Small Village Churches

Lately I've been thinking that the mega church is not the way to reach the suburbs, but the small country church that meets in the local community centre has a lot going for it. My church continues to encourage me. It was my first Sunday back from holidays. One of the ladies at church wanted to chat. She asked me what had I been encouraged about lately in my Christian life? I answered 'contentment'. She said she was thinking about that too. I told her I'm planning on reading a sermon on Spurgeon's on it to help me think about it (so stay tuned). All this at 8am this morning! It was an intense conversation, but well worth it!

Then at the 10am family service we had a new family, and some of the local kids came as well fopr the first time. During the prayer time, the new guy asked us to pray for his Nan, who is dying. He also has family that live behind our church, so it would be exciting if they came! (I used to despise transfer growth until I realised that new people often bring unsaved people with them to church). Later that night, after evening church and after a long jog with my dog, I went shopping at Woolies. I ran into the new guy who was at church (still all red and sweaty from my jog). We chatted for a bit in the vege section about his Nan who was dying. Its great being part of a community of believers where we can build each other up outside of church meetings. That's the way it should be. Plant village churches in the suburbs- they're awesome!

Small village churches are intimate and caring. Even though we want to grow in size, I pray we will remain caring and intimate.

Stem Cell Bill Passed

As the souls of endless humans cry out
Who were never given the chance to live
Or the opportunity to reach their full potential
The investigator delights in the potential of his findings.
Their life is created, only to be snuffed out
In order to save another
As though that made it right.
Such mindless brutality…
If the roles were reversed
And the power lay in the hands of the powerless
Then would they understand
The senseless extermination?

As the souls of endless humans cry out
The God of the orphan and widow is grieved
Because of the barbarity.
Ways of doing evil have been invented
And the powerful are handed over
To lavish in their wickedness.
The powerful will only think of their own mortality
And will use whatever means it takes
To control their diseases
And ease their pain
Even if it means the murder of the innocent and helpless.
But all they do is prolong their final destiny.

Good Times in Cairns

OK, so here are some of the highlights from my week here in Cairns....

-Swimming in the Redlinch Cascades.
-Reading Saturday's SMH on Palm Cove Beach.
-Reading 'The Minister's Fainting Fits' by Spurgeon (Lectures to my Students- look for it on the web- an excellent essay on the vulnerability of the minister to depression and its benefits...)
-Catching pufferfish at the wharf.
-Day-dreaming about preaching the gospel in the future (wherever that may be!) and being used by God for His glory.
-Swimming in the pool at the resort at Chris's place (and meeting some people from Moore in the same pool!)
-Being challenged to think (from Chris) that every time I preach, God is speaking through me.
-Getting the smallest meal on record at dinner tonight (why is quality never proportionate to quantity?)
-Reading The Commonwealth of Thieves (Tom Keneally) and appreciating our convict heritage and loving our history...
-Chris nearly getting a stomach bug from the waitress who admitted she had been puking all day and could bearly stand up to serve us...
-The same waitress left a shift early so we could bearly get our meal...
-Sharing the gospel with Mad-Mike the Yugoslavian piano player at the same restaurant.
-Jogging by the beach in Palm Cove.
-Getting training advice from Chris (who just happens to be a tennis coach with ample advice on much needed core strength).
-Going to an Independant Baptist Church (well that's the plan for tomorrow...Chris and I are both looking forward to revisiting our church heritage!)
-Flying home to Sydney on Monday and preaching on 2 Peter 3 on Sunday (my next sermon...how exciting- to speak about the end of the world and calling on people to repent! Please pray.)
-Feeling refreshed to preach over the Christmas Season.
-Abi- abi- abi...that's all folks!

Comics and Clothing

I prefer reading DC comics but I like wearing Marvel clothing. I know, I'm weird. The meaningless things we think about when we are on holidays!

Bliss

Ahh holidays...I just want to stay here...jogging every day by the water, swimming at the beach, reading novels and comics, drinking coffee...and 10 more days to go!

