Rest and Restlessness has moved to a new home.
Go to mattwiebe.com.
If you are a feed subscriber, please update to the new feed.
(The old feed will contine to be updated from the new site for a while)
Comments are closed, but clicking on post titles should bring you to the appropriate post on my new blog.
Monday, May 22, 2006
And We're Off!
So, by the time anybody reads this, Jac and I should be on board our bus heading for Halifax to board our flight to Madrid with stops in St. John's and London along the way.
This blog will be put cryogenically frozen while we're gone and our travel blog will be the place where the action's at over the next 8 weeks.
Wow! I'm actually going to Europe!
This blog will be put cryogenically frozen while we're gone and our travel blog will be the place where the action's at over the next 8 weeks.
Wow! I'm actually going to Europe!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Mansionville
they sure don't build 'em like they used to!
So, the other day Jac decided to walk around the block and check out the hood.
The level of quality in these homes is really quite remarkable. (Plus they sell for about half the cost of homes in Winnipeg. no joke.) The downside is that many are in disrepair.
Our building. This is a close-up of some of the detailing on one of our porches.
. . . the main entrance to our building.
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. In reaction to the mass production and standardization brought about by the industrial revolution, William Morris believed that our lives are enriched when the everyday objects around us are of high quality and craftsmanship.
This odd little raised nook is at the end of the hall from our suite.
I think we might have to do something with it yet. . .
A couple houses down from us. This Queen-Anne style villa was owned by the Ganong bros. (yes, the chocolate guys).
Our neighbors. This is the Fitch residence. (Pete is the pastor of the Vineyard).
Also just across the street.
Many of the houses here have been converted, like ours, into several cheap apartment suites. This one's for sale. Unlike in Winnipeg, houses stay on the market for a while here.
So, the other day Jac decided to walk around the block and check out the hood.
The level of quality in these homes is really quite remarkable. (Plus they sell for about half the cost of homes in Winnipeg. no joke.) The downside is that many are in disrepair.
Our building. This is a close-up of some of the detailing on one of our porches.. . . the main entrance to our building.Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. In reaction to the mass production and standardization brought about by the industrial revolution, William Morris believed that our lives are enriched when the everyday objects around us are of high quality and craftsmanship.
This odd little raised nook is at the end of the hall from our suite.I think we might have to do something with it yet. . .
A couple houses down from us. This Queen-Anne style villa was owned by the Ganong bros. (yes, the chocolate guys).Our neighbors. This is the Fitch residence. (Pete is the pastor of the Vineyard).Also just across the street.Many of the houses here have been converted, like ours, into several cheap apartment suites. This one's for sale. Unlike in Winnipeg, houses stay on the market for a while here. 
i must say based on my purely material level, i'm jealous. i love quality craftsmanship. even if you don't post all the pics please feel free to email them to me! i'm quite interested!
in case you can't tell by the writeups, this post was hijacked by Jac. (insert rimshot here)
but ya, some of the architecture here is absolutely beautiful.
but ya, some of the architecture here is absolutely beautiful.
Jac!!!
Way to hijack! Great post. I love the pics! My idea of a good time are these mansions.
God bless the both of you Bruswicker's. Hope you don't miss home too much yet...
Oh yeah, and Maria's picture is CRAZY funny. Oh my....
Many Blessings!!!!!
Way to hijack! Great post. I love the pics! My idea of a good time are these mansions.
God bless the both of you Bruswicker's. Hope you don't miss home too much yet...
Oh yeah, and Maria's picture is CRAZY funny. Oh my....
Many Blessings!!!!!
Post a Comment
Here's a duplicate of the book review I made on amazon.com for "Praying With the Church":
I was privileged enough to receive a free copy of this book thanks to the generousity of Paraclete Press in a promotion on Scot McKnight's blog. I just finished reading the book and I must say that the book was perfect at doing what it wanted to do, namely: introducing low-church Christians such as myself to the richness and depth of fixed-hour prayer.
For me, the best part of the book was McKnight's obvious but startling revelation that Jesus would have found himself within the Jewish fixed-hour prayer tradition. There is no stronger argument for fixed-hour prayer than the fact that our Lord Himself was most certainly a practitioner of it and following Him would of course mean following Him in this practice. Again, this would be obvious to many, but for those raised outside of liturgical traditions such as myself, this is a fresh insight.
