I've left my journal at home today so maybe it is a day for a rant instead of journal! (and in the process I might lose my entire readership of 2 or 3!).
In Melbourne's Herald Sun this morning is a story with the headline "Mums want compo over Downs". "TWO Victorian couples are suing doctors for failing to diagnose Down syndrome in their unborn babies, denying them the chance to terminate the pregnancies."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/two-couples-suing-doctors-for-failing-to-diagnose-down-syndrome/story-e6frf7kx-1225894768423
This comment from the father grabbed my attention "Don't get us wrong: we love our daughter. She's part of our family, and we treat her like gold," . Maybe he left out, But... if we had known we would never have allowed her to be born. Now, I have to be careful here because I don't know the couple and I do know that newspapers print only the bits that suit their agenda. And also, the little girl has quite severe disabilities. However, this stuff really challenges my values.
Is an unborn child of lesser value than a born child? Somehow, we seem to differentiate between a life dependant upon whether it is born or unborn. People who would have no qualms ending the life of an unborn child would be horrified at doing so for one that has been born.
The ethics of life and ending life, be it abortion or euthanasia are sometimes a real struggle for Christians. And what of our response to those families who choose, legally, to abort a baby or illegally, to kill a person whom they love who has a horrific terminal illness?
Is it possible to have both outrage at the ending of an innocent person's life but also compassion for those involved in the act of ending a life? The work of our chaplains in court and prison ministries suggests that we can. But, I have to admit I find it very hard to do at times.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Wisdom is getting along
"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." James 3:17
What a joy it is to have friends who are consistent. It's great to be able to talk to people without feeling as though you are walking on egg shells.
Sometimes we feel like politicians (sorry for the insult!). Our pollies go on tv and, especially at election time, follow a script. They say the same thing over and over (hello to all the working families who are moving forward during this election campaign). In reality, they say very little of any substance because if they do there is the media and 20 million people ready and waiting to jump down their throats.
Christians are characterised by getting on with one another. That's wisdom! We are not two faced, we are not unpredictable, but we are to be gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings. If people are not able to be honest with us because they fear our response we are lacking in God's wisdom.
Gosh, I hope I measure up!
God, please help me to recognise my shortcomings and to bear witness to your wisdom by getting along with others.
What a joy it is to have friends who are consistent. It's great to be able to talk to people without feeling as though you are walking on egg shells.
Sometimes we feel like politicians (sorry for the insult!). Our pollies go on tv and, especially at election time, follow a script. They say the same thing over and over (hello to all the working families who are moving forward during this election campaign). In reality, they say very little of any substance because if they do there is the media and 20 million people ready and waiting to jump down their throats.
Christians are characterised by getting on with one another. That's wisdom! We are not two faced, we are not unpredictable, but we are to be gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings. If people are not able to be honest with us because they fear our response we are lacking in God's wisdom.
Gosh, I hope I measure up!
God, please help me to recognise my shortcomings and to bear witness to your wisdom by getting along with others.
Friday, July 16, 2010
More important worship
"God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship... that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets." Hebrews 13:16
It's interesting that we are told that God takes particular pleasure in the worship outside of the church buildings. We get hung up with the idea of worship being singing in a building rather than it being about us constantly doing the practical things to help whoever we meet, and go out of our way to meet, during the every day activity of life.
It then makes sense that 'worship' inside whilst valued by God is not AS valued by God because we are usually ministering to other believers. That's not to say the our Sunday meetings are of no value but it probably isn't what really gets God's motor going. God has a special passion for the lost, the poor and marginalised.
What does that tell me? Maybe I should be spending more time worshipping outside than inside and that our rehearsals for Sunday are not as important as we make them out to be.
It's important that we have a passion to make the music that we present on Sunday as high a standard as we possibly can. It is a gift for God. Anything less than 100% effort is not on. But, sometimes God would be happier if we were out helping someone in need rather than being on the platform giving boring announcements! Of course, the chances are that there is room for both in our lives and both are important. But sometimes we can do the Sunday stuff to the exclusion of the kitchen, workplace, street stuff, and given that God takes 'particular pleasure' in the outside worship we should ensure that it isn't neglected.
