I sit here watching out my window, my front yard is filled with kids (ok so there's 7 of them) They are sitting on the front fence...........just hanging out. I am filled with absolute joy and excitement at this picture I see before me. There's something awesome going on here, and it's so unreal to see that our kids can be a part of the life we have chosen.
About a week ago someone from the community approached me about the idea of a few of us starting a kids club in the community (something I had already been thinking about anyway) so to see it happening naturally and organically is super cool.
I have this funny feeling, that when we think we should start a new project or ministry.......the best thing to do is wait for a bit and see if it's already starting to happen.........if it's supposed to fit, then the threads will already be there.
That's just my take on the whole thing anyway, you might think something different!!!!!!
Naomi
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Slave to Porn...
Ah, Pornography, sometimes I think it is the only reason that the internet was created...
I do not know what the official figures are on men who use Porn, but I know that the figures are high... Knowing a thing or two about computers I am often asked to help people fix up their computers, in doing this it is not uncommon to come across computers that are full of those tell tale signs of frequent Porn usage. This is the sort of stuff that does not turn up on your computer through the inevitable porn spam that we all suffer from, or accidentally clicking onto a porn site, this is the sort of stuff that comes from a habitual user. Let me tell you without naming names, that the vast majority of computers that I have worked on have this stuff, and many of them cannot blame it on their teenage sons (because they don't have any!). There are those that I have worked on (too few unfortunately) that have no sign of Porn on them, and they belong to people that I really do hold in high regard, these people have real integrity throughout their lives.
There has even been a time or 2 when I have had to help out a minister too, and the tell tale signs are there as well - even those we see as holy or ordained suffer from this hidden & dangerously addictive problem.
And Yes, I struggle with porn too, I have the good fortune of having a wife (a forgiving wife) who caught me out. This brought the subject to a head for me & we were able to begin to deal with the situation... Too often this problem is hidden and not talked about - I'm not suggesting you need to go to your wives and fess up guys, trust me it will hurt them real bad, real, real bad. But maybe there is another guy who you can ask to hold you accountable, maybe if we stop hiding this stuff, we can start to deal with it, and become real men of integrity.
It is an addiction, a harmful, dreadful addiction, it may not see you dead in a gutter like drugs will, or kill your liver like alcohol, but it will destroy your life, destroy your family & destroy your sex life too (not to mention the harm it does to those caught in the industry - don't believe the lies that these women create to protect themselves, or the BS spun by groups like the Eros foundation). Although I had to deal with the up front consequences of porn through being sprung, it still had a hold on me, my head would still turn when I walked past THAT section of a newsagency. Though I would pull my gaze away from it straight away, I knew that the demon of lust still had a hold on me. But God has challenged me about it quite recently and I think that finally the demon's talons are released from me (I use the term 'demon' figuratively, though the Pentecostal in me still thinks there may be some deeper truth to this!). I came face to face with the destructive power of porn the other day when I visited a lonely old guy from the neighborhood - I will not go into any more details than that, but It shocked me into reality, then I came across this video clip (please guys share it around I think its message is very important...)
I do not know what the official figures are on men who use Porn, but I know that the figures are high... Knowing a thing or two about computers I am often asked to help people fix up their computers, in doing this it is not uncommon to come across computers that are full of those tell tale signs of frequent Porn usage. This is the sort of stuff that does not turn up on your computer through the inevitable porn spam that we all suffer from, or accidentally clicking onto a porn site, this is the sort of stuff that comes from a habitual user. Let me tell you without naming names, that the vast majority of computers that I have worked on have this stuff, and many of them cannot blame it on their teenage sons (because they don't have any!). There are those that I have worked on (too few unfortunately) that have no sign of Porn on them, and they belong to people that I really do hold in high regard, these people have real integrity throughout their lives.
There has even been a time or 2 when I have had to help out a minister too, and the tell tale signs are there as well - even those we see as holy or ordained suffer from this hidden & dangerously addictive problem.
And Yes, I struggle with porn too, I have the good fortune of having a wife (a forgiving wife) who caught me out. This brought the subject to a head for me & we were able to begin to deal with the situation... Too often this problem is hidden and not talked about - I'm not suggesting you need to go to your wives and fess up guys, trust me it will hurt them real bad, real, real bad. But maybe there is another guy who you can ask to hold you accountable, maybe if we stop hiding this stuff, we can start to deal with it, and become real men of integrity.
