workingtitle

www.withoutashepherd.com

2009-02-04T18:33:00.005+11:00

www.withoutashepherd.com
hayley's new blog

new name needed...

2009-01-12T10:21:00.000+11:00

not sure what to rename my blog - I think it needs a change that reflects more of what content I hope to post this year in light of my new role at Church by the Bridge as community outreach pastor. I hope to write posts that reflect my thinking and experience in evangelism...

any ideas?

New Years Resolutions...

2008-12-31T15:55:00.007+11:00

In 2009 I resolve to:
… Get into watching a TV series.
… Read the Newspaper at least once a week.
… Invite friends over for dinner regularly.
… Live generously
… Delight in Jesus.

But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:17-20

_____________________
links
In 2009 I resolve to... by Tales of the Talking Tiger

Is a smile essential? part 2

2008-12-28T23:03:00.005+11:00

Last post I ask how far you would go for a decent smile and why it is more acceptable to pursue a good smile over pursuing other corrective treatment for other parts of our body.

I have been trying to work out what the framework and principles that help guide decisions about cosmetic surgery. I found myself stumped when I was confronted to explain the difference between the dental implants I had to correct my smile and the surgery of a friend who got breast implants.

I often excuse my teeth based upon mechanical and health reasons. My brothers and I each have a lack of teeth due to a genetic condition which each one of us have now received cosmetic treatment for. I had missing lateral incisors, very pointy canines and remaining baby teeth. I didn't have a great smile and if I am honest with myself vanity was a major player in getting my teeth corrected. I really wanted to be able to smile confidently! To which most people tell me 'fair enough'.

So what do you say the the young woman who has a AA bra cup size and sees herself not as womanly but as girly? What do you answer her when she tells you she wants breast implants to feel and look like a woman, to fill out a bra and just look her age instead of a 12 year old girl when she stands in her bikini on the beach? Is she allowed to correct her breasts like we correct our teeth? Do you have double standards?

I feel it is far easier to excuse vanity when it comes to teeth. We too easily embrace the "Hollywood smile" as the norm and benchmark for our smiles. Braces and corrective dentistry is so very popular and very socially acceptable. In fact the majority of people today will experience some sort of corrective dentistry.

Is a smile essential?

2008-12-09T10:23:00.007+11:00

If you google the phrase “importance of a smile” you will find many people telling you just how essential a good smile is.

The Dali Lama apparently says that he would be a much lonelier man if he did not smile so much. He thinks this simple physical act has brought him closer to people from all walks of life.
A Patchwork & Quilting blog gives 12 reasons of why a smile is important in your quilting world: it makes you feel better, you can hear a smile in your voice and often a smile gains one in return.
Humor Specialist John Kinde says a smile is the number one feature that makes people attractive. It's a welcome mat. It's what makes folks approachable. People with a great smile radiate a warmth that draws others to them instantly.

And to be honest I agree... An individual's smile can say a great deal. A warm smile and a friendly handshake are often thought to be essential ingredients to a successful professional. A great looking smile could also be the spark that attracts an important relationship.

But what do you do when your smile reveals a rotten, missing, stained or chipped tooth? According to Smile Essentials Dentists your smile is essential and if you don’t smile as well as you should improve the beauty of it. Don't settle for anything less, shop for a new one! And we do!

How valuable is this essential smile? Or is the question better phrased how much do we value and think we each deserve the Hollywood movie star smile?

I have been wondering how easy it is to excuse our vanity and idolatry when it comes to teeth. Why is it socially acceptable to have have cosmetic work to one part of your body and not another?

(This too I guess goes for make-up, hair dye, hair styling products that we use to enhance parts of our body.)

New Adventures...

2008-11-26T20:11:00.003+11:00

I will be joining the ministry team of Church by the Bridge, as Community Outreach Pastor.

I am so excited by the opportunities that await me as I move into Kirribilli to live and have time to invest in relationships with local residents and with my church family.

As the new Community Outreach Pastor I will be striving:

To foster a culture of outreach at Church by the Bridge
To build links with local community
To create opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus with the local community
To equip and encourage members to share Jesus with those who do not yet know him

Exciting times ahead... also Moore College has agreed to allow me to continue my studies part time. I am very grateful for Moore's generosity in offering me and trialling this mode of study.

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8

I adore the simple pleasures...

2008-11-19T23:41:00.004+11:00

"I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex".
-Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray

opening up a can of worms...

2008-11-18T23:27:00.009+11:00

Evangelism, mission and social action are topics that you could ponder and talk about for hours. In acknowledging this, I still have found it frustrating with some of the gaps in content of my notes and readings for college.

Here are just three of my frustrations:

Frustration #1 in Word and Action
TITUS.... ???? Titus is an entire letter that spells out, I think rather clearly, the relationship between word and action - so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior! Should this not have a greater influence in the discourse of word and action?

Frustration #2 in Inter-Faith Dialogue
I find it offensive that one of the reasons given to the benefits of inter-faith dialogue is that if you listen to them, they will listen to you. Does anyone think it is wrong to only listen to someone just so you can be listened to in return? Where is the integrity and genuineness in that?

Frustration #3 in Word and Action
The body and unity of the church... I often find that when the 'great debate' between social action and evangelism takes place we fail to acknowledge the nature of the church and it's diversity of gifts that God has given it.

God gives some to possess word gifts and be pastors, teachers, evangelists... where as others he gives them the gift of helping... and sure we should all be prepared to give reason for our hope but I still think there is far too great an emphasis on priority which leads to a hierarchy instead of a attention given to the unique partnership the great commission and the great commandment have. I think these are two of the most distinguishable expressions of a life transformed by the gospel.

Acts 6:1-6 is often used to promote the priority of word proclamation.... but I wonder if it actually should be used to promote the gifts and functions of the church? We have hands to help those in need and beautiful feet to bring the good news of the gospel to those perishing? Are we saying that our hands are not of importance to the body?

Overflowing generosity and goodness...

2008-11-13T16:00:00.008+11:00

As a Christian I want to care about the defenseless and vulnerable in society. I want to speak up against the injustices we see and seek after mercy for those in need. As a Church family I hope we would take the lead in supporting ventures that seek to love and show compassion.

Our Father God has loved us with an everlasting love. He loves us at our worst. He shows us mercy at our worst. No conditions. No strings attached. It should be our prayer to love like he does. To show compassion like he does.

We are having a Christmas Market at Church by the Bridge in a weekends time, where we are selling Fair Trade goods and I have been thinking more and more about why I want to do it. I don't want people to think we run these stalls simply as a bait and switch tactic to get our community to like the gospel. We want to speak up for those who are vulnerable and in this case those who are voiceless in the global market and susceptible to exploitation. We hope to promote Fair Trade and lead our local community to think about our individual purchasing choices and the impact that can have on others.

I hope and pray also that our initiative might open the door to conversations and diaglogue with our local community, as we share with them our motivation to support Fair Trade and other good deeds. (See Titus 2:14, Ephesians 2:10 and Matthew 5…) We should want to adorn the gospel of God with deeds of love and justice that many might see the kindness of God in us and be drawn to a Saviour who can so fully satisfy the hearts of his people that this overflows in generosity and goodness to others. (1 Peter 2:12)

www.tribesandnations.com.a u
www.fairtrade.com.au

6,000 reasons to act... each one has a name and story

2008-11-08T10:46:00.005+11:00

WORLD AIDS DAY
1 December 2008

Today, like every day, 6,000 children around the world will lose a parent because of AIDS, the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

This December World Vision, Willow Creek and Fuller Youth Institute are partnering to raise awareness of the epidemic that is AIDS.

Willow Creek have produced some free resources for church leaders: video and info pack!

World Vision offer lots of ways to be involved:

PRAY > LEARN MORE > ADVOCATE > SPONSOR > CARE

World Vision even have a Pastors Toolkit, a Carers Kit and resources for college Students also... The Pastors Toolkit gives you statistics, talking points, videos, bulletin outlines, bible studies, guest speak contacts, PowerPoint presentation and ways to mobilize and equip your congregation.

“look after orphans and widows in their distress”
(James 1:27a).

Important Events...

2008-10-23T22:08:00.003+11:00

What would you consider to be some of the more important local, national and world events?

eg. Olympics, Christmas, World's Biggest Morning Tea, Big Day Out, National Sorry Day, World Cup, World Smile Day... etc!

Evangelist Quiz

2008-10-15T23:41:00.006+11:00

Evangelistic Relationship Quiz
taken from http://ministrymarketingcoach.com

Take your relationship inventory. Read each statement and rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 (1=never, 10=always). Answer every question not only from your perspective, but as others would see you.

I strike up conversations with new people I meet and bring Christ into the conversation.

I attend community events where I can meet new people and help others.

I remember personal details about people and include them in conversations with them to show I care.

People are always introducing me to new people who are not believers in hopes I might share the gospel with them.

I intentionally share the message of the gospel.
I don’t “beat around the bush” but make sure people I know hear the message of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and the availability of forgiveness through faith in Him.

I follow-up with the people who make decisions to follow Christ with within 48 hours.

I believe that everyone should hear the gospel!

I don’t mind talking openly with people about my faith even when I am being overheard.

When I am out and about I keep in mind my conversation and behavior could impact my ability to witness.

I am not constantly pestering people about the gospel–people have fun when I am around too.

My community (not just my church) can count on me to be involved in local programs and volunteer projects.

I feel confident when I talk to other people about Jesus.

I remember to acknowledge the good and strengths I see in others. It’s not all about me!

I strive to be a servant at heart by giving of myself in helping people, listening to them, and showing Christian love to them in any way possible.

I ask my friends to introduce me to people in their network who do not know Jesus.

People often encourage me saying my evangelistic ministry inspires them to be more outward with their faith.

I see myself as one who is dedicated to helping other people succeed in life.

My relationship skills and networking have produced fruit in leading others to Christ in the last six months.

[Score Yourself: Add up your score and look at your total. Around 30= Work on being more outgoing. Around 60= Try being more intentional with the gospel. Around 90=Clarify your vision and passion for evangelism. Around 120= Don’t stop growing, but bring someone along with you to help them catch your passion. Around 160= Shouldn’t you be training others to do what you do? Take your total score and and divide by 18 to get your average score. Can you improve your average?]

Preaching Notes...

2008-10-14T08:20:00.004+11:00

Joshua Harris from Covenant Life Church, has had a series on his blog called "The Preaching Notes'. He has asked a few of his preacher friends to share their sermon notes that they preach from.

Interesting variety from each of the preachers and I am sure will be of great insight to many! Hope you get some ideas and encouragement!

Please note Josh's purpose: "The purpose of this post and this series is to learn about preaching, not to comment on the preachers or attack their ministries. I've turned off comments for this post and deleted all comments that veer from this clear purpose. Thanks for understanding."

Speak Up...

2008-10-13T09:11:00.003+11:00

The Australian Human Rights Commission are inviting you to submit a response to issues of Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century in Australia. In particular they are interested in your responses to any or all of the questions in the discussion paper, as well as any other issues of concern. These questions are intended as a guide only, so respondents should not feel limited by these.

Go onto their website: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/frb download the form and write a submission!

Fun |ˈfən| noun

2008-10-12T21:36:00.007+11:00

A bill poster on the streets of Glebe.

Men and tears...

2008-10-10T11:43:00.009+11:00

Augustine, Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 12.
MOURNING MONICA, HIS MOTHER

I closed here eyes; and there flowed a great sadness into my heart and it was passing into tears, when mine eyes at the same time, by the violent control of my mind, sucked back the fountain dry and woe was me in such a struggle! But, as soon as she breathed her last the boy Adeodatus burst out into wailing, but, being checked by us all, he became quiet. In like manner also my own childish feeling, which was, through the youthful voice of my heart, finding escape in tears, was restrained and silenced. For we did not consider it fitting to celebrate that funeral with tearful plaints and groanings; for on such wise are they who die unhappy, or are altogether dead, wont to be mourned. But she neither died unhappy, nor did she altogether die. For of this were we assured by the witness of her good conversation her "faith unfeigned," and other sufficient grounds.

...my soul was stricken, and that life torn apart as it were, which, of hers and mine together, had been made but one.

... with a new sorrow I sorrowed for my sorrow, and was wasted by a twofold sadness.

What's normal in culture?

2008-10-04T15:03:00.011+10:00

This week my friend accepted a job with Playboy International, as an interior design intern for their New York bars and nightclubs. Another one of my friends is growing in reputation as a burlesque dancer who is fusing the modern and traditional styles. And most of my other friends who work in more ‘normal’ jobs would probably say they are happy for these friends – they are pursuing their dreams, getting good money and having fun. What can be wrong about that? I like seeing my friends happy too, and I am excited that they are accomplishing goals and having fun, however I can’t quite reconcile why happiness is found in working for an industry that feeds the objectification of women and that normalises sex as a commodity.

When did we accept synonymity of sex with red, black and naughty? And why do we construe violent, abusive and pornified images, as the norm for sexy? Our ears are blasted by the advertising jingle for a popular male deodorant, which uses Bom-Chicka-Wah-Wah, the onomatopoeia guitar riff from porn movies of the 70s. This has even provided inspiration for the single released comprising of these lyrics:

“what if in the morning there is guilt and regret? Better than another night watching TV with you pets”

We watch, laugh and usually pass-over the unhealthy concepts of relationships, image and sex promoted. But for how long shall we concede? What are our boundaries? The pornification of culture has even crept into the children’s clothing market whereby ‘bust-booster’ bras are manufactured for girls as young as three. Additionally, the Peek-a-boo pole-dancing kit marketed for six-year-old girls promised, “to unleash the sex kitten inside”.

Am I just the fuddy-duddy, Jesus-loving, old-fashioned and conservative Christian friend? Do you think, as the apostle Paul does in Ephesians 4, that our society has lost all sensitivity?

Then again, should we even be surprised that there are no objective moral norms, given our society holds no belief in an objective moral-norm-giver.

they are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. ephesians 4:17-19

What I am...

2008-09-15T13:52:00.006+10:00

Reading:

"Just walk across the room" - Bill Hybles
So far this has been full of stories and encouragements to step outside your comfort zone!
I will review it once I have read it.
"One Land, One Saviour"
Only read the intro - so looking forward to finding out more about the Indigenous church in Australia.

Designing & Making:

Interior and "Props"
with Christi-Ann, for Saturday night church, which launched this weekend just past!
A quilt for Sarah, a friend in hospital - please pray for healing and God's mercy!

Thinking about:

the Future
both the immediate and coming hope.
Proverbs
and what makes them unique from other proverbs in the Ancient Near East - thanks to my Old Testament subject. Praise the LORD that he is the one true creator and author of history!
my view on Worship, Women and Work.

Enjoing:

Deeper friendships at church, college and out of those contexts.
my new iPhone.
my family - staying at my folks over college 2 week break.
the smell of new carpet in my folks place.
2 Samuel series at Sunday night church: the preaching has been showing me the great clarity and riches of the gospel in the shadows of the Old Testament.

Looking forward to:

New family at SNBTB.
Exams and the end of first year college.
Summerfest 09.
Holidays with Lisa.

Listening to:

Hillsong Album: This Is Our God!

What on earth am I thinking...

2008-08-21T00:43:00.006+10:00

Do you ever question that the life you are living is real... that maybe you and the small amount of Christians in the world got it wrong?

It's a sad wrestle that we 'all' go through? I know I did for many years. And it is sad to see it in your friends who were once pumped for life of loving Jesus...

I think Tom Steller sums up the emotion well in this parallel from the Wizard of Oz:

Toto wanders behind the curtain, pulls the curtain open, and reveals the truth behind the great Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz was a hoax. He was a kindly but pathetic old man without any special powers. He merely projected his face on to a giant screen and amplified his voice. What Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Man, and I had hoped in turned out not to be real.

As a result of this movie I can specifically remember wondering for the first time in my life if God was a hoax. Maybe my priest, Father Winzerling, was a fraud, or perhaps he too was deceived. Maybe there was some mastermind who thought up religion and who created the Bible to fool naïve, desperate people. Maybe God wasn't real. Maybe there really wasn't a God at all, except the ones we could dream up in our imagination. What a frightening thought for a religious boy like me to have. Have you ever had those thoughts? Do you even wonder now sometimes if God exists—I mean really exists? Is God real, or is he a concoction of our wishful thinking. Are we just playing games here Sunday after Sunday? Sometimes, even since I have become a Christian, those thoughts enter my mind.

Steller also describes the perfect solution:

JESUS

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know shim who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

Creativity and the Arts #4

2008-08-14T17:27:00.006+10:00

What do Manet, Gauguin, Koons, Henson and Serrano all have in common? ART CONTROVERSY...

Who would have thought that an orchid, upswept hair, a black cat, and a bouquet of flowers would enhance the sexual explicitness of an artwork? Well in the day of Eduoard Manet's Olympia, 1863 these objects were recognized symbols of sexuality.

Art has been and will remain to be a source of cultural reflection, critique and confrontation.

So how are we to engage with art that we don’t agree with? Personally, I think we learn more about ourselves when we discover things we disagree with or find offensive. Controversy provokes a response and impassioned to stand up about truth. Pushing boundaries helps you know what you really think.

