musings.php

Haven’t times changed since we were young? These days our young people face relentless pressure to abuse alcohol, drugs, sex; you name it!

We are seeing a generation grow up in a vacuum of values where violence is all too common.

This is no time to sit on your hands. If we want our children to grow up as healthy, responsible adults, we must give them safe, healthy communities to be a part of; where they can develop the internal strength of character to see them through.

One people group brave enough to buck these trends in society is your local church. I kid you not; churches are counter-cultural communities creating healthy, safe places – an oasis to raise a family.

Make a radical decision to be a part of one of these communities to set your children on the path to the top.

Paul Clark's musings have been collected in a new book, 'Living Life at the Top - 100 reflections on Abundant Life'. Used here with permission.

PICTURE: Danny de Bruyne/www.sxc.hu

ADDICTIONS...

21st May, 2013

Addictions - while we may not like to admit it, virtually all of us suffer from one kind of addiction or another.

While it may not be to drugs or alcohol, every addiction is doing us harm; to work, food, computers, anything.

Addictions are like a cancer that slowly eats away at our health or soul, dragging us down and limiting our potential. They take over who we are, controlling us and our actions.

Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, tried many methods to overcome his addiction to alcohol before he stumbled across the answer he called the "divine paradox". To escape something with a strong hold on you, don’t try harder; place yourself in the hands of something even stronger.

For him there was nothing stronger than God - and no other strength that sought his good and paradoxically gave him freedom - that allowed him to live life at the top.

LOSS...

15th May, 2013

PICTURE: John Siebert/www.istockphoto.com

Loss. What a scary word. We all experience loss to varying degrees. Loss of friendships, loss of health, loss of status, and loss of employment. We are fearful, or even terrified of loss because we so desperately cling to the things around us, rather than surrendering them to God.

Our life should stand for more than simply gathering praise and possessions, for we can too easily place our pleasure and identity in those things, rather than in God. Jesus warns us that our life is short, He warns us that we should not chase riches, and He tells us to be thankful and hopeful, as God knows what we need, and as He feeds the birds, so will He feed us (Matthew 6).

The frustration comes from within our own hearts, when we let things and opinions and our own ego become of greater value than our relationship with God. After all, our life is not to be found in the things of this world. Our life, “is now hidden with Christ in God,” as Colossians 3:3 states.

Be happy with what you have, because God gave it to you, and learn to see Him as the generous Father He is. As Paul reminds us in I Timothy 6, “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

PICTURE: Zentilia/www.istockphoto,com

SPECIAL...

8th May, 2013

My son won a trophy a while ago – but he could care less. It was one of those trophies you get at the end of the season just for playing, not for doing anything outstanding.

When I was younger it took years before I won my first trophy, and boy did I value it. You only got trophies then for being the most outstanding or the most improved.

I understand the sentiment of the modern world; we want our kids to feel good, to have a healthy self-esteem, to all received awards. But to steal a line from The Incredibles; ‘saying everyone’s special is another way of saying no-one is.’

Sure participation and effort should be rewarded, but does giving every player a prize really make kids feel valued when they leave the trophy in the car after the presentation?

TWO DAY WEEKEND...

3rd May, 2013

PICTURE: Constantin Jurcutwww.sxc.hu

The weekend! Ah, what a gift. Two days to forget about the worries and warts of work and do something we love.

The two-day weekend is a very modern phenomenon - something we owe to our Christian heritage, where Saturday was the Sabbath, a day of rest - and Sunday was the day of resurrection - a day of celebration!

But our modern world is slowly eroding this idea of a two-day weekend. After all, how can a modern, sophisticated world operate with such primitive ideas as a day when most people don’t work and all the shops are shut!

How quickly we forget the struggle and hard work that was done to get a two-day weekend, and that what appears to be progress is actually regress!

Forget it - the weekend is coming and I’m going fishing, if I don’t have to work.

FIGHTING AGAINST THE DISTRACTIONS...

30th April, 2013

PICTURE: ginosphotos/www.istockphoto.com

Being a Christian is about the choices we make. Ephesians 4 states that God chose us before the creation of the world, while 1 John 4 reminds us that God loved us before we loved Him.

God is a gentleman. He won’t force us to spend time with Him, or to humbly seek Him. If you find that you are easily distracted by the world and your motivation to spend time with Him is overshadowed by your motivation to watch your favourite TV show, or spend another 30 minutes on the computer, then ask Him for help.

Ask Him to change your motivations, so that your desire to be with Him is greater than every other desire you have. We live in a world that is filled with shiny, yet empty distractions. The more we rely on what the fleeting happiness that the world offers, the less opportunities we give ourselves to see God’s joyful splendour.

Remember, this is not our home. We are merely passing through. May we not get distracted by the earthly detours when our heavenly kingdom awaits, a kingdom that we can experience right now.

STORMS...

23rd April, 2013

PICTURE: Rose Mayer/www.sxc.hu

We talk about the storms of life; those hard times that come and really do shake us up! How we wish there was no such thing!

I heard recently that the storms we find in nature play a very important role in the whole agricultural process. These storms quite literally shake the earth and break up the soil that has compacted over the winter. They aerate the soil and make it easier for plants to grow, and things like worms to do their stuff. Nature’s way of ploughing the soil for planting.

What if this is what the storms in our lives are all about? Shaking up that which has become hard and compacted so that something new and beautiful can grow? The divine ploughing of the soul; the first sign of something new and beautiful.

SCIENCE AND RELIGION....

16th April, 2013

PICTURE: Robert Record/www.istockphoto.com

Science and religion; why don’t they just get along?

Pitting science and religious heavyweights against each other is a sure way to get TV ratings at the moment, or write a best selling book. But is this conflight more than just sound bites and philosophical fury?

It was the spreading of Christianity - with its belief in a rational God who created an ordered, logical world - that actually allowed science to develop and flourish.

Science and theology look at different sides of the same coin. There is no conflict until scientists want to presume too much about theology or theologians want to say too much about science. It would be funny, if it wasn’t so vehement.

Next time you hear such a debate - take a step back, are they even speaking the same language?

DELAYED GRATIFICATION....

12th April, 2013

PICTURE: Nuno André/www.istockphoto.com

If you know anything about child development you would have heard the term, ‘delayed gratification.’ It refers to the point when a child can deny themselves a pleasure until sometime later; eating your veggies first and saving your chicken leg till last or saving money to buy a toy.

In children we recognise the ability to wait, as good - and resisting base impulses as a sign of maturity.

Yet it seems in our society this is where it stops. If you suggest that denial, waiting, moderation, or resisting impulses is a healthy response to pleasures and temptation, you will be called a prude or wowser.

This is ironic in a society where we know over-indulgence is killing us.

Life’s pleasures are there for our enjoyment, but there is an important place for denial, restraint and context to ensure life’s pleasures don’t become life’s destroyers.

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL...

9th April, 2013

PICTURE: Michael & Christa Richert/wwwsxc.com

You’ve probably heard it on TV and read it in the papers. It’s the stock and trade of shock jocks, and simplistic politicians - if we only got rid of all those evil people out there, everything would be OK.

You know the dole bludgers, murders, and paedophiles; the vandals, whingers and whiners, and those who take cash for comment.

What this philosophy fails to realise is that if you make the list long enough – we’re all guilty; we’re all evil. The only way to get rid of evil, is to get rid of us all; every one.

Acclaimed author CK Chesterton, when asked to write an essay on what is wrong with the world, replied in two simple words, "I am".

Strangely this is precisely the first step that is needed to make the world a better place; admit we are the problem.

"IT DOESN'T MATTER"...

28th March, 2013

PICTURE: www.istockphoto.com

"Doesn’t matter mate." It’s a quintessential Aussie saying. "Doesn’t matter!'

It’s what we say when someone does something wrong, but then apologises."It doesn’t matter."

Perhaps what we really mean is; "It does matter, but I forgive you."

We find it hard to say, "it hurt, but I forgive," – but I would argue, that’s a more powerful thing to say.

When we do wrong it does matter. If our faults and foibles didn’t matter, why do we still have war, and terror and pain? These things do matter until and unless someone forgives us.

Thank God that us Australians, are pretty good at forgiving and making things not matter. Thank God that He indeed has done something on a cross, so that He can say to us, about our sins – "I forgive you, it doesn’t matter."

REPENT...

22nd March, 2013

PICTURE: Andrea Kratzenberg/www.sxc.hu

Repent - in a previous Musings we saw how repent, rather than being this overbearing religious word, simply means to change our mind.

Sometimes as people of God we think we only need to repent - change our mind - once! We come to God, repent, then we get all arrogant and hard-headed, like we now know all the answers to everything.

I think repentance isn't supposed to be a once-for-all action, but a characteristic of a life well lived. That we are always open to listen to others - and listen to God - and ready to change our mind on things, knowing that God's ways are so much higher than our ways.

If we did that then this idea of repentance would not be seen as about arrogance, but about what it really is - humility.

PARENTS...

18th March, 2013

PICTURE: B S K/www.sxc.hu

As teenagers and into adulthood we can struggle to appreciate our parents; how much they did for us, how much they love us. It wasn't until I held my own daughter in my arms and was overwhelmed with my love for her, that it dawned on me my own father had once held me in his arms, and loved me the same.

Now that my kids are closer to leaving home, I can understand why my parents appreciate calls and visits and always want to see more of me. Nothing like role reversal to change your perspective!

What if the reason God has asked us to call Him father is not because God is a male chauvinist, but because He wants it to dawn on us one day how much He loves and longs for us - when we finally become parents, too. Nothing like role reversal to change your perspective!

BIRTH...

13th March, 2013

PICTURE: Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo/www.sxc.hu

Many people report being humbled by birth, as they are part of creating a life, an individual human soul; amazing!

