Wow, I have been offline for so long!
Why havent I written? Here is the reason. On 7th October 2009 my 5yoa nephew, Zachary was killed in a car accident. He was in the back seat, in a proper booster seat with his Mum driving when someone went through a red light and hit them. It was a severe accident. Initially we thought that the boys (his brother was in the front seat) were okay but only my sister in law was trapped and injured. So it came as a shock when we found out that he had died of massive internal injuries.
As a Christian, death is something that we shouldnt be afraid of. I have preached that death is just a door into another place. In our faith we know that he is in Heaven with his Daddy and other family members. Heaven is way better than here, so death is not the problem!
The problem is the sense of loss that we have down here. The problem is that we didnt get to say goodbye. The problem is that people that we love are hurting, and so we hurt even more. Pain is piled upon more pain. This is a temporary problem, because we will see him again. One day.
Nevertheless, I have had to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and it was dark, and lonely. I had to deal with my own humanity. I had to work through my faith in my own pain. I had to find God's voice and comfort in a very personal way.
But I have come through the valley - Thank God!
My challenge to you is to cherish the ones you love while you have them - life is so short!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Value
Big news in our city at the moment, is a landmark decision on euthanasia. A man who is quadraplegic has taken his case all the way to the Supreme court and has won the right to die. For those unfamiliar with it, he is being fed through a tube into his stomach. This win means that they can cease to feed him and he will essentially starve to death.
This whole thing makes me so angry. Angry because the essential argument for death, is that he has a low "quality of life". Because he can't scratch his nose, wipe his bottom, and do other things that we take for granted, his life quality is not enough to warrant life? If we take this logic to it's endth degree, anyone who is in a similar position could and/or should die. After all, they don't have the same quality of life as full bodied persons! Then what about people with low IQ's or disease, or other socially unacceptable issues? Why don't we show compassion and help them die?
It also makes me angry because this man thinks that he has nothing to contribute. But where is his family? Where are the people who can see his value is far greater than the ability to blow his own nose? Where are the advocates for life, those who love him as person not for what he can do for them?
Of course, I am also angry because we claim (the vast majority of Aussies) to believe in the 10 commandments, but then when it comes to this issues, forget that murder is one of them. Where is the compassion? Where is the love? Where is the sanctity of life?
This whole thing makes me so angry. Angry because the essential argument for death, is that he has a low "quality of life". Because he can't scratch his nose, wipe his bottom, and do other things that we take for granted, his life quality is not enough to warrant life? If we take this logic to it's endth degree, anyone who is in a similar position could and/or should die. After all, they don't have the same quality of life as full bodied persons! Then what about people with low IQ's or disease, or other socially unacceptable issues? Why don't we show compassion and help them die?
It also makes me angry because this man thinks that he has nothing to contribute. But where is his family? Where are the people who can see his value is far greater than the ability to blow his own nose? Where are the advocates for life, those who love him as person not for what he can do for them?
Of course, I am also angry because we claim (the vast majority of Aussies) to believe in the 10 commandments, but then when it comes to this issues, forget that murder is one of them. Where is the compassion? Where is the love? Where is the sanctity of life?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Pursuit
By John Piper
So Tozer rejected the false logic which says: if you have found God in Christ, you need no more seek him. I reject that, too. And I join Tozer in replacing it with these words, "To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love..."
Matthew Henry is right: "Wherever there is true grace there is a desire for more grace." When Paul said, "Don't be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), his aim was to make God-aholics out of all believers. The Spirit is not deadening; he is addicting. The evidence that you have him is that you want more of him. Continued indifference to growth in grace is a sign of no grace…
When a man falls in love, he is driven by an inner compulsion to know his beloved. And therefore he goes hard after her and spends time with her. When a student admires his professor and treasures his wisdom and that professor invites the class to his home, the student goes! I had a great teacher in seminary. And when he offered a course in his home called "Hermeneutics for Eggheads," I signed up immediately. It didn't matter what the title meant. It was my teacher's course. It was my teacher's home. That's all I needed, because I wanted to know him. The first reason to go hard after Christ is to know him.
Go Deeper!