Say no to Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Last week the Australian Senate passed an amended Bill which could potentially allow for embryonic stem cell research. It has now passed onto the Lower House for discussion.

The problem I have with this Bill is that stem cell research involves cloning and killing embryos. And embryos are humans. And they are people made in the image of God.

Whatever you think about Bush, one thing I admire about him was that he fought for banning abortion, keeping the definition of marriage as between male and female, and banning stem cell research. And according to the SMH, stem cell research using discarded embryos is high on the Democratic agenda (a real issue now that they have a majority in the US Congress).

The problem is that this issue is highly emotive. Like the woman today who angrily said to me after church, 'I hope you're not going to make me sign that petition!' (We invited people to sign a petition that would be send to our Federal MPs against the cloning Bill). She seemed to be in favour of scientific advancement over killing embryos. Or maybe she didn't understand the consequences of stem cell research. I hope it was the latter. I don't know, she was too angry to discuss it.

But there are other arguments other than scientific advancement that are put forward in favour of embryonic stem cell research. People argue (rightly) that the embryo has no developed nervous system so it can't feel pain. But since when did a painless death justify murder? People argue that all kinds of diseases have the potential to be cured using stem cells. But since when does killing humans in order to save humans become right? People argue as well (I'm rusty on the scientific process involved in this) that cloning doesn't have to involve a sperm cell, so it is not really a human that is being created. But if the clone that is created has the potential to be a human, then you are still killing someone who was made in the image of God.

It will be a sad sad day when murder in the laboratory in the name of science is legalised. Pray it doesn't happen. And take action by writing to your local Federal MP.

Friendships

Tonight was a rare chance for me to catch up with one of my friends- let’s call him Steveo. (Because that just happens to be what his real name). Ahhh Steveo. He is a friend who works hard at understanding me. I treasure his friendship. He asks me questions. He is interested in who I am. I’ve often wondered why we have remained friends for so long. (Over 10 years now). I think its because we laugh a lot. And we try and understand each other. (Mind you we’ve had our share of blues!) But most of all, we encourage each other to find our strength in Christ and be like Him. Treasure your friendships. Work at them. Take initiative. It’s worth it.

A Victim of Adultery

The following is a true story.

I passed a woman on the street in the city this morning. I know her husband cheated on her. Don’t ask me how I know her husband cheated on her, I just know. Trust me. I have good sources. She looked sad. I could see it on her face, but she couldn’t. She just looked at me as I walked by, kind of sad, kind of down. I’m sure she knew the relationship wasn’t what she thought it should be. I wonder if she blamed herself. I’m sure she knew something was up, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Perhaps she even blames herself.

I wanted to tell her. I wanted to scream at her. ‘Don’t you know your husband cheated on you? Don’t you know he doesn’t want you to know?’ But obviously I didn’t. Its none of my business really. I’m not the moral police here.

Then I thought of the husband. What a terrible slavery to be part of for the rest of your life. To know you’ve done the dirty on your wife, and not to tell her. Now, who am I to throw stones. Goodness knows I’m no better. But it does make you stop and think- how wonderful it is to be saved- to walk in the light. To be able to freely admit your sin and to bask in God’s acceptance of you. To know that we are sinful, yet we are free to admit it. To God, yourself and each other.

How sad and pathetic it is to be hiding from each other, covering over our sins- especially from the people we love. This is slavery. This is ugly. This is why Christ died. And these are the things that Judgement Day will reveal and will leave us who have not been washed by the blood of the Lamb prostrate with embarrassment and shame.

Discipleship Training

Currently I've instigated a training course upon my unsuspecting parishoners- Preparing Just for Starters, produced by Matthias Media. Its a great course, teaching people how to follow up new Christians in the basics of Christianity.