It is an addiction, a harmful, dreadful addiction, it may not see you dead in a gutter like drugs will, or kill your liver like alcohol, but it will destroy your life, destroy your family & destroy your sex life too (not to mention the harm it does to those caught in the industry - don't believe the lies that these women create to protect themselves, or the BS spun by groups like the Eros foundation). Although I had to deal with the up front consequences of porn through being sprung, it still had a hold on me, my head would still turn when I walked past THAT section of a newsagency. Though I would pull my gaze away from it straight away, I knew that the demon of lust still had a hold on me. But God has challenged me about it quite recently and I think that finally the demon's talons are released from me (I use the term 'demon' figuratively, though the Pentecostal in me still thinks there may be some deeper truth to this!). I came face to face with the destructive power of porn the other day when I visited a lonely old guy from the neighborhood - I will not go into any more details than that, but It shocked me into reality, then I came across this video clip (please guys share it around I think its message is very important...)
I came across it at a great site called www.xxxchurch.com* that deals with this whole issue of Christian guys and the problem of porn - it even has some great resources on it like an accountability program that allows you to select a friend to keep you accountable - every time you visit a bad site, this software sends an e-mail to your friend to let him know, talk about vulnerability, but to have the guts to use something like that...
Anyway guys, we need to face up to this problem, stop being ashamed and do something about it - it is harming us, our wives, our families, the poor girls stuck in the industry, and society as a whole - lets be men of integrity, lets be men who stand out from the lusts of our culture, lets stop harming the innocent and putting money into the hands of men who stand in direct opposition to the Kingdom of God!
*There was a guy who was wearing a t-shirt at the Surrender conference that said "Jesus loves porn stars" with the web address under it - this piqued my interest so I had to check it out... Here I was thinking it was about Jesus loving even sinners like Porn Stars. I thought maybe it would be a site dedicated to sticking it to the conservative self-righteous Christians out there , but it ended up pointing the finger back at me!!!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Irresistible Revolution
I have just finished reading Shane Claiborne's book "The Irresistible Revolution" and I must say the book blew me away. In a largely biographical fashion, Claiborne, goes about explaining the theology behind "Living as an Ordinary Radical." Shane reveals his story of being called to live with the poor and homeless in Philadelphia, his experiences working alongside Mother Teresa, and standing with Iraqi Christians in Iraq as his government bombed their home. Throughout these amazing and touching stories, Shane holds onto humility stressing that he has not done anything out of the ordinary, that he has simply taken Jesus' words seriously. Something that me all can do; unfortunately the Church has fallen asleep so those like Shane are seen as radicals. However he argues that they are, ordinary radicals, ordinary Christians with nothing more to offer than their lives, living out the radical, counter cultural teachings of our Saviour.
This book is essential reading for anyone who is looking for more out of their Christian walk than pew warming, and anyone who is starting to hear the cries of the poor, and see that the bible has an answer.
There are heaps of web links in this book, and I will be spending a bit of time surfing, I'll pass on any of the good links that I visit...
Peter
This book is essential reading for anyone who is looking for more out of their Christian walk than pew warming, and anyone who is starting to hear the cries of the poor, and see that the bible has an answer.
There are heaps of web links in this book, and I will be spending a bit of time surfing, I'll pass on any of the good links that I visit...
Peter
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Surrender 06 cont'd...
Hi again.
Surrender 06 was an amazing time for us. It was at S05 that the final crunch came for Naomi and I in our decision to follow the Lord into the call he had on our lives. So in many ways S06 was an anniversary for us (even though it was a couple of weeks later than last year). S05 was a highly emotional time - particularly for Naomi who finally surrendered the battle she was waging against her call to Missions. The year that followed was mad, going through the discernment process with UNOH, visiting Bangkok, telling all our friends & work mates, moving into Noble Park , settling in etc.
For me, attending S06 was like the end of the first leg of our journey, a time to reflect on how our life has changed, and how much God has been with us and blessed us over this leg of the race. Sure there were great speakers and a lot to be thought about and pondered, but just being able to be a volunteer at the conference, working alongside all the UNOH & Rainbow guys, being a team, feeling welcome was what really stuck out to me.
We really have been accepted as part of the community by now, I was able to have a chat with a couple of people over the weekend who were paying me a compliment over a message I shared at Rainbow, and saying that I was obviously a great preacher. I was saying that I did not want to be a great preacher and am very nervous speaking in public like that, that I was much better at doing teaching on a one-on-one or small group basis. These friends then said to me that it was silly for me to be nervous talking in front of the Rainbow Church crowd, as they were all friends. That conversation has had a big impact on me, not that I am proud to be a great speaker or anything( because I am not!), but that I am accepted as a friend by these 2 and everyone else at Rainbow. Social situations are not my favorite things, and to think that despite my social retardation, I have fitted in and am accepted has really done a lot for me, and my confidence in my call to work in NP.
