Jonathan Manafo

I watched this great movie a few days ago. “An Unfinished Life”, starring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez and Josh Lucas.

I won’t get into too much detail (not to mess it up for a first time viewer) but this amazing story illustrates the power of forgiveness. First, how unforgiveness can really have a hold on you and stop you from enjoying every day and every moment; and second, when forgiveness is exercised how it can be the most freeing thing one can experience.

Of course when one looks at the Christian faith, forgiveness is a huge aspect. Most importantly, the forgiveness we receieve from Christ through his death and ressurection, but also the responsibility we have to forgive others. (Look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-15) The hardest part of Jesus’ words for me in Matthew 6 are verses 14-15. By hard I mean they are hard to accept and live because my human nature wants to be so opposite of this. “…if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” I think Jesus is saying that I have a part to play in forgiveness; not just others, but mine as well. Wild!

If you get a chance, watch the movie and let me know what you think! In the mean time if I’ve done anything to offend or hurt you, please forgive me and I will do likewise.

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On September 29-30, Vibe (our young adult ministry) is going away for the first time since I’ve been at CLC. I’m looking forward to how the night/day away unfolds. We’re planning for it to have a very homey/livingroom feel. No hype or craze. There will probably be about 15 of us around couches with a couple of guitars. The theme of our 2 sessions are “NAKED…stripping down Christianity and the Church”. After our weekend I’ll post some of the outcomes from our discussions and activities.

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3 days in a row I’m reminded about the reality of death.

- 9/11’s anniversary was the first. I remember being in the office of UofT paying for my class that semester and not believing what I was hearing. It sounded like a movie, not real life. Our world hasn’t been the same since. Or maybe it’s always been like this and just surfaces every so often to remind all of us what kind of world we live in.

- yesterday was my parents wedding anniversary which reminds me that my father is no longer alive and my mother had no one to celebrate with. He died on June 3, 2004. I miss him dearly and so wish that I could talk with him and tell him what’s going on…I’d tell him what my daughter just said or how my son’s first day of school was or how my last gig went or what’s going on at church and home and … you get the picture. This reminder should hurt the most, but it doesn’t, because I know my Dad gave all he had everyday to make the world a better place. He lived life to the full and had no regrets when God called him away. Love ya Dad!

- today was a surprise. 2 gunned men or kids (not sure yet) openned fire at students in Dawson College, Montreal. This hits home because I attended Dawson College. The slogan for Dawson used to be, ‘where learning is optional’. I wonder what it’ll be now, maybe ‘get your bullet proof vest at the door’ or ‘make sure to pay for your insurance when you pick up your books’. What a shame. We still don’t know what motivated these 2 people to cause this harm, but I am so sorry for those who have been effected and hurt. May God be with them and their families today.

We really aren’t certain how many days we have on earth, we can only be certain how we live them. Days like these challenge me to live everyday with purpose, meaning and fulness; to love my wife, my kids, my friends; to make a difference every moment that I can.

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If you’re a follower of sports at all you’ll know that Tiger Woods is on a huge roll. He’s won 5 straight not including his second place finish before the streak began. What’s amazing about this is not only the wins, but that they include 2 Major championships and a World Golf event. If you play golf or not you have to appreciate the consistency dispayed in this athelete. Golf is a funny game…amazing and crazy…up and down…good and bad. To be able to play this well for that long a period of time is a great example of focus, talent, strength and raw skill.

So why write about this? First, I’m a huge fan as some may already know and I get a kick out of following this guy. But also I must say that I want to learn from people like Tiger. I want to be able to work at my game (not just golf, but life, work and ministry). Tiger says that he can always be better…always can work at his game. I’d like to say that I can too. I want to be a better father, husband, musician, communicator, minister, friend, christian, human, etc. What does it take? Lots of work; lost of prayer; lots of study; lost of discipline. Is it worth it? I think so. Because unlike golf, that’s just a game/sport and only has competetive rewards, I believe that my faith is seen in who I am and how I live. So…if I can grow and become better at all the things I listed above, I believe the world will be a better place because of it and Christ will be made known.

Trying not to settle for what I did today, but striving for what I can do (through Christ) tomorrow.

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One of my many faults is that I am quite frank. Sometimes it may be viewed as a fault, but I think it’s a gift. Why? Because people can at least know who I am and what I think about a situation or circumstance. Too often we candy coat things or walk away from conflict and don’t allow truth and honesty to prevail.

Check out this recent article on how leaders should be honest, admit their wrongs and walk away with dignity!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/009/21.114.html

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