For me it is also the actual birth process. When birth comes, it's like you board a freight train hurtling towards an inevitable destination; rounding corners of death and devastation at break-neck speed. You lose all control. You are just a passenger on some divine pathway that has been trod since time immemorial.

You realise this is not about you; there are greater forces in control of the universe than you can ever imagine. You are only along for the ride. And that's from a father's perspective.

Birth and death; they put life in perspective. We are not the architects of our lives, just passengers along for the ride. The sooner we acknowledge that, the sooner we can enjoy the ride.

PLACE...

8th March, 2013

PICTURE: Aric Vyhmeister/www.istockphoto.com

The human desire for a home, or a place, is one that psalmist, psychologists and poets have proclaimed since time immemorial.

We all have this nostalgic longing for home; a home we can't quite remember, that our earthly dwellings only romantically remind us of.

We see this desire for a home manifest in destructive ways when we place 'place' above people. When people start fighting for promised lands.

While recognising that sacred spaces are helpful for our identity, too tight a connection to place can be destructive. We can get stuck; unable to let go and move on.

Ultimately our deep desire for home can only be fulfilled in finding the home we were created for – and such a place is not on this planet. Will you be found at the top?

PROGRESS...

5th March, 2013

PICTURE: Svilen Milev/www.sxc.hu

In the history of humanity there are many areas where progress has been made. Medicine, maths, technology.

Inexplicably, there is one area where no advancement has been made since records began; human behaviour, or what we call human nature.

Although our medicines, machines and methods have improved in so many ways, when it comes to human evil it has just given us ever more clever ways to indulge our base desires, or quicker ways to kill more of our kind.

How do we explain such an inexplicable reality? It seems to confirm what the scriptures have always argued; it is a problem of the human heart that can never be overcome through our own efforts. Only by reconnecting with our Creator does their seem to be any hope of improving human behaviour, and even then it is a work in progress.

OF DREAMS...

28th February, 2013

PICTURE: Svilen Milev/www.sxc.hu

Everybody has dreams, and yet very few people live to see them realised.

However, Proverbs 16 tells us to, “commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” When we accept Him as our Father, we must let go of everything we consider to be “ours,” as we are now a new creation. That means we have a new focus, new responsibilities, new pleasures and new goals.

Frustration comes when we forget that, and repeatedly ask God that He confirm to our will, rather than the reverse, as it should be. He desires total surrender, and as Jeremiah 29:11 beautifully declares, His plans are to prosper us.

I Corinthians 2:9 states, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” That sounds like a far greater plan than anything we could imagine.

CHARACTER...

26th February, 2013

PICTURE: Sanja Gjeneros/www.sxc.hu

Sports psychologists suggest that success is determined by two factors; skill and character.

Some people have amazing skill, but lack the character to turn it into success, or any success is soon spectacularly derailed by their character flaws.

Others may have mediocre skill but through sheer weight of character, achieve success beyond everyone’s expectations.

You are born with a certain skill set. You can improve this to a certain extent through training and practice, but there is no limit to your character development.

In all of life, not just on the sporting field, character development is the best thing you can do to achieve success in life - often because character development will turn what you perceive as success, on it's head.

TRAGEDY...

19th February, 2013

PICTURE: H Berends/www.sxc.hu

TV shows are terrible at portraying tragedy.

A police officer is held hostage, shoots a criminal, crashes through a plate glass window. Yet they brush themselves off and are back at work the next day. It may be escapism, but it makes most of us assume that any person worth their salt can shrug of tragedy like dandruff.

When tragedy strikes, we experience grief, shock, depression - we wonder what is wrong with us that we can't shrug off such feelings, or worse, those around us wonder why we can't get over it like they do on TV.

Tragedy derails the best of us. It pulls the foundations from our lives, and it takes time for us to rebuild. We might not be able to change TV, but we can change our attitude to those who experience tragedy, to help them get back on top.

MATURITY...

16th February, 2013

PICTURE: Enrico Corno/www.sxc.hu

As a young adult I came up with a definition for maturity that I keep coming back to, a definition that continues to challenge me.

Here it is; maturity is knowing the difference between right and wrong, and the time it takes you to do something about it.

Maturity is knowing the difference between right and wrong, and the time it takes you to do something about it.

I'm not talking about the petty rules of life, that sort of right and wrong, but the things that really determine character and integrity - justice, truth, fairness, freedom, honesty.

Knowing the difference between right and wrong, and the time it takes you to do something about it. Following that is certainly the way to a life at the top!

A VALEDICTORY FOR THE AFL

13th February, 2013

For when dollars get into statistics
The "hard gets" will be counted in Grand,
Then the game is turned into a contract
Behind a gambling shake of the hand.

Fiscal changes to footballing numbers
Makes an idol for Biblical fools
AFL games get lost in the betting
But we will still play Aussie Rules.

EXPECTATIONS...

7th February, 2013

PICTURE: Asif Akbar/www.sxc.hu

When I was a child it often happened that if I was highly anticipating some event like Christmas or a birthday party, I would often be somewhat disappointed with the reality.

Meanwhile if I went to an event with low expectations, expecting to be bored, I would be pleasantly surprised and even enjoy myself.

I've come to realise that in life, happiness equals reality minus expectations. Happiness equals reality minus expectations.

This is not to say I don't have a positive outlook towards things, but I've learnt not to believe the hype! This is an important lesson in today's propaganda-laced, spin-sprung, advertising world!

How could this equation help you to bring your happiness to the top? Happiness is reality minus expectations.

DISCIPLINE...

4th February, 2013

PICTURE: pxel66/www.istockphoto.com

Discipline is a word none of us really wants to hear, but in God’s hands it is a powerful tool for our growth.

Hebrews 12 spells it out succinctly. It says, “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

All of us go astray at times, and sometimes it’s only the voice of God that corrects us from walking into danger unknowingly, or even knowingly, as the case may be.

It’s easy to ignore the concerned voices of those around us, but to be dismissive of God’s warning is a dangerous position to take. Always remember that God’s actions and thoughts for us are only motivated by pure love, and thankfully, as Psalm 103:10 gloriously reminds us, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

We can be oblivious to our failings, but God sees what no-one else does. When He disciplines us, we must submit with humility to His way and accept His guidance, understanding that it pours from the heart of a Father who knows what’s best for His beloved children.

SELF-ESTEEM...

29th January, 2013

PICTURE: artur022/www.sxc.hu

In his book, Grace verses Self Esteem, Aussie author Brett Glover, posits that the modern notions of self-esteem, are not as helpful as currently assumed.

Glover points out that many gang leaders, rather than committing crime due to poor self-esteem, have a heightened sense of esteem that leads to feelings of superiority, allowing them to mistreat others.

Their problem isn’t low self-esteem but pride!

While self-esteem can be helpful, sometimes it is just another name for selfishness.

Self-esteem isn’t the answer to our human problem, but Grace is. Only Grace can do two paradoxical things at the same time – which we human’s need;

– remind our ego of how small, broken and insignificant we are

– yet remind our soul how much we are loved and valued. That is where a healthy, sober, self-image is found.

ETHIC...

24th January, 2013

PICTURE: Yurix/www.istockphoto.com

Leo Tolstoy the great Russian novelist and thinker speculated that there were three basic ethics, each an improvement on the last.

The first seeks the well-being of the individual; looking after yourself and remaining agnostic towards the welfare of others.

The second seeks the well-being of a group; where the group could be a family or an entire nation. Tolstoy argues that this ethic, explains the human morality of most human societies, for most of human history.

The third and highest ethic Tolstoy named was serving the one who gave you life; serving God. And we know from the words of Jesus that intrinsic to this is serving our neighbour, as we serve ourselves.

Only this final ethic can produce a stable, mature society able to experience peace.

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE...

22nd January, 2013

In the last few days Lance Armstrong’s confessional interview with Oprah Winfrey has been in the headlines, as the fallout from his performance enhancing drug use has been fully revealed. Oprah bluntly stated that he’s now no longer known as, “champion cyclist Lance Armstrong,” but “disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.”

The former seven time Tour de France winner has shed light on a lot of secrets in the worldwide cycling community, and has admitted that he thought he’d never get caught as he believed he was invincible, and surrounded himself with people who fed that belief.

He was, and is, an undeniably talented athlete, and an inspiration to many for his cancer survival and immense charity works. Whether those good deeds will survive the loss of his reputation remains to be seen, but Armstrong has admitted that, much like his life threatening cancer years ago, this situation has also changed and challenged him, with the aim of making him become a better man. Both Armstrong and Winfrey are not known for their unwavering Christian beliefs, but both ended their four hour interview quoting Jesus’ words that, “the truth will set you free.”

No good can come from secrets, although there may be time for wise discretion, but to bring our true feelings to Him, regardless of how we feel about them is a great act of humility. God knows the secrets of our heart, but like the way He approached the hiding Adam in the Garden of Eden, He wants to hear us speak with honesty. God can do wonderful things when we put the truth about ourselves in the safety of His mighty and forgiving hands.

SEND PEOPLE TO HELL?...

16th January, 2013

PICTURE: Jason Morrison/www.sxc.hu

There are many inconsistencies in our society that we don’t often admit.

Consider the following; we can’t believe in a God who sends people to hell - but we do want our magistrates to be tough on crime.

Do you see the inconsistency? We can’t have it both ways - we can’t have our minor judges tough, if the ultimate judge is a push over.

Justice - especially ultimate justice - cannot be had without a day of reckoning.

I suspect we accept this logical inconsistency because being tough on crime affects others, but God’s judgement affects us!

The reality is, we want justice for others, but we need mercy for ourselves. How can we have both? That’s the cross of Jesus. Jesus does the time for our crimes; justice is done - we receive mercy.

