Ok, so I will admit that this isn't a very Christmassy sort of blog, but it is something that I have been thinking about for a while.
I was watching the news a month or so ago, and while I now can no longer remember the details about the article, I still clearly remember questioning whether or not the person being interviewed was seeking vengeance or justice.
As I thought about that I wondered how many times in my own life had I confused the short term feeling of me getting satisfaction from revenge with a desire to see justice prevail. I have heard other talk about how they want to see justice in a situation and questioned whether this was truly the case, or whether they were just looking for an opportunity to extract their pound of flesh from the person who they feel has wronged them
So, I guess my first question is what is the difference between justice and vengeance?
Justice can be defined as: The ideal of fairness, esp. with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing or punishment of a person who has wronged someone.*
Revenge is similar, it can be defined as: Any form of personal retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some perceived harm or injustice. *
So you can see how it is easy to get confused between justice and revenge. When we indulge in revenge, we see ourselves as punishing the person who has offended us by causing some kind of perceived harm or injustice, and equalising the score, thus making things fair again.
But one question I have is; when we seek revenge, do we aim only to equalise things again, thus making it 'fair' or do we seek to 'one up' the person who we perceived to have wronged us, thus making our punishment 'un-fair'??!!!
So what do we do, how do we see justice served to all parties involved in a situation, and not seek revenge for perceived insults, harms or damages.
I think the best way to see justice served and not just revenge dealt is to ensure that an impartial third party first determines whether an injustice has in fact occurred and them to apportion the correct punishment that fits the severity of the affore mentioned injustice.
Isaiah 1:17 tells us: "Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." It seems to me that the instructions that follow the command describe what justice should look like. When we are just we stand up for those who are being walked over, who are at a disadvantage and are suffering.
The best judge of a perceived injustice is often someone else. One of the key words in this definition is 'perceived'. What we perceive to be a major injustice, may actually be rather minor when we look at the cold hard facts and remove all of the emotion around the issue. When we take something personally (and lets be honest, there are some things that are almost impossible not to take personally) we naturally want to dispense our own justice or revenge to assuage our hurt or anger at the perceived offense. This then can lead to the person we exact our revenge upon, on the basis of dispensing justice, to feel a perceived injustice and retaliate, seeking vengeance and/or justice on their own behalf. And so the cycle continues and even escalates. When we allow a third party to determine the damage done and the required compensation/punishment required to restore fairness, the personal nature of the situation is removed and hopefully all parties are treated with dignity and respect and the balance of fairness is achieved. In Zechariah 7:9 we are told; "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." This helps us to remember to ensure that the punishment fits the offense and the we do not oppress the unjust oppressor unfairly and thus become oppressive and unjust ourselves.
Leviticus 19:18 tells us: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." So the next time you feel as though you have been wronged or offended, ask someone impartial if what has happened to you is fair, and instead of seeking revenge to even the score, allow someone else, maybe even God, to sort it out.
Actually, when I think about it, we have all been unjustly treated...
Except in this instance this injustice has worked in our favour, unjustly requiring an innocent party to take punishment that they did not deserve.
Jesus died for us, He took the punishment that was rightfully ours. God has given us His grace as unjust as it is (not that I am complaining mind you). We don't deserve it, that's why its called grace, and that's why it's amazing!!
*Wiktionary
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
How God is better than Santa
The countdown is on, less than a month to go until Christmas. Christmas Carols are being sung, trees and decorations are going up, people are shopping for presents and that large jolly man in a red suit is visiting shopping centres and meeting children in the lead up to the big night when he will come around to deliver toys to all of the good boys and girls. As the song goes, “He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.” The song also tells us that Santa is“Making a list and checking it twice, he’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.”
I wonder; how often do we confuse God with Santa Claus??
I mean, there are some aspects of God that sort of overlap with our understanding of Santa. For instance, we know that God knows our every move. In Psalm 139 David tells us of God: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. While Santa may know when we are sleeping or awake, God knows far, far more about us, probably even more than we think we know about ourselves.
And while Santa may know when our behaviour has been good or bad, the psalm tells us that God even knows our thoughts, both the good ones, and the bad ones.
And like Santa God has a list. The bible tells us that the Book of Life contains the names of all of those who believe in and follow Jesus. Revelation tells us of those who choose to follow Jesus: “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” God knows us, he knows all about us, he even records our names in the book of life when we chose to follow Jesus, but unlike Santa, God keeps no record of our wrongs. Unlike Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, there is no naughty list in heaven. When writing 1 Corinthians Paul spoke of the unconditional nature of love, and how true love keeps no record of wrongs. In Isaiah God tells us of Himself; "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
And so while Santa may be able to tell us what we have done wrong and why we are on the naughty list, God neither keeps a naughty list nor does he remember what we might have done to qualify us for the naughty list.
On December 24th each year billions of children go to bed and lie awake for hours in anticipation of the arrival of the large jolly man in the red suit, Santa, who brings with him a red sack transported by 9 reindeer, one of which has an extraordinarily shiny nose. This red sack hopefully contains the toys that were on a list that was sent to Santa many weeks, even months before. The receipt of these presents is conditional on the quality and quantity of good things you have done over the past 12 months outweighing the quantity and lack of quality of the bad things you have done in the same 12 months. Lucky for us God is far more gracious.
The gifts we receive from God have very little to do with the quality or quantity of our good or bad deeds. In fact, irrespective of whether we even choose to acknowledge God’s existence he gives us gifts. Each and everyone of us have received the gift of life, we have the sun, and moon and the stars to look at, we receive the gift of the warmth of the sun and the refreshing of the rain, even if that one seems to be doled out a little unevenly at times. And before any of us were born God delivered His ultimate gift to a couple of young teenagers in a stable in a backwater of the Roman Empire and trusted them to nurture and care for it until it was ready to be shared with the entire world. Indeed, each Christmas we remember the arrival of the gift that is Jesus, the baby who grew into the man who would die in order for us to be restored into a right relationship with God. We received this gift long before we were even capable of distinguishing right from wrong, with God’s full knowledge that some of us will choose wrong. When we choose to follow Jesus we receive the gift of eternal life, a life spent in relationship with God. This gift surpasses anything that might be stuffed into a stocking hung by any chimney in the world with care.
So yes, God and Santa are similar. Not everyone believes in them, they both have lists, they both give presents and they both know what we are up to, but God surpasses Santa in every way. So this year, as you put up you tree, as you visit the large jolly man in the red suit and as you search for the perfect gifts to give your loved ones, may you remember that God loves you, that He has some amazing gifts to give you and that His love is not conditional on your goodness, but on His.
I wonder; how often do we confuse God with Santa Claus??
I mean, there are some aspects of God that sort of overlap with our understanding of Santa. For instance, we know that God knows our every move. In Psalm 139 David tells us of God: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. While Santa may know when we are sleeping or awake, God knows far, far more about us, probably even more than we think we know about ourselves.
And while Santa may know when our behaviour has been good or bad, the psalm tells us that God even knows our thoughts, both the good ones, and the bad ones.
And like Santa God has a list. The bible tells us that the Book of Life contains the names of all of those who believe in and follow Jesus. Revelation tells us of those who choose to follow Jesus: “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” God knows us, he knows all about us, he even records our names in the book of life when we chose to follow Jesus, but unlike Santa, God keeps no record of our wrongs. Unlike Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, there is no naughty list in heaven. When writing 1 Corinthians Paul spoke of the unconditional nature of love, and how true love keeps no record of wrongs. In Isaiah God tells us of Himself; "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
And so while Santa may be able to tell us what we have done wrong and why we are on the naughty list, God neither keeps a naughty list nor does he remember what we might have done to qualify us for the naughty list.
On December 24th each year billions of children go to bed and lie awake for hours in anticipation of the arrival of the large jolly man in the red suit, Santa, who brings with him a red sack transported by 9 reindeer, one of which has an extraordinarily shiny nose. This red sack hopefully contains the toys that were on a list that was sent to Santa many weeks, even months before. The receipt of these presents is conditional on the quality and quantity of good things you have done over the past 12 months outweighing the quantity and lack of quality of the bad things you have done in the same 12 months. Lucky for us God is far more gracious.
The gifts we receive from God have very little to do with the quality or quantity of our good or bad deeds. In fact, irrespective of whether we even choose to acknowledge God’s existence he gives us gifts. Each and everyone of us have received the gift of life, we have the sun, and moon and the stars to look at, we receive the gift of the warmth of the sun and the refreshing of the rain, even if that one seems to be doled out a little unevenly at times. And before any of us were born God delivered His ultimate gift to a couple of young teenagers in a stable in a backwater of the Roman Empire and trusted them to nurture and care for it until it was ready to be shared with the entire world. Indeed, each Christmas we remember the arrival of the gift that is Jesus, the baby who grew into the man who would die in order for us to be restored into a right relationship with God. We received this gift long before we were even capable of distinguishing right from wrong, with God’s full knowledge that some of us will choose wrong. When we choose to follow Jesus we receive the gift of eternal life, a life spent in relationship with God. This gift surpasses anything that might be stuffed into a stocking hung by any chimney in the world with care.
So yes, God and Santa are similar. Not everyone believes in them, they both have lists, they both give presents and they both know what we are up to, but God surpasses Santa in every way. So this year, as you put up you tree, as you visit the large jolly man in the red suit and as you search for the perfect gifts to give your loved ones, may you remember that God loves you, that He has some amazing gifts to give you and that His love is not conditional on your goodness, but on His.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
One Night Stands With Jesus
I tend to talk a lot of rubbish at times> Those who know me well would understand that at times I put my brain into neutral and just let whatever come into my head flow out my mouth.
I was almost having one of those moments yesterday. Although I was thinking about what I was saying, I was just going with the flow of the conversation when I may possibly have coined a new phrase. I was talking with a friend about evangelism and the different ways that people communicate the gospel to others. I was saying how important it is that we help people to be discipled and become disciples after they have made the initial choice to follow Jesus as their saviour.
As we talked about the pro's and con's of various evangelistic strategies, we started talking about how Christianity is meant to be a relationship with God and how the first commitment for some people in their relationship with God is about as far as things go. It was here I likened it to a one night stand.
I'm sure you know what a one night stand is, even if you have never had one, you may know someone who has or have at least seen it on T.V. One night stands are brief (usually lasting only one night - hence the name), are emotional but at the same time not exactly intimate, and rarely ever lead to a significant relationship. Like real life one night stands, after a one night stand with Jesus, there is the possibility that you may catch something that will change your life, but maybe you can see someone about that.
Our lives shouldn't just be a series of one night stands with Jesus, where we hook up with him at some big event when our emotions are running high, but then forget all about Him the next day. I think God wants to be closer to us than that. I think God desires to know us intimately ( Check out Psalm 139) and to spend quality time with us, even when we aren't in an emotionally hyped state, perhaps especially when we aren't in an emotionally hyped state. Have a look at Genesis 3, we can see here that God, is walking in the Garden of Eden, searching for Adam and Eve, wanting to spend time with them. God desires to be in relationship with us, not an emotional, yet un-intimate (possibly another new word) relationship, but the kind of relationship that grows closer and more intimate as you travel through life together, through the good times and the bad times.
What sort of relationship do you have with Jesus, is it emotional, physical, intimate, consistent or a combination of all of the above?
I was almost having one of those moments yesterday. Although I was thinking about what I was saying, I was just going with the flow of the conversation when I may possibly have coined a new phrase. I was talking with a friend about evangelism and the different ways that people communicate the gospel to others. I was saying how important it is that we help people to be discipled and become disciples after they have made the initial choice to follow Jesus as their saviour.
As we talked about the pro's and con's of various evangelistic strategies, we started talking about how Christianity is meant to be a relationship with God and how the first commitment for some people in their relationship with God is about as far as things go. It was here I likened it to a one night stand.
I'm sure you know what a one night stand is, even if you have never had one, you may know someone who has or have at least seen it on T.V. One night stands are brief (usually lasting only one night - hence the name), are emotional but at the same time not exactly intimate, and rarely ever lead to a significant relationship. Like real life one night stands, after a one night stand with Jesus, there is the possibility that you may catch something that will change your life, but maybe you can see someone about that.
Our lives shouldn't just be a series of one night stands with Jesus, where we hook up with him at some big event when our emotions are running high, but then forget all about Him the next day. I think God wants to be closer to us than that. I think God desires to know us intimately ( Check out Psalm 139) and to spend quality time with us, even when we aren't in an emotionally hyped state, perhaps especially when we aren't in an emotionally hyped state. Have a look at Genesis 3, we can see here that God, is walking in the Garden of Eden, searching for Adam and Eve, wanting to spend time with them. God desires to be in relationship with us, not an emotional, yet un-intimate (possibly another new word) relationship, but the kind of relationship that grows closer and more intimate as you travel through life together, through the good times and the bad times.
What sort of relationship do you have with Jesus, is it emotional, physical, intimate, consistent or a combination of all of the above?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Bravely Going Where God Has Clearly Gone Before
One of the Ballarat radio stations have segments throughout the day where they play short segments of stand up comedians. Some of these are really quite funny, some are just funny and some are not. I remember hearing one comedian remark that they always found it interesting when they watched the original Star Trek that despite claiming to "Boldly go where no man has gone before" everywhere Kirk, Spock and the rest of them went, there always appeared to be men (and women) there already.
I remembered this point the other night as I was driving home listening to a podcast from one of my favourite authors and speakers, Erwin McManus at Mosaic. It was kind of a side point to his message, but Erwin was talking about how he thought it a bit odd for people to say that they are taking God to a place, because God is already in that place and is moving there already.
This got me thinking a bit.
It never ceases to amaze me how God has moved in my life. On the rarest occasion I am very aware of God directing me specifically in certain ways, ways that require me to make specific conscious decisions and changes. At other times, I am aware of God being active and involved in my life, but my response needs to be one of continued obedience, keeping on doing what I know God wants and being patient and allowing God to work the rest of it out. And then there are times where I look back and am amazed at how incredibly involved God has been in my life, even at times where I wasn't overly aware of it.
