bellevue tce

PMSA statement on Christian Mission

2007-06-20T14:14:00.000+09:30

The PMSA is seeking to further articulate and enhance its Christian role in the education of young people in Queensland by formulating a statement on its Christian mission in schools. It seeks your input in developing this statement.

If you have had any association with the PMSA, please go to this website and complete a 5 minute survey. (The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association is the organization which runs BBC, Somerville House, Clayfield College and Sunshine Coast Grammar)

http://www.webpoll.org/insightplus/PMSA.htm

I'm interested in what the findings will be!

Modesty Survey Results

2007-02-16T10:59:00.000+09:30

The Rebelution Modesty Survey that I mentioned earlier is done. I'd encourage everybody to have a squiz at the results. For each question, it shows the breakdown of responses from the 1600 or so guys who participated, plus text responses from individuals. I don't know if anything more is going to be done with these results on the blog, but even as they are they're a good resource if you have a specific article of clothing or something that you're wondering about, and just for general thought provoking.

In addition to the survey, the blog also has a petition going for guys to sign, stating the following (I'm hoping re-posting this here is ok):

As a Christian guy with a deep appreciation for feminine modesty, I hereby affirm and commend the following biblical truths to my sisters in Christ:
Please, approach the survey as a resource, not a list of rules.
Always honor your parents above the results of the survey. (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Seek personal feedback on your attire from the godly men and women in your life.
Remember, modesty is first and foremost a matter of the heart, not the wardrobe.
Faithfully pursue the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. (1 Peter 3:4)
Let your good works outshine your outward appearance. (1 Timothy 2:10)
Dress for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/

JesusPets

2007-02-04T16:20:00.000+09:30

Now we can really prepare for Jesus' return.

"Who is going to care for your pets after you are raptured into heaven?

Many Christians believe that animals do not go to heaven. So when Jesus comes back and you return with him to heaven, will there be somebody to take care of your dog or cat?

If you have a non-Christian family member, they might take care of your pet, but if not, have you made any plans? Imagine being taken to streets of gold while your dog starves to death walking around in his own feces trapped in your small house or apartment, subject to fire and earthquakes or even being eaten by heathens searching for any remaining morsel of food. Do you want that to happen?

With the imminent collapse of the global economy and rampant godlessness, even the community shelters will not have the resources to care for your poor, hungry animals. So you need to make preparations.

That’s what JesusPets is for. We are assembling a community of heathen pet-lovers to care for pets that are “left-behind.” We are coordinating with feed mills and kennels in preparation for your post-apocalyptic pet care needs."

They also sell T-shirts and coffee mugs. Spread the word, guys.

Modesty Survey

2007-01-26T10:47:00.000+09:30

The guys over at Rebelution currently have a 'modesty survey' running. Written using a compilation of questions from women, men respond to the survey according to what articles of clothing/habits/etc are troublesome for them & what aren't.

I've had several conversations with girls along the lines of 'sure, we want to be modest, but how are we supposed to know what's ok & what's not, without resorting to a permanent potato sack?' The results of a survey like this should help to shed some more light on this issue.

So guys, head over to the Survey and make your voice heard. Be quick, I don't think it will be open much longer. Girls, there's a survey preview there for you to look at, but I think the most interesting info for us will be the results. I'll keep an eye on it & post again when they're released.

Pray like the Puritans...

2007-01-22T09:23:00.000+09:30

"I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails."

That is an excerpt from the prayer for the New Year that I have posted below. Isn't the imagery superb? A friend suggested I use this as my prayer to start my new working year. I love it so thought we could all be enriched by reading it...

New Year

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence,
in thy service, to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth thy praise,
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love, my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer me,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.

May thy fear by my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

(From The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, p. 112)

There go the Ships

2007-01-17T11:48:00.000+09:30

So, last night at Andrew's Bible Talk Training session, Simon mentioned a sermon outline by CH Spurgeon called "There go the ships", in which that one sentence was the basis for the whole sermon. Courtesy of http://grace-for-today.com (click "authors", "CH Spurgeon", "Psalm 104") we have the talk's outline right here:

HINTS TO THE VILLAGE PREACHER.
Ver. 26. —There go the ships. (See" Spurgeon's Sermons, "No. 1,259.)
1. We see that the ships go.
(a) The ships are intended for going.
(b) The ships in going at last disappear from view.
(c) The ships as they go are going upon business.
(d) The ships sail upon a changeful sea.
2. How go the ships?
(a) They must go according to the wind.
(b) But still the mariner does not go by the wind without exertion on his own part.
(c) They have to be guided and steered by the helm.
(d) He who manages the helm seeks direction from charts and lights.
(e) They go according to their build.
3. Let us signal them.
(a) Who is your owner?
(b) What is your cargo?
(c) Where are you going?

I can see how you could give a really good talk using this outline, though it would probably be more like a topical talk than the expository preaching we're learning about. What do other people think about it?

More on 1 Peter

2007-01-10T07:15:00.000+09:30

After last night's excellent introduction to giving a Bible Talk, I thought I'd open up some of my lyrics for public critique. This is a song I wrote based on 1 Pet 1:1-13, which coincidentally Simon's preaching on this weekend! I wrote this draft about 18 months ago and it hasn't had much work since then.

If anyone wants to hear how it sounds, I'll do a quick-and-dirty recording of it later this week. In the mean time here are the lyrics. After last night's lesson, one question that should probably be asked is: does the song capture the big idea of the passage, or is it just scripture put into song? Feel free to comment on any other aspect of the lyrics too.

Living Hope
We have a living hope,
Through Jesus our Lord.
Stored up in heaven for us,
Our final reward.
Though now there is suffering,
Testing our faith,
We can rejoice
That it will not fade away.

Praise and glory to Jesus Christ our Lord,
Kneel in honour to the risen Son of God.
Praise and glory to Jesus Christ our King,
Give our lives to Him in daily offering.

Though we have not seen Him,
We love him just the same.
We believe in Him,
And our hearts rejoice.
Prophets foretold it,
This grace that is ours:
The suffering of Christ,
For our salvation.

repeat chorus

DSE 2005

Wedding Photos

2007-01-08T12:06:00.000+09:30

Hello all,

I thought these may be of some interest...

Never Alone - Video

2006-11-28T18:06:00.000+09:30

This is from the TWIST '06 dvd. Enjoy.

What is 'Emerging'?

2006-11-13T12:56:00.001+09:30

If you are interested in the emerging movement, then this paper (by Scot McKnight) is worth a look.

take and drink

2006-11-12T16:06:00.000+09:30

for J and L

His cup was filled long ago
the fruit of humanity fallen
fermented
He waited for the venom to rise to the top
and then drank

others have since held His cup
pressed their lips where He pressed His
drinking in the bitterness
shuddering at the taste
(for though the poison is gone
it is not sweet)

and now the cup is passed to you
communion with thousands: raise it to Him
take and drink
for this too is grace

sar 2006

Government to fund school chaplains

2006-10-29T11:14:00.000+09:30

This is huge. We need to be praying about it and thinking what we can do...

wives and husbands - 1 Peter 3

2006-10-28T21:44:00.000+09:30

I listened to this bible talk yesterday 1 Peter 3. It's on wives and husbands and headship etc etc. Worth a listen I think - sensitive, intelligent and doesn't suggest 1950's family norms are what we ought to be aspiring to...

Blogger cannot open this link...

2006-10-28T21:37:00.000+09:30

Possible causes:

* Baptist explanation: There must be sin in your life. Everyone else opened it fine.

* Presbyterian explanation: It's not God's will for you to open this link.

* Word of Faith explanation: You lack the faith to open this link. Your negative words have prevented you from realizing this link's fulfillment.

* Charismatic explanation: Thou art loosed! Be commanded to OPEN!

* Unitarian explanation: All links are equal, so if this link doesn't work for you, feel free to experiment with other links that might bring you joy and fulfillment.

* Buddhist explanation: .........................

* Episcopalian explanation: Are you saying you have something against homosexuals?

* Christian Science explanation: There really is no link.

* Atheist explanation: The only reason you think this link exists is because you needed to invent it.

* Church counselor's explanation: And what did you feel when the link would not open?

Week 4 Prayer Calendar

2006-10-20T12:07:00.000+09:30

Here we are at last with the final week of prayer points from the federal Church and Nation Committee. As JoBloggs quite rightly pointed out on last week's points, this list is by no means comprehensive. There are a lot more social and ethical issues than what can be compressed into a week's worth of prayer points. So here are the seven that the committee has picked - start with these and work through to whatever other issues you think need prayer.

Issues of Social Interaction

Oct 22nd - Pray that we, as Christians, would avoid absorbing the worldly, self-absorbed spirit/philosophy of materialism (aka "affluenza") and instead have a concern to minister to people - no matter what their age, gender, but especially to those marginalised by society (Ex 20:17, Mk 4:7-8, Mic 6:8)

Oct 23rd - Pray that all those involved in wholesome work, paid or unpaid, would be encouraged as they remember that its dignity was given by God (Gen 2:15, Ecc 9:1-7) but its frustrations are a result of sin (Gen 3:17-19, 1 Pet 2:18-20).