So Tozer rejected the false logic which says: if you have found God in Christ, you need no more seek him. I reject that, too. And I join Tozer in replacing it with these words, "To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love..."
Matthew Henry is right: "Wherever there is true grace there is a desire for more grace." When Paul said, "Don't be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), his aim was to make God-aholics out of all believers. The Spirit is not deadening; he is addicting. The evidence that you have him is that you want more of him. Continued indifference to growth in grace is a sign of no grace…
When a man falls in love, he is driven by an inner compulsion to know his beloved. And therefore he goes hard after her and spends time with her. When a student admires his professor and treasures his wisdom and that professor invites the class to his home, the student goes! I had a great teacher in seminary. And when he offered a course in his home called "Hermeneutics for Eggheads," I signed up immediately. It didn't matter what the title meant. It was my teacher's course. It was my teacher's home. That's all I needed, because I wanted to know him. The first reason to go hard after Christ is to know him.
Go Deeper!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Grace
We are in a series on grace at church at the moment called "Extravagant Grace". It has been a real joy to open this topic up and give it some thought over the last few weeks.
Last sunday I spoke from Romans 6:1-2 "what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"
I love the fact that God gives us a grace that we can enter into salvation with, and remain in salvation with. Their is a grace for us to overcome sin! Praise God for that.
Sadly though, many people do not have this attitude. It wasn't that different in the Apostle Paul's day, hence the above verses! D.A. Carson comments on this. He says :-
“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer and obedience to scripture, faith and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated”.
Let us decide to live in grace!
Last sunday I spoke from Romans 6:1-2 "what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"
I love the fact that God gives us a grace that we can enter into salvation with, and remain in salvation with. Their is a grace for us to overcome sin! Praise God for that.
Sadly though, many people do not have this attitude. It wasn't that different in the Apostle Paul's day, hence the above verses! D.A. Carson comments on this. He says :-
“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer and obedience to scripture, faith and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated”.
Let us decide to live in grace!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A song from the Heart
I am amazed at how a song can "grab your heart". "How Great Thou Art", "How I trust Him" (the song I want played at my funeral) and so many other great songs have the capacity to transcend time and move us toward God.
Lately we have been enjoying "Revelation Song" on Melissa Greene's (from Avalon) latest solo album. This song isn't new either. It was written by Jennie Riddle back in 1999 in her personal worship time. Pulled in various directions with changing nappies, cooking dinner, and the call of the Spirit to write a song, she did the latter. And while this song is simple in its chord work, it is lyrically profound in its portrait of God, using Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4.
I was the worship leader at Mount Lawley Church on sunday (my first time since we planted there) and we did this song. It moved many of us (including me) to tears. Just a wonderful time of worship...
Here are some of the lyrics:-
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat
CHORUS Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows, of living color Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to You the only wise King
CHORUS
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power Breath, and living water Such a marvelous mystery
CHORUS
It is so important that we following the leadings of the Spirit. Whether it be in writing a song like this, or in studying scripture, witnessing to a friend, or being obedient in some way. These promptings that He gives us are so key to our spiritual walk. And when it comes to worship, I want to be moved by thoughts that remind me of just how big and wonderful our God is. He alone is worthy of our worship!
Lately we have been enjoying "Revelation Song" on Melissa Greene's (from Avalon) latest solo album. This song isn't new either. It was written by Jennie Riddle back in 1999 in her personal worship time. Pulled in various directions with changing nappies, cooking dinner, and the call of the Spirit to write a song, she did the latter. And while this song is simple in its chord work, it is lyrically profound in its portrait of God, using Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4.
I was the worship leader at Mount Lawley Church on sunday (my first time since we planted there) and we did this song. It moved many of us (including me) to tears. Just a wonderful time of worship...
Here are some of the lyrics:-
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on Heaven's mercy seat
CHORUS Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows, of living color Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to You the only wise King
CHORUS
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power Breath, and living water Such a marvelous mystery
CHORUS
It is so important that we following the leadings of the Spirit. Whether it be in writing a song like this, or in studying scripture, witnessing to a friend, or being obedient in some way. These promptings that He gives us are so key to our spiritual walk. And when it comes to worship, I want to be moved by thoughts that remind me of just how big and wonderful our God is. He alone is worthy of our worship!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Post-Easter
Easter has come and gone again! 4 days (and a few weeks before) of hot cross buns, and chocolate. Now it is time for a diet and detox...sigh.
