Hey everyone,
Sorry it has taken me so long to leave a post..........Peter has had to literally bring me to the computer to get it done!!!!!!!!
I just want to let everyone know that things are going really great here, I am really enjoying getting to know my new neighbourhood, and enjoying spending heaps of time with people here.
I taught my first C.R.E class at Noble Park Primary yesterday, it felt really good and natural to get back into teaching......I missed it for the few weeks that I wasn't doing it.
I would have to say that one of the nicest bits about moving is the brilliant way that Sammy has settled into his new school.....we are at week 4 now, and he has been brilliant. The school has assured me that they love having him there, he is doing all his school work and behaving the way he should be.........he is even going to be a cowboy in the school production next week!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess God really does know what he's doing!!!!!! Moving the kids, and particulary Sam, was a huge faith step for us, and one I struggled to trust God on.......so it has been an amazing experience to see it all work out so well.
Anyway..........I promise I will will make a bigger effort with getting on line in future......
Thanks for reading, and we'd love to hear back from you
Naomi
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Orthodoxy/Orthopraxy
I have just finished reading an article by Brian McLaren on “truth” and the Christian faith. It brought out some interesting thoughts that I have been mulling over this morning. He used the illustration of Jane Goodall and the way she researched chimpanzees, comparing her work to the work of a standard research scientist, McLaren noted that Goodall attributed personal names and character traits to the chimps rather than giving them maybe serial numbers etc… (only humans have personality traits scientifically speaking). After a while Goodall developed some sort of an interpersonal relationship to her subject matter and her research was more than simple detached observation. Had Goodall had the correct scientific training she would have known that this sort of relationship with her subject matter would have been seen as against the rules of serious scientific study.
What has this got to do with the Christian faith? Simply this: Modernity has taught us that serious study of the scripture has to be done from a scientific stand point (exegesis, exposition, etc) we have our theologies aund understandings of the virgin birth, the trinity, the deity of Jesus, and unless we believe these things we cannot be a Christian. Whilst I agree that these scientific and formulaic aspects of the faith are needed. The problem is that if we believe that that is what Christianity is about then me don’t really have a relationship with the living God, we only really believe the right things – and lets face it, even Satan believes in God. We cannot boil Christianity down to a list of beliefs or truths; that leads to dryness or “Crusty Christianity”. Bible college dried me out, made it impossible for me to have a relationship with God. This is an experience faced by many, it is not that bible college is wrong or evil or anything, it is just that when you are faced with so many facts, truths, formulas and approaches, the relationship side of things starts to suffer (unless of course you consciously seek this relationship). We seem to put the value on our faith that says the more educated or enlightened we are the better our Christian walk will be. If our Orthodoxy (right belief) is correct then our Orthopraxy (right practice) will follow. But it seems to me that pursuing that Orthodoxy dries out our love for the Lord – makes it just facts, just beliefs, and kills off the relationship. There has to be a better way… maybe if discipleship focuses more on Orthopraxy, walking along side an established Christian, seeing what the Christian journey is about, then the Orthodoxy will be learnt along the way, in small, manageable, natural doses. Maybe if we train new Christians to hear from the Lord, to understand his heartbeat, to understand what the Kingdom is about, what the Gospel is about (here’s a hint guys, its not a bunch of beliefs – it’s good news to the poor). Maybe the rest will be picked up along the way.
The truth is that when we get to judgement day, we are not going to be given an exam, we aren’t going to be judged on our view of the Trinity or Eschatology, we are going to be judged on what we did, and didn’t do (Matthew 25:31-46). This is not about salvation through works, it is about salvation through a heart in tune with the heart of our saviour. Its about seeing what breaks the heart of God, and doing something about it, picking up your cross, dieing to self, surrendering all.
We do need to have orthodoxy behind all of this, but I believe that our orthodoxy will look quite different if we balance it with orthopraxy.
If you feel that you are stuck in Crusty Christianity, here is a challenge for you; in your quiet times, study only the Gospels. for several months, read through them, get to know who Jesus was at grass roots, don’t try to analyse him through your belief systems or the rest of scripture, but just take him at his word (and his action). Once you have a real grip on who he is then go back to the rest of the scripture and see how differently your understanding of the writing of Paul and others will be.