Secondly, I very much appreciated McKnight's continual reminder that this is not a replacement for spontaneous prayer, but a wellspring for it. I currently find my prayer life devoid of much depth or meaning (or consistency for that matter) and the ability to pray along with some of the giants of the Church makes me not have to feel like praying in order to pray consistenly and well.
Probably the other most important point that McKnight raises is that praying in this manner does not necessarily lead to "vain repetitions" any more than telling your spouse that you love them continually will. This and the afforementioned points should clear away any ignorant debris that would prevent non-liturgically reared Christians such as myself from embracing this ancient and valuable practice.
McKnight concludes by walking the reader through the absolute basics of praying the main prayer books from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions in addition to the contemporary "Divine Hours" by Phyllis Tickle. The strongest advice he gives is that it would be best to find an experienced person to help you develop this practice in your life. I hope to find just such a person soon!
I was privileged enough to receive a free copy of this book thanks to the generousity of Paraclete Press in a promotion on Scot McKnight's blog. I just finished reading the book and I must say that the book was perfect at doing what it wanted to do, namely: introducing low-church Christians such as myself to the richness and depth of fixed-hour prayer.
For me, the best part of the book was McKnight's obvious but startling revelation that Jesus would have found himself within the Jewish fixed-hour prayer tradition. There is no stronger argument for fixed-hour prayer than the fact that our Lord Himself was most certainly a practitioner of it and following Him would of course mean following Him in this practice. Again, this would be obvious to many, but for those raised outside of liturgical traditions such as myself, this is a fresh insight.
Secondly, I very much appreciated McKnight's continual reminder that this is not a replacement for spontaneous prayer, but a wellspring for it. I currently find my prayer life devoid of much depth or meaning (or consistency for that matter) and the ability to pray along with some of the giants of the Church makes me not have to feel like praying in order to pray consistenly and well.
Probably the other most important point that McKnight raises is that praying in this manner does not necessarily lead to "vain repetitions" any more than telling your spouse that you love them continually will. This and the afforementioned points should clear away any ignorant debris that would prevent non-liturgically reared Christians such as myself from embracing this ancient and valuable practice.
McKnight concludes by walking the reader through the absolute basics of praying the main prayer books from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions in addition to the contemporary "Divine Hours" by Phyllis Tickle. The strongest advice he gives is that it would be best to find an experienced person to help you develop this practice in your life. I hope to find just such a person soon!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I Blog, Therefore...
Mostly just to remind myself: I started this blog as a way to start getting some of my ramblings and musings out of the pinball machine of my brain and into the visible realm.
I was talking to Jac about this strange phenomenon of blogging and I realized that I hadn't really been posting on here too much because I didn't have anything to say to anybody. And then I realized that I had deviated from my original intention of blogging. I had fallen into the trap which led Nate to discontinue his blog: I was starting to write for others and judging the validity of what I had to say based on how much feedback I was getting. Well, those days are over.
So, although I will still sometimes use this thing to communicate with people, I'm going to hone the focus here a bit. This is mostly going to be a space for me to get visceral with my thoughts and wrestles. A place to find the rhythm of rest and restlessness that will propel me into my place in God's kingdom on earth. A place to help me find the sanity that I don't really have.
So, I'll leave you all with this thought tidbit: explore the notion of fixed-hour prayer. You should currently see the book called Praying with the Church by Scot McKnight in my sidebar and proceed to purchase it and read it. I, however, got mine for free by reading his blog and getting one of 50 free books his publisher gave away! But I digress...
I haven't started to actually do this fixed hour prayer, largely because I don't actually have a book to do so with and I don't want to do it off the screen. But, here's a good site that explains fixed-hour prayer in a basic way and gives you a set of prayers for today. If you're like 99.8% of Protestant Christians, you're dissatisfied with your prayer life. Count me in. I hope that this path richens my intimacy with God and deepens my faith. Let's see where this thing leads...
So, it'd be fitting to conclude with the end of the Vesper's prayer for today: (And you're supposed to cross yourself when you see the † symbol to remind yourself of the centrality of the cross)
I was talking to Jac about this strange phenomenon of blogging and I realized that I hadn't really been posting on here too much because I didn't have anything to say to anybody. And then I realized that I had deviated from my original intention of blogging. I had fallen into the trap which led Nate to discontinue his blog: I was starting to write for others and judging the validity of what I had to say based on how much feedback I was getting. Well, those days are over.