If in my own life God has been active without me being aware of it, how much more is he active in the world without many, many more being aware of it??!!
Christian theology talks about preceding or preveninent grace, the grace that God has prepared far in advance that allows us to enter into relationship with Him. Thomas Oden of Drew University defines prevenient grace as, "...the grace that begins to enable one to choose further to cooperate with saving grace. By offering the will the restored capacity to respond to grace, the person then may freely and increasingly become an active, willing participant in receiving the conditions for justification. (thanks to wikipedia)" So even before we choose to accept, believe or even acknowledge Gods existence, God is going before us and preparing the way for us to enter into a relationship with Him.
Throughout the book of Acts, we see many instances where God had prepared the ground for the apostles to reveal Him to others. I think of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Peter with Cornelius and his household, the conversion of Saul who changed his name to Paul and how this Paul revealed to the Athenians the true God through a statue in their city dedicated to an unknown God.
I am without a doubt that God has prepared the way for us to share with others our faith and allow God to reveal Himself to them. And if God has gone before us, and is preparing the way, who are we to sit back and not go??
What could possibly stop us?
I remembered this point the other night as I was driving home listening to a podcast from one of my favourite authors and speakers, Erwin McManus at Mosaic. It was kind of a side point to his message, but Erwin was talking about how he thought it a bit odd for people to say that they are taking God to a place, because God is already in that place and is moving there already.
This got me thinking a bit.
It never ceases to amaze me how God has moved in my life. On the rarest occasion I am very aware of God directing me specifically in certain ways, ways that require me to make specific conscious decisions and changes. At other times, I am aware of God being active and involved in my life, but my response needs to be one of continued obedience, keeping on doing what I know God wants and being patient and allowing God to work the rest of it out. And then there are times where I look back and am amazed at how incredibly involved God has been in my life, even at times where I wasn't overly aware of it.
If in my own life God has been active without me being aware of it, how much more is he active in the world without many, many more being aware of it??!!
Christian theology talks about preceding or preveninent grace, the grace that God has prepared far in advance that allows us to enter into relationship with Him. Thomas Oden of Drew University defines prevenient grace as, "...the grace that begins to enable one to choose further to cooperate with saving grace. By offering the will the restored capacity to respond to grace, the person then may freely and increasingly become an active, willing participant in receiving the conditions for justification. (thanks to wikipedia)" So even before we choose to accept, believe or even acknowledge Gods existence, God is going before us and preparing the way for us to enter into a relationship with Him.
Throughout the book of Acts, we see many instances where God had prepared the ground for the apostles to reveal Him to others. I think of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Peter with Cornelius and his household, the conversion of Saul who changed his name to Paul and how this Paul revealed to the Athenians the true God through a statue in their city dedicated to an unknown God.
I am without a doubt that God has prepared the way for us to share with others our faith and allow God to reveal Himself to them. And if God has gone before us, and is preparing the way, who are we to sit back and not go??
What could possibly stop us?
Monday, November 10, 2008
INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS
For those of you who have been following this blog over the last week or so, you would be aware that my last post, initially about bullying and the responsibility we have to care for others, not oppress them, sparked quite an interesting debate.
This debate, centred much around the divinity/deity of Jesus; as in, is Jesus God or was he just a human servant of God. I love a good discussion as much as the next bloke, so was happy to enter into the debate with this person for a while. As the debate went on though, it became apparent to me that neither of us were likely to change our minds, and so discussing it further would really prove to be of little value on this blog. I have since received an email from the blogger to which I will respond once I have some time.
This discussion got me thinking though. I thought of all of the places that I have had the opportunity to speak to people about matters of faith and God and religion. One I distinctly remember was while on holidays on the Gold Coast a couple of years ago. I was staying at a backpackers near the beach, and on my last night there a group of people that I had met while I was there had decided to go out to a night club and invited me. being a sociable sort of person and always up for a night out, I tagged along. At some stage during the night I found myself in a deep conversation about grace and God's forgiveness in the middle of the night club with one of the bloke I had met at the backpackers, it was an awesome privilege to be a part of that conversation!!
I have had long conversations with people in Pubs about what it means to talk with God and to hear His voice, and many other places you would not normally associate with talking about God. Although I have never had the conversation that nearly every pastor/minister/preacher seems to have had on a plane where they talk matters of God and faith, I hope that the conversations I have had with people have planted seeds in peoples lives that one day will bear fruit.
This debate, centred much around the divinity/deity of Jesus; as in, is Jesus God or was he just a human servant of God. I love a good discussion as much as the next bloke, so was happy to enter into the debate with this person for a while. As the debate went on though, it became apparent to me that neither of us were likely to change our minds, and so discussing it further would really prove to be of little value on this blog. I have since received an email from the blogger to which I will respond once I have some time.
This discussion got me thinking though. I thought of all of the places that I have had the opportunity to speak to people about matters of faith and God and religion. One I distinctly remember was while on holidays on the Gold Coast a couple of years ago. I was staying at a backpackers near the beach, and on my last night there a group of people that I had met while I was there had decided to go out to a night club and invited me. being a sociable sort of person and always up for a night out, I tagged along. At some stage during the night I found myself in a deep conversation about grace and God's forgiveness in the middle of the night club with one of the bloke I had met at the backpackers, it was an awesome privilege to be a part of that conversation!!
I have had long conversations with people in Pubs about what it means to talk with God and to hear His voice, and many other places you would not normally associate with talking about God. Although I have never had the conversation that nearly every pastor/minister/preacher seems to have had on a plane where they talk matters of God and faith, I hope that the conversations I have had with people have planted seeds in peoples lives that one day will bear fruit.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
BULLYING
It may surprise some of you to know that I was never cool or popular in high school (then again, it may be no shock at all). In fact, in stark contrast to my current size and shape, in high school I was short, scrawny, and a bit awkward looking.
Looking back, it occurs to me that high school is not always the greatest place if you are a little different from the 'normal' of the school you attend. Clearly, I was not 'normal' in high school and as a result was the target of some quite significant bullying at times. As a result of this bullying I have developed a real compassion for others who are picked on and targeted for bullying in whatever form it may take.
As you might imagine, when I read the story about the Xavier College boy who was hospitalised after a muck up day rugbyesque game and how a friend of his claimed that he had been the target of systemic bullying at the school (read the article here: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=651791). Later in the week I was shocked to read in the newspaper that children in prep class at primary school are reporting cases of being bullied.
Bullying should not be accepted as being a 'normal' part of growing up. Yes it happens, and yes, I am a much stronger person today because of the things I have experienced growing up, but this in no way makes it right or acceptable. As I read the bible I see a God who has a passion for those who are oppressed, harassed and bullied by the more powerful. I see God continually call His people to take a stand against the oppression and harassment of others and to promote a society where all are accepted and cared for.
In Amos we see the "Fat cows of Bashan" condemned for their oppression of the poor and the crushing of the needy, James 1:27 says: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God , the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (NRSV)" The Message puts it this way: "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."
This week, I would encourage you to look out for those who are subjected to harassment or bullying and reach out to them with the grace and love that God has shown us.
Looking back, it occurs to me that high school is not always the greatest place if you are a little different from the 'normal' of the school you attend. Clearly, I was not 'normal' in high school and as a result was the target of some quite significant bullying at times. As a result of this bullying I have developed a real compassion for others who are picked on and targeted for bullying in whatever form it may take.
As you might imagine, when I read the story about the Xavier College boy who was hospitalised after a muck up day rugbyesque game and how a friend of his claimed that he had been the target of systemic bullying at the school (read the article here: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=651791). Later in the week I was shocked to read in the newspaper that children in prep class at primary school are reporting cases of being bullied.
Bullying should not be accepted as being a 'normal' part of growing up. Yes it happens, and yes, I am a much stronger person today because of the things I have experienced growing up, but this in no way makes it right or acceptable. As I read the bible I see a God who has a passion for those who are oppressed, harassed and bullied by the more powerful. I see God continually call His people to take a stand against the oppression and harassment of others and to promote a society where all are accepted and cared for.
In Amos we see the "Fat cows of Bashan" condemned for their oppression of the poor and the crushing of the needy, James 1:27 says: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God , the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (NRSV)" The Message puts it this way: "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."
This week, I would encourage you to look out for those who are subjected to harassment or bullying and reach out to them with the grace and love that God has shown us.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
EXPERIENCING GOD
Before I start, let me say that this is by no means a definitive answer on the above subject, just a collection of some of my thoughts on the subject, and I would be happy to hear your thoughts also.
Lately I have been travelling around Western Victoria a bit. As I have travelled around I have had the privilege of sharing with people about worshipping and meeting with God. Recently as I was travelling I was thinking about this concept of meeting with God and experiencing His presence.
After reading a few blogs I began thinking about how we have become such an experiential society. Everything from food to cars to toilet paper is marketed to us as an experience. We seek out experiences and consume them just as we would any other commodity. This led me to thinking about our experiences of intimacy with God.
Do we treat those times when we experience God's presence in some special tangible way as a consumable commodity?? What should our expectation of experiencing God's presence in a tangible way be??
I know that God is omnipresent, that he is in all places at all times, but I also believe that there are times when He makes Himself more present to us at other times. Think the regularity and depth of these times has more to do with us than it has to do with God though. I know that things like sin and disobedience make it harder to hear and experience God. I also know that we can consciously choose to reject God and avoid His presence also.
My real question is: As Christians, how often should we be seeking that tangible experience of God's presence, should we be some kind of Holy Spirit junkie continually seeking our next 'hit' of intimacy with God, or is it OK to go years or even decades without feeling the intimate presence of God in our lives???!!!
I heard a while ago that Mother Theresa stated that for the last 50 years of her life she had not experienced God's presence in a tangible way. digitaljournal.com discusses some of Mother Theresa's letters and says this in summary: "Mother Mary Teresa spent 17 years in Calcutta, teaching with a group of uncloistered Sisters, before traveling to Darjeeling in 1946, at the age of 36. During that trip, she believed that Christ spoke to her and called her to work with the sick, the poor, and the dying. Mother Teresa was able to recount conversations she had with Christ, and even recounted her visions of him. Based on her revelations to her Mother General, her confessor, and even the Pope, she was granted permission to begin her one-woman crusade. It was then that Mother Teresa felt Jesus leave her and stop speaking to her...
...According to her letters, Mother Teresa felt Christ did not communicate with her for the next ten years. It wasn't until after the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, when Teresa prayed that God would give her some proof that he was "pleased with Society", that she felt the long years of darkness end. It was only to be for a brief time, no more than five weeks, before her period of spiritual darkness returned, and continued until her death on Sept. 5, 1997."
I think we all go through periods where we feel like God is distant or even absent. I know that even Jesus felt this way on the cross, crying out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." But to go for 50 years without feeling a tangible presence of God or hearing His voice, what must that be like??!!!
And this brings me into conflict. How can I reconcile a woman who is seen as being so Christlike and spiritual, and yet seemingly devoid of any real experience of Christ Himself for half a century, and the promise that God has made to us that when we search for Him with all of our heart, that we will be able to find Him?
As I look at the bible I see God as an experiential God, not a god to be believed in but never intimately connected with. Isn't the whole point of our creation to be in relationship with Him??!! As I read through the Bible I see God 'turn up' in amazing way and unexpected places. I read stories of people having amazing, intimate encounters with the Creator of all things, of being rescued and delivered, of being given messages and signs. I see God as a God that reveals Himself to humanity, not just though creation, but in intimate, personal, tangible, ways!!!
Not that I am assuming that God will just turn up when and where we want Him to necessarily. I think that sometimes we need to persist in prayer before that moment when God arrives in some amazing tangible way. I am happy to be corrected in this, but I think it was Commissioner Samule Logan Brengle who recounted a story of a time when he was seeking God and after praying and fasting all day, still had not encountered God. It was not until well into the night, after much prayer, fasting and waiting on the Holy Spirit that God revealed himself in a tangible way which Brengle (I think) described it as "Fire, amazing Holy Fire." I think that sometimes we miss out on those moments of special intimacy with God because we bail out too early, because we cease to persist.
Sometimes we miss out on those moments with God because we refuse to listen to what God has already told us. William Booth said: "Before we go to our knees to receive the Baptism of Fire, let me beg of you to see to it that your souls are in harmony with the will and purpose of the Holy Spirit whom you seek."
Can you remember the last time you had an intimate personal, tangible experience of God's presence in you life?
I am keen to hear your thoughts on the matter, maybe this will stimulate some interesting discussion.
And let me know if I have misquoted Brengle.
Lately I have been travelling around Western Victoria a bit. As I have travelled around I have had the privilege of sharing with people about worshipping and meeting with God. Recently as I was travelling I was thinking about this concept of meeting with God and experiencing His presence.
After reading a few blogs I began thinking about how we have become such an experiential society. Everything from food to cars to toilet paper is marketed to us as an experience. We seek out experiences and consume them just as we would any other commodity. This led me to thinking about our experiences of intimacy with God.
Do we treat those times when we experience God's presence in some special tangible way as a consumable commodity?? What should our expectation of experiencing God's presence in a tangible way be??
I know that God is omnipresent, that he is in all places at all times, but I also believe that there are times when He makes Himself more present to us at other times. Think the regularity and depth of these times has more to do with us than it has to do with God though. I know that things like sin and disobedience make it harder to hear and experience God. I also know that we can consciously choose to reject God and avoid His presence also.
My real question is: As Christians, how often should we be seeking that tangible experience of God's presence, should we be some kind of Holy Spirit junkie continually seeking our next 'hit' of intimacy with God, or is it OK to go years or even decades without feeling the intimate presence of God in our lives???!!!
I heard a while ago that Mother Theresa stated that for the last 50 years of her life she had not experienced God's presence in a tangible way. digitaljournal.com discusses some of Mother Theresa's letters and says this in summary: "Mother Mary Teresa spent 17 years in Calcutta, teaching with a group of uncloistered Sisters, before traveling to Darjeeling in 1946, at the age of 36. During that trip, she believed that Christ spoke to her and called her to work with the sick, the poor, and the dying. Mother Teresa was able to recount conversations she had with Christ, and even recounted her visions of him. Based on her revelations to her Mother General, her confessor, and even the Pope, she was granted permission to begin her one-woman crusade. It was then that Mother Teresa felt Jesus leave her and stop speaking to her...