All we need do is own this; own this in our everyday lives.

THE BIRTH OF SOMETHING NEW...

14th January, 2013

PICTURE: István Benedek/www.sxc.hu

The time for New Year’s resolutions has officially arrived. People all over the world will start making plans such as getting in shape or saving more money, and those are good goals, but such plans rarely see fruit.

Within us, God is up to something new – every single day. Isaiah 43:19 challenges us to perceive the new things God is doing, and II Corinthians 5 reminds us that in Christ, we are a new creation.

God is full of daring originality and creativity. He is a God of surprises and wonder.

Proverbs 16 tells us that although man may make plans, God has the final answer, and He asks us to commit our plans to Him. When thinking and dreaming of what you’d like to see happen in your life in 2013, don’t be rash. Spend time with Him, and ask what changes He’d like to see within you this year. 2013, just like every other year, and every other day, belongs to Him, not us.

OPIATE...

2nd January, 2013

PICTURE: David Adams

Karl Marx wrote that "religion is the opiate of the masses". Religion keeps the multitudes in some sort of stupor. The implication being, if you got rid of religion, people would awake from their stupor and live better lives.

While there are some aspects of religion that deserve this criticism, when you remove faith, rather than releasing the masses to move on and progress, society digresses with alcohol, drugs and other illicit items filling the void faith left behind.

Communism itself was not able to overcome the void left by religion and used power and control to try to stupefy the people.

It seems that rather than faith being an opiate, it is the missing piece, the essential element that allows people to live a life at the top.

HEAVENLY HERITAGE...

27th December, 2012

PICTURE: Jayanta Behera/www.sxc.hu

The older we get the more we realise how important our heritage is. Nothing explains who we are more than our family background.

We know that where we come from is one of the strongest factors in determining our identity, values and self-esteem. No wonder family trees become an obsession to many older people.

If our earthly parents are important in determining our value and identity, a spiritual parent can be even more important.

Just as our physical DNA defines a lot about us, so a spiritual DNA can impart to us identity, self-esteem, character and value. It can even go a long way in overcoming the deficiencies of our physical DNA or healing dysfunction in our family background.

Value your earthly heritage, but latch onto a heavenly heritage that can see you living a life at the top.

BOUGHT AT A PRICE...

21st December, 2012

PICTURE: Colin Brough/www.sxc.hu

It’s not a depressing thought to know that time is precious, and life is fleeting.

I Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that, we “were bought at a price.” Our existence is in God’s hands. He bought it at the cost of His Son’s life. That’s how much we are worth to Him. He did whatever it took to bring us back to Himself, and His immense love for all of humanity remains the same.

Foolish and selfish mistakes are made with the false belief that our lives are our own; that we can do with them what we please. We owe God a great debt that we can never repay, and thankfully He doesn’t ask us to. All He asks is that we give back to Him the life He has already given us.

REST

18th December, 2012

PICTURE: John Evans/www.sxc.hu

Most books I've seen on essential human needs list rest in the top 10, somewhat mirroring the idea of a Sabbath as found in the Scriptures. That is, we all need a specific time each week to rest, relax and recreate ourselves.

Yet in today's world of ever increasing productivity and competition, that ‘day off’ sounds like the perfect time to get ahead of the pack and squeeze in a little bit more.

We think by working that extra day we will get ahead, but the truth is we get behind. We get behind in our relationships, we get behind physically and emotionally, we get behind in productivity due to the law of diminishing returns, and we get behind spiritually.

Rest, Sabbath. Not a luxury you can't afford, essential for a life at the top.

IT STARTS WITH A THOUGHT...

14th December, 2012

PICTURE: Ed Garcia/www.sxc.hu

Much emphasis is placed on the importance of avoiding and confessing sinful actions, but the truth is that every action first springs from a thought, even if it’s a fleeting one.

Thoughts can be hidden or denied, because they are private, whereas actions are seen by others. That can make it tempting to embrace sinful thoughts, because we believe there is no audience but us, but, of course, that’s not the case. God is concerned with our inner man or woman and Scripture has a powerful focus on this, as our heart and mind are where our character is formed.

I Samuel 16:7 tells us that, “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” and Mark 12:30 reminds us to love God with all our heart and mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to, “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” while James 1 warns us of the inevitable sin that comes if we ponder destructive thoughts without bringing them to Him.

Jesus taught the crowd to not harbour angry or lustful thoughts. The key is to let no sin be our master, but instead give our every thought and desire to our loving Master.

WORK, REST, PLAY...

11th December, 2012

PICTURE: Mateusz Stachowski/www.sxc.hu

As we were growing up we were told that in the future we would work less and have more leisure time, as technology took over all those mundane tasks. Yet the more technology allows us to do, the more we try to cram in. Now we even have to cram in our leisure time!

It seems that humans need to be productive; and that's a good thing! Yet it also appears that humans have an insatiable appetite for more! More money, more stuff, more tasks. We don't know how to say ‘enough’, or perhaps we fear getting left behind.

What have we done to ourselves? While part of the world is working themselves to death, part is entertaining themselves to death and part are starving to death! Balance. Work, rest and play. If a confectionary jingo can get it right, why can't we?

REPENT...

7th December, 2012

PICTURE: Javier Rodriguez/www.sxc.hu

Repent! That is a word that has taken a whole lot of flack. Yet it is a very simple word that conveys a powerful idea.

Repent means to change your mind. It is an idea at the core of the advertising industry. They constantly ask us to repent, to please consider, to change to their product - they just use different words.

Why has 'repent' got such a bad rap? It’s hard to get someone to change their mind! They’ve got to swallow their pride and admit they were wrong, and that is painful.

If we find it hard to change our mind about our toothpaste, why would it ever be easy to change our minds about the divine questions of life? But I do ask you to look again at these questions, and please consider.

ON FRIENDSHIP...

3rd December, 2012

PICTURE: Sanja Gjenero/www.sxc.hu

What does God say about friendship?

Proverbs warns us that gossip separates friends, and to avoid being friends with quick tempered people, while I Corinthians 15 teaches us that, “bad company corrupts good character". The friendship that Jesus shows us is one based on forgiveness, acceptance and selflessness.

We need to ask ourselves if we show the same qualities with our friends, or are we only friendly because of what we can gain, or when it’s convenient?

Sometimes being a true friend also means to warn and rebuke when necessary, like God has to do with us on occasion. As in every area of life, let God, not the world, be our guide in defining friendship.

MEEK...

27th November, 2012

PICTURE: John McKeage/www.sxc.hu

Rugby league identity Jack Gibson famously said that the NRL state-of-origin proves that the meek won't inherit anything. It's a good line but perhaps, respectfully, Jack didn't understand what meek means.

When I watch the football it seems that many of the hot-heads are headlines today and by-lines tomorrow. Yet the ones who work at their trade and display an amazing humility, like Darren Lockyer, become legends of the game.

Meek doesn't mean doormat!

Meekness is understanding who your are; what your gifts, talents and limitations are. Then learning to operate confidently within these, realising when you need help.

The best state-of-origin squads aren't the ones full of pride-filled, prima donnas, but those that are confident in their abilities, yet humble enough to realise they need to play as a team.

WHY SLEEP MATTERS...

22nd November, 2012

PICTURE: Gözde Otman/www.sxc.hu

I remember an interview years ago with the late Steve Irwin in which he said he hated sleep as it was a waste of his time. He saw it as hindering him from all the goals he wanted to achieve in his lifetime. The truth, however, is that God has designed the human body as the most extraordinary example of miraculous engineering, and He also designed it with the need for rest.

Sleep is a gift, not a troublesome distraction. Even Jesus slept, in the midst of a storm on a rocking boat, no less! That kind of rest is a great experience. It is one in which the mind and body are at complete ease in His presence. Psalm 127:2 clearly tells us, “God grants sleep to those he loves,” and Psalm 3 and 5 both refer to sleep being due to the sustenance and safety God provides. Ecclesiastes 5:12 states that, “the sleep of a labourer is sweet,” and, as many people in God’s Word can attest, sleep can also be a time that God uses to speak to His children, such as when He spoke to Joseph about the birth of Jesus.

Welcome rest after a hard day’s work. As we know, God did so on the seventh day, so accept sleep as a gift from Him.

LEONARDO DA VINCI

19th November, 2012

PICTURE: Sander Klaver/www.sxc.hu

They say there is more information in a major metropolitan daily newspaper than Leonardo da Vinci had access to in his entire life. Yet Leonardo did more with the scant information he had, and what he wondered, than most of us put together. It's a sad reflection on our self-absorbed lives.

Perhaps da Vinci wasn't snowed under with information. Perhaps his thoughts weren't drowned out with data. Maybe he had space to think, and a mind to believe that all the best thoughts weren't already taken.

I bet da Vinci actually lived in a world just like ours, where most minds could not conceive of anything beyond their day-to-day drudgery. But he did.

Dare to dream like da Vinci, that there are still dreams to be dreamt.

THINKING ABOUT OURSELVES. LESS.

14th November, 2012

PICTURE: Piotr Ciuchta/www.sxc.hu

CS Lewis once said that, “humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less".

Let’s be honest. We all think about ourselves. A lot. Most of the thoughts that dwell in to our mind are clearly about our needs and desires.

We don’t talk to that socially awkward person at the bus stop because we’d rather listen to our music. We don’t give money to the homeless man we pass because we need change for coffee, but to love others in the way Jesus does is to be selfless in thought, and active in deed.

The Bible’s most famous verse declares this beautifully. John 3:16 states that God loved the world so much, He gave His one and only Son, so that we may believe in Him.

God saw humanity’s greatest need, and He gave us our greatest gift. He gave us a way out of our destructive lives. That’s what love does. It offers an answer to a better life. Sometimes loving others hurts, but God is willing and able to equip us to show the world His love, and there are opportunities for that every day. It may be as simple as giving to someone in greater need than you, or it may be offering counsel or even correction to someone going astray.

