Have you ever imagined how the story of the Prodigal Son would look in many of today’s churches? I can just picture the father as he sees his long lost son walking up the driveway. Tears would be streaming down his face as he rushes out to his son, sneaks him in the back door, scolds him ruining the family’s reputation, rushes him into the shower and dresses him in trendy clothes, before presenting him to the public as a changed and repentant man. Naturally, he would keep a close eye on him for several months to make sure that he was truly sorry. He would deny him any privileges until he had proven himself worthy, and eventually he may celebrate his son's return by welcoming him back into the family. From thereon after his shameful story would be told whenever someone else considered straying from the flock.
Okay, so my Prodigal Son story is a little cynical, but sadly, this is the version of the story I have seen repeatedly in churches. Modern day forgiveness seems to be conditional. I understand that if someone hurts you then you should take certain precautions to protect yourself from being hurt again, but Jesus didn’t live that way. His love and forgiveness extended unconditionally, even to those who nailed him to the cross. There was no criteria people had to meet to receive his grace and forgiveness. Sinners didn’t have to clean themselves up and make themselves presentable before he would welcome them. He accepted them how they were – dirty, crushed, ashamed, broken. He told many people to go and sin no more, but he didn’t withhold himself from these people until they had the chance to prove themselves worthy. He didn’t watch to see if they sinned again and then withdraw his grace from their lives. His love was theirs no matter what, and his forgiveness was unconditional.
I have been hurt by the church in the past, as have many others. I once lost a very close girlfriend who was in church leadership, due to some gossip that circulated around the church. Even though I was not responsible for the situation that arose, I sent her a letter apologising for anything I said or did that may have hurt her. Sadly, I never heard a word from her again. I have heard this same story from many other walking wounded Christians. If Christians can’t forgive their own brothers and sisters for petty little issues, how on earth can we welcome really unclean people into our lives?
It is time we Christians rise up and show the world the true Prodigal Son story, and display in our lives the true meaning of forgiveness and grace.
Wednesday 29 August 2007
Monday 27 August 2007
Too Much Of A Good Thing
I was recently discussing the purpose of Christian education with someone who works in a Christian school. I think it is good that Christian parents have schools that they can send their children to so that they can be nurtured and educated in a safe environment that centres around God. It does sadden me, however, that so many Christian teachers gravitate to the Christian school environment when there is such a need for Christian teachers in the public school system. Surely they would be so much more beneficial in an environment where they could meet the needs of those who are really lost in life.
I began to discuss with my friend how we could encourage non-Christian families to send their kids to a Christian school and I was quite disturbed when told that many staff members at the school think that there shouldn’t be non-Christians there. I just can’t see Jesus thinking this way. He spent his entire life hanging out with those not worthy of him. His entire life’s work was centred around those who did not go to church. His influence in the “non-Christian” environment transformed lives around him as he loved and accepted those who were not otherwise noticed.
Should we not follow his example? Why would we not embrace the opportunity to welcome non-Christians into a Christian school? I understand that Christian parents want to shelter and protect their kids from the evils of the world, but do we believe that we are more deserving of God’s grace than others? Do we really want our children to be raised with the belief that they are better than those who do not yet know Christ? Do we want to isolate them from the real world and those in it? I know people who complain that their kids are so self-centred, but if you look at the attitude of many “churchy” parents, I can understand why kids become this way – it is because many of our churches centre around us.
Jesus died for every person on earth, Christian and otherwise. As Christians we need to be careful not to think that we have earned our salvation because we go to church and read the Bible. Grace is a gift that we do not deserve, and I don’t believe that it would please God for us to withhold our grace from those who do not yet know him.
Needless to say, my kids are enrolled in the local primary school, where hopefully our light and grace can touch those we come in contact with. I believe in Christian education, but I believe that it is something I am responsible for teaching my kids at home, not necessarily at school. It is a school's job to educate my kids, but it is my job to teach them about Jesus.
I began to discuss with my friend how we could encourage non-Christian families to send their kids to a Christian school and I was quite disturbed when told that many staff members at the school think that there shouldn’t be non-Christians there. I just can’t see Jesus thinking this way. He spent his entire life hanging out with those not worthy of him. His entire life’s work was centred around those who did not go to church. His influence in the “non-Christian” environment transformed lives around him as he loved and accepted those who were not otherwise noticed.
Should we not follow his example? Why would we not embrace the opportunity to welcome non-Christians into a Christian school? I understand that Christian parents want to shelter and protect their kids from the evils of the world, but do we believe that we are more deserving of God’s grace than others? Do we really want our children to be raised with the belief that they are better than those who do not yet know Christ? Do we want to isolate them from the real world and those in it? I know people who complain that their kids are so self-centred, but if you look at the attitude of many “churchy” parents, I can understand why kids become this way – it is because many of our churches centre around us.
Jesus died for every person on earth, Christian and otherwise. As Christians we need to be careful not to think that we have earned our salvation because we go to church and read the Bible. Grace is a gift that we do not deserve, and I don’t believe that it would please God for us to withhold our grace from those who do not yet know him.
Needless to say, my kids are enrolled in the local primary school, where hopefully our light and grace can touch those we come in contact with. I believe in Christian education, but I believe that it is something I am responsible for teaching my kids at home, not necessarily at school. It is a school's job to educate my kids, but it is my job to teach them about Jesus.
Wednesday 22 August 2007
Kidslink
For several years my husband and I have been directors of an organisation called Kidslink International. Kidslink’s aim is to meet the needs of children in developing nations. Our vision statement is “To show active Godly love, in meeting the needs of kids, spiritually, physically, mentally and socially, and to relieve their poverty, suffering and distress”.
We work in several developing nations including India, Pakistan and Tanna (Vanuatu), but our main focus is Mozambique, Africa.
We have been involved in several projects in Mozambique, including:
• digging wells to supply villages with much needed safe water supplies
• planting Moringa trees, which are known for reversing the effect of blindness due to vitamin A deficiency
• building education facilities, such as child care centres and schools
• training people who work with children, including nutrition, hygiene and spiritual matters
• providing much needed medical supplies to local medical clinics
• providing assistance to people running an orphanage
and various other projects.
Several years ago we dug a well in a small village in Mozambique which had no fresh water supply. Children were regularly taken by crocodiles while collecting water from the Zambezi River, so the well was desperately needed. The following year when our team returned to the village they found that not only did the village now have enough water to supply their entire population, but they had enough to plot a small vegetable garden to provide themselves with much needed food. The following year when the team returned they discovered that this vegetable patch had grown substantially and was now producing enough food for them to sell to surrounding villages, thereby generating an income for their village. The following year the vegetable patch spanned nearly four hectares! All of this came from one little well dug by a small team of Kidslink volunteers!!
Kidslink’s current project is to build a school for 600 students in a village called M’batwe. Currently this village has 200 children being educated by two teachers in a room the size of my lounge room, with no electricity, sewerage or running water. We are about to lay the foundations for a school large enough to house the 600 students needing an education in the area, as well as digging a well to supply desperately needed fresh water.
We will be holding a fundraiser auction on Saturday 20 October in Knox, Melbourne, to raise money to fund this project. The last auction we held in 2005 raised $25,500, every cent of which went to Mozambique. This money was used to begin construction of a Childcare/Education facility in Beira, the likes of which has never been seen in Mozambique before.
If you are interested in the work Kidslink do please log onto our website – www.kidslink.org.au for further information.
We work in several developing nations including India, Pakistan and Tanna (Vanuatu), but our main focus is Mozambique, Africa.
We have been involved in several projects in Mozambique, including:
• digging wells to supply villages with much needed safe water supplies
• planting Moringa trees, which are known for reversing the effect of blindness due to vitamin A deficiency
• building education facilities, such as child care centres and schools
• training people who work with children, including nutrition, hygiene and spiritual matters
• providing much needed medical supplies to local medical clinics
• providing assistance to people running an orphanage
and various other projects.
Several years ago we dug a well in a small village in Mozambique which had no fresh water supply. Children were regularly taken by crocodiles while collecting water from the Zambezi River, so the well was desperately needed. The following year when our team returned to the village they found that not only did the village now have enough water to supply their entire population, but they had enough to plot a small vegetable garden to provide themselves with much needed food. The following year when the team returned they discovered that this vegetable patch had grown substantially and was now producing enough food for them to sell to surrounding villages, thereby generating an income for their village. The following year the vegetable patch spanned nearly four hectares! All of this came from one little well dug by a small team of Kidslink volunteers!!
Kidslink’s current project is to build a school for 600 students in a village called M’batwe. Currently this village has 200 children being educated by two teachers in a room the size of my lounge room, with no electricity, sewerage or running water. We are about to lay the foundations for a school large enough to house the 600 students needing an education in the area, as well as digging a well to supply desperately needed fresh water.
We will be holding a fundraiser auction on Saturday 20 October in Knox, Melbourne, to raise money to fund this project. The last auction we held in 2005 raised $25,500, every cent of which went to Mozambique. This money was used to begin construction of a Childcare/Education facility in Beira, the likes of which has never been seen in Mozambique before.
If you are interested in the work Kidslink do please log onto our website – www.kidslink.org.au for further information.
Sunday 19 August 2007
Excellent Leadership
I came across this at work and wanted to share it. I am not sure who wrote it or where it came from but I think it is a great summary of good leadership. Sadly, I know many Christian leaders who have not resembled this description of a quality leader. I know I have fallen down on some of issues during my lifetime too. I pray for God’s guidance and humility for all who call themselves a Christian leader, as they will be held accountable for every word and deed. Such an enormous responsibility needs to be done in the strength and wisdom of God, not in our own selfish ambition or attempt at excellence.
Excellent Leadership
“He gave constant encouragement” Acts 20:2
A leader has two important characteristics: he or she knows where they’re going, and can show others the value of going with them. There are lots of talented people who will never be excellent leaders because they’re more interested in themselves than in those they lead. They’ll have to go through the school of hard knocks until they become sensitive to other people’s needs.
But effective leaders don’t wait for that to happen. They realise that any numpty can come up with an idea. But the people who implement them are priceless. American Football coach ‘Bear’ Bryant used to say, “I’ve learned how to hold a team together … There are just three things I say: if something goes bad, I did it; if something goes semi-good, we did it; if it goes really good, you did it!”
