Behavioural Change

Have you ever wished you could change your behaviour? Felt locked into a routine or addiction that was destructive? Or been part of a community where things were not being done in a Biblical way?

Part of our journey to go deeper into the things of God, is to deal with our theology. Theology is not a topic for “spiritual eggheads”. Theology is what we believe about God. Hence we need to have good theology.

Now good theology always starts with who God is and then works out into practical ways. Orthodoxy forms orthopraxy. That is to say; if we don’t like the way that we are behaving (orthopraxy) we need to go back to what we believe (orthodoxy). The opportunity for change does not come through a self help programme, but through a revelation of God.

This is why our spiritual intake is so important. Spiritual growth doesn’t start with activities, programmes or ideas. Spiritual growth starts with God. This is why we pray and fast. Seeking God results in us knowing God in a deeper way. His Word says that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:7). Speaking of the Word, there is no way that we can develop good theology without studying the Word.

Let’s make the commitment to go deeper into the things of God in ‘09. It will change how we live!

Children

Our IPHC missionaries to Borroloola, Les & Sally Freeman had a baby last week. Jael Faith was born, weighing 7 pounds. Praise god for her safe arrival. Please pray for the family as they make the long journey back from Melbourne to Borroloola.

"A child is a revelation from God. Prophets receive visions, mystics ponder the ineffable, great preachers deliver God's word. The greatest revelation comes through flesh and blood. Every child is a fresh, unheard-of image of God, and children keep coming and coming because the world has not yet conceived of all the fullness of God's glory."
Mike Mason, The Mystery of Children

An Athiest's Confession

Here is a very interesting article:-

Matthew Parris is a newspaper columnist for The Times of London and a self-described atheist. Surprisingly, though, in a December 2008 column he wrote an article titled "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God." Parris admits that saying this runs counter to his beliefs, but he cannot ignore the difference that he sees in African Christians. Parris, who grew up in Africa, writes:-

Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there…. It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But traveling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too—one I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God.

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects, and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good….

[When I lived in Africa] we had working for us Africans who had converted and were strong believers. The Christians were always different. Far from having cowed or confined its converts, their faith appeared to have liberated and relaxed them. There was a liveliness, a curiosity, an engagement with the world—a directness in their dealings with others—that seemed to be missing in traditional African life. They stood tall.

Back in Black (and other colours)

The Friend family is officially back home. We got back on saturday (10th) having spent a couple of weeks in Binningup (2 hours south of Perth) in a coastal holiday village. For all those in the Northern hemisphere right now (hi Jasmine!) that meant that we had sun, surf and sand for enough time to get a decent tan. And our first full day home was 38 degrees celcius (over 100F) so I felt like going back to Binningup again! But it is good to be home.

We have spent the last 8 years in Binningup for our family summer holiday. It has its own set of traditions and routines that make it comfortable. Kaleb is only 10 so he wouldnt remember a time before Binningup. It is part of our lives now. I am so grateful to God for the blessing that He has made for us in this getaway. Through marriage we are related to the family there and they graciously allow us to use their cottage every year. May God bless them richly for their generousity.

But what is a family holiday really about? I think the greatest gain is the connection that is made. You are spending time together. Just being together is the greatest joy. The joy isnt found in winning a game of canasta (Em won this year, she is so proud that she beat her Dad!) the joy is in being with one another.

Isn't it the same with God!? The real joy is not found in leading someone to Christ, or preaching a great sermon. The real joy is found in being with Him. The rest is just a bonus!

These holidays I feel like I was able to connect with my family and my God at a deeper level. It was the best holiday... ever!

What about you?