Oct 24th - Pray that relationships between employers and employees everywhere would be characterized by mutial respect, exemplary work-standards and cooperation (Col 3:22-4:1). Pray that those genuinely searching for work would be rewarded and grow in their faith (2 Thess 3:6-10).

Oct 25th - Pray for urban-area believers as they confront issues such as homelessness, crime, poverty, the drug culture and loneliness. Pray that they will long for the "city" to come, but seek justice and mercy in the "city" below (Gal 4:31, Heb 11:10-14, Rev 21,22).

Oct 26th - Pray for rural-area believers as they face the on-going effects of drought, limited infrastructure development and support services and feelings of isolation. Pray that they would continue to trust the Lord (Hab 3:17-19) and that all in rural areas would learn to look to Him and not take His blessings for granted (Ps 145).

Oct 27th - Pray for submission to Christ and discernment on priorities; so as to model a Christian lifestyle in the home, a brotherly spirit in the church and to enable Christians to build a good testimony in the community (1 Tim 3:1-7, Jn 13:34-35, Col 4:5-6).

Oct 28th - Pray for the continued reformation of our denomination and a God-glorifying experience of real revival in Christ's church (Ps 85).

New Tune For Our National Anthem

2006-10-16T22:37:00.000+09:30

You must, you must watch this.

Very funny.

Week 3 Prayer Calendar

2006-10-13T06:42:00.000+09:30

Past the half way mark in the Church and Nation Committee's prayer calendar, week 3 turns to ethical issues.

Oct 15th - Pray that the Hippocratic Oath in medicine (first of all, do no harm) would continue to be accepted as the standard amongst health professionals. Pray that the current law banning euthanasia as a crime of murder would continue in force (Deut 30:20, Ex 20:13)

16th - Pray about the destructive impact of certain aspects of mass-media communication on our culture. Pray for families and government in balancing the need for censorship with the entitlement to freedom. Pray for discernment amongst Christians as the access the pervasive new media and internet throughout society. Pray for the church in ministering to those addicted and exploited as a result. (Eph 5:3, Ps 119:37)

17th - Pray for continued success in applying the positive results of adult stem-cell research. Pray that the 'farming' of 'manufactured' human embryos for experimental purposes would end and that human cloning research would continue to be resisted (Ps 139:13-18, also www.makeastand.org.au as I posted a few weeks ago).

18th - Pray that the number of abortions performed in Australia would fall as alternative options are offered in counselling, and as those faced with making such decisons receiver better education and more personal/practical support. Pray that the church would be active in providing this support (Ps 127:1-5).

19th - Pray that the distinctive place of marriage as "the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life" and the two-parent family, with its Chrstian distinctives, would be respected and promoted as the desired norm in our society (Gen 2:24, Deuth 6:4-9, Eph 6:1-4, Col 3:18-21).

20th - Pray for Christian families, including your own, in this time of unprecedented strain on the family unit - both from fractured relationships and the demands of work. Pray for stable Christ-honouring marriages and family roles within the church, so that we may be a witness to the world (Eph 5:21-33, 1 Tim 3:4-5).

21st - Pray that all Christians would take seriously the command of God to honour and observe the Lord's Day (Ex 20:8-11, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:1-2, Rev 1:10. There was an edition of AP looking at this topic last year. I've borrowed it at the moment, but I'll bring it back on Sunday if anyone else wants to read it.)

Looks like there's some good discussion starters here as well (hint, hint!) now that we're moving away from what you might call the theological points, towards more practical points.

Next week the prayer calendar concludes with issues of social interaction (woohoo, more discussion starters!)

Warning! Warning!

2006-10-12T16:09:00.000+09:30

Keep away from our household.

We have chicken pox.

Pas de deux

2006-10-08T21:02:00.000+09:30

by Michael Dransfield

Morning ought not
to be complex.
The sun is a seed
cast at dawn into the long
furrow of history.

To wake
and go
would be so simple

yet

how the first light
makes gold her hair

upon my arm.
How then shall I leave
and where away to go. Day
is so deep already with involvement.

Week 2 Prayer Calendar

2006-10-06T12:17:00.000+09:30

Heading into week 2 of the month of prayer, this week we pray for the nation.

Oct 8th - Pray for everyone in positions of political authority, whether they are Christians or not, whether they are sympathetic to the faith or not. Pray that they will not abuse their offic but govern in justice, righteousness and integrity (1 Pet 2:13-17, Rom 13:5-7, 1 Tim 2:1-4).

9th - Pray that our freedom to proclaim the Gospel would be safeguarded in Australia, especially in the light of moves to adopt so-called "anti-vilification" legislation (Eph 6:18-20, Acts 4:20).

10th - Pray for the federal and state Church & Nation committees as they work closely with their respective moderators, that they would make constructive and faithful representations to government leaders on issues of Christian concern (1 Tim 2:1-4).

11th - Pray for those in state and federal parliament who are known to be Christians, (whether you agree with all their policies or not) that they would "exude an attractive fragrance of Christ" in their speech and conduct (2 Cor 2:14-16, 1 Tim 2:1-2, 1Thess 4:9-12).

12th - Pray that our nation would uphold its Judeo-Christian heritage in the ten commandments at all levels of civic life: political, legal, education, medical, business and community (Ex 20:1-17).

13th - Pray that the church in general and our branch in particular would conduct itself with integrity and faithfulness to the Gospel with respect to other religions represented in Australia (Acts 4:11-12, 2 Tim 2:24-26).
Pray also that our church will effectively serve all peoples of our nation, including cross-cultural and indigenous ministries, with an emphasis on biblical reconciliation (Mt 28:18-20).

14th - Pray for yourself and those around you that you may have a respect for all positions of authority, in church and state, even when some weaknesses and inconsistencies of behaviour are evident in the lives of those holding such offices (Acts 23:5-6, Rom 13:1,4).

Next week, prayer for ethical issues.

Psalm 131

2006-10-04T18:25:00.000+09:30

A Song of Ascents, of David.

1 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;

Nor do I involve myself in great matters,

Or in things too difficult for me.

2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;

Like a weaned child rests against his mother,

My soul is like a weaned child within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD

From this time forth and forever.

I've been thinking about this Psalm lately. I've never really understood it before. Is it implying that it's wrong to fill our minds with 'great matters' or 'difficult' things? Will these things make our hearts proud and our eyes haughty?

But I think I'm starting to get it. Imagine a tired toddler resting against his mother at the end of the day. As she sings him a lullaby, his mind is not occupied with world economics or quantum physics. He feels the warmth of her arms around him and her rhythmic pat on his back. He hears the soft lullaby and his mind is at rest. Mum is here and that's all that matters. He trusts her to keep him safe in the night and provide breakfast tomorrow morning. His heart is not proud and his eyes are not haughty.

Dear God,

As a child rests against his mother

May I rest against you.

Still my restless heart,

Quiet my anxious soul,

Remove pride from my eyes and

Teach me to trust

in your son Jesus.

Amen

Human Cloning

2006-10-04T06:50:00.000+09:30

Federal Parliament will have a conscience vote later this month on the topic of human cloning, even though they unanimously rejected it only 4 years ago.

There's a groundswell under way at www.makeastand.org.au to help educate people about cloning and also to let people sign an e-petition and email their MPs and senators about it.

Why not go and make a stand now?

The things you find on the internet...

2006-09-30T13:29:00.000+09:30

Very cool site, Simone.

Now if only I could pop this in my cassette player & find out what's on it, the current dilemmas would be solved...

You should have told us!

2006-09-30T08:04:00.000+09:30

Week 1 Prayer Calendar

2006-09-29T12:29:00.000+09:30

As promised, it's Friday and there's some prayer points. Some are a bit awkwardly worded so I'll try to tidy it up where I can.

This week the theme is "Prayer for the church".

Oct 1st - Thank God for the Good News of the Gospel. Pray for our denomination in particular and the church in general, that it would highly prize, passionately proclaim and faithfully live this message. (Rom 1:16, Jude 3)

2nd - Pray for the teachers of those preparing for various kinds of Christian service, including parish ministry and missionary service. Pray that they would faithfully equip their students so they commend the gospel by word and deed. (Eph 5:1-2, 2 Tim 2:2)

3rd - Pray for yourself and those aroudn you, that the Lord would greatly impress upon you the privilege of hearing the true Gospel and the need to obediently respond to its claims upon your life (Tit 2:11-14, Eph 2:1-10, Jas 1:22-27)

4th - Confess the apathy, selfishness and division that exists within the church in general and our denomination in particular. Pray that the Lord would revive us by His grace. (1 Pet 4:12-19, Dan 9, Neh 9, Ps 85)

5th - Pray that our denomination, though small, would nevertheless stand out among the branches of Christ's church in Australia with a biblically faithful, consistent and integrity-laced testimony for the Gospel. (Mat 5:13-16, Phil 2:12-16)

6th - Pray that a financially generous and socially outward-looking attitude would feature in our denomination's life so that funding for ministries and welcoming of newcomers would be a prominent characteristic of its profile (2 Cor 9:6-8, Phil 2:3-4, Jas 2:1-7)

7th - Pray for the leaders of our church: the Moderator-General, State and Presbytery Moderators and elders, who bear the privilege and responsibility of leading God's people. (Jas 3:1-2, 2 Tim 2:24-26).