Since the arts have become less of the prerogative of the church, Christians have stepped back from debates and forums where art critiques, argues and searches for meaning in humanity. Rightly so have we taken a step back, but perhaps a too far back where there is no Christian voice being heard. After all, isn't this the very stuff that we were so good at talking about?

Steve Turner in Imagine:A vision for Christians and the arts 2001; says

… Consistently, Christians didn’t consume much art either. On the whole they didn’t own televisions (“the devil’s box), collect art or go to the theatre. Fiction, like dancing, was okay for children but not for adults. Rock music was worldly. Movies were suitable only if they were cartoon, family entertainment or, oddly enough, fact-based war epics. The reasoning was that most art was created by nonbelievers and could therefore damage our spiritual health...

Is this type of response the right reponse to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22's threefold command for a discerning mind:

Judge everything, Cling to what is good, shun what is evil.

And...

...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians. 4:8

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Ephesians 5:3

How far back do we need to stand?

Discernment is out of fashion. We all think we should have exactly what we want, with little regard to the effect it may have on ourselves and on others. As we discussed said last night: some images are just impossible to erase from your memory... and it is in our senses that much of our memory is stored in".

So how do we make clear distinctions and judgments to live lives worthy of the gospel, especially when we are labeled for going against accepted modern culture values.

At the same time, Christianity brings freedom and what suppose you don't find Manet's Olympia sexually stimulating, it doesn't envoke evil thoughts or desires - must you not view it because?

Personally, I think it depends.... may seem like a cop out but isn't that what discernment is all about? It's the tension we all live with in our everyday life... what is the godly choice?

And so " … we need to bring any work of art before the bar of moral criteria. We must ask questions about the moral intention of the artist. Is the purpose of a work to deprave or corrupt? If a work contains immoral behavior or evil, what is the context? It should be evident to us that the Bible contains many accounts of wicked behavior, sometimes very graphically portrayed. Works of art must not necessarily be condemned because they contain such violence, but context and intention have to be considered. (Christianity and the Arts - Jerram Barrs)

And so with all this in mind...
What say you about the Statue of David?
Is this work reason for concern - is it art controversy?

Indigenous Prayer Group

2008-08-09T01:01:00.003+10:00

Creativity and the Arts #3

2008-08-06T22:16:00.006+10:00

The 2008 Biennale of Sydney

REVOLUTIONS :: Forms that turn

Revolutions is a historic look at the contemporary art world. It shows works through different eras that questioned the norm, that comments on world and art of ages past. It is one of the most over-stimulating and overwhelming exhibitions I have been to.

There was so much crammed into the exhibition. There were kinetic works that demanded your engagement there were mirrored reflections, soundscapes, bells ringing, whiteboard art, optic illusions, films, moving walls, sketches, paintings, styrofoam artworks that looked like they were breathing and more... It was hard to focus and fully give your attention to the artwork in front of you.

This exhibition is trying to explore the idea of creating possibilities from going against the mainstream or dominant perspective. When we are able to steer away from the hum-drum, safe, same old same old, traditional, proven ways of old, we free our minds to the endless creative power and choices of fashioning something new or exploring the vast alternatives. I think this is a great theme to explore, but not sure if the collection as a whole said this or whether a whole lot of artworks individually said this.

One of the clearest examples of what this exhibition is trying to explore is Duchamp's bicycle wheel. It is placed upside down. It alters our perception of what a wheel is. It makes you think, doesn't it? What is it's purpose? What is it if now it's upside down and functionless?

There was soundscape by a Japanese artist. The viewer was drawn in to press a button and hold it down to experience the different bells that rung. The button was bells throughout the exhibition forcing people to be apart of the work whether they chose to participate or not. And so it would scare people, annoy people, and disturb tours. I found it hilarious that one of the tour guides told a viewer that they needed to stop pressing the bell as her group is unable to hear her. I listened in to the lady's judgement on this bell artwork and she decided that the artist was wrong in calling it a sound landscape and should rather be called a sound sculpture. How presumptuous, especially at an exhibition that is supposed to alter perceptions and get you questioning?? Maybe it did get the guide questioning, hence her conclusion and so the artwork has fulfilled its point?

The works that got me thinking the most were the one about mass production, the facelessness of life as a number and the mundane nature of life. It reminded me of Ecclesiastes and the meaninglessness of vapour. It made me sad and was slightly depressing. I really appreciated the amazing technical detail in the works!

Another highlight was a patron in bare feet. The art gallery space is one of my favourite places for the same reason I like Airports. Both these spaces host a strange and diverse bunch of people all with their own stories and quirky behaviours. I love to work out who they are, what relationships they are in, what their occupation is and why they are where they are? So much fun!

Wasn't the biggest fan of this collection. It gave me a headache!

Men and tears...

2008-08-04T19:03:00.007+10:00

This year a girl in my connect group shared with us her theory that "Tears prove there is a God", as there is no real need for them. Emotional tears are useless, purposeless function of the body that seems to have remained in our 'evolution. And for my friend she attributes that pure expression of emotion as a gift of God, a means to know that we were made for something more than black and white of life.

Tears now remind me of that there is a God and its a great comfort when I do cry. But tears in general remind me of the brokenness of this world, the need for redemption from the bondage of sin, corruption and decay in this world. Yet we don't just cry over the sad things, we cry tears of joy when babies are born, when people get married, when friends are healed, when the sun shines and the world sings, and when we see the merciful hand of God on our lives...

There seem to be different things that set us off in tears... for me tears come when I am overwhelmed by thoughts happy and sad, frustration with 'unanswered' prayers, when I am tired and run down, and especially driving in my car with music up load.

A journalist did a survey of the words "crying" and "tears" in a newspaper over a period of time. The most common causes of crying are low-level frustration or sad moments on TV. Other subjects worth crying over were:

the deaths, births and illnesses of children; and of parents;
cheating husbands; and violent ones;
absent fathers;
pedophilia;
rape;
adoption;
the hell of school exams;
remembering lost loves;
retired guide dogs;
accepting an award for acting;
problems with builders; and
onions.

Adults apparently also cry most frequently when they are alone, at home, between 7pm and 10pm, and women cry on average 64 times a year (more than once a week), men just 17 (more than once a month).

I find that really interesting that men do cry as much as 17 times a year. Most men I have spoken to about crying say that it is rare. Do you think it is wrong for men to cry? When we call men little girls, weak or a woose, I feel we trivialise their grief or sadness and say that there is no room for tears in manhood.

For women, we seem to much easily get worked up, cry for no reason or break down in hysteria - regularly. Not to diminish the emotions of women and the privilege to be a friend for my female friends when they cry, but it is a real privilege to witness a man cry.

I have had this privilege a number of times: at funerals, when a friend was missing his homeland and family, when a friend was on drugs, breaking up with a girl, at the end of a tough year, while battling depression, amidst physical pain, and in frustration by the inability to pray...

In the last 2 months or so, I have seen three grown men cry at church. It really moved me to see these men shed tears silently over a sermon, publicly when church family & partners in the gospel move overseas, quietly in response to a song and in conversation over their chronically ill sister. I felt honored when that guy cried in our conversation, that he was willing to share and express his emotions with family at church.

......

Who do you think of when you read that the Israelites 'cried out, and their desperate cry' (Ex2:23)?

How do you view men like David and Job who cry? (I do notice though that each instance of their crying does not always result in tears, but calling out to God in desperation)

Who longs for the day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”?
(Revelation 21:4)

This Is Our God...

2008-08-04T15:34:00.005+10:00

New Hillsong Album...

We sung 'This is our God' for the first time last night at church. The bridge lead in to the chorus freely you gave it all for us was really moving and I was humbled before the feet of our God. Our worship team lead us really well. I am so thankful for their service and enabling me with my church family to sing a prayer of adoration, supplication and praise!

Creativity and the Arts #2

2008-07-30T23:39:00.004+10:00

Week Two :: Meet the Artists

Can anyone justify why are the arts valuable? and why Christians should be artists and/or audiences?
If yes or if no, what does the relationship between the Church and the Arts have?

Art is often seen to be superfluous and not efficient. It takes time, production is often done in isolation, it can be very expensive, demands hard work. Such energy could be better spent elsewhere, right? People need to hear the gospel to be saved, so why paint landscapes, write poetry, compose or play music?

I have heard numerous Christian artists and creatives share about the times they have resented and wished away their abilities and God given gifts. Reasons for such resentment often include: just wanting to fit in, the pragmatism of the gospel (importance of bible teaching), being told you cannot be a Christian and be an artist, its just too hard, you can't do gigs on Sunday's because your Minister thinks you are falling away...

We often, in subtle ways, place occupations into hierarchies... Minister and Word gifts are top of the list, followed by Christian teachers who can impact the youth who will be our tomorrow, Doctors and Nurses who can travel overseas to do tent-making gospel work and/or compassion work, then Lawyers who can provide the monetary support for the gospel and accountants are great on Parish Council. Artists and cultural produces are often far down our list of importance to the body of Christ, and often only are considered valuable for evangelistic efforts. We often only engage with the arts to 'reach' people 'creatively' with the gospel.

It would seem that Christian artists unfairly need to justify their occupation, and its effectiveness for it to be valid. However we need to resist boxing our artist and creative brethren in. The evangelistic ability or the ability to produce art that is a paraphrased sermon should not be the measuring stick for valued art by Christians.

Art is an amazing forum for the discussion and debate within our society. Although it is not the only concern for all artists or Christian artists to make bold statements and ideologies about humanity, art does provide an arena for where truth, identity, origins, beauty and behaviour is explored:"... debates are taking place in cinema, painting, dance, fiction, poetry, and theatre on issues where Christians have something to give and yet are not even being heard" (Steve Turner - Imagine) . Despite this, it does not mean that Christians should only be in the arts to dialogue faith, Christians are to be doing everything they do to the glory of God, whether that is making coffee, creating reports, presenting proposals or performing Brecht.

Producing and performing art that affects and awakens people to the world around them and thier own emotions is an amazing thing. To see a Christian content and satisfied in Christ as they enjoy the gifts God has given them and embrace the person God has made them is a joyous and God exalting thing in and of itself - ceramist, surgeon, violinist, plumber or graphic designer.

Tonight at Replenish, we heard from RCA a Christian, a daughter of an architect and ceramist, an artist herself, and an educator. She shared with us how she was told when she was 18 heading to Sydney College of the Arts that she would not be a Christian by the end of the four years study and even told as bluntly that she could not possibly be a Christian if she was to pursue such a career.

We also hear from TD a Christian, a husband to a design student, son of a doctor and lectuerer, and a musician. He shared how and why he entered into this arena, the frustrations of being a creative and the blurred lines between work and leisure, and the constant justification he feels to make use of his music in the church as means of validation for his work.

It is intersting to that Artists so strongly feel this need to validate their occupation. I don't hear it as often said, oh well as long as I am using my adminstration skills for the church am I allowed to be a personal assistant. I think this also has to do with our culture (church culture) fo getting our identity so wrapped up in our occupation. Our identity should be soley based upon our relationships. It would be lovely to hear 'oh I am a child of God, husband to Jane, Son of Bob and Beatrice, Friend to Joe, Luke and Will and Father to Thomas and Susan' rather than 'oh I am a banker'. We so quickly jump to defining ourselves by our occupation and then quickly judge people accordingly.

Artists and creatives have a unique place in our culture to shape and inform our society and tell the stories of people, reflect on the anxieties and record the questions of our day. It would be great to have our gifted Christian brethren to pursue careers in the mainstream arts and not the religious subculture.

A hurdle that does lie in the way of the relationship between the Church and the arts is the arts tendency to utilize its position and power within society to shock our world. The arts have moved a long way from its days of being the prerogative of the church. Today it is the world that dominates the arts, often with concepts that are offensive to Christians, which has seen the church in recent years take a step back as we often don't know how to debate the truth with our world.

More on that in Creativity and the Arts #4 - Art in Controversy.
Next post - Creativity on the Arts #3 will be a Benniale Review

AIM Prayer Points August 2008

2008-07-28T12:04:00.001+10:00

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

NORTHERN TERRITORY

1. Darwin Rhonda Coats Elizabeth Ham

Praise : Rhonda’s recent trip to many centres has enabled her to leave literature with the believers and encourage them to press on. She travelled in safety with no car trouble. Elizabeth has been able to continue her work at the Belyuen school and her pastoral care of many, Rejoice with us for the many, many years Elizabeth has worked in AIM and all the lives touched by her. She retires in December.

Pray for: Rhonda as she continues to encourage those she visited, prepares the AIM magazine; that she will know the Lord’s peace and assurance as currently some of her family in USA are undergoing serious health/personal issues and it is hard for her to be so far away. Elizabeth as she seeks God’s guidance as to how to use her retirement years, how to relinquish her current ministries, what new areas of ministry might open up.

2. Katherine : Greg and Debbie Piper and church leaders

Praise : the consistent leadership among the Indigenous people, especially Lisa, Noel and David; the church’s team work in the outreach ministry at the Gorge on some Sunday evenings; the faithful few at Barunga who keep walking straight, especially Anita.

Pray for: Greg and Debbie as they seek to train current and potential leaders; for the church members to be shining lights among their own families and community; more men to come into the church.

3. Borroloola Max and Doris Field and church leaders

Praise : Strong leadership of Vincent Charlie and his gifts in personal evangelism; Warren Timothy as he also leads; Miriam as she takes the Sunday School, Max and Doris as they quietly and wisely encourage the church folk.

Pray : Warren’s wife Joelene has asked for prayer that she will not be disruptive to Warren on Sunday mornings as he prepares to lead church. She recognises that satan is attacking her in this area and she wants to overcome it; opportunities to reach the young people.

4.Elliott /Marlinja Harold and Kaye Dalywaters Raymond and Thelma Dixon

Praise : these two families press on in spite of loneliness. They give a godly witness in their communities. They run Sunday School faithfully each week.

Pray for : their children to walk with the Lord and make wise choices about their futures; Harold and Raymond have many dreams for their communities and for their own ministries in them. They need God’s direction as to the best way to use their gifts in this work. They need to be encouraged to keep pressing on when they meet opposition from wider family.

5.Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies

Praise : The faithful Christians in the community; the opportunities to relate to the children who have a warm relationship with Richard and Sue; the blessing of Christian teachers leading the school programme. Pray for : good health for Richard and Sue; more men to join the church; those who have wandered away to come back in repentance, contact with families through children; the after school programme ;Ben and Suse Hollands as they lead the team of teachers at Canteen Creek.( While in Epenarra, we met an Education Dept Rep. who had just been to assess the Year 11 and 12 students at Canteen Creek School and met Ben and Suse for the first time. She was amazed at their commitment and achievements! We praise God for their testimony.)

6. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield, Wesley Ruth William Haydon

Praise : Rodney is leading the church services and teaching from the Word; Andrew and Cindy are quietly relating to the church folk and within the community, seeking to encourage the Christians to grow strong; the children are settled and happy

Pray for : Rodney and Derek to be strong for the Lord and grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus; for the Christians in the town not to be tempted by the gambling, drinking and fighting which is prevalent at the moment; the ladies teaching Sunday School to see children impacted; a godly witness in the community be all the Christians; for Cindy as she juggles the enormous pressure of schooling the two eldest and doing all the other tasks which fall to wife and mother, thus having little time for herself; Andrew as he seeks to help meet the family needs as well as ministry.

7. Tennant Creek Ruth and Eugen, church leaders

Praise: the government grant to buy a new bus has come through and the generosity of the church in passing the old bus on cheaply to Alice Springs; Ruth and Eugen are safely home from their trip to Canada to meet their first grandchild; the enthusiasm of the Men’s and Ladies’ Bible study groups as they share and interact each week.

Pray for :spiritual strength for the leaders. The men are growing older and the ranks are being depleted. New men need to be trained to lead. Many are suffering poor health due to cold weather, especially Phyllis Driver who has gone to Alice Springs to commence a kidney dialysis programme. She will be lonely; for Ruth as she grieves the loss of her father.

8. Alice Springs Margaret and Greg Duke Sharon Jude

Praise : Some local folk are helping with a simple Sunday morning service for a few folk; the imminent provision of a bus as the current one has died.

Pray for : the team of workers needed. Hospital visiting and pastoral care alone is a full time ministry with many coming from AIM centres elsewhere. Wisdom regarding possible workers for 2009; the family (especially his wife Mary) of Wally Long, one of the regular attenders, who died last week after a long period of poor health. Many folk in Alice Springs will miss him.

Creativity and the Arts #1

2008-07-23T23:04:00.006+10:00

Tonight was the first night of my Replenish course "Creativity and the Arts" at church.

Week One: God - the Creative Genius.

God is creative, ingenious and awe-inspiring. He is the only one who can create out of nothing, no external resource is required. He needs no materials to create from, he needs no tools or materials to create with. He creates out of the invisible (Hebrews 11:3) His powerful word (Hebrews 11:3, Gen 1) and his will (Rev 4:11) are abundantly sufficient to create the heavens, the earth and humanity.