Loving the way Jesus loves is not always easy or popular, but it’s always rewarding, as we can attest by examining the fierce and uncompromising way in which He continues to pour out His love toward us.

CORPORATIONS...

7th November, 2012

PICTURE: Gavin Terpstra/www.sxc.hu

Nameless, faceless, omnipresent, all pervading. These at terms we usually associate with Divinity, but quite aptly describe corporations.

These things that surround, define and now control our lives. Beyond geographical, political and cultural boundaries, they are the new gods of our godless age. We worship in their air-conditioned temples of convenience and never question the choices they blithely place before us.

In an irony of our times, we question the old institutions of church and state - but lap up the titillating offerings of the corporations without question.

Corporations; they have the rights of a person, but little responsibility, accountability, and definitely no soul.

And we blindly go about thinking there are no longer any idols in our modern world.

No wonder there was that old command; worship the Lord only.

A LIFESTYLE NOT A HOBBY...

2nd November, 2012

PICTURE: f11photo/www.istockphoto.com

The lives of Joseph during his imprisonment, the man asking his friend for bread during the night, the persistent widow, and, of course, Jesus crying in the Garden of Gethsemane all teach us the importance of determination.

Following Christ should never be treated as a hobby. It is a lifestyle. The Word of God asks us to, “pray continually,” and to, “finish the work,” and to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

James 1 tells us that when our faith is tested, we should consider it “pure joy,” as it develops perseverance within us, which will lead to our maturity.

It is far too easy to become distracted and led astray by things of the world, and by the unsacrificed struggles within us, but God wants us to be people who don’t give up because, as we all too clearly know, God doesn’t give up on us, and the reward both now and eternal is far greater than any temporary distraction.

TECHNOLOGY!...

30th October, 2012

PICTURE: Brian Jackson/istockphoto.com

Technology! It is amazing how quick and all pervading technology has become - and how powerful! i-this, i-that!

With the latest tablets we hold astonishing power in our hands; more power than most knew in their entire lives only a generation ago.

It is sad that most of us will only ever use them at best for games and entertainment.

With great power comes great responsibility. As I type on my tablet I am awed with the responsibility I have been given. I must do something worthwhile with it. Waste this and I am also wasting another precious gift - life.

Life and technology; precious gifts. Do not waste them.

ON MOTIVATION...

26th October, 2012

PICTURE: Alex Bramwell/www.sxc.hu

Rules created by men and women will not draw us closer to God. The Pharisees didn’t believe that, even when the Saviour was staring them in the face.

For some people, their natural, earthly perception is to strive to please God but the time for striving by our own power finished with Christ. He said so on the cross in His final words. The time for acceptance and belief followed.

In I Thessalonians 1, Paul reminds us to check our motivation, and to have your “work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If our relationship with God is not an outward pouring of our inward desire for Him, and is instead motivated by a sense of religious duty or for the acclaim of others, then we must repent.

Being busy isn’t the same as being holy. We can’t come to Him in our own way. God knew that and sent us His perfect Son, so that we will never have to.

GENEROSITY...

23rd October, 2012

PICTURE: Jayanta Behera/www.sxc.hu

At a time of increasing financial pressures, one of the first things we can be tempted to drop off our ever-tightening budget is generosity.

But as everything else becomes tight, generosity is the one thing we can least afford to give up, for generosity keeps us human in inhumane times.

As pressure builds on our purse strings there is a corresponding pressure for us to jealously hoard what we’ve got left and to become mean spirited towards others. But this lack of compassion dries the heart and ensures we become scrooged of soul.

Generosity is the antidote. Sensible giving, despite financial pressures, frees us from the tyranny of materialism and the control of money. It reminds us that there are much more important things in life than the holy dollar.

NO LIMITS...

18th October, 2012

PICTURE:Michael Zimmermann/www.sxc.hu

The Bible is filled with stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God, because nothing about God is ordinary.

Those who limit themselves and doubt what they may be able to achieve are basing decisions on fear without the full knowledge of God. All the great people we read about were just like us – fallible, doubtful and afraid, but those were, and continue to be, precisely the people God loves to use, as it draws us closer to Him and shows the magnitude of His power, as well as His willingness to unleash it.

A person who has complete confidence in God can achieve much in this life. God’s Word dares us to ask in order to receive (Matthew 7:7), and it dares us to believe that God can do more than we imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

If we pray only for things that we can achieve under our own power, we are not giving God the glory He so richly deserves. Pray and believe in the kinds of things that God alone can achieve. That’s the real power of testimony.

LAMENTS...

16th October, 2012

PICTURE: SSPIVAK /www.sxc.hu

Have you ever felt down, only to have a friend encourage you to ‘forget your troubles, put on a smile and get over it?’

While there is a role for ‘positive thinking’ as a way out of the blues - there is a danger that this way of thinking can become a cliché that pushes the pain down deeper, leaving it to errupt at a later date in a worse condition!

There is a dishonesty to this approach that does not accord with Scripture.

The psalms record many laments; people crying out to God in their pain. Even Jesus, on the cross cries out in lament, "my God, my God why have you abandoned me".

The way through pain is not via denial, but by honestly crying your pain to the only one who can do anything about it - God.

MAKING ROOM FOR GOD...

11th October, 2012

PICTURE:Diego Medrano/www.sxc.hu

Let God’s voice be the loudest in your heart. Give it the most room, the most contemplation and the most obedience.

Wherever we are, we are faced with distractions and temptations. We may have more technology, and more entertainment options available to us these days, but the war that rages inside us has remained true since the Garden of Eden.

Learning to trust in God’s goodness and timing is a difficult but necessary lesson for us all. Temporary pleasures will not bring us closer to the delight dwelling in Him.

God wants to be our first choice, not our last resort, and we will never be disappointed when we choose to believe the words of Jesus in Matthew 6 - “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

DECAY...

8th October, 2012

PICTURE: Billy Alexander/www.sxc.hu

The natural state of the universe is decay; everything is moving downward, deteriorating, declining except where we find this amazing thing called life. Life brings energy causing growth.

This is not just a physical reality but also true of societies.

Societies themselves will decline in values, morality and civility unless individuals and groups inject positive energy into the system.

This is a huge responsibility, we can’t leave this injection to others - what life and energy are you adding to the system?

Of course the bigger question is where does life come from? Western society has long believed that all life comes from The Creator. Only when we are connected to the Creator does life truly flow in and through us for the benefit of all, leading us to the top!

GETTING YOUR "HANDS DIRTY"...

28th September, 2012

PICTURE: Alicia Jo McMahan/istockphoto.com

God’s presence should be sought, but we must also unleash what we absorb.

We should desire not to just feel good, but to do good. The Christian life is all about balance, and if we spend too much time dwelling in His presence (although that’s a good thing to aim for) and not enough time living out His teachings, then we will quickly become irrelevant, and that’s something that we can’t afford to be to a dying world.

Jesus made sure to commune with His Father, but He also got His hands dirty in the lives of the people around Him. Christianity isn’t just about knowing, but primarily about living. God sees the big picture. Everything He does within us is not only for our benefit, but also for others. Let’s share and celebrate what we learn of our Creator.

Next time God blesses you, see it as an impetus to be a blessing to someone else.

MATERIALISM...

24th September, 2012

PICTURE: Yello-Dog/www.sxc.hu

Have you worked it out yet? Have you unmasked the lie?

More stuff won’t make you any happier.

It gives you a high that lasts a couple of days, before you need another fix!

You can maintain this addiction – as long as you don’t run out of cash – and you don’t mind the clutter – but long term - it doesn’t satisfy.

We know what makes us happy. Beyond a certain level of wealth and health, it’s all about purpose, relationships and a spiritual connection.

Unfortunately these things aren’t relentlessly advertised on television – yet these are the things that once found, led to a life – at the top!

KEEPING IT HUMBLE...

20th September, 2012

PICTURE: Marek Uliasz/istockphoto.com

Humility is a choice. We can either choose to humble ourselves, or God may very well do it for us. I know which option I’d rather choose. If Jesus can humble Himself on a cross, how could we possibly not be humble?

Sure, we can be thankful for the person God has made us, and the gifts He’s blessed us with, but we are simply stewards of His gifts, tasked with their wise use.

We should not allow ourselves to think we are owners of those gifts, as we will have to give an account for all that He’s given us. Use your skills for His glory, and not for your egos.

Don’t try and take God’s credit. Psalm 155 says it best – “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

OF IDEALISTIC KIDS...

12th September, 2012

PICTURE: Michal Zacharzewski/www.sxc.hu

Parenting is hard and it’s impossible to get right.

It’s easy when our kids are young to mistake their natural idealism, morality and goodness, as inherent character that will last a lifetime.

But the onslaught of hormones and peer pressure, during teenage years, can see our little angels break our hearts as they suddenly break all the rules.

Natural goodness must be strengthened in our young children. An important way to do this is through communities we belong to who will reinforcing our values, and who will journey with our kids through those turbulent adolescent years.

Don’t neglect spiritual formation thinking idealism will last forever. Show your children the path to walk when they are young. It gets much harder if you wait till they are older and departing from it.

HEAVEN...

10th September, 2012

PICTURE: majaFOTO/www.sxc.hu

I used to think heaven was about the stuff. All the coolest stuff in the universe would be there.

As I got older I realised heaven wouldn’t be about stuff but about people. All the people I love and all the people who have loved me would be what made heaven, heaven. Of course Jesus Himself would be there.

While I do believe that is part of heaven, now I realise that what will make heaven, heaven, is that I will be different, I will be changed.