So, although I will still sometimes use this thing to communicate with people, I'm going to hone the focus here a bit. This is mostly going to be a space for me to get visceral with my thoughts and wrestles. A place to find the rhythm of rest and restlessness that will propel me into my place in God's kingdom on earth. A place to help me find the sanity that I don't really have.
So, I'll leave you all with this thought tidbit: explore the notion of fixed-hour prayer. You should currently see the book called Praying with the Church by Scot McKnight in my sidebar and proceed to purchase it and read it. I, however, got mine for free by reading his blog and getting one of 50 free books his publisher gave away! But I digress...
I haven't started to actually do this fixed hour prayer, largely because I don't actually have a book to do so with and I don't want to do it off the screen. But, here's a good site that explains fixed-hour prayer in a basic way and gives you a set of prayers for today. If you're like 99.8% of Protestant Christians, you're dissatisfied with your prayer life. Count me in. I hope that this path richens my intimacy with God and deepens my faith. Let's see where this thing leads...
So, it'd be fitting to conclude with the end of the Vesper's prayer for today: (And you're supposed to cross yourself when you see the † symbol to remind yourself of the centrality of the cross)
The Prayer Appointed for the Week
Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me, that I, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with a free heart those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
Almighty God, you have surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that I, encouraged by their good example; may persevere in running the race that is set before me, until at last I may with them attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. †
"A place to help me find the sanity that I don't really have."
I like you Matt. I'm glad you're not quitting. Like I said, I would comment a LOT more but alas, too insecure with my ramblings. I write many, many, posts I never publish, write emails I never send and have encouragements and thoughts to share with everyone that are ping ponging around in my brain but I think they don't want to hear it.
Please forgive me. I'm making a concerted effort not to keep back that which is good from others and be the encouragement I am meant to be.
God bless you. Keep tracking with the prayer theme.
I'm opening my heart and "talking" from there.
I had a nice communion time this afternoon just communing. It was nice and I think it was prayer. Just not me rambling. Opening my heart to see and feel His presence without fear that I have to "do" something first, like say the right thing or whatever.
Communing, thinking breathing, talking from my heart, knowing He is there. Sensing and being real, not jumping through hoops to get at Him. It was nice. I like Him, He was there and didn't mind my company. It's nice to sit and rest with God. Not a bad thing at all, is it?
Bless you and Jac, too.
:)
I like you Matt. I'm glad you're not quitting. Like I said, I would comment a LOT more but alas, too insecure with my ramblings. I write many, many, posts I never publish, write emails I never send and have encouragements and thoughts to share with everyone that are ping ponging around in my brain but I think they don't want to hear it.
Please forgive me. I'm making a concerted effort not to keep back that which is good from others and be the encouragement I am meant to be.
God bless you. Keep tracking with the prayer theme.
I'm opening my heart and "talking" from there.
I had a nice communion time this afternoon just communing. It was nice and I think it was prayer. Just not me rambling. Opening my heart to see and feel His presence without fear that I have to "do" something first, like say the right thing or whatever.
Communing, thinking breathing, talking from my heart, knowing He is there. Sensing and being real, not jumping through hoops to get at Him. It was nice. I like Him, He was there and didn't mind my company. It's nice to sit and rest with God. Not a bad thing at all, is it?
Bless you and Jac, too.
:)
I hear on the blogging dilemma. I also find I'm distraught about the thing because unless I produce that sparkling entry that will capture an audience, I don't want to write. Pretty lame.
I think I started blogging with the hope of being real, getting others' correction and feedback on the honesty, and doing the same for others. Perhaps I've just become slack at forcing out the myriad of thoughts and questions in my head? If so, I guess I just need to get back at it.
Blessings on ya bro.
I think I started blogging with the hope of being real, getting others' correction and feedback on the honesty, and doing the same for others. Perhaps I've just become slack at forcing out the myriad of thoughts and questions in my head? If so, I guess I just need to get back at it.
Blessings on ya bro.
"in your goodness keep me, I pray, from all things that may hurt me" != Orthodoxy.
But boy I wish it did.
But boy I wish it did.
