By Dallas Willard
God has yet to bless anyone except where they actually are, and if we faithlessly discard situation after situation, moment after moment, as not being 'right', we will simply have no place to receive His kingdom into our life. For those situations and moments are our life.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Just so you know....
...that email circulating saying that Steve I publically become a Christian a few weeks ago is NOT true...
I guess people just wanted to hear that and so believed it...
I guess people just wanted to hear that and so believed it...
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
For those of you who were at supper with Tim Hein
I just realised something....
Jesus didn't stay on the other side of the lake!
Please ignore this post if you have no idea what I'm talking about!
Jesus didn't stay on the other side of the lake!
Please ignore this post if you have no idea what I'm talking about!
Monday, September 11, 2006
The community in which we live
From today's Courier Mail.... pg 33/34
"Dark Side of Drinking"
Some 10 percent of Australians are drinking at levels that are risky, says Professor David Kavanagh, a clinicl psychologist at the University of Queensland's School of Medicine. But is the the 18-24 year old age group that is at the greatest risk of developing an alcohol related problem, he says.
"Drinking is most common in the late teens and early 20s age group. Because it is a period of heavy drinking, these people are most at risk of going off the rails. Young people often start to drink when they feel depressed and anxious and alcohol makes them feel better. They may also start because of peer pressure."
Kavanagh does not believe that giving young people small amounts of alcohol in family settings teaches them to drink responsibly. Having easy access to alcohol increases the risk of developing problems, he says. Statistics show that of 87.5 per cent of people in the 18-24 age group who have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months, more than two-thirds of men and more than half of women drank amounts that placed them at short-term risk of injury.
"Dark Side of Drinking"
Some 10 percent of Australians are drinking at levels that are risky, says Professor David Kavanagh, a clinicl psychologist at the University of Queensland's School of Medicine. But is the the 18-24 year old age group that is at the greatest risk of developing an alcohol related problem, he says.
"Drinking is most common in the late teens and early 20s age group. Because it is a period of heavy drinking, these people are most at risk of going off the rails. Young people often start to drink when they feel depressed and anxious and alcohol makes them feel better. They may also start because of peer pressure."
Kavanagh does not believe that giving young people small amounts of alcohol in family settings teaches them to drink responsibly. Having easy access to alcohol increases the risk of developing problems, he says. Statistics show that of 87.5 per cent of people in the 18-24 age group who have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months, more than two-thirds of men and more than half of women drank amounts that placed them at short-term risk of injury.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Ritual vs revelation
I have been thinking a bit about something.
Working with songwriters, we often have conversations about not wanting to be cliched in the lyrics we write.
Leading worship for about 15 years, and leading the worship team for 6 years has also given me much occasion to think about keeping it fresh week in and week out.
What's the secret to keeping it fresh?
Are things really as cliched as we sometimes say they are?
It's about revelation. You can say God is Love and it can sound like a cliche beacuse you have heard it before. But if you have a revelation that God is love - it becomes the most meaningful, multi-layered statement in the universe....
Last week I was in a worship service and was singing and realised something was lacking. You could say I was just repeating some empty phrases.
So, because I despise empty religion and always want to worship with integrity, I knew I had to do something. So, I reached into the well of revelation my spirit had received in the last few days and let my mind respond to that. (This all took place in a matter of seconds of course)!
A freshness and meaning suddenly came alive in my worship!
It's always about revelation...
In a sense, we are responsible for the vibrancy of our worship.
We could sing the name of Jesus for hours and it still be fresh if we sing out of revelation.
Working with songwriters, we often have conversations about not wanting to be cliched in the lyrics we write.
Leading worship for about 15 years, and leading the worship team for 6 years has also given me much occasion to think about keeping it fresh week in and week out.
What's the secret to keeping it fresh?
Are things really as cliched as we sometimes say they are?
It's about revelation. You can say God is Love and it can sound like a cliche beacuse you have heard it before. But if you have a revelation that God is love - it becomes the most meaningful, multi-layered statement in the universe....
Last week I was in a worship service and was singing and realised something was lacking. You could say I was just repeating some empty phrases.
So, because I despise empty religion and always want to worship with integrity, I knew I had to do something. So, I reached into the well of revelation my spirit had received in the last few days and let my mind respond to that. (This all took place in a matter of seconds of course)!
A freshness and meaning suddenly came alive in my worship!
It's always about revelation...