If you have a feeling in your bones that God might want you to be some kind of leader, chew on this: excellent leaders are approachable; they don’t get touchy and fly off the handle; they never let minor problems poison their outlook; they sandwich every slice of criticism between two layers of praise.
True leaders are not people who knock the wind out of others; no, they are the ones who breathe it back in! Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson once said this, “Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” Good eh! Encouraging others simply means giving them a courage injection; like this: “Paul called the disciples together and … gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits … charging them with fresh hope.” That’s excellent leadership! So today ask God to give you what it takes to lead.
Excellent Leadership
“He gave constant encouragement” Acts 20:2
A leader has two important characteristics: he or she knows where they’re going, and can show others the value of going with them. There are lots of talented people who will never be excellent leaders because they’re more interested in themselves than in those they lead. They’ll have to go through the school of hard knocks until they become sensitive to other people’s needs.
But effective leaders don’t wait for that to happen. They realise that any numpty can come up with an idea. But the people who implement them are priceless. American Football coach ‘Bear’ Bryant used to say, “I’ve learned how to hold a team together … There are just three things I say: if something goes bad, I did it; if something goes semi-good, we did it; if it goes really good, you did it!”
If you have a feeling in your bones that God might want you to be some kind of leader, chew on this: excellent leaders are approachable; they don’t get touchy and fly off the handle; they never let minor problems poison their outlook; they sandwich every slice of criticism between two layers of praise.
True leaders are not people who knock the wind out of others; no, they are the ones who breathe it back in! Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson once said this, “Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” Good eh! Encouraging others simply means giving them a courage injection; like this: “Paul called the disciples together and … gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits … charging them with fresh hope.” That’s excellent leadership! So today ask God to give you what it takes to lead.
Wednesday 8 August 2007
I'm Sorry
I have been on holidays in Hong Kong and have had an absolutely wonderful time!!
My friend Heather has a way of bringing me back to earth though, as I have come home to find I have been "tagged" for John Smulo's very interesting and challenging meme.
I am supposed to apologise to the world for three things that Christians (or me personally) have got wrong.
So here goes...
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. 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.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.
3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.
4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.
1. I'm sorry for trying to make you come to us (church) instead of us going to you.
2. I'm sorry that so many acts of kindness we bestowed upon you had strings attached.
3. I'm sorry that we have been having such a good time ourselves that we have not heard those who are screaming for our help right outside our door.
Sadly, I could think of many many more things I could apologise for ...
4. I'm sorry that we have been more interested in your money than your needs.
5. I'm sorry that our passion for music has overwhelmed our passion for humanity.
6. I'm sorry that our claim of "excellence" has made some of those around us feel inadequate.
7. I'm even more sorry that our claim of "excellence" has made some of those around us think (often correctly) that we are a bunch of hypocrites.
8. I'm sorry that we have portrayed such a distorted view of Jesus and his love for you.
9. I'm sorry that our egoes have denied us the ability or the desire to admit when we are wrong.
10. I'm sorry that our self involved perspective has rubbed off on our kids.
11. I'm sorry that instead of creating a haven of safety for you, we have built a place of judgement.
12. I'm sorry that our walk often does not match our talk.
13. I'm sorry that we have not visited you when you were sick, fed you when you were hungry, comforted you when you were lonely, and all those other practical things that should be a part of the foundation of our faith.
14. I'm sorry that we have not given generously to those in need.
15. I'm sorry that the in-fighting and disunity between our denominations has turned so many away from seeking God.
16. I'm sorry for all the times we have welcomed you into our churches, only to neglect you once you become a regular attendee.
17. I'm sorry that we have forgotten who Jesus is and how he lived, and as a result our lives have reflected something other than the goodness of God.
How did we get like this? How did we reach the point where there are so many things that Christians can (and should) apologise for? I pray that God will prompt me every time I open my mouth or step outside my door, to remember that my every word and action should reflect him.
My friend Heather has a way of bringing me back to earth though, as I have come home to find I have been "tagged" for John Smulo's very interesting and challenging meme.
I am supposed to apologise to the world for three things that Christians (or me personally) have got wrong.
So here goes...
- - - - - - - - - - -
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. 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.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.
3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.
4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.
- - - - - - - - - - -
1. I'm sorry for trying to make you come to us (church) instead of us going to you.
2. I'm sorry that so many acts of kindness we bestowed upon you had strings attached.
3. I'm sorry that we have been having such a good time ourselves that we have not heard those who are screaming for our help right outside our door.
Sadly, I could think of many many more things I could apologise for ...
4. I'm sorry that we have been more interested in your money than your needs.
5. I'm sorry that our passion for music has overwhelmed our passion for humanity.
6. I'm sorry that our claim of "excellence" has made some of those around us feel inadequate.
7. I'm even more sorry that our claim of "excellence" has made some of those around us think (often correctly) that we are a bunch of hypocrites.
8. I'm sorry that we have portrayed such a distorted view of Jesus and his love for you.
9. I'm sorry that our egoes have denied us the ability or the desire to admit when we are wrong.
10. I'm sorry that our self involved perspective has rubbed off on our kids.
11. I'm sorry that instead of creating a haven of safety for you, we have built a place of judgement.
12. I'm sorry that our walk often does not match our talk.
13. I'm sorry that we have not visited you when you were sick, fed you when you were hungry, comforted you when you were lonely, and all those other practical things that should be a part of the foundation of our faith.
14. I'm sorry that we have not given generously to those in need.
15. I'm sorry that the in-fighting and disunity between our denominations has turned so many away from seeking God.
16. I'm sorry for all the times we have welcomed you into our churches, only to neglect you once you become a regular attendee.
17. I'm sorry that we have forgotten who Jesus is and how he lived, and as a result our lives have reflected something other than the goodness of God.
How did we get like this? How did we reach the point where there are so many things that Christians can (and should) apologise for? I pray that God will prompt me every time I open my mouth or step outside my door, to remember that my every word and action should reflect him.
Monday 23 July 2007
The Sinner's Prayer
As someone who has grown up in a Christian/church environment I always believed that there was supposed to be one defining moment when I “became a Christian” or “got saved”. We characterise this moment as when we “ask Jesus into our heart” or say “the sinner’s prayer”.
I did this when I was a three year old child. I knelt down next to my bed with my dad and sister and humbly asked Jesus to come and live in my heart. I loved Jesus in the only way a three year old could but I had no idea what inviting a grown man to come and live in my little heart meant. When I stood up from that prayer I didn’t feel any different but I remember how excited my dad was.
It wasn’t until many years later that I truly experienced God for myself rather than just catching the rebounds of my parent’s experience. My “conversion” took place over many years. I can’t pinpoint one defining moment when I suddenly knew that I was saved. Even now, thirty years later, I am still learning more and experiencing God in new and fresh ways.
It is interesting to note that there is no mention in the Bible of asking Jesus into your heart or quoting the sinner’s prayer in order to “get saved”. Jesus welcomed everyone who came to him. He spoke to them, comforted them, healed them, delivered them, taught them, loved them and encouraged them. He didn’t call an altar-call or even pray with them. In many cases he farewelled them with words such as “your faith has saved you”, “go in peace” and “do not sin anymore”.
Prayer is the way we communicate with Jesus now. The Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then you shall be saved. I assume the sinner’s prayer stems from this passage, but what about those who never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus?
The Bible says that God can be seen in the beauty of creation. God’s truth can be found anywhere, not just in our churches. Thousands of people around the world have never heard the name of Jesus, but I do not believe that means they are doomed to eternal damnation. God looks at the heart and I can’t believe that his grace does not extend to those who have never had the opportunity to hear about his son, and yet have searched for him in their own way.
I guess the key to the “sinner’s prayer” is follow up. I know many people who have said the prayer and never moved on from there – no transformation, no shift in priorities, no change in mindset – just good people who have continued on with their life as they did before. I believe salvation is only the first step of the journey. The real journey is about discipleship, not just saying a simple prayer and being done with it, but about a life-time of change. Discipleship is becoming like Jesus and it takes time, commitment, passion and sacrifice.
I did this when I was a three year old child. I knelt down next to my bed with my dad and sister and humbly asked Jesus to come and live in my heart. I loved Jesus in the only way a three year old could but I had no idea what inviting a grown man to come and live in my little heart meant. When I stood up from that prayer I didn’t feel any different but I remember how excited my dad was.
It wasn’t until many years later that I truly experienced God for myself rather than just catching the rebounds of my parent’s experience. My “conversion” took place over many years. I can’t pinpoint one defining moment when I suddenly knew that I was saved. Even now, thirty years later, I am still learning more and experiencing God in new and fresh ways.
It is interesting to note that there is no mention in the Bible of asking Jesus into your heart or quoting the sinner’s prayer in order to “get saved”. Jesus welcomed everyone who came to him. He spoke to them, comforted them, healed them, delivered them, taught them, loved them and encouraged them. He didn’t call an altar-call or even pray with them. In many cases he farewelled them with words such as “your faith has saved you”, “go in peace” and “do not sin anymore”.
Prayer is the way we communicate with Jesus now. The Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then you shall be saved. I assume the sinner’s prayer stems from this passage, but what about those who never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus?
The Bible says that God can be seen in the beauty of creation. God’s truth can be found anywhere, not just in our churches. Thousands of people around the world have never heard the name of Jesus, but I do not believe that means they are doomed to eternal damnation. God looks at the heart and I can’t believe that his grace does not extend to those who have never had the opportunity to hear about his son, and yet have searched for him in their own way.
I guess the key to the “sinner’s prayer” is follow up. I know many people who have said the prayer and never moved on from there – no transformation, no shift in priorities, no change in mindset – just good people who have continued on with their life as they did before. I believe salvation is only the first step of the journey. The real journey is about discipleship, not just saying a simple prayer and being done with it, but about a life-time of change. Discipleship is becoming like Jesus and it takes time, commitment, passion and sacrifice.
Thursday 19 July 2007
Social Justice And Christianity
Matthew 25:31-46 has always fascinated me. For most of my Christian life it was one of those passages I skimmed over, mainly because I knew that if I looked at it too closely, it would challenge me to step way out of my comfort zone, and that can be a difficult place to be. In recent years, however, my desire to be more like Jesus has overcome my fear of studying these verses and I have started delving into them a little further.
