"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.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Leading with respect
"Every high priest selected to represent men and women before God and offer sacrifices for their sins should be able to deal gently with their failings, since he knows what it's like from his own experience." Hebrews 5:1-2
I'm not going to write a commentary on Hebrews because, to be honest, I find this one of the more difficult books to understand at times. But as I read these verses I thought of leaders. Ok, leaders aren't exactly high priests, but some of them think of themselves as being above everyone else which I guess was a problem back then too.
I know many fantastic leaders both current and former who are great Christian role models. But there are also a few who aren't. "The high priest should be able to deal gently with their failings, since he knows what it's like from his own experience". Mmnnn... some leaders think they have never failed. They think that they are the source of all wisdom. Therefore, far from dealing gently with others who have failed, they put on the hobnail boots. Rather than encourage and build up they discourage, accuse and tear down.
Leadership is a tough gig and it's often hard to know the correct decisions to make. But one thing I am sure of is that as soon as someone starts to think of themselves as being better than everyone else they should be kept as far away from leadership as possible.
God, help me to remember that leadership is about serving not a position to assert myself over others.
I'm not going to write a commentary on Hebrews because, to be honest, I find this one of the more difficult books to understand at times. But as I read these verses I thought of leaders. Ok, leaders aren't exactly high priests, but some of them think of themselves as being above everyone else which I guess was a problem back then too.
I know many fantastic leaders both current and former who are great Christian role models. But there are also a few who aren't. "The high priest should be able to deal gently with their failings, since he knows what it's like from his own experience". Mmnnn... some leaders think they have never failed. They think that they are the source of all wisdom. Therefore, far from dealing gently with others who have failed, they put on the hobnail boots. Rather than encourage and build up they discourage, accuse and tear down.
Leadership is a tough gig and it's often hard to know the correct decisions to make. But one thing I am sure of is that as soon as someone starts to think of themselves as being better than everyone else they should be kept as far away from leadership as possible.
God, help me to remember that leadership is about serving not a position to assert myself over others.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New grounds for believing
"You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him." John 11:15
These were Jesus' words to his disciples before he raised Lazarus from the dead. Even those walking with Jesus day after day were given extra reason to believe-"new grounds for believing."
The Christian life doesn't just bring about a conversion and nothing else. It's not just about being able to prove the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every day brings new grounds for believing. Or, at least it should.
Not every day, and probably never, will we see someone dead for 4 days brought back to life, but we will be given new grounds, ongoing reasons for continuing in the faith we have.
When I wrote this journal, back in 2006, I was reflecting on hearing the testimony of three new Salvation Army Soldiers (members) that bore witness to what God had done and was still doing in their lives. And, it coincided with the visit of Jeff Lucas who reminded us of the miracle of two 'old Salvos' - finally believing, finally getting it. After spending years in the Army the penny finally dropped. New grounds for believing.
Thank you God for the evidence of your presence, for reinforcing my faith and continuing to give new hope.
These were Jesus' words to his disciples before he raised Lazarus from the dead. Even those walking with Jesus day after day were given extra reason to believe-"new grounds for believing."
The Christian life doesn't just bring about a conversion and nothing else. It's not just about being able to prove the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every day brings new grounds for believing. Or, at least it should.
Not every day, and probably never, will we see someone dead for 4 days brought back to life, but we will be given new grounds, ongoing reasons for continuing in the faith we have.
When I wrote this journal, back in 2006, I was reflecting on hearing the testimony of three new Salvation Army Soldiers (members) that bore witness to what God had done and was still doing in their lives. And, it coincided with the visit of Jeff Lucas who reminded us of the miracle of two 'old Salvos' - finally believing, finally getting it. After spending years in the Army the penny finally dropped. New grounds for believing.
Thank you God for the evidence of your presence, for reinforcing my faith and continuing to give new hope.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Unadorned clay pots
"If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry the precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives." 2 Cor 4:7
One of the great frustrations of life is that people too often only seem to see the unadorned clay pots and judge the contents of the pots on their outwood appearance. Our lives are far from perfect and often contradict the life changing message that lies within, and so God is judged by our lives.
What Paul says about himself is also true about our relationships with people who aren't Christians. If they look at us they may well miss the brightness.
In a world where packaging is all important we make decisions about purchasing books, drinks, cans of food, in fact almost everything, by how inviting the packaging is. How often do we miss out on quality content by rejecting it because the outside looks dull.
How do we, how do I, deal with the fact that we are boring pots and people are probably reluctant to look inside because we ourselves are uninviting? Fortunately, God chooses to make contact with people through his Spirit and so it's not entirely up to us. Somehow though we need to encourage people to look inside the pot and find the brightness of God. It's not all about me. I am just a clay pot.
One of the great frustrations of life is that people too often only seem to see the unadorned clay pots and judge the contents of the pots on their outwood appearance. Our lives are far from perfect and often contradict the life changing message that lies within, and so God is judged by our lives.
What Paul says about himself is also true about our relationships with people who aren't Christians. If they look at us they may well miss the brightness.
In a world where packaging is all important we make decisions about purchasing books, drinks, cans of food, in fact almost everything, by how inviting the packaging is. How often do we miss out on quality content by rejecting it because the outside looks dull.