Surrender 06 was an amazing time for us. It was at S05 that the final crunch came for Naomi and I in our decision to follow the Lord into the call he had on our lives. So in many ways S06 was an anniversary for us (even though it was a couple of weeks later than last year). S05 was a highly emotional time - particularly for Naomi who finally surrendered the battle she was waging against her call to Missions. The year that followed was mad, going through the discernment process with UNOH, visiting Bangkok, telling all our friends & work mates, moving into Noble Park , settling in etc.
For me, attending S06 was like the end of the first leg of our journey, a time to reflect on how our life has changed, and how much God has been with us and blessed us over this leg of the race. Sure there were great speakers and a lot to be thought about and pondered, but just being able to be a volunteer at the conference, working alongside all the UNOH & Rainbow guys, being a team, feeling welcome was what really stuck out to me.
We really have been accepted as part of the community by now, I was able to have a chat with a couple of people over the weekend who were paying me a compliment over a message I shared at Rainbow, and saying that I was obviously a great preacher. I was saying that I did not want to be a great preacher and am very nervous speaking in public like that, that I was much better at doing teaching on a one-on-one or small group basis. These friends then said to me that it was silly for me to be nervous talking in front of the Rainbow Church crowd, as they were all friends. That conversation has had a big impact on me, not that I am proud to be a great speaker or anything( because I am not!), but that I am accepted as a friend by these 2 and everyone else at Rainbow. Social situations are not my favorite things, and to think that despite my social retardation, I have fitted in and am accepted has really done a lot for me, and my confidence in my call to work in NP.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Surrender 06
We are in the middle of the anual UNOH conference - "Surrender 06". The name of the conference comes out of a conviction to take seriously "surrendering to Jesus" It has speakers like Tony Campolo, Ash barker, John Smith, Darryl Gardiner etc... great, inspiring, challenging stuff - but alas - naomi is angry at me for blogging right now - we don't have time, so any more reflections will have to wait for another day!!! - see ya
Monday, August 21, 2006
Quote of the Week:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Lilies of the field
Recently, in my morning devotions I was reading Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I think all of Jesus' teachings present a real challenge to us if we take them for what they really say, versus what we have reduced them to. However, if we were to take the Sermon on the Mount literally as a guide on how to live a Christian life, what an amazing challenge that would be! Suddenly Counter Cultural would mean a bit more than wearing Diesel brand t-shirts with Che Guevara's image on them, or sporting 'Make Poverty History' armbands.
Especially when we read Matt 6:19-34, This is the passage that covers storing up treasures on earth and then goes onto the passage about the Lilies on the field. We cannot reduce this passage down to simply having mastery over our money (cannot serve both God & Mammon v24) and then deliver a tithe message. Nor can we simply reduce it to a message about Faith, saying that if we trust the Lord he will look after us. If we are true to the message here (remember last weeks quote of the week?), then are called to so much more, this passage stands in direct contrast to the lives that we in the west are living!
The first part tells us not to store up treasures on Earth, but to store up treasures in Heaven. Yet we live in a society and church that promotes the building of our own little Kingdoms; our own homes, investments, 2 cars, plasma TV's, a wardrobe full of clothes, (dare I say, a Fancy, Flashy new church building?). Whilst all around us there are images of people starving to death - we cannot fain ignorance about it, it is forced in our face by organizations like World Vision every day (and rightly so!!). The Early Church Held that if a child starved to death, and a Christian has extra food, then that Christian is guilty of MURDER. My God, how many have I murdered!?! Yet we can calm this guilt, all we need to do is tithe to a church that does great work in the third world, and maybe sponsor a child through world vision for "less than a cup of coffee a day" - if we have done that, we have done our bit right? Not if we are to take Jesus' message seriously. We call this sort of thing sacrifice - giving to the needy, but if it does not hurt, how can it be sacrifice? Sacrifice is pain, sacrifice is death! - remember "The Passion of the Christ?"
If this is all we are called to do, then why would Jesus tell us not to worry about our food and clothing, if we are still living in our own little Kingdoms of luxury, we don't need to trust in the Lord to supply our needs! Clearly Jesus is calling for more than just a tokenistic response. The early church sold their possessions, shared out of their wealth, so that none would have need (Acts 4:32) If we take God's words seriously, if we give sacrificially, then we have to trust in the Lord, then we really do need to pray "give us today our daily bread". Suddenly that line of the Lord's prayer makes more sense... We cannot view it simply as asking God for more. In fact if you read the above quote of the week, you will see where this line out of the Lords Prayer actually originates...