Many church leaders I have spoken to believe that “missions”, “outreach” and “providing for the needy” are jobs for a minority of Christians – those who have been “specifically called” to that particular ministry. They set up departments in their churches to cater for the few who have a passion for these things and then say that they have done their bit. Once that has been done, they can get on with the more important issues of preaching, music, small groups and the general running of the church. These things are all important in a church, but I believe that Matthew 25 blows this kind of mentality out of the water.
In this passage the way Jesus distinguishes those who will be with him throughout eternity, from those who will not, is based on their passion for social justice. Those who took care of the needs of the people around them and made time for those who were not socially accepted are the ones who Jesus said would share in his inheritance. Those who did not provide for the needy or care for the socially unacceptable were sent to “eternal punishment”.
Jesus effectively says that if you don’t help those in need, you will not be known by him. That is a pretty big call. As Christians we focus on so many aspects of God that I think we can easily lose the importance of this story. John 3:17 reinforces this way of thinking, saying that if we have material possessions but do not provide for those in need, then God’s love is not in us.
It seems difficult from these scriptures, to separate social justice and actively loving others from salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. I guess if you love God wholeheartedly, from that should flow a love for his creation, and from that a demonstration of love in action.
As I said, way out of the comfort zone, but right where I need to be.
Many church leaders I have spoken to believe that “missions”, “outreach” and “providing for the needy” are jobs for a minority of Christians – those who have been “specifically called” to that particular ministry. They set up departments in their churches to cater for the few who have a passion for these things and then say that they have done their bit. Once that has been done, they can get on with the more important issues of preaching, music, small groups and the general running of the church. These things are all important in a church, but I believe that Matthew 25 blows this kind of mentality out of the water.
In this passage the way Jesus distinguishes those who will be with him throughout eternity, from those who will not, is based on their passion for social justice. Those who took care of the needs of the people around them and made time for those who were not socially accepted are the ones who Jesus said would share in his inheritance. Those who did not provide for the needy or care for the socially unacceptable were sent to “eternal punishment”.
Jesus effectively says that if you don’t help those in need, you will not be known by him. That is a pretty big call. As Christians we focus on so many aspects of God that I think we can easily lose the importance of this story. John 3:17 reinforces this way of thinking, saying that if we have material possessions but do not provide for those in need, then God’s love is not in us.
It seems difficult from these scriptures, to separate social justice and actively loving others from salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. I guess if you love God wholeheartedly, from that should flow a love for his creation, and from that a demonstration of love in action.
As I said, way out of the comfort zone, but right where I need to be.
Sunday 15 July 2007
The Price Of Excellence
Do you have any idea how many times I have heard the word “excellence” at church? By definition excellence means “the act of being admirable, exceptional, fine, first-class, superb”. I understand the mentality behind the whole “excellence” phenomenon that has hit our churches (to give God our best), but I think we have gotten a little bit carried away.
I look at the list of “requirements” for service (above) that our churches are looking for today (especially in the area of music) and I think what hope do we have? I am a good person who loves God wholeheartedly, but I wouldn’t describe myself as exceptional or first-class. I would rather be referred to as humble and willing. A friend of mine says that excellence makes people feel inadequate, and I tend to agree.
When you read the Bible it is interesting to note that not one person God used throughout scripture was qualified to perform the job that God called him (or her) to do. NOT ONE! On the contrary, God usually called the last person we would deem as appropriate to fulfil his purpose. I believe he does this because, at the end of the road, when the under-dog has prevailed and the impossible has been accomplished, everyone will know that it was God who did it, not man, and he would get all the glory.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong; the lowly, despised and insignificant to abolish the things that are, so that no-one can boast before him.
God is glorified when real people follow his call to be followers of Jesus, not when people strive to be excellent. The men Jesus chose to be his disciples were not the educated rabbis who had completed Bible college, but the humble “tradies” who had a heart to serve. These are the men who turned our world upside-down. How many “uneducated” people are stifled by the church in the name of excellence? How many “qualified” people are doing it their own way, instead of God’s way, because they believe that their excellence is all that is needed?
So yes, I believe excellence is over-rated. God is more interested in our hearts, humility and willingness than our abilities. We need to do all we do for his glory, and let God be God.
I look at the list of “requirements” for service (above) that our churches are looking for today (especially in the area of music) and I think what hope do we have? I am a good person who loves God wholeheartedly, but I wouldn’t describe myself as exceptional or first-class. I would rather be referred to as humble and willing. A friend of mine says that excellence makes people feel inadequate, and I tend to agree.
When you read the Bible it is interesting to note that not one person God used throughout scripture was qualified to perform the job that God called him (or her) to do. NOT ONE! On the contrary, God usually called the last person we would deem as appropriate to fulfil his purpose. I believe he does this because, at the end of the road, when the under-dog has prevailed and the impossible has been accomplished, everyone will know that it was God who did it, not man, and he would get all the glory.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong; the lowly, despised and insignificant to abolish the things that are, so that no-one can boast before him.
God is glorified when real people follow his call to be followers of Jesus, not when people strive to be excellent. The men Jesus chose to be his disciples were not the educated rabbis who had completed Bible college, but the humble “tradies” who had a heart to serve. These are the men who turned our world upside-down. How many “uneducated” people are stifled by the church in the name of excellence? How many “qualified” people are doing it their own way, instead of God’s way, because they believe that their excellence is all that is needed?
So yes, I believe excellence is over-rated. God is more interested in our hearts, humility and willingness than our abilities. We need to do all we do for his glory, and let God be God.
Monday 9 July 2007
What Will You Leave Behind?
I love this devotional from “The Word For Today”.
What Will You Leave Behind?
"When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you." 2 Samuel 7:12 NIV
Solomon says, "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing" (Proverbs 10:7 NIV). So, how will you be remembered? Whatever your story, you're writing it now. Don't get the wrong idea; we're not thinking about dying so much as we are about living.
Here are five things that will remain when you go.
1. Your investments for Christ in people: therefore you must increase your spiritual deposits.
2. Your prayers will live forever before God's throne: therefore you must pray more, and pray for the generations that may follow you.
3. Your life's story may live on to inspire others: therefore you must live to the fullest God's script of faithfulness, excellence and godliness.
4. Your giving can enable your local church to reach your community, cause a mission's school to thrive, a devotional to be printed, a Christian station to be supported, or a lost loved one to be reached: therefore you must give, and give sacrificially so that the harvest you reap will far outlive the seeds you have sown.
5. Your children will carry your physical and spiritual DNA: therefore you must know that they walk with God, and that the faith of your fathers will live on through your children and your grandchildren to touch future generations.
Concerning Abel, the Bible says, "By faith he still speaks, even though he is dead" (Heb 11:4 NIV).
You can touch the future for good and for God – but only if you plan to!
The Word For Today
by Bob & Debby Gass & Ruth Gass Halliday
What Will You Leave Behind?
"When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you." 2 Samuel 7:12 NIV
Solomon says, "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing" (Proverbs 10:7 NIV). So, how will you be remembered? Whatever your story, you're writing it now. Don't get the wrong idea; we're not thinking about dying so much as we are about living.
Here are five things that will remain when you go.
1. Your investments for Christ in people: therefore you must increase your spiritual deposits.
2. Your prayers will live forever before God's throne: therefore you must pray more, and pray for the generations that may follow you.
3. Your life's story may live on to inspire others: therefore you must live to the fullest God's script of faithfulness, excellence and godliness.
4. Your giving can enable your local church to reach your community, cause a mission's school to thrive, a devotional to be printed, a Christian station to be supported, or a lost loved one to be reached: therefore you must give, and give sacrificially so that the harvest you reap will far outlive the seeds you have sown.
5. Your children will carry your physical and spiritual DNA: therefore you must know that they walk with God, and that the faith of your fathers will live on through your children and your grandchildren to touch future generations.
Concerning Abel, the Bible says, "By faith he still speaks, even though he is dead" (Heb 11:4 NIV).
You can touch the future for good and for God – but only if you plan to!
The Word For Today
by Bob & Debby Gass & Ruth Gass Halliday
Friday 6 July 2007
Church Leadership Styles
I heard a message about church leadership styles which I would like to share with you.
Corporate Style
Many of our churches today run on a “corporate” leadership style. First, they employ a CEO (the pastor) who sets the vision of the church and everyone else “lays down” or adapts their own vision to follow his. They then elect a board of directors (oversight team) to assist the pastor with the decisions he makes. Next they elect managers (leadership team) to develop and run various departments within the church to cater for all different age groups and people groups. Then they have the laity who are expected to be involved in as many departments as possible, thereby making them too busy to spend time in the “real world”.
I can’t find anything in the Bible that supports this style of leadership and yet it seems to be such a popular style today. The early church was a group of believers who gathered together whenever they could, wherever they could, to share scripture, sing songs, share personal testimonies, eat and drink together, develop relationships and provide for those in need. There was no one person who was “qualified” to run the group. They followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and each person was accountable to the others in the group. There is very little in many churches today that resembles the early church.
Midwife Style
Another style of church leadership is the “midwife” style. When a pregnant woman is ready to give birth, she seeks the assistance of a midwife. The midwife, through her training, experience and skills, assists the woman to safely give birth to her newborn child.
A pastor who leads in this style is there to help each member of his congregation give birth to whatever it is that God has planted within them. Through his experience, knowledge of God’s word, personal testimony and love for his people, he can assist, guide, prepare, train and encourage people to fulfil the personal vision and purpose God has given them. This purpose can be fulfilled with or without his help (just like a woman can have a baby without a midwife), but it is safer, less painful and more effective with his guidance.
This style of leadership is much closer to resembling the early church style and, from what I have observed, is much more effective in fulfilling the purpose of the church.
Corporate Style
Many of our churches today run on a “corporate” leadership style. First, they employ a CEO (the pastor) who sets the vision of the church and everyone else “lays down” or adapts their own vision to follow his. They then elect a board of directors (oversight team) to assist the pastor with the decisions he makes. Next they elect managers (leadership team) to develop and run various departments within the church to cater for all different age groups and people groups. Then they have the laity who are expected to be involved in as many departments as possible, thereby making them too busy to spend time in the “real world”.
