Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-27 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-27

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on the next big thing

Several years ago, I heard an interview with Paul McCartney discussing the early years of the Beatles. They had achieved some small success as a English “skiffle” band, drawing inspiration from American folk, blues, country and jazz classics….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-21 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-21

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on thunder storms

As a child, I was terrified of lightning storms. I dreaded hearing one approaching. And when I did, I would go and hide out upstairs in my room until it passed….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-14 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-14

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on making a fuss

All of us carry from our earliest childhood those principles and precepts that guide us through the complexities of daily behaviour. Some are trivial like, “Tuck in your shirt.” and “Wash your hands before dinner.” And some are rather more important like “Tell the truth.” and “Show respect to other people.” ….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-06 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-06-06

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on PLU

We all need and appreciate PLU. (That’s “People like Us” by the way.) We surround ourselves with others who see the world through the same lens that we use. have the same fundamental beliefs that we hold, and enjoy many of the same things that we appreciate…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-31 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-31

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on making judgements

One Sunday when I was at Knox, we welcomed newcomers to the community at the beginning of the service. Then some time later, one of these new members was set to be our scripture reader…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-24 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-24

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on where we are

Things change. Most of us say that from time to time. And, on reflection, it does seem like a rather sensible piece of wisdom….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-10 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-10

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on what we take with us

A friend of mine was having difficulty finding a book I had recommended, so I told him that the next time we got together for coffee—as we often do—I would bring my copy with me. And I had every intention of doing that.

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-03 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-05-03

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on finding joy: I remember having a guest yogi leading our class one day. And I must say that I enjoyed this particular individual’s style and demeanour quite well.

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-25 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-25

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on: About 36 years ago my computer word processor received a major upgrade—a dictionary.

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-18 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-18

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on humour: Let’s think for a couple minutes about humour. But not in a particularly humorous way. Because at its roots, comedy arises from the mind’s desire to see and imagine ourselves and our world differently…..

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-12 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-12

Rev. Grant Dawson Retirement Announcement

I have enjoyed the past thirteen months working with the Red Deer Lake community. And this has been enhanced this year with the addition of new work colleagues and friends at McDougall and Ogden….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-05 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-04-05

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on hanging in there

Some of the most difficult decisions we find ourselves making are those involved in whether to stick with something or to give up on it…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-28 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-28

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on Easter

Easter is not about life as a continuing exercise in having happy times. There will continue to be periods of sadness and stress, but there will always be the strength we need to face them…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-21 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-21

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on unknowability

In 1970, I was assigned for the summer to the Peers-Pella Pastoral Charge, north of Highway 16 on the road up to White Court. As a city boy from Ontario, this move to a very small town in Alberta was a true adventure…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-15 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-15

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on making mistakes

I have never known anyone who has begun the day by saying, “I think I will just go out there this morning and mess everything up today.” …

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-07 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-07

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on stepping outside

One of the most life-giving experiences we can have is to step out from an enclosed space into the open air…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-01 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-01

An Easter Reflection by Rev. Grant Dawson

An Easter Reflection

A number of years ago, I arrived at one of my favourite weekly yoga classes only to learn that the instructor was unable to be there…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-01 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-03-01

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on blindness

The Nobel prize-winning economist, Daniel Kahneman and his partner had been working on a problem for some time when suddenly they realized that the principle on which they were basing their research was flawed….

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-02-22 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-02-22

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on the kind of people we are

On a regular basis, we all face those chores that we really don’t want to do. (Yes, tax season is coming up.) These are the responsibilities we put off. These are the assignments we avoid. These are the projects we wish were someone else’s responsibility…

Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-02-16 Rev. Grant Dawson 2024-02-16

Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on expectations

Until about two centuries ago, slavery, in one form or another was thought of as a necessary part of society. Just south of us, George Washington owned slaves until he died…

McDougall United Church