So much of what we are being taught in our training days is to start up new ministries as a key to growth. Doing something like Preparing Just for Starters encourages people to meet up with other Christians to teach them the basics of Christianity. The course is based on 7 'basic' Bible studies. Already 2 people are starting to meet up with others. Such discipleship is essential to growing churches.

Another advantage is that it teaches people in the parish a 'philosophy of ministry'. I've been thinking about this lately. Everyone has their own philosophy of ministry. I suppose mine is that one-to-one ministry is the essential backbone of the church. The more one-to-one ministry relationships that are taking place behind the scenes, the stronger the church is, and the more equipped it is to grow. The reason why churches often don't grow is because they don't grow beyond their capacity to equip and care for its people. Learning to disciple new Christians is an important key in the future growth of any church.

Any, just some random ramblings. I'm trying to blurt out what I know about one-to-one ministry to my parishoners to enthuse and encourage them to be involved in this essential work! After all, we are all priests; we are all ministers.

Pray God would use this new training venture to grow His church.

Guess What...

I've got a dog. No joke.

Reflections on Going from Bible College into Ministry

The following are some comments on being a Bible college student and being in ministry, for what they are worth. They are my own personal experience, and hopefully, if you are in Bible college or in ministry, you can be encouraged by it. Its from an email I sent to some of my college friends.

As a single man, there is no one who understands the isolation of ministry. It is quite a lonely job at times, and without the support of those who understand, it is quite daunting. This is much different from the college environment, and in particular, singles quarters, where everyone is in similar situations, which I often drew strength from. This is why I chose to work where I am, because of proximity to family and those close to me.

Interesting question you ask about how college affects our relationship with God. I think I struggled with seeing the Bible as my text book rather than God's precious letter to me. I resonate with your comments about being a SON first. Not losing sight of your first love. Being in love with the God who has saved you. College doesn't teach us this. I found at the end of 4th year I was less passionate about God than when I came into college, and I had to regain that, rather than have a technical, laboratory type attitude to the Bible. (I think an extended holiday after college helped me regain that, not to mention some good heart-to-hearts at the Marly on Friday arvo's in 4th year...as well as my own brokeness of a break-up and the death of my grandmother...nothing like shattered dreams to throw yourself upon the big goodness of God).

Personally, I'm excited to be in ministry now. (At the moment at least!) Its hard work, its painful, sometimes I feel like there is no fruit...but then I see people changed by the Word. I've seen someone come to Him. And suddenly its all worthwhile again.

I guess the key is to remember we are ALL broken. We all need to draw strength from Christ and not in our own resources/gifts/charisma/personality etc. Only Christ can take our feeble good works and turn them into fruit for His Kingdom. My prayer today was that I would not get in the way of His working that which is pleasing in His sight.

I think a warning is waranteed to those starting Bible college- something to prepare them for the years ahead. I remember reading a paper about combining my academic studies with my personal devotions, and I found this mentality a great help to getting through college.

I was very encouraged by the recent Retreat. I think it helped me refocus on what my role is- to preach the Word. Acts 20 is such a key passage to us in ministry, and thank God he has preserved these words of Paul's as God's Word to us. I may be lacking in energy at times to keep going in ministry, but it taught me to use whatever energy I have to spread the Word and get others excited whenever I can about the Word. Heaven and hell are very real!!!! Paul warned people with tears! Currently I'm trying to meet with men to share with them a vision for ministry and serving others. (As we were reminded at our last training day...it is good for people to serve others...I really believe this, and am seeking to encourage people and push them to be serving others.)

I've also drawn strength from my own study of the Scriptures for sermons. Its such a hard slog preaching each week. There are some weeks that I wake up on a Sunday morning and wish that someone else could do it, and I could just have a simple 9-5 office job. But just finishing Colossians lately...I'm in Christ!! How amazing is that? And how big is Jesus?? If my congregation can see a man who is in love with God's Word, then hopefully that will be infectious. If they take away only one thing from my sermon..then its worthwhile.