I can’t find anything in the Bible that supports this style of leadership and yet it seems to be such a popular style today. The early church was a group of believers who gathered together whenever they could, wherever they could, to share scripture, sing songs, share personal testimonies, eat and drink together, develop relationships and provide for those in need. There was no one person who was “qualified” to run the group. They followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and each person was accountable to the others in the group. There is very little in many churches today that resembles the early church.
Midwife Style
Another style of church leadership is the “midwife” style. When a pregnant woman is ready to give birth, she seeks the assistance of a midwife. The midwife, through her training, experience and skills, assists the woman to safely give birth to her newborn child.
A pastor who leads in this style is there to help each member of his congregation give birth to whatever it is that God has planted within them. Through his experience, knowledge of God’s word, personal testimony and love for his people, he can assist, guide, prepare, train and encourage people to fulfil the personal vision and purpose God has given them. This purpose can be fulfilled with or without his help (just like a woman can have a baby without a midwife), but it is safer, less painful and more effective with his guidance.
This style of leadership is much closer to resembling the early church style and, from what I have observed, is much more effective in fulfilling the purpose of the church.
Wednesday 4 July 2007
Being Christ-Like
We hear a lot in our churches about being Christ-like, but what does this actually mean? I believe it is more than just showing love and grace to the people we happen to come in contact with. We need to imitate Jesus’ life. It seems like we have made Jesus into someone we can adore, but we have forgotten that he is also someone we should replicate. When Jesus walked the earth he questioned and challenged everything (interestingly enough, he was especially unpopular with the church leaders of the day), but he loved so unbendingly that he changed the life of every single person he came in contact with.
Mike Frost talks about “vandalising our pictures of Jesus”. We have made Jesus into a nice person who got along with everyone and was loved by all. In actual fact, if you read the gospels and the stories of Jesus’ life, you find a man who was seen as a rebel by many – he ate and drank with sinners, he argued with church leaders, he destroyed the church’s merchandising stands, he whipped up more wine at a wedding when they ran out. He saw more than the rules – he saw the people who were lost and hurting, and they were his priority. He constantly put himself in the path of people who were not worthy of his attention.
Surely we should follow the example he set – the principles he lived by. To be Christ-like is about imitating the life of Jesus in everything we do, every moment of every day. I am starting to realise just how uncomfortable and challenging this kind of life can actually be, but I have also never enjoyed life more.
Mike Frost talks about “vandalising our pictures of Jesus”. We have made Jesus into a nice person who got along with everyone and was loved by all. In actual fact, if you read the gospels and the stories of Jesus’ life, you find a man who was seen as a rebel by many – he ate and drank with sinners, he argued with church leaders, he destroyed the church’s merchandising stands, he whipped up more wine at a wedding when they ran out. He saw more than the rules – he saw the people who were lost and hurting, and they were his priority. He constantly put himself in the path of people who were not worthy of his attention.
Surely we should follow the example he set – the principles he lived by. To be Christ-like is about imitating the life of Jesus in everything we do, every moment of every day. I am starting to realise just how uncomfortable and challenging this kind of life can actually be, but I have also never enjoyed life more.
Sunday 1 July 2007
Church - The Mission Killer
I have a friend who, when I first met him several years ago, was passionate about prison ministry. He was involved in a band that played in prisons and he talked about little else. His passion and excitement for this ministry was contagious and I used to hang out to hear him talk more about it.
Now, four years later, this man shows no interest in prison ministry whatsoever. He is heavily involved in the music department of a local church and he is so busy with church that he has little time for anything else. Nearly every night of the week is taken up with a church activity – music practices, leadership meetings, young adults group, church basketball team, small groups, men’s group and the like. Worse still, he spends what little spare time he does have hanging out with other people from the church, further minimising any opportunity he may have to “outreach” anyone.
It breaks my heart to see that his involvement in church has actually killed his passion for mission.
How many people have experienced or witnessed the same situation? Church is supposed to fuel our passion for the lost; it is supposed to increase our desire to show others Jesus; it is supposed to instil in us a determination to “go into all the world and make disciples of all men”. Yet with the busyness of church these days, many Christians in many churches experience the exact opposite.
In my own life I discovered that once I took a step away from church leadership (worship leading, running a department, being on the missions committee) and the pressure to be at every meeting and event held by the church, my relationship with Jesus became so much more intimate and real. I began to get back to the basics, to look at the way Jesus lived his life, and as a result, my passion for outreach and mission soared.
God is a mission God. God sent Jesus to save us. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit sends us to reach the lost. God is not just interested in mission – God is mission. The church needs to rise up and free their congregations to be the people God saved them to be.
Now, four years later, this man shows no interest in prison ministry whatsoever. He is heavily involved in the music department of a local church and he is so busy with church that he has little time for anything else. Nearly every night of the week is taken up with a church activity – music practices, leadership meetings, young adults group, church basketball team, small groups, men’s group and the like. Worse still, he spends what little spare time he does have hanging out with other people from the church, further minimising any opportunity he may have to “outreach” anyone.
It breaks my heart to see that his involvement in church has actually killed his passion for mission.
How many people have experienced or witnessed the same situation? Church is supposed to fuel our passion for the lost; it is supposed to increase our desire to show others Jesus; it is supposed to instil in us a determination to “go into all the world and make disciples of all men”. Yet with the busyness of church these days, many Christians in many churches experience the exact opposite.
In my own life I discovered that once I took a step away from church leadership (worship leading, running a department, being on the missions committee) and the pressure to be at every meeting and event held by the church, my relationship with Jesus became so much more intimate and real. I began to get back to the basics, to look at the way Jesus lived his life, and as a result, my passion for outreach and mission soared.
God is a mission God. God sent Jesus to save us. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit sends us to reach the lost. God is not just interested in mission – God is mission. The church needs to rise up and free their congregations to be the people God saved them to be.
Friday 29 June 2007
Consumerism
What is it with society’s preoccupation with consumerism? Everywhere we look we are told that we need more of this or a bigger one of that. I find it disturbing that we Christians seem to be just as absorbed by this kind of thinking as the rest of the world. Our churches always want bigger buildings and louder PA systems and bigger bands. We spend huge amounts of money on “resources” which teach us how to succeed in building a “successful” church and how to be prosperous. We say we don’t judge success the way the world does, but in actual fact, we do.
Andrew Denton recently visited an American Christian conference at which hundreds of people gather each year to “spout their wares”. There were TV evangelists with their DVD and CD series, personalised Bibles which contained your own name throughout the scriptures, music and worship bands with masses of CDs to inspire you to “touch” God, preaching puppets, sculptures of Bible characters, hundreds of books on how to live a better life, and even a life size parade of stuffed animals from Noah’s Ark.
It is like we have made God into some product that we have to market and promote in order to “sell” him to the world. What has happened to the simplicity of the gospel? Where do we see the Jesus who walked the earth 2000 years ago, in a world (and church) so caught up with “stuff”, that we are blinded to what really matters?
Jesus came so that we can have life complete in him – a life full of love, peace, purpose and a life that serves God and others. That should be all the stuff we need.
Andrew Denton recently visited an American Christian conference at which hundreds of people gather each year to “spout their wares”. There were TV evangelists with their DVD and CD series, personalised Bibles which contained your own name throughout the scriptures, music and worship bands with masses of CDs to inspire you to “touch” God, preaching puppets, sculptures of Bible characters, hundreds of books on how to live a better life, and even a life size parade of stuffed animals from Noah’s Ark.
It is like we have made God into some product that we have to market and promote in order to “sell” him to the world. What has happened to the simplicity of the gospel? Where do we see the Jesus who walked the earth 2000 years ago, in a world (and church) so caught up with “stuff”, that we are blinded to what really matters?
Jesus came so that we can have life complete in him – a life full of love, peace, purpose and a life that serves God and others. That should be all the stuff we need.
Tuesday 26 June 2007
Are You Man Enough?
I heard this poem on a Mike Frost DVD called “Jesus Made Me Do It”. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who questions if there is more to Christianity and the church than what we see in today’s institution. This poem cuts to the heart of the cost of true Christianity, and makes us realise how comfortable we are in our “feel-good” version of being Christ-like. I hope this poem challenges you as much as it challenged me.
Are You Man Enough?
When I became a Christian I said Lord, now fill me in
Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin
He said, well your body may be killed, and left to rot and stink
Do you still want to follow me? I said amen, I think
I think amen, amen I think, I think I say amen
Look I’m not completely sure; can we just run through that again?
You say my body could be killed and left to rot and stink?
Oh yeah that sounds terrific Lord, I’ll say amen … I think.
But Lord, look, there must be other ways to follow you, I said
I really would prefer to end up just dying in my bed
Well yes, he said, you could just put up with sneers and scorn and spit
Do you still want to follow me? I said, amen, a bit
A bit amen, amen a bit, a bit I say amen
Look I’m still not entirely sure; can we just run through that again?
You say I could put up with sneers and scorn and spit?
Well yes, I’ve made up my mind, and say amen … a bit.
Well I sat back and I thought a while and I tried a different ploy
I said, Lord, now the good book says that Christians live in joy
That’s true, he said, you’re gonna need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow
Do you still want to follow me? I said amen, tomorrow
Tomorrow Lord, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say amen
You see, we’ve got to get it clear; let’s just run through that again
You say that I will need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow?
Well yeah, I think I got it straight, I’ll say amen … tomorrow.
He said, look, I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me
A quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sanctity
The cost is you, not half of you, but every single bit
Now tell me, will you follow me? I said amen. No, I quit!
I’m awfully sorry Lord, I said, I’d like to follow you
But I don’t think religion is a manly thing to do
And he said, forget religion then and you think about my son
And tell me if you’re man enough to do what he has done.
Are you man enough to see the need? Are you man enough to go?
Are you man enough to care for those that no-one wants to know?
Are you man enough to say the things that people hate to hear?
And battle through Gethsemane in loneliness and fear?
And listen, are you man enough to stand at the end?
The moment of betrayal by the kisses of your friend
Are you man enough to hold your tongue? Are you man enough to cry?
And when the nails break your body, are you man enough to die?
Man enough to take the pain and wear it like a crown?
Man enough to love the world and turn it upside down?
Are you man enough to follow me? I ask you once again
I said, oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said amen
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen
I said, Lord I’m so frightened, but I also said amen.
Adrian Plass
Are You Man Enough?
