Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Please explain...
I just don't get it...
Upside down Christmas trees?
And today I saw a PURPLE upside down Christmas tree!!! What's the go?
Upside down Christmas trees?
And today I saw a PURPLE upside down Christmas tree!!! What's the go?
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Schoolies
Having returned from a short weekend stint as a volunteer at Schoolies, there are a few stand-out moments for me from the last 48 hours (I did a day and a night shift one after the other).
* Helping with checkins at one of the hotels and being absolutely confronted with seeing parents dropping off their 16 and 17 year old children, and carrying in cartons and cartons of alcohol for them. That was very hard to watch. Do parents not realise what message they are sending their children, and the possibly unintentional pressure they place on them to live 'down to' the schoolies image.
* The incredible favour we have with schoolies, with most hotel managers and with the police - they value what we do
* Visiting one room of schoolies of 5 girls, who had all had a few drinks and hearing one girl say to her friend that she felt all this pressure to be listening to loud music and dancing.... and me realising that these girls didn't really want to get wasted and "party hard" - all they really wanted to do was celebrate the end of school with their friends and have fun.
* Being reminded that they are really nice, often very polite young people, who are just very lost.
* Realising again that the heart of Christ is to rescue, that there is a answer and that we have to do all in our power to communicate that with our words, deeds and example.
I didn't feel very emotional while I was down there, but as I drove home tonight, as I lead woship, as I listened to a great message about what Christ's sacrifice means for us, my heart was breaking for the young people who are looking for something but can't articulate what it is.
May the love they long for be revealed to them and may they recognise it. His name is Jesus Christ.
* Helping with checkins at one of the hotels and being absolutely confronted with seeing parents dropping off their 16 and 17 year old children, and carrying in cartons and cartons of alcohol for them. That was very hard to watch. Do parents not realise what message they are sending their children, and the possibly unintentional pressure they place on them to live 'down to' the schoolies image.
* The incredible favour we have with schoolies, with most hotel managers and with the police - they value what we do
* Visiting one room of schoolies of 5 girls, who had all had a few drinks and hearing one girl say to her friend that she felt all this pressure to be listening to loud music and dancing.... and me realising that these girls didn't really want to get wasted and "party hard" - all they really wanted to do was celebrate the end of school with their friends and have fun.
* Being reminded that they are really nice, often very polite young people, who are just very lost.
* Realising again that the heart of Christ is to rescue, that there is a answer and that we have to do all in our power to communicate that with our words, deeds and example.
I didn't feel very emotional while I was down there, but as I drove home tonight, as I lead woship, as I listened to a great message about what Christ's sacrifice means for us, my heart was breaking for the young people who are looking for something but can't articulate what it is.
May the love they long for be revealed to them and may they recognise it. His name is Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
saddened....
My sister emailed me Friday night with a news report that a prominent preacher had been alleged to have been praying a male escort for s3x and that drug use had been involved.
Saturday I read that he had stepped aside from leadership of his church, pending an investigative process and resigned as head of the NAE.
Today I read that he has been removed permenantly from his church leadership and also see and read that he has admitted to some of the allegations re drug use and receiving a massage from his accuser.
More here....
Whatever the case may be, I am immensely saddened and sobered by this. A man of great influence and prominence - yet none of us are ever beyond temptation.
May God grant comfort and peace to Ted, his wife and family, church members, his accuser and all who have been touched by this tragedy.
May there be repentance where there needs to be, and reconciliation with God and others.
May all of us be reminded that we are equally susceptible to the deception of sin and may we continue to build authentic, trustworthy and accountable friendships.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.........
Saturday I read that he had stepped aside from leadership of his church, pending an investigative process and resigned as head of the NAE.
Today I read that he has been removed permenantly from his church leadership and also see and read that he has admitted to some of the allegations re drug use and receiving a massage from his accuser.
More here....
Whatever the case may be, I am immensely saddened and sobered by this. A man of great influence and prominence - yet none of us are ever beyond temptation.
May God grant comfort and peace to Ted, his wife and family, church members, his accuser and all who have been touched by this tragedy.
May there be repentance where there needs to be, and reconciliation with God and others.
May all of us be reminded that we are equally susceptible to the deception of sin and may we continue to build authentic, trustworthy and accountable friendships.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.........
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I'll let your beard grow out
In journalling yesterday, I read this cool passage where King David had sent some his men to tell a new neighbouring king know they could be friends - just like King David had been with the new king's dad.
However, the new young king decided it was a ploy and so sent David's men back with their beards plucked out and their robes cut off up to their buttocks, and mobilised his armies, and neighbouring armies, to fight Israel.
So, suddenly David was faced with a bit of an international incident and had to get Israel's army happening and ready to defend their nation.
However, in the midst of all this, we read "When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance."
And I really loved the fact that David was not just not a warrior king, but a shepherd to his people. He cared about the areas they were vulnerable in, and gave them the time and space to heal and grow.
That's the type of leader I want to be.
However, the new young king decided it was a ploy and so sent David's men back with their beards plucked out and their robes cut off up to their buttocks, and mobilised his armies, and neighbouring armies, to fight Israel.
So, suddenly David was faced with a bit of an international incident and had to get Israel's army happening and ready to defend their nation.
However, in the midst of all this, we read "When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance."
And I really loved the fact that David was not just not a warrior king, but a shepherd to his people. He cared about the areas they were vulnerable in, and gave them the time and space to heal and grow.
That's the type of leader I want to be.
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