May God use our feeble efforts to bring glory to Himself. In weakness, then we are strong.

From a recovering college student, but well-trained nonetheless.

David

Shark Attack!

On Saturday I was swimming at Bondi Beach and the shark alarms went off. At first I couldn't hear them, but people were telling me to swim to shore. Thousands of people clammered out of the water while we watched a helicopter and 2 jet skis attempt to scare the sharks away. The SMH reported that there were in fact 2 sharks.

Not many were willing to go swimming after that. Trust a couple of sharks to ruin a perfectly good day at the beach!

I guess gospel preaching is a bit like that- warning people to swim to shore in order to escape the impending danger. Preach it!

Bludging on God's Grace

Today my neighbour saw me at the local Orange Blossom festival, a huge community event in our shire, and he asked me to explain to him what it means to be a Christian.

He said 'I was reading your article in the local newspaper and you said that to be a Christian you have to be a bludger (do nothing)...my understanding is that God helps those who help themselves...so I would like to understand why you say you must do nothing!'

I was basically describing that the way of salvation is by faith, not works...by God's grace, not our own efforts. Tomorrow I plan to share the gospel with him after lunch, via Ephesians 2:8-9

'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.' (ESV)

So please pray for me as I share the gospel, and for him as he listens and understands. God can even grant repentance to 80-something-year-old-Romanian-men! I don't share this to parade this opportunity, just to humbly ask for your prayers for my next door neighbour. And rejoice that God doesn't help those who help themselves. He helps those who allow Him to do ALL the work in saving us. All we can do is bludge on his generosity.

In Christ

You are IN CHRIST.
Seriously- think about what this means this week.
It will amaze you.

More on Self-Esteem

Blogging Builds Self-Esteem

While we are on the topic, apparently blogging builds self esteem. Or so they say.

I have to be honest- its SO true! When my site meter gets higher and I get lots of comments on my posts I feel so good about myself.

The Work of the Trinity in Self Esteem

Our self esteem must come from the fact that the Father made us, the Son died for us, and the Holy Spirit indwells us.

Attachment to Stuff...

While we were hearing an excellent sermon on generosity, someone was breaking into JT's car and stealing his laptop.

Theft makes me angry. Why do people think that they can take that which is not theirs? Its human selfishness at its worst.

But at the same time, it is a constant reminder not to get too attached to the things of this world. They are passing and fading. Our true inheritance is in heaven.

All this happened while we were reminded from 2 Cor 9 that we are stewards of what belongs to God. He chooses to give to others through our generosity. And theft reminds me in a fallen kind of way that I haven't really worked for it. Its all because God allows me to be the manager of it. We don't own anything. Its all God's.

The Last Word on Flirting

Confession time. I love a good flirt. I love the playful exchange of banter, that lingering look of desire, those fluttering eyelashes, that playful exchange, the affectionate touch on the arm, the comment that forces me to want to read between the lines…*nudge nudge wink wink*

Flirting makes me feel good about my self. It builds my esteem. I remember one guy, after he had a playful exchange with a female stranger, said ‘I still got it!’ I wanted to ask ‘got what?’ But I knew what he meant. Flirting is good for my ego.

This post is about some reflections I’ve had on flirting. I’m not writing this because I’ve flirted with anyone or anyone has been flirting with me (just let me make that clear- this is not about you!) But for some time I’ve come to the conviction that flirting is sinful, even though I am the first to admit that I’m not innocent in this regard.

I suppose we should start with a definition of flirting. What do we mean by flirting? A good question. Because as we will see, that’s part of the problem with flirting. Its hard to know when someone is flirting with you. That’s why it is often asked ‘Are you flirting with me?’

For example, consider the following exchange between Boy and Girl (not their real names):

Boy: “Hey there, how have you been?”
Girl: “It was OK, but I missed you”
Boy (excited): “You did?”
Girl (breathing): “Yeah. I’ve been so lonely without you!”