...According to her letters, Mother Teresa felt Christ did not communicate with her for the next ten years. It wasn't until after the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, when Teresa prayed that God would give her some proof that he was "pleased with Society", that she felt the long years of darkness end. It was only to be for a brief time, no more than five weeks, before her period of spiritual darkness returned, and continued until her death on Sept. 5, 1997."
I think we all go through periods where we feel like God is distant or even absent. I know that even Jesus felt this way on the cross, crying out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." But to go for 50 years without feeling a tangible presence of God or hearing His voice, what must that be like??!!!
And this brings me into conflict. How can I reconcile a woman who is seen as being so Christlike and spiritual, and yet seemingly devoid of any real experience of Christ Himself for half a century, and the promise that God has made to us that when we search for Him with all of our heart, that we will be able to find Him?
As I look at the bible I see God as an experiential God, not a god to be believed in but never intimately connected with. Isn't the whole point of our creation to be in relationship with Him??!! As I read through the Bible I see God 'turn up' in amazing way and unexpected places. I read stories of people having amazing, intimate encounters with the Creator of all things, of being rescued and delivered, of being given messages and signs. I see God as a God that reveals Himself to humanity, not just though creation, but in intimate, personal, tangible, ways!!!
Not that I am assuming that God will just turn up when and where we want Him to necessarily. I think that sometimes we need to persist in prayer before that moment when God arrives in some amazing tangible way. I am happy to be corrected in this, but I think it was Commissioner Samule Logan Brengle who recounted a story of a time when he was seeking God and after praying and fasting all day, still had not encountered God. It was not until well into the night, after much prayer, fasting and waiting on the Holy Spirit that God revealed himself in a tangible way which Brengle (I think) described it as "Fire, amazing Holy Fire." I think that sometimes we miss out on those moments of special intimacy with God because we bail out too early, because we cease to persist.
Sometimes we miss out on those moments with God because we refuse to listen to what God has already told us. William Booth said: "Before we go to our knees to receive the Baptism of Fire, let me beg of you to see to it that your souls are in harmony with the will and purpose of the Holy Spirit whom you seek."
Can you remember the last time you had an intimate personal, tangible experience of God's presence in you life?
I am keen to hear your thoughts on the matter, maybe this will stimulate some interesting discussion.
And let me know if I have misquoted Brengle.
Monday, September 29, 2008
What Will Your Headstone Say??
I was watchin T.V. the other night and while channel surfing came across a program that got me thinking. I cant remember what the program was, but it got me thinking about the different things you read on peoples headstones' epitaphs at the cemetery.
For example Spike Milligan's headstone is rumoured to read: "I told them I was ill". Others that I found after a short search with Google include: Karl Marx (founder of communism); "Workers of all lands unite. The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." - Wyatt and Josephine Earp (Sherrif of Tombstone- cowboy era); "Nothing's so sacred as honour, and nothing's so loyal as love." Dean Martin (Actor Singer and member of the Rat Pack); "Everybody loves somebody sometime." Isaac Newton; "Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, 'Let Newton be!' and all was light." Benjamin Frankin; "The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer (like the cover of an old book, its contents worn out, and stript of its lettering and gilding) lies here, food for worms. Yet the work itself shall not lost, for it will, as he believed, appear once more In a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by its Author." Epitaph for the Unknown Soldier by W. H. Auden; "To save your world you asked this man to die: Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?"
As you can see, some are amusing, some are clever and some are truly profound. Each epitaph says much about the person who lies beneath the stone and dirt. I particularly like the epitaph for the unknown soldier.
What sort of impact will you leave?
What will people say about you when you are gone?
What would you like your epitaph to say on your headstone?
For example Spike Milligan's headstone is rumoured to read: "I told them I was ill". Others that I found after a short search with Google include: Karl Marx (founder of communism); "Workers of all lands unite. The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." - Wyatt and Josephine Earp (Sherrif of Tombstone- cowboy era); "Nothing's so sacred as honour, and nothing's so loyal as love." Dean Martin (Actor Singer and member of the Rat Pack); "Everybody loves somebody sometime." Isaac Newton; "Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, 'Let Newton be!' and all was light." Benjamin Frankin; "The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer (like the cover of an old book, its contents worn out, and stript of its lettering and gilding) lies here, food for worms. Yet the work itself shall not lost, for it will, as he believed, appear once more In a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by its Author." Epitaph for the Unknown Soldier by W. H. Auden; "To save your world you asked this man to die: Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?"
As you can see, some are amusing, some are clever and some are truly profound. Each epitaph says much about the person who lies beneath the stone and dirt. I particularly like the epitaph for the unknown soldier.
What sort of impact will you leave?
What will people say about you when you are gone?
What would you like your epitaph to say on your headstone?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Hardened Heart
This is a copy of a sermon I shared a few weeks ago. It is a little long for a blog, but I thought it might be a good reminder to us to be a little more compassionate at times, I know I need reminding of that at times.
Before moving to Melbourne to go to the Training College, I worked as an Operating Theatre Technician at the Hobart Private Hospital. My job there was to set up operating theatres for different operations, assist the doctors and nurses to position patients for various operations, ensure that there was an adequate supply of things like Saline and other fluids given by I.V. drips kept warm, help get the patient off the operating table, clean up the mess and get the theatre set up for the next operation.
During this time I had the privilege to observe a number of operations at various degrees of proximity. The closest I got was about 30cm (1 foot) from the operative site as I held a patient in place while they inserted a pacemaker into their heart.
A heart has 4 chambers, the left and right ventricle, and the left and right atrium. The right atrium receives oxygen-depleted blood from the body via the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava and pumps it through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
The right ventricle receives oxygen-depleted blood from the right atrium and pumps it through the pulmonary valve into the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
Then the left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins and pumps it through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle then receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it through the aortic valve to the entire body via the aorta, including to the heart muscle itself through the coronary arteries.
That’s the way our heart works and why our heart beat is a lub lub sound.
What happens in some people though, is that one of the chambers fibrillates or flutters. When this happens the blood is not pumped around the body properly and the patient starts to get into some pretty serious trouble. To restore a normal or sinus rhythm to the heart something is needed to be done. The first preference is to use drugs like adrenalin to jolt the heart back into a normal rhythm, but in serious cases an electric current is needed to jolt the heart back into normal rhythm. That is why you see defibrillators used on people having a heart attack. A pace maker is like a mini defibrillator, it senses when the heart is getting out of rhythm, and it sends a little jolt into the heart to fix it, most of the time the patient will never know it happened.
As I read the bible I see how God often shocks people to get them to change their heart. In Exodus we see that the Pharaoh needed some serious shocking to change a very hard heart.
Pharaoh was holding the Hebrew people prisoner, and using them as slaves to complete his building projects. Overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and their terrible treatment they cried out to God to save them.
So God sends Moses, who lets be honest wouldn’t exactly be most people’s top choice (he had a speech impediment, he had killed an Egyptian slave master and was a shepherd, a less than prestigious occupation) to shock the pharaoh into a change of heart and bring freedom to the Hebrew people.
As a result of the pharaoh’s hardened heart and unwillingness to release the Hebrew people, God uses a series of plagues that cover Egypt to try and change the pharaoh’s heart.
Today we are looking at the plague of the Frogs. Now if ever there was a good reason to change your heart, a pile of stinking, rotting frogs has to be high on the list.
On of the most interesting things about the whole plagues of Egypt saga has to be the pharaoh’s response. Each time, after a plague was stopped the Bible tells us that the Pharaoh hardened his heart. Despite the shock of the plague, the pharaoh’s heart remained unchanged.
Three things struck my about the hardening of the pharaoh’s heart. The first was that he made a choice to harden his heart. The Second was that when the pharaoh hardened his heart, he ignored the warning signs around him. And finally the pharaohs heart need to be softened again before he would let the Hebrew people go.
I think it is interesting that the pharaoh chose to harden his heart. He had the choice to allow it to remain soft and release the Hebrew people, but instead after each plague the pharaoh hardened his heart a little more.
While sometimes circumstances around us force us to harden our hearts, I think more often the choices we make slowly harden our hearts, often without us ever really noticing it. At first maybe we just ignore the little things, but after a while as our hearts start to harden bigger and more significant things start to have less and less of an impact on us, until one day we become incapable of feeling much at all. If we are lucky we realise this lack of feeling, but the truth is that there may be times where we do not realise just how hard our hearts have become.
The hardening of a heart can be caused by one of two things; ignoring those around us, or ignoring God. And the truth be told, one usually leads to the other.
When we start ignoring those around us, we begin to switch off to their feelings, to their dreams, and to their needs, and we begin to see people as a commodity to be used and consumed and disposed of. Our hearts begin to dry out and become harder when qualities like compassion and kindness begin to evaporate
When this attitude starts creeping in it is often not long before we start ignoring God.
Rob Bell (the Nooma dude) says that the way we view the creation says a lot about the way we view the creator. When we start turning off to the issues of this world, we start turning off to God.
When we stop caring about others, we stop caring about what God cares about, and slowly this puts us in a position where we begin to block God out of our lives. As we block God out of our lives our hearts begin to harden. The more we choose block God out and ignore that which is important to Him, the harder it is for us to hear God. And as it becomes harder to hear God and communicate with Him, we begin to lose contact with what is important to Him and as our values shift, often ever so imperceptibly to us, our relationship with Him begins to suffer and as a result our relationship with His creations can begin to suffer also.
Take for example the Pharaoh. He cut himself off from God. The more he hardened his heart, the more he started to mistreat the Hebrew people. And the more he mistreated the Hebrew people, the more he cut himself off from God.
Another thing that indicated the hardness of the pharaoh’s heart was that he failed to notice the stink.
We see in 7 that the pharaoh’s magicians were able to use their secret arts to duplicate the plague of frogs that God had sent through Moses, but they could not eradicate the problem, only God could do that.
So Pharaoh begs Moses to get God to remove the plague, and Moses prays and the frogs die. Verse 14 tells us that because of the piles of rotting frogs the land stank. Somehow, even with the stench of rotting frogs all around him, the Pharaoh ignored the warning and hardened his heart once more, blocking God and the things God cares most about out of pharaoh’s concerns.
There are things going on in our world that truly stink. People are oppressed, heartbroken and suffering, and yet much of the world remains uncaring.
Is it possible, that as a group of people humanity has hardened our hearts toward the plight of others?
In failing to notice the stink caused by the rotting frogs, the pharaoh’s hardened heart failed to recognise anything other than the immediate situation at hand.
In the bible passage we see that the pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and asked them to pray for the plague to be removed, but never dealt with the reason for the plague (the enslavement of the Hebrew people).
When we harden our hearts, we become interested in only fixing the problem at hand, not finding the real cause and dealing with that.
Imagine for a moment a child comes to you complaining of a sore arm, in fact it is so sore that they are sobbing with the pain. If all we do is give them some Panadol and send them on their way again, we may have dealt with the immediate issue of the pain, but have not dealt with the thing that is causing the pain, that is the fracture in the bone of the arm. If the arm is broken, X-rays are needed and the correct treatment needs to be performed. By only masking the pain of the situation the arm will never properly heal and will only cause more pain and future problems.
So the pharaoh refused to deal with the real cause of the plagues, instead continuing in his enslavement and abuse of the Hebrew people. Pharaoh continued to refuse to allow the people to leave Egypt and worship God.
The pharaoh’s heart was so hard that no shock alone could correct it. Pharaohs heart needed to be shocked so hard that it had to be broken to be repaired in order to be capable of caring about what God cared about.
In fact it wasn’t until the final plague killed off the firstborn of every Egyptian, including the pharaoh’s own son, a huge shock I am sure, that the pharaoh’s heart was broken enough to allow the Hebrew people to leave.
It occurs to me that a hardened heart is much like an arthritic joint, it is stiff and inflexible.
Sometimes an arthritic joint can be soothed and softened by taking fish oil, maybe it just needed a bit of lubrication.
Other times arthritis requires physical or occupational therapy to loosen it up.
And other times, in the case of really stiff and inflexible joints, the arthritic joint needs replacing all together.
Sometimes I think our hearts become a little hardened and we just need to add a little lubrication to soften it by remembering the plight of others. When we are confronted face to face with hopelessness, and despair, the tears of those we are confronted with can lubricate our hardened hearts and soften them up.
Sometimes we need to undertake a little physical or occupational therapy by actually going out and doing something creative or practical for another person to soften our hardened hearts towards others.
When we do something for another person we begin to invest something of ourselves in them. When we begin to do something for God we begin to invest in Him and as we invest something of ourselves, we begin to make it a priority in our lives, and as things take priority in our lives our hearts begin to soften towards them.
In severe cases of hardened hearts, it may be necessary for God to break our hardened hearts and replace them with a new heart of His own creation in order for us to feel again.
While I worked at the hospital, one operation that was performed with amazing regularity was a hip replacement. I would say that we averaged about 2 a week most of the time, sometimes more.
In a hip replacement the arthritic joint is cut out and replaced by a substitute joint, made from a high strength ceramic or titanium body with synthetic coating created by another company.
This process involves some significant pain and discomfort for the patient in the short term, but the removal of the old joint and the institution of a new joint ultimately leads to more manoeuvrability and a far better quality of life.
When it becomes necessary for God to break our own hardened hearts and replace it with one of His own creating, we may have to endure some short-term pain and discomfort. It is not the most pleasant of things to be suddenly confronted with pain that we have left undealt with in our own lives, and the pain that others experience in their lives, but as we begin to heal and our hearts are softened once again, we find that we have an increased emotional mobility and the quality of our lives will improve.
What choices are you making? Are you choosing to open yourself up to God and those God cares about, or are you choosing to block them off.
Do you notice the stink around you? Can you see the warning signs that things may not be quite right?