That's it for this week. Next week, prayer for the nation.

A verse of love

2006-09-28T18:57:00.000+09:30

One of the great things about the poetry course I'm doing is that I'm learning new poetic forms. If you'd like to write a bad poem very quickley, a form can be a great help.

Take for instance, the triolet. It contains only 5 different lines and can be written in a few minutes. Furthermore, it seems to ask for overly shlucky sentimental nonsense.

I wrote this one a few minutes ago. I tried to convince Andrew that it's about my feelings for him, but he wouldn't buy it.

To write a verse of love

To write a verse of love for you
I'd press the stars onto my page
And milk the moon to catch the hue
To write a verse of love for you.
For words alone can't say what's true
I am yours from age to age.
To write a verse of love for you
I'd press the stars onto my page.

SAR 2006

Like it? Do you think you can do even better? Give it a go - it's fun!

Prayer and fasting

2006-09-27T11:54:00.000+09:30

Prayer and fasting are definitely biblical concepts - Jesus said "when you give", "when you fast", "when you pray" - but they don't seem to get a lot of exercise; how often do you hear of people fasting so they can spend time in prayer?

The PCA "Church and Nation" committee is calling for October 1-29 (29th being Reformation Sunday) to be a period of prayer and fasting for the whole church. The idea being that we fast for one meal a week, or put aside some time that we would otherwise spend playing sport/watching TV/etc, and spend that time in prayer.

The point of it all is to repent of our sins (individual, as a denomination, and as a nation) and ask God to bring spiritual revival to Australia. The committee has made a leaflet and prayer calendar which is supposed to be on their website (www.canfederal.presbyterian.org.au) but seems to be missing at the moment. In short, week 1 is spent praying for the church, week 2 for the nation, week 3 for ethical issues and week 4 for what they call "issues of social interaction" - being salt and light.

I think it's worth doing, yet even as I write this I also battle with the thought "it's too much effort". Which is exactly why we need to do it IMHO.

Who's with me? Are you going to join in prayer and fasting for revival?

Eight reasons why I don't share my faith

2006-09-20T18:32:00.000+09:30

Check out this video from the Rebelution blog. It shows up our 'reasons' for what they are, not reasons, but excuses. And pathetic excuses at that.

Faster than a speeding car

2006-09-18T06:51:00.000+09:30

I've mentioned this in recent conversations with people, but I figured I may as well blog it too...

We've all received those friendly 'warning flashes' from other drivers, who think they're doing a community service by letting us know there's a speed camera/radar trap ahead.

But why is it that, even though we're Christians and should therefore be driving at the speed limit, we (or maybe just I) immediately pause and check our speed, even slowing a few k's just to be sure?

I don't know what bugs me more about it - the other drivers who were going at the posted speed but then slow down by 5 k's, or the fact that I do virtually the same thing.

I guess it all comes back to the sinful nature, doesn't it?

So I guess I've answered my own blog... oh well, other comments still welcome!

Anyone for Ice Cream?

2006-09-13T15:58:00.000+09:30

Pretty sad article here about an anglican priest who is also a practicing Hindu! His explanation of his position as both an Anglican and a Hindu is:

He said: "Asking me to express my preference for any particular faith is like asking me to choose between an ice-cream and a chocolate. Both have their own distinct taste."

What do you all think about his analogy?

Pet Peeve #5 : "Myself"

2006-09-13T08:04:00.000+09:30

"Please don't hesitate to contact Louise or myself* if you have any questions or concerns."

"If you'd like to help, you should come and speak to myself*."

AAAHHHHH! I hate this! Why do people use the word "myself" when they mean "me" or "I". Do they think "me" and "I" are too common for formal use? They are beautiful words! "Myself" is an awkward mouthful when used inappropriately. For the sake of our wonderful language please think about this and repent if you need to.

* Just in case you don't know... Example one should be "Louise or I" and example 2 should be "speak to me."

Bono Fatigue : It could happen to U2

2006-09-10T14:56:00.000+09:30

Site host Andrew Billings is doing a good work here helping U2 fans suffering from Bono Fatigue. BF occurs as a result of an over-consumption of U2 music, Bono interviews, Africa-related relief ideas etc. It can manifest in many ways: mistaking Bono for Elijah (or God), feeling self righteous at the mention of Africa, inserting song titles randomly into conversations, and more. (If you don't have it, you'll know it when you get it.)

www.bonofatigue.com helps people walk through the stages of BF, offering encouragment, healing and hope for a future where moderate U2 consumption will be a possibility.

Poem

2006-09-05T20:11:00.000+09:30

Thanks for your comments. I only post poems for a few days, just in case I ever want to do anything with them. You can email me if you want another look.

I have a question.

2006-08-28T14:50:00.000+09:30

I hear this statement daily. When I do, my knees start to wobble and occasionally I break out in a cold sweat! "What now?!" I think to myself. "What could you possibly want to ask that you haven't already?!"

So, I thought I'd throw some of these questions to the blog to see if you can give any more satisfactory responses than I seem to mumble!

Feel free to add illustrations that may be new, creative and different.

And now, for today's question:
If jealousy is a sin, why does the Bible describe God as a jealous god?

(also along those lines is statements such as 'Jesus sinned because he got angry in the temple.')

Responses?

FYI: We were talking about the Messiah in a class today and one student excitedly exclaimed, "Oh! That's like the big one on the Lion King!" to which I replied, "No, hon. That's MUFASAH. Slightly different." During that same lesson we were watching a clip from the Jesus video and another student asked, "Is that really Jesus acting in this?" ... ahh!

first class sunday school

2006-08-26T12:32:00.000+09:30

I can't not post this. Read and scratch your head.

But it's okay for us. We only have first class!

Party Party

2006-08-26T08:50:00.000+09:30

Perhaps this is the sort of dramatic production Pete should engage in.

If you can watch it all the way to the end you're doing better than me.

should a christian engage in 'secular' art?

2006-08-24T17:47:00.000+09:30

Dear Friends,

I'd love your ideas and advice on something I'm thinking about at the moment.

This semester I'm doing a poetry writing course at UQ. I'm loving it. Seriously loving it*. I feel like I've found my home. I sit in class thinking "How cool is this? This is what I've always wanted to be doing!"

I've done a bit of writing in the last couple of years, but until last month everything I wrote was explicitly Christian. But now I'm enjoying the freedom of writing on anything I like. Anything. Herein lies the problem. I throw myself into whatever I'm writing about. I do my best to imagine every angle of it, explore every emotion. I need to if I'm to come up with convincing and fresh words. This is fine (even edifying) if I'm writing on a particular doctrinal point, but what if my poem is about, well... the darker side of life? The world and the human experience outside of the garden?

Can christians do this without becoming overly enmeshed in the world?

I hate the thought that christians should only produce 'christian' art, but I feel the danger for myself in moving too much into the secular world.

What do you think? Has anyone had similar experiences?

* I'm the mature-aged student in the class that everyone hates. Not only do I do all the prescribed readings, I often go looking for more...

Treasure of Jesus

2006-08-21T15:28:00.000+09:30

After bagging out Dave so much for his Muscial Musings, I realise that I'm putting myself on the line a little bit here! However, one of my students played me this song today and I thought I'd share the lyrics with others who haven't had the privilige of hearing it. Apparently it's off the new Steven Curtis Chapmin album, All Things New. The music to these simple lyrics is really beautiful and quite stirring (think 'You Raise Me Up' - not the Westlife version).

I made the comment a little while ago that we could try showing the world a little more of the the majesty of God's grace in order to make him 'more attractive' to people. We can't make him any better than he already is but I think we can reflect Jesus to the world in varying measures and in doing so, make the concept of a relationship with God more or less attractive to those considering Jesus.

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

Treasure of Jesus

What can I do
How can I live
To show my world
The treasure of Jesus

What will it take
What could I give
So they can know
The treasure He is

And if I can sing
Let my song
Be full of His glory
If I can speak
Let my words be full of His grace
And if I should live or die
Let me be found
Pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The treasure of Jesus

There are easier ways to make money.

2006-08-17T18:54:00.000+09:30

Very exciting. I just got my first CCLI cheque.

Ready for it?

$13.56

Wow!

[And it cost me $70 to register as a song owner!]

iGod: Repentance Made Easy

2006-08-14T21:23:00.000+09:30

Having trouble repenting? Try iGod*.