In a sense, we are responsible for the vibrancy of our worship.
We could sing the name of Jesus for hours and it still be fresh if we sing out of revelation.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
A great thought (via James)
Worship
We have too long been conditioned to think that the church is to entertain us. That is not the case. Soren Kierkegaard said, " People have the idea that the preacher is the actor on stage and they are the critics, blaming or praising him. What they don't know is that they are the actors on stage; he is merely the prompter standing in the wings, reminding them of their lost lines" And God is the Audience.
It is not unusual to hear someone say; " I don't get anything out of church." MY response is " What did you give God? How was your heart prepared to give?"
If you go to church selfishly to seek a blessing, you have missed the point of worship. We go to give glory not to be blessed. An understanding of that will effect how you critique the church experience. The issue isn't, did I get anything out of it? But, did I from my heart give glory to God? Since blessing comes from God in response to worship, if you aren't blessed, it isn't usually because of poor music or preaching (though this may occasionally prove to be insurmountable obstacles) but because of a selfish heart that does not give God glory.
(The Ultimate Priority On Worship, John Macarthur, JR 1983 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago)
We have too long been conditioned to think that the church is to entertain us. That is not the case. Soren Kierkegaard said, " People have the idea that the preacher is the actor on stage and they are the critics, blaming or praising him. What they don't know is that they are the actors on stage; he is merely the prompter standing in the wings, reminding them of their lost lines" And God is the Audience.
It is not unusual to hear someone say; " I don't get anything out of church." MY response is " What did you give God? How was your heart prepared to give?"
If you go to church selfishly to seek a blessing, you have missed the point of worship. We go to give glory not to be blessed. An understanding of that will effect how you critique the church experience. The issue isn't, did I get anything out of it? But, did I from my heart give glory to God? Since blessing comes from God in response to worship, if you aren't blessed, it isn't usually because of poor music or preaching (though this may occasionally prove to be insurmountable obstacles) but because of a selfish heart that does not give God glory.
(The Ultimate Priority On Worship, John Macarthur, JR 1983 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago)
Monday, September 04, 2006
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dead | NEWS.com.au
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dead | NEWS.com.au
Very sad news.
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.
Very sad news.
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.
Churches must not play God with Caesar | Features | The Australian
This is an interesting article...
I find it a little incorrect though, from my perspectives, that he has said that churches want to play a role in politics. I think it is less that churches want to play a role, and more that Christians want to play a role in plotics/national debate. They have been automatically excluded simply on the basis of their Christian faith for a long time - while other faiths - materialism, secularism, darwinism, athiesm etc are free to engage or set public debate
Churches must not play God with Caesar | Features | The Australian
I find it a little incorrect though, from my perspectives, that he has said that churches want to play a role in politics. I think it is less that churches want to play a role, and more that Christians want to play a role in plotics/national debate. They have been automatically excluded simply on the basis of their Christian faith for a long time - while other faiths - materialism, secularism, darwinism, athiesm etc are free to engage or set public debate
Churches must not play God with Caesar | Features | The Australian
Monday, August 28, 2006
The week that was
Well Fiji was lovely! Relaxing and fun and adventureous!
Some highlights...
Sailing on a tall ship to a lovely island where we snorkelled and ate a fabulous lunch and both Stephen and I had beach side massages!
Going on a long boat for an hour and a half trip up river to see a village of about 200 people AND discovering there was an AOG church in the village (and that the pastors of that church were in Suva at that moment attending the conference Ps Lewis was preaching at!)
Lying on a day bed in the Mercure resort overlooking the pool and reading a great novel
Going to the Sofitel, meeting Josh's uncle, using the facilities and having a DELICIOUS dinner
Discovering all sorts of eating places
Realising every day how very blessed we are in Australia..... thinking much on this...
I may post some pictures soon. I have had a small hiccup today at work with some changes to my computer and half my photos being currently unretrievable.... I am assured they will be fixed tomorrow...
Some highlights...
Sailing on a tall ship to a lovely island where we snorkelled and ate a fabulous lunch and both Stephen and I had beach side massages!
Going on a long boat for an hour and a half trip up river to see a village of about 200 people AND discovering there was an AOG church in the village (and that the pastors of that church were in Suva at that moment attending the conference Ps Lewis was preaching at!)
Lying on a day bed in the Mercure resort overlooking the pool and reading a great novel
Going to the Sofitel, meeting Josh's uncle, using the facilities and having a DELICIOUS dinner
Discovering all sorts of eating places
Realising every day how very blessed we are in Australia..... thinking much on this...