It's interesting that we are told that God takes particular pleasure in the worship outside of the church buildings. We get hung up with the idea of worship being singing in a building rather than it being about us constantly doing the practical things to help whoever we meet, and go out of our way to meet, during the every day activity of life.
It then makes sense that 'worship' inside whilst valued by God is not AS valued by God because we are usually ministering to other believers. That's not to say the our Sunday meetings are of no value but it probably isn't what really gets God's motor going. God has a special passion for the lost, the poor and marginalised.
What does that tell me? Maybe I should be spending more time worshipping outside than inside and that our rehearsals for Sunday are not as important as we make them out to be.
It's important that we have a passion to make the music that we present on Sunday as high a standard as we possibly can. It is a gift for God. Anything less than 100% effort is not on. But, sometimes God would be happier if we were out helping someone in need rather than being on the platform giving boring announcements! Of course, the chances are that there is room for both in our lives and both are important. But sometimes we can do the Sunday stuff to the exclusion of the kitchen, workplace, street stuff, and given that God takes 'particular pleasure' in the outside worship we should ensure that it isn't neglected.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Shot of adrenaline
"When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls" Hebrews 12:3
Why is it that going over the story of Jesus with all of its hostility should shoot adrenaline into our souls? Maybe it's because it shows us that what we are doing or enduring is not in vain. If Jesus had to suffer that much and eventually even suffer death and yet rise again in proof of his victory over death, it shows that we are not on a losing side even though it might feel that way at the time.
Often, footy teams look back over their proud histories with all of their brutal battles and are inspired by past victories against all the odds. The current side then views its battles as a badge of honour, invigorated by the exploits of those who have gone before.
We look at Jesus and the saints of previous generations and we are inspired by them, knowing that their sacrifices were not in vain. Therefore, we also know that our sacrifices are for a bigger purpose than just this time in which we live. They have an eternal value.
God, as I look at my life, it isn't all that tough is it? Whatever challenges I am enduring now are nothing compared to what Jesus endured. Help me to also endure.
Why is it that going over the story of Jesus with all of its hostility should shoot adrenaline into our souls? Maybe it's because it shows us that what we are doing or enduring is not in vain. If Jesus had to suffer that much and eventually even suffer death and yet rise again in proof of his victory over death, it shows that we are not on a losing side even though it might feel that way at the time.
Often, footy teams look back over their proud histories with all of their brutal battles and are inspired by past victories against all the odds. The current side then views its battles as a badge of honour, invigorated by the exploits of those who have gone before.
We look at Jesus and the saints of previous generations and we are inspired by them, knowing that their sacrifices were not in vain. Therefore, we also know that our sacrifices are for a bigger purpose than just this time in which we live. They have an eternal value.
God, as I look at my life, it isn't all that tough is it? Whatever challenges I am enduring now are nothing compared to what Jesus endured. Help me to also endure.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
One completed whole
"Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours." Hebrews 11:39-40
This is not the first time I have journaled on these verses. It seems as though I need to be reminded over and over again about this BIG plan that God has and my place in it.
There are a host of names listed in this chapter. It's a who's who, hall of fame, of Biblical history and God says that not one of them lived a life that was stand alone, disconnected from the rest of the lives lived over the entire period of human existence. Their lives would not be complete without my life, being lived as it is thousands of years later,. That's a big statement. The faith of Abraham, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Moses etc would all be incomplete without my faith too.
Later this year at Preston Salvos we will celebrate our 125th anniversary and a whole host of other people who have called Preston home at some time or other will be there (we hope!). None of those people of faith who have gone before completed God's plan. Those of us around today are putting our piece into God's jigsaw and those who follow us will do the same. We are all part of one continuous working out of God's plan and together, and only together, will our lives of faith be complete.
Help me God to understand my place in this huge plan of yours. And when it's all too complicated for my small brain to grasp, help me to trust "by faith".
This is not the first time I have journaled on these verses. It seems as though I need to be reminded over and over again about this BIG plan that God has and my place in it.
There are a host of names listed in this chapter. It's a who's who, hall of fame, of Biblical history and God says that not one of them lived a life that was stand alone, disconnected from the rest of the lives lived over the entire period of human existence. Their lives would not be complete without my life, being lived as it is thousands of years later,. That's a big statement. The faith of Abraham, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Moses etc would all be incomplete without my faith too.