Me: Hi.
God: Hello. What is your name?
Me: Simone
God: That's a very nice name, Simone.
Me: I have sinned.
God: Tell me your sins, child.
Me: murder, vice, adultery, greed...
God: Are you a student?
Me: um... yes.
God: Really. How about that.
Me: So am I forgiven?
God: Aha. I think you've improved a great deal.
Me: improved, maybe. But forgiven?
God: Are we still talking about forgiven? Are you really a ""?
Me: yes
God: Awesome.
Me: okay then, bye.
God: See you later. OK with me too.

*note: iGod is meant to be used for fun. A sense of humour is recommended.

Never Alone 3 - Recorded Version

2006-08-14T12:56:00.000+09:30

Thanks for everyone's input. This got recorded the other day. It should be available in a couple of months from emu music.

Never Alone

We're not alone, for Christ is here
Immanuel our God come near
We're not alone, for to our world
Jesus has come, eternal word.
And as he speaks, our souls laid bare
Naked, ashamed, sin is made clear
And yet he clothes us in his love
Never alone, Christ is with us.

The longest walk, earth's darkest day
The pressing crowd, his mounting pain
A heavy load of grief and shame
Breathless that we should breathe again.
"Father forgive them," comes his cry
Silence from God blackens the sky.
A creeping dread in every heart
Lost in the world now God departs.

The dawn will come, the sun will rise
Out of the grave we'll see hope¹s light.
Tomb opened wide, stone rolled away
Morning has come, a brand new day.
"He isn't here," the angel said.
"He is alive no longer dead."
Our hearts are lifted, souls raised high
Christ is with us, Christ is our life.

Never alone is now our cry
In joy, in grief, in lonely sin.
Never alone for Christ is ours
He lives in us, we live in him.
And till we reach that final day
When fears are gone, cast far away
We'll live secure, trust in his love,
Never alone, Christ is with us.

SAR 2006

Melodic Musings #1

2006-08-11T15:48:00.000+09:30

Nickelback's latest song "Savin' Me" has been getting a lot of radio time recently - on 96five anyway, and I assume on other stations too. I reckon it's pretty good musically, if you like this sort of thing, which I do. But what really fascinates me about this song is the lyrics (in full below).

As far as I know, the guys in Nickelback don't have any interest in Christianity. But it seems as though they recognise that they're in need of salvation. From something powerful, by someone other than themselves. If I was a friend or family of one of them, it would look like a golden opportunity to share the gospel of Christ's eternal salvation.

My mind spins a bit during the chorus too - he know's something is wrong, he wants to change and be better, or at least different, but the last line is almost desparing in the question: is he even worth saving?

What does everyone else think? How do we help other people recognise their need for salvation? (That's pre-evangelism iirc). Can we honestly and truly pray for people in the public eye like this to be saved? Should there be more Melodic Musings, or should I quit before I get further behind? :)

Savin' Me by Nickelback
Prison gates won't open up for me
On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'
Oh, I reach for you
Well I'm terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can't hold my soul in
All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me

Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh I scream for you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me
Hurry I'm fallin'

And all I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me
Hurry I'm fallin'

Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me

Pet Peeve #4: Theologians in the Wild

2006-08-08T12:18:00.000+09:30

I know that most Bellevue Tce readers won't care about this, but I'm going to write it anyway...

In our (beloved) denomination, when a minister doesn't 'have' a church, he is considered a 'Minister at Large.' Many such men are tireless in their love and care for God's church and are wonderful to have around. One can imagine, however, a 'minister at large' who is truly 'at large'. Having no paddock of his own to roam in, he runs from field to field, knocking over fences and generally making a nuisance of himself.

Inspired by the term 'minister at large', I've coined another: Theologians in the Wild. The right and most natural home for theologians is the church. Their concerns should ultimately be the building up of believers and they should be involved in some kind of pastoral ministry (not necessarily full time). A 'theologian in the wild' is a theologian who has left his/her natural habitat and gone ferral - often in the academy.

And this peeves me. Because we need our cleverest theologians with us - looking at the bible with us, giving us insights into tricky systematics, helping us fight heresy and resist laziness and simplism in our own bible reading. And they need us - to remind them that not everyone has a 170+ IQ and that there's a big world out there waiting to hear the gospel. But where are they?

I'm still waiting for "Barth for Beginners" to be written. Or perhaps "Bonhoeffer for Babies". Or "Torrance for Toddlers." Any takers?

[end of rant]

Pray For Rain

2006-08-07T07:04:00.000+09:30

No, I'm not talking about the great but short-lived 90s band PFR, but about something Rob H mentioned on Sunday morning.

Apparently Premier Pete has asked the churches to pray for rain to break the drought. I've got no problem with that - I've been doing it for ages already, as have a lot of other people. But I wonder, is PP just doing it to cover all his bases (will he get the nearest Hindu priest to offer sacrifices for rain as well?), or is he so desperate that he's clutching at whatever he can, or does he genuinely believe that God can break the drought?

I guess only he can answer those questions, but I'm also pondering how people will react. If God chooses to break the drought now, will people acknowledge that and worship Him in thanks, or will they just go on with their merry lives? And if God doesn't choose to break the drought now, how long will it take for people to start along the track we saw in Ezekiel last night "God isn't there, He's not listening"?

I don't know if there are answers to any of these questions, but I've asked them anyway...

Now I'm off to keep praying for rain... and looking for a new umbrella.

bellevue tce

Why Mommy is a Democrat

2006-08-05T16:18:00.000+09:30

Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

What a great idea*! Anyone got ideas for an Australian version?

* sarcasm alert!

now this is spooky!

2006-08-02T20:53:00.000+09:30

Attention parents. Need a hand getting your baby to sleep? Then you need Zaky.

Zaky is an ergonomic pillow that simulates the weight, touch and feel of the hands of a caring parent. If you’ve ever wished for a “hand” to leave behind so that your baby would feel as if you’ve never left the room, your prayers have been answered. For only $35 you can have a good night's sleep. Can you resist that?

Alas, I don't think my worst sleeper would have fallen for it.

Governments?

2006-08-02T16:12:00.000+09:30

A lot of people in my circle of friends, seem to think George Bush is a bit of a silly-bugger (can I use that word on the Blog?). Now, I have difficulty defending him at the best of times but I was confronted by a friend of a different persuasion the other day who said something along these lines:
"Be careful not to judge the leaders in Government. Don't forget they have been placed there by God."

Since I regularly paricipate in Bush-bashing (and Howard-bashing), I have been thinking about her comments. However, I have difficulty with that concept, especially when I don't see the 'leaders' leading in a very compassionate or 'Godly' (not to mention intelligent?) manner. However, I am aware the idea is in the Bible. Any thoughts?

BTW: A friend at work seems to think this idea (of leaders being appointed by God) is of the Middle Ages and if we believe it then we should go and live back then...

bellevue tce

2006-08-01T11:49:00.000+09:30

Hi all,

Danny Allen forwarded this to me, and probably to some of you as well. For those of you who haven't read it yet:

The Democrats have set up a survey on their website in an effort togather support for their campaign to have Church and State completely separated. Take five minutes to tell them what you think about issues such as religious education, school chaplaincy, and prescribed abortion -- if enough of us complete the survey they might end up with some results that they'd rather not publish!

http://www.democrats.org.au/survey2/survey/GodGovt_v2/

Dave

Books

2006-07-31T06:32:00.000+09:30

JoBloggs asked me to do this. I'm very pleased to reply. I'd love to hear your answers too.

1. One book that changed your life.
John Chapman, A Fresh Start (I was converted through this book)

2. One book you've read more than once
I figure, if it's not worth reading 20 times it's not worth reading at all. So I tend not to read too many books, just the same ones over and over again. Recently I've been re-reading:
Charlotte Bronte - Shirley
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Prison Poems

3. One book you'd want on a desert island
Like Jo, Psalms.

4. One book that made you laugh
I've just finished reading Harry Potter to the kids (the first one). Our favourite line is from Peeves the ghost- "Ickle firsties, out of their beds at night. Naughty, naughty, you'll get caughty!" We laugh alot.

5. One book that made you cry
Is there any question? L.M Montgomery, Rilla of Ingelside.

6. One book you wish had been written
Emily Bronte, Anything Else.

7. One book you wish had never been written
The Poky Little Puppy

8. One book you're currently reading
Peter Brain, Going the Distance.
The Best Australian Poetry 2005

9. One book you've been meaning to read
The Best Australian Poetry 2004. (I need to have read it by 5pm today. Haven't bought it yet. Oops.)

10. If you are a blogger, why not post your responses on your blog. Otherwise, comment here.

Pet Peeve #3 : Emoticons

2006-07-19T20:03:00.000+09:30

Don't know how to express your feelings to that special someone? Are you emotionally repressed and want to create the illusion that you're not? Then insert some emoticons. :-D

For the uninitiated :

"Smileys (also known as "emoticons" for the more tech loving people) are used in e-mail, chatting, and posted messages, and are a short sequence of keyboard letters and symbols, usually emulating a facial expression, expressing a feeling that supplements the message. Most of these emoticons use several symbols to create a small face with an expression such as a smile, wink, or turned-down mouth. To read these you can either tilt your head or turn the monitor on its side."