At the moment my natural inclination is to sin. If I went to heaven despite the best stuff and the most wonderful people, I would wreck it. But if I invite Jesus into my life He changes my very nature. Then I will follow Him by choice and natural inclination – that is what will make heaven, heaven.

OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS...

6th September, 2012

PICTURE: spiz/www.sxc.hu

Selfishness always asks of something, even from a hurting person.

Selfishness is desperate for validation from others, and can come so easily to us, yet is so foreign to God’s heart. When our sense of purpose, identity and value come from a source other than God, it is a dangerous road to be on. No person, no matter how much we love them and they love us, can compare with the abundant passion and affection God offers.

We need to make sure we represent Christ correctly before each other, and the world. Sin is anchored in putting ourselves above all others, whereas holy love thinks of others first. When we speak, or act, or even think, we must first ask ourselves, “Am I mirroring God’s love in this, or am I placing my needs before the needs of those around me?” The more time we spend in humility and surrender with God, the easier it will become to show His love through the way we choose to live.

As I Thessalonians 3:12 reminds us, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.”

BAD RELIGION...

3rd September, 2012

Bad religion. It’s the scourge of our modern world. There’s a tendency in our society, when we come across bad religion to replace it with no religion; secularism. But this doesn’t work.

There’s a story of the landlord who had a terrible tenant. He finally booted him out, fixed up the house and swept it clean. But because of his bad rental experience he decided to leave the place empty.

Well the old tenant came back and, finding the place empty, moved in with seven of his mates. Lets just say the ending was worse than the beginning.

Replacing bad religion with no religion doesn’t work; we are spiritual beings. If we can’t find sane religion we’ll replace it with any old 1900 nonsense we can find.

Bad religion is only overcome with good religion.

ON THINKING BEFORE LEAPING...

29th August, 2012

PICTURE: Pannawish Jarusilawong/www.sxc.hu

How easy it is to become self absorbed these days. We have so many online avenues to express our opinions, our thoughts and our “witty” comments without thinking about the reactions of those who read them, that it can become very dangerous.

As ambassadors of Christ we must strive at all times to employ a “Father filter” on how we reveal ourselves to the world. Too often we use our mouth before our mind.

James 1:9 asks that we, “be quick to listen, slow to speak". The world is more connected than ever before, and we have more ways to tell others what we feel than ever before, that if we do not exercise godly wisdom, we may just say or do things that we quickly regret.

We must remember that as children of God, we choose to think of others before ourselves, and as we do so, we are able to rejoice that we don’t need to be so focused on ourselves, because God already is.

THE EIGHTH DAY...

23rd August, 2012

PICTURE: Billy Alexander/www.sxc.hu

Seven was a special number to the ancient Jews. God in creation had put in place a seven-day cycle; six days to work and one to rest. The Jews didn’t simple see this as a weekday reality, but a cosmic reality. History would one day culminate with the coming of the Messiah, when all Israel would enjoy her Sabbath rest.

Every weekly Sabbath was a reminder of the ultimate Sabbath, when they would rest with God.

But the resurrection did something more; Jesus didn’t rise on the Sabbath – Jesus rose on the first day of a new week, what the church father’s called the eighth day, and inaugurated a new epoch, a new era - not rest but resurrection. That’s why the church worships on Sunday, the eighth day, to celebrate this new reality !

ON DISAPPOINTMENT...

20th August, 2012

PICTURE: treefaerie/www.sxc.hu

The only reason we get disappointed with God is because we think we know what’s best for us. The truth is – we don’t, as much as we’d like to think that we do. God formed us, and He sees the future that is hidden to all but Him.

James four reminds us that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and that life is so fragile (“a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”), that we should trust God’s designs for our life. There’s a power and beauty in surrendering each of our hopes and desires in to His hands.

Yes, it’s tough because we want reassurance, we want certainty, we want answers, and we want them now, but to so desperately chase after our own plans without involving God is not an act of faith. It is a product of fear, and not truly realising the vast goodness God has promised us all.

To throw the dreams of our heart before the mighty cross is an act of worship. It is acknowledging that our life, and every part of it, now belongs to Him. I Corinthians 6:20 declares, “you are not your own; you were bought at a price,’” and there’s no greater Owner to commit our very lives to.

PICTURE: Diego Medrano/www.sxc.hu

HEAVENLY FATHER...

18th August, 2012

‘Who am I?’ When I was young, I would get frustrated when people asked me that question; Who are you?

They seemed to be searching for something deeper than my name or hobbies.

The older I’ve got the more I realise the best way to answer the question - ‘who am I?’ - is in terms of ‘whose I am.’ We are intrinsically shaped by our parents; we see mum in the mirror and dad in our decisions.

Yet just as a mum and dad are key in shaping who we are, so a heavenly Father is crucial for shaping our identity and character - indeed sometimes more than our earthly parents.

A heavenly Father can help to overcome any deficiencies in our earthly experience, and beckon us to a higher call; a life at the top? Is it time you got a heavenly Father involved in your life?

NEVER ALONE...

14th August, 2012

PICTURE: Sanja Gjenero/www.sxc.hu

We are never alone, especially in our suffering. Of course, at our worst moments it can feel like we are, but we can hold on to God’s wonderful promises, such as 1 Peter. Chapter five reminds us that the, “God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Romans five mirrors this truth by stating that we can rejoice not only in the glory of God, but also in our suffering, as we know it serves a purpose in developing our perseverance, character and hope, “and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts.” Often we only see what is directly in front of us, and are swayed by the reactions of others, or situations beyond our control, but to fix our eyes on Christ is to receive, “ the peace of God which transcends all understanding,” as Philippians four mentions.

Let us also remember Jesus is our eternal strength and comfort; a high priest who is “able to sympathise with our weaknesses", so we can approach Him with confidence, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” as Hebrews four states. Let’s be people who are also willing to help the hurting in our midst and offer emotional and spiritual support. At times, we all need someone to pray with and someone to listen, or just someone to ask how we’re doing who actually cares about our answer.

DISCIPLE DECISIONS...

10th August, 2012

PICTURE: © Kim Freitas/sxc.hu

Someone once told me, "It's hard to around someone who continually
challenges us."

That got me wondering. How difficult must have it been for the disciples to be continually around Jesus? Jesus often corrected them. He told them they were slow to learn. He told them they had little faith. He challenged their faith and thinking.

Here is a selection of what He said:
"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Matthew 8:26
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. Matthew 15:16
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Matthew 16:23

So, I wondered, did the disciples ever think of returning to their simple lives? They were simple men but they had feelings. They had self-respect. They felt self-important as can be seen by their arguing over who would be
the greatest (Luke 9:46).

But they stayed and took what Jesus had to say, even though it got to the point where they were afraid to ask him questions (Luke 9:45).

I wondered, would I have stayed or gone back to a simple life?

What would you have done?

PICTURE: Patrick Nijhuis/www.sxc.hu

LEADERSHIP...

8th August, 2012

I grew up seeing the dark-side of leadership; dictators who were more interested in serving themselves than the group. My reaction to this was to avoid taking-the-lead at all costs. Because I didn’t want to become the next dictator!

Yet this reaction of avoiding leadership, left a leadership void that was just as destructive as having a dictator. The opposite of bad leadership is not no leadership - but good leadership. Leadership is not the problem, but the people leading. Leadership is crucial for the success or failure of any human endeavour.

The antidote to bad leadership is not to avoid becoming a leader, but being determined to be the best leader you can be. The fact that you know what ‘bad leadership’ looks like makes you a great candidate to lead well.

A PURPOSE IN ALL THINGS...

6th August, 2012

PICTURE: amaze646/www.sxc.hu

Everything God does has a purpose. There is no person or situation beyond His redemption, or holy use.

We may hope that our times of suffering or distress be over as quickly as possible, but those times are temporary and can often be for our good. They can be used to achieve the strengthening of our hearts and the refinement of our character, to more fully reflect His truth and glory. If we allow Him, and are sensitive to His leading, we can humbly present ourselves, and our circumstances to Him, as clay to be molded in the perfect hands of the Potter.

The author of Hebrews, in 13:21, asks that Jesus, “that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him.” Before you experience discomfort or emotional uncertainty, don’t necessarily pray that it leave you, but ask God how He’s using the situation to draw you nearer to Him. If we continue to flee from our problems, we may also be fleeing from valuable lessons He wants to teach us.

OF RECONCILIATION...

2nd August, 2012

PICTURE: www.sxc.hu

As we develop fresh, Biblically-driven insight into the kind of country will we not find we deepen respect for ourselves and particularly those fellow citizens who are the descendents of those who have lived on this soil for millennia before British and European and, more latterly, Asian and other settlers from around this globe?

Whatever Christian politics is, we are called to be a reconciliatory politics. Reconciliation is not just an occasional feel-good policy plank; it is a structural characteristic of a Christian search for public justice.

Reconciliation must also be regional, led by a genuine repentance for presumptive exploitation of our neighbours as if they are there simply for our own benefit; that means a generation-to-generation repentance from political presumption that we Christians somehow deserve the blessings God has been pleased to shower upon us in this land.

REMEMBERING OUR POLITICIANS...

30th July, 2012

PICTURE: David Adams

As we go about our daily responsibilities, sooner or later we find ourselves expressing some view about those fellow citizens whose lives have become absorbed in political service. It may be a local councilor, or a parliamentary representative or a public servant. We'll be thinking about some decision they have made; some policy they have brought forward. Sooner or later. Count on it.

And as we do so, let us spare a thought for those serving us as our parliamentary representatives. Spare a thought for those who have made a career for themselves by involvement in some or other political party. It's a tough life for politicians particularly for those constantly in the media spotlight like the PM, the Treasurer and Leader of the Opposition - how do they, and their families, keep going with their faces exposed on TV every night and every morning?