So, why is it that the internet seems to conjure up performance anxiety? (i ask this question just for the sake of pondering). is it because there's always this nagging thought that anyone ANYONE could be reading what you write? the queen, the pope, or worst of all, your mother...
is it that you might get e-famous and be 'discovered' as a writer/thinker/comedian ???
ah, the internet. bringing a whole new social dynamic to our lives....
i wouldnt say its quite superficial, no, thats not the word. hm. but it sure is something not quite reality.
is it that you might get e-famous and be 'discovered' as a writer/thinker/comedian ???
ah, the internet. bringing a whole new social dynamic to our lives....
i wouldnt say its quite superficial, no, thats not the word. hm. but it sure is something not quite reality.
thanks for the thoughts people
here's another one: part of the problem with this bloggin thing is that you don't always know your audience. I would speak very differently to my friends as compared with strangers.
And here's the crux: it could be either on a blog. Who then do I write for, knowing that people other than my intended audience may well read this and possibly misunderstand me?
here's another one: part of the problem with this bloggin thing is that you don't always know your audience. I would speak very differently to my friends as compared with strangers.
And here's the crux: it could be either on a blog. Who then do I write for, knowing that people other than my intended audience may well read this and possibly misunderstand me?
Post a Comment
Friday, May 12, 2006
Check the New Pad
So, without further ado, I present to you the Wiebe's new pad in apartment 11 of Todd Hall. Our address for any who care to know it is:
11 - 45 Union St.
St. Stephen, NB
E3L 1T6
Oh, and we won't have a phone number until after the Europe trip, so it's just email (or Skype) until then.
Now, on with the show.
Yes, we get to live in a mansion built in 1890! It was built for the lieutenant governor of New Brunswick. We live in a top floor apartment at the back. Great view, but soooo many stairs. (For more info go to this page on St. Stephen architecture and scroll to the bottom).
Here's Matt crashed on our camping gear after the first night. Our house hadn't caught up to us yet, it was somewhere in Quebec.
Here's the bedroom. It's a much nicer color than our last bedroom, but smaller too.
Here's me pretending to do the dishes in our small-ish kitchen.
Here's Jac pretending to read. She continues to do so for the next few pictures as we get the full panorama of the living area. It's still pretty cluttered as we aren't quite unpacked yet.
Jac made me pose for this and the next picture so that you can get a better sense of the scale of the place. My wide-angle lens usage in the four pictures where she's pretending to read make things look a bit bigger than they actually are.
The apartment seems to be the perfect size for us, even though its only approx. 380 square feet. Plus the soaring ten foot ceilings make it feel kind of like a studio loft.
11 - 45 Union St.
St. Stephen, NB
E3L 1T6
Oh, and we won't have a phone number until after the Europe trip, so it's just email (or Skype) until then.
Now, on with the show.
Yes, we get to live in a mansion built in 1890! It was built for the lieutenant governor of New Brunswick. We live in a top floor apartment at the back. Great view, but soooo many stairs. (For more info go to this page on St. Stephen architecture and scroll to the bottom).
Here's Matt crashed on our camping gear after the first night. Our house hadn't caught up to us yet, it was somewhere in Quebec.
Here's the bedroom. It's a much nicer color than our last bedroom, but smaller too.
Here's me pretending to do the dishes in our small-ish kitchen.
Here's Jac pretending to read. She continues to do so for the next few pictures as we get the full panorama of the living area. It's still pretty cluttered as we aren't quite unpacked yet.
Jac made me pose for this and the next picture so that you can get a better sense of the scale of the place. My wide-angle lens usage in the four pictures where she's pretending to read make things look a bit bigger than they actually are.The apartment seems to be the perfect size for us, even though its only approx. 380 square feet. Plus the soaring ten foot ceilings make it feel kind of like a studio loft.
Sweet man!
I've been eagerly waiting for the pics of the new pad. It looks pretty sweet - much nicer than the suite I remember seeing last thanksgiving when I was out there.
Awesome that you guys made it there safely and are settling into your new accomodations.
I've been eagerly waiting for the pics of the new pad. It looks pretty sweet - much nicer than the suite I remember seeing last thanksgiving when I was out there.
Awesome that you guys made it there safely and are settling into your new accomodations.
Hey matt...this is Rachel Helm (I am not sure if you remember me or not, I lived in wpg for a couple years doin' downpour stuff)
anyway...just wondering why you guys moved out to NB?
It looks like a great place you found, I am envious!
anyway...just wondering why you guys moved out to NB?
It looks like a great place you found, I am envious!