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! [sorry, :-(( ]

Can all human emotions be reduced to 15 different symbols? Can all of our feelings be expressed in a few quick key strokes?

Smiley says 'YES!'

Join me in saying "NO!"

Death to smiley and co. :-)

A Message to the USA

2006-07-15T12:05:00.000+09:30

"In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately."

Here is an open letter to the citizens of the USA. You'll love it.

Never Alone 2

2006-07-14T23:35:00.000+09:30

Since posting this a month ago, its had a rewrite and been given a pretty tune. If all goes well it will be recorded in August. Last chance for comments - and I'd really appreciate them. People (ie. you) might actually have to sing this one day...

Do you understand what I'm talking about?
Are there any bits that don't make sense?
Do any words 'jar' or seem clumsy?
Do any bits seem trite or too rhymey?
Would you feel okay about singing this (and not jusy okay - good!)

Thanks heaps.

Never Alone

We’re not alone, for Christ is here
Immanuel our God come near
We’re not alone, for to our world
Jesus has come, eternal word.
And as he speaks, our souls laid bare
Naked, ashamed, sin is made clear
And yet he clothes us in his love
Never alone, Christ is with us.

The longest walk, earth’s darkest day
Noise from the crowd and mounting pain
His heavy load of grief and shame
Breathless that we should breathe again.
“Lord, it is finished,” comes his cry
Blackness descends filling the sky.
A creeping dread in every heart
Lost in the world now God departs.

The dawn will come, the sun will rise
Out of the grave we’ll see hope’s light.
Tomb opened wide, stone rolled away
Morning has come, a brand new day.
“He isn’t here,” the angel said.
“He is alive no longer dead.”
Our hearts are lifted, souls raised high
Christ is with us, Christ is our life.

Never alone is now our cry
In joy, in grief, in lonely sin.
Never alone for Christ is ours
He lives in us, we live in him.
And up until that final day
With all our fears cast far away
We live secure, trust in his love,
Never alone, Christ is with us.

SAR 2006

Scot McKnight on Zealotry

2006-07-07T20:29:00.000+09:30

This essay is really worth a read.

McKnight outlines a problem that many evangelicals have with zealotry. To sum it up "Zealotry is conscious zeal to be radically committed, so radically committed that one goes beyond the Bible to defend things that are not in the Bible." McKnight argues that this is similar to the old rabbonic tactic of making a fence around the Torah "..the Torah says not to work on the Sabbath. So, let’s specify every kind of “work”, they say. So they come up with 40 or so kinds of labors that are “work.” These various kinds of works are the “fence” and the Sabbath command is the Torah. If one does not do such “work” a person does not violate the Sabbath working law."

Evangelical zealots can do similar fence building. He gives the example of drinking - the bible says we're not to get drunk. An evangelical fence can be "don't ever drink and you won't get drunk." Drinking in moderation soon becomes not good enough. We must not drink at all.

The problem with such zealotry is that it creates a feeling of "immunity" in the zealot - that they are immune from criticism because unlike others they are going above and beyond what God requires. Ultimately, McKnight argues, it demonstrates a fear of freedom and a lack of belief in the sufficiency of scripture.

I really recommend that you read this article (and parts two and three). Are you a zealot? In what areas of faith and life are you tempted to be? How can we be radically committed to obeying God without imposing more rules on ourselves and others than God does?

Hot Girls

2006-07-03T06:52:00.000+09:30

Lots of talk lately about what makes girls attractive.

Check this out. It's worth it.

[nb. Really guys. It's okay. Your godliness will not be compromised!]

Cow Abductions

2006-07-01T09:19:00.000+09:30

By aliens.

Seriously.

check this out :-)

Is God rocking your world?

2006-06-26T10:45:00.000+09:30

I really like this idea, that while God might be violently shaking our foundations and pushing us out of our comfort zones, he's also rocking us safely in his arms. Nice :)

what I really think of you...

2006-06-25T19:18:00.000+09:30

What You Really Think Of Your Friends

Petrina is your soulmate.

You truly love Andrew.

You consider Karen your true friend.

You know that Brenda is always thinking of you.

You'll remember Megan for the rest of your life.

You secretly think Cath is creative, charming, and a bit too dramatic at times.

You secretly think that Fletch is colorful, impulsive, and a total risk taker.

You secretly think that Chris is loyal and trustworthy to you. And that Chris changes lovers faster than underwear.

You secretly think Dave is shy and nonconfrontational. And that Dave has a hidden internet romance.

What Do You Think of Your Friends?

TWIST music ministry conference

2006-06-24T13:17:00.000+09:30

This is a great conference. I think you should all come.
(I just booked my flights - $49!)

Modesty

2006-06-20T17:33:00.000+09:30

One of the blogs I regularly read had a series of articles on modesty a while ago, and they really challenged me about my attitudes to clothes and why I wear what I wear.

Generally, I think we're ok at this. I don't remember anybody appearing at church in a strapless, backless, sideless, midriff-exposing, scoop-neck top with matching 2 inch miniskirt (maybe I was away that week). But even if we think we dress modestly, perhaps we could do with asking ourselves a few questions.

Are we looking to serve the guys in our church, and outside it, by not exposing them to temptation?
Do we know what impact, if any, the clothes we wear have on the men around us?
Is our primary purpose to make ourselves look pretty & feel good, and is that ok?

I have some ideas on all this, but the folks over at girl talk are better at explaining stuff than I am, so I'd encourage you take a look at their articles, and then once this blog is finished crashing due to the flood of responses (hint, hint), I'll join the discussion.

And guys, before you get a whiff of female hormones, glaze over & run in the other direction, we want to hear your opinions on the topic too!

I'm a student again!

2006-06-20T08:12:00.000+09:30

Yesterday I got two things in the mail : a thin envelope from QTAC* and a big package from UQ. I feel like I'm 17 again!

I've been offered a place in the Bachelor of Arts course at the University of Queensland. Very exciting. And my excitment is only very slightly diminshed by the fact that I already have a BA from UQ. What could be better than a second BA?

I'm amused by the small changes that have happened in enrolment procedures in the last 13.5 years. The course code is still the same : 707001. The hecs/help guide looks similar. Still the usual demands to get the enrolment paperwork in on time (a challenge for me). The handbook which used to cost $13 is now on a free cd. Still running the same seminars on planning your BA which I didn't go to in 1993 and won't go to now.

The main difference is in the subject offerings. I can no longer take several courses in medieval literature or do a whole subject on one particular writer. Cost cutting. There are more generalist subjects on offer - overview type stuff. Boring.

But there is one type of subject that was not in the UQ BA of a decade ago. The type of subject that attracts students by pandering to their egos. Undergraduate creative writing. Traditionally in the BA, a student would learn to read. And then they would be encouraged (forced) to read some more. And then they would learn to write about what they have read in an intelligent, thoughtful kind of a way. Should undergrads be allowed to do creative writing? Or more to the point, should an academic be forced to read their attempts?

Anyway, this semester I will be enrolling in WRIT2100 - a poetry writing subject (with a little bit of analysis thrown in to make it more bearable for the lecturer.) I feel I have now lost any credibility I might have had in fighting for a traditional arts course.

* Qld Tertiary Admissions Centre

Dating as Christians

2006-06-17T15:39:00.000+09:30

Been thinking on this of late, and would like people's thoughts.

Is it ok to date as a get-to-know-you exercise, or are people only comfortable dating after they know each other pretty well?

Recently I've opened up to the idea of blind-dating i.e. dating someone you've never met but is recommended by a friend, or someone you've recently met. You know, go for coffee a few times and see how well you get on?

I don't have a problem with this, but I also don't have a lot of experience with it either. Maybe folks could enlighten me on how well it does or doesn't work...?

I love my ENJO mop

2006-06-17T12:28:00.000+09:30

Ode to my Enjo Mop

The clothes are dirty
The beds unmade
The cupboards overflow
I’ve paper piled up everywhere
And ouch! I’ve kicked my toe!

The shower’s mouldy
The rubbish stinks
And toilet - what a sight!
But my floor is shiny, squeaky clean
So everything’s alright.

My mind’s a jumble
So much to do
And oh so little time
Chaos, madness everywhere
Telemarketer on the line.

My life’s a mess
My work’s undone
My kids – out of their trees
But my floor is washed and sparkling clean
So I’m happy as can be.

SAR 2006

Live like you have a father in heaven...

2006-06-16T10:40:00.000+09:30

In the last week and a bit I've looked ar Philippians 4:6-7 quite a lot (2 bs groups, 1 'devotion', a 1-1, church, by myself). It's a great passage. And I've formulated a new policy to live by. Here it is:

"Live like you have a Father in heaven who loves and cares for you."

