsequent outcome is in your hands. I have full confidence that you will continue to hold-fast to your faith in God and subsequently be delivered into your heart’s greatest desires and dreams. God truly is faithful through the “uninhabitable” places – continue to hold to Him!

Economic Encouragement

(As Published in the Herald Leader March 21st/2009)

I hesitated at first to join the throngs of people writing articles about the current “Economic Downturn,” but here I am – but from a completely different angle then most. Personally, I’m very hopeful. Is this only because I “feel” hopeful? No. History dictates this hopefulness. A quick breeze through the news archives of the 30’s and 80’s recession paint the same picture as today: Some were hopeful that we’d pull through – others were not. No matter what the overriding opinion was, one thing is clear – we survived, we grew, and we ended up bigger and better in the end.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to downplay the severity of the challenges which lay ahead for our country – to adopt the ever prevailing sentiment of Washington and Ottawa: “Things will probably get worse before they get better.” But on the other side there exists the possibility of us to become bigger, better, and all the much wiser. As the old business adage goes: We learn through our mistakes – just don’t repeat!
Multi-billionaire Warren Buffet echoed this same sentiment in the light of his investment company Berkshire Hathaway having experienced a sixty-two percent drop in profit from last year. Nonetheless, Buffet was found stating that, “Though the path has not been smooth, our economic system has worked extraordinarily well over time…It has unleashed human potential as no other system has, and it will continue to do so. [North] America’s best days lie ahead.” (Feb 28th/09 - Associated Press)
“It has unleashed human potential as no other system has…” Why? Because of our founding father’s possessed an unshakable belief in man possessing the inherent right by God to freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, etc. (Constitution Act 1982, Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms – Part I; Consitution of the United States of America) And it is through the government in times past harnessing these abilities that our Countries (Canada & the U.S.) continued to pull through “challenging times.” This utilization was purely inspired through theistic (or biblical principles) being applied to our founding documents. I know many of you have been taught the knee-jerk response that “biblical principles” are automatically synonymous with laws, rules, bondage, dos & don’ts, etc. And I wish I had the space here to quickly show you otherwise – but instead, I’ll point you to the result of “theistic principles” being applied: The two greatest and free-ist countries in the World: Canada & the United States. Time and time again both of our countries have “unleashed human potential as no other system” because the founding father’s had faith in the citizens – because they realized that God had faith in them.
Canada and the United States best days continue to lay ahead because of the wisdom, knowledge, and talent that God has endowed their citizens with. We will get through this time and we will be the better for it as long as democracy continues and both of our countries continue to trust and harness the power, talent, and wisdom of its citizens. May God continue to have dominion from sea to sea – and subsequently unleash the potential of his most prized creation – mankind.

Rev. Kevin Mills – Prairie Community Church, Portage La Prairie, MB