Birthday in New Orleans

Today is my 41st birthday. It is not how I expected to spend it. Instead of being surrounded by my wife and kids, I am in New Orleans. I did not decide to take a vacation by myself. I am here for the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL). It has been an interesting trip so far. I left Toronto early this morning, made a brief stop in Cleveland and arrived in New Orleans. I met up with Ethan Frizzell, a Salvation Army captain I got to know during my time in the Arrow Leadership Program. Ethan took me on a short tour of New Orleans (which is a very beautiful city). The most powerful part, however, was driving through the neighborhoods still devastated by hurricane Katrina. Thankfully, Ethan and the Salvation Army are doing some amazing things to help the people who are still in need. After my visit with Ethan, I arrived at the hotel. My plan for the next couple of weeks is to meet with my doctoral supervisor Gerhard van den Heever and to learn a lot from the incredible lectures and workshops available. Literally, the best Bible scholars in the world are here. I walk around and see people whose books I have on my shelf. It is quite inspiring. I hope that after a good sleep I will be ready for a great couple of days. My thanks go to Amanda for looking after the kids so soon after her surgery so I could make this trip. I love you babe!

Fruit of the Spirit

On Sunday we had our second last message on our series on Galatians, looking at Galatians 5:16-26. Paul has set himself up in arguing against the Law and for a grace Gospel for the threat of offering a morally and ethically free belief system. That is not what Paul is presenting and he explains his position in this passage. Paul pits the works of the flesh against the fruit of the Spirit. I do not want to spend a lot of time on the works of the flesh but notice that he includes obviously bad things like sexual immorality, orgies, debauchery and witchcraft with things we would tolerate such as envy, jealousy and selfish ambition. Instead of comparing the works of the flesh with the works of the Spirit, he speaks of the fruit of the Spirit. They are:

1. Love - Already a central part of what Paul is saying in Galatians and his summary of the Law.

2. Joy - Not happiness which is based on circumstances but an inner joy separate from what is happening in our life.

3. Peace - Not absence of conflict but wholeness.

4. Patience - Confession that we live according to God's timetable.

5. Kindness - Love in action.

6. Goodness - The impression that people have of our life but not perfection.

7. Gentleness - The meek shall inherit the earth.

8. Faithfulness - Committed to God and being trustworthy toward people.

9. Self-control - This is last because Paul's opponents would have accused him of an everything goes Gospel when in fact grace should lead us to greater self-control because we have a better motivation.

This is called fruit because it is not a new Christian Law but the work of the Spirit in our life. Our job is not to be just passive and let the Spirit do its work but to provide a welcoming environment by drawing closer to God.

For the next few weeks this message can be found at www.meafordbaptist.ca and it is also available at www.stephenjbedard.com.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today would have been my Dad's 80th birthday. In some ways it still seems hard for me to believe that he is gone. It still feels like I could drive down to St. Catharines, go by the old house and see him in his chair watching the action on the street through the window. The fact is that the house is sold, the chair is in our home office and Dad is gone. My Dad was an interesting man. He was not very free with his feelings, at least verbally, but he always showed his love for his family through the things that he did. Both Dad and Mom have gone to be with God, but their examples and their love spurs me on to be a better husband and father. Happy Birthday Dad! Thanks for everything.

Thankful for Great EAs

Today is a PD day for Logan and Abby. However, Justus and Emma are still in preschool and Faith is in daycare. Since Amanda is still recovering from surgery at her parents, I could not leave Logan and Abby with her while I drove the rest to school. This could have been bad. One of the aspects of autism is a rigid holding to routine. It is not just okay to take the regular drive in the morning and not get dropped off at school. Without me having to ask, the EAs at Logan and Abby's school provided a social story to help out. A social story is a visual depiction of a new routine broken down into parts to help prepare the child. I was able to explain to Logan and Abby that we would go on a drive, drop the kids at their schools, drive some more, stop at Tim Horton's and drive home. As a result, what could have been scary was a nice pleasant drive. They were able to understand clearly what the new schedule for today would be. I am so thankful for educational assistants who take the initiative to help in such a situation. We are truly blessed.

To Write on Her Arms Day

To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement ♥

"What will this achieve?" It will achieve the goal of people knowing that there are other people out there with the same problem, and/or people who are supporting them with love.

I have chosen to show my support my writing love on my arm in English, Hebrew and Greek. On my other arm I have written "God is Love." Let all of us show support to those who need us. What better way to show support than love?

True Freedom

On Sunday we continued our series on the letter to the Galatians. We looked at the idea of freedom. Freedom is something that is basic to being human but something we take for granted, at least in the west. We looked at what Paul had to say in Galatians 5:1-15. This is important for the overall argument that Paul is making in Galatians. Paul is saying that we are to rely on grace and not to follow the Law. Does that mean that Christians are free to sin all they want? That is not where Paul is going. True freedom is not in the freedom to sin but in the freedom to love. Paul, referring to a teaching of Jesus, reminds us that the entire Law is summed up in love. When we embrace a life of love, we are truly free.

For the next few weeks the text and audio of this message can be found at www.meafordbaptist.ca and the audio can also be found at www.stephenjbedard.com.

H1N1 Proof Holy Water Dispenser

I am not kidding about this. H1n1 is actually transforming how holy water is dispensed. You can read about here. Thanks to Leonard Sweet for sharing this.

Anniversary Service

On Sunday, we celebrated First Baptist Church Meaford's 125th anniversary. It was a wonderful service. My other congregation, Woodford Baptist Church, joined us in the celebration. We had special music by Wendy Porter and Stan Porter shared from God's Word. Stan spoke on "Do You Believe Enough to Believe?" from Acts 12:1-19. Stan challenged us on the idea of prayer. He spoke against the idea of prayer as the arm that moves the hand of God but did speak of the power of prayer. Prayer does not manipulate God but we should not be surprised when we that prayer changes things in our lives and we see God at work. It was a good and encouraging message. It was a great time of celebrating First Baptist Church's ministry in Meaford and we look forward to many more years of ministry.