To be worried and anxious is to live as a pagan - denying that we have a competent and caring God looking after us.

But I'm just back from a meeting with N's year 1 teacher. He's having a few problems. Feeling my stomach twist into a knot. Please pray that I'll pray and live by my new policy.

Hillsong Parody

2006-06-10T14:54:00.000+09:30

This is funny and disturbing. Check it out.

Never Alone

2006-06-10T09:13:00.000+09:30

Things have been a little quiet on the blog recently. Sorry.

Here is something I've been working on. What do you think? Would you ever want to sing it in church?

I think it's got a few dodge lines. Any suggestions for improvements?

Never Alone

We’re not alone, for Christ is here
Immanuel our God come near
We’re not alone, for to our world
Jesus has come, eternal word.
And as he speaks, our souls laid bare
Naked, ashamed, our sin is clear
Yet mercy clothes us in his love
Never alone, Christ is with us.

The longest walk, earth’s darkest day
Noise from the crowd and mounting pain
His heavy load of grief and shame
Breathless that we should breathe again.
“Lord, it is finished,” comes his cry
Then silence fills the blackened sky.
A creeping dread in every heart
Lost in the world now God departs.

The dawn will come, the sun will rise
Out of the grave we’ll see hope’s light.
Tomb opened wide, stone rolled away
Morning has come, a brand new day.
“He isn’t here,” the angel said.
“He is alive no longer dead.”
Now Jesus lives we’re not alone
Christ is with us, Christ is our own.

Never alone is now our cry
In joy, in grief, in lonely sin.
Never alone for Christ is ours
He lives in us, we live in him.
And up until that final day
When all our fears are cast away
We live secure, trust in his love,
Never alone, Christ is with us.

SAR 2006

Looking for a new church (I hope not...)

2006-06-05T11:59:00.000+09:30

America is a different world. Watch this.

What's your theological worldview?

2006-05-23T06:57:00.000+09:30

Courtesy of the 1 (and only) Jon Ray, and the often-imitated, never-duplicated Smiley, try this quick survey on theological worldview

I'm not sure what the background assumptions are for some of the questions, it does make a bit of a difference in how you answer...

For anyone who's interested, it's no surprise at all that I scored 89% reformed/evangelical, 79% evangelical holiness/wesleyan, and only 4% modern liberal!

30 dropframe

2006-05-19T12:14:00.000+09:30

Now this is something very cool. This guy called Micheal Lee (from Addison Road) is currently making a cd and is blogging "every note of every song from start to finish... from demos to masters." Check it out here.

Maranatha

2006-05-19T06:39:00.000+09:30

O God, my God I seek you
In this weary land
My soul and body longs to find
Refreshment at your hand

This fallen world surrounds me
About me and within
Contentment seems so far away
When will new life begin?

Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, take us home

The bride is dressed and ready
Spotless, stainless, healed
The church in all her beauty stands
Her glory now revealed

The patient saints have gathered
Round the throne to sing
Loud hallelujahs evermore
Praise to the King of Kings

Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, come
Maranatha
Come Lord Jesus, take us home

There's trouble all around me
In everything I do
O Lord please still my restless heart
I will wait
I will wait
For you.

SAR

save the post office

2006-05-16T06:49:00.000+09:30

If you've got broadband and a few minutes to waste, watch this.

BLAST NI

2006-05-15T14:06:00.000+09:30

Does anyone else see the irony in a section for kids on the bbc goverment website called "BLAST NI"? (The NI stands for Northern Ireland, just in case you were wondering.) hmmm...

please don't judge me and please don't laugh

2006-05-09T12:58:00.000+09:30

Dear friends,

Please don't judge me and please don't laugh. I have a problem. I've had it for as long as I can remember, but it's only just been diagnosed. It's debilitating, expensive and embarrassing.

I am a formophobe (form - o - phobe). Give me forms to fill in, paperwork to do, and I go to pieces. My heart starts racing, my palms go sweaty, in extreme cases I may hyperventilate. For most people, forms are a nuisance. For me, they're a nightmare. I mostly get through life by pretending that they don't exist. A thick package arrives from centrelink - I know what's inside it -- so I put it aside without even opening it up. Many of my friends are eager to fill in their tax returns so that they can get their $500 baby bonuses. Tax time holds few emotions for me because I don't earn enough to be required by law to fill in a return. Occasionally I feel a little sad that I won't get my $500. But it's the price of my fears.

I'm lucky because I have supportive family and friends to help me when things get too tough. But not all formophobes are as lucky as me. I've heard some of you say that no one in Australia needs to be homeless. And perhaps it's true. But you must understand that for a formophobe, sleeping outside at night is less scary than tackling a centrelink form. Homelessness is inevitable.

Things have come to a head at our place recently. Last week I got a letter from centrelink advising me that because I didn't fill in a form, my parenting payment has been cut. Not the best news, but we can probably get by without it. Then I got another letter saying that because my parenting payment has been cut, I now have to fill in another form or my family tax benefits will also be cut. Things will be very tight, but we'll manage. Then I got a letter saying that I haven't submitted a tax return for three years and unless I do so immediately, I'll have to pay back all of the centrelink payments I've received in that time. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!! [It's ALOT of money.]

So Andrew sat me down last night and made me do paperwork. Actually, I sat down and watched him do paperwork. Then I got too tense and so went out shopping instead.

But it's a start. And I am making some progress in other areas. School permission forms for example. I'm getting quite good at them.

something so beautiful

2006-05-07T13:04:00.000+09:30

Lately I’ve been reliving my adolescence, listening to music that I used to obsess over. The Cure was my favourite group as a teenager. In their songs I would glimpse something so beautiful that my heart would ache. I’d put the cd on high rotation imagining that if I listened to it enough I’d be able to grasp that ‘something’.

And listening again as a grown-up (whatever that might be) I can still glimpse it. The Cure can make magic with a few guitars and some nice words. But I know they are just middle aged men who have no more grasped the meaning of life than I have.

Ben Myers from Faith and Theology pointed out C.S.Lewis’ wisdom on this:

"The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things ... are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of atune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."

—C. S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory," in Transposition: And Other Addresses (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1949), p. 24. [The whole essay is gold. Let me know if you'd like to read it.]

Congratulations...

2006-05-06T07:15:00.000+09:30

to Rochelle and Simon on the birth of Amelie on Wednesday night. We look forward to meeting her...

In Praise of ...

2006-05-03T18:47:00.000+09:30

Rory Shiner's blog Frankly, Mr Shankly is running an "In Praise of..." series where you can write short pieces in praise of fish and chips on the beach, fabulous ministers at your local church, your girl friend's ears or whatever. I contributed the following poem:

In Praise of Friends and Friendship

I have no wealth
Yet I am rich.
The treasure that I hold
Is worth more than precious stones
Or bars of solid gold.

I have no jewels
Yet round my neck
Are beads both rare and bright.
Memories of sunny days
And laughter in the night.

I own no house
Yet I am housed
Between the solid walls
Of friendship, faith and fellowship
With love to join them all.

I have no wealth
Yet all the world
Can’t buy what I possess.
Friendship solid, deep and true
From heaven I’ve been blessed.

SAR 2006

[I know it's sucky.]

apathetic charismatic

2006-05-03T12:01:00.000+09:30

I've just discovered a cartoon blog.

Yet Another DaVinci Code Post

2006-04-28T14:52:00.000+09:30

I know some of you are sick to death of hearing about The DaVinci Code; but seeing as the movie comes out in a few weeks, here is a useful website to know about.

It's been set up by Westminster Theological Seminary to provide resources to help discuss the claims put forth in the book and the film from a historically accurate perspective.

If you believe the stats that only 5% of pastors have read the book, then I guess we're very blessed to have had Andrew address it already.

But just in case you didn't take notes, the website will help you answer any questions!

Swearing

2006-04-28T12:09:00.000+09:30

We had a brief conversation about swearing at Bible study last night, and I've been reflecting on it ever since. Then I had Ephesians 4:29 land in my inbox today:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Somehow this doesn't feel like a coincidence, so I'm taking it as prodding to raise the subject here.

I would consider myself as having a lower tolerance for swearing than most other people my age. An example: although I can understand that cr-p is now totally acceptable in many environments, I don't often use it myself, I feel 'dirty' when I do, and it does bother me when I hear it from my Christian friends.

What I'm wondering is,

am I just being hyper-sensitive, and should I be more willing to engage in the world
or should we as Christians watch what we say more carefully, so as not to offend people with anything but the gospel
or is it just a matter of 'it doesn't really matter, stick with what you feel comfortable with' (eg Romans 14)

What do you think?

Wearing the gospel (for men)

2006-04-24T21:12:00.000+09:30

Okay Pete, you wanted it.

I think that Tommy here models commitment to our denomination. He's saying "I'm a Presbyterian and proud of it!"

And so as not to be a stumbling block to the traditionalists ...

I'd like to see more of this kind of thing among our men.