How should Boy interpret this? He can think “OK, Girl really likes me!” But then he might actually say to Girl: “I get the impression you like me…well I want to say that I like you too!” But then Girl can turn around and say “Oh, I meant nothing by that! You read too much into it!”

Karl Barth says that flirting is ‘a playing with love undertaken as such in full awareness by both parties’. Flirting is a game that we play. And that is exactly the danger of flirting. Both parties do not always participate in full awareness of what is going on. Sometimes only one person is aware that flirtation is taking place, and the other party is left to interpret it. It’s a playing at love, but its left open to interpretation.

And because flirting is a game, it is safe but confusing. You can safely communicate to someone that you like them without actually embarrassing yourself. Its easy to hide behind a playful exchange or an innocent touch without actually communicating that you like her. The flirter is able to communicate in a very safe way that he is interested. The flirtee is left to interpret this playfulness, and can be left confused. And all this lies behind a flirter who in the end only wants to protect themselves from the hurt and pain that may come with speaking clear words. This is just another example of how self protective and fear-driven we truly are!

So flirting turns to avoidance and avoidance turns to silence. And silence is not golden. It is deadly, because silence kills relationships. The essence of a good relationship is clear words, not silence. We need to know where we stand with each other. Ambiguity and chaos are characteristic of this fallen world. In the words of Crabb: ‘Speaking is the gateway to relationship. Silence is the gatekeeper.’

This is the sin of flirting. It is a selfish act because it involves no vulnerability. As Barth says, ‘The danger of flirtation consists, of course, in the possibility of its turning into a deceitful trifling.’ Flirting is deceitful, for it happens behind the actions of ambiguous gestures. And we all know that deception is of the devil.

Imagine what it would be like if we had a God who flirted with us. Imagine if He only hinted at the fact He loved us. Imagine if His love was only a gesture that left us wondering.

I’m so glad that He has spoken clear words to us in the cross of Jesus, for there we see His unquestionable love for us. He doesn’t want us to be left in the dark about our intentions, His longings and his desires. He doesn’t flirt with us. His love for us is clear. And in case you are in the dark about his love for you, check out Romans 5:8! The words of love that come from our God are words of life (John 6:63)!

Now please don’t think that if you look at me funny or innocently touch my arm I will think you are flirting with me. Especially if you are a guy! And I know that you don’t just walk up to a girl and ask her to marry you the first time you speak to her. Don’t get me wrong- there is a place for flirting. But that place is within the security of a relationship where clear words are spoken. Otherwise it is unkind, uncaring, and in the end, deceitful. And that makes it sinful. Let me say it again- flirting must not end in flirting. It must end in clear words that give clear meaning to those ambiguous flirtatious gestures. Flirt with me, fine. But tell me you like me! The last word on flirting must be a clear word.

Clear enough?

The Wounds of a Friend

Tonight I was talking to a close friend of mine and he pointed out some home truths to me about myself. They are things I’ve known about myself but I don’t like. And to hear him articulate them was rather unsettling and a little scary.

It made me realise- after leading a Bible study tonight on the subject of 'thankfulness'- that trustworthy friends are something to be cherished. Having a friend who is courageous enough to point out things that no one else does is a thing to be treasured.

At first I just wanted to cut the conversation short and hang up. But then I realised ‘this is actually really good for me.’ I really valued my friend’s honesty tonight. The wounds of a faithful friend are precious. The hard part was letting my friend inside to say things to me that no one else can, when deep down inside, I was really quite terrified. But I can only grow and move forward in my relationship with Christ now.

I know that this friend accepts me for who I am- a fallen human being in Christ. But thank God that I am raised up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms. I know I’m not perfect yet…but I’m getting there…and one day I will be what I am not now. In the meantime, I’m sure my friend will point out more of my faults. But I know he doesn’t judge me. He only means me good, not harm, even though it hurts. The way I look at it is, if your friends can’t and don’t help you grow in Christ, who will?