I may post some pictures soon. I have had a small hiccup today at work with some changes to my computer and half my photos being currently unretrievable.... I am assured they will be fixed tomorrow...
Friday, August 18, 2006
And the craziness continues...
Sen Natasha Stott Despoja is concerned about some of the pregnancy counselling services provided in Australia, suggesting they are deceptive and not providing truthful information. In fact, she is so concerned that she wants access to government funding cut for counselling services that give women wrong information.
Do you know what some of these deceptive counselling services say, that Natasha hates so much? That terminating a pregnancy is akin to killing the baby!
**Ruth just shakes her head at the insanity of it**
Do you know what some of these deceptive counselling services say, that Natasha hates so much? That terminating a pregnancy is akin to killing the baby!
**Ruth just shakes her head at the insanity of it**
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Holidays!
Today has been officially (in my head anyway) the first day of my holidays!
While my annual leave started Tuesday, I was busy working on uni assignments Monday - Wednesday so wasn't really in relax mode. However, I finished off the ones due while I am away next week so am now relaxing!
I took our last little puppy out to the airport this morning and said goodbye to her (which made me feel a bit sad) and then to console myself I went to DFO where I picked up a few bargains.... gotta love a bargain. I then proceeded to make good use of our new Foxtel connection for several hours this afternoon... ahhhhh.
LOVED NYU camp last weekend. It was such a great weekend in so many ways. There was a real feeling of unity between the two parts of NYU - encounter and fusion - and it was wonderful to see God move in the lives of people there in very significant and profound ways. Honestly - it's life changing stuff. There is something about getting away for a weekend and spending it building relationships - with each other and with God. Moments of focus are vital in life.
It was also great doing fun stuff with fusioners too - like roller blading and enjoying the spa! (Although I wasn't at the 2am spa trip - which sounded like heaps of fun!) I have only just recovered from roller blading - my legs hurt for days!
I also particularly liked my new experience of being an 18-25's leader, which meant staying at a nice resort instead of dorms! After 10 years on high school youth leadership it was a very different experience - and one I relished.
All in all, a fabulous time and I am already looking forward to next year!
While my annual leave started Tuesday, I was busy working on uni assignments Monday - Wednesday so wasn't really in relax mode. However, I finished off the ones due while I am away next week so am now relaxing!
I took our last little puppy out to the airport this morning and said goodbye to her (which made me feel a bit sad) and then to console myself I went to DFO where I picked up a few bargains.... gotta love a bargain. I then proceeded to make good use of our new Foxtel connection for several hours this afternoon... ahhhhh.
LOVED NYU camp last weekend. It was such a great weekend in so many ways. There was a real feeling of unity between the two parts of NYU - encounter and fusion - and it was wonderful to see God move in the lives of people there in very significant and profound ways. Honestly - it's life changing stuff. There is something about getting away for a weekend and spending it building relationships - with each other and with God. Moments of focus are vital in life.
It was also great doing fun stuff with fusioners too - like roller blading and enjoying the spa! (Although I wasn't at the 2am spa trip - which sounded like heaps of fun!) I have only just recovered from roller blading - my legs hurt for days!
I also particularly liked my new experience of being an 18-25's leader, which meant staying at a nice resort instead of dorms! After 10 years on high school youth leadership it was a very different experience - and one I relished.
All in all, a fabulous time and I am already looking forward to next year!
Monday, July 31, 2006
From today's uni readings!
We have no inner spiritual lfe if we don’t have the outer experience of a beautiful world. The more we destroy the world the less the sense of God is possible.
Thomas Berry, ecologist and theologian.
Thomas Berry, ecologist and theologian.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Journaling here
My journal is in my car and I've had a shower and in my pjs so thought I'd journal here instead....
Scripture: Ps 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
The Big Idea: He is my cup of blessing - blessing is sure when we know God.
Application: Even when we are in times of tension or waiting, we can remind ourselves that He is our cup of blessing. It's so easy to focus on what we don't have or what we are waiting for God to provide, and to stop remembering all the wonderful blessings that we do have. I always have a cup of blessing - something I can drink from, something that I can carry, something to refresh me. The cup is often a metaphor for a person's life - what do I contain, what do I carry within me. We have a cup of blessing!