Pete, will you lead the way?

clothe yourself in the gospel...

2006-04-22T18:10:00.000+09:30

Okay girls. Having trouble telling non-Christian guys about Jesus? Perhaps you need to rethink your wadrobe.

How about this:

[Just in case you can't read these inspiring words, the cami prints the 5 'solas' of the christian faith - scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, ? alone (can't remember that one!), to the glory of God alone.]

or how about these:

nb. The first one's for real!

A W Tozer

2006-04-12T16:46:00.000+09:30

I've been challenged and encouraged by the writings of A W Tozer recently. Let me share with you a short section from the preface of the book I'm currently reading, written in 1948.

Current evangelicalism has (to change the figure) laid the altar and divided the sacrifice into parts, but now seems satisfied to count the stones and rearrange the pieces with never a care that there is not a sign of fire upon the top of lofty Carmel. But God be thanked that there are a few who care. They are those who, while they love the altar and delight in the sacrifice, are yet unable to reconcile themselves to the continued absence of fire. They desire God above all. They are athirst to taste for themselves the `piercing sweetness' of the love of Christ about Whom all the holy prophets did write and the psalmists did sing.
- A W Tozer, Pursuit of God, 1948.

Is there an absence of fire on our alter? Do we desire God above all? Are we thirsty for the "'piercing sweetness' of the love of Christ about whom the holy prophets did write and the psalmists sing"? I'm challenged...

Bellevue Tce in The Papers

2006-04-10T10:55:00.000+09:30

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if we should start writing letters to our local papers. There are often opportunities to comment on issues from a Christian perspective and to raise issues that have to do with the Gospel. The two papers we have in Brisbane are The Australian and The Courier Mail
You can view all the articles and write letters to the editor through their websites. Unfortunately they seem to deal with a lot less interesting and theological issues than the Sydney Morning Herald or the Melbourne Age, but given they are our local papers I thought it might be worth trying to make our views heard.

A couple of suggestions for writing letters.

write by about 4:00pm if you want to be published the next day.
Keep it brief
don't moralise or lecture – try and say something positive about the Christian faith and grace.
Keep it brief
don't take yourself too seriously – a bit of appropriate humour goes a long way
keep it brief
don't be discouraged if you don't get published. Good letter writing takes practice, and even if your letter doesn't get published, it may help someone who's expressing the same view to be published.

In terms of helping each other to do this, my suggestion would be that if you check out the papers and find an interesting article, you post it on this blog, so others can see it and try writing. You may also like to post your letters for comments and suggestions as to how we can do it better

Congratulations!

2006-04-08T09:04:00.000+09:30

I think Petrina and Dave have some news for us...

The gospel of Judas?

2006-04-07T10:35:00.000+09:30

I'm not sure how long the article will be up, but for the moment at least, NineMSN is reporting on the recent unveiling of "The Gospel of Judas" - http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=94780>here.

I don't know what's sadder - the thought that people might see this as a true "alternate gospel", or the things that supposed experts are saying in the article...

Are hymns poetry?

2006-04-02T19:25:00.000+09:30

I read an essay by Andy Judd last night titled Can Hymns Be Great Poetry? It's a little technical in spots, but overall a good read. To summarise, Andy argues against Samuel Johnson's view

According to Samuel Johnson, hymns cannot be poetry of any calibre. For him there is an irreconcilable conflict between the “essence” of poetry which is invention (“something unexpected [which] surprises and delights”) and the “paucity” of religious devotional topics which “enforces perpetual repetition” and “rejects ornaments of figurative diction”. He allows the best hymnists only that they have “done better than others what no man has done well”.

holding that hymns can fulfil all the requirements of 'poetry' and that whether or not a text is poetry ultimately comes down to the value that culture places on it.

If I had to sign on the line, I'd probably agree with Judd - hymns can be poetry. But I don't think that they often are. Mostly they are just verse. I love hymns but I think that on the whole it's formula writing - a bit like mills and boon romances or crime novels. Occasionally a hymn writer will write something that steps over the line and is poetry - but this is rare. Perhaps as rare as a paperback novel being literature.

What do you think? What hymns do you think have stepped over the line and are poetry?

JoBloggs on the Song of Songs

2006-03-31T19:16:00.000+09:30

My sister in law is blogging on the Song of Songs this week. Take a look if you're feeling brave.

Biblical Blogging

2006-03-31T16:31:00.000+09:30

Having just spent a couple of hours wandering around the blogosphere, I came across Blogging and the wisdom of Solomon. For me, a very timely reminder that biblical principles can and should be consciously applied to all areas of our lives, including the way we read and interact via the internet.

Is commitment an option for generation Y students?

2006-03-27T18:33:00.000+09:30

I recently put together these thoughts for something else. I'd be interested in any feedback especially from you gen Y's out there which should be most of you. Can I stress these are generalised observations from the book and my experience.

I work in a christian ministry to 18-22 year old university students. They are part of the options generation or generation Y (16-30 year olds). What is needed for christian ministry to flourish on campus is a real engagement with the word of God and one another. This takes time; weeks and months, not just a few days. It takes the dreaded C word, commitment.

Michael Grose says, with divorce having boomed in generation Y’s time, they are reluctant to commit to permanent relationships (XYZ – The New Rules of Generational Warfare, Random House 2005). They consider impermanence a normal state of affairs (p 96). He calls 18-26 age group twixters because they fall betwixt and between adolescence and adulthood (p 15). They want to keep their options open and defer traditional rites of passage like careers, marriage and kids as long as possible.

It’s not as though generation Y never commits to anything. What’s different is the way they make commitments. They commit with a STABO proviso in mind. Subject To A Better Offer. 24/7 communication technology puts their friends, the next party or social event only a text message away. To plan your next face to face social encounter in the midst of a current one is not unusual. Peer friends are still very important and form a strong second family in an age where parents work, families are smaller and there is less contact with older adults. Friends can be there at the drop of a hat for support and understanding as long as there is no better offer at the time!

Choice is the assumed birth-right of all consumers. Generation Y are heavily marketed to for their disposable dollar (p 91). Surf shops, juice bars and music are huge businesses that have developed and evolved just for them. The i-Pod was invented to appeal specifically to them. Having the latest technology for these digital natives is more about the social status that it brings rather than practical necessity.

However, keeping your options open is not always freedom. To fund mobile bills and spending habits, 55% of students hold down part-time jobs of 15 to 30 hours per week (p 15). They expect to pay off their uni HECS debts up-front to get the discount. Freedom comes at a cost. Classes get squeezed into 2-3 days a week (helped by night lectures) allowing zilch time for social interaction of any variety on campus. Relationships on campus don’t suffer because they never get off the ground. Students are time-poor now even before they start full-time work.

Commitment to anything on campus is becoming counter-cultural. This year our student union paid christian groups to help run the orientation week BBQ. We could supply students prepared to help out on the day. I’m not advocating commitment for its own sake. But commitment flowing from love, from truth or from any ideal is in short supply at uni. Students don’t need more options. They need to know commitment is not a dirty word. Commitment to something, someone, beyond oneself is not always imprisonment. More than that, they need to meet the one whose love to them is non-negotiable, no matter what.

Abdul Rahman

2006-03-22T07:10:00.000+09:30

What follows is a letter that I sent to our Prime Minster and local MP this morning.

Dear Sir,

It has been brought to my attention that Afgan man, Abdul Rahman, is facing the death penalty for apostasy - converting from Islam to Christianity. Abandoning the muslim faith is against all schools of shari'a law and Afganistan's 2004 constitution supports this, stating that “no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam” (Article 3). However, the constitution’s preamble affirms that the people of Afghanistan will respect the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which in Article 18 guarantees the freedom to change one’s religion.

Surely in 2006 we cannot allow this man to be killed for converting from Islam. Islam is a religion which is very active in making converts, however, it seems that this is a one way street in which people may enter the Islamic faith but never leave it.

Mr Swan, can I ask you to take up the cause of Muslims who choose to embrace another faith? The death sentence for apostasy is part of mainstream Islam and has been since the seventh century. An outpouring of indignation and protest on this issue from those who enjoy religious liberty in the West is long overdue.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours ...

I think this is a very important issue and urge you to become involved. For more information on Abdul Rahman, click here.

The Railway Children

2006-03-19T21:21:00.000+09:30

I love reading children's books, especially 'old-fashioned' ones. I recently came across this gem of a passage in Edith Nesbit's The Railway Children, first published in 1906:

"I say," said Peter, musingly, "wouldn't it be jolly if we all were in a book, and you were writing it? Then you could make all sorts of jolly things happen ....... Wouldn't you like to be writing that book with us all in it, Mother, and make Daddy come home soon?"
Peter's Mother put her arm round him suddenly, and hugged him in silence for a minute. Then she said:--
"Don't you think it's rather nice to think that we're in a book that God's writing? If I were writing the book, I might make mistakes. But God knows how to make the story end just right--in the way that's best for us."
"Do you really believe that, Mother?" Peter asked quietly.
"Yes," she said, "I do believe it--almost always--except when I'm so sad that I can't believe anything. But even when I can't believe it, I know it's true--and I try to believe. You don't know how I try ....."