But this is also the time to reflect on what God did that first Easter. To look at the cross and resurrection with fresh eyes. Allowing God to bring about new life in us once again.
Following the calendar of events, we are inbetween the resurrection and the ascension. The disciples were in a period of time when things were falling into place. Prophecy and teachings now made sense. There was an excitement that they didn't have before. Jesus is alive!
They got to watch Jesus return to Heaven with the promise that He would come back for them. But in the meantime, they would have Pentecost. The Spirit came in Acts 2 in power and glory. Calvary and Pentecost are connected. God is with us through the presence of His Spirit. I am pleased to say that there is a freshness in my life that I didn't have last week. Praise God for that! With moving house and all that, I needed renewal. But what I really want is a fresh Pentecost. Join with me in that prayer!
But this is also the time to reflect on what God did that first Easter. To look at the cross and resurrection with fresh eyes. Allowing God to bring about new life in us once again.
Following the calendar of events, we are inbetween the resurrection and the ascension. The disciples were in a period of time when things were falling into place. Prophecy and teachings now made sense. There was an excitement that they didn't have before. Jesus is alive!
They got to watch Jesus return to Heaven with the promise that He would come back for them. But in the meantime, they would have Pentecost. The Spirit came in Acts 2 in power and glory. Calvary and Pentecost are connected. God is with us through the presence of His Spirit. I am pleased to say that there is a freshness in my life that I didn't have last week. Praise God for that! With moving house and all that, I needed renewal. But what I really want is a fresh Pentecost. Join with me in that prayer!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Entertainment
Over the last month, Natalee and I have been able to go to a few concerts. It has been great. We have enjoyed The Fray and Coldplay as a couple. Coldplay was ridiculously good as a concert. The visual effects was just as good as the music. And Coldplay are great musos! Nat even got to go to Phantom of the Opera, so she has had a particularly blessed month!
The benefit of going to a concert is that you go to be entertained. Through the melody, and harmony, the music takes us on an emotional journey. We enjoy our favourite songs, singing along with gusto (hoping the stranger next to us isnt put off!) and go home exhausted from the hours of traffic congestion! We talk with our friends about how good it was, and look forward to the next night out.
But the problem is that so many people treat church the same way. It is a show to go to. We expect to be entertained, humoured, and kept engaged. If the show was good we even tell our friends. "So and so is such a great preacher", "this worship CD is just the best"...and I am the first to admit having uttered those phrases.
But the church of Jesus Christ isn't a show. It isn't something that we "go to". It is who we are. We are called to be the people of God. To live in covenental community with each other. Along the way we may put on events, but they are not who we are. It is the beauty of Christ's presence amongst a diverse group of people, with various ages and backgrounds, all magnifently saved by the same cross of Christ. Our joy is found in Him, when we come together. He is the one that I want to talk about. "Look what God did", not "look at how good we can be".
Jesus forgive us for treating your church like a show...
The benefit of going to a concert is that you go to be entertained. Through the melody, and harmony, the music takes us on an emotional journey. We enjoy our favourite songs, singing along with gusto (hoping the stranger next to us isnt put off!) and go home exhausted from the hours of traffic congestion! We talk with our friends about how good it was, and look forward to the next night out.
But the problem is that so many people treat church the same way. It is a show to go to. We expect to be entertained, humoured, and kept engaged. If the show was good we even tell our friends. "So and so is such a great preacher", "this worship CD is just the best"...and I am the first to admit having uttered those phrases.
But the church of Jesus Christ isn't a show. It isn't something that we "go to". It is who we are. We are called to be the people of God. To live in covenental community with each other. Along the way we may put on events, but they are not who we are. It is the beauty of Christ's presence amongst a diverse group of people, with various ages and backgrounds, all magnifently saved by the same cross of Christ. Our joy is found in Him, when we come together. He is the one that I want to talk about. "Look what God did", not "look at how good we can be".
Jesus forgive us for treating your church like a show...
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