And then what about those back-bench members who have their time cut out representing their electors and responding to requests, even while they think their party has lost the plot and has embarrassed them by renouncing their election promises, or embarking upon a campaign that's sure to lose next time? How can these, our fellow citizens, endure such tension and uncertainty, such pressure day in and day out? How can they ride along with the immoral and self-serving demands of the party machines?

HOLINESS...

9th July, 2012

PICTURE: abcdz2000/www.sxc.hu

Peter encourages us in I Peter 1 when he states, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

Holiness is a word we rarely hear, especially from within the world. To some, the expectation of holiness conjures images of people wearing robes, and living in a remote mountain village. Holiness, righteousness and purity must be incorporated into the daily Christian life, though. It is not the duty or calling of a select few. The truth is that every believer is held to the same expectations of holiness, regardless of our past, or our struggles.

That’s not to say that we, of course, all have an easy time achieving, or moving towards, holiness. It does mean that we should try though, as the Christian life is, or rather should be, one of constant transformation. As Paul says in I Corinthians 13:11, “aim for perfection…live in peace. And the God of peace will be with you.”

SATISFACTION IN GOD...

6th July, 2012

PICTURE: punnks/www.sxc.hu

Have you ever been in that place where you are completely satisfied in Him? It’s a beautiful experience, but one we so rarely attain. How do we get there?

The obvious answer would be to pray, fast and meditate on His Word, which is true, but to be utterly wrapped in His embrace to the point where nothing is a distraction comes from asking ourselves tough questions.

We know we can not have one foot in the world, and one foot in the kingdom, which leaves everyone of us to ask, “why is the world so attractive to me?” Again, the obvious answer would be to blame our sinful tendencies, but to go deeper we need to examine our hearts. What’s on your mind throughout the day, if not God? What do you put your time and resources in to, if not Him?

Psalm 34:8 tells us to, “taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” What a glorious challenge! That talks not about just knowing the goodness of God, but being wrapped in it, being captivated and defined by it. What is it about that relationship, that object or that hobby that is so hard to give up, or give to God? What are you seeking in worldly things that you could instead be seeking in Him?

God waits to satisfy our every need if we would simply dare to ask Him. Let’s not chase after the pleasure of a cheap imitation when we have the rich satisfaction of a loving and generous Creator that is beyond compare to anything else this world could offer us.

FRIENDS OF GOD'S SON, PART 2...

4th July, 2012

PICTURE: April Bell /www.sxc.hu

Many people think that being a Christian means doing something really different and extra special so God will be pleased with and so we can wear a special Christian smile on our face or in our heart - something like that.

But Jesus seems to have wanted His friends to be ordinary friends; to learn how to enjoy each other's company, to even learn how to enjoy daily work as well as daily bread, and even to find fulfillment in the work we do (that may be a miracle for some!), caring for each other and helping to make our lives an enjoyable time from when we are born until when we die. This doesn’t mean no heartaches or pain or tears. Rather it means service, full on, full time.

So what He wanted was not something out of the ordinary. It was not spooky but simply living with gratitude for being here, thanking the One who got us here who has assured us that has taken responsibility for it all. Becoming friends with God's Son means we are openly making our friendships wider and more loving and still more kind. That’s the path along which he calls us to walk.

FRIENDS OF GOD'S SON, PART 1...

2nd July, 2012

PICTURE: Tsunei Miyuki/www.sxc.hu

As Christians, as disciples of Jesus, we are enrolled as students in His school. Some of us even become teachers – tutors, as it were, of the Senior Lecturer who is in charge of the course, our life. And Jesus said that there was a special "thing" in His course, the "diploma" He taught which would show everyone else that we are His disciples. This was His special seal on the testamur.

Do you know what that is? It is that we love each other just as He had loved us. We are called to love and enjoy what we are doing, loving God's world and loved insiders, outsiders and everyone else. We are to care for and encouraged one another. We do this having taken up the cross and followed after Him.

At first Jesus sent His students to get things ready in the next town they were to visit. As Jesus' disciples, His friends, they were also "apostles" - sent specially by Jesus to do a particular task. He was teaching them to see themselves as sent, to do whatever God had called them to do and to serve Him, and to be themselves, to use whatever gifts they had to love each other and build communities which nurtured a fresh love for God that cared for the neighbor, for everyone.

But now, when we think about it, this is what we have been born to do - to care for each other, to love one another and love God and follow his rule for how we care for others and the planet.

HOPE...

18th June, 2012

PICTURE: www.sxc.hu

The word “hope” is mentioned 166 times in the Bible. Isaiah 40:30-31 tells us that, “even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength". Romans 8:24-25 says, “hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

You can never go wrong by placing your hope in His hands. It’s the safest place for it. Not hope in what He’ll do for you, but hope in the certainty of His character, hope in the power of His love, and hope in the victory of His Word.

We may place our hope in unpredictable areas, such as a footballer’s ability, or in lotto numbers, or even star signs. We hope this person likes us, or that person notices us, but all these things are based on uncertainty. There’s nothing wrong with hope. That’s what drives us to pray – hope for a better situation, hope for more of Him within us, but we must treat our hope, and all the emotions and expectations that go with it, with great care.

Hebrews 6 reminds us that God Himself has offered us hope and that, “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Often our frustrations and disappointments arise from placing too much hope outside of God, but we must learn that the only worthy place for our hope is the unshakeable, unchangeable, and ever reliable God.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY...

15th June, 2012

PICTURE: Michal Rybski/sxc.hu

I reflect upon the pipes and wires coming into and going out from my little place. What a dynamic system of water, gas, electricity, telephone and sewerage! And we hardly ever give it a thought. But some people have to and if they don't then we are in trouble, big trouble. Without those many people serving us and thinking about these systems and doing what they do to construct and maintain them, our lives, even in our "modern" and "technologically sophisticated" communities, will be severely interrupted. I guess too this musing on a web-journal is also dependent upon those wires!

Water, gas, electricity, telephone, waste water, sewerage are all part of public health. And there's more of course. There's the weekly rubbish collection, and some enterprising local governments have green waste collections (tree and plant cuttings) as well as hard rubbish collections for old furniture and appliances. And then there's the division of the electricity company that regularly lops over-hanging branches from power lines, as well as road maintenance crews filling pot-holes, ensuring roads are properly maintained and footpaths safe for pedestrians. All in the interests of public health and the convenience of our complex, highly differentiated lives.

These are infrastructures of our daily needs these days and they are just like our bread, just like the earthy stuff Jesus taught us to pray about. These are indeed the things we should think about when we consider the flowers of the field and the birds of the air, as we give thanks to the Lord for the way we are served, and our lives maintained, for the way He has made our life so rich and full!

A NIGHT OF PRAYER...

13th June, 2012

PICTURE: sxc.hu

Last night my church had a mega prayer night. We got together to pray and worship.

We prayed for our pastors. Their family is going through difficult times with sickness right in the middle of a crucial moment in our congregation’s calendar.

We prayed for our country. We prayed for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit across this land. We prayed for many different prayer requests that people had written and submitted. Other countries received prayer for financial burdens to be eased, for inner turmoil to cease and for leaders to be wise.

We grabbed a partner and prayed with them. We sang songs of worship, thanks and praise. In all, more than 5,000 Christians gathered together to pray. It was noisy but it was wonderful.

For the Bible says: "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song". Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV)

We certainly did that.

SELF HELP?

11th June, 2012

PICTURE: Aleksandra P./www.sxc.hu

Every time I see a section labeled, “Self Help” in a bookstore, it makes me laugh. The very idea is absurd. We can not help ourselves. The entirety of human history has surely proved that by now. Sure, we can follow guidelines or principles which may make us productive for a season, but to look for life changing results, we must look to the life saving Author.

II Corinthians 5:17 is one of Scripture’s most wonderful, joyous promises. It states that, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!”

Paul was so convinced by the power and splendour of this profound, freeing truth that he stamped an exclamation mark at the end of it.

I love that. You are not defined by your past deeds if you are in Christ. The old has gone. You are not yet the person you are meant to be, and you will never be the person you once were. That’s not to say that God will change the very core of our being and cause us to forget who we are. He won’t give us amnesia. He will work with what we give Him. Romans 12 says to be, “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” He will renew your mind, not remove it.

THE CREATOR'S HAND AT WORK...

4th June, 2012

JEFF BAKER

Cape Leveque, Kimberley, WA. PICTURE: Jeff Baker

Watching the sunrise spending time with God rarely fails to bring encouragement and hope to my life.

Recently, I watched another beautiful dawn and was inspired by its absolute unique arrival. Some days begin with soft golden light fading the black night sky to to a cobalt blue; a prophesy of warm sunshine and a clear, bright day. Some days are like a fire on the horizon burning through charcoal clouds, foretelling of challenges and some buffeting that's coming.

But in the grandeur that's found in both I am reminded that the Creator will fashion something beautiful and unique from every circumstance that rises to meet us if we will just keep hope and faith in Him. (Romans 8.28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them".)

This is not a desperate sentimentality, but the confidence that comes from a real connection to the Father of creation that only faith in Christ can supply. Trust in Him and let your faith find His voice speaking hope and encouragement into your life. If His mercies are made new every morning, then we must need new mercies to meet each new day, like fresh manna from Heaven where yesterday's provision cannot sustain.

Make it your first priority to seek God's presence in a quiet place, for His daily bread is not found on the doorstep, but can only be delivered in person and shared in divine fellowship with Him. We cannot tell what a day will bring. sunshine or storm. But we can live it out with the presence of God in our lives. If it be a storm, He will ride it with us; if it be sunshine, it will have all the more joy.

Psalm 119.147: "I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words".

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO CHRISTIAN POLITICS STUDENTS...