Pet Peeve #2 : Lurking

2006-03-17T12:19:00.000+09:30

I've had this term brought to my attention lately. Lurking. Doesn't sound nice, does it? Like some kind of perversion. But I'm a lurker. Everyday I lurk around my favourite blogs (my favourite is here) eavesdropping on other people's lives.

What does this say about me? Do I have a problem? Do I need counselling? Should I repent? Should I just get a life of my own?

I thought it was a fairly innocent activity until I heard the term. Now I wonder.

Does anyone else have a problem with lurking?

I haven't decided to give it up yet, so if you have any links for interesting places to lurk I'd love to hear of them.

What's your focus?

2006-03-16T06:45:00.000+09:30

My cousin emailed this to me the other day and it's worth sharing; it's from A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D A Carson...

Praying for Others

We are not strong enough or disciplined enough to take these steps ourselves. That is why Paul prays as he does. If the holy God is to count us "worthy of his calling," we must ask him for help. That is why Paul is praying: he is not simply asking the Thessalonians to try harder, he is praying for them to the end that God will count them worthy of his calling. Such a prayer is tantamount to asking that God will so work in their lives, so make them worthy, that ultimately he will count them worthy. And so this text asks us: When was the last time you prayed this sort of prayer for your family? for your church? For your children? Do we not spend far more energy praying that our children will pass their exams, or get a good job, or be happy, or not stray too far, than we do praying that they may live lives worthy of what it means to be a Christian? Many of us have had the experience of asking a parent, "How are your children doing?" only to get an answer like this: "Oh, Johnny's doing very well now. His career as a research physicist has really taken off. He is the youngest person in his company to have been appointed to the board. And Evelyn is doing very well, too. She's into computer programming and is already the head of her section." "And how are they doing spiritually?" A long pause. "I'm afraid they’re not really walking with the Lord at the moment. But we’re hoping they’ll come back some day." Of course, the initial response of such parents may be a reflection of nothing more than privacy, a quiet and loyal concern not to disparage any family member. But too often it reflects warped priorities. I have had parents, ostensibly Christian parents, rage at me because they thought I had influenced their bright children to train for ministry, perhaps for missionary service. Others are joyous over their children’s material prosperity and not terribly concerned over their children’s utter indifference to the God who made them. How will these values appear thirty years or forty billion years from now? From eternity’s perspective, what should be the primary things for which we should pray for our children, for ourselves, for our fellow believers? When was the last time we prayed for such things? When was the last time we prayed that God might count us worthy of his calling?

D.A. Carson commenting on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
in A Call to Spiritual Reformation pages 54-55

Judging vs Judgmental?

2006-03-14T09:41:00.000+09:30

I have had an interesting experience over the last couple of weeks. As I was talking with a friend about the hurt that had been caused her by a Christian 'brother', I became really frustrated that he (who is a Christian) could bring the name of Christ into such disrepute, claiming, in the aftermath, that he doesn't care about his reputation (a fact which I seriously question anyway!)

He has become hurt over people's judgment of him and his actions. I've really struggled throughout this saga to know how to react to this guy. Part of me, wants to encourage him to pull up his socks, stand apart from the world, and act more like the man God would have him be. The other part of me says it's not my business ... But that doesn't 'sit' right either...

My question is ... As Christians, do we (do I?!) have the right to lovingly challenge people about their behavior if it doesn't line up with what God asks of us in the Bible? And if we do, what does that look like? Or, should we just leave them be, and accept that we all, as humans fall short of God's standards? We all have planks in our own eyes, right?

Pet Peeve #1 : Simple vs. Simplistic

2006-03-13T11:50:00.000+09:30

I got a letter home from school last week asking for parents to come in and do 'simplistic' cooking demonstrations. AAAAHHHHH! This one really gets to me!

In an effort to sound sophisticated people replace the word 'simple' with 'simplistic'. If something is 'simple' it is clear and uncomplicated. But if it is 'simplistic' it has been overly simplified. Dumbed down. Simplicity is beautiful. Simplism is base.

I remember a uni lecturer once saying that the widespread misuse of a word will eventually change its meaning. No! I won't accept this! Will you stand with me and fight to protect our language from such vulgar simplism?

Not such a beautiful day?

2006-03-09T17:10:00.000+09:30

I heard the news. Sorry to Cath and the thousands of other u2 fans.

Christian culture

2006-03-07T07:21:00.000+09:30

As threatened, here's the whole new topic on "Christian culture", so we can stop digressing in Pete's "Christian Idol" thread.

Thanks Simone and Cath for your comments... Simone, that's the exact problem I'm talking about. Far too often it seems that Christians are content with second rate knock-offs of secular material, and we think that it's enough to just change a few lyrics here and there, or make the hero of the book a Christian, and that somehow this makes it worth supporting.

I was thinking along similar lines for what to see in Christian culture - that we live out our beliefs to the best of our God-given ability. The arts is always a touchy area, but can I add the criteria of "excellent and praiseworthy" as well as diverse? I don't think it's any more godly to enjoy Petra than Elton John - certainly Petra's lyrics do more to encourage a godly life, and the band members themselves have a more godly life and example than Elton, but he's a gifted songwriter who's written many excellent songs. No surprises here - I enjoy Petra's style more than Elton John's, but there are plenty of people who are the complete opposite to me! For another example - I quite like "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns and Roses. Lyrically it appears fairly innocuous, and although their lifestyle is nothing to aspire to, the music is still excellent, if you like that style.

For part (c), maybe I didn't express it properly. It's a good point that for evangelism our life makes a bigger impact than anything else - I'm not downplaying that for a moment. I guess what I'm trying to promote though is that rather than Christians being mindlessly influenced by the world around them, why don't we turn it around and try to influence the world ourselves instead? So many of the great artists and scientists of history have been influenced by their faith in God and have influenced others as a result of that. So while yes, it's fine to enjoy Elton, or Britney, or G&R, I'd love to see more Christians doing excellent things to influence the rest of the world, rather than the other way around. Case in point - I don't particularly like Guy Sebastian's music, but I love the fact that he's spoken openly about his faith as a witness and encouragement to others. As winner of Aus Idol it was great to hear; but if he'd been winner of Australian "Gifted" instead, it would have been expected and had far less impact.

Anyway, that's enough from me - like I said, I'm pondering all of this so it's going to be a little disjointed, but I appreciate the comments. Maybe at some stage I'll try and write it all out coherently. Or maybe I could use my time to write something "diverse and excellent"! :)

bellevue tce

My Favourite Emily Dickinson Poem

2006-03-06T16:56:00.000+09:30

If I can stop one heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one life the aching
Or cool one pain
Or help one fainting Robin unto his nest again
I shall not live in vain

Christian Idol

2006-03-03T18:27:00.000+09:30

As you all know, I'm a big fan of Australian Idol. I love American Idol too (why oh why did channel 10 dump it?). And if Nigerian Idol was shown in Australia, chances are I'd watch it as well. But this is way too much even for me. Check it out here or here.

Who am I?

2006-03-03T12:23:00.000+09:30

Struggling with an identity crisis? Hear from Uncle Dietrich and take heart.

Who am I

Who am I? They often tell me
I would step from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a squire from his country-house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I would talk to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I would bear the days of misfortune
Equably, smilingly, proudly,
Like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were
compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectation of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, March 4, 1946.

Lent

2006-02-28T17:00:00.000+09:30

Today is Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent. Does that mean a lot to you? It never really has to me, but this year I'm going to try and change that.

The season of Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter, not including Sundays, and it's meant as a time of prayer and penitence, in preparation for the celebration of Easter. While I've never been involved in any fanfare over it, some churches follow rigid schedules of fasting and worship in order to strip themselves bare before God and concentrate more fully on his incredible mercy. As far as I can see, it isn't supposed to be a happy and joyous time, but a time of remembering the loneliness, anguish and pain that Jesus suffered, in his life as well as in his death.

My previous Lent experiences have been nothing like that. A few times I've made pancakes for breakfast on Shrove Tuesday, mainly because I like eating pancakes, and one year I think I tried to give up chocolate. That was highly unsuccessful, but I did feel quite virtuous for a few days at least. And that's where I was seriously missing the point. Lent is intended to be a time of humbling ourselves before God, of reflecting on the enormity of Christ's sacrifice and our own overwhelming sinfulness.

So this year, I've decided to make something of Lent. I'm going to dwell upon Jesus' life by reading all 4 gospels between now & Easter (go here for a plan I found to do it). I'm going to cut out television and use the extra time to be brutally honest with God in prayer. And most importantly, I'm going to remember why I'm doing it: because Jesus made a sacrifice that I can't even begin to comprehend just so that I, a hopeless sinner, could be made right in the eyes of God. And that's worth remembering, any time of year.