Hey Rachel. I do indeed remember you. You're probably about finished at Full Gospel by now I'm guessing...
Anyways, we moved to St. Stephen to go to a little school called St. Stephen's University. It's a pretty cool place.
Anyways, we moved to St. Stephen to go to a little school called St. Stephen's University. It's a pretty cool place.
Post a Comment
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Arrival
Well, after four days cooped up in a car together, Jaclyn and I are proud to report that we've arrived safe and sound in St. Stephen, NB. Our backs are bloody sore and we didn't kill each other.
Our apartment looks quite large at the moment - we don't have any stuff in it right now.
Uhhh....
Good night.
Our apartment looks quite large at the moment - we don't have any stuff in it right now.
Uhhh....
Good night.
Welcome home, or something.
Glad to hear that you made it there safe and sound and without killing each other.
It'd be posh if you'd post some photos of the new pad.
Glad to hear that you made it there safe and sound and without killing each other.
It'd be posh if you'd post some photos of the new pad.
Post a Comment
Friday, May 05, 2006
On a Different Note...
So, on an entirely different note than my last somber post, here's something to lighten your day!
Well then, I just received word that I should be gone by this time tomrrow. After speaking the heavily French-accented voice of my trucker, I discovered that I'll be loading a truck between 3 and 4 pm tomorrow and on the road directly after that.
So, does it feel real yet? Nope, not really.
So, as I've had the stray thought leaking into my grey matter regarding this leavetaking, I offer them to you here in approximately the same semi-coherent fashion that they came to me in.
Leaving is making me realize that I don't value the people around me enough. To everyone that I know I say that I'm sorry for taking you for granted.
Leaving is making me realize that I have way too much stuff. I'm not a rich person by any stretch, but most people on this planet would disagree with me. I don't want to spend my life accumulating more and more stuff; I want to spend it experiencing life to the full.
Leaving is making me realize that where I live makes all the difference in the world.
Leaving is making me realize what a great group of people I've had the privilege of knowing over the past year and more. I'll miss you all.
So, does it feel real yet? Nope, not really.
So, as I've had the stray thought leaking into my grey matter regarding this leavetaking, I offer them to you here in approximately the same semi-coherent fashion that they came to me in.
Leaving is making me realize that I don't value the people around me enough. To everyone that I know I say that I'm sorry for taking you for granted.
Leaving is making me realize that I have way too much stuff. I'm not a rich person by any stretch, but most people on this planet would disagree with me. I don't want to spend my life accumulating more and more stuff; I want to spend it experiencing life to the full.
Leaving is making me realize that where I live makes all the difference in the world.
Leaving is making me realize what a great group of people I've had the privilege of knowing over the past year and more. I'll miss you all.
Many blessings Matt. Grab up all the experience and wisdom you can and help us all grow.
Love you, miss you, etc.
Love you, miss you, etc.
Yeah, I'm really going to miss you guys. I already do, even though I don't know you too well, my heart feels it and I can't help it.
Shrug.
Actually my eyes and brain are going to miss you as well. I like seeing the two of you all the time because I think you're a smashing couple. Just lovely really, and my brain likes reading your posts and listening to what you have to say. I like you a lot.
I'm glad you're bringing us along through blogging but I just hope it doesn't distract from all the fun you could have while posting.
Try to balance it all out and have a good time while you're there. I think it's awesome you're going. God bless you many times over.
Amen.
:D
Shrug.
Actually my eyes and brain are going to miss you as well. I like seeing the two of you all the time because I think you're a smashing couple. Just lovely really, and my brain likes reading your posts and listening to what you have to say. I like you a lot.
I'm glad you're bringing us along through blogging but I just hope it doesn't distract from all the fun you could have while posting.
Try to balance it all out and have a good time while you're there. I think it's awesome you're going. God bless you many times over.
Amen.
:D
Post a Comment
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Travel Blog is Live
Much to the utter disinterest of my wife, I have set up a travel blog for our Europe 2006 adventures. It will be the place to stay tuned for any and all updates that we (ie I) have to send out to people. I think that it'll be better to do it that way than send out mass emails.
So, go see the Matt and Jac in Europe blog. There's already some goodies on there.
So, go see the Matt and Jac in Europe blog. There's already some goodies on there.
About Me
I'm Links
Blogs of Friends
Tags
Blogs of Interest
Archives
Visitor Map
Buttons
Post a Comment