Jonathan Manafo

I got a call yesterday from a former student. He was a teenage in a student ministry I used to serve/lead. It was great to hear from him. He had recently went away to a conference in the states that challenges university students in the area of missions. The theme for the week was ‘CALLING’. Now his question went something like this, “can you help me understand what ‘calling is’ or how/if God calls us?”. We talked about it a little…about the difference between the calling we have as followers of Christ (i.e. live lives worthy of the calling you’ve received…) and ‘a’ calling that may be more specific. Well my advice was simple…the calling to be a Christ follower is the most important one…the second one is always subject to change during our life time…be faithful to the first and the second should take care of itself…(not always that simple, but it can be)

However, the cool part of the conversation happened when this student said, ‘I didn’t call to get any answers, I only wanted to talk/dialogue about this’. It reminded me about how students/young adults think. They don’t necessarily want to get an answer to their questions, they are however looking for somebody to ask them the right questions that help them come up with their own answers. Too often we want to give people the answers (our answers) when really they want to come up with them on their own. And isn’t it better for someone to move forward, confident of the decision ‘they’ made themself. Plus, if we’re Christian Leaders, shouldn’t we trust that the Holy Spirit will lead them in the right direction.

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This past Saturday we started ‘the lobby cafe’. This monthly event is designed for post-secondary students and young adults with the purpose of networking YA’s from the churches in Durham (Ajax/Pickering/Whitby/Oshawa).

We couldn’t have asked for a better start. 25 people from 6 different churches came out. Everyone was connecting so well that our band almost felt like we were inposing on their conversation.

I’m really looking forward to how this can connect some of the many YA’s in our churches and give them a place to introduce friends to the church who don’t follow Christ.

One thing we’re doing to promote the church in Durham is make a card available with all the churches in Durham they can check out. This first of all shows that this event is not (only) about the church I serve in (CLC), and second, this gives any of our friends some church options if and when they’re ready to check one out.

Our next cafe is happening on Saturday, Febuary 10. Check our my LOBBY page for more details.

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The other day on the news I heard a segment on napping. They said a short nap every day can do wonders for your heart and mind. I have relatives in Europe who nap regularly and know that it is more welcomed overseas. They actually leave work at 1pm and don’t return until about 4pm…sometimes until the next morning. We all know that we work too much and are underested in North America.

I did hear a few months ago that some companies are planning to impelment ‘resting’ rooms that will enable employees to take a break and actually nap if they feel the need to do so. I’m all for it. Let’s see if it actually happens. I think we’d all work better, enjoy our evenings more and live longer.

Good Night!

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It seems like my twin brother and I were having similar thoughts this week. On Tuesday we both celebrated our 33rd birthday, Dave did so in Montreal and I did in Toronto. As you can read in his blog we both were reminded that Jesus’ life on earth ended at 33. After losing 3 family members in 6 months (2004) and then 1 more a year later (1 being my dad-65 and another being my mother-in-law-62), I’ve come to think more and more that this life we live is truly a priviledge. I know Jesus was God in the flesh, but he really was flesh…human…a man. He accomplished so much in the 33 years of his air-breathing life on earth. He did so because he was commited to the will of his father. Jesus’ life was comprised of serving, saving and sacrifice (Mark, those 3 S’s are for you).

As I turn 33, I have two prayers:

- God, give me as many years as possible with my wife and kids…they’re so precious
- God, help me to serve and sacrifice like Jesus in the remaining years you give me to live…

Happy Birthday Dave!

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The Holidays were wonderful…

Spent time with my family…

Brought my kids skating…

Ate too much…

Starting a new cafe for young adults on january 20 (check page to your right)…

Will write more soon…

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