Lessons from a hockey arena

I was recently at a hockey game, live and in person. Have you ever had the chance to see the Toronto Maple Leafs play live? There’s something truly electrifying about gathering with thousands of like-minded fans, all gathered under one roof, united in purpose, cheering on a team they’ve remained faithful and steadfast to through thick and thin. It’s an experience that leaves you feeling connected, even to strangers. We share in the highs and lows together, and it becomes about more than just the game—it’s about the community.

As the game unfolded, I found myself feeling that same sense of connection that so many others around me were experiencing. We all feel the collective tension when a player misses a shot or a perfect pass falls apart. And when the team scores? It’s pure euphoria. The crowd rises to its feet, we high-five complete strangers, and for a moment, we forget about the world beyond the ice. It’s the ultimate display of unity.

But the losses? Ah, those are tough to swallow. When the game ends and the Leafs don’t come out victorious, you can feel it in the air. The crowd becomes quiet, the energy drained, and we all slowly filter out of the arena with our hearts in our throats and our heads hung low. Someone even joked about it, saying, “It’s like the walk of shame.” And in that somber moment, I realized something profound: the community we share in both the joy of victory and the agony of defeat is something that transcends the game itself.

It reminded me of something I’ve experienced at church, oddly enough. You might not immediately see the connection between a hockey game and a Sunday service, but bear with me for a moment. Whether you’re attending a live hockey game or gathering in church on Sunday, you’re participating in a community of people with a shared purpose. You come together, united in your common goal—cheering for your team or worshipping with a heart full of gratitude.

In both settings, there’s an unspoken bond. When a goal is scored in a hockey game, it’s like we all share in that victory. In church, when a prayer is answered or when someone finds peace, we rejoice together. When a loss is suffered, be it in a game or in life, we’re there to console each other. In both spaces, we remind each other that we’re not alone in our journey. We can pick each other up and walk out of the arena—or church—together, heads held a little higher.

The Bible speaks a lot about community and being united with others. One scripture that comes to mind is Romans 12:4-5, which says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Whether we're on the ice or in the pews, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. We might not always have the same role, but we are united in a shared purpose. In the arena, our purpose is to cheer, to support, to lift up. In church, our purpose is to worship, to support, and to serve. It’s the same idea: community and belonging.

So whether you're sitting in a seat at a hockey arena or a pew at church, there’s something truly special about that moment when we come together. We all have our highs, our lows, and moments when we just need someone to lean on. But in the end, we walk out together, grateful for the experience, knowing that we are part of something greater.

That camaraderie, that connection, is something worth celebrating—both in the arena and in our faith. And even when the game doesn’t go the way we hope, we can find peace in knowing that we have each other to lean on, no matter what.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, it says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Whether we’re cheering at a hockey game or supporting each other through life’s challenges, it’s the community that makes all the difference.

So next time you're at the game, or sitting in church, remember that you’re part of something bigger. You’re part of a community that has your back—win or lose. And that, my friend, is worth celebrating.

Give up and Give out

Did you know that Lent began this past week on Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent directly following Shrove Tuesday or better know to some as Pancake Tuesday.  So why pancakes?

Lent is a time of fasting, moderation, and giving things up traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to “indulge” and to use up the foods that aren't typically allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

Lent begins 46 days before Easter (40 days not counting Sundays).

During this season of Lent you may decide to fast, eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. It’s not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear off watching television or Facebook or eating candy or telling lies. It’s six weeks of self-discipline.

How about this?  Sure give up something but how about give out - give something in return?

Many of us at Amberlea in years passed have participated in 40 acts of generosity during Lent.  You can go to the website 40Acts and sign up, it’s certainly not too late.

As we live life generously, I want to challenge you each day to remember God’s faithfulness to you. It is in the remembering that we find the encouragement to trust God today (regardless of what’s going on) and trust God with our tomorrows.

Loss and hope.

I was recently with someone who was grieving the loss of a loved one.  Though years had passed, the grief, pain and sense of loss they felt was as raw that day as they had when their love one first passed. My heart ached for them.

As I reflected on my time with this dear soul, I was reminded of a time when Jesus Himself grieved. In the gospel of John we are told the story of Lazarus. There are so many facets to the story of Lazarus. Jesus knew him — this wasn’t just someone who pursued Him in a crowd or heard of His miracles. This was a friend Jesus spent time with. We know Jesus loved everyone, but the Bible specifically says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

Jesus had dinner with Lazarus. Jesus even found Himself in the middle of sister drama with Martha and Mary. He knew this family, and they knew Him. Personally.

That was one of the many reasons why the death of Lazarus was such a shock. It was hard to understand why.

You may recall how the story ends — Lazarus didn’t stay dead long. Jesus displayed what He proclaimed: He is the resurrection and the life.

But in the middle, between death and life, something else happened. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This is scripture’s shortest verse—and one of its most profound. Imagine the Son of God, who would defeat death forever, weeping with mourners at the grave of the man he was about to resurrect.

This begs the question … why? Jesus knew Lazarus would live again. Why weep? He could have started with “Lazarus, come out!” but He chose to shed tears with Mary and Martha instead.

Why?

Because God is present.  God is with us in the midst of our grieving and grieves with us in our pain. It is all about this incredible love that God has for humanity — for you and for me.

Ash Wednesday (March 5th) marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent (find out more here) is a time that invites us to grieve as Jesus grieved, and to glory as he gloried—in the death of death. There is HOPE!

You are Loved!