It's just such a lovely thought - and such a constant one. He never changes. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He is closer than our closest friend. He is always gracious and His unfailing love is always with us. He is faithful and is faithful in blessing. We don't have to twist his arm or convince him, or trick him, or even be good enough. His blessing is certain. We often have to learn to recognise it. We can be so busy looking at what we want/think we need/others have that we want or something like that and we fail to recognise and give thanks for all the wonderful blessings of God He has poured out upon us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit - help me to recognise the blessings that are poured out upon me each day, and to give thanks always...
Scripture: Ps 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
The Big Idea: He is my cup of blessing - blessing is sure when we know God.
Application: Even when we are in times of tension or waiting, we can remind ourselves that He is our cup of blessing. It's so easy to focus on what we don't have or what we are waiting for God to provide, and to stop remembering all the wonderful blessings that we do have. I always have a cup of blessing - something I can drink from, something that I can carry, something to refresh me. The cup is often a metaphor for a person's life - what do I contain, what do I carry within me. We have a cup of blessing!
It's just such a lovely thought - and such a constant one. He never changes. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. He is closer than our closest friend. He is always gracious and His unfailing love is always with us. He is faithful and is faithful in blessing. We don't have to twist his arm or convince him, or trick him, or even be good enough. His blessing is certain. We often have to learn to recognise it. We can be so busy looking at what we want/think we need/others have that we want or something like that and we fail to recognise and give thanks for all the wonderful blessings of God He has poured out upon us.
Prayer: Holy Spirit - help me to recognise the blessings that are poured out upon me each day, and to give thanks always...
Monday, July 24, 2006
wanna trade?
There has been an outbreak of trading occuring at church ever since last night!
Shoes for paperclips..
Caramello koalas for bookmarks for paperclips..
something for a day on Jess's blog..
Who know where this could end!?
Rumour has it, Shannon even ended up with a spoon signed by Casey Rogers - that will be worth a fortune some day.
Shoes for paperclips..
Caramello koalas for bookmarks for paperclips..
something for a day on Jess's blog..
Who know where this could end!?
Rumour has it, Shannon even ended up with a spoon signed by Casey Rogers - that will be worth a fortune some day.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
More on gym stuff...
First up, kudos to the Professor - if that poster idea is not under copyright - you should so release it! You'd make a fortune! (I would buy one!)
On the 'which church service is more aerobically fruitful discussion' from previous comments, I was reading in the Readers Digest the other day about the 50 habits of thin people - things you can add into your life that help burn calories. They said that if you go to belt out some songs at Church on a Sunday you burn over 250 calories! (And I bet that wasn't even a contemporary church service either...!) I lead the last two Sunday nights in a row so that dress is looking more manageable all the time...
btw, I was sore the next day.. and the day after that..
And went back tonight so may be again tomorrow!
On the 'which church service is more aerobically fruitful discussion' from previous comments, I was reading in the Readers Digest the other day about the 50 habits of thin people - things you can add into your life that help burn calories. They said that if you go to belt out some songs at Church on a Sunday you burn over 250 calories! (And I bet that wasn't even a contemporary church service either...!) I lead the last two Sunday nights in a row so that dress is looking more manageable all the time...
btw, I was sore the next day.. and the day after that..
And went back tonight so may be again tomorrow!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Ask me tomorrow
Well today I went back to the gym, motivated by a very nice dress I am wearing to a wedding in two weeks!
I was sure I had only been away for 4 - 6 weeks but got to the gym, looked at my card and realised it had been 9 weeks since being there. I realised how good we are at self-delusion sometimes.
I heard a great quote once - which is still a huge challenge for me...
We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.
btw, I'm expecting to be sore when I wake up - but ask me tomorrow...
I was sure I had only been away for 4 - 6 weeks but got to the gym, looked at my card and realised it had been 9 weeks since being there. I realised how good we are at self-delusion sometimes.
I heard a great quote once - which is still a huge challenge for me...
We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.
btw, I'm expecting to be sore when I wake up - but ask me tomorrow...
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
You just gotta love this!
Scotsman.com Living - How do you turn a paperclip into a house?: "How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
EMMA COWING
EXACTLY one year ago today, at 12:48am, a 25-year-old Canadian called Kyle MacDonald sat down at his computer in Montreal and uploaded a picture of a red paperclip on to his web page. 'This might not surprise you,' he wrote above it, 'but below is a picture of a paperclip. It is red.' MacDonald went on to explain that he wanted to trade the paperclip for something bigger. 'Maybe a pen, a spoon, or perhaps a boot.' He was, he said, 'going to make a continuous chain of 'up trades' until I get a house. Or an island.'