How can we call ourselves Christians (followers of Christ) if we don’t have an intimate understanding of our founder and what he stood for?
I hope this all makes sense, I sometimes hesitate to put down in writing thoughts like this, they can be too embryonic, and sometimes not make sense, or come across the wrong way…
Peter
What has this got to do with the Christian faith? Simply this: Modernity has taught us that serious study of the scripture has to be done from a scientific stand point (exegesis, exposition, etc) we have our theologies aund understandings of the virgin birth, the trinity, the deity of Jesus, and unless we believe these things we cannot be a Christian. Whilst I agree that these scientific and formulaic aspects of the faith are needed. The problem is that if we believe that that is what Christianity is about then me don’t really have a relationship with the living God, we only really believe the right things – and lets face it, even Satan believes in God. We cannot boil Christianity down to a list of beliefs or truths; that leads to dryness or “Crusty Christianity”. Bible college dried me out, made it impossible for me to have a relationship with God. This is an experience faced by many, it is not that bible college is wrong or evil or anything, it is just that when you are faced with so many facts, truths, formulas and approaches, the relationship side of things starts to suffer (unless of course you consciously seek this relationship). We seem to put the value on our faith that says the more educated or enlightened we are the better our Christian walk will be. If our Orthodoxy (right belief) is correct then our Orthopraxy (right practice) will follow. But it seems to me that pursuing that Orthodoxy dries out our love for the Lord – makes it just facts, just beliefs, and kills off the relationship. There has to be a better way… maybe if discipleship focuses more on Orthopraxy, walking along side an established Christian, seeing what the Christian journey is about, then the Orthodoxy will be learnt along the way, in small, manageable, natural doses. Maybe if we train new Christians to hear from the Lord, to understand his heartbeat, to understand what the Kingdom is about, what the Gospel is about (here’s a hint guys, its not a bunch of beliefs – it’s good news to the poor). Maybe the rest will be picked up along the way.
The truth is that when we get to judgement day, we are not going to be given an exam, we aren’t going to be judged on our view of the Trinity or Eschatology, we are going to be judged on what we did, and didn’t do (Matthew 25:31-46). This is not about salvation through works, it is about salvation through a heart in tune with the heart of our saviour. Its about seeing what breaks the heart of God, and doing something about it, picking up your cross, dieing to self, surrendering all.
We do need to have orthodoxy behind all of this, but I believe that our orthodoxy will look quite different if we balance it with orthopraxy.
If you feel that you are stuck in Crusty Christianity, here is a challenge for you; in your quiet times, study only the Gospels. for several months, read through them, get to know who Jesus was at grass roots, don’t try to analyse him through your belief systems or the rest of scripture, but just take him at his word (and his action). Once you have a real grip on who he is then go back to the rest of the scripture and see how differently your understanding of the writing of Paul and others will be.
How can we call ourselves Christians (followers of Christ) if we don’t have an intimate understanding of our founder and what he stood for?
I hope this all makes sense, I sometimes hesitate to put down in writing thoughts like this, they can be too embryonic, and sometimes not make sense, or come across the wrong way…
Peter
Monday, July 17, 2006
Goodbye Koorong - the next step taken!
Well, that’s it, another monumental step taken. On Friday I did my last shift as an “Assistant Customer Service Manager” at Koorong. Goodbye fulltime work! I am not sure how happy I am about that… There certainly was a large amount of sadness in saying goodbye to many friends who I have made over the years, I will still be working there as a casual for some time, but that will mean that for the most part I will be working at nights, so I wont get to see many of the full-time workers or many of the regular customers that I have made friendships with.
There is also a certain amount of fear accompanying a move like this – in one sense I have given up a lot of financial security, I no longer have a set income and will have to rely on casual shifts at Koorong, and any other casual work I can pick up to survive. Certainly, we are cutting back on our standard of living, getting rid of the second car – working hard to eliminate as much debt as possible, curbing impulse spending etc, but it will still be hard!