How do we, how do I, deal with the fact that we are boring pots and people are probably reluctant to look inside because we ourselves are uninviting? Fortunately, God chooses to make contact with people through his Spirit and so it's not entirely up to us. Somehow though we need to encourage people to look inside the pot and find the brightness of God. It's not all about me. I am just a clay pot.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Perspective
On Saturday morning I rose and promptly plonked myself in the lounge chair to watch a replay of the mighty Hawks win from the previous night. It's probably the first time since the 2008 grand final that I have watched the replay of an entire game. As I sat there I realised that some of the umpiring decisions (just some, not all!) that had resulted in me giving some serious verbal advice to the umps on the previous night now seemed to be quite innocuous.
I often get frustrated reading our newspapers, particularly the commentaries and letter pages because people seem to be incapable of balanced thinking. If you formulated your thinking purely from reading The Age then, over the last week you would have come to the conclusion that John Howard has been the most evil person to have ever set foot on earth. Fancy trying to install such as man into cricket's top job. Long live the despotic rulers of Africa & Sth America. Mugabe you are a star. Chavez come down under and show us how it is done!
As for the Herald Sun, well, what can you say. This paper specialises in the lowest common denominator as do shows such as Today Tonight & A Current Affair.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a newspaper that provides solid unbiased facts, allowing us to know the truth rather than the nonsense we have now with selective reporting and culturally biased commentators (and editors...and letter writers from Fitzroy and Brunswick East).
As a person who suffers from turnstile fever I can understand why this happens. But once our main focus ceases to be seeking out truth, and instead about entrenching our positions, we get into awful trouble.
Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.James 3:13
I often get frustrated reading our newspapers, particularly the commentaries and letter pages because people seem to be incapable of balanced thinking. If you formulated your thinking purely from reading The Age then, over the last week you would have come to the conclusion that John Howard has been the most evil person to have ever set foot on earth. Fancy trying to install such as man into cricket's top job. Long live the despotic rulers of Africa & Sth America. Mugabe you are a star. Chavez come down under and show us how it is done!
As for the Herald Sun, well, what can you say. This paper specialises in the lowest common denominator as do shows such as Today Tonight & A Current Affair.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a newspaper that provides solid unbiased facts, allowing us to know the truth rather than the nonsense we have now with selective reporting and culturally biased commentators (and editors...and letter writers from Fitzroy and Brunswick East).
As a person who suffers from turnstile fever I can understand why this happens. But once our main focus ceases to be seeking out truth, and instead about entrenching our positions, we get into awful trouble.
Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.James 3:13
Friday, July 2, 2010
What if....
"Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this." Esther 4:14
Life is full of 'what if' situations. Esther faced a few 'what ifs'. What if she actually had been made queen for this time? But what is she hadn't? What if she had gone to the king and he hadn't extended his gold sceptre? It would have been bye bye Esther. What if she had chosen just to pray about it instead of actually going to the king?
One of the interesting parts of this story is that the king decided to read the record book because he couldn't sleep. In so doing he read the truth about Mordecai who was about to be unjustly hanged. Was this God's prompting? And would God have prompted the king in this way had Esther not had the courage to step out and see the king?
Hathach was important in this too. He faithfully and accurately carried messages between Mordecai and Esther.
There are lots of 'what ifs' that rely on many people choosing to do the right thing at the right time, understanding that they were made for just such a time as this.
There are purposes that God has for me that rely of me being prepared to take the 'what if' risk and trust God to do the rest.
Life is full of 'what if' situations. Esther faced a few 'what ifs'. What if she actually had been made queen for this time? But what is she hadn't? What if she had gone to the king and he hadn't extended his gold sceptre? It would have been bye bye Esther. What if she had chosen just to pray about it instead of actually going to the king?
One of the interesting parts of this story is that the king decided to read the record book because he couldn't sleep. In so doing he read the truth about Mordecai who was about to be unjustly hanged. Was this God's prompting? And would God have prompted the king in this way had Esther not had the courage to step out and see the king?
Hathach was important in this too. He faithfully and accurately carried messages between Mordecai and Esther.
There are lots of 'what ifs' that rely on many people choosing to do the right thing at the right time, understanding that they were made for just such a time as this.
There are purposes that God has for me that rely of me being prepared to take the 'what if' risk and trust God to do the rest.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Let's play charades
"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: monthly conferences, weekly sabbaths, special meetings - meetings, meetings, meetings - I can't stand one more!...." Isaiah 1: 13
These types of verses appear many times over in the Bible. God doesn't like worship; God doesn't like meetings; God doesn't like sacrifices, and so on. Is God so anti everything that we hold as important?
Not really. Everytime we read this sort of stuff it is followed by the reasons why. It's usually a situation where God's people have forgotten about the homeless people, don't care about justice, are more concerned about their own wealth and possessions and so on.
Everything that we do at church is worthless, and in fact angers God, if we are not living the life that God wants us to live. That means getting involved where there is injustice and helping those who are down and out.
These types of verses appear many times over in the Bible. God doesn't like worship; God doesn't like meetings; God doesn't like sacrifices, and so on. Is God so anti everything that we hold as important?
Not really. Everytime we read this sort of stuff it is followed by the reasons why. It's usually a situation where God's people have forgotten about the homeless people, don't care about justice, are more concerned about their own wealth and possessions and so on.
Everything that we do at church is worthless, and in fact angers God, if we are not living the life that God wants us to live. That means getting involved where there is injustice and helping those who are down and out.
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