When I became a Christian I said Lord, now fill me in
Tell me what I’ll suffer in this world of shame and sin
He said, well your body may be killed, and left to rot and stink
Do you still want to follow me? I said amen, I think
I think amen, amen I think, I think I say amen
Look I’m not completely sure; can we just run through that again?
You say my body could be killed and left to rot and stink?
Oh yeah that sounds terrific Lord, I’ll say amen … I think.
But Lord, look, there must be other ways to follow you, I said
I really would prefer to end up just dying in my bed
Well yes, he said, you could just put up with sneers and scorn and spit
Do you still want to follow me? I said, amen, a bit
A bit amen, amen a bit, a bit I say amen
Look I’m still not entirely sure; can we just run through that again?
You say I could put up with sneers and scorn and spit?
Well yes, I’ve made up my mind, and say amen … a bit.
Well I sat back and I thought a while and I tried a different ploy
I said, Lord, now the good book says that Christians live in joy
That’s true, he said, you’re gonna need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow
Do you still want to follow me? I said amen, tomorrow
Tomorrow Lord, I’ll say it then, that’s when I’ll say amen
You see, we’ve got to get it clear; let’s just run through that again
You say that I will need the joy to bear the pain and sorrow?
Well yeah, I think I got it straight, I’ll say amen … tomorrow.
He said, look, I’m not asking you to spend an hour with me
A quick salvation sandwich and a cup of sanctity
The cost is you, not half of you, but every single bit
Now tell me, will you follow me? I said amen. No, I quit!
I’m awfully sorry Lord, I said, I’d like to follow you
But I don’t think religion is a manly thing to do
And he said, forget religion then and you think about my son
And tell me if you’re man enough to do what he has done.
Are you man enough to see the need? Are you man enough to go?
Are you man enough to care for those that no-one wants to know?
Are you man enough to say the things that people hate to hear?
And battle through Gethsemane in loneliness and fear?
And listen, are you man enough to stand at the end?
The moment of betrayal by the kisses of your friend
Are you man enough to hold your tongue? Are you man enough to cry?
And when the nails break your body, are you man enough to die?
Man enough to take the pain and wear it like a crown?
Man enough to love the world and turn it upside down?
Are you man enough to follow me? I ask you once again
I said, oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said amen
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen
I said, Lord I’m so frightened, but I also said amen.
Adrian Plass
Sunday 24 June 2007
Who Is God Talking To?
When reading the Bible, I have often wondered who exactly God is talking to. Throughout the Bible, God spoke to many different people. Some of the things he said, we assume are for all people (all Christians at least), and others we assume are for a specific person or group of people at a specific time, but how do we determine which is which? The Bible says that all scripture is God breathed and is beneficial to help us live, but how much of what is said are we expected to take literally and implement in our own lives?
For example, I have friends who do not want to have children. I have heard several people tell them that because God commanded Adam and Eve to “multiply and fill the earth”, the command is directed at them too – meaning all Christians should have kids. It is quite hypocritical really, because I don’t see these people building big boats in their backyards just because God told Noah to!
Many of us pick and choose the scriptures we believe are relevant to us. We hold firm to the “God will supply all your needs” ones and skim over the “love your enemy” ones.
Pastors like the “bring all the tithes into the storehouse” one (Malachi 3:10), but we never hear preaching about the original Levitical tithe, which is very different to the “tithe” our churches teach today (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 29 & Leviticus 27:30 – 33).
Husbands like the “wives submit to your husband” one, but conveniently forget that the flip side of that is “husbands, you must love your wife so much that you are willing to die for her.”
There are many stories in the Bible that inspire, challenge and even scare me, but none so much as the stories about Jesus. I was recently challenged to read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) over and over again, just to remind myself what Jesus’ life was really like. The Bible to me is like a song, starting with Genesis and building up to the big crescendo – Jesus. We need to let his words and actions pierce our hearts, because his words really are life.
For example, I have friends who do not want to have children. I have heard several people tell them that because God commanded Adam and Eve to “multiply and fill the earth”, the command is directed at them too – meaning all Christians should have kids. It is quite hypocritical really, because I don’t see these people building big boats in their backyards just because God told Noah to!
Many of us pick and choose the scriptures we believe are relevant to us. We hold firm to the “God will supply all your needs” ones and skim over the “love your enemy” ones.
Pastors like the “bring all the tithes into the storehouse” one (Malachi 3:10), but we never hear preaching about the original Levitical tithe, which is very different to the “tithe” our churches teach today (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 29 & Leviticus 27:30 – 33).
Husbands like the “wives submit to your husband” one, but conveniently forget that the flip side of that is “husbands, you must love your wife so much that you are willing to die for her.”
There are many stories in the Bible that inspire, challenge and even scare me, but none so much as the stories about Jesus. I was recently challenged to read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) over and over again, just to remind myself what Jesus’ life was really like. The Bible to me is like a song, starting with Genesis and building up to the big crescendo – Jesus. We need to let his words and actions pierce our hearts, because his words really are life.
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Investing In Missionary People
I know an African man who is doing incredible work for God in Mozambique, Africa. He is a church planter who is currently pastoring a small youth church in Beira, he lectures at a local Bible institute, he liaises with government officials on social justice issues, and he does a lot of work for Kidslink International, an Australian-based charity and missions organisation which works with children in developing nations.
This man, Jonas, was being supported by a local church in Victoria and I was saddened to hear recently that his funding has suddenly been terminated. This was not due to any error on his part, but simply because the church decided to “go another way”.
It got me thinking about the relationship between missionaries and the churches that support them. Do we actually support the person or the work that they do? What happens when a missionary takes a break or moves to another country or project? Very often their support (and all contact) is dropped, and often without any warning, as was the case for Jonas.
My sister and brother-in-law are actively involved in supporting overseas missionaries, but what I love about them is that they have taken the time to develop a two-way relationship with the people they support. They correspond regularly by email, not just about what is going on in the missionary’s life, but what is happening in their own family. Whenever the missionaries come home on furlough they have them over to their house for a meal so they can catch up. They send presents to their kid’s on their birthdays. But most amazingly, they maintain that contact with people even after they leave the mission field. Now that’s a dedicated relationship!
A relationship is dependent on what you invest into a person, not just a task. With true relationship churches would realise that people like Jonas depend on their financial support to live – they have families to feed, clothe, educate and shelter, just like we do. I completely understand that there are many reasons why a church would cease to support a missionary, but I would hope that they realise that missionaries are real people with real needs, who have given up their lives for God. They are doing a job that many of us would never have the courage to do, and they deserve our support, recognition, friendship and respect.
This man, Jonas, was being supported by a local church in Victoria and I was saddened to hear recently that his funding has suddenly been terminated. This was not due to any error on his part, but simply because the church decided to “go another way”.
It got me thinking about the relationship between missionaries and the churches that support them. Do we actually support the person or the work that they do? What happens when a missionary takes a break or moves to another country or project? Very often their support (and all contact) is dropped, and often without any warning, as was the case for Jonas.
My sister and brother-in-law are actively involved in supporting overseas missionaries, but what I love about them is that they have taken the time to develop a two-way relationship with the people they support. They correspond regularly by email, not just about what is going on in the missionary’s life, but what is happening in their own family. Whenever the missionaries come home on furlough they have them over to their house for a meal so they can catch up. They send presents to their kid’s on their birthdays. But most amazingly, they maintain that contact with people even after they leave the mission field. Now that’s a dedicated relationship!
A relationship is dependent on what you invest into a person, not just a task. With true relationship churches would realise that people like Jonas depend on their financial support to live – they have families to feed, clothe, educate and shelter, just like we do. I completely understand that there are many reasons why a church would cease to support a missionary, but I would hope that they realise that missionaries are real people with real needs, who have given up their lives for God. They are doing a job that many of us would never have the courage to do, and they deserve our support, recognition, friendship and respect.
Sunday 17 June 2007
Butt Prints In The Sand
Paul talks about how many Christians are like babies, despite how long they have known God (Hebrews 5:12-14). He challenges each of us to grow up and get serious in our pursuit of God’s righteousness and purpose; to rise up in faith and tackle the challenges that come our way head on; and to stop acting like children, complaining and sulking about things that don’t go our way. In spite of the obvious humour of the following poem, I was challenged by the message it carries, and I hope and pray that one day I will stand before God and he will be pleased with my journey.
Butt Prints In The Sand
One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.
But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, “What have we here?
Those prints are large and round and neat,
But Lord, they are too big for feet.”
“My child,” he said in sombre tones,
“For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait.
You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know.
So, I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt.”
Because in life, there comes a time,
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand.
Author unknown
Butt Prints In The Sand
One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.
But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, “What have we here?
Those prints are large and round and neat,
But Lord, they are too big for feet.”
“My child,” he said in sombre tones,
“For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait.
You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know.
So, I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt.”
Because in life, there comes a time,
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand.
Author unknown
Friday 15 June 2007
Gossip
Gossip seems to be rampant in many churches today. I have often wondered why that is, but after observing churches I have been involved in, I have come to realise that one of the main reasons gossip is so prevalent is because congregations often aren’t taught the Biblical principles to help them deal with their issues. Jesus gives us the solution to the problem of gossip in Matthew 18:15-17, and I believe that if church leaders enforced this one Biblical principle in their congregations, our churches would experience a unity and freedom that we have not experienced in a long time.
Step 1 – Go back and talk to the person (verse 15)
The Bible teaches that if someone says or does something to you that is out of line, you should go back to that person and talk to them about it. Many people now seem to go straight to someone else or the pastor with their version of the story, without going back to the original source. Like “Chinese whispers” most gossip is actually misinterpretation. I believe that so many misunderstandings and misconceptions could be avoided if this first simple step Jesus puts in place for us is implemented in our every day lives.
Step 2 – Take two or three witnesses (verse 16)
If you talk to the person about the issue and they are not sorry for what they have said or done, you should take a couple of other trustworthy people with you so that they can hear from the person first hand. Again, this simple procedure will eliminate misunderstanding and may provide a different perspective.
Step 3 – Take it to the church (verse 17)
If step two fails, then and only then should you take the matter to the church leadership, who should, in turn, approach the person and hear from them first hand.
Step 4 – Consequences (verse 17)
If the person is still unrepentant after speaking with the church leadership, then they should be dealt with accordingly.