In building our little kingdoms here on earth, I fear that we have missed the point of it all, we are no longer working for the kingdom of God, we are working for the kingdom of self. The kingdom of God is at hand, but we can't grab hold of it, because our hands are full of our own possessions...
Especially when we read Matt 6:19-34, This is the passage that covers storing up treasures on earth and then goes onto the passage about the Lilies on the field. We cannot reduce this passage down to simply having mastery over our money (cannot serve both God & Mammon v24) and then deliver a tithe message. Nor can we simply reduce it to a message about Faith, saying that if we trust the Lord he will look after us. If we are true to the message here (remember last weeks quote of the week?), then are called to so much more, this passage stands in direct contrast to the lives that we in the west are living!
The first part tells us not to store up treasures on Earth, but to store up treasures in Heaven. Yet we live in a society and church that promotes the building of our own little Kingdoms; our own homes, investments, 2 cars, plasma TV's, a wardrobe full of clothes, (dare I say, a Fancy, Flashy new church building?). Whilst all around us there are images of people starving to death - we cannot fain ignorance about it, it is forced in our face by organizations like World Vision every day (and rightly so!!). The Early Church Held that if a child starved to death, and a Christian has extra food, then that Christian is guilty of MURDER. My God, how many have I murdered!?! Yet we can calm this guilt, all we need to do is tithe to a church that does great work in the third world, and maybe sponsor a child through world vision for "less than a cup of coffee a day" - if we have done that, we have done our bit right? Not if we are to take Jesus' message seriously. We call this sort of thing sacrifice - giving to the needy, but if it does not hurt, how can it be sacrifice? Sacrifice is pain, sacrifice is death! - remember "The Passion of the Christ?"
If this is all we are called to do, then why would Jesus tell us not to worry about our food and clothing, if we are still living in our own little Kingdoms of luxury, we don't need to trust in the Lord to supply our needs! Clearly Jesus is calling for more than just a tokenistic response. The early church sold their possessions, shared out of their wealth, so that none would have need (Acts 4:32) If we take God's words seriously, if we give sacrificially, then we have to trust in the Lord, then we really do need to pray "give us today our daily bread". Suddenly that line of the Lord's prayer makes more sense... We cannot view it simply as asking God for more. In fact if you read the above quote of the week, you will see where this line out of the Lords Prayer actually originates...
In building our little kingdoms here on earth, I fear that we have missed the point of it all, we are no longer working for the kingdom of God, we are working for the kingdom of self. The kingdom of God is at hand, but we can't grab hold of it, because our hands are full of our own possessions...
Sorry about the delay
It has been well over a week since we have last updated our blog - if there are any regular readers out there? (I ask this question as besides Andy, we don't get any feedback, and we like to think that this space will become a conversation rather than a monologue!) - we apologize for the delay - there have been illnesses and other issues stopping us - hopefully however we will be connected to the net in 2 days and then we can keep updated more regularly (by e-mail as well!) - woo hoo!!!!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Quote for the Week...
The matter is quite simple. The bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obligated to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church's prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.
Soren Kierkegaard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard (2002)
The Gift of Coffee Making
I still remember growing up in a Pentecostal/charismatic type church the quest we went on to find our spiritual gifts - the gift of healing, the gift of prophecy (or is that the gift of manipulation? - I get those two confused sometimes!), the gift of speaking in tongues, etc. etc.
They were all great gifts to have and be proud of, I can still remember walking around with pride comparing the gift God gave me to others gifts:- "you've got the gift of speaking in tongues huh? - well I'VE got the gift of interpretation of tongues!!". And then there were those who just didn't seem to get it, who could not find their spiritual gift - these people were told that not all spiritual gifts were of the miraculous type, some had the gift of hospitality or something like that (Of course us truly sanctified & spiritual people knew that that was just a cop-out)
Many years on I have finally let go of trying to impress other Christians, by my spirituality - we really missed the point if that is all the gifts of the spirit are used for. I still believe in those miraculous gifts of the spirit and respect those who use them (not their cheap imitation). But one that I have learnt to respect above many of them of late is - the gift of HOSPITALITY.
Yesterday was an interesting day for me. As the guys here in the community get to know me and get to be more comfortable with me (I think it is easier and more natural for women) , I have begun to get visitors