His creation tells me his is a God of goodness and perfection. Each day testifies that his purposeful creation is good (1:10; 12; 18; 21; 25; 31). God himself is perfect and he has fashioned everything accordingly. He didn't make a mistake and he didn't produce any waste or byproduct. He designed and made all things from the intricate root systems in rain-forests to the stars in the sky, to the hair, skin and eye colour of humans to the "plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit..."(1:11)

We have so many colours to enjoy on this earth and one of the good questions my dear friend Lizzie and I wonder about is whether there will be any new colours in heaven? Or do we get to enjoy all the colours of God's spectrum now?

This all tells me that God has no limit on his creativity. No one can match his imagination. Unlike us, God's ability to create is unstoppable and infinite - there are no limits for him. He creates species, types, varieties of trees, plants (strelizia, roses, agapanthus) and animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians...). And now think of the different kinds of roses and the different fragrance each one has. He is profuse. There is no one like our God.

God is truely worthy of our praise! Can you deny his magnificance, oppulence and existence? His eternal power and divine nature has been reveled to us in the abundance, beauty and handiwork of his creation. (Romans 1, Psalm 19). Please don't ignore him, for the world around us makes us without an excuse to acknowlege him as Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of all.

So what do you think it means for humanity, if God is this creative genius?
If we are made in his likeness what might this infer about us?
What is man that God is so mindful of him (Psalm 8)?

New church website...

2008-07-04T15:49:00.002+10:00

CHECK IT OUT!

Praise Jesus for Steve and the team who put it together! I like it!

The Gift of Administration...

2008-06-27T13:28:00.000+10:00

I am working this week for my old boss.

I have jumped on board the production of Vinnies World Youth 4 Justice Concert, which is on after the Pope's arrival. It's pretty big event with 12 bands/artists in the line up! We are yet to release the names of the artists and unsure whether the concert will be open to general public or only to the Pilgrims

This week I have the job title of Artist Liaison - which involves liaising with all the artists, getting press kits, graphics, by-lines, show times, sound check, contracts, VIPS etc all sorted and scheduled. Loving the organised chaos of production management.

I am also producing the Production Manual which, like all desktop publishing design, is time consuming. Details, details, details...

It's fun to be back working for my old boss... its been 3 years since I worked on the last event.

Being back has made me realise where I learn a lot of my "gift of administration" skills.
My boss is amazing! She has taught me lots about how to run events well. Her 30+ years in the rock and roll industry, pays off!

And so it makes me think - does she have the spiritual gift of administration?
Many unbelievers have this skill set, CEO's, event managers don't get where they are otherwise. But they can't be spiritual gifts right?

So do I distinguish my own gifts that way too... since I had the 'gift of administration' before I became a Christian? I relied on my own strength and skill to do things before and I guess I naturally fall back on it when using these skills to serve my church family?

The church is made up of my family > people not programs/events/structures right? So is the 1 Cor 13 principle my guide in applying the skills I've gained in serving the church, for without love I am a noisy gong? But shouldn't love guide me in all my work secular or not?

I guess whether you are a Christian or not, everything you have, everything you are is a gift of God. They are all God-given abilities. It's whether you attribute it to God!

So perhaps like 1 Corinthians keeps pushing its about your attitude and motivation to serve...love!

The choice is yours:
>>> promote self
>>> promote Jesus

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms... he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 4:10-11

We need more Fujimura's...

2008-06-20T15:19:00.012+10:00

Praise Jesus for Faith Visuals for producing this clip!

Makoto Fujimura

He is an artist.
He is intelligent.
He paints.
He writes.

He proclaims Christ.

Mako is a Christian of the reformed persuasion.
Mako and Tim Keller are mates.
Mako is the Creative Director & Founder Artist of IAM
Keller is on the Advisory Board of IAM.

IAM gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.

I am sad that I haven't been introduced to Makoto earlier... but very thankful that I now have.

"I am a Christian. I am also an artist and creative, and what I do is driven by my faith experience."
— Makoto Fujimura said in a 2007 article by Associated Press reporter Eric Gorsk

He and the artists that he as gathered around him have created a new realm where the arts and religion meet. He and IAM are doing great things for Christianity and the Arts. He is bringing faith to the cultural discussion table and putting the gospel on the agenda. I praise Jesus for the way he and the many artists are using their gifts to express the truths of the God who gave them.

As critic Robert Kushner has written, "The idea of forging a new kind of art, about hope, healing, redemption, refuge, while maintaining visual sophistication and intellectual integrity is a growing movement, one which finds Fujimura's work at the vanguard."

I've just bought his book, became a member of IAM (not that I will get much benefit beng here in Aust, but think its a gospel initiative that I want to support) and iwll use Makoto for the God and Art Course I am running at my church in the coming month.

We need more people like Makoto!

That's a RAP...

2008-06-15T22:28:00.007+10:00

Radical Answer to Prayer

I have unfortunatley been feeling a little disconnected from the course material at college. It has really disapointed me that this is the case... stuff seems to go in but hasn't seemed to change or excite or grab me! I think that is sad.

I have been praying that God would transform my heart and mind to be humble and more like a sponge, to soak up the goodness and that there would be some cross over between the stuff I am learning and with serving his people.

God has been super gracious:

A girl from my old church emailed me yesterday asking:
how do you explain to a non-believer about the differences between old and new testament? how do you explain why Jesus changes things, however, there still are some universal values that are kept? I need a crash course...
At church tonight I was asked
what did you get up to on the weekend: I spent saturday morning having breakfast in a cafe with myself and article.

She asked what article: oh just one on homosexuality...

and can you believe it she was chatting just this week to her gay friend and had thought to herself she really needs to clarify what she thinks about this a little more. So she asked for a copy and we are going to do coffee to chat it over sometime!

Praise Jesus for BS 141 (Biblical Theology)

Sex and the City Reconsidered

2008-06-12T22:06:00.005+10:00

Christianity Today did a review of SATC movie... Some Christians have reacted in outrage by the 3 stars the movie received, where as Prince Caspian received 2.5 stars.

These articles have made me think - am I guilty?

This movie I think is really telling of our culture. I think it is an accurate picture (within creative licence) of the confused state of our world. But does this film promote the confusion and contridiction of society or does it show it up?

hmmm....
__________________________

Christianity Today Review
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2008/sexandthecity.html

Christianity Today Review - Review!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/youreviewedwhat.html

The Shepherd's Scrapbook Blog
http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/sex-and-the-city-christian/

Boundless Blog
http://www.boundlessline.org/2008/06/christianity-to.html

Love is...

2008-06-09T15:29:00.002+10:00

Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind.

He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.

He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs.

Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Jesus never fails!

Yet another RSS feed?...

2008-06-09T10:49:00.006+10:00

So I subscribe to a number of blogs... Some posts I read, am built up, rebuked, stretched, infored or amused, some I pick up some tricks, some I skim over and some posts I just ignore (sorry to be blunt).

But the latest RSS feed I am subscribing to in my program NetNewsWire is
http://www.persecution.com.au/news/default.asp and it is one you cannot skim or ignore.

It contains the latest news and prayer requests for the Persecuted Church. Thanks to the organisation Voice of the Matyrs.

I was blown away by finding this update online as I was preparing for prayers at church. I was really rebuked by the apathy of myself and fellow believers here in Sydney and our prayer-less-ness.

PRAY and “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3 )
...

Father God,

We pray for the many people who are imprisoned and tortured around the world because of their faith and trust in our great Saviour Jesus Christ.

Enable them not to compromise or loose heart when authorities forbid them to worship you. Strengthen each believer with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Comfort them as they are rejected, ridiculed, and threatened by other religions and even their own families.

Thank you for organizations like Voice of the Martyrs and for their commitment to helping today's persecuted Christians. Lord God, may you grant VOM the grace needed to continue in the work they do amongst families, prisoners, the underground church and in the work of translation printing, and distribution of Bibles and Christian books. Help them to use resources wisely and fairly, as they seek to encourage, support and equip persecuted believers.

Father help us here in Sydney, to remember those in prison and suffering for your name. Thank you for their example and empower us to pray for those of whom we have not met. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and it grieves us to hear of the ways they suffer and it rebukes us to hear of their faithfulness to you in the face of such trials.

Father forgive us for our laziness, our self-centeredness and preoccupation with security. That as we live in our relative ease, safety and freedom help us not to take what we have for granted. We are sorry Father that instead of using all that you have graced us with for Jesus, we use it instead to promote ourselves. Instead of living boldly amongst our friends and family, we seek to please them and ourselves rather than you.

Father we pray all these things so that the glory of your Son Jesus may shine brighter.
May the world know that it is to Him we belong.

In Christs name we pray...
AMEN

Sex and the City

2008-06-08T13:39:00.005+10:00

Things the movie illuminated for me:

Shoes make me happy!
People hurt people.
Forgiveness is hard.
Humans like the words "I", "me", "my" and "mine".
Friends are a true blessing.
Love can stink.
Families are out of fashion.
Lonliness isn't nice.
People want to be loved.
Broken relationships are painful.
Macs are cool.
Love brings great joy.
People want to live life their own way.
Marriage is a good thing but misunderstood by many.
Children are a miraclous gift.
People ignore God.

Reading Comprehension...

2008-06-03T11:11:00.008+10:00

Does the Holy Spirit illuminate only the Scriptures for the believer?
Does He illuminate primary source documents, theological text books or novels?

How does the Holy Spirit illuminate words for the illiterate?

...

These questions have been floating around in my head in light of thinking about Indigenous Church ministry and also because of my own experience this week trying to comprehend ancient texts for college.

AIM PRAYER NOTES for JUNE 2008...

2008-06-03T11:06:00.000+10:00

http://www.aimpa.com/

NEW SOUTH WALES
1. AIM Council: John Keane, Arthur Nicolson, Geoff Bartlett, Len Smith, Pierre Thielemans, Kevin Sylvester, Peter Dart, Cliff and Trevor. Field Members of Council: Jono Wright, Richard Davies, Elizabeth Ham, Dennis Tranter.
Praise: For the faithful work of the Council members, their general oversight and prayer support of AIM, and the special interest of those who visit the field from time to time.
Pray for: the meeting planned for 10th June, for wise decisions to be made.

2. Dubbo David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: More new faces, some are bringing others; Sunday-School is a blessing as well as the new teaching time on Tuesday afternoons; new faces at Men’s Breakfasts.
Prayer: Sunday-School children to be converted; men who attend breakfast to come to Sunday services; David and Rose as they lead the ministry team.

3. Moree Paul and Erin Strahan and Grace
Praise: Erin is expecting a new baby in December; good numbers at Kid’s church; more contact with adults.
Pray for: Paul as he prepares to speak at Collarenebri Convention on long weekend; guidance about reaching more teenagers in the time they have available; more like-minded people to share in the ministry.

4. Office Trevor and Pam, Rob and Jenni Alley, Cliff and Sue
Praise: For the financial gifts given to support the ministry; for the prayer support of many for the work of AIM; for the expansion of the team with the planned move of Rob and Jenni Alley and baby Miriam mid year to the office.
Pray for: A support team for the Alleys as they step out trusting God into the full time ministry of Mission Awareness Tours and Administration; for Cliff and Trevor in their various responsibilities; for Pam as she keeps things running smoothly.

5. Gilgandra Max and Tracy Conlon
Praise: For the acceptance of the Conlons; for the response of the young people to Max’s ministry
Pray for: Building of new relationships; more people to come back to the church fellowship.

QUEENSLAND
6. Camooweal Jono and Grace Wright and family
Praise: For cooler weather; visit of Grace’s parents; Grace’s renewed strength
Pray for: Jono and Grace as they go on deputation soon, that it will be rewarding and fruitful; that the Christians in Camooweal will continue to encourage each other in the Wright’s absence; Jono as he leads the studies at the Bible School over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

7. Cherbourg
Praise: That Church leader Sammy Murray has been elected as the Mayor of Cherbourg.
Pray for: Sam Murray and family as they grieve the loss of Doris; more men in the church; the breaking of the cycle of substance abuse among the young people; those who teach RE in the schools. Pray for Sammy Murray and Neil Simpson as they lead the church.

8. Rockhampton Bill and Lesley Power David Chambers
Praise: David is building strong friendships among the young people; growth in interest among those at the Milbi Rehabilitation Farm where meetings are held weekly
Pray for: Church leader Irene Currie, whose husband Alex died recently. The funeral was 23rd May; for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Sunday School children, the church council meeting to be held at Inala on 6-8th June.

9. Woorabinda Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: For open doors into the community; for various churches which want to help and support the ministry in Woorabinda
Pray for: The community as it becomes a dry community soon; for Martin as he has been approached by Dept of Communities to assist, especially with troubled youth; Rose as she does RE and helps in Day care.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
10. Darwin Rhonda Coats and Elizabeth Ham
Praise: Rhonda has been able to make an extended trip (about 8 weeks) to various centres with literature and to teach where possible; for the opportunities Elizabeth has in hospital ministry and in the school.
Pray for: Safety for Rhonda as she drives alone, for good openings to share and for people to be around when she visits their centres; for Neremiah, a young car accident victim from B’loola whom Elizabeth has met in Darwin hospital . Her family are very anxious about her.
Pray for: Marion Quinn, teaching at Woolaning Homeland Christian College, who has students from many centres including Belyuen. Each day is a challenge as they prepare students to face the future.

11. Katherine Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise: for the outreach already started at the Gorge and for God’s blessing so far.
Pray for: Continued blessing from the Gorge outreach; for the Lord to strengthen the church council and make them more committed

12. Borroloola Max and Doris Field Vincent Charlie Warren Timothy Miriam
Praise: For growth in Sunday School and Miriam’s faithful teaching; for the quiet confident way in which Shaelene faced her death, trusting in Christ and for the testimony at her funeral service.
Pray for: Shaelene’s young son in the care of family; Gemma who has turned her back o God but had contact with Max and Doris; health of the Fields; reaching out to those who have been baptised and drifted away

13. Elliott Harold and Kay Dalywaters; Raymond and Thelma Dixon at Marlinja
Praise: For Sunday School being run by Harold and Kay and the good number attending; for the faithful witness of the Dalywaters and Dixons in hard places

Pray for: These couples to live as examples in their communities and shine for Jesus in these dark places; for other Christians to be encouraged to reach out in the community.

14. Tennant Creek Richard, Cedric, Jeff , Ruth and Eugen
Praise: Growth in new converts, especially Brian Jakara; ladies and teenagers learning new sewing and tapestry skills; the church folk picking up extra responsibilities
Pray for: Ruth and Eugen as they travel to Canada to meet their new grand daughter, for safety and good health ; for the health of church members who struggle, especially in colder months; for those taking on new rolls in the church outside their comfort zones.

15. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: local ladies have taken over running the Sunday School and doing well; encouraging participation in Ladies’ meeting Tuesday night, men’s meeting Thursday afternoon. Praise for Rodney’s leadership
Pray for: continued growth in understanding among the church people; for Andrew and some men who are going to Elcho Island
3-10th June for dedication of New Testament. Andrew grew up there so will renew acquaintances and introduce the desert men to some Christians from salt water country. Pray for Cindy as she copes at home alone.

16. Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: For those who stand strong and resist pressure; for opportunities to teach RE at the school

Pray for: Those who made commitments at Easter meetings and now face loneliness as they are cut off from friends and facing temptation; for trusting friendships to grow within the church family; for a Christian teacher to respond to the advertisement placed by the School Principal ( Ben)for an English teacher.

17. Alice Springs Bob and Deb McKerrell
Praise : For the wonderful ministry of Bob and Deb over six months; Bob’s successful nerve block treatment in Brisbane recently for a chronic back problem; for God’s sustaining strength and help to meet each situation; for those who have assisted during the past six months.
Pray for: Bob and Deb as they return to Toowoomba on 9th June; their planned trip to Aurukun with a team of workers to do ministry; for the new short term workers.

SOS - We have just learned Terry and Olga Manton are now unable to go to Alice Springs to carry on the ministry after the McKerrells depart. We have nobody available at such short notice to fill in. Please pray with us about what the Lord wants us to do regarding Alice Springs.

One of the most empowering books...

2008-05-29T11:34:00.007+10:00

This is a short film of one of the most empowering books I have ever read!

This film stops at the turning point of the story...

Any guesses how the story ends?

Running to the battlefield...

2008-05-26T16:08:00.005+10:00

My brother emailed this quote to me today.
It struck a cord with me...