Why is it that such clear Biblical instructions are not followed in relation to the issue of gossip? I believe, sadly, that many pastors want to know everything that is being said and done within their church and, as a result, fish around for stray words and negativity. They ask people to let them know if they hear anything “wayward” or “controversial” (ironically this encourages more gossip), instead of directing people back to the Bible. What then happens is that miscommunications and misinterpretations are “shared” amongst members of the congregation, and disunity rears its ugly head.
If church leadership would relinquish their desire to control, and apply Jesus’ teachings to their lives and churches, I believe we would begin to see a vibrant and united body of Christ rise up, and that is just what this country needs.
Step 1 – Go back and talk to the person (verse 15)
The Bible teaches that if someone says or does something to you that is out of line, you should go back to that person and talk to them about it. Many people now seem to go straight to someone else or the pastor with their version of the story, without going back to the original source. Like “Chinese whispers” most gossip is actually misinterpretation. I believe that so many misunderstandings and misconceptions could be avoided if this first simple step Jesus puts in place for us is implemented in our every day lives.
Step 2 – Take two or three witnesses (verse 16)
If you talk to the person about the issue and they are not sorry for what they have said or done, you should take a couple of other trustworthy people with you so that they can hear from the person first hand. Again, this simple procedure will eliminate misunderstanding and may provide a different perspective.
Step 3 – Take it to the church (verse 17)
If step two fails, then and only then should you take the matter to the church leadership, who should, in turn, approach the person and hear from them first hand.
Step 4 – Consequences (verse 17)
If the person is still unrepentant after speaking with the church leadership, then they should be dealt with accordingly.
Why is it that such clear Biblical instructions are not followed in relation to the issue of gossip? I believe, sadly, that many pastors want to know everything that is being said and done within their church and, as a result, fish around for stray words and negativity. They ask people to let them know if they hear anything “wayward” or “controversial” (ironically this encourages more gossip), instead of directing people back to the Bible. What then happens is that miscommunications and misinterpretations are “shared” amongst members of the congregation, and disunity rears its ugly head.
If church leadership would relinquish their desire to control, and apply Jesus’ teachings to their lives and churches, I believe we would begin to see a vibrant and united body of Christ rise up, and that is just what this country needs.
Thursday 14 June 2007
A Letter For The Modern Day Church
This is a letter that I came across from someone who is questioning the priorities of many modern day churches. It is quite long but it raises some interesting points and is well and truly worth the read.
Dear Pastor
The reason for this letter is to share concerns that have been playing on my mind over the last few years. Often we need to dig deep into ourselves to get down to the root problem of issues, and God knows the soul searching I have engaged in over the last few years. My commitment to God, however, has never waned through all the times of doubt and if anything it has been these times that have brought me into a deeper relationship with Him.
Over the last twelve months, we have gone through an awakening in God which has been as clumsy as it has been great. An awakening in the sense that God, we believe, has been bringing us into a more “back to basics” style of thinking. We have always thought that the mainstream orthodox style model of church has its place. But when the focus becomes the institution rather than the people within it, that’s when it starts to concern us.
An Inward Focused Church
An inwardly focused church that looks mainly at dynamics of music, “lights, camera & action,” can not spiritually sustain a congregation forever. Nor is it logical to think that a church that predominantly spends either most of its time and/or money on itself is going to make the transition to outreach easily. The by-product of inward focus is mainly the over-esteem of people (rather than God) and gossip, areas in which many churches are struggling with at the moment.
What has happened to Biblical practices like unconditional friendship, love and compassion? These things may seem idealistic but at the end of the day these are very basic biblical attributes that the church as a body should not only strive for, but do. People who are taught to look constantly at themselves will never be able to thrive in God. It’s the outward focus that actually changes us, and draws us nearer to God. It’s amazing how, when people start looking at the world around them like Jesus saw people, they begin to change themselves. Christians were never meant to focus on themselves or each other. The whole idea of the gospel is about looking outside you.
As a whole, many churches have a middle class culture. I think it has always had an element of this – a bit of a need to be accepted, maybe. I suppose that’s okay if you want to attract only “middle class” stereo types. The problem with that is that it makes this church like the other thousand in Australia happy to be part of the status quo. You will find that the types of people we all talk about wanting to come to our churches would find themselves alienated for all the wrong reasons.
Worship
Performance and entertainment style worship rather than true awe-inspiring worship takes the attention from the pews and turns it to the stage. This kind of church service all adds insult to injury for many hurting in our community who might need an understanding environment to come into.
Jesus himself said he didn’t come into the world to help those who were well or those who are happy with their current lives and can live without God, but the sick. He didn’t ever specifically give his message to people who could help out “the Kingdom” with their gifts or talents, in fact he told them to sell everything and give it to the poor! He went to those who had nothing, the people at the bottom of society. In modern times it’s the drug addicts, the alcoholics, the prostitutes, the homeless, the single mothers struggling on welfare, the mentally ill and just the down and outs. Unfortunately I don’t believe we could bring them through the doors of many of our churches in its present form.
A reason of this I think is that the performance, concert style church does not meet the need of the average person. Secular people want to see real people helping and loving each other over and above the status quo. As Jesus amplifies in His Word, ‘this is how the world will know that you are my disciples, IF you love one another’.
Pastoral Care
In the area of pastoral care I have very traditional views of what pastoral care should be. I read in my Bible that Christ is a suffering servant, prepared to do anything for his friends, his flock. Yet, how many times have I heard of members of congregations in churches around this country struggling through difficult circumstances on their own. This is an area which needs to be looked at closely. I don’t think the church can fob off any longer its duty of care, because there are just too many hurting people out there. This is not a special “ministry” for only a few people to do – it should be done by all. It is Christian’s ‘bread and butter’ job requirement.
The verses in Matthew 25:41 – 46 are not just warning Christians to look after each other, it’s the actions of believers toward their fellow man – all people, including those within the church and outside. It’s either caring about others or not. It’s not just “doing nice things”. It’s about making a real and long lasting difference for the glory of God.
Indifference
People are unsatisfied with the church’s present course of indifference. Many of these people may be thought of as “fringe”, dwellers of the church, however it’s for these people that Christ requires us to leave the ninety-nine and go find that one. Over the last few years I have increasingly been exposed to comments such as, “everyone is welcome into my circle of friendship, if people step out of that circle it’s not my fault”, and “people can find the negative in any thing”, and “I want to be around positive people not negative”.
Fair enough, but people that are hurting in this tough life are often struggling with financial pressures, marriage breakdown, drug abuse and alcohol abuse are not generally positive, vibrant people with vision and positive thinking oozing out of them. As a church we should set a goal to embrace and love people where they are at, not try to mould them as we want them to be.
The Method
Another concern following on is the phrase I hear all the time. ”It does not matter if the method changes as long as the message is the same’. There is some truth in that statement but the message has and does change when Christ’s road to a conversion is tampered with. It’s like the road to sale approach that a sales person may use. It’s been tried and tested, it works. If I take short cuts and think I can do it my way I often don’t see the same results.
What was once a desire by ministers to present the gospel in an exegetical powerful way has become diluted and leans towards motivational speaking. We’re not talking about outdated, old-fashioned fire and brimstone preaching here – it’s simply about preaching the whole Bible, not just the bits that sound pretty.
Dear Pastor
The reason for this letter is to share concerns that have been playing on my mind over the last few years. Often we need to dig deep into ourselves to get down to the root problem of issues, and God knows the soul searching I have engaged in over the last few years. My commitment to God, however, has never waned through all the times of doubt and if anything it has been these times that have brought me into a deeper relationship with Him.
Over the last twelve months, we have gone through an awakening in God which has been as clumsy as it has been great. An awakening in the sense that God, we believe, has been bringing us into a more “back to basics” style of thinking. We have always thought that the mainstream orthodox style model of church has its place. But when the focus becomes the institution rather than the people within it, that’s when it starts to concern us.
An Inward Focused Church
An inwardly focused church that looks mainly at dynamics of music, “lights, camera & action,” can not spiritually sustain a congregation forever. Nor is it logical to think that a church that predominantly spends either most of its time and/or money on itself is going to make the transition to outreach easily. The by-product of inward focus is mainly the over-esteem of people (rather than God) and gossip, areas in which many churches are struggling with at the moment.
What has happened to Biblical practices like unconditional friendship, love and compassion? These things may seem idealistic but at the end of the day these are very basic biblical attributes that the church as a body should not only strive for, but do. People who are taught to look constantly at themselves will never be able to thrive in God. It’s the outward focus that actually changes us, and draws us nearer to God. It’s amazing how, when people start looking at the world around them like Jesus saw people, they begin to change themselves. Christians were never meant to focus on themselves or each other. The whole idea of the gospel is about looking outside you.
As a whole, many churches have a middle class culture. I think it has always had an element of this – a bit of a need to be accepted, maybe. I suppose that’s okay if you want to attract only “middle class” stereo types. The problem with that is that it makes this church like the other thousand in Australia happy to be part of the status quo. You will find that the types of people we all talk about wanting to come to our churches would find themselves alienated for all the wrong reasons.
Worship
Performance and entertainment style worship rather than true awe-inspiring worship takes the attention from the pews and turns it to the stage. This kind of church service all adds insult to injury for many hurting in our community who might need an understanding environment to come into.
Jesus himself said he didn’t come into the world to help those who were well or those who are happy with their current lives and can live without God, but the sick. He didn’t ever specifically give his message to people who could help out “the Kingdom” with their gifts or talents, in fact he told them to sell everything and give it to the poor! He went to those who had nothing, the people at the bottom of society. In modern times it’s the drug addicts, the alcoholics, the prostitutes, the homeless, the single mothers struggling on welfare, the mentally ill and just the down and outs. Unfortunately I don’t believe we could bring them through the doors of many of our churches in its present form.
A reason of this I think is that the performance, concert style church does not meet the need of the average person. Secular people want to see real people helping and loving each other over and above the status quo. As Jesus amplifies in His Word, ‘this is how the world will know that you are my disciples, IF you love one another’.
Pastoral Care
In the area of pastoral care I have very traditional views of what pastoral care should be. I read in my Bible that Christ is a suffering servant, prepared to do anything for his friends, his flock. Yet, how many times have I heard of members of congregations in churches around this country struggling through difficult circumstances on their own. This is an area which needs to be looked at closely. I don’t think the church can fob off any longer its duty of care, because there are just too many hurting people out there. This is not a special “ministry” for only a few people to do – it should be done by all. It is Christian’s ‘bread and butter’ job requirement.