Then there is a great deal of excitement! – I have taken another step on our journey – we are progressing! I am now free to pursue getting involved in the work of UNOH & Rainbow Church, and familiarizing myself with the neighborhood that will be home for at least a year and a half!
Already, the sense of involvement and belonging is beginning to set in, just through involvement in Rainbow and the food bank on Tuesdays. Of course Naomi’s involvement over the last 2 weeks, getting to know people, has helped immensely too, her natural ability to attract people is a real advantage. And in many ways we already feel accepted.
We are now living in a 3 bedroom unit with 4 other adults and a baby. Last night was our first night, though most of them had moved out for the night. Mondays in general are used as a sort of Sabbath for the UNOH workers. As much as possible, they try and get out of the neighborhood, to rest and relax for the day. We are looking forward to getting to know those we are staying with, as we did with Ileana, Gavin, Mohammad & Tejaan (sorry, I don’t know how to spell his name), over the last 2 weeks.
People look on our current housing situation like it is a burden for us, but in truth, while it may not be ideal, there are many advantages to this situation, and as a result we are really enjoying it all, and using the opportunity to learn as much about UNOH and those we will be working beside as possible.
I have probably gone on enough for now – hopefully I will have time to post again soon, life is beginning to settle into some sort of a routine. Hopefully I’ll be able to get Naomi to post again soon too – it has been ages.
Peter.
P.S. Please post a comment, just to let us know that you are reading this, and that it is not a waste of time.
P.P.S. What do you think of the new header?
There is also a certain amount of fear accompanying a move like this – in one sense I have given up a lot of financial security, I no longer have a set income and will have to rely on casual shifts at Koorong, and any other casual work I can pick up to survive. Certainly, we are cutting back on our standard of living, getting rid of the second car – working hard to eliminate as much debt as possible, curbing impulse spending etc, but it will still be hard!
Then there is a great deal of excitement! – I have taken another step on our journey – we are progressing! I am now free to pursue getting involved in the work of UNOH & Rainbow Church, and familiarizing myself with the neighborhood that will be home for at least a year and a half!
Already, the sense of involvement and belonging is beginning to set in, just through involvement in Rainbow and the food bank on Tuesdays. Of course Naomi’s involvement over the last 2 weeks, getting to know people, has helped immensely too, her natural ability to attract people is a real advantage. And in many ways we already feel accepted.
We are now living in a 3 bedroom unit with 4 other adults and a baby. Last night was our first night, though most of them had moved out for the night. Mondays in general are used as a sort of Sabbath for the UNOH workers. As much as possible, they try and get out of the neighborhood, to rest and relax for the day. We are looking forward to getting to know those we are staying with, as we did with Ileana, Gavin, Mohammad & Tejaan (sorry, I don’t know how to spell his name), over the last 2 weeks.
People look on our current housing situation like it is a burden for us, but in truth, while it may not be ideal, there are many advantages to this situation, and as a result we are really enjoying it all, and using the opportunity to learn as much about UNOH and those we will be working beside as possible.
I have probably gone on enough for now – hopefully I will have time to post again soon, life is beginning to settle into some sort of a routine. Hopefully I’ll be able to get Naomi to post again soon too – it has been ages.
Peter.
P.S. Please post a comment, just to let us know that you are reading this, and that it is not a waste of time.
P.P.S. What do you think of the new header?
Thursday, July 06, 2006
First 4 Days...
Hi,
Well, we are well and truly living in Noble Park now, if not settled into our own home. Staying with Gavin & Ileana is great, they are great hosts and have made us feel very welcome.
The boys have settled into school great, Jake said that people here are more friendly than they are in their old school, and Sam has done great so far, Naomi has not been called into the school for him, and the school is making a real effort to try not to fall into a pattern like that - we are really positive and hopeful. Sammy said to Naomi today that he was feeling very happy, that is the first time in his life that he has ever said anything like that. Luke seems to be cruising through as he does, he already has many friends, but still can't remember his teachers name!!
Naomi has been out and about meeting the people associated with UNOH and having coffees down at Cafe Salvo. She is loving it too and making me jealous that I am still at work. Only 5 more work days until I say goodbye to full-time employment! - Wow that's a weird feeling!!