“… Are then Christianity and culture in a conflict that is to be settled only by the destruction of one or the other of the contending forces? A third solution, fortunately, is possible—namely, consecration. Instead of destroying the arts and sciences or being indifferent to them, let us cultivate them with all the enthusiasm of the veriest humanist, but at the same time consecrate them to the service of our God. Instead of stifling the pleasures afforded by the acquisition of knowledge or by the appreciation of what is beautiful, let us accept these pleasures as the gifts of a heavenly Father. Instead of obliterating the distinction between the kingdom and the world, or on the other hand withdrawing from the world into a sort of modernized intellectual monasticism, let us go forth joyfully, enthusiastically to make the world subject to God. …

There are two objections to our solution of the problem. If you bring culture and Christianity thus into close union—in the first place, will not Christianity destroy culture? Must not art and science be independent in order to flourish? We answer that it all depends upon the nature of their dependence. Subjection to any external authority or even to any human authority would be fatal to art and science. But subjection to God is entirely different. Dedication of human powers to God is found, as a matter of fact, not to destroy but to heighten them. God gave those powers. He understands them well enough not bunglingly to destroy his own gifts. In the second place, will not culture destroy Christianity? Is it not far easier to be an earnest Christian if you confine your attention to the Bible and do not risk being led astray by the thought of the world? We answer that of course it is easier. Shut yourself up in an intellectual monastery, do not disturb yourself with the thoughts of unregenerate men, and of course you will find it easier to be a Christian, just as it is easier to be a good soldier in comfortable winter quarters than it is on the field of battle. You save your own soul—but the Lord’s enemies remain in possession of the field.”

[Quote taken from D. G. Hart’s, J. Gresham Machen: Selected Shorter Writings (P&R, 2004) 399-4??.]

Which Doctor would you choose...

2008-05-22T10:04:00.006+10:00

#1

#2

Looking at their portraits who would you want as your doctor?

#1 I'd want him to diagnose me - he looks like a doer, a doctor of action!
#2 I'd want him to operate on me - his hands are the focal point, they are huge and so I reckon he has the gift with the scalpel.
#3 I am not sure about him. The style of painting looks like he could be friendly and so I'd want to tell him what is wrong with me. But the style looks bit story-book like and so a little fake.
#4 I think he belongs on Some Mothers do have 'em or Yes Prime Minister
#5 I reckon he could be on the team to diagnose me. He is mysterious and so a genius!

God and Art...

2008-05-19T23:11:00.012+10:00

Replenish 08 is coming up in July - 4 week training term for CBTB.

As previously mentioned on my blog, I am creating and running a course on God and Art, with a couple from morning church.

We came up with the 4 weeks and it's content the other week:
WEEK 1: The Creative Genius

The Perfection and detail in His creation (the intricacies of root systems & complexity of humans)

The Variety in His creation (not one type of bird but many, not one colour but many!)

The Abundance in His creation (stars, flowers, sand, water)

The Innovation in His creation (to create out of nothing)

Art practice: Convey, with paper, what you learn about Jesus from a section of a gospel narrative?

WEEK 2: Christians in Art

3 guest artists: Visual Artist, Ceramist & Dancer. Each will share how they use their gifts in creativity in their medium, how they make moral judgements, use their art for gospel/mission and how they might engage with the secular world using their art.

Art practice: Express a characteristic of yourself in a shape using clay?

WEEK 3: Engaging with Art

Excursion to the art gallery.

Art practice: Detail your response to an artwork: in prose, ink or discussion!

WEEK 4: Art in Controversy.

How does the Christian reconcile the difference between the nude and porn?

How do we respond to artists like Jule Rrap, Andres Serrano & Jeff Koons etc?

What are the boundaries? How can scripture shape our response?

If artists are provoking us to think about what we believe, How can Christians be provocative for the gospel? How do we engage the world to consider God and his worldview?

Art practice: Installation Art!

________________________________________

Another 'arty' thing I am doing at church is offering a 4 week community course (maybe 6 if I have enough material) in August or September, on Acting in the Everyday.

My aim is to have fun, teach a few drama techniques that will help increase and boost confidence - and provide opportunity for relationships to develop between the adult students that come along. A big part of the course will be teaching my theory on the Art of Conversation that I developed over the last two years...more on that in a later entry!

Please be praying that God be glorified in all these activities.
May the name of Christ be made great!

A runner with no legs...

2008-05-18T23:10:00.006+10:00

Now I am not a sport fan of such, but today I was watching an interview with South African runner Oscar Pistorius... trick is he has no legs (he had them amputated as a child).

But he does have these amazing wazmadoodle prosthetic legs! It was breathtaking to watch the footage of him run - he is a true athelete.

He just won an appeal to run at the able-body Olympics. He is that good. He had to undergo scientific tests to see how much of an 'advantage' having prosthetic legs are. Even though it was proven he has a greater spring in his step than the average human ankle, 'Blade Runner' is in, he will be allowed to compete!

Makes you wonder what makes a race a race, competition, competition and a competitor a competitior?
what do you do when your 'own kind' are no competition to you? if chicks start running heaps faster than the rest of the women do you reckon they can race with men, so the get some healthy competition? Or does the IOC create a free-for-all race?

Father Bob...

2008-05-18T23:05:00.001+10:00

On my way home from church Father Bob and special guest (don't know who, sorry!) were discussing the ethics of suicide/euthanasia, on triple J.

The special guest asked:
Show me in the bible where God says that we should expect and deserve suffering? you can't can you... God doesn't want us to suffer. We deserve a choice.

Now this question wasn't answered... they just kept talking. Shame!

Then Safran asked Father Bob: now you worship a God who killed himself?

Tough Question.

Answers? Where would you start?

I hear a drum beating...

2008-05-15T23:38:00.009+10:00

We sung this song* for the first time at church on Sunday night. The song was really well introduced, with the explanation of the songs genesis: written while the band was playing in Thai bars full of prostitutes and surrounded by brothels.

At church this song was teamed with a sermon full of punches on 1 Corinthians 10 warning us about complacency and idolatry, which powerfully spoke to me. It excited within me a desire to live not an aimless life but one that finds its security and joy in Christ, to run hard, to run to the battlefield for greater things are still to be done in this city. Let's fight for godliness and fight so that many might know Jesus.

This song reminds me of another song by Bethany Dillon "A Voice Calling Out" which has lines like:
I can hear a drum beating...
Heaven's battle cry, Rise!....
I see a generation rising up...
Running to the battlefield and finding their lives.

This is the song I have playing in my head out when I go out talking to people about Jesus. I feel the bagpipes and drums that accompanies this song pumps me up and prepares my heart for battle.

It really reminds me of the fighting edge of the gospel. It brings to the forefront of my mind the spiritual battle that is going on in the heavenly realms. It pushes me to pray and makes me want to run to the battle field, to live and love the gospel, declaring Christ to every place, including the darkest of places...

*God of the city - Chris Tomlin (Passion 08)

Mother's Day...

2008-05-11T13:01:00.003+10:00

Advertisments...

2008-05-07T16:18:00.008+10:00

This advertisment completely hooked me... I clicked, then clicked and clicked, then had a look at the new Saab 9-3.

I even went to check Saab's website out and did you know you can download the song 'Release Me' that plays in their ad? Amazing!

But I don't really know what boxing me as a right brain does for my individuality?

I am wondering if I should still go for a test drive?

www.saab.com.au

Art?...

2008-05-05T14:28:00.002+10:00

http://guillermohabacucvargas.blogspot.com/

PetitionOnline.com - is a pretty interesting concept in itself!

AIM PRAYER NOTES for MAY 2008...

2008-05-03T08:32:00.003+10:00

http://www.aimpa.com/

The tourist season is beginning in the north and many centres have visitors arriving. Please pray for our workers as they seek to balance hospitality with their ministry. It can create a lot of pressure.

New South Wales

Gilgandra: Max and Tracey Conlon and son Marley
Praise the safe relocation to Gilgandra and the opportunity for a new ministry
Prayer: settling in and adjusting; Marley as he misses his friends; wisdom in setting priorities in the ministry

Dubbo: David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: There are a steady number of new faces, one man inquiring about baptism.
The Sunday-School continues to be a blessing. The special monthly events held have been a real encouragement with increased numbers attending
Prayer: Wisdom to disciple inquirers, conversion of those showing interest, including the children, guidance concerning the starting of special classes, perhaps catechism.

Office: Leggotts, Letchers, Alleys
Praise: Safe arrival of baby Miriam Alley.
Prayer: Rob and Jenni as they adjust to parenthood and seek to be wise and godly in raising Miriam. Also that they will know God’s guidance concerning their future ministry with AIM.
Praise: Safe travel and valuable interaction with the Mission Awareness Tours recently completed - Cliff to Canteen Creek and Trevor to various centres in Qld, NT and NSW
Prayer: For ongoing impact from these trips among the young people involved and a willingness to serve Christ wherever He leads them in the future; for Cliff as he heads to Kuala Lumpur in mid May to do a training course in teaching Bible Storying in an Oral culture, that he will be able to use these skills within AIM.

Moree: Paul and Erin Strahan
Praise: Blessed school holiday programme for the children; the good way in which the helpers from Sydney fitted in.
Prayer: building on the holiday programme; continued opportunities to make contacts with Indigenous families.

Queensland

Rockhampton: Bill and Lesley Power, David Chambers
Praise for leadership team in the church - Bill, David, Irene, Jandalyn and Lesley; for the eight ladies going to the Women’s convention. For many answered prayers including success of Elsie’s operation and Selly’s visit.
Pray for Bill’s health and David Chambers as he leads the youth; Milbi farm outreach; guidance for the church leaders concerning the way ahead.

Palm Island: Solo and Akanisi
Praise for the opportunity to have a witness on the island; for Christians in various roles within the community to have a godly consistent witness
Prayer: there is a need for a bus to transport people to activities

Camooweal: Jono and Grace Wright
Praise: opportunity to go on outreach from 30th April for two weeks; the impending visit of Grace’s parents from W.A.
Prayer: for strength to cope with the stresses of family life and health issues; for safety on outreach and the children’s health during the trip; for growth in the believers in the various communities as Jono teaches them

Worrabinda: Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: One local man is coming to church regularly now and seems eager to earn about God; opportunities to share in the community as we participate in various local activities
Prayer: the community is preparing for the alcohol ban to come into effect on July 1st; all churches have suffered constant vandalism which proves very expensive to fix; pray for the youth who are involved in this vandalism; for Martin as he continues to work as a chaplain in the High School; for Rose as she mixes with the ladies seeking to model the love of Christ.

Northern Territory

Tennant Creek: Freudigmanns, Richard, Michael, Cedric, Jeffrey
Praise: Christians have stood firm against attacks from the evil one since Easter; Janet Mick has come back to the Lord; the weekly Bible study groups are well attended; godly and consistent leadership from church Elders, Eugen and Ruth’s faithful servant hearts.
Prayer: General physical health as the weather gets cooler; Rhonda O’Keefe and Annie Jones as they teach an average of 25 children each week in Sunday-School;
Phyllis Ricky and Annie Jones as they learn new patchworking skills, for Ruth as she spends time teaching them and chatting about the Lord as they learn.

Katherine: Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise for the good spiritual health of the church family, Greg and Debbie’s enthusiasm, success of the youth trips to Darwin, the growth of the weekly Bible Study groups
Prayer: The tourist season is beginning and the Sunday afternoon outreach service at the Katherine Gorge will commence from May 11th. Pray for good contacts between the church folk and tourists, for words in season from the church folk and a godly witness.

Darwin: Rhonda Coats, Elizabeth Ham
Praise: A young man recently became a Christian through the gaol ministry of the Community Church; other inmates have been showing interest. Elizabeth has the opportunity each week at Belyeun School tot each the Word of God.
Prayer: Continued growth of the new Christian in gaol and for the conversion of others. Elizabeth needs strength and wisdom as she counsels people around Darwin who have a variety of problems. Rhonda is planning a 4-6 week trip around the centres commencing in early May. Pray for safety in travel, opportunities for good fellowship and to share resources, for good health.

Barunga:
Praise: one Christian took a stand at a recent funeral against ceremony business being mixed up with a Christian funeral.
Prayer: the Christians will continue to grow string spiritually and God will add others to His church.

Alice Springs: Bob and Deb Mckerrell
Praise: for the work completed on the house, and the ministry of Phil and Cathy Stuart and Bob and Joy Wells; for a full time place for Alfred Norman at the Topsy Smith Hostel; Bob and Deb as they faithful care for the flock.
Prayer: Bob as he goes to Brisbane for a nerve block on his back in early May; safety for Debbie as she is there alone; for Terry and Olga Manton as they prepare to come in June for three months; full time workers for 2009; outpouring of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives so that the bondage of sin can be broken and growth occur.

Canteen Creek: Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: the government nutrition programme means each child in the community is receiving breakfast morning tea and lunch at school each day, which has not happened before. The local women are running the programme
Prayer: The breaking of the power of gambling. Some marriages are at breaking point because of it, children are being neglected as the gambling rings are going all night. Richard and Sue will be spending a week at SMBC as Missionaries in residence in early May. Pray for their impact on the students. Pray for healing for Richard’s eye, which has been causing trouble since he got a piece of wood in it.

Borroloola: Max and Doris Field
Praise: Good attendance at the meetings, including more men; some folk asking for bibles; camp meetings recommencing with Vincent Charlie giving a simple clear message;
Prayer: Max has to go to Darwin for scans related to an ongoing problem; continued drunkenness causes fights and constant noise all night. Pray for a conviction of sin among the people. Shaelene who has cancer is growing weaker but hopes to return home from Darwin.

Epenarra: Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: for growth in Rodney who has been a Christian for almost a year; for the visit of the Pastor and his wife from Sydney; for the children’s current good health
Prayer: Christian tentmakers to come to the community as teachers, health workers etc; coping with the pressures of daily like with the family and community demands; health and strength

Tentmakers:
Ben and Suze Hollands at Canteen Creek School;
Tim Letcher at Fitzroy Crossing School;
Becky Mohr at Alice Springs Hospital;
Marion Quinn at Woolaning Homeland Christian College;
David Young at Kalkaringi school.

Pray for these folk who are seeking to serve Christ in their daily jobs and support the Aboriginal church. Pray that their lives will honour God and point others to the Saviour.

What I am...

2008-05-01T16:05:00.014+10:00

Listening to:

Dimitri Shostakovich
Russian Composer (1905 - 1975) - He lived an intense life which is reflected in his music and doesn't the image of him depict a man of depth, mystery and brilliance. I just bought his 9th Symphony - which is inspired by the 1905 events of the Russian Revolution.

Happy about:

My brother Todd and Carrie getting married. April 25 was the day they got hitched and it was really a great day with family and friends. It was nice to hear Toby preach at the wedding, which I think spoke loudly to our non-Christian family, plus I really enjoyed listening to the groomsmen and bridesmaid speeches about Todd & Carrie.
Changing from Hebrew 1 A to Hebrew 1B... Had a catch up lesson with my new lecturer Wendy with another girl Tessa, and it was amazing. We both feel like we have our heads around it already!! woo hoo!
Coles Belgian Fruit & Nut Chocolate.

Bemused by:

Accordance Bible Software: I have no idea really how to use all the features and additional programs I got. Looking forward to the training day in July!
http://www.accordancebible.com/

Thinking about:

This quote from Antigone by Sophocles:
" Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise."

Greek Text - http://www.perseus.org/

Thankful for:

Holidays... really restful and fun! Spent time with Toby, Liz and my niece Maisy plus 4 good friends came up for a few days too... But maybe my hols were too good as it was hard coming back from my Aunt's gorgeous home to my room at college. It was hard on Monday to get back into it but the rest of the week has picked up and I feeling joyfully content about being here. Praise Jesus!
My Connect Group & CBTB: really love Tuesday & Sunday nights, it is a true highlight of my week. I have recently been really blown away by the generosity and love they have showered on me.
Friends: praise Jesus for the friendships that he has so abundantly blessed me with.

Looking forward to:

Outreach Meeting: to think through ways in which CBTB can be a part of our Kirribilli community.
Equip Womens Conference - a chance to hang out with women @ CBTB and be encouraged from God's word together. Plus Claire Smith's seminar on the superwomen. CHECK OUT: www.equip.org.au

Where else would you like to put up this sign...

2008-04-26T16:23:00.002+10:00

What's your purpose?...

2008-04-23T08:48:00.004+10:00

God gives...

2008-04-19T23:02:00.013+10:00

Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORDwatches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

2It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one’s youth.

5Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

I went to SaturdayEV tonight with my brother, my sister-in-law and my niece. I really enjoyed! Nice music, friendly people, yum food and generally a good feel about the place! I especially liked the sermon. It's school holidays so they were doing a one off sermon on the above Psalm, which was especially fitting as they had a thanksgiving for a child in their church family!

The sermon was a much needed reminder that in everything, yes everything, it is God who gives. It is He who gives success, sleep, children, life and our glorious Saviour! While soaking in these truths as the preacher spoke, I couldn't help but notice the richness of this text...

( Iwill blog more later, when I can pin down some of the thoughts flying around in my head)

I know I like shoes but...

2008-04-18T19:52:00.002+10:00

not so sure of these ones... apparently the latest craze in Japan!

I think the word got out...

2008-04-13T23:54:00.007+10:00

THAT I LIKE TEA???

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead...

2008-04-09T19:29:00.011+10:00

83-year-old Sidney Lumet's new movie is out: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead...

The advertised premise for the movie is:
When two brothers organise the robbery of their parents' jewellery store the job goes horribly wrong...

Margaret and David both gave it 4 stars!
I'd give it hmmm... 2 or 4 stars... not really sure!