The verses in Matthew 25:41 – 46 are not just warning Christians to look after each other, it’s the actions of believers toward their fellow man – all people, including those within the church and outside. It’s either caring about others or not. It’s not just “doing nice things”. It’s about making a real and long lasting difference for the glory of God.
Indifference
People are unsatisfied with the church’s present course of indifference. Many of these people may be thought of as “fringe”, dwellers of the church, however it’s for these people that Christ requires us to leave the ninety-nine and go find that one. Over the last few years I have increasingly been exposed to comments such as, “everyone is welcome into my circle of friendship, if people step out of that circle it’s not my fault”, and “people can find the negative in any thing”, and “I want to be around positive people not negative”.
Fair enough, but people that are hurting in this tough life are often struggling with financial pressures, marriage breakdown, drug abuse and alcohol abuse are not generally positive, vibrant people with vision and positive thinking oozing out of them. As a church we should set a goal to embrace and love people where they are at, not try to mould them as we want them to be.
The Method
Another concern following on is the phrase I hear all the time. ”It does not matter if the method changes as long as the message is the same’. There is some truth in that statement but the message has and does change when Christ’s road to a conversion is tampered with. It’s like the road to sale approach that a sales person may use. It’s been tried and tested, it works. If I take short cuts and think I can do it my way I often don’t see the same results.
What was once a desire by ministers to present the gospel in an exegetical powerful way has become diluted and leans towards motivational speaking. We’re not talking about outdated, old-fashioned fire and brimstone preaching here – it’s simply about preaching the whole Bible, not just the bits that sound pretty.
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Disturb Us Lord
I know many people who like to “cruise” through their Christianity. They don’t challenge anything. They keep their silence on issues so as not to rock the boat. They are dutifully involved in all the programs at church. They are the ones that church leadership love. Unfortunately I am not one of these people. I don’t like being comfortable in my safe little world. I don’t want to forget about those out there who do not have the hope that I have. I want to be challenged to grow and to become more than I am today. There is a saying that says, “Jesus came to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable”. I believe that discomfort and challenge is necessary if we are to fulfil all God intended us to in life. I love the following poem. May this be the prayer of all of Christ’s followers.
Disturb Us Lord
Disturb us Lord
When we are too well pleased with ourselves;
When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little;
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to shore;
Disturb us Lord
When with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth
We have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.
Disturb us Lord
To dare more boldly;
To venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land we shall find stars;
We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes
And to push us in the future in strength, courage, hope and love.
Sir Francis Drake
December 1577
Disturb Us Lord
Disturb us Lord
When we are too well pleased with ourselves;
When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little;
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to shore;
Disturb us Lord
When with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth
We have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.
Disturb us Lord
To dare more boldly;
To venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land we shall find stars;
We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes
And to push us in the future in strength, courage, hope and love.
Sir Francis Drake
December 1577
Sunday 10 June 2007
What Would Jesus Do?
I have grown up a Christian and yet Christianity has always been complicated for me. It has only been over the last few years that I have begun to discover the true meaning of the “Christian walk”. In a nutshell it is simply “to be like Jesus”. It is so simple in theory and yet so challenging in practice.
When you look at the way Jesus lived his life, following his example is actually quite daunting. He didn’t care what people thought of him. He hung out with people that society did not approve of. He constantly challenged the church leaders on their beliefs and actions. He turned water into wine at a wedding when they ran out of alcohol. He didn’t defend himself when people accused him. He invited Judas to eat with him even though he knew he would betray him. He forgave the people who wanted him dead.
It has always been easy to pick and choose which parts of Jesus I want to reciprocate. But being only partly Christ-like is actually not being Christ-like at all. Jesus threw himself completely and utterly into everything he did, no matter the cost.
In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, a group of soldiers set out to rescue a man named Ryan. They succeed in their mission but most of the soldiers die in the process. At the end of the movie Ryan, who is now an old man, visits the grave of one of the men who died to save him. He cries as he speaks to the tombstone, saying, “I hope I have done enough with my life. I hope your sacrifice was worth it.” Ryan had to live his life bearing the greatest burden of all – because another man had given up his life for him, he knew that he had to make every second of his life count. As Christians we face the same dilemma. Jesus died for us. We owe him our lives. We can’t waste a moment of it on things that don’t matter.
When you look at the way Jesus lived his life, following his example is actually quite daunting. He didn’t care what people thought of him. He hung out with people that society did not approve of. He constantly challenged the church leaders on their beliefs and actions. He turned water into wine at a wedding when they ran out of alcohol. He didn’t defend himself when people accused him. He invited Judas to eat with him even though he knew he would betray him. He forgave the people who wanted him dead.
It has always been easy to pick and choose which parts of Jesus I want to reciprocate. But being only partly Christ-like is actually not being Christ-like at all. Jesus threw himself completely and utterly into everything he did, no matter the cost.
In the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, a group of soldiers set out to rescue a man named Ryan. They succeed in their mission but most of the soldiers die in the process. At the end of the movie Ryan, who is now an old man, visits the grave of one of the men who died to save him. He cries as he speaks to the tombstone, saying, “I hope I have done enough with my life. I hope your sacrifice was worth it.” Ryan had to live his life bearing the greatest burden of all – because another man had given up his life for him, he knew that he had to make every second of his life count. As Christians we face the same dilemma. Jesus died for us. We owe him our lives. We can’t waste a moment of it on things that don’t matter.
Friday 8 June 2007
Light In The Dark
The Bible says that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), and yet we spend so much time with “other lights” that it hardly seems worth being a light at all. We have churches, youth groups, Sunday schools, Christian schools, Christian playgroups, small groups, bible study groups, Christian book clubs, Christian sporting teams, and a myriad of other “Christian” associations. All of these things are good and beneficial, but each one seems to take us out of the world that we are supposed to be reaching.
A light cannot serve its entire purpose if it is in a room full of other lights. A light is much more effective in the darkness where there are no (or few) other lights.
The dark places are outside of our church walls – in the homes of our community, in the public schools and sporting clubs, in the playgroups and craft clubs, in the local businesses and shopping centres. These people need the light that we carry; they need the hope that we bring; they need the peace and love that should ooze out of us with every word and action.
I believe we should be meeting with other “lights” to reignite us when we grow dim, to encourage us in those times when the darkness seems too much. But I believe that we will never serve our entire purpose as followers of Jesus until we step out of the “light” zones and begin to penetrate the darkness that is engulfing our world. If we can be even a small reflection of the light of Jesus, we can begin to illuminate the lives of those around us, and that is the first step to changing the world.
A light cannot serve its entire purpose if it is in a room full of other lights. A light is much more effective in the darkness where there are no (or few) other lights.
The dark places are outside of our church walls – in the homes of our community, in the public schools and sporting clubs, in the playgroups and craft clubs, in the local businesses and shopping centres. These people need the light that we carry; they need the hope that we bring; they need the peace and love that should ooze out of us with every word and action.
I believe we should be meeting with other “lights” to reignite us when we grow dim, to encourage us in those times when the darkness seems too much. But I believe that we will never serve our entire purpose as followers of Jesus until we step out of the “light” zones and begin to penetrate the darkness that is engulfing our world. If we can be even a small reflection of the light of Jesus, we can begin to illuminate the lives of those around us, and that is the first step to changing the world.
Wednesday 6 June 2007
The Base Camp Theory
Have you ever watched documentaries on Mount Everest? When people want to climb Mount Everest the first place they go is “Base Camp”. At base camp they learn about the challenges they may face during their climb, they study weather patterns, learn about the terrain, practice their climbing techniques, they are teamed up with other climbers, and are given the tools and supplies they will need for their trek, and they are linked to a support network who will maintain contact with them from the base camp to help them through any challenges they may encounter whilst on the mountain. Then, amongst the cheers of those they leave behind, they set out on their climb. Once they have completed their trek they return to base camp to refresh, recharge and restock their supplies, prior to setting out up the mountain again.
I see church as a type of “Base Camp”. Church is the place we go for our training and preparation. It is where we study the word, build our faith in God, strengthen our support network, and learn the techniques we need to embark on the real mission.
The real mission is reaching the lost people in this world. Jesus commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every person. This takes commitment, dedication, preparation and risk, just like climbing a mountain. Thankfully he has given us a place we can go to prepare and train for the climb, where we can receive the support, encouragement and resources we need, and where we can recharge, refresh and restock our supplies when the going gets tough.
So many Christians sit in their base camp preparing for a climb they never start. They are given all the preparation, skills and supplies, but never use them. They are having so much fun at base camp that they forget why they are there. I pray that God will always remind me of my mission when I get too comfortable in base camp, and that I will never forget my real purpose as a follower of Jesus.
I see church as a type of “Base Camp”. Church is the place we go for our training and preparation. It is where we study the word, build our faith in God, strengthen our support network, and learn the techniques we need to embark on the real mission.
The real mission is reaching the lost people in this world. Jesus commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every person. This takes commitment, dedication, preparation and risk, just like climbing a mountain. Thankfully he has given us a place we can go to prepare and train for the climb, where we can receive the support, encouragement and resources we need, and where we can recharge, refresh and restock our supplies when the going gets tough.
So many Christians sit in their base camp preparing for a climb they never start. They are given all the preparation, skills and supplies, but never use them. They are having so much fun at base camp that they forget why they are there. I pray that God will always remind me of my mission when I get too comfortable in base camp, and that I will never forget my real purpose as a follower of Jesus.
Monday 4 June 2007
Shadows
Have you ever felt like you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death? You know that feeling, when you just don’t see a way out of the situation you find yourself in and you question whether God is actually with you. I have only experienced this feeling once in my life but I still remember how lost I felt. I had had such faith in God that He would work things out and everything would be okay, and yet things just seemed to get worse. I reached the point where I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel and couldn’t imagine a way out of the darkness that surrounded me.
That is when God brought Psalm 23:4 to my attention – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.”
As I studied this well-known little verse, I came to realise a couple of very significant things that I had not thought about before. First of all, I was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It was only a shadow of death, not death itself. I remember thinking that shadows are only reflections and if it was only a reflection of something, then there was hope of a way out.