I'll try to get Naomi to make an entry soon, it has been ages since she has done an entry and she probably has better reflections than me at this point in time as she is already starting to do the work.
Anyway, that is it for me for now...
Well, we are well and truly living in Noble Park now, if not settled into our own home. Staying with Gavin & Ileana is great, they are great hosts and have made us feel very welcome.
The boys have settled into school great, Jake said that people here are more friendly than they are in their old school, and Sam has done great so far, Naomi has not been called into the school for him, and the school is making a real effort to try not to fall into a pattern like that - we are really positive and hopeful. Sammy said to Naomi today that he was feeling very happy, that is the first time in his life that he has ever said anything like that. Luke seems to be cruising through as he does, he already has many friends, but still can't remember his teachers name!!
Naomi has been out and about meeting the people associated with UNOH and having coffees down at Cafe Salvo. She is loving it too and making me jealous that I am still at work. Only 5 more work days until I say goodbye to full-time employment! - Wow that's a weird feeling!!
I'll try to get Naomi to make an entry soon, it has been ages since she has done an entry and she probably has better reflections than me at this point in time as she is already starting to do the work.
Anyway, that is it for me for now...
Monday, July 03, 2006
Well, This is it!
Trivia Question: What are the first four words in the Blues Brothers Movie?
Hint: They are hidden in the title somewhere…
She caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride
She caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride
My baby caught the Katy, left me a mule to ride
The train pulled out, and I swung on behind
I'm crazy 'bout her, that hard headed woman of mine…
Ahhh – reminiscing….
Anyway, back to reality… We have done it!!! – we spent our first night in Noble Park!
As yet we have not got a place to live (though we were offered one) so to make sure the kids can start this term in their new school, we are staying at a couples house In NP. These guys have a lot to do with UNOH, though they are not actual members.
The 3 boys are sleeping in 1 room together and Naomi & I get to share the most uncomfortable fold out sofa bed I think I have ever slept on.
Anyway, that is for a week, after that we move to another place that will eventually become our home. At the moment there is a couple with a baby and a single lady living there. They are moving out to find places further out in NP, but they want us to live in this place as it is a great location to have a UNOH worker living in… it may take anywhere up to 5 or 6 weeks before the place is empty, but that’s fine. All this time living with people gives us a really great introduction to UNOH and how it all works!
Well, That’s about all I have to say for now, I am at work typing this out – I still have 2 weeks of Koorong before I go to casual employment, living off baked beans & trusting in the Lord! – Yay!! – (read Yay with the slight note of insecurity that went through my head as I typed it)
Anyway please pray for us as we settle in, as well as for my sister who got some pretty bad news the other day– but more on that when details become available.
Peter
Hint: They are hidden in the title somewhere…
She caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride
She caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride
My baby caught the Katy, left me a mule to ride
The train pulled out, and I swung on behind
I'm crazy 'bout her, that hard headed woman of mine…
Ahhh – reminiscing….
Anyway, back to reality… We have done it!!! – we spent our first night in Noble Park!
As yet we have not got a place to live (though we were offered one) so to make sure the kids can start this term in their new school, we are staying at a couples house In NP. These guys have a lot to do with UNOH, though they are not actual members.
The 3 boys are sleeping in 1 room together and Naomi & I get to share the most uncomfortable fold out sofa bed I think I have ever slept on.
Anyway, that is for a week, after that we move to another place that will eventually become our home. At the moment there is a couple with a baby and a single lady living there. They are moving out to find places further out in NP, but they want us to live in this place as it is a great location to have a UNOH worker living in… it may take anywhere up to 5 or 6 weeks before the place is empty, but that’s fine. All this time living with people gives us a really great introduction to UNOH and how it all works!
Well, That’s about all I have to say for now, I am at work typing this out – I still have 2 weeks of Koorong before I go to casual employment, living off baked beans & trusting in the Lord! – Yay!! – (read Yay with the slight note of insecurity that went through my head as I typed it)
Anyway please pray for us as we settle in, as well as for my sister who got some pretty bad news the other day– but more on that when details become available.
Peter
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