How much do you think it would take to soften your heart? Is it already soft? Does it require some lubrication or physical or occupational therapy? Or will your heart need some major reconstructive surgery to be soft again?
When I hear people talking about heart issues, I think of King David in the Old Testament. He was described as a man after Gods own heart, I guess you could say that his heartbeat to the same rhythm as God’s.
David wasn’t perfect, he made some pretty major mistakes when he ignored the priorities of God’s heart and got out of synch, but God would shock him and he when David realised his heart was out of synch he again committed to make God’s priorities his priorities.
Most of the time David’s heart longed for the things God’s heart longed for. And that is the sort of heart I want, a heart that beats to the rhythm of God’s heart, I want to have a heart that longs for the things God longs for.
How is the rhythm of your heart today?
Is it beating in tune with God’s or does it need a little shocking to get back on the right track? Has God shocked you recently?
Before moving to Melbourne to go to the Training College, I worked as an Operating Theatre Technician at the Hobart Private Hospital. My job there was to set up operating theatres for different operations, assist the doctors and nurses to position patients for various operations, ensure that there was an adequate supply of things like Saline and other fluids given by I.V. drips kept warm, help get the patient off the operating table, clean up the mess and get the theatre set up for the next operation.
During this time I had the privilege to observe a number of operations at various degrees of proximity. The closest I got was about 30cm (1 foot) from the operative site as I held a patient in place while they inserted a pacemaker into their heart.
A heart has 4 chambers, the left and right ventricle, and the left and right atrium. The right atrium receives oxygen-depleted blood from the body via the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava and pumps it through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
The right ventricle receives oxygen-depleted blood from the right atrium and pumps it through the pulmonary valve into the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
Then the left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins and pumps it through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle then receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it through the aortic valve to the entire body via the aorta, including to the heart muscle itself through the coronary arteries.
That’s the way our heart works and why our heart beat is a lub lub sound.
What happens in some people though, is that one of the chambers fibrillates or flutters. When this happens the blood is not pumped around the body properly and the patient starts to get into some pretty serious trouble. To restore a normal or sinus rhythm to the heart something is needed to be done. The first preference is to use drugs like adrenalin to jolt the heart back into a normal rhythm, but in serious cases an electric current is needed to jolt the heart back into normal rhythm. That is why you see defibrillators used on people having a heart attack. A pace maker is like a mini defibrillator, it senses when the heart is getting out of rhythm, and it sends a little jolt into the heart to fix it, most of the time the patient will never know it happened.
As I read the bible I see how God often shocks people to get them to change their heart. In Exodus we see that the Pharaoh needed some serious shocking to change a very hard heart.
Pharaoh was holding the Hebrew people prisoner, and using them as slaves to complete his building projects. Overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and their terrible treatment they cried out to God to save them.
So God sends Moses, who lets be honest wouldn’t exactly be most people’s top choice (he had a speech impediment, he had killed an Egyptian slave master and was a shepherd, a less than prestigious occupation) to shock the pharaoh into a change of heart and bring freedom to the Hebrew people.
As a result of the pharaoh’s hardened heart and unwillingness to release the Hebrew people, God uses a series of plagues that cover Egypt to try and change the pharaoh’s heart.
Today we are looking at the plague of the Frogs. Now if ever there was a good reason to change your heart, a pile of stinking, rotting frogs has to be high on the list.
On of the most interesting things about the whole plagues of Egypt saga has to be the pharaoh’s response. Each time, after a plague was stopped the Bible tells us that the Pharaoh hardened his heart. Despite the shock of the plague, the pharaoh’s heart remained unchanged.
Three things struck my about the hardening of the pharaoh’s heart. The first was that he made a choice to harden his heart. The Second was that when the pharaoh hardened his heart, he ignored the warning signs around him. And finally the pharaohs heart need to be softened again before he would let the Hebrew people go.
I think it is interesting that the pharaoh chose to harden his heart. He had the choice to allow it to remain soft and release the Hebrew people, but instead after each plague the pharaoh hardened his heart a little more.
While sometimes circumstances around us force us to harden our hearts, I think more often the choices we make slowly harden our hearts, often without us ever really noticing it. At first maybe we just ignore the little things, but after a while as our hearts start to harden bigger and more significant things start to have less and less of an impact on us, until one day we become incapable of feeling much at all. If we are lucky we realise this lack of feeling, but the truth is that there may be times where we do not realise just how hard our hearts have become.
The hardening of a heart can be caused by one of two things; ignoring those around us, or ignoring God. And the truth be told, one usually leads to the other.
When we start ignoring those around us, we begin to switch off to their feelings, to their dreams, and to their needs, and we begin to see people as a commodity to be used and consumed and disposed of. Our hearts begin to dry out and become harder when qualities like compassion and kindness begin to evaporate
When this attitude starts creeping in it is often not long before we start ignoring God.
Rob Bell (the Nooma dude) says that the way we view the creation says a lot about the way we view the creator. When we start turning off to the issues of this world, we start turning off to God.
When we stop caring about others, we stop caring about what God cares about, and slowly this puts us in a position where we begin to block God out of our lives. As we block God out of our lives our hearts begin to harden. The more we choose block God out and ignore that which is important to Him, the harder it is for us to hear God. And as it becomes harder to hear God and communicate with Him, we begin to lose contact with what is important to Him and as our values shift, often ever so imperceptibly to us, our relationship with Him begins to suffer and as a result our relationship with His creations can begin to suffer also.
Take for example the Pharaoh. He cut himself off from God. The more he hardened his heart, the more he started to mistreat the Hebrew people. And the more he mistreated the Hebrew people, the more he cut himself off from God.
Another thing that indicated the hardness of the pharaoh’s heart was that he failed to notice the stink.
We see in 7 that the pharaoh’s magicians were able to use their secret arts to duplicate the plague of frogs that God had sent through Moses, but they could not eradicate the problem, only God could do that.
So Pharaoh begs Moses to get God to remove the plague, and Moses prays and the frogs die. Verse 14 tells us that because of the piles of rotting frogs the land stank. Somehow, even with the stench of rotting frogs all around him, the Pharaoh ignored the warning and hardened his heart once more, blocking God and the things God cares most about out of pharaoh’s concerns.
There are things going on in our world that truly stink. People are oppressed, heartbroken and suffering, and yet much of the world remains uncaring.
Is it possible, that as a group of people humanity has hardened our hearts toward the plight of others?
In failing to notice the stink caused by the rotting frogs, the pharaoh’s hardened heart failed to recognise anything other than the immediate situation at hand.
In the bible passage we see that the pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and asked them to pray for the plague to be removed, but never dealt with the reason for the plague (the enslavement of the Hebrew people).
When we harden our hearts, we become interested in only fixing the problem at hand, not finding the real cause and dealing with that.
Imagine for a moment a child comes to you complaining of a sore arm, in fact it is so sore that they are sobbing with the pain. If all we do is give them some Panadol and send them on their way again, we may have dealt with the immediate issue of the pain, but have not dealt with the thing that is causing the pain, that is the fracture in the bone of the arm. If the arm is broken, X-rays are needed and the correct treatment needs to be performed. By only masking the pain of the situation the arm will never properly heal and will only cause more pain and future problems.
So the pharaoh refused to deal with the real cause of the plagues, instead continuing in his enslavement and abuse of the Hebrew people. Pharaoh continued to refuse to allow the people to leave Egypt and worship God.
The pharaoh’s heart was so hard that no shock alone could correct it. Pharaohs heart needed to be shocked so hard that it had to be broken to be repaired in order to be capable of caring about what God cared about.
In fact it wasn’t until the final plague killed off the firstborn of every Egyptian, including the pharaoh’s own son, a huge shock I am sure, that the pharaoh’s heart was broken enough to allow the Hebrew people to leave.
It occurs to me that a hardened heart is much like an arthritic joint, it is stiff and inflexible.
Sometimes an arthritic joint can be soothed and softened by taking fish oil, maybe it just needed a bit of lubrication.
Other times arthritis requires physical or occupational therapy to loosen it up.
And other times, in the case of really stiff and inflexible joints, the arthritic joint needs replacing all together.
Sometimes I think our hearts become a little hardened and we just need to add a little lubrication to soften it by remembering the plight of others. When we are confronted face to face with hopelessness, and despair, the tears of those we are confronted with can lubricate our hardened hearts and soften them up.
Sometimes we need to undertake a little physical or occupational therapy by actually going out and doing something creative or practical for another person to soften our hardened hearts towards others.
When we do something for another person we begin to invest something of ourselves in them. When we begin to do something for God we begin to invest in Him and as we invest something of ourselves, we begin to make it a priority in our lives, and as things take priority in our lives our hearts begin to soften towards them.
In severe cases of hardened hearts, it may be necessary for God to break our hardened hearts and replace them with a new heart of His own creation in order for us to feel again.
While I worked at the hospital, one operation that was performed with amazing regularity was a hip replacement. I would say that we averaged about 2 a week most of the time, sometimes more.
In a hip replacement the arthritic joint is cut out and replaced by a substitute joint, made from a high strength ceramic or titanium body with synthetic coating created by another company.
This process involves some significant pain and discomfort for the patient in the short term, but the removal of the old joint and the institution of a new joint ultimately leads to more manoeuvrability and a far better quality of life.
When it becomes necessary for God to break our own hardened hearts and replace it with one of His own creating, we may have to endure some short-term pain and discomfort. It is not the most pleasant of things to be suddenly confronted with pain that we have left undealt with in our own lives, and the pain that others experience in their lives, but as we begin to heal and our hearts are softened once again, we find that we have an increased emotional mobility and the quality of our lives will improve.
What choices are you making? Are you choosing to open yourself up to God and those God cares about, or are you choosing to block them off.
Do you notice the stink around you? Can you see the warning signs that things may not be quite right?
How much do you think it would take to soften your heart? Is it already soft? Does it require some lubrication or physical or occupational therapy? Or will your heart need some major reconstructive surgery to be soft again?
When I hear people talking about heart issues, I think of King David in the Old Testament. He was described as a man after Gods own heart, I guess you could say that his heartbeat to the same rhythm as God’s.
David wasn’t perfect, he made some pretty major mistakes when he ignored the priorities of God’s heart and got out of synch, but God would shock him and he when David realised his heart was out of synch he again committed to make God’s priorities his priorities.
Most of the time David’s heart longed for the things God’s heart longed for. And that is the sort of heart I want, a heart that beats to the rhythm of God’s heart, I want to have a heart that longs for the things God longs for.
How is the rhythm of your heart today?
Is it beating in tune with God’s or does it need a little shocking to get back on the right track? Has God shocked you recently?
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Mercy Seat
Are you ever surprised by what you read in the Bible?
Often the biggest surprises are come from reading some of the least interesting bits of the bible. For example who would have thought that there was anything interesting about the ancestry of Jesus, yet upon closer inspection we find children produced from incest, a series of kings, the son of an adulterous relationship, a prostitute, and several non-Jewish ancestors (not something you would have bragged about in that culture).
While reading through one of the very detailed sections of Exodus recently, although I was searching for something else, I discovered this passage and it grabbed my attention:
Exodus 25: 17-22: 17Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. 18You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. 20The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. 21You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. 22There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
Truth be told I very nearly skipped right over the passage.
It was the reference to the mercy seat that grabbed my attention. In The Salvation Army we often refer to the Mercy Seat as the pew looking thing at front of the hall. It is here that we call people to step forward to and pray at as a sign of their response to what God is calling them to do.
I don’t know if I was just mucking around and making too much noise with my mate Andrew that day in Junior Soldiers where this was explained to me, but I now have a new appreciation for what the Mercy Seat is.
To me this passage speaks of God coming to us, of how God meets with us somewhere special and shares some of himself with us.
The first thing that I notice is that the angels are facing toward the Mercy Seat and their wings are overshadowing the Mercy Seat as though they are watching over the proceedings that take place there and providing protection for those who approach it.
I also notice that the Mercy Seat covers the covenant that God made with the Israelites. I think of the covenants that I have made with God, as a Junior Soldier, a senior Soldier and most recently as an officer of The Salvation Army, they were all made at the Mercy Seat, in the very clear presence of God. This passage reminded me that every time I meet with God, I can renew the covenants that I have made with Him, and he will renew the covenants that He has made with me.
But what I love the most is the last verse in this passage: 22There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
God speaks to us in a variety of ways and places, but there is something very special that happens when we kneel at the Mercy Seat and open ourselves up to God. One of the most significant moments in my Christian faith occurred because I knelt and opened myself fully to God. It changed my life and I have never been the same since. At the Mercy Seat, when we open ourselves up to God we clear away all of the clutter that seems to fill our life and we can hear God more clearly.
For the Israelites the Mercy Seat was in the most Holy of Holy places, accessible to only the very select few. Only this select few were able to meet with God like this. The good news is that after the crucifixion of Jesus, the heavy curtain that separated the masses from this Holy of Holy places was torn in two from top to bottom, allowing us all access to God and to hearing His commands for our lives.
This week, I encourage you to find your own Mercy Seat. It doesn’t have to be the one at the front of the church, it could be a quiet place outside in nature, or a place you set aside in your home to retreat to and meet with God, but I encourage you to open yourself up to God and listen to His voice in your life. You never know it may change your life forever!!!
Often the biggest surprises are come from reading some of the least interesting bits of the bible. For example who would have thought that there was anything interesting about the ancestry of Jesus, yet upon closer inspection we find children produced from incest, a series of kings, the son of an adulterous relationship, a prostitute, and several non-Jewish ancestors (not something you would have bragged about in that culture).
While reading through one of the very detailed sections of Exodus recently, although I was searching for something else, I discovered this passage and it grabbed my attention:
Exodus 25: 17-22: 17Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. 18You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. 20The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. 21You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. 22There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
Truth be told I very nearly skipped right over the passage.
It was the reference to the mercy seat that grabbed my attention. In The Salvation Army we often refer to the Mercy Seat as the pew looking thing at front of the hall. It is here that we call people to step forward to and pray at as a sign of their response to what God is calling them to do.