Secondly, and most importantly, I realised that shadows can only appear when there is light. If I hung on to God he would keep me from total darkness because his light was embedded in my heart, no matter what was happening around me, and I knew then that eventually he would light the road in front of me and walk me out of the darkness.
That is when God brought Psalm 23:4 to my attention – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.”
As I studied this well-known little verse, I came to realise a couple of very significant things that I had not thought about before. First of all, I was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It was only a shadow of death, not death itself. I remember thinking that shadows are only reflections and if it was only a reflection of something, then there was hope of a way out.
Secondly, and most importantly, I realised that shadows can only appear when there is light. If I hung on to God he would keep me from total darkness because his light was embedded in my heart, no matter what was happening around me, and I knew then that eventually he would light the road in front of me and walk me out of the darkness.
Saturday 2 June 2007
The Value Of People
I was at a conference recently where the speaker held up a $100 note. He asked the people there if anyone would like the money. Hands went up all around the auditorium. He then began to crumple the $100 note up with his hands. He asked if anyone still wanted it even though it was now creased. Still the hands went up in the air. Then he dropped it on the ground and started to rub it into the dirty floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now creased and dirty, and asked if anyone still wanted it. He then went on to explain the illustration. No matter what he did to the money, people still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $100.
Often in our lives we are dropped, stood on, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel like we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen in our lives, we will never lose our value. We are still priceless to those who love us and to God.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by who we are because of Jesus. We cannot afford to lose sight of how priceless we are to him.
We also need to recognise the value of those around us. Every person has a story and we will never know many of them, but we need to remember that no matter how someone appears on the outside, their value is priceless to God and we should love and accept them accordingly.
Often in our lives we are dropped, stood on, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel like we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen in our lives, we will never lose our value. We are still priceless to those who love us and to God.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by who we are because of Jesus. We cannot afford to lose sight of how priceless we are to him.
We also need to recognise the value of those around us. Every person has a story and we will never know many of them, but we need to remember that no matter how someone appears on the outside, their value is priceless to God and we should love and accept them accordingly.
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Music & Worship
I have been told throughout my whole church life how important music is. Many churches today revolve their entire church around their music department. I find this surprising considering that we don’t even know if Jesus could sing, let alone play an instrument. You would think that if music was so vital to our Christianity, Jesus would have mentioned it once or twice in his lifetime.
Music has definitely played its part throughout history in many extraordinarily miraculous events, such as the fall of Jericho, and even the fall of racism in more recent years, but I think that somewhere along the line we have mistaken music for worship.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the “praise and worship” we find in a lot of churches these days. In fact, I was a worship leader for many years. But I came to the point where I found that I had lost the meaning of worship in my life. I began to question whether the “worship” I was performing was for God’s benefit or for mine, and I realised that I had lost my ability to worship without the aid of music.
Although music is a valid expression of worship, I believe that so much more is required of us. Studying the bible, meditation, generosity, social justice, visiting sick people and providing for the needy is all part of true worship. Anything that gives expression to our devotion to God is worship. I have realised that for me music is often just the easy way out.
Darlene Zschech says “Music excludes, worship does not.” If anyone knew how to worship, Jesus did. His style of worship was simply wholehearted devotion, even to the point of death.
Music has definitely played its part throughout history in many extraordinarily miraculous events, such as the fall of Jericho, and even the fall of racism in more recent years, but I think that somewhere along the line we have mistaken music for worship.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the “praise and worship” we find in a lot of churches these days. In fact, I was a worship leader for many years. But I came to the point where I found that I had lost the meaning of worship in my life. I began to question whether the “worship” I was performing was for God’s benefit or for mine, and I realised that I had lost my ability to worship without the aid of music.
Although music is a valid expression of worship, I believe that so much more is required of us. Studying the bible, meditation, generosity, social justice, visiting sick people and providing for the needy is all part of true worship. Anything that gives expression to our devotion to God is worship. I have realised that for me music is often just the easy way out.
Darlene Zschech says “Music excludes, worship does not.” If anyone knew how to worship, Jesus did. His style of worship was simply wholehearted devotion, even to the point of death.
Tuesday 29 May 2007
The Divine Weaver
Perspective is such a powerful thing, and when you realise that God is actually in control of all things, it can be just the life line you need to make it through the tough times. We often forget that God sees things that we know nothing about, and the older I get the more I believe that everything happens for a reason. It may be years before we see the reasons why we go through what we do, and we may never truly understand some things, but we just need to look for the gold dust that is buried in the mud, and remember that God's tapestry is so much bigger and brighter than ours.
The Divine Weaver
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colours,
He works it steadily.
Sometimes he weaves sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget that he sees the upper,
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skilful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern he has planned.
Author Unknown
The Divine Weaver
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colours,
He works it steadily.
Sometimes he weaves sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget that he sees the upper,
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skilful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern he has planned.
Author Unknown
Friday 25 May 2007
Self Worth
After a falling out with a friend a couple of years ago, I realised that I had been basing my value as a person on my relationships. I subconsciously believed that my worth depended on what my friends thought of me. It came as a shock when it dawned on me that I was trying so hard to be liked, that my closest friends really didn’t know anything about the real me (my hopes, dreams and fears), in spite of the amount of time we had spent together over many years.
All of my life I had struggled with fear, but once I let go of the dependency I had on the people around me, the most amazing thing happened – the fear that had plagued me vanished. It was very painful giving up the particular friendship I mentioned before, but over the months that followed I realised that I had a freedom I had never experienced before. Looking back three or four months later, I realised that I had not been afraid of anything since that day.
I don’t believe that this break through in my life was the result of not seeing that particular person any more, but rather that I finally reached the point where I began to look to God for my worth. I began to base my value on what God, who knows me better than anyone, thinks of me, rather than what others think of me.
There’s a lot of pressure these days to be something you are not, but I encourage anyone who is struggling with issues of self-worth, to be true to who you really are. God made you the way you are for a reason, and real value and purpose can only come when we truly believe that.
All of my life I had struggled with fear, but once I let go of the dependency I had on the people around me, the most amazing thing happened – the fear that had plagued me vanished. It was very painful giving up the particular friendship I mentioned before, but over the months that followed I realised that I had a freedom I had never experienced before. Looking back three or four months later, I realised that I had not been afraid of anything since that day.
I don’t believe that this break through in my life was the result of not seeing that particular person any more, but rather that I finally reached the point where I began to look to God for my worth. I began to base my value on what God, who knows me better than anyone, thinks of me, rather than what others think of me.
There’s a lot of pressure these days to be something you are not, but I encourage anyone who is struggling with issues of self-worth, to be true to who you really are. God made you the way you are for a reason, and real value and purpose can only come when we truly believe that.
Thursday 24 May 2007
Holiness
People do not look at us Christians and think “Wow, look at how holy they are!” If anything, they think we are self-righteous hypocrites. We have made so many rules about what it is to be holy – do not drink, do not smoke, do not go to parties – no wonder people don’t want to be like us! All we have achieved by this kind of thinking is to isolate ourselves from others.
I believe that holiness is not about what we do and do not do, but is about our character. I don’t believe Jesus meant for us to be separate from the world in a literal sense – he certainly didn’t separate himself from the “bad people” when he walked the earth. I believe he meant that we should stand out. People should look at us and be amazed at how passionately we live – how much we love those around us; how generous we are; how much we enjoy life.
People should look at us and want to be like us, not because we seem to have it all together, but because we live our lives so passionately in everything we do, each and every day, just like Jesus did.
Jesus said that people would know we are his disciples when we love one another, not when we live a life out of touch with those around us. Jesus didn’t set us free to be bound by a never-ending list of rules and regulations. Jesus set us free to be free! That’s what people in this world are looking for.
I believe that holiness is not about what we do and do not do, but is about our character. I don’t believe Jesus meant for us to be separate from the world in a literal sense – he certainly didn’t separate himself from the “bad people” when he walked the earth. I believe he meant that we should stand out. People should look at us and be amazed at how passionately we live – how much we love those around us; how generous we are; how much we enjoy life.
People should look at us and want to be like us, not because we seem to have it all together, but because we live our lives so passionately in everything we do, each and every day, just like Jesus did.
Jesus said that people would know we are his disciples when we love one another, not when we live a life out of touch with those around us. Jesus didn’t set us free to be bound by a never-ending list of rules and regulations. Jesus set us free to be free! That’s what people in this world are looking for.
Wednesday 23 May 2007
Fake It Till You Make It
One of my all-time most hated sayings is “Fake it till you make it”.
I think that one of the main reasons people don’t want to be a part of Christianity is because we constantly pretend we are something that we are not. People need to see that we are real people; that we struggle with the same issues that they do, but we have an undeniable hope and purpose no matter what. They will be attracted to us, not because we are perfect and have it all together, but because we live our lives so passionately, in spite of the bad things that happen to us.
I just can’t imagine Jesus sidling up to someone who is going through a rough time and telling them to fake it till they make it. Jesus was real – he shared his struggles and sorrows, as well as his victories and joys. Surely his example is the one we should follow, not the myth that tells us that Christians must be perfect.
I think that one of the main reasons people don’t want to be a part of Christianity is because we constantly pretend we are something that we are not. People need to see that we are real people; that we struggle with the same issues that they do, but we have an undeniable hope and purpose no matter what. They will be attracted to us, not because we are perfect and have it all together, but because we live our lives so passionately, in spite of the bad things that happen to us.
I just can’t imagine Jesus sidling up to someone who is going through a rough time and telling them to fake it till they make it. Jesus was real – he shared his struggles and sorrows, as well as his victories and joys. Surely his example is the one we should follow, not the myth that tells us that Christians must be perfect.
Monday 21 May 2007
Unanswered Questions
Have you ever questioned things that you are supposed to just assume are true? I have grown up a Christian and yet I have spent most of my life asking questions that there seemed to be no answers to - no satisfactory answers anyway. I used to wonder if it was just me? But I have embarked on a journey over the past few years which has not only begun to answer some of my many questions, but has made me realise that I am not the only one out there who asks these kind of questions. The purpose of this blog is to air some of my thoughts about my God, whom I love more than anything, and about my own "Christianity". I am far from having all the answers, but I think it is important to at least raise the questions. I hope others may benefit from the things I am beginning to learn about how to be a true follower of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)