4th June, 2012

PICTURE: Tiffany Szerpicki/sxc.hu

As students of politics, our aim should be to become qualified analysts of public justice, who offer concrete every-day perspectives to help our neighbours.

They too, just like us, have to negotiate the complex differentiated difficulties we all face, and in sharing the load we learn that human responsibility is never put on ice. Life in God's Kingdom is now and not left until the end of some lifelong and mythic assembly line.

So keep studying, but remember who you are: a member of "Jesus' school". Neither do we melt as we study within problematic course structures. We seek instead to sense the leading of God's Spirit that will freshen up our studies. Our responsibility remains intact. God, in Christ, confirms us in His image.

That is the gifted context in we live, relying upon Christ Himself to integrate our lives, as citizens of His Kingdom, and in that citizenship we act out our membership in this political community, locally, state, federal and regionally. Even globally. We love our neighbours as ourselves, acting justly with mercy, looking to the Coming of the Resurrected and Ascended King.

BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY...

31st May, 2012

I love being part of a church. When people require it, the community of believers is there to help with all kinds of needs.

At our church we have a welcome lounge. Visitors and first-timers can sit down for a coffee, tea or hot chocolate and learn more about the church. Often we have people coming who have just moved from overseas and need help setting up their home with furniture or just get connected into the church. We are able to help them or point them in the right direction and the joy on their face is great to see.

Then there are those people who come because their life is at rock bottom. Through the church they have people who accept them. They have people who will listen to them. They can have prayer and pastoral care for whatever issue they are going through. They find Jesus. And their lives start to change. Their faces light up and they start serving others.

And through the serving of others, their lives change even further. People are almost unrecognisable from the person they were when they first walked through the doors.

If there is anywhere on earth that should be life-changing, it’s a congregation of believers. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 (NIV))

OF QUILL PENS...

28th May, 2012

PICTURE: Alan Taylor

Whilst walking through the City of Perth recently I came across a pen shop. In the window were a lot of quill pens. I’ve always loved fountain pens but these pens were on another level. There were blue feather, black feather and white feather quills. All were complete with inkpots.

I stood there imagining people of yesteryear dipping their quills into their inkpots and writing in exquisite script to their friends and anyone else they needed to write to.

Nowadays, unless they are of an older generation, people rarely write personal letters to friends or relatives. They rarely send an email with an update of what is happening in their lives. Most people keep up to date via Facebook and other forms of social media with their short status updates.

When I read the letters of the New Testament and become absorbed in them, I’m grateful that Twitter wasn’t around in those days.

WHEN A POWER CUT REMINDS US OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT...

25th May, 2012

PICTURE: Alessandro Paiva/www.sxc.hu

My church recently had a power cut during the first half of our service, but it was a pleasant reminder that we don’t really need much to worship Him. All we need is a room full of hungry and humble hearts, as that’s all that God requires. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with electricity (we’re not Amish), but when the show rather than the Saviour becomes our focus, we are in trouble.

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” God loves it when His people are united in praise and adoration for Him, especially considering unity is something we rarely see in the world.

Be prepared every Sunday (well, every day) to praise and worship Him, and with an undivided heart and mind. Don’t be distracted. Time with Him is far too precious to let pass you by. If you go to church and miss out on being touched or comforted by Him, Sunday morning will soon become a social gathering, rather than a spiritual time of refreshing.

JESUS' SENSE OF HUMOUR?...

21st May, 2012

PICTURE: Aleksandra P./www.sxc.hu

Sometimes when I read the Gospels I wonder what it would have been like to travel around with Jesus. There is so much of his life that is not documented.

I wonder about his humour. He must have had a sense of humour. Walking around with a bunch of men all day would be pretty funny at times. Especially with Peter in the group.

Peter was known for speaking first and thinking later. I imagine there would have been laughter over some of the things Peter said. Jesus and Peter would have joined in the laughter too.

When Jesus told Peter to catch a fish and use the coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:27), I think Jesus would have been amused at the look on Peter’s face.

Christianity isn’t about walking around with a solemn face. It’s about living in the joy of the Lord and what He has done for us.

And Peter knew this better than anyone: "You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him - with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation." (I Peter 1:8-9 (MSG))

JESUS...AND A RAINCOAT

17th May, 2012

PICTURE: Florin Garoi/www.sxc.hu

When I was a child my mum bought me a bright yellow PVC raincoat. I was horrified that I’d have to wear it to school. I remember thinking I’d rather get wet than put that thing on. It generated the wrong kind of attention.

The boy next door didn’t have a raincoat. He didn’t have an umbrella. He was too cool for either of those things. He used to sneer at my raincoat.

One afternoon, just before the bell rang to let us out of class, the temperature dropped. It got dark. Then the rain started. It bucketed down. Soon, the guttering of the school building couldn’t cope. It overflowed and caused the pathways under the awnings to flood. I looked out of the window in awe.

The bell rang and kids made a move for the door. I went to my bag and took out my raincoat and put it on. My shoes and socks got wet as soon as I stepped outside. The rain was stinging my face, but beneath my raincoat I was warm and dry. I walked home the long way via the streets instead of cutting across the creek like I normally did.

As I walked in my gate I saw the cool kid next door. He was soaked, shivering and muddy. He’d taken the shortcut via the creek because he didn’t want to walk the long way in the rain. The walk through the mud had taken him longer than normal. He didn’t look so cool.

Jesus was like my raincoat. There were times when I didn’t acknowledge him to people because it wasn’t cool. However, after going through stormy times, Jesus has been a comfort and allowed me to see that being ‘cool’ is overrated. It rains on the ‘cool’ people too.

OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS...

14th May, 2012

PICTURE: Brandi Fitzgerald/www.sxc.hu

I heard a saying recently that said, “You never come second by putting others first.” We don’t need training to be selfish. It comes naturally. We do need guidance, strength and inspiration to live selflessly though. Jesus is the ultimate example of humble living. Even as God’s only Son He chose to humble Himself, thinking of the world rather than Himself as He lay on the cross.

The world has influenced us to the point where our own needs can easily become the driving force of our lives, but why do we so desperately search for things when God knows our hearts? Matthew 6:33 reminds us that when we seek Him above all else, “all these things will be given to you.”

Proverbs 11:25 also says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” God’s kingdom is the upside down kingdom. It operates in reverse of the world’s ideas and ideals. Honouring others brings its own rewards, because as we honour others, God honours us.

ACCOUNTING FOR HOUSEHOLD WORK...

8th May, 2012

Our nation surely needs a better political understanding of the dignity of households - families and marriages - of household work and the labour required to keep families and marriages viable. Families and households are centres of complex management and they surely need the support provide by just public policy development. But more than that, as Hugh Stretton has perceptively observed, the nation's true economic prosperity is already deeply dependent upon the work, the hard grinding unpaid work, that needs to be done in healthy households and families.

There have been, and will continue to be, significant consequences from political debate that must account for the work that is involved in managing households. If, as with some of the comments of Government and Opposition in relation to welfare cuts in the budget, the policies ignore, overlook, discount or even romanticise this work and its true meaning then we are entitled to suspect that our politicians have not been doing the right kind of policy work our nation truly requires. And so, once again, when we hear the justification for budget cuts from Government and Opposition, via a rhetoric that seeks public approval by a misconstrued and false understanding of the "work ethic", ignoring the true economic state of affairs, we should remind ourselves, as followers of Jesus Christ, of the political work to which we have been called.

GODLY THINKING...

4th May, 2012

PICTURE: Sergio Roberto Bichara/www.sxc.hu

Some mornings I wake up and I don’t feel like having a quiet time with God. Sometimes at church I don’t feel like worshipping. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying with others. I entertain all kinds of negative thoughts.

Entertaining negative thoughts and feelings makes us negative people. On the flip side, positive thinking makes us positive people. Or, Godly thinking makes us Godly people. And we are called to be Godly people.

When I have those feelings, I fight them. I am saved. The blood of Jesus has cleansed me of sin. The Holy Spirit lives in me. I am a child of the living God and like any father; He wants the best for his child.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realised. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG))

CHOICES...

30th April, 2012

PICTURE: Paul de Bruin/www.sxc.hu

Every person on Earth is faced with a choice – to accept Jesus, or to reject Him. God has granted every person free will, and will never force Himself upon us. He will knock at our hearts, show us the glory of nature and even grant us unseen acts of goodness and protection.

But some people may dismiss such things as coincidence or good luck and make all manner of excuses for not believing in God, but when we face Him on our final day, we will stand fully revealed before Him, and no excuse or worldly wisdom will defend us.

As Christians, we are not automatically exempt from such struggles. We must make an effort to choose God every day, in every moment, and with every decision. Of course, it becomes easier to make selfless, holy choices the closer we become to Him, as we come to know Him more, and have an increasing desire to please Him.

Deuteronomy 30:15 reminds us to, “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life...”

We can not choose what happens to us in this life. We can only choose how we respond. When faced with uncertainty, be sure to choose God as your first choice, and not as your last resort.

SUNRISE...

27th April, 2012

PICTURE: Alan Taylor

I don't often see the sunrise. At the moment though, I am interstate. The room in the hotel, the tallest of the buildings in this area, faces the east. This morning I opened the curtains. The first light of the sun was appearing beyond the horizon. The sky was a fiery delight.

I could not help but think of God as I looked at it. I quickly did a search in my Bible of the word "sunrise". There are a number of verses, but this verse grabbed my attention: "His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden" (Habakkuk 3:4).

God has given us a verse so that we are reminded of His splendor and power at the start of each day. His power is in His hand. He has it with Him always, ready to work it in our lives.

With that verse in mind, seeing the sunrise is a ready-made moment where we can say: "Lord, you are all powerful. What are you going to do through me today?"

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS...