Today, MacDonald will make the ultimate trade up from that original red paperclip when he takes possession of a three-bedroomed, 1,100-square-foot, white clapperboard farmhouse at 503 Main Street, Kipling, Saskatchewan. Over the past 12 months he has bartered away random items, such as a snowglobe and a part in a movie, travelled across North America in search of the perfect trade, and been interviewed worldwide by a fascinated media that included several Japanese TV channels and Good Morning America. It is a story that has reawakened the notion of bartering, proved the brilliance of one simple idea, and once again demonstrated the ferocious power of the internet."
Scotsman.com Living - How do you turn a paperclip into a house?: "How do you turn a paperclip into a house?
EMMA COWING
EXACTLY one year ago today, at 12:48am, a 25-year-old Canadian called Kyle MacDonald sat down at his computer in Montreal and uploaded a picture of a red paperclip on to his web page. 'This might not surprise you,' he wrote above it, 'but below is a picture of a paperclip. It is red.' MacDonald went on to explain that he wanted to trade the paperclip for something bigger. 'Maybe a pen, a spoon, or perhaps a boot.' He was, he said, 'going to make a continuous chain of 'up trades' until I get a house. Or an island.'
Today, MacDonald will make the ultimate trade up from that original red paperclip when he takes possession of a three-bedroomed, 1,100-square-foot, white clapperboard farmhouse at 503 Main Street, Kipling, Saskatchewan. Over the past 12 months he has bartered away random items, such as a snowglobe and a part in a movie, travelled across North America in search of the perfect trade, and been interviewed worldwide by a fascinated media that included several Japanese TV channels and Good Morning America. It is a story that has reawakened the notion of bartering, proved the brilliance of one simple idea, and once again demonstrated the ferocious power of the internet."
Hillsong
Well Hillsong was great. There were so many things I could write about.
Here are just a few recollections!
Leaders must learn to discern the small things from the great things and not focus on the small things.
The significance of a service on Sunday - people get an impression of God and Christianity from our services.
Take the tape measure off! Don't try to measure God.
What's in your hand? Use that.
The importance of the stewardship of affluence and influence. Influence allows us to speak for those who have no voice.
Let the 'because factor' be written across you!
The power of the squeeze - it increases our capacity.
Just walk across the room - learn to obey those small promptings of the Holy Spirit to step out of our comfort zone and just go and talk to someone. You never know what God can do with that!
Now ....... just to put that into practise!
Here are just a few recollections!
Leaders must learn to discern the small things from the great things and not focus on the small things.
The significance of a service on Sunday - people get an impression of God and Christianity from our services.
Take the tape measure off! Don't try to measure God.
What's in your hand? Use that.
The importance of the stewardship of affluence and influence. Influence allows us to speak for those who have no voice.
Let the 'because factor' be written across you!
The power of the squeeze - it increases our capacity.
Just walk across the room - learn to obey those small promptings of the Holy Spirit to step out of our comfort zone and just go and talk to someone. You never know what God can do with that!
Now ....... just to put that into practise!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
What a week or so
What a week! An article I wrote recently generated a bit of interest, with the paper that I write for publishing an opposing article last week and then starting a blog about it! At last look, the post had 216 comments. It certainly had some emotive comments, which were rather innocently or deliberately misleading in content as well. (I checked with my legal sources today).
I have been pondering about how Jesus would respond to all of this and to one person in particular who has taken exception to me in their comments posted and could be contacted if I chose to.
Truth with grace.
I will not back down from truth and applied truth, and yet at the same time, I want to demonstrate grace and love.
You see, the whole 'tolerance' thing is a load of rot. How insulting that you would tolerate someone. As a christian, I am called to live from a higher place. I am called not to tolerate, but to love - unconditionally.
So I am still pondering......
I have been pondering about how Jesus would respond to all of this and to one person in particular who has taken exception to me in their comments posted and could be contacted if I chose to.
Truth with grace.
I will not back down from truth and applied truth, and yet at the same time, I want to demonstrate grace and love.
You see, the whole 'tolerance' thing is a load of rot. How insulting that you would tolerate someone. As a christian, I am called to live from a higher place. I am called not to tolerate, but to love - unconditionally.
So I am still pondering......
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