Later this year at Preston Salvos we will celebrate our 125th anniversary and a whole host of other people who have called Preston home at some time or other will be there (we hope!). None of those people of faith who have gone before completed God's plan. Those of us around today are putting our piece into God's jigsaw and those who follow us will do the same. We are all part of one continuous working out of God's plan and together, and only together, will our lives of faith be complete.
Help me God to understand my place in this huge plan of yours. And when it's all too complicated for my small brain to grasp, help me to trust "by faith".
Monday, July 12, 2010
How to live
"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously." Micah 6:8
My mate, Paul Prince, and I seem to be in the same chapter of Micah at the moment as he has blogged on this very same verse (what's that about great minds thinking alike?!).
Life isn't complicated. How we live our lives isn't meant to be too complicated. Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate in your love. It's not always easy to do but it's not complicated to understand either.
Don't take yourself too seriously. Now that is something we could all take on board. Lighten up! We all get very defensive about ourselves and our 'rights'. Learn to laugh at yourself and don't be too proud.
Take God seriously. This is one thing that we don't do enough of these days. He is God! He is perfect. He deserves our praise. He deserves our loyalty.
So, Ian, value justice, be prepared to laugh at yourself and take God seriously.
Thank you God for simple lessons. I need to be reminded of them for they are important to you and are important to my spiritual and mental wellbeing.
My mate, Paul Prince, and I seem to be in the same chapter of Micah at the moment as he has blogged on this very same verse (what's that about great minds thinking alike?!).
Life isn't complicated. How we live our lives isn't meant to be too complicated. Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate in your love. It's not always easy to do but it's not complicated to understand either.
Don't take yourself too seriously. Now that is something we could all take on board. Lighten up! We all get very defensive about ourselves and our 'rights'. Learn to laugh at yourself and don't be too proud.
Take God seriously. This is one thing that we don't do enough of these days. He is God! He is perfect. He deserves our praise. He deserves our loyalty.
So, Ian, value justice, be prepared to laugh at yourself and take God seriously.
Thank you God for simple lessons. I need to be reminded of them for they are important to you and are important to my spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Faith in the illogical
"Some of the sailors tried to jump ship. They let down the lifeboat, pretending they were going to set out more anchors from the bow. Paul saw through their guise and told the centurion and his soldiers, "if these sailors don't stay with the ship, we're all going down." So the soldiers cut the lines to the lifeboat and let it drift off." Acts 27:30-32
One of the most important pieces of safety equipment on a ship is the lifeboat. It would seem to be sheer madness to cut a lifeboat adrift. I would imagine some of the soldiers cutting it adrift wouldn't have been able to swim and would have been wondering what they would do if the ship sank.
Faith sometimes asks us to do some difficult and seemingly stupid things. Sometimes God will ask us to do the equivalent of cutting a lifeboat adrift just before we need to evacuate the ship.
It's a credit to Paul that he was able to convince people that their safety was assured even in the midst of a storm with a damaged ship. I wonder whether even he doubted at times. Nevertheless, he trusted and was eventually able to safely bring the other 275 passengers along with him, even if some, such as the sailors with the lifeboat, didn't quite agree with his plan.
What do I need to trust God with today and how can I express that to others in a way that will bring confidence to them?
God, please help me as I go through the areas of life that call for faith in what appears to be illogical.
One of the most important pieces of safety equipment on a ship is the lifeboat. It would seem to be sheer madness to cut a lifeboat adrift. I would imagine some of the soldiers cutting it adrift wouldn't have been able to swim and would have been wondering what they would do if the ship sank.
Faith sometimes asks us to do some difficult and seemingly stupid things. Sometimes God will ask us to do the equivalent of cutting a lifeboat adrift just before we need to evacuate the ship.
It's a credit to Paul that he was able to convince people that their safety was assured even in the midst of a storm with a damaged ship. I wonder whether even he doubted at times. Nevertheless, he trusted and was eventually able to safely bring the other 275 passengers along with him, even if some, such as the sailors with the lifeboat, didn't quite agree with his plan.
What do I need to trust God with today and how can I express that to others in a way that will bring confidence to them?
God, please help me as I go through the areas of life that call for faith in what appears to be illogical.
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