23rd April, 2012

Jolka Igolka/www.sxc.hu

No job is too big or too small for God. However, we often view God and His desires, and power, through our own limited eyes, rather than what He has promised us and revealed about Himself.

Do we believe the limit of God’s power is to take away our cold, and give us a good parking space, or do we believe Ephesians 3:20 which states, that God, “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us"?

C.S. Lewis once said it best with the following challenge: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

ORDINARY...

20th April, 2012

BRUCE C WEARNE

On different occasions, the Gospels tell us that Jesus' disciples, his friends, were specially sent by Him to do particular tasks. Thus they came to be called "apostles"; those sent with tasks defined by their Master. Jesus taught us to see ourselves as servants, those sent, commissioned to use whatever gifts we have to work together, to love our neighbours, to work to build societies which nurture love for God and care for everyone in reach.

In the Gospels, the description of Jesus' ordinary way of day-to-day life profoundly unsettles any "spooky" approach to life we may find ourselves adopting. Jesus seems to have delighted in ordinary friendship, enjoying ordinary company, daily work as well as times we join in eating our daily bread. Time is given for us to find delight in what God ordinarily gives us, thanking the One who got us here in the first place and has taken responsibility for it all. Of course there is that tendency within us which wants God Himself to get lost - now that, I might say, is "spooky". But that's precisely why we need the help given us by God's Son to face up to ourselves and to find new life, openly making our friendships wider and more loving and still more kind.

Gokhan Okur/www.sxc.hu

KEEPING THE COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN...

18th April, 2012

Psalm 64:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” We should have no fear of rejection with God . He dares us to come before Him exactly as we are – raw, honest and real. We don’t need to pretend to be holy.

Remember, I Timothy 1:15 states that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and Luke 5:31-32 says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” We are works in progress, who are in constant need of God’s grace and help. We’re not perfect, but we are being perfected, and we can’t do it without spending quality emotional time with Him.

Never be afraid or ashamed to tell your Father what’s distracting or troubling you. God can do wonders with hearts that are fully open and given to Him.

IN THE 'QUIET ROOM'...

16th April, 2012

ALAN TAYLOR

I was sitting behind a truck on the road recently at a set of traffic lights. Seeing that the left lane was empty I thought about changing lanes so that I didn’t get stuck behind the truck as it moved off. Before I could, that lane filled up with cars, however, seemingly having come out of nowhere.

The lights changed and the truck moved forward quickly. I was surprised that it was increasing in speed so rapidly. Then it paused and shuddered as the driver changed gear. The speed increase slowed dramatically and I felt like I was crawling.

Sometimes my days start out like that. I wake up ready to get into the day. I have my coffee and start the tasks that I need to do. For the first hour I am flying. Things get done in minimal time.

Then the gear change happens. An email pops into my inbox needing attention “now”. I receive a call from someone who needs something done right away. Whilst I am on the phone to them, someone else is hovering just within view waiting for me to get off the phone.

My day that started out so well is a shambles.

So, I go to my quiet room. There is an archive room in my office that people rarely enter. I go there and I pray. I thank God for His word that says to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). And “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

I’m not in there for long. Just long enough to whisper a prayer and catch my breath. I find though, when I come out and go to see the people who had urgent matters, the matters have usually resolved themselves or they weren’t as urgent as first thought.

Never underestimate a “stop and pray” prayer time with God.

A NEW WAY OF RELATING TO GOD...

13th April, 2012

kslyesmith/www.sxc.hu

"Jesus established a whole new way of relating to God. He called them by name, and they Him. He is always closing the distance. The encounters in the Gospel are intimate. Immanuel, God with us. Why do we feel we must help Jesus set that mistake right by pushing him off a bit with reverent language and lofty tones?” That’s John Eldredge in his book, Beautiful Outlaw.

Eldredge goes on to say that when Christ died, God ripped the temple curtain in half, but sometimes we can stitch it back up with our religious mindset, instead of embracing the closeness Jesus showed us we can have with the Father.

Jesus came to us not as a sad loner but as a sociable man who turned no-one away and showed that all people were equal of His time and affection. The Bible is full of examples of Jesus listening, asking, and teaching humanity.

To our fragile, sinful minds it perhaps doesn’t make sense that the Creator of the universe would choose to get His hands dirty with the affairs of a rebellious world, but that’s exactly what He has done. In the past centuries many brave men and women have died for teaching that we can approach God without a priest, and read the Bible for ourselves. Their beliefs were radical to the religious, but they were in line with God’s heart.

God wants to be approached. He’s not hiding from us. He’s waiting for us.

CAR CULTURE 2

11th April, 2012

I stood there at the bus-stop. It was a bewildering, isolated spot on the highway. I felt exposed. I had just visited my bewildered, and now somewhat isolated, old friend at the aged-care home sitting out there on the edge of old farmland. Meanwhile, his wife regains strength in rehab, 40 kilometres away across the peninsula, after a hip operation. So here I was. I had done what I could to encourage my mate, and was waiting for the bus.

Standing there waiting, I became part of that bewildering isolated location. The incessant loud rush and flow of cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes took my breath away. This lonely bus-stop, exposed while this frenetic 100k/h rush, made me doubly wary that the bus driver might too easily miss me. It was not pleasant. The Good Shepherd indeed cares for His flock. And just around the corner from where my friend sits out his "respite", where I stood, I confronted this mad incessant rush without any respite, and I hoped that the bus would not pass me by.

CAR CULTURE 1

10th April, 2012

I learned footy on the unpaved side-streets, knowing that an occasional car would come through and we had to stop the game to let it pass. In time we moved to the last remaining paddock, to engage in our nightly combat.

Now, more than 50 years on, the main road on which we lived is a four-lane carriageway and the cars and trucks never cease to rumble by, day and night. And the side-street is lined with cars, day and night, and there's no room to play footy, let alone play anything. But people do seem to live in the midst of the suburban car clutter, let alone the incessant clatter and mayhem that greets them out on the main road.

And the traffic continues to rumble by.

That's my background. That's the nostalgic seed-bed from which I now regularly experience my "old place". But not only my old place. It's got a lot to do with what I feel about traffic and roads everywhere, anywhere.

'GOOD' FRIDAY?

5th April, 2012

Craig Goodwin/www.sxc.hu

Good Friday. How can we celebrate a man’s death and call it ‘good?’ Because the death of Jesus, and His resurrection three days later, is a celebration of more than just a man. What other life, and death, has had such a profound impact on this planet? When celebrities die, we remember them for a few days and loving tributes flow across the world, and then they are soon forgotten, but Jesus’ words and deeds have continued to inspire, comfort and heal people all across the world.

In fact, many countries acknowledge Good Friday as a public holiday, even those which may not be considered Christian countries. The buying and selling of alcohol is prohibited in South Africa on the day itself, in Bermuda handmade kites in the shape of the cross are flown, and 2012 is the first year in which communist Cuba will celebrate Good Friday as a holiday. No other life has made such an impact across all manmade boundaries, and no other life continues to transform hearts and open minds. You and I, and all believers continue to prove that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, and our only Saviour, is all that we need and more that we could hope for.

Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, and our salvation means life now and forevermore for those who turn to Him. We celebrate that the holiest blood that ever walked the Earth was spilled for our eternal freedom, and that’s ‘good’ indeed.

OF FOOLS AND FOOLISHNESS...

4th April, 2012

Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Ouch. For unbelievers, that’s got to hurt, but those are God’s words, not ours. However, at one time we were all such fools, and ignorant of God’s reality.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’re done with foolish things though. We see in the Bible that God has recorded some truly astounding events where holy people exhibited unusual behaviour. For example, David dancing naked, or Noah building an ark when no-one had ever seen rain before.

Sometimes God may ask us to do things that may appear foolish, but as Romans 10: 11 tells us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

After all, God has a history of making the world look foolish by achieving mighty things through His underestimated servants, as Paul reminds the church in I Corinthians 1, which states, “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Throughout its pages, Proverbs describes a fool as anyone who “spreads slander,” “is hotheaded and reckless,” “trusts in himself,” and “despises wisdom and discipline.” I’m sure we can all at times relate to some of those characteristics, but thankfully God can use even “fools” like us!

COLOURING IN

2nd April, 2012

ALAN TAYLOR

Nicolas Raymond/www.sxc.hu

There’s old saying, “Blue and green should never be seen, unless there is something in-between”. My mother, who is a dressmaker, would often quote it to people when they came to have a dress made. It was a good rule for its day, however it didn’t really take into account blue sky and green vegetation.

The reason this colour scheme works is because God created it. His palette of colours is unlimited. His colours go together, contrasting or complementing each other. Our colour palette has major limitations because reproducing God’s colours is difficult.

Pantone is a company that specialises in colour and understands that difficulty in reproducing it. They get very excited when they create a new colour. It takes Pantone months and a lot of manpower to add to their palette. You can see how difficult it is by watching Pantone’s video.

When I look at man’s attempts to make colours it makes me smile when I think how easy it is for God. For man it takes a lot of research and many meetings to create a colour. Yet God created the earth with all its colours in six days. How amazing is our God!

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:1-2

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

30th March, 2012

In Psalm 63 David passionately declared, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body thirsts for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” That deep desire to be with God should be reflected in our lives too. In fact, our desire for Him should far outmatch any other desire we have in life.

Let’s be honest, we sometimes earnestly seek a lot of worldly things, but not always Him. The worst thing we can do is to want the rewards of knowing God without the relationship, but that’s now how we treat our earthly relationships. We don’t have expectations upon those we don’t really know, but the danger can be that we come to expect, or even demand, blessings without spending quality time in prayer with Him. Our relationship with God is the most important one in our lives.

Remember, time spent with God is never wasted time.

ALL IN A GOOD DAY'S WORK

27th March, 2012