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!!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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!!
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