The fractured sequence of events allowed for the building up of ethical tension in the viewers mind. The storyboard provoked me to think about the nature of the events being payed out in front of me... I kept asking myself "do desperate times call for desperate measures?" "how far would I go?" " why would you kill for $60,000?" I think the layers of scenes, flashbacks, although at times seemed to overlap, it provided time for my mind to ponder and grapple with the theme. I think the fragments and going back in the plot also raises the question of "if I could do it over, what might I do different?"

It was a bit slow because of what seemed repetition... but it was confronting, intense and thought provoking. My friend asked me after "what did you think? intense hey?" I replied "Do you reckon desperate times call for desperate measures? He replied "do you really reckon their situations were desperate?" Interesting question!

The other intensity was the nudity throughout and the explicit sex scene that opens the movie and pretty much smacks you in the face. My friend who I went with, he whispered to me "ohh this is a bit full on"... which at that point I didn't know how to respond so I just shrugged and kept watching! Don't think that was the best response at the time but still don't know what the best response would have been.
________________________________________

Can I leave you with 2 questions:

What would make you walk out of a movie? sex scene, boredom, drug taking, blasphemy...
Desperate times calls for desperate measures... how do you get to the gospel from that?

Moore2Life...

2008-04-07T10:36:00.006+10:00

I went on my Moore College Mission to the parish of ULLADULLA - which consists of St Martins Ulladulla (8:30am & 5:30pm services); St Peters & St Pauls Milton (11:30am service) and Sussex Inlet (9:30am? & 6pm?).

I think the highlight of the week was Val Israel, (picture above) my host/billet. She is 80+, been a Christian for 40 years, is a devoted lover of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a thinker, keen learner, gentle, generous, creative and loving. Sarah and I enjoyed endless cups of tea and chats, board games, jewelery making with Val. It was so encouraging to hear how much Jesus is her true Joy, her Hope in grieving the loss of her husband, and hear how she is keener than ever to learn more about Him and share his Love!

The rest of the week was good fun too. The program wasn't too hectic so we were able to make visits to cafes, the beach, a winery, lolly shop, shops...

I was involved in preaching the gospel:

to kids in running the Sunday School for St Martins 5:30pm church both Sundays;
to mums @ the Mums N Bubs group - I ran a discussion on FEAR!
to kids @ local primary schools.
to the youth on Friday night @ Sussex.
to a group of ladies at a bible study group.

Other things the team did was preach on Sundays, Skate Park Youth Meet, Christian Surfers Breakfast and Movie Night, Women's Pamper Night, other bible study groups, High School stuff and Men's breakfast!

Please be praying for Ulladulla Parish. Pray for the ministers Geoff and Marty, that God would grant them wisdom as they continue to lead the flock He has entrusted into their care and for the church community to be thinking how they can reach the lost of the Shoalhaven.

Chekhov, Gorky & Strindberg (Sex, Lies & Samovars)...

2008-03-28T23:37:00.011+11:00

2nd Year Actor's Centre company presented the above tonight! I went to see a friend who was performing and ended up bumping into two old uni mates - I enjoyed!

Stand Out Quotes of the Night:

from 'Scenes from Philistines by Maxim Gorky'
Adaptation by Andrew Upton

Opinions don't like to be silent

from 'Scenes from Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov'

ASTROV: And when they don't know what label to stick on my forehead, they say "he is a queer fellow, very queer!" I am fond of forestry - that's queer!
___
SONYA: I am not good looking. YELENA: You have beautiful hair.

_________________________________________________________

Watching these plays has made me want to read some more Chekhov! He has amazing wit and insight into life: a wasted life. Which is I think is what I saw as the linking theme between each snippet of plays by the three Russian playwrights...
the meaninglessness of mores, the valuelessness of wealth and the fruitlessness of unrequited love.

What also impressed me is the clear shared culture of the plays (1888-1902?) with that of our own: sex, lies, broken relationships, pursuit of wealth, fortune and a name (oh not to forget tea - we all love a cuppa!).

What I am...

2008-03-25T14:15:00.009+11:00

PLANNING FOR...

Replenish 08 - CBTB training course term
This is my brief. I will present it with a guy from church who is also 'creative'!

God’s view on Art, how to do it in a way that glorifies God;
Explore the theology of visual media & human artistic expression (but don’t get bogged down in it – allow lots of time for teaching skills to people who want to express their love of God artistically. (eg how to make an artwork of a passage – even if you don’t finish it by the end of 4 weeks!). Broader issues of how visual media can serve the gospel (eg. The effect of visuals, even decorating a room, can effect how people hear the gospel… maybe the course needs to finish by re-decorating church!)

LISTENING TO...

Joanna Newsom - The Milk-eyed Mender
She is a harpist and singer - unique voice but great sounds!
http://www.joanna-newsom.com/

Soko - Soko not Sokute
Very fun lyrics expressing blunt emotions!
http://www.myspace.com/mysoko

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

College Mission -to Ulladulla
30th March - 6th April
Newsboys Concert this Saturday night
Carrie & Todd's Wedding! Anzac Day

HAPPY ABOUT...

My back and headaches are better.
Thanks to the Osteopath and retesting of my eyesight!
Finding treasures in God's word:
I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant... Genesis32:10
My girls in my bible study group
Bec, Kim, Hilary & Laura have been a great encouragement in spurring me on to godly living.
Seeing my brother Toby around college heaps! Plus meeting lots of new friends and building existing friendships here!

SAD ABOUT...

No door-knocking - on mission
Love door-knocking, and sad to hear that my team won't be involved in any where as some other teams have heaps of it.
Not being around home, especially in the lead up to my brother Todd's wedding.

DRINKING...

Passion t2 Tea
an exotic and sensual spicy blend. energising with high levels of anti-oxidants. added ginseng promotes general health and stamina.
made from: hibiscus, rosehip, cardamon, lemongrass, red clover, jasmine, pasion flower, ginseng, rose.

MISSING...

The fellowship of peeps from Matthias.
My sewing machine and time to sew!
The convenience of being around my family.

EXCITED BY...

God sending his Son to intersect humanity, at that point in time and location in history... Using the greek language to record the events of Christ's life. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the clarity and precise nature of the Greek language. So much meaning can be found in each word - it excites me!!! YEP nerrrrdd!!

Good Friday...

2008-03-21T09:38:00.005+11:00

2 Corinthians 5
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What a Saviour...

2008-03-21T09:11:00.000+11:00

My soul is weak
My heart is numb
I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I’ll hold on tightly
You will never let me go
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross

Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To that place where every tear is wiped away
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross

What a Saviour, what a story
You were crucified but now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified but now You are alive

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross

http://www.myspace.com/timhughesmusic

Links to resources...

2008-03-19T19:53:00.004+11:00

Check out the whole lot of links I've added to the side bar...

Please use your discernment as some of the resources vary greatly in quality. Some things are great as is, some things need tweaking, and some just provide a spring board for ideas!

I hope you find some of the resources useful in your context of proclaiming Christ!!

I found...

2008-03-17T10:41:00.006+11:00

A MUSHROOM!
in my parents backyard!

Sharing in His Kingly Rule...

2008-03-12T14:21:00.006+11:00

I Corinthinans 6

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?

And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels?

How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

I really enjoyed digging into the depths of the scriptures for our Connect Group study last night. In doing so my view of God just got a bit bigger.

If you try and extract some of the implied truths from the questions Paul poses to the Corinthians - in his efforts to help them see how ridiculous it is for the church to pursue conflict resolution from unbelievers - you come across some astounding truths.

Saints will judge the world.
The world is to be judged by the saints.
Even the lowest person in the Corinthian church is competent to judge.
The saints judge angels.

In searching the scriptures I stumbled upon the following verses to help me work all this out...

Daniel 7
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

Matthew 19 28 Jesus said to them, Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Timothy 2:11-13
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Revelation 20
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Ultimately Christians will judge the ungodly and angels too… Affirming that when Christ returns God’s people will share in his kingly rule - one aspect of which is passing judgment on the ungodly.

How mind blowing is that?

This is the sort of authority our Jesus has, he gave it up to plummet to his death for us his enemies. He washes, sanctifies and justifies us and not only do we gain access to the kingdom, but share in His rule!

One girl alluded to the image from Narnia, when the kids sit on thrones alongside Asalan - I am not a Narnia buff, so am unsure of this scene... but I think it was a helpful image!

I am not sure how it will actually work out on That Day, but it is obvious that we share in Christ's rule and all I can think is WOW - what a privilege!?!

_____________________________

"Sitting on the throne passing the kingdom" - PD '08

March Prayer Update...

2008-03-09T17:10:00.007+11:00

PRAISE GOD:

I am very aware of his kindness to me in the transition into college life. I have found the last few weeks leaving home, moving in, making friends, starting study, leaving Matthias, starting at CBTB, and generally settling in a joy! There are lots of changes and things to get used to but I have to say it’s bee a pleasant few weeks.

Thank God for people who lift your gaze from yourself to the infiniteness of God and his plans for the world:

➲ Friday Community Chapel we were challenge to think outside the box of Sydney by some folk from OMF. It was awesome to hear of the growth of God’s church in places like Africa and Asia and the need for people to GO!

➲ Last night I bumped into Jo (we both taught SRE at North Sydney Dem 2 or so years ago!) and she was great in challenging me to keep Indigenous Australia on the agenda. She knows my story and how the time spent out in Burringurrah Community impacted me and made me realise the urgency of the gospel. So she wanted to remind me of that passion and conviction I used to speak with. She shared with me the many opportunites she is aware of, the need for youth ministry and the lack of workers under the age of 40 out there!

PRAY:

That I would be willing to be more prayerful about the future plans and that I would be open to heading into gospel work amongst Indigenous/Remote Communities. It has never slipped from my radar but in the last 2 years it has definitely become far less a priority and dream. Pray also that I would be prayerfully support the work going on already out there. (So partly why I am blogging about it is so that you will ask me about it and keep me thinking about it!)

That I would wear my glasses and go get my eyes re-tested. I have had a really sore eyes and headaches over the last week. Some days are better than others, but it makes it hard to concentrate in class and studying - as it hurts to think (yep I said it).

For my friends and that they would meet and love Jesus. Please pray especially for my friend Lisa who came to church the other week! Thank God for our friendship!

my connect group...

2008-03-06T00:06:00.003+11:00

The young adults bible study group was encouraged to be hip and trendy and so have a unique name distinct from the other connect groups at church...

ocg4god (our connect group for God) was winning for a while but I think affix has taken over!

what do you think?

Insert Jesus instead of baby...

2008-03-05T22:47:00.005+11:00

I think Alicia Keys has great insight into what motivates us & what we allow to define us...

Mmmmmm Mmmm mm ooo

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, Yeah

Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah

If I ain't got you with me baby
So nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby

Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and
count them as rubbish,
in order that I may gain Christ
- Philippians 3:8

What's so funny about comedy...

2008-02-27T21:44:00.009+11:00

I went to Comedy at The Fringe Bar on Monday night, with some good mates. We had three comedians entertain us as we enjoyed dinner and drinks.

Having thought about what I heard for a few days now I have lost myself in a world of questions:

what makes something funny?
why is the default for funny crude and explicit? why do we so easily laugh at crass jokes?
why are the sexes, Asians, sex, old people, religion, sex, aeroplanes, sex, occupations & sex the centre of all jokes?
why can Christianity and Christians be made fun of, but all other religions are off limits?
why does swearing make things funnier? Why does swear word make up every second word of a comedic sentence?

I was thinking that maybe our culture has degenerated so much that clean jokes are seen as lame or classed as Dad jokes... but I was reflecting on the comedians comments above and comedy over the ages and I don't think society has changed that much.

Comedy back in the good old days of Commedia Del Arte topics were of similar vain to what comedians spin out today. Isabella, Pantelone, Arlecchino, Il Capitano and other characters are all similar stereotypes that get made fun in stand-up acts, the themes of this ancient comedic genre were sex, relationships, miscommunication, and exploiting in jest the weak or minority - team with grotesque costumes to emphasis the point!

Do you reckon there is a place for the Christians to get into Stand Up Comedy and be apart of the dialogue within our culture? Is this a form of public apologetics?

Got any funny friends?
__________________________

Ben Price :: Apparently one of Australia's best impersonators and is a Christian!
http://www.benpricecomedy.com/

Hell of a Joke!
http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/one-hell-of-a-joke/2006/04/30/1146335603943.html

Stop...

2008-02-23T11:01:00.002+11:00

Total Church & Community...

2008-02-14T16:06:00.012+11:00

Over the Christmas holidays I read TOTAL CHURCH by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis.

I found it an easy and enjoyable read - although there were many bits throughout that I got frustrated by, actually I don't think it's the book that frustrates me but that the book had to be written and that Christian leaders might see this as new information.

Sorry if that is harsh, but some concepts and ideas presented were so obvious that I was surprised by how many 'greats' think this is a radical, insightful, and punchy book! (Having said that maybe it is a great book for some church contexts and countering big problems of churches in the areas of the authors churches.)

This book shares aspirations and theory of The Crowded House church plants... the authors are keen to make it known that this isn't necessarily a 'how to' do church right and have all the practices in the book as an off-the-peg model, but instead a biography of the life of their church.

In the beginning chapters and introduction the reader is introduced to the two principles: Gospel Centred and Community Centred > which pretty much speak for themselves. Together these principles act as a coathanger, from which all other chapters hang.

Chapters including topics: Evangelism, Social Involvement, Church Planting, World Mission, Discipleship & training, Pastoral Care, Spirituality, Theology, Apologetics, Chn & Yng People & Success.

Especially having just completed MTS I found the Discipleship & Training chapter a good read... but throughout it thought much of what was written was common sense to one who reads the word and wants to live it out!

eg. TEACHING ALONG THE ROAD... that we cannot just bash people from the pulpit and not get down into sharing in the messiness of life with each other:
"truth cannot be taught effectively outside of close relationships... the truth of the gospel becomes compelling as we see it transforming lives in the rub of daily, messy
relationships."

This is a principle that has been modeled to us by the apostle Paul - not only does he delight to share the gospel with the Thessalonian but also his life as well! (1Thess 2:8) And it applies to discipling the Christian and witnessing to the non-Christian. People are curious to the hints and clues you might have to get through life, and if they see you Praise Jesus in the way you respond & wrestle with the trials and joys that life throws you, it speaks sooooo powerfully!

And as we share our weaknesses, struggles and joys we become vulnerable to the other person, which in my experience deepens friendships, yields great opportunities to build trust and intimacy, within which the big things of life like the gospel and godliness can be discussed sincerely and shamelessly.

As I write this I reflect on the past 2 years and the comments that I received from people who said they felt it to be privilege to know my fears and anxieties and struggles... Is it because Christian leaders are often seen by parishioners as super busy, task driven, super godly and all we do to counter this is to speak about how we aren't really perfect and that we too are sinners but not actually stop to share real examples of how we strive for godliness in dependence on God? Or do we not intentionally share our lives, not let people in, so people can't even see real examples because we keep our barriers up to maintain our dignity and pride?

Let's share our lives in intentional ways so that people can see us wanting to have Jesus Lord over all areas of our lives! Who doesn't want real and genuine friendships where you talk about the things that matter? I know I do... so I love that the chapter encourages us to share our lives with gospel intentionality. Bring it on!

Whatever friend, think how you can encourage them to take a step forward in cherishing Christ. This applies to your non-Christian friends and Christians friends AND STRANGERS alike.

Which leads me to my favourite quote from the book I am currently reading: God's Passion for His Glory - Living the vision of Jonathan Edwards, by John Piper

"A Christian spirit... disposes a person to be public-spirited.
A man of a right spirit is not of a narrow private spirit;
but is greatly concerned for the good of public community to which he belongs
and particularly of the town where he dwells -Jonathan Edwards "

Later in the chapter on 'Spirituality' of Total Church, I questioned the authors emphasis on community and its importance as I it almost becomes a crutch with very little attention given to the individual nature of salvation and responsibility of training the self in godliness - I can't rely on community to grow my relationship with God, but see God's mercy in giving us community to share each others burdens and spur us on - allowing one other, along with the Holy Spirit, a license to dig into our lives and challenge our hearts.

Moving In...

2008-01-31T22:03:00.000+11:00

My room at college is great! I am feeling very fortunate right now!

I know the tradition for people moving into college is to complain about the size of the room, but I really can't. My room is quite spacious - I could swing a cat in it. I do feel very fortunate because I got a great room: 2 x windows, overlooks the college green , 2 x wardrobes, near to the kitchenette and bathrooms, and on level 1 so not too many stairs to climb. Only problem is I am yet to have a mattress. Lucky I still can sleep at home!

Plus my family has been super generous getting me some noice luxury items: pot plant, pink computer chair, new bed sheets and doona covers, cushions, lamps, bathroom supplies, and my Dad helped me move all my junk into the room today. Everything fits quite nicely, I'm just trying to work out the best way to store my shoes!

Only4 more sleeps till it starts! OH! I started CBTB on Sunday night - where I was commissioned, interviewed and prayed for. It was a nice start to my fellowship and ministry there. Connect Bible Study starts next Tuesday!

Summerfest...