I don’t know if I was just mucking around and making too much noise with my mate Andrew that day in Junior Soldiers where this was explained to me, but I now have a new appreciation for what the Mercy Seat is.
To me this passage speaks of God coming to us, of how God meets with us somewhere special and shares some of himself with us.
The first thing that I notice is that the angels are facing toward the Mercy Seat and their wings are overshadowing the Mercy Seat as though they are watching over the proceedings that take place there and providing protection for those who approach it.
I also notice that the Mercy Seat covers the covenant that God made with the Israelites. I think of the covenants that I have made with God, as a Junior Soldier, a senior Soldier and most recently as an officer of The Salvation Army, they were all made at the Mercy Seat, in the very clear presence of God. This passage reminded me that every time I meet with God, I can renew the covenants that I have made with Him, and he will renew the covenants that He has made with me.
But what I love the most is the last verse in this passage: 22There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
God speaks to us in a variety of ways and places, but there is something very special that happens when we kneel at the Mercy Seat and open ourselves up to God. One of the most significant moments in my Christian faith occurred because I knelt and opened myself fully to God. It changed my life and I have never been the same since. At the Mercy Seat, when we open ourselves up to God we clear away all of the clutter that seems to fill our life and we can hear God more clearly.
For the Israelites the Mercy Seat was in the most Holy of Holy places, accessible to only the very select few. Only this select few were able to meet with God like this. The good news is that after the crucifixion of Jesus, the heavy curtain that separated the masses from this Holy of Holy places was torn in two from top to bottom, allowing us all access to God and to hearing His commands for our lives.
This week, I encourage you to find your own Mercy Seat. It doesn’t have to be the one at the front of the church, it could be a quiet place outside in nature, or a place you set aside in your home to retreat to and meet with God, but I encourage you to open yourself up to God and listen to His voice in your life. You never know it may change your life forever!!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Who Is God To You???
I've been reading this book lately called Divine Nobodies by Jim Palmer. I think it has become my new favourite book. Basically it is semi-autobiographical and recounts various stories from the authors life and shows how everyday people can impact and transform lives.
In one Chapter Jim talks about his traumatic childhood and the severe depression he suffered during and because of that. it is quite a provoking chapter and really forced me to consider a few things I had not really thought of before.
One thing that really stood out to me was when Jim started talking about how he pictured God. Jim spoke about how he slowly learned to see God in a different light, a shift from a condemning God who was waiting in judgement to deal with him, to a God who loved him deeply, who grieved over the pain and tragedy in Jim's life and wanted so deeply to show Jim His love.
This got me thinking, I wondered what my picture of God is.
I think that I have had different pictures or ideas of God's identity at different stages in my life. I guess at times I have seen God as some kind of Super-Santa, there to fulfil my every wish - just as long as I am a good boy. At other times I guess that I have seen God as a Judge balancing my life against a set of rules and regulations. And at other times I have seen God as the supreme Creator, loving merciful and faithful to His creations.
More and more now though, I am beginning to see God in a new light. I am beginning to understand that God cannot be pigeon-holed into one thing. Yes god gives blessings and gifts to us, yes God judges us, yes God created us, is merciful and loves us beyond anything we could comprehend. But I think God is much more than that.
As we approach Youth Event and look at the theme of Guess Who, maybe it is a good time to consider who we see God as. The bible presents God in so many ways, and I am sure God has more characteristics than we can fully comprehend at any one time. But maybe it would be good for us to examine who we think God is and then maybe take a bit of time to consider if this is who God really is??!!
I wonder if sometimes we get who God is a bit distorted by our own experiences and situations.
I would be interested to hear from you who God is to you?
What characteristics of God especially appeal to you?
In one Chapter Jim talks about his traumatic childhood and the severe depression he suffered during and because of that. it is quite a provoking chapter and really forced me to consider a few things I had not really thought of before.
One thing that really stood out to me was when Jim started talking about how he pictured God. Jim spoke about how he slowly learned to see God in a different light, a shift from a condemning God who was waiting in judgement to deal with him, to a God who loved him deeply, who grieved over the pain and tragedy in Jim's life and wanted so deeply to show Jim His love.
This got me thinking, I wondered what my picture of God is.
I think that I have had different pictures or ideas of God's identity at different stages in my life. I guess at times I have seen God as some kind of Super-Santa, there to fulfil my every wish - just as long as I am a good boy. At other times I guess that I have seen God as a Judge balancing my life against a set of rules and regulations. And at other times I have seen God as the supreme Creator, loving merciful and faithful to His creations.
More and more now though, I am beginning to see God in a new light. I am beginning to understand that God cannot be pigeon-holed into one thing. Yes god gives blessings and gifts to us, yes God judges us, yes God created us, is merciful and loves us beyond anything we could comprehend. But I think God is much more than that.
As we approach Youth Event and look at the theme of Guess Who, maybe it is a good time to consider who we see God as. The bible presents God in so many ways, and I am sure God has more characteristics than we can fully comprehend at any one time. But maybe it would be good for us to examine who we think God is and then maybe take a bit of time to consider if this is who God really is??!!
I wonder if sometimes we get who God is a bit distorted by our own experiences and situations.
I would be interested to hear from you who God is to you?
What characteristics of God especially appeal to you?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Just a Little Bit at a Time
Over the last few weeks the bags under my eyes seem to have grown somewhat.
This has to do with a certain little bike race they run during July every year in France. You may have heard of it, The tour De France.
For 21 days or so the worlds best cyclists ride around France. On average they will cover 150 to 200 kilometres a day, day after day after day. Sure they get rest days; 2 of them in 21 days. and as if riding 200 kilometres in a day isn't bad enough, there are some stages of the race where not only do they cover 200 kilometres but they also have to climb up huge mountains, mountains that are over 1500 metres high!!!
On Wednesday night I stayed up until after 2:30 AM to watch one of the most famous mountain stages of the Tour De France. this stage had 3 mountain climbs in it with some down hill sections where riders reached speeds in excess of 80km/h!!! But this wasn't the bit that I was really looking forward to, I was hanging out for the last climb, the climb up the mountain known as L'Alp d'Huez. this climb is only 14 km long, but goes up a staggering 1650 metres in that 14km!!!!
As I watched this stage and cheered on Aussie cyclist Cadel Evans, I thought about how hard mentally is must be to climb a mountain like that.
Imagine standing at the bottom looking up at the road ahead, the 21 switchback turns, the steep gradient, the final destination, and realising how tired your legs are now and how much further you still have to go!!!
As I though about this I remembered an article I read about how elite cyclists overcome this psychological obstacle. According to the cyclist who wrote the article they very rarely look to the very top of the mountain, the look to the next check point ( a corner, a tree, a post, whatever marks a smaller distance) every so often, but mostly they focus on the 5 or so metres in front of their wheel. They just keep looking at the next 5 metres and then the next 5 metres after that, and then the next 5 metres after that and so on and so forth, looking up at the goal posts they have set along the way and occasionally glancing at the final destination.
As I thought about this I thought about my journey with God and realised that there were some similarities there with climbing a mountain.
I wonder if sometimes God gives us a view of the top, the final destination, but understands that if we were to focus on this to much we would psych ourselves out and give up. So instead God shows us goal posts, things to aim for that are closer and more achievable in shorter times, and then asks us to focus on the next little bit, and then the next little bit after that and so on until we reach the goal and then re-set for the next goal.
As I look back over my life I can see times where God has revealed big plans to me, but then has shown me ways to reach them. I can also see other times where I have just been focusing on the next step, and then the next step after that, and then having looked back have seen how far I have travelled and seen what God has done in my life.
I guess my prayer for you this week is that God will reveal the next step to you and lead you to it, that He will help you to cover the ground in front of you and that you will keep going.
The hill may seem steep and high and a long way off, but God will get you there if that is where he wants you to be. Your task at the moment is to be obedient and just keep moving.
Remember the destination is important, but how you make the journey there counts too.
This has to do with a certain little bike race they run during July every year in France. You may have heard of it, The tour De France.
For 21 days or so the worlds best cyclists ride around France. On average they will cover 150 to 200 kilometres a day, day after day after day. Sure they get rest days; 2 of them in 21 days. and as if riding 200 kilometres in a day isn't bad enough, there are some stages of the race where not only do they cover 200 kilometres but they also have to climb up huge mountains, mountains that are over 1500 metres high!!!
On Wednesday night I stayed up until after 2:30 AM to watch one of the most famous mountain stages of the Tour De France. this stage had 3 mountain climbs in it with some down hill sections where riders reached speeds in excess of 80km/h!!! But this wasn't the bit that I was really looking forward to, I was hanging out for the last climb, the climb up the mountain known as L'Alp d'Huez. this climb is only 14 km long, but goes up a staggering 1650 metres in that 14km!!!!
As I watched this stage and cheered on Aussie cyclist Cadel Evans, I thought about how hard mentally is must be to climb a mountain like that.
Imagine standing at the bottom looking up at the road ahead, the 21 switchback turns, the steep gradient, the final destination, and realising how tired your legs are now and how much further you still have to go!!!
As I though about this I remembered an article I read about how elite cyclists overcome this psychological obstacle. According to the cyclist who wrote the article they very rarely look to the very top of the mountain, the look to the next check point ( a corner, a tree, a post, whatever marks a smaller distance) every so often, but mostly they focus on the 5 or so metres in front of their wheel. They just keep looking at the next 5 metres and then the next 5 metres after that, and then the next 5 metres after that and so on and so forth, looking up at the goal posts they have set along the way and occasionally glancing at the final destination.
As I thought about this I thought about my journey with God and realised that there were some similarities there with climbing a mountain.
I wonder if sometimes God gives us a view of the top, the final destination, but understands that if we were to focus on this to much we would psych ourselves out and give up. So instead God shows us goal posts, things to aim for that are closer and more achievable in shorter times, and then asks us to focus on the next little bit, and then the next little bit after that and so on until we reach the goal and then re-set for the next goal.
As I look back over my life I can see times where God has revealed big plans to me, but then has shown me ways to reach them. I can also see other times where I have just been focusing on the next step, and then the next step after that, and then having looked back have seen how far I have travelled and seen what God has done in my life.
I guess my prayer for you this week is that God will reveal the next step to you and lead you to it, that He will help you to cover the ground in front of you and that you will keep going.
The hill may seem steep and high and a long way off, but God will get you there if that is where he wants you to be. Your task at the moment is to be obedient and just keep moving.
Remember the destination is important, but how you make the journey there counts too.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I Know It's Been A While
Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, things have been a little hectic here.
First of all, Kids Camp went off like a frog in a sock (note; it is inhumane to put a frog in a sock). By all accounts everyone had a great time and all went home completely exhausted. I will try to get some photo's up in the near future.
Second, the Leading Youth Scholarship Camp was great. We covered a whole range of different stuff, from what makes a good leader, to how we can become better leaders, to doing some things that will stretch us personally (like the high ropes course and jumping from the top of a power pole to a trapeze suspended in mid air in front of you!!).
Then I got back and had to get through the emails, mail and other stuff that had been piling up while I was away.
So now here I am, almost fully recovered from squeezing 2 camps into the same week, and ready to head off tho the next thing, officers fellowship.
Planning for Guess Who is coming along well. We will be joined by our T.Y, Capt. David Collinson for the event. Saturday night will be a great time of fun, with some giant games to play, people sized guess who, battleship and even trouble are on the cards!!!
Sunday will be a time of worship where we are going to explore more about who God is and who we are because of that!!!
Forms will be out very soon, see your corps officer for one.
Cost is $40, and age is high school +.
Hope to see you there.
First of all, Kids Camp went off like a frog in a sock (note; it is inhumane to put a frog in a sock). By all accounts everyone had a great time and all went home completely exhausted. I will try to get some photo's up in the near future.
Second, the Leading Youth Scholarship Camp was great. We covered a whole range of different stuff, from what makes a good leader, to how we can become better leaders, to doing some things that will stretch us personally (like the high ropes course and jumping from the top of a power pole to a trapeze suspended in mid air in front of you!!).
Then I got back and had to get through the emails, mail and other stuff that had been piling up while I was away.
So now here I am, almost fully recovered from squeezing 2 camps into the same week, and ready to head off tho the next thing, officers fellowship.
Planning for Guess Who is coming along well. We will be joined by our T.Y, Capt. David Collinson for the event. Saturday night will be a great time of fun, with some giant games to play, people sized guess who, battleship and even trouble are on the cards!!!
Sunday will be a time of worship where we are going to explore more about who God is and who we are because of that!!!
Forms will be out very soon, see your corps officer for one.
Cost is $40, and age is high school +.
Hope to see you there.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Guess Who??!!
Have you aver played the game Guess Who?
For those who may not have, Guess Who is a game where you ask a series of questions to eliminate possibilites and identify the character on the card your opponent is holding.
Do you ever feel like you have to play this game for real?
Do you sometimes feel like you have to ask a million questions just to really find out who someone really is?
Have you ever felt like you have had to do this to work out who you really are?
Have you ever felt like you have had to do this to work out who God is?
I guess the reality is that God is so big and amazing that we will never be able to fully comprehend Him completely, but we can know who God is and grow to know him as well as we can understand this side of eternity.
Guess Who is the theme for this years Youth event. More details will be released over the next couple of weeks, but for now, book in the 23rd and 24th of August for Youth Event and stay tuned for more details.
For those who may not have, Guess Who is a game where you ask a series of questions to eliminate possibilites and identify the character on the card your opponent is holding.
Do you ever feel like you have to play this game for real?
Do you sometimes feel like you have to ask a million questions just to really find out who someone really is?
Have you ever felt like you have had to do this to work out who you really are?
Have you ever felt like you have had to do this to work out who God is?
I guess the reality is that God is so big and amazing that we will never be able to fully comprehend Him completely, but we can know who God is and grow to know him as well as we can understand this side of eternity.
Guess Who is the theme for this years Youth event. More details will be released over the next couple of weeks, but for now, book in the 23rd and 24th of August for Youth Event and stay tuned for more details.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Would The Real Leader Please Stand Up
This is a subject that I have been reading and thinking about a bit lately, I would be interested to hear what others think.
It seems that a lot of people have a lot of different ideas about what leadership really is, and this is cool, I respect that, but I would like to share some of what I think leadership is about.
Some people ascribe to leadership as written, spoken, taught by people like Borden, Maxwell, and Hybels. Others prefer a view of leadership which seems to be at the opposite end of the scale to the teachings of people like John C. Maxwell, Bill Hybels and Paul Borden.
Personally I think I sit somewhere in between.
The reality is that everywhere in nature and society you will see one individual stand out above the rest and take on a role of leadership. We see it in pack animals with the Alpha male and female, we see it in social situations where one person takes the lead and coordinates with the others to achieve an outcome, we see it on the sporting field where one player is chosen as the team captain to encourage, motivate and direct the team. I think that anyone who denies that leadership is unnecessary or unnatural will struggle to support their supposition.
I think the real issue people have with leadership has a lot to do with what they have seen modelled to them. Of course, if people have been hurt by leaders then this will lead to a negative perception of leadership by them. In the same way, if you have had good models of leadership shown to you then your attitude and opinion of leadership will be much better.
So here is what I think makes a good leader, feel free to agree or disagree with me, let me know, I would be interested to hear what you think.
I truly believe that a leaders job is to seek the common purpose of a group and to co-ordinate, encourage, equip and resource those around them to move towards the goal. A good leader does not lead from the front, or the rear, or the middle, or from the top, or from the bottom. A good leader will lead from all of these positions at various times; sometimes leading the way and taking others with them, at other times empowering others to strive toward the vision, at other times holding the group up and together, and at other times allowing the group to take the lead for a time.
While a group may seek and decide upon a vision together I believe that it is the leaders job to keep this vision in focus and the group moving toward it. Occasionally it becomes the leaders job to say the hard words to some of those they are leading; while this is not something that either party is likely to particularly enjoy, it is necessary for both that this is done. For the one having the hard words spoken to them it is important for their growth and development, for the leader it is important that they do it for the well being of the team and the vision they are striving toward.
Leadership should never be about exerting power over others and seeking position for one's self, this style of leadership will always ultimately fail.
I don't believe that leaders are supposed to be some far off person out of range of those they lead. Good leaders need to be able to relate to the people they are leading. Leaders can only lead effectively if those they are leading are able to come to them and discuss questions, concerns, troubles and successes. But at the same time leaders need to be open about them selves, to a point. I believe that at some point, a leader being too open can affect the ability of the group to continue moving forward. People need to see that their leader is fallible and human, and has experienced much of what they are experiencing, but at the same time, a leader who is too open can lose the confidence of the group around them.
This may be an unpopular view, but I would like to suggest that not everyone is meant to be a leader. Have you heard the sayings "Too many cooks spoil the broth" or Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians"???
It is my experience that not everyone has the ability to be a leader, that is just the way it is. Many people will argue that leadership is not something that you are born with, but learn. I am not totally convinced that this is true. I think that leadership ability is something that comes naturally to some people, and while it can be taught, there are some who naturally will be better at it than others, just like in every area of life.
the reality is that leaders should be a minority. It is very hard to lead if no one is following, and if more than a small number are trying to lead, often in several different directions, the group, the goals and the vision will suffer.
Leadership is no picnic, it is hard, at times unpopular, incredibly demanding, and should not be lusted after. There is no shame in being a follower. Followers are vitally important, there is no condemnation, or shame, or lack of value in not being a leader.
My encouragement to you is this: If you feel called to be a leader, stop and think and pray about this. Leadership is incredibly rewarding at times, but it can be painful and unpleasant too. Decide if you are prepared to make the sometimes hard, and sometimes enormous sacrifices that a leader needs to make at times. If you are able to do this, then proceed, because it will be worth it in the end.
It seems that a lot of people have a lot of different ideas about what leadership really is, and this is cool, I respect that, but I would like to share some of what I think leadership is about.
Some people ascribe to leadership as written, spoken, taught by people like Borden, Maxwell, and Hybels. Others prefer a view of leadership which seems to be at the opposite end of the scale to the teachings of people like John C. Maxwell, Bill Hybels and Paul Borden.
Personally I think I sit somewhere in between.
The reality is that everywhere in nature and society you will see one individual stand out above the rest and take on a role of leadership. We see it in pack animals with the Alpha male and female, we see it in social situations where one person takes the lead and coordinates with the others to achieve an outcome, we see it on the sporting field where one player is chosen as the team captain to encourage, motivate and direct the team. I think that anyone who denies that leadership is unnecessary or unnatural will struggle to support their supposition.
I think the real issue people have with leadership has a lot to do with what they have seen modelled to them. Of course, if people have been hurt by leaders then this will lead to a negative perception of leadership by them. In the same way, if you have had good models of leadership shown to you then your attitude and opinion of leadership will be much better.
So here is what I think makes a good leader, feel free to agree or disagree with me, let me know, I would be interested to hear what you think.
I truly believe that a leaders job is to seek the common purpose of a group and to co-ordinate, encourage, equip and resource those around them to move towards the goal. A good leader does not lead from the front, or the rear, or the middle, or from the top, or from the bottom. A good leader will lead from all of these positions at various times; sometimes leading the way and taking others with them, at other times empowering others to strive toward the vision, at other times holding the group up and together, and at other times allowing the group to take the lead for a time.
While a group may seek and decide upon a vision together I believe that it is the leaders job to keep this vision in focus and the group moving toward it. Occasionally it becomes the leaders job to say the hard words to some of those they are leading; while this is not something that either party is likely to particularly enjoy, it is necessary for both that this is done. For the one having the hard words spoken to them it is important for their growth and development, for the leader it is important that they do it for the well being of the team and the vision they are striving toward.
Leadership should never be about exerting power over others and seeking position for one's self, this style of leadership will always ultimately fail.
I don't believe that leaders are supposed to be some far off person out of range of those they lead. Good leaders need to be able to relate to the people they are leading. Leaders can only lead effectively if those they are leading are able to come to them and discuss questions, concerns, troubles and successes. But at the same time leaders need to be open about them selves, to a point. I believe that at some point, a leader being too open can affect the ability of the group to continue moving forward. People need to see that their leader is fallible and human, and has experienced much of what they are experiencing, but at the same time, a leader who is too open can lose the confidence of the group around them.
This may be an unpopular view, but I would like to suggest that not everyone is meant to be a leader. Have you heard the sayings "Too many cooks spoil the broth" or Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians"???
It is my experience that not everyone has the ability to be a leader, that is just the way it is. Many people will argue that leadership is not something that you are born with, but learn. I am not totally convinced that this is true. I think that leadership ability is something that comes naturally to some people, and while it can be taught, there are some who naturally will be better at it than others, just like in every area of life.
the reality is that leaders should be a minority. It is very hard to lead if no one is following, and if more than a small number are trying to lead, often in several different directions, the group, the goals and the vision will suffer.
Leadership is no picnic, it is hard, at times unpopular, incredibly demanding, and should not be lusted after. There is no shame in being a follower. Followers are vitally important, there is no condemnation, or shame, or lack of value in not being a leader.
My encouragement to you is this: If you feel called to be a leader, stop and think and pray about this. Leadership is incredibly rewarding at times, but it can be painful and unpleasant too. Decide if you are prepared to make the sometimes hard, and sometimes enormous sacrifices that a leader needs to make at times. If you are able to do this, then proceed, because it will be worth it in the end.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Get Smart
It's that time of year again. Kids camp is quickly approaching.
The theme for this year is Get Smart. Many of the readers of this blog will remember the original Get Smart, where Agent 86, Maxwell Smart was played by the comical Don Adams. But this camp really has very little to do with that.
While we have borrowed some of the terminology from Get Smart; the name, Kaos and Control, the Shoephone concept, the theme for this years Camp is really about Getting Smart about God!!
The camp is going to be a great time of fun for our young people, please encourage those you know to attend.
Cost will be $90.00 at the earlybird rate (forms and deposit must be received by the 10th of June) or $110.00 at the standard rate after then.
Stay tuned for more info and some thoughts about Getting Smart about God.
The theme for this year is Get Smart. Many of the readers of this blog will remember the original Get Smart, where Agent 86, Maxwell Smart was played by the comical Don Adams. But this camp really has very little to do with that.
While we have borrowed some of the terminology from Get Smart; the name, Kaos and Control, the Shoephone concept, the theme for this years Camp is really about Getting Smart about God!!
The camp is going to be a great time of fun for our young people, please encourage those you know to attend.
Cost will be $90.00 at the earlybird rate (forms and deposit must be received by the 10th of June) or $110.00 at the standard rate after then.
Stay tuned for more info and some thoughts about Getting Smart about God.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Captivity and Freedom
Firstly, the Prodigal iPod has returned!!! The story of it's disappearance and reappearance is a complicated one, but let's just say that it wasn't my fault and that I am stoked that it has returned and life has gotten back to normal.
Lately I have been working my way through 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings as a part of my devotional time. It is an interesting read, to see how the leadership of Israel and Judah affected the people. But as I read the account of how Israel was led off into captivity by the Assyrians because of their sin, and as I begin to read the early stages of Judah's descent to the point where they are taken into captivity by the Babylonians, it occurred to me how people today are still being taken captive by sin.
Although today, most people are not imprisoned or deported to another country because of their sin, although in some cases this is a consequence of sin, I couldn't help but wonder how many people were captive to fear, and guilt and shame because of the mistakes that they have made in their pasts? We see it on T.V so frequently, some high profile person has a secret that they fear could ruin them if it ever became public knowledge does whatever is necessary to keep that secret, well, secret. This fear of exposure renders them a prisoner to their mistake and forces them to do things they don't want to do to keep things the way they are.
As I thought and discussed this with God, it occurred to me that even the people of Judah didn't remain captives forever. After a while (70 years if I remember correctly) god sent King Cyrus of Persia to liberate His people and allow them to return to the land that He had promised to their ancestors Abraham Isaac and Jacob. As i continued in this discussion with God about this I was reminded of Jesus, who came again to set people free from captivity, this time not from a physical captivity, but a captivity of fear, shame, guilt, injustice and poverty.
We have been freed by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, now we no longer need to be held captive by those feelings of fear and guilt and shame. All we need to do is come before Jesus in repentance (basically changing our lives so that we do not make the same mistakes again), pray and ask Jesus for forgiveness.
We also, as followers of Jesus have a responsibility to live up to His words "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." This wasn't just Jesus' mission, it is the mission of all of those who follow Him. There are many ways to do this, but I might go into that in another blog.
This week, may you too preach the good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, work for the recover of sight to the blind, release the oppressed and proclaim the year of the Lord's favour!!!
Lately I have been working my way through 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings as a part of my devotional time. It is an interesting read, to see how the leadership of Israel and Judah affected the people. But as I read the account of how Israel was led off into captivity by the Assyrians because of their sin, and as I begin to read the early stages of Judah's descent to the point where they are taken into captivity by the Babylonians, it occurred to me how people today are still being taken captive by sin.
Although today, most people are not imprisoned or deported to another country because of their sin, although in some cases this is a consequence of sin, I couldn't help but wonder how many people were captive to fear, and guilt and shame because of the mistakes that they have made in their pasts? We see it on T.V so frequently, some high profile person has a secret that they fear could ruin them if it ever became public knowledge does whatever is necessary to keep that secret, well, secret. This fear of exposure renders them a prisoner to their mistake and forces them to do things they don't want to do to keep things the way they are.
As I thought and discussed this with God, it occurred to me that even the people of Judah didn't remain captives forever. After a while (70 years if I remember correctly) god sent King Cyrus of Persia to liberate His people and allow them to return to the land that He had promised to their ancestors Abraham Isaac and Jacob. As i continued in this discussion with God about this I was reminded of Jesus, who came again to set people free from captivity, this time not from a physical captivity, but a captivity of fear, shame, guilt, injustice and poverty.
We have been freed by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, now we no longer need to be held captive by those feelings of fear and guilt and shame. All we need to do is come before Jesus in repentance (basically changing our lives so that we do not make the same mistakes again), pray and ask Jesus for forgiveness.
We also, as followers of Jesus have a responsibility to live up to His words "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." This wasn't just Jesus' mission, it is the mission of all of those who follow Him. There are many ways to do this, but I might go into that in another blog.
This week, may you too preach the good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, work for the recover of sight to the blind, release the oppressed and proclaim the year of the Lord's favour!!!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
WORSHIP STUFF
What do you find is the best way to spend time with God??
A little while ago my iPod vanished, despite searching high and low and practically tearing the last place I saw it apart, I as yet have been still unable to find it.
Now I dont know about you, but for me my iPod is no luxury, it is an essential part of my life. I listen to it in the car, in the office, and while I am travelling it is a great way to spend time waiting, or to unwind while away from home. I also use music frequently as a way to spend some time with God, I find that the right songs are able to help me enter a worshipful attitude and tune into God.
I never realised just how much I used my iPod until last week, while I was away at a conference and wanted to spend some time chilling out with God, and went to reach for my iPod and realised that I didnt have it!!
What is it about music that seems to lift the human soul and spirit?
I understand that music doesnt do it for everyone, in fact I know a few people who can think of very little worse than having to sing as a part of worship. But for me, and for many others I imagine, while I may not be a great singer, or even a good one, music has this way of lifting me to a higher plane and allowing me to really feel God's presence in a special way.
So this week, pray that my iPod turns up, and maybe even try searching for an alternative way to worship God yourself.
Also, it would be great if you could share about what ways you worship God!!!
A little while ago my iPod vanished, despite searching high and low and practically tearing the last place I saw it apart, I as yet have been still unable to find it.
Now I dont know about you, but for me my iPod is no luxury, it is an essential part of my life. I listen to it in the car, in the office, and while I am travelling it is a great way to spend time waiting, or to unwind while away from home. I also use music frequently as a way to spend some time with God, I find that the right songs are able to help me enter a worshipful attitude and tune into God.
I never realised just how much I used my iPod until last week, while I was away at a conference and wanted to spend some time chilling out with God, and went to reach for my iPod and realised that I didnt have it!!
What is it about music that seems to lift the human soul and spirit?
I understand that music doesnt do it for everyone, in fact I know a few people who can think of very little worse than having to sing as a part of worship. But for me, and for many others I imagine, while I may not be a great singer, or even a good one, music has this way of lifting me to a higher plane and allowing me to really feel God's presence in a special way.
So this week, pray that my iPod turns up, and maybe even try searching for an alternative way to worship God yourself.
Also, it would be great if you could share about what ways you worship God!!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Easter Camp
Sorry I haven't posted for a while, things have been pretty hectic here.
Easter camp, judging from all of the reports that I have heard, both directly and indirectly, was awesome!!!
It was a great time of fun, friendship and faith, where we got to look at the Easter experience from the last supper all the way through to the resurrection.
For those who missed out, plan to come next year, it is one event that is definitely worth the cost.
Stephen and Danielle were fantastic. Some of the exercises they led us through were great, I know that the listening/imaginative prayer was a huge hit with many of the youth at camp. Stephen's amazing dive on the dung riddled hill was a great demonstration. The stories they told to illustrate their points will not be easily forgotten.
Let me know what you thought of camp, and maybe some ideas you would like to see included next year!!
On Sunday we watched a DVD about Fair trade, and heard about how Jesus came not only to redeem us as individuals, but to redeem the world corporately also. As a result of this Danielle challenged us to come up with 3 things that we would do to promote redemption of our communities and even the world.
So here are the 3 groups lists, this is so that we can all hold each other accountable:
GEELONG:
1 Find out more about Fair Trade products and encourage the church and individuals to use them.
2 See what Local coffee shops and schools are using for coffee etc. and educate them about Fair Trade.
3 Start a fundraiser with fair trade products.
TORQUAY/ARARAT:
1 Promote the coffee shops who already sell fair trade.
2 Contact local press to be in on the fair trade campaign.
3 make our churches, homes and lives fair trade.
DELACOMBE:
1 make a conscious effort to support Fair Trade products.
2 Campaign at Starbucks for more Fair Trade products.
3 Educate others by handing out flyer's about Fair Trade and it's alternative.
I hope that these are correct, let me know if I got something wrong.
Have a great time and make a difference, because as we learnt at camp; God has not forsaken us and Jesus died on the cross not only to bring redemption to our lives but to the whole world!!
Easter camp, judging from all of the reports that I have heard, both directly and indirectly, was awesome!!!
It was a great time of fun, friendship and faith, where we got to look at the Easter experience from the last supper all the way through to the resurrection.
For those who missed out, plan to come next year, it is one event that is definitely worth the cost.
Stephen and Danielle were fantastic. Some of the exercises they led us through were great, I know that the listening/imaginative prayer was a huge hit with many of the youth at camp. Stephen's amazing dive on the dung riddled hill was a great demonstration. The stories they told to illustrate their points will not be easily forgotten.
Let me know what you thought of camp, and maybe some ideas you would like to see included next year!!
On Sunday we watched a DVD about Fair trade, and heard about how Jesus came not only to redeem us as individuals, but to redeem the world corporately also. As a result of this Danielle challenged us to come up with 3 things that we would do to promote redemption of our communities and even the world.
So here are the 3 groups lists, this is so that we can all hold each other accountable:
GEELONG:
1 Find out more about Fair Trade products and encourage the church and individuals to use them.
2 See what Local coffee shops and schools are using for coffee etc. and educate them about Fair Trade.
3 Start a fundraiser with fair trade products.
TORQUAY/ARARAT:
1 Promote the coffee shops who already sell fair trade.
2 Contact local press to be in on the fair trade campaign.
3 make our churches, homes and lives fair trade.
DELACOMBE:
1 make a conscious effort to support Fair Trade products.
2 Campaign at Starbucks for more Fair Trade products.
3 Educate others by handing out flyer's about Fair Trade and it's alternative.
I hope that these are correct, let me know if I got something wrong.
Have a great time and make a difference, because as we learnt at camp; God has not forsaken us and Jesus died on the cross not only to bring redemption to our lives but to the whole world!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Favourite Characters
What is your favourite Bible story?
Who is your favourite bible character?
My favourite bible story prabably has to be about Gideon. I love the way God takes the smallest man from the smallest family, from the smallest clan from the smallest tribe in Israel and uses him to bring about freedom and a renewal in the faith of Israel.
My favourite character though is probably Josiah. I find Josiah's character quite inspiring. Despite growning up with godlessness all around him, somehow Josiah manages to become a grat king and a great man of God. I love what 1 Kings 22: 1-2 says:
"Josiah was eight years old when he bagan to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mothers name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left."
Josiah was completely obedient to God, right up until the battle when he was killed, a battle that God had advised Josiah to not go into. Josiah cleared out all of the idolatry of Judah and led them back to following God.
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be the king at age 8!!!
Josiah inspires me to walk closely with God, to lead others to walk closely with Him and to lead others even if they think that I'm too young.
Who are your favourite Bible characters?
What is your favourite Bible story?
What do they teach you about God, about you, about life???
Who is your favourite bible character?
My favourite bible story prabably has to be about Gideon. I love the way God takes the smallest man from the smallest family, from the smallest clan from the smallest tribe in Israel and uses him to bring about freedom and a renewal in the faith of Israel.
My favourite character though is probably Josiah. I find Josiah's character quite inspiring. Despite growning up with godlessness all around him, somehow Josiah manages to become a grat king and a great man of God. I love what 1 Kings 22: 1-2 says:
"Josiah was eight years old when he bagan to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mothers name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left."
Josiah was completely obedient to God, right up until the battle when he was killed, a battle that God had advised Josiah to not go into. Josiah cleared out all of the idolatry of Judah and led them back to following God.
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be the king at age 8!!!
Josiah inspires me to walk closely with God, to lead others to walk closely with Him and to lead others even if they think that I'm too young.
Who are your favourite Bible characters?
What is your favourite Bible story?
What do they teach you about God, about you, about life???
Monday, February 25, 2008
UN-CHURCH
The very first Un-Church event was held at Delacombe on Sunday night. I thought that the event went well, let me know what you thought if you were there.
For those not fortunate enough to have been able to attend this unique event allow me to explain the concept of "Un-Church".
A few months ago I was reading our T.Y's (the bloke in charge of the youth stuff for the Salvo's in Australia - for the non-Salvo acronym speakers out there) blog. Dave (that's his name) was talking about the concept of an un-conference. The basic idea of an un-conference was that those attending recognise that we can all teach each other something and that we can all learn from each other. So, instead of having a keynote speaker stand up the front and talk at the crowd as so often happens at a conference, there are perhaps a few people selected to talk specifically about what they have been doing and the strengths, weaknesses and outcomes of this, and then the rest of the time is spent sharing and helping each other.
So, a few weeks ago as I travelled back from the rained out Summer Celebration in Torquay, I began to think about this un-conference concept and whether or not we could apply it in any way to church.
In The Salvation Army we believe in the concept of the priesthood of all believers. This basically means that we believe that God is at work within each believer and that we are able to minister to each other regardless of sex, age, or culture. With this in mind I began to explore what church would be like if we all were able to participate in the worship and teaching.
The idea that I came up with was that the event would start off with a pre-chosen song and then I would get up and introduce the idea of the event and the theme for the night, including reading the verse of scripture that the theme was based around. From this point on the night would be guided by the congregation. Songs would be chosen by suggestion and popular consensus and the teaching part of the evening would come from how members of the congregation interpreted what the bible verse was saying to them. The only real leadership involved in this was a little direction in terms of when what might happen, although this could be left up to the congregation also.
This style of worship depends a lot upon the participation of the congregation and so may not work with all groups, but I think that everyone enjoyed our first un-chuch event and found it a great time of worship.
For me personally, there was a moment during the song 'Jesus Lover of My Soul' that I real felt the Holy Spirit moving. During this moment I felt God say to me; "Forget what you had planned to do tonight, ask if anyone has a verse from the Bible that they want to share." So I did. It was great then to hear Ross share with us a passage that had spoken to him recently.
So, Un-Church, a new way of worship, where we all minister to each other. What do you think??
For those not fortunate enough to have been able to attend this unique event allow me to explain the concept of "Un-Church".
A few months ago I was reading our T.Y's (the bloke in charge of the youth stuff for the Salvo's in Australia - for the non-Salvo acronym speakers out there) blog. Dave (that's his name) was talking about the concept of an un-conference. The basic idea of an un-conference was that those attending recognise that we can all teach each other something and that we can all learn from each other. So, instead of having a keynote speaker stand up the front and talk at the crowd as so often happens at a conference, there are perhaps a few people selected to talk specifically about what they have been doing and the strengths, weaknesses and outcomes of this, and then the rest of the time is spent sharing and helping each other.
So, a few weeks ago as I travelled back from the rained out Summer Celebration in Torquay, I began to think about this un-conference concept and whether or not we could apply it in any way to church.
In The Salvation Army we believe in the concept of the priesthood of all believers. This basically means that we believe that God is at work within each believer and that we are able to minister to each other regardless of sex, age, or culture. With this in mind I began to explore what church would be like if we all were able to participate in the worship and teaching.
The idea that I came up with was that the event would start off with a pre-chosen song and then I would get up and introduce the idea of the event and the theme for the night, including reading the verse of scripture that the theme was based around. From this point on the night would be guided by the congregation. Songs would be chosen by suggestion and popular consensus and the teaching part of the evening would come from how members of the congregation interpreted what the bible verse was saying to them. The only real leadership involved in this was a little direction in terms of when what might happen, although this could be left up to the congregation also.
This style of worship depends a lot upon the participation of the congregation and so may not work with all groups, but I think that everyone enjoyed our first un-chuch event and found it a great time of worship.
For me personally, there was a moment during the song 'Jesus Lover of My Soul' that I real felt the Holy Spirit moving. During this moment I felt God say to me; "Forget what you had planned to do tonight, ask if anyone has a verse from the Bible that they want to share." So I did. It was great then to hear Ross share with us a passage that had spoken to him recently.
So, Un-Church, a new way of worship, where we all minister to each other. What do you think??
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"He's living the dream... he didnt even know what the dream was until I told him."
I went to help at a Fusion Breakfast Club held at one of the Ballarat highschools this morning. After Breakfast club finished I went home again to change out of the jeans and hoodie I was wearing into my 'corporate attire' that is more appropriate for someone who works at DHQ.
When I got home I swithced on the TV to add a bit of noise while I had a drink and began to get ready. As I flicked through the channels I caught the end of an Ellen show segment and she was talking about what was coming up. When I heard the words 'Superbowl Ad', I decided not to switch channels and waited the ads out. When the show returned I saw the video clip above.
The ad shows how one American footballer recognised the potential ability in a grocery bag packer at his local supermarket and encouraged him to try out for the team. This young man, Chester Pitts, who previously played only the oboe, a member of the woodwind family, now is a highly paid NFL player.
All of this happened because another footballer, Ephraim Salaam, recognised his potential and encouraged him to become the best he could be.
This got me thinking, how many people are there in our world who are metaphorically packing groceries and playing the oboe when they should be playing in the NFL?
As I thought about this I wondered where the people are who are like Ephraim Salaam who are recognising the potential of others and calling them to a better thing?
Do you see the potential in people you meet and encourage them to reach out and achieve it?
I love the line in this clip: "He's living the dream... he didnt even know what the dream was until I told him."
Who are you telling about the dream, and who is missing out on the dream because you havent told them?
Do you know what the dream is?
Do you have a dream at all?
I think we all have dreams, or at least we had them at one stage or another.
My dream is that I will see the Kingdom of God come on earth. I dream that people will be in passionate, vibrant relationship with their God. I dream that people will fight for the poor and oppressed and bring freedom to those captives held captive by sin and circumstance. I dream that one day there will be peace and love and forgiveness in abundace and that hate and greed and evil will be gone. Thats my dream.
Today I want to encourage to share your dream with someone else. You never know what the outcome might be. But, more importantly, share God's dream, because the outcome of that can be revoloutionary.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Lent
I made the mistake of waking up ridiculously early this morning, and then I couldnt get back to sleep!! After some effort and no reward I decided that if I was awake at this foul time of the day, then I might as well do something unproductive, like put the T.V. on.
So I got up and switched on the T.V. After channel surfing across infomercials, the American version of the Today Show/Sunrise, and some of those early morning religious programs, Sunrise came on and I was greeted by Kochie informing us that it was, and I quote, "Pancake Tuesday".
My response directed at the T.V. screen, possibly less Christlike than normal give the fact that I much prefer to be sleeping at this time of day, was the correction "It's Shrove Tuesday!!!"
But as consciousness and cognitive ability began to warm up a bit I began thinking about the concept of Shrove Tuesday and Lent, something I had been thinking about since last week when I received a reminder from my local Pancake Kitchen informing me of $5 short stacks all day.
It's kind of funny really, traditionally during Lent people will give something up for the 40 days from Ash Wednesday through to Palm Sunday, in memory of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Often we give up luxuries like T.V. or chocolate or the like, but in the 'olden' days the people would give up much more, even staples like eggs, milk and sugar!!
Shrove Tuesday then was a day of permissable gluttony where people would cook pancakes and other delicious foods to use up the last of the stores before entering the Lenten period.
So today there are probably people out there gutsing down their last chocolates, watching the last of the T.V. and doing the last whatever before they give it up for lent.
This got me thinking though, is it really sacrifice when we fully plan to restart whatever it is as soon as this whole Easter thing is over and done with??
So this year I'm revolting, although some would argue that I have been revolting for years. Instead of giving up some token thing for the next 40 odd days, this year I am choosing to rededicate my life to God, and offering my whole life as an act of Sacrifice.
Will you join me this year and instead of giving up something for lent, will you give up your life to God??
So I got up and switched on the T.V. After channel surfing across infomercials, the American version of the Today Show/Sunrise, and some of those early morning religious programs, Sunrise came on and I was greeted by Kochie informing us that it was, and I quote, "Pancake Tuesday".
My response directed at the T.V. screen, possibly less Christlike than normal give the fact that I much prefer to be sleeping at this time of day, was the correction "It's Shrove Tuesday!!!"
But as consciousness and cognitive ability began to warm up a bit I began thinking about the concept of Shrove Tuesday and Lent, something I had been thinking about since last week when I received a reminder from my local Pancake Kitchen informing me of $5 short stacks all day.
It's kind of funny really, traditionally during Lent people will give something up for the 40 days from Ash Wednesday through to Palm Sunday, in memory of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Often we give up luxuries like T.V. or chocolate or the like, but in the 'olden' days the people would give up much more, even staples like eggs, milk and sugar!!
Shrove Tuesday then was a day of permissable gluttony where people would cook pancakes and other delicious foods to use up the last of the stores before entering the Lenten period.
So today there are probably people out there gutsing down their last chocolates, watching the last of the T.V. and doing the last whatever before they give it up for lent.
This got me thinking though, is it really sacrifice when we fully plan to restart whatever it is as soon as this whole Easter thing is over and done with??
So this year I'm revolting, although some would argue that I have been revolting for years. Instead of giving up some token thing for the next 40 odd days, this year I am choosing to rededicate my life to God, and offering my whole life as an act of Sacrifice.
Will you join me this year and instead of giving up something for lent, will you give up your life to God??
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Created In The Image Of God
Soooo, I'm back from New Zealand; the birth place of many "Australian" movie stars and the alleged creators of the good old Australian Pavlova.
The trip was absolutely awesome, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say everyone had a great time and that we have all made friendships that will last forever!!
While I was in New Zealand I had the privilege of preaching at the Manukau Salvos. I spoke on the concept of being created in the image of God as is found in Genesis 1.
As I looked at this passage I saw 4 things that speak to being created in God's image.
First, I saw in this passage that we are each created. God actually took the time and deliberately made us. If God has created us this means that we are intimately known by God, check out Jeremiah 1:5. If God has taken the time to create us it means that we are no cosmic accident and that there must be some reason for our creation. This feeds into my second point
Second, I saw that we are created on purpose for a purpose. Have a look at the creation story in Genesis. Creation was deliberate and ordered, first cam night and day, then sky then land and sea, then the plants, the the sun and moon and stars, then came the sea creatures then animals and birds and finally, after all of this had been put in place came Humans. As I look at this I see that God was preparing creation for humanity, everything necessary for supporting life was put into place before God created us. As far as being created for a purpose, look at Genesis 1: . As I look at this passage I see that as humans we are tasked with taking care of the planet. But perhaps this is not the primary reason for creation. As I read the bible I am convinced that the true reason for our creation is to be in relationship with God. Read Joshua 24: 14 - 15, here we see God reaching out to the nation of Israel and calling them to choose life in relationship with Him. Our primary purpose in life should be to be in relationship with our creator.
Third, I see that we are created in the image of God. Each and every one of us have the potential to share the characteristics of God, characteristics such as justice, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and most importantly; LOVE!!! But, while we have the potential and capacity to share the characteristics of God, we also have the opportunity to reject these characteristics and choose other characteristics such as hate, greed, malice, and selfishness; characteristics that are in sharp contrast with those of God. These characteristics can also have a significant effect on how we see others. If we adopt the character of God, we will begin to see others as being created in His image also. Read Matthew 25: 34 - 40, you can see here that Jesus is calling us to see each and every person as being created in the image of God. As I read the gospels I see many circumstances where Jesus saw people created in the image of His Father and treated them accordingly; there was the Samaritan woman, the Woman caught in adultery, the blind man, the paralytic lowered through the roof, the lame man near the pool and many, many more. In each of these circumstances Jesus saw the image of God in these people and treated them accordingly. Perhaps there is much we can learn from this??
The fourth thing that I noticed was that it is only after humans were created that God says that creation is very good, perhaps it is not too big a stretch to say that we are each very good.
Because of these 4 factors; that we are Created, On Purpose, For a Purpose, In the Image Of God, and that God sees us as being Very Good, is it too much to believe that we are each infinitely valuable in the eyes of God?
Look at John 3:16, it clearly states how valuable we are to God. We are so valuable to God that He became human and then died on the cross in one of the most excruciating deaths imaginable. Look at Acts 2 and 1st Corinthians 6:19, we are so valuable that God has chose us to be His temple, the place where He chooses to live.
Remember, in the Old Testament, God commanded that the Hebrew people create a giant tent where Gods presence could dwell among the people in a tangible sense. Then after the establishment of the nation of Israel God commanded Solomon to build the Temple as a place for Him to live among the people. But as the bible reminds us, the people of Israel abandoned God and as a result God's presence left the Temple, although God was never far away from those who would seek Him (check out Jeremiah 29: 12 - 13). But then in Acts 2, God's Spirit descends and dwells in the hearts of the Disciples and others as the Disciples spread the gospel. Surely, if God has chosen us over some ornate building, then we all must be of more value to God than most of us comprehend.
So I encourage you to see those around you as beings created in the image of the Creator. See their value, see your value and live lives as beings of infinite value to God!!!
The trip was absolutely awesome, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say everyone had a great time and that we have all made friendships that will last forever!!
While I was in New Zealand I had the privilege of preaching at the Manukau Salvos. I spoke on the concept of being created in the image of God as is found in Genesis 1.
As I looked at this passage I saw 4 things that speak to being created in God's image.
First, I saw in this passage that we are each created. God actually took the time and deliberately made us. If God has created us this means that we are intimately known by God, check out Jeremiah 1:5. If God has taken the time to create us it means that we are no cosmic accident and that there must be some reason for our creation. This feeds into my second point
Second, I saw that we are created on purpose for a purpose. Have a look at the creation story in Genesis. Creation was deliberate and ordered, first cam night and day, then sky then land and sea, then the plants, the the sun and moon and stars, then came the sea creatures then animals and birds and finally, after all of this had been put in place came Humans. As I look at this I see that God was preparing creation for humanity, everything necessary for supporting life was put into place before God created us. As far as being created for a purpose, look at Genesis 1: . As I look at this passage I see that as humans we are tasked with taking care of the planet. But perhaps this is not the primary reason for creation. As I read the bible I am convinced that the true reason for our creation is to be in relationship with God. Read Joshua 24: 14 - 15, here we see God reaching out to the nation of Israel and calling them to choose life in relationship with Him. Our primary purpose in life should be to be in relationship with our creator.
Third, I see that we are created in the image of God. Each and every one of us have the potential to share the characteristics of God, characteristics such as justice, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and most importantly; LOVE!!! But, while we have the potential and capacity to share the characteristics of God, we also have the opportunity to reject these characteristics and choose other characteristics such as hate, greed, malice, and selfishness; characteristics that are in sharp contrast with those of God. These characteristics can also have a significant effect on how we see others. If we adopt the character of God, we will begin to see others as being created in His image also. Read Matthew 25: 34 - 40, you can see here that Jesus is calling us to see each and every person as being created in the image of God. As I read the gospels I see many circumstances where Jesus saw people created in the image of His Father and treated them accordingly; there was the Samaritan woman, the Woman caught in adultery, the blind man, the paralytic lowered through the roof, the lame man near the pool and many, many more. In each of these circumstances Jesus saw the image of God in these people and treated them accordingly. Perhaps there is much we can learn from this??
The fourth thing that I noticed was that it is only after humans were created that God says that creation is very good, perhaps it is not too big a stretch to say that we are each very good.
Because of these 4 factors; that we are Created, On Purpose, For a Purpose, In the Image Of God, and that God sees us as being Very Good, is it too much to believe that we are each infinitely valuable in the eyes of God?
Look at John 3:16, it clearly states how valuable we are to God. We are so valuable to God that He became human and then died on the cross in one of the most excruciating deaths imaginable. Look at Acts 2 and 1st Corinthians 6:19, we are so valuable that God has chose us to be His temple, the place where He chooses to live.
Remember, in the Old Testament, God commanded that the Hebrew people create a giant tent where Gods presence could dwell among the people in a tangible sense. Then after the establishment of the nation of Israel God commanded Solomon to build the Temple as a place for Him to live among the people. But as the bible reminds us, the people of Israel abandoned God and as a result God's presence left the Temple, although God was never far away from those who would seek Him (check out Jeremiah 29: 12 - 13). But then in Acts 2, God's Spirit descends and dwells in the hearts of the Disciples and others as the Disciples spread the gospel. Surely, if God has chosen us over some ornate building, then we all must be of more value to God than most of us comprehend.
So I encourage you to see those around you as beings created in the image of the Creator. See their value, see your value and live lives as beings of infinite value to God!!!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
UN4SAKEN
Only 6 more sleeps until I leave for New Zealand!!!
Easter comes early this year, and that means that there isnt long to go until easter Camp is here also. The theme for this year is UN4SAKEN, and reminds us of Jesus' cry from the cross: "My god, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But also reminds us of the fact that God has promised to never leave or forsake us. Check out Psalm 22 when have the chance, the first line of the psalm is "My God, my God, why have you forskaen me?" But as you read on, something changes and towards the end we see that; "The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD..."
As I sit in my office and try to figure out when I can take my holidays this year, I see all of the events that are planned for this year. Summer Celebration is on again an will be held regionally in Torquay, Warrnambool and Kaniva. Fun for all of the family with some unique activities to be held at each event. Some of these activities are yet to be announced, but I can reveal that the innaugural Matthew 14:29 challenge will be held in Kaniva this year!! The basic idea of the Matthew 14:29 cahllenge is this: Each corps is to come to Summer Celebration at the Kaniva pool equipped with their device that will enable them to be like Peter in Matt. 14:29 and walk upon the water. The winner will be the person with the most 'faith', that is the person able to walk the farthest distance on the water down the pool. Competitiors will be considered 'sinking' when the water reaches a point above their knees or when their faith based walking appartus touches the bottom to the pool, or they require assistance from Jesus or any other form of rescue. Anybody who can make it the entire distance walking on the water from deep end to shallow end will win the opportunity to throw their much beloved DY, fully uniformed (Hat, Jacket, Shirt, Tie, Pants and Shoes), into the pool.
Challenges for the remaining Summer Celebrations are in their early formulative stages and more info will be out soon!!
Easter comes early this year, and that means that there isnt long to go until easter Camp is here also. The theme for this year is UN4SAKEN, and reminds us of Jesus' cry from the cross: "My god, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But also reminds us of the fact that God has promised to never leave or forsake us. Check out Psalm 22 when have the chance, the first line of the psalm is "My God, my God, why have you forskaen me?" But as you read on, something changes and towards the end we see that; "The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD..." Sometimes, even when it feels like God isn't present or is a long way off, we need to remember that He is always with us, even if we cant feel His presence, and that even the poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God!!
Something to think about before camp maybe??
Sunday, January 6, 2008
God Is Nothing Like Santa
Well, today is my first official day back in the office for 2008.
Over the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to take some time off and spend it generally relaxing and doing very little. During this time a thought occured to me, I began thinking about how so many people see God as a Santa like figure.
As tradition goes, Santa is a jolly fat old man with a big white beard. Tradition also holds that Santa "... is making a list and checking it twice..." and is going to "...find out if you're naughty or nice." And it is based on this assessment of behaviour over the preceeding 12 months and your status on the 'Naughty' or 'Nice' lists that determines your suitability for presents at the coming Christmas delivery.
As I thought about this I realised that many people often view God as a Santa like figure. People see God as having a naughty and nice list that determines our rewards not only in eternity but also in this life.
People see God as the big bloke who brings you good stuff if you ask him and behave well enough to deserve what ever it is you're currently chasing after. But I'm not too sure that that is really the God that I know.
The God I know doesnt give out gifts based on worthiness, because if that were the case, we would all have nothing.
The God I know gives out gifts based on Love. God loves all of us, irrespective of whether we love, hate, or ignore Him, and because of this He has given us some of the greatest gifts anyone could ever offer. God has given us life, the first and possibly greatest gift we may ever receive. After that God gives us the gift of His Son Jesus. Through the gift of Jesus we receive further gifts of forgiveness and redemption. And from this point the gifts continue to grow and multiply. And the good news; the gifts of life, forgiveness and redemption are guaranteed to all of us, its just up to us to accept them!!
God has no list of naughty or nice, His love and gifts are not conditional on our listed status, and He actually forgets the 'naughty' stuff we do the moment we ask Him to.
So God is no Santa, but thats a good thing.
Who do you put your hope in; God or a fat jolly bloke with a long list??
Over the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to take some time off and spend it generally relaxing and doing very little. During this time a thought occured to me, I began thinking about how so many people see God as a Santa like figure.
As tradition goes, Santa is a jolly fat old man with a big white beard. Tradition also holds that Santa "... is making a list and checking it twice..." and is going to "...find out if you're naughty or nice." And it is based on this assessment of behaviour over the preceeding 12 months and your status on the 'Naughty' or 'Nice' lists that determines your suitability for presents at the coming Christmas delivery.
As I thought about this I realised that many people often view God as a Santa like figure. People see God as having a naughty and nice list that determines our rewards not only in eternity but also in this life.
People see God as the big bloke who brings you good stuff if you ask him and behave well enough to deserve what ever it is you're currently chasing after. But I'm not too sure that that is really the God that I know.
The God I know doesnt give out gifts based on worthiness, because if that were the case, we would all have nothing.
The God I know gives out gifts based on Love. God loves all of us, irrespective of whether we love, hate, or ignore Him, and because of this He has given us some of the greatest gifts anyone could ever offer. God has given us life, the first and possibly greatest gift we may ever receive. After that God gives us the gift of His Son Jesus. Through the gift of Jesus we receive further gifts of forgiveness and redemption. And from this point the gifts continue to grow and multiply. And the good news; the gifts of life, forgiveness and redemption are guaranteed to all of us, its just up to us to accept them!!
God has no list of naughty or nice, His love and gifts are not conditional on our listed status, and He actually forgets the 'naughty' stuff we do the moment we ask Him to.
So God is no Santa, but thats a good thing.
Who do you put your hope in; God or a fat jolly bloke with a long list??
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