2008-01-07T23:11:00.000+11:00

This year on Summmerfest we are not staying in the school and instead billeted out in our sections to family homes. My section "XTREME" of 17 or so leaders are staying in an awesome home with wireless and with really generous hosts!!

This week in XTREME we are going BLACK & WHITE - get a fix on the truth

Day 1: The Truth about God... we had about 72 youth today with lots of non-CCEC youth. Had great time mc'ing, lots of good conversations, lots of fun and games!

Praise JESUS!!!!

Please pray for the rest of the week.

Day 2: The Truth about People
Day 3: The Truth about Jesus
Day 4: The Truth about Life & Death
Day 5: The Truth about Heaven

Also this is the first year XTREME has been running out of Erina Youth Centre... so pray that we would get heaps of kids walking in off the street, CCEC youth bringing friends and that we would make the most of proclaiming Jesus from an awesome location!

I Am Legend...

2008-01-04T23:32:00.000+11:00

If you like to think and like thriller movies then this is a movie for you. It has a really heavy themes that pushes a unapologetic Christian view of humanity admist scary zombies attacking:

Destruction of society/creation is not caused by God but by man.
Humans are created for community and relationship.
God's plan can't be thwarted or trumped.
The degenerate and evil community live in darkness and are allergic to the sun light.
Remnant saved who are immune to the Darkness Eaters/Vampire Virus (although can be physically killed by them, just not infected to jump over to the dark side) , who live in a protected idyllic setting.
All the intellegence, physical strength, knowlege of a man with authority, power and integrity accourding to the worlds standards cannot save you... then contrast with the humility and hope of a woman and child who see life.
Doubt: how could a loving God allow this to happen? The fact they are alive and the hope of others alive shows some kindness of God or God's faithfulness to his plan.
Death is the sting of the virus - those who die are not saved from its grip and death seperates us from those we love.

I liked this movie. Besides it starring my favourite piece of eye-candy, it scared the living daylights out of me any my friend Lisa but scared in a good way. There was great beauty in the suspense and terror, it held me throughout the movie and made me think all at the smae time. It was not overly gruesome, had some very funny moments, some to-be-expected singing/music moments by Will Smith... and just not sure if I buy it that Robert Neville (Will Smith) didn't know about the remnant of people when he was in the army intellegence and had everything to cure the virus but maybe that was due to his self-righteousness that he had to stay at ground-zero as he is sure he can fix this... nonetheless it was an intense and thrilling movie.

I think what I like the most about this movie is that it is putting Christian ideas on our culture agenda, giving us a vocabulary to see, engage and discuss the true God who saves.

And it was a joy to walk out of the movie and for Lisa to ask: what did you think of the story line, bit more indepth than the average vampire/zombie movie don't you think?

Anyone read the book? I think I might aim to do that this year!

So this is Christmas...

2007-12-23T23:32:00.000+11:00

Be not like Herod, who responds in hostile opposition to the newborn king!

Be not like the apathetic chief priests and scribes, who know the truth of where to find the Christ, but do not act upon it themselves!

May you respond instead like the magi, who seek after and fall down in adoration of our Saviour King, Jesus Christ!

So to those who have been wondering...

2007-12-12T12:16:00.000+11:00

I have received my favorable response to Moore College... yay! I am in!

And I did join the Facebook group! ;)

So in February it will all begin!!

Next Year...

2007-11-15T17:07:00.000+11:00

Dear Applicant,

In the event of a favourable response from the Governing Board of Moore College in regard to your College Application, attached is an Invitation to the Welcome BBQ by the Student Orientation Committee. This is a great time to meet the Faculty, ask any questions you may have to current students andto meet your future class mates.

God Bless

odd???

________________

I do find the above odd... but find much of this process odd, as I have been offered & accepted a Student Minister Position next year at CBTB (Church by the Bridge, Kirribilli) which I am heaps exicted about, yet it's not completely confirmed that I am accepted yet!

Anyway assuming I will recieve my favourable response, after 2 years of MTS at St Matthias, I will be returning to CBTB, where I’ll be involved in '18-24s ministry' and ‘community outreach’.

I am really confused by my emotions at the moment, of the gloomy reality to not be at church with those I have laboured for the gospel alongside, with and for during the last two years and the excitement of heading to college and starting new things!

I have loved all the varied contexts of sharing the gospel and my life... especially with my TAT ladies, my SWITCH girls, my PULSE girls and my Randwick Girls' girls. And it especially pains me to think I will miss out on the joy of closley seeing God at work in these women.

Thanks for your prayers and support of the past two years as I have MTS'ed... I do look forward to continued partnership in the gospel as I begin my study adventure & CBTB!

And please do pray as I finish up at Matthias, to wrap things up well and please ask God that he might provide people to take on some of the things I have been responsible for. Please ask Him to provide leaders for Matthias who are passionate about the Jesus, people and His word!

http://www.churchbythebridge.org.au/

a far greater wealth...

2007-11-03T13:26:00.000+11:00

Moore College Interview...

2007-10-30T15:52:00.000+11:00

Didn't get asked any tricky theological questions at all...

Some of the questions I was asked were:

What excites you about coming to college? What are your fears?

learning & having my brain stretched, always wanted to go to boarding school so looking forward to living in an institution. Fears: can my brain be stretched?

How did you become a Christian?

Spoke of reality I have come to know that Jesus is the far greater treasure than the temporary glitter and sparkle of this world:
Hebrews 11:25 "...choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."

Where do you want to be at the end of college?

Wherever God wants me... but this wasn't an acceptable answer. The right answer but not acceptable... so I said "Anywhere" which was still not acceptable. So I said maybe Sydney, maybe overseas, maybe Remote Australia, shared about living in Aboriginal community and perhaps happy to go there... my theory doors open & doors close!

How was MTS?

joyfully exhausting!

What things have you learnt from your experiences that will be useful in future ministry?

No matter what life brings you, people still need to hear the gospel to be saved...
God uses us in our weakness... he uses the weak...
God is very gracious, forgiving others is hard...
There is great pleasure in preaching the gospel...

You are the Greatest...

2007-10-30T15:22:00.000+11:00

Matthew 11: 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Is it individual or collective?
>>>OT/Prophets or NT /Christians?
>>> Or John or Daisy?

and so should I say "We" are the greatest?

because:
>>> of our place in history,
>>> of our confidence/assurance in His resurrection,
>>> we are not under the burdensome law but light yoke of JC?

OR is Jesus the greatest?

(today in TAT we side stepped this question saying: doesn't matter too much, and we shouldn't be like the disciples and question who... but still it is interesting that Jesus brings it up!)

Prayer Update

2007-10-10T23:25:00.000+10:00

The new term is fast approaching... and more do I realise this is my last term of MTS which means my last run with many ministries - eek!

Pray that I will run hard to the end... pour myself out for the sake of the gospel but also that I will finish well to the 2 years invested in much that goes on at Matthias.

SWITCH

Thank God for the 6 young women in my group... the encouagement they are with their godly living and the way they wrestle with God's word!

Please pray that God would strengthen the great relationships they have with each other, caring and looking out for each other.

Pray also that they will continue to see meeting with God's people as a top priority... so spur on and serve one another, even in and amongst the crap and chaos of life!

DRAMA

Both Robyn and I are really drained by this activity... all our creative juice went into writing the plays and I think we have just run out of zest! Pray that God would strengthen and sustain us for this hectic term!

Praise God for the HAIRSPRAY excusion a few Saturdays ago... for the many families that came along and for the great relationship building with Matthias and non-Matthias families at the BBQ Robyn hosted at her place after.... ABSOLUTLEY BRILLIANT!

Pray for one girl "G" who is in year 6 and seems to have a keen desire to join in with Matthias events, and wants to go to Scripture @ School... Pray that she might find Youth Group for her next year, when in Year 7, as something she would love to go to.

STAFF

Thanks for time away on STAFF ATTACK up at Copacabana Beach... for time to bond and time to think hard about the way we REACH the lost & EQUIP the saints....

This is the flow diagram we came up with while we are away... which will hopefully help us think more strategically about what ministries we do well, whats lacking or missing and where we should best use our time as a staff team.

YOUTH

My year 12's are facing the HSC very very soon... Please pray for Ellen, Chloe, Suzanna, Caitlin and Verity. Pray that they would find time to rest and relax, time to work hard, keep procrastination a bay, work hard and dilegently, and in everything they do, do it for the Glory of Jesus!
Pray for wisdom for them as they make decisions for the upcoming year.
Pray for godliness as they enter the 'post-HSC' party scene!
PRAISE God for the upcoming JAMES Series at 1151... we did massive creative brainstorm session tonight in a meeting and God was kind to give us some really fun ideas to employ... Hope this will get the blood pumping in the Youth and that they would really want to WALK the WALK not just TALK the TALK in the Christian Life!
Pray that we can think of creative way to package the series!

TAT

This last term has been great in TAT going through Matthew.... I have found it the most rewarding time in God's word. Praise God for the time I get to prepare and study His word...
Thank God for the Beatitudes and Chapter 5... found this particularly helpful in thinking about praying for healing...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "

If we do see healing it is a taste of what is to come and if we don't see healing it makes us long for the kingdom to come.

PERSONAL

Decisions for NEXT YEAR... pray for wisdom and clairty for all that needs deciding upon!
Thank God that I am looking forward to what may come next year. Especially getting the opportunity to study at Moore.
Pray for the interview that will be coming up with a panel from Moore, that it will be an encouraging time!
Thank God for the way he is continuing to shape me through His word and convict me of sin... May I submit more and more to the love of Christ that it would control me in everything I do from serving, working, relationships with family and friends, my speech, decisions, forgiving, loving, use of my time, priorites... you name it pray that the love of Christ is controlling me in it!
PRAISE God for the many open doors to sharing the gospel with my mates... they are seeming to interact with it more and more which is exciting... Please pray God continues to use me amongst my friends to bring them under the sound of the gospel!

Thanks for your continued partnership in the gospel!

ONCE

2007-10-06T00:24:00.000+10:00

I just saw the movie ONCE - A film by John Carney for the second time tonight.

I loved it the first time so much that when I got home from seeing it I bought the soundtrack on iTunes... seeing it again knowing the music and lyrics was a real treat. The music is great!

I found it such a unique movie... or modern quirky musical! I give it 5 stars.

What I loved...

was the raw and mysterious characters - you don't really know their names which I guess is played out in the lyrics to one of the songs Falling Slowly - "'I don't know you, but I want to, all the more for that".

was the hoover scene, with Marketa dragging her vacuum cleaner around like a dog!

was that marriage was upheld as something to work hard at and that there was great delight in doing so... rarely find that in movies these days! (despite this I found in me a desire to see the main characters fondness for each other blossom even though it would have been wrong)

Marketa's accent... Czech accents are cool!

the music.... it really makes you want to be able to break out into song in your own life to help communicate the highs and lows... music, as Ravi Z says, is the language of the heart - I so agree with him!

Have you seen this movie? If not GO! It's on at Acadamy in Paddo!

http://oncethemovie.com/

I've been tagged to confess...

2007-09-14T22:48:00.000+10:00

I am sorry for being an impetuous friend: for the times I have hung out with you waiting for the 'gospel opportunity', being disappointed when there wasn't one and so resenting my time spent with you.

INSTEAD: "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
I am sorry for the times I make a mockery of my God and don't display His worth and value to you by treasuring other things more highly than He.

INSTEAD: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
I am sorry I look down on your life's pursuits and laughed at your attitude of "if you dig it, do it".

INSTEAD: "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd."

_________________________

Christians are viewed by the world often as judgmental, arrogant, do-good party-poopers... and sometimes we deserve rightly this criticism. Christian brothers and sisters... Christ didn't save us to a religion of moral correctness and boredom but to serve the living God with joy and true lasting fulfillment. We are a community of dirty, fallen, broken, transforming YET perfectly forgiven people! Thank you Jesus!

This blog entry is in response to being tagged by a friend, as part of a thing called...

CHRISTIANS CONFESS: Where Christians are encouraged to apologize for three things that Christians have often got wrong.

Your apologies should be directed towards those who don’t view themselves as part of the Christian community. Alternatively, apologize for things you personally have done wrong towards those outside of the church.

As we forgive those who sin against us…

2007-09-09T15:47:00.000+10:00

We know all to well that if we a Christians we are commanded to forgive as Christ as forgiven us… How can we as Christians have an unforgiving heart when we have been given the greatest gift of an eternal pardon for our sin...

How hard is it to forgive an enemy who has done evil against you and treated you poorly? How righteous is the anger of fallen yet forgiven people?

When can you forgive? If you raise it with someone that they have hurt you and they don’t repent, can you forgive them? Luke 17:3-4 says to “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him and if he repents, forgive him”. Is full forgiveness only possible in response to repentance?

Knowing that the world is divided into two categories those who repent and are forgiven by our heavenly Father and those who don’t repent and so are not forgiven. Is this our model? If so what does a forgiving heart look like then, especially in the circumstance of an unrepentant brother or sister?

What does forgiveness look like? Thomas Watson (Body of Divinity) says “When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them.”

I think that sounds very biblical in light of the passages that say we should bless and pray for our persecutors, love our neighbours, not repay evil with evil or seek revenge. But they do sound all very private. Are there public displays of forgiveness that we should extend to our forgiven brother?

AND How do you say "I forgive you" without it sounding cheesy?

Pa Pa...

2007-08-27T12:10:00.001+10:00

Please pray for my grandfather Doug as he is presently in Royal North Shore Hospital with 'stuff'. Doctors are not too sure what exactly is wrong with him. He has heart problems but doctors don't think that is it... Pray for wisdom to work it out!

Papa with Great-grand-daughter Maisy!

Pray for mercy on Papa, he doesn't know God! I have been praying for many years that God would soften his heart and give him ears to hear the gospel (literally as he is stone deaf with a cochlear ear implant). It is really hard to interact in a proper conversation with him, as he will talk and then get impatient trying to listen to your response.

Papa and I had a emotional time together at the hospital on Saturday night. He was crying about all he has seen in his lifetime. I have never seen him so upset about the things he has seen and experienced. He is normally a very strong, proud and optimistic man. Never would he say a bad word about someone... but Saturday night he couldn't help but say the world is a messed up place and he hopes that I would never see the pain and grief he has seen in his lifetime.

I feel this is God's work to soften and humble his heart. I feel also from the tone and topic of our conversations that he thinks this is the end of the road for him - although he is as strong as an ox, still at 87 and gets through most illnesses.

I am thinking of hand writing him a letter for father's day and address some of the things he mentioned on Saturday night and over the years about why he doesn't believe, and also tell him how thankful to God for him and his witness of what it means to really love your wife sacrificially.

Despite not being a Christian man, he loved Nanny so much, lead, cared, supported, nurtured her till her death. A true model of Christ and his love for the church.

Please pray for wisdom and the words to write - that they would engage with him, not be complicated, but clear and simple. May God use it to change his heart and turn him towards Jesus!

Please pray for Mum as having a ill father to care for adds super stress, and I don't think she copes too well, nor do we (my brothers and I) care for her too well. Pray we would be good kids! ;)

Thanks friends for you prayers!

More than likely Moore...

2007-08-26T14:38:00.001+10:00

I went to the Moore College Open Day yesterday...

more and more thinking Moore college is the way to go...

Didn't really answer any questions I had. Partly because I realised I didn't have any questions to ask... but having said that it did confirm some sneaking suspicions I had about the joint and it was good to see around the place, talk about decision making with some people in the same boat as myself, chat with students and faculty staff...

Please be praying for me as I go for interviews with Moore, think through Student Minister positions, plan and budget for the coming years - and rest in the knowledge that whatever I decide to do I will remain safe in God's hands!

August Prayer Points...

2007-08-10T16:05:00.000+10:00

Youth

Death by Chocolate night tonight - fun times to indulge in all things chocolate!!! "This is a taster" night for iGod which starts next week. Pray that friends do come tonight, that we aren't as scary as some people might think and that Marcello will speak well and kids will be keen to come to iGod!
iGod - starts August 17th.... Pray for the speaker, can't remember who, some dude from somewhere, but hopefully he will be good! Pray for logistics as I don't think we have been told to be doing anything, so hopefully food and setup and stuff is all sorted.
Pray for my year 12 girls - thanks that trials are over but that the HSC is still looming. Pray for their stress levels to lessen and to keep trusting God every step of the way.

Night Train

6 Steps to Talking about Jesus - Thanks to the 10 women who signed up who are motivated to develop their skills in sharing Jesus with their friends, family and stangers!
Creativity - to think up some more practical exercises to do, so that the women can actually have a go at sharing Jesus.
Good times - sharing lives with these women has been great and the fellowship over God's word is awesome. Thanks for what God is teaching us. Pray that God would continue to transform us all into bold and confident women who delight in the Gospel

Scripture @ Paddo

2 girls have left our class... one said because it is 'boring' the other said because 'i don't like it anymore'. This hurts! Doreen and I are trying to work out why two of the most well behaved girls, who contribute and seem to have fun don't like it. Pray that Doreen and I would be more creative with our songs, games, activities, stories and worksheets!
Pray for the kids with behavioural problems, who make teaching difficult and who we give lots of attention when we disciple. Pray that no child would stop another child's interest and that all distractions would stop.
Pray that Art class would not be run at the same time as our lesson.
Praise God that one new girl has started coming - she is really inquisitive and asks great questions.
Praise God for 'D' - we are studying the Kings of Israel at the moment and he was really frustrated last week and asked: "Can you tell me at least one King who listened to God and wasn't so evil - and don't tell me that there were none - cause that really would be that Jesus is the only perfect King" - He gets it! Pray that the seed is ripped away!
Pray for 'T' - as she grapples with the truth that we are all sinful. She is convinced her Auntie is sinless and so was Mary, the Mother of Jesus....

Personal - me, me, me, me, me....

I have been a little under-the-weather with sinusitis... my nose is slowly drying up! Please pray for continued recovery!
I also am feeling pretty run down generally and feeling bit exhausted. Pray for renewed energy and enthusiasm and for God's sustaining hand. May he keep reminding me that all I do is in his strength and power!
Pray for decisions about next year... college interview coming up in a week or so!
Thanks for friends and the life God has given them and the times I get to celebrate their birthday (Mia, Gina, Nicole & Nicolette) & marriage (Cali & Zach - friends from school)- pray for many gospel opportunites and good times!!!

Thanks friends for praying for me and my ministry... I am very thankful to God for you all who constantly uphold me in prayer. It truly is a great partnership in the Gospel!

The Gospel According to the OC!

2007-07-28T21:28:00.001+10:00

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

11 girls turned up on Friday lunch. One of whom was completely new!

It's quite funny as the new girls who think it's really cool that we watch the OC have come late both weeks to the group and so have missed out on the OC viewing bit and just get the Bible study - hopefully they will keep coming! Please pray they do.

I think out of the 11 girls 6 are Christians... so that means there are 5 girls I would really love your prayers for that God would bring them into his kingdom! Please pray for the Christian girls that they would come regularly and make it a priority.

Hannah mentioned to me on Friday that when she was at school the Chaplin would bring hot chips to the group - CHIPS n CHATS... and the smell of the chips got many girls in! So I may try this one week instead of doing a Pizza and Talk like last year.

Please also pray as I try to encourage the year 10 girl that this group needs to continue in years to come and get her on board with taking the group on into 2008 - as I will not be around!!!

iGod

2007-07-20T10:44:00.001+10:00

Click to Play

So in 5 weeks time we are launching a YOUTH version of Introducing God... 8 weeks, Friday nights, food, good times and friends!

Please pray for the youth as they start to invite friends along. Please pray for God to be at work in these friends lives that they may say yes to coming along and more importantly say yes to Christ.

Please pray for our 4 week series leading up to iGod, on "The Gospel - the treasure in clay jars!"

Prayer Update - July

2007-07-13T11:21:00.000+10:00

Praise God for:

the birth of my Niece. Liz gave birth to her on the 25th June. I think her name is still to be confirmed but more than likely will be Maisey or Evie! Pray for Toby and Liz as they adjust to the sleeplessness of parenthood and also wisdom to raise her to know and love Jesus!
hanging out with Jerry Bridges the other Tuesday - as he spoke in a lounge room with 15 of us, about Perseverance of the saints. He was a great encouragement and loved his 4 G's in Isaiah 8 - GOD, GUILT, GRACE, GRATITUDE... motivation for continuing on in the service of our awesome and holy God!
hearing Louie Giglio (from Passion Conf.) speak at the Hillsong Conference. His Indescribable passage really lifted my eyes to the majesty, awesomeness and brilliance of the God who created this universe. He made me look into my heart and reminded me not that I am at the centre of the universe. And he took us back to the wonderous Cross of our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, He is truely the centre of the universe. Also being led by Chris Tomlin & Brook Fraser in singing praises with 10, 000 others to this glorious God was a treat as well.

The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork - Psalm 19:1.
school holidays, which has allowed me to get ahead on preparation - especially "The Gospel According to the OC" series for Randwick Girls. I have about 4 complete studies.
the gift of friendship. Thanks for all of you who uphold me in prayer. For my Christian brothers and sisters who continue to point me to Christ, when I am down, flat, sad, tired, miserable or overjoyed, elated and feeling good.
But also thank God for the friendships I have with people outside the kingdom. Praise God for Lisa and the gift she is to me in my life, for our trip to the Hunter Valley last week and for opportunities to share Christ.
the encouragement of seeing maturity and growth in people at Evening Church. It is God's kindness that he continues to transform his people to the likeness of His Son and gives us the joy to marvel at his hand in peoples lives.

Please Ask God for:

smooth running of the Night Train Course I will be running - 6 Steps to Sharing Jesus. Ask for His sustaining hand to strengthen me as this term looks to be a busy one. Please pray that I would be wise with my time, be faithful and diligent in preparation and loving towards people I serve.
my youth group girls, (Caitlin, Chloe, Verity, Suzanna & Ellen) as they soon hit their HSC trials.
understanding, insight and creativity to finish a 6 more studies for the OC Series.
for wisdom and clarity with decision making re: NEXT YEAR.
God willing I hope to be at college next year, which means at some point I should go get an application form. Also need to work out where to church if I do go to college (or even if I don't go to college I will need to work this out). What's best for my training? Should I take up the opportunities to see other ministries and church life? Should I stay at Matthias and continue on with the many opportunites here?

Romans...

2007-07-02T11:38:00.000+10:00

How great is the word of God?
Fantastic... I say!

I have been reading through Romans lately and it's been a real treat...

...especially as we have been going through Galatians at Evening Church and Bible Study - each letter really compliments the other! I have found this particularly helpful in understanding law v spirit & slave v free!

Last night I read chapter 12 of Romans and ahhhh verse 12 is a winner! How true it is that the certainty of hope secured in Christ is reason enough for great joy! REJOICE brothers and sisters as we eagerly await the hope of righteousness!

May this part of Scripture be sweeter than honey to your mouth!

Please Pray...

2007-06-23T21:51:00.000+10:00

for Randwick Girls Lunchtime Group - "Curious?"

One of the girls feeding me Chocolate Mousse while blindfolded.

Over this year (well and last year), I have struggled with the lunchtime group and found it to be discouraging at times. No week is ever the same. I am always perplexed by what faithfulness looks like with this group. Is it wrong to think I 'waste' a study if only 1 girl turns up, or is it okay just to pray with the one girl and send her off... and it often passes through my thoughts of whether its worth it going in week by week to find that no girls turn up!

Irregularity of girls makes it really hard to be motivated to plan well and limits potential of being creative and making the most of the opportunity of being in the school.

PRAISE GOD for technology - being able to sms text the girls on Friday mornings has been a help to reminding them to come.

PRAISE GOD. Over the term 3 year 10 girls who came sporadically last year are coming regularly! They said that when they were away on their church camp, they were convicted of the importance to support school ministry and to reach out... and so they are keen to be there every week! But since that there has been lost of planned school events on Friday lunchtimes.

PRAISE GOD. Last Friday, I had 3 year 10 girls and then we were playing Feed-Each-Other -Chocolate-Mousse-while-blindfolded Game and one of the girls sisters in year 8 walked past with a whole bunch of friends - and they all came in wanting a go! They got mousse all over their faces and then stayed for the discussion on John's Gospel - Doubting Thomas. So this week there were 3 new girls who had never been before and 8 girls all up!

PRAISE GOD they all heard the gospel and read from God's word!

I invited them all to join us next term when we will be looking at The Gospel According to the OC - They seemed really keen and thought it was so cool that we would watch a snippet of episodes each week.

Please pray for this as I think it will be a great outreach tool but also means a lot of work in getting the research done! I haven't watch The OC but the box set series on DVD has landed in my lap so I thought it would be good to use it for the Kingdom.

Pray that I will be able to find suitable scenes from The OC to help illustrate glorious truths about our glorious King. Also pray I would use my time well while writing these studies as watching series on DVD is a lot of hours in front of the TV!

And PRAISE GOD that SCEGGS Lunchtime group will probably use the material as well!

THE CRAZY WORLD OF SCHOOL MINISTRY...

For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness...By the word of the LORD the heavens were made and by the breath of his mouth all their host. Psalm 3:4-6

12 Ways to Love your Wayward Child

2007-06-15T09:35:00.000+10:00

I just finished reading an article by Abraham Piper (son of Uncle John Piper) "12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child ".

Having once been a wayward child, I find it interesting this topic of how to love that child. I personally am sad to think of the grief, pain and tears I caused my parents during the years I so clearly rejected the rule of Christ in my life and lived to please myself rather than in obedience to the Lord Jesus!

I often try to think of what I thought about life, parents, brothers, career, priorities, love, boys, money etc… I have a blurry memory of my worldview back then. I don’t quite remember what drove me or how I might have articulated my point of view but I now look back and make assumptions of what I was thinking based upon the choices I made and actions I did!

I often wonder if my parents could have done things differently to steer me back to Christ earlier… but it doesn’t really matter because God has graciously acted in my life to bring me home.

This is rather a long post but thought that it would be God glorifying to share my personal insights into the points that Abraham offers to the many parents who are broken hearted and completely baffled by their children.

May you sing the praises of God our Saviour.

1. Point them to Christ.
Their number one problem = they aren’t following Christ.

2. Pray
I know this is what my family armed themselves with. My brothers in particular prayed for me with their bible study groups and pastors – which proved embarrassing for me later when I started going back to church as people told me ‘oh you’re the sister we have been praying for’.

As I read through some bible study notes of my mum’s or brothers and see in the prayer points section my name and the request that I would come back to Christ, I can’t help but shed a tear and then praise God for how he has mightily worked in my life.

Best thing to do is ask for the Lord to work that He would display himself in a way to those wandering that they can’t resist worshiping him.

3. Acknowledge that something is wrong.
I hated anyone who for doing it… I thought they were judgmental, conservative kill-joy’s! But it's the truth I needed to hear even if I didn't like it. I guess it's true: the truth hurts!

4. Don’t expect them to be Christ-like.
THANK YOU! Why on earth would people expect someone to go to church, have a Christian boyfriend, not drink, smoke or swear if they weren’t a Christian!
My conscious was at work to condemn me.

5. Welcome them home.
I once got a text reminder of my home address from my mum - after spending several late nights out and staying at friend’s houses! My home was always my home, even though I rarely wanted to be there. I used it as when convenient, place to sleep, place with free car to borrow and place to do uni assignments. But at least this was enough to bring me home and for God to remind me of my dependence on my parent’s kindness!

6. Plead with them more than you rebuke them.

“What really concerns you is that your child is destroying herself, not that she’s breaking rules. Treat her in a way that makes this clear. She probably knows—especially if she was raised as a Christian—that what she’s doing is wrong. And she definitely knows you think it is…. Her conscience can condemn her by itself.”

SO TRUE SO TRUE … And oh how it did – I really did want to be like my brothers… but it was too hard. I had no Christian friends and if God wants me to be a Christian then he would make it easy and give me some Christian friends! Right?

I knew exactly what I was doing was wrong. And the more I did what I knew angered my folks the better. I hated them because I thought they hated me. In reality they were upset that I had rejected Christ!

But by living in a home full of believers, my rebellious life stood out against the bright lights that shone for Jesus. I could see it and I felt condemned just by living alongside my family.

7. Connect them to believers who have better access to them.
My brothers tried really hard… they invited me to church and persisted but I just wasn’t ready for many years to give up my life for Christ. My heart was hard. I hated my brothers because I thought they hated me so I rarely, if ever, shared with them and never did I want to let my guard down, loose my pride and admit to them I had been wrong.

Thank God I met Lizzie and Nicole at St Thomas’ where I could share all of my life with people who I felt didn’t pass judgment but could share their struggles with putting Christ as Lord! God used them and gave them emotional access to me – I could trust them and enjoyed their company. Together we battled the sin that lurked in our lives.

8. Respect their friends.
This is something that perhaps my family didn’t do so well: they always asked, “why do you want to hang out with them for?” “I have never seen so called friends fight so much – why bother with them”

I resented it every time a comment was made about my friends. My friends at the time where my family… I loved them, idolized them, wanted to be them… and when your family says something about them, they were saying something about me.

I also thought that I was evangelizing my friends and I was there only hope of them becoming Christians – don’t quite know what brand of the gospel I had on offer – probably just the Saviour part of the GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD gospel – oops I would have left out the Lord & obedience bit!?!

9. Email them.
Praise God for technology that lets you stay in your kids’ lives so easily! Mum did this well with SMS texts… just letting me know the comings and goings…

Even though I was disinterested in family life, I felt so upset and angry when extended family gatherings or events were never mentioned to me. I felt even more out of the loop & unwanted.

But the notes slipped under my bedroom door: At Work, home at 6pm! meant a lot to me - even though I would pretend not to care. Dad also would drop it in conversation to let me know he was praying for me.

10. Take them to lunch.
I guess Mum and Dad tried their best when I would let them take me shopping – just when I needed something… at least it made me sit in the car with them and walk around the shops together and in some way relate.

11. Take an interest in their pursuits.
They always came to my uni productions and performances. I remember it meaning the most to me when my brother and Liz (his then fiancé) came… and I knew Liz would hate the experimental theatre stuff we would be doing. But I clearly remember good thoughts about my family that day.

12. Point them to Christ.
This can’t be over-stressed. Their number one problem = they aren’t following Christ.

Oh and how kind and gracious our Father is…

The glitter and sparkle of this world quickly turned bleak when I had to reason with myself the reality of death - as it was was staring at me in the face. Over the years from year 10 my friends and I have pretty much had a funeral to attend (no weddings yet, only funerals).

Amongst us we have had to deal deaths of peers, brothers, cousins, extended family, mums and dads involving suicide, old age, HIV/AIDS, heart attacks, Bali bombing, sudden aneurysm, cancer… Unfortunately for my friends it seems to have hardened their hearts against God but for me it was the melting pot, to realise my desperate need of a Saviour!

I realised that nothing in this life lasts. This world is empty. I clung to Christ, my first love, my true treasure, my rock, my hope and my salvation.

Please pray that God would pour out His Spirit of Grace upon my friends that they too could comprehend the love that awaits them in Christ.

It is only by His grace, He is the one who drew me from the perilous pursuits of this world and united me safely to himself – captive but completely & eternally satisfied!

I fought the Lord, but He won.

Evening Church Weekend Away...

2007-06-03T17:39:00.000+10:00

I went as Velma from Scooby Doo Inc.

Evening Church peoples had the privilege of going away to sit under God's word, have it taught to us by Archie Poulos and enjoy fellowship together.

Up in the Blue Mountains at Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood - Archie set out to teach us about the heroes of the faith found in Hebrews 11. Archie has a great up the front manner, speaks with great clarity and makes it so easy to listen to. He easily relates as he speaks also, bringing in stories, conversations, people stories to illustrate truths of the gospel, which proves to be very moving.

It was great to discover how Chapter 12 interprets Chapter 11. Since "we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses", heroes that is, heroes who really are just ordinary people, background figure to the foreground figure - Christ the ultimate hero "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

So that, just as the heroes of the yester-years, we can be encouraged to "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," and so we too "may not grow weary or fainthearted".

Archie gave us a stern warning to NOT give in to temptations, to the 30 seconds of pleasure, the consequences are huge. Holiness is important, so I was challenged to keep praying and asking for God's mercy to continue softening my ears to hear his word and to obey it.

Archie also encouraged us not to be concerned with what the world may think of us - like Noah, who would have been laughed at for his faith and building of the ark. He continued to tell us the true reality that as we proclaim Christ it has a dual action: salvation & judgment. That no matter what God's word will do what it was sent to do - which may mean that it will show you friends that God's judgment is right and that is what they are destined for.

I found this really hard to swallow - thinking about my many girl friends who don't know Christ. Please do pray for strength to preserve in living as light for these friends and also be bold to share the gospel for I do not know whose hearts God is at work in to save.

Praise God for saints like Archie.

Praise God for good fun on Saturday night - "Heroes". We had to dress up as a hero: some went as batman, superman, lifeguard, while some went as Bono, Hendrix, Moses, and while others created their own heroes like Captain Relaxo (helps u relax by bringing the tv remote to you, the phone, packet of chips etc...) and others came as their real life heroes from church.

Lots of fun was had!

Thailand...

2007-05-29T22:09:00.000+10:00

Just back from 10 night trip to Thailand with my Mum and her friend Gillian. We stayed in at Patong Beach Hotel - right in the heart of this holiday destination. It was a great time with my mum and sharing this traveling experience with her. Very thankful she was so generous in taking me on the trip with her. It was also good to see Gillian again who is a family friend from way back. She is also the mum of the kids that I was school of the air home tutor for in the Aboriginal community, which was the last time I had seen her (4 years now)!

We shopped at the markets that had lots of the same sorts of things - t-shirts, dvds, watches, sunglasses, tailored suits & dress, shoes, tourist: hats, towels, wooden elephants, tissue box covers and much more... oh did I mention shoes??

Patong Beach Street

I came home with 4 pairs of new shoes... a new pair of brown flats for winter, pair of fun white plastic flats (v. cute), pair of dress heels and a pair of beige open toe flats.

Now as some of you know I do have a small and moderate love for shoes. So I think I did well by coming home with only 4 pairs since each shoe averaged a whole $5.

But instead of talking shopping which you can do at home or pretty much anywhere, I will move to my impressions of the culture and country of Thailand, well perhaps Patong Beach anyway!

First impression of Patong Beach, Phuket - hot, smelly and humid! Got used to the smell by day 2 and pretty much never got used to the humidity except when in the air conditioning!!

It was hard to get to know the culture of this town as it is so geared to the tourism market. The locals are there to appease all needs, desires, wants and greed of the tourist - Which is quite sad... Patong Beach could be soon made an new Aussie state, every second person is an Aussie's with tattoos who are on their annual holiday there.

But to our holiday... We did two tours, one to Phang Nga and the other around Phi Phi Islands mountains/rock that go straight up out of the water.

On the Phang Nga trip we travelled in a Longtail boat, had lunch at a Muslim Fishing Village, except we didn't have time to look around... only stayed in the restaurant.

Phang Nga / James Bond Island was beautiful, absolutely spectacular. Absolutely picturesque. Some of the photos of me, like the one below, look as though I am superimposed - but no it's the real deal. Mind blowing!

Before we got to the Phang Nga region we stopped off for an elephant trek, buffalo cart ride and see some very cute monkeys, except for the cheeky monkey that bit me.

Phang Nga - Long Tail Boat Ride

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, were two of the most beautiful islands ever... Phi Phi Ley is where "The Beach" movie was filmed. So beautiful. Again absolutey stunning. Thailand truly has some of the most glorious parts of God's creation!

On our trip was Shampoo and her family. Shampoo owned the tour booking company that is at our hotel. She was trying out the tour to recommend it to customers. She was so kind and looked out for us the entire time. It was a treat to meet her family, all very polite and kind.

Later in the arvo near Phi Phi Don, we were let out for a snorkel - oh the fish we saw were fantastic. So many colours adorned the fish. I am however still suffering from the sea lice bites, grr...

Some of the funniest sites were seen while getting ready for the swim. An Indian couple who never been swimming before gave it a go, many Asians who decided to go in fully clothed all with life jackets, some Indian boys who don't own swimmers and decided to go in just their underpants, an very obese man jumping off the boat, some Thai boys who forgot swimmers bought some from the boat and got changed in front of everyone!

And then me and a few other Aussie's and some Brazilians went in with swimmers and our snorkel - I never felt so normal yet in such a minority.

We also went to Phuket town, local growers markets (which was a daring place to eat dinner but so worth it) and the Butterfly gardens. But lots of the time was spent in the Patong Beach Markets and the beach and by the hotel's gorgeous pools.

But in effort to get to know the place better we refused to eat at any of the restaurants and so we risked it to eat at the side-of-the-road stalls, where the Thai themselves eat. Which was great... we had no problems, we never got sick and got to enjoy the delight of real Thai food and real chats with Thai people. Plus we finished off most meals with Banana/Choc Pancake mmmmmmmmmmmm yummy!!!

As we walked home from dinner every night we would have to walk up the 'red light' street. Which was really sad. The whole street is blocked off after sun down and the lady boys and prostitutes emerge. Again the Thai folk seem to be appeasing the demand of tourism.

I was really saddened by the exploitation of these women (& lady boy men) and disturbed by their seaming willingness but also I saw how sad and lonely the men who hire these people... lonely and desperate enough to make a trip to Thailand on your own to hire a woman to travel with for the week. Really didn't know who to blame, who to feel sorry for or what to think...

But having said that Mum, Gillian and I found the Thai people very polite, honest and kind - which we attributed to their Buddhist Culture. Animals were treated well, their dogs were clean and healthy. Plus when both my Mum and I lost our wallets on separate occasions (yes, yes, it runs in the family OK!) our wallets were returned with nothing taken.

So I guess Precepts 1 (harmonious conduct regarding Life) and 2 (harmonious conduct regarding Property) are the easier precepts to keep in the Buddhist faith. However, it seems they turn a blind eye to Precepts 3 (harmonious conduct regarding Sexual Conduct) and 5 (harmonious conduct regarding Mindfulness - intoxication).

Instead of a Gideon's bible in the hotel we got a great little book "Karma for today's traveler" by Phra Bhasakorn Bhailai with David Freyer... which is a good read, well... Helping me get a better insight into this ever increasing popular religion... I should do another post critiquing this book.... but just quickly it seems highly illogical and impossible.

Superimposed 'me' @ Phang Nga

Other books I got to feast on while away was Don Carson's book on Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians - THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. Very helpful and insightful book. I love books that work you through passages. It's great to sink your teeth into God's word with a saint like D.Carson as your guide. I have found it really practical in assessing my attitude towards serving, understanding of the role of leaders and the responsibility - it's been a rebuke and stretching book.

Plus can't go on holidays without my Uncle Piper. So I read CONTENDING FOR OUR ALL - John Piper, which Marcia gave to me for my birthday. This book is Piper's insights into the life lessons of Athenasius (bishop), John Owen (pastor) and J. Gresham Machen (seminary founder). WOW! What heroes of the faith... they really fought hard and contended their all for the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ. Great examples of perseverance in the faith in conflict and controversy, for the sake of Truth, the Kingdom, the Cross and for the sake of Christ's church.

Hmmm ... if you have read this far I applaud you. I guess I will stop ranting and just say I enjoyed my time away! Thank God that I feel refreshed spiritually, emotionally and physically! Very thankful to him for blessing me we such a restful holiday.

Free internet...

2007-05-17T08:47:00.000+10:00

how awesome is that...

I am sitting at the aiport and there is a free internet lounge! How great is that, well not that great but since it is really boring waiting for planes I think it's fantastic. So I thought I would blog and let you know that!

Anyway I will be in Thailand by the evening - now that is great.

Praise God for holidays and Mums' who take you on them!

I'll be back in 2 weeks!

this term @ elevenfiftyone...

2007-05-10T00:33:00.001+10:00

Fleeing the Sin of Boring people with Christ...

2007-05-08T09:53:00.000+10:00

I was just reading my brothers blog and he has just posted up five new websites he has stumbled upon that offer great creative resources. Now my brother's blog was set up with a few of his mates who are in ministry to fight the sin of boring people with Christ. So their blog aims to share ideas and resources. I have found it particularly helpful in getting me to think creatively for the gospel, finding new resources that help do that and then appropriating them to my ministry context.

Such a great thing is it to share ideas I thought I should pass on some of these creative resources ...

http://www.simplyouthministry.com - DOUG FIELDS
This website has heaps of FREEBIES... click on this and it will take you to a whole heap of free downloads. I mainly use this website for growing my collection powerpoint background designs. and also they have flash countdowns, games, leaders resources, and much more!

http://www.vineresources.com
This is a church that has really great free powerpoint design packages based on sermon series themes or books.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cfcc/pool/
Flickr Church Marketing - sharing ideas - good inspiration!

http://www.seacoast.org/allaccess/message.html
Similar to VINE - powerpoint sermon packages for download

http://www.sermonspice.com/
Sermon spice - sign up and they give you a free video each month - plus more ideas...

http://churchtechtalk.com/
On the right side of the page there are graphic downloads and movie downloads.... great stuff... if you wonder where KYCK get countdowns from look no further than here!

Also if you are wondering about what images you can use that are copyright free... here are some good websites to check out...
http://www.sxc.hu
http://www.yotophoto.com

For games - big database of some good, not so good and average games.
http://www.youthpastor.com

And what would this world be like if we had Times New Roman as our only font:
http://www.1001fonts.com
http://www.dafont.com

NOW you know all my creative secrets... but as my good ol' Uncle John (Piper) would say, Imagination may be the hardest work of the human mind. And perhaps the most God-like. It is the closest we get to creation something beautiful out of nothing. "Oh sing to the LORD a new song" - or art work, or poem, or figure of speech, or song, or flash animation, or short movie.

Let us press on to tell of the greatness and glory of Christ.

GOD IS NOT BORING... John Piper
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TopicIndex/108/1228_God_Is_Not_Boring/

Life's Good...

2007-05-07T09:55:00.001+10:00

Life's Good Week Highlights Package:

*INCARNATION = Authority in humility!
*SIN = Misplaced trust!

Ben Pfahlert

Street Teams
While out on Street Teams for LIFE's GOOD WEEK... Alan and I didn't get much response but ended up with one AWESOME conversation.

And to prove my theory true that if you allow people to talk and express their world view they end up shooting themselves in the foot and they themselves expose the inconsistency of their faith.

So in this conversation the person started out as a "Muslim", part way through said they were a "Agnostic Muslim", then as we talked about judgment and the after life, they said they had been to a Pentecostal church in England when they were there trying to work it out BUT now just believes that if you try your best and be good to others then it will all work out... then by the end of the conversation they became someone who believes in no real higher being but rather the universe!

Praise God that we could share the gospel and answer their questions with it! Oh how the foolishness of God is wiser than Us!!!

SWITCH DINNER - Life's Good So why do I always want more?
Two good friends I went through school with came along to our Switch Dinner. Danielle and Lisa said they had a really good time and they said quote "you really know how to pick good friends" ! Don't know if that is a reflection on themselves or Hannah, Eddie, Alice, Simon and Mike who sat at our table.

They enjoyed the talk and engaged with it, we got stuck on talking about materialism and whether it's just a cultural thing and danced around the idea of whether there is an innate desire inside people to be envious, competitive and jealous!

But in the car trip home, my friends said that they were very insightful saying that they don't pursue money, career or the perfect home... Lisa and I always joke that the two of us will end up sharing a studio apartment and have a bunk bed if we want to buy our own place and live in Sydney. She knows that money doesn't buy happiness, but agrees there is joy to be had with the good things in life... I think she has a really healthy view. But then my friends honestly raised the issue in their lives where that do want more and that is in relationships!

God was gracious to allow me to share the gospel in this context with them... how can we deny that relationships are the most important thing, it's where pain is most real, and joy most fulling - God designed us to be in relationship with each other and sin distorts the way we relate - we reject the most important relationship we can have and that is this God who created us!!! Ask God to lavish his grace on Lisa and Danielle!

Wise Up with Wild St - Mythbusters
6 youths prayed the prayer!

"'Rejoice with me; ... In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:9-1

KYCK '07

2007-04-27T22:07:00.000+10:00

Our youth group went away to KYCK 07 - Katoomba convention for Highschoolers...

I really enjoyed myself and hopefully so did my year 12 girls.

I had command of Warwick's tarago, with Chloe, Ellen, Emily & Emily as my passengers!

Great talks, great people, great food (thanks Verity P & team), great fun, great MUSIC....

Great talks by Steven Jefferies & Eugene Hor- theme: "FOLLOW" from Luke's Gospel. I personally loved the prodigal son talk on the Saturday night - it chokes me up every time I hear it taught as I feel like it is the story of my conversion and highlights the glorious mercy and generosity of my Father in heaven, that he would welcome me a sinner. Praise God for the cross of Christ!

I was also really built up by the repeated phrase by Steven : that we are to display the supreme value of Christ in our lives! AMEN to that!

Only feedback I have about the talks that is negative was the fact that both speakers used very boy focused illustrations. Not one of the illustrations about people of the faith were women, so no role models for all the girls there as such. And most of the other images given were blood and gusty, car, national park, computer games etc... thought that these creative things could have been a little more creative in targeting the different age groups and genders.

We had good times at THE GRANGE... where our junior youth: Jam Camp were staying as well. We had compulsory fun on Saturday arvo which included a few active games and then a trip to the cafe in Blackheath!

One of the highlights ;) for me was driving Warwick's tarago.... now tarago's scare me as they give a sense of soccer/ballet-mum-ness, which the girls in my car were more than happy to tease me about! On the way up though we had a plank of wood fly into the windscreen from the ute in front... no major damage - just shock from the noise and the e-tag falling off from the impact.

ALL UP A FUN-FILLED WEEKEND - only took me all week to recover!!

Staff Attack...

2007-04-12T08:35:00.000+10:00

Warwick, Dave, Robyn, Caro, Jono, Marty, Deb and Myself all traveled up to Copacabana Beach for our bi-annual Staff Attack.

RADICAL REFORMISSION by Mark Driscoll was our pre-reading material and we discussed and learnt more about Church Planting as there is the idea floating around for new meetings next year - perhaps a 5pm and 7pm.

Mark Driscoll is a champ... he is a passionate gospel driven bloke who is also crazy about meeting our culture where it is at with the truths of the gospel. Answering our culture's questions with the gospel. To meet our "breakneck, isolated, selfish, debt ridden, confused and lonely world" (pg165) with the good news of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

He has a great equation to help you think about how just to do that...

GOSPEL (Jesus) + CULTURE (Neighbours) + CHURCH (Brothers)
= Radical Reformission

If you lack one of these in your equation then you can end up with a Parachurch(-church) or Liberalism (-gospel) or Fundamentalism (-culture). I found this really helpful in identifying weakness and dangers for ministries I am involved in.

Dricoll has some poignant comments to make about Church Culture and our World's Culture:

"the longer someone is a Christian, the greater the propensity to diminish the Jesus of the Bible until he bevomes a predictable little God who ceases to surprise them" - pg 27

At Matthias and all Christians need to take heed of this warning and to keep reading/teaching/preaching from the Gospel accounts of Jesus. We need to keep meeting Jesus on the pages of these accounts - the radical redeemer that dined with sinners... we need to see how he lived and pray for it to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives.

I personally found the warning of finding the balance of NOSTALGIA vs INNOVATION. My tendency I think would lean towards having an ignorance toward church history and lessons from it in pursuit of innovation...

I need to be careful that I don't get caught up in the "fast paced & ever changing culture of insanity" (pg 52-53). I must pray that God would keep me focused and heading toward the goal of Jesus and all things in him, through him, to him and by him...

I also found great comfort in Driscoll's image of himself and his hard work in ministry, I think it is an image that many pastors and those in ministry can easily relate to:

"I don't really know what I'm doing so I read every book I can find & cling to the Bible like a kid who can't swim but somehow found a life preserver in the middle fo the ocean" - pg 183

But the continued comfort to that is that it by the power and strength of our almighty and it's God who uses us in our weakness and nothing will change his glorious plan:

"God will continue to seek worshipers, and Jesus will continue to save people from Satan, sin and death in miraculous ways" pg200

This was a helpful leap board & background into thinking about church planting. We looked also at the Great Commission and 1 Corinthians 1 - which are also very useful and helpful background texts!

We discussed things like Why, When, How, What... A quote comes to mind from another article we read by Stephen Timmis on Church Planting: Key Principles

"the single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches"- Peter C Wagner

I don't know if I agree with it being the 'single most' but I was convinced it is a very effective tool. And it looks like the next few months shall be exciting and busy time thinking through the logistics of it all.

Pray that the staff would remain faithful to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as we think through this more and show our dependence on God by being devoted to prayer. Pray that many in our congregations would be excited by the ideas of furthering the gospel in Sydney's East.

Other than that we had a tops time bonding as staff team. Tuesday night we went out for Thai in Terigal and then came back to enjoy the night full of tired people being silly - Dave was making us funny funny limericks (Something about a Fartyn Martyn), eye spy and 20 questions: why oh why did they find my people so hard to guess - Pippi Longstocking and David Bowie. EASY!!!

_____________________________________________
MARK DRISCOLL
www.marshillchurch.org/
www.theresurgence.com/md_blog

Holidays...

2007-04-07T23:11:00.000+10:00

Just spent a week away up in Port Macqaurie... the weather was great - so much sun and not humid! woo hoo!

I went with my parents to support and cheer on my brothers, Todd & Toby and friends Paul & Mike in the Ironman (this one was 3.8km Swim, 190km bike and 42km run).

They did really well... Todd came in at 10 hours and Toby in at 13 hours. Can you believe it continuous exercise for that long? These boys are freaks! The winner did it in 8hrs... crazy!

It was a great time away camping and spending it with family. I really enjoyed hanging out with Liz - Toby's wife. We get along really well and this weekend was great to spend with her and on the side lines cheering the boys on together.

It also is very exciting as she is about 7months pregnant. So in June I will be AUNTY Hayley. The baby is called 'Aniko' for now... and if Toby got his way that is what she will be called but I think Liz has other ideas. Pray for continued health for Liz and Aniko!!!

other highlights:

I got to spend time reading and relaxing on the beach every day... A+++
Discovering some new cheers instead of "Go Toby" I included some of these I heard from other spectators "Looking Good", "Keep Smiling", "Can I have your autograph"
Did some shopping... Bought some jeans, tops/jumpers and a orange teapot A+++
Got to try out my new tent I bough off eBay... A+++
Drank Campos coffee from cafe next to caravan park... A+++
Free wireless internet at the caravan park, sit in tent and waste time surfing net... A+++
Got stuck into really good bible reading and prayer pattern, that is lasting so far into reality (only been two days back but still...) pray this continues.

Praise God, for the time of rest and relaxation.
Praise God that my brothers were kept safe from injury in the race.
Praise God for holidays and family!!!

_______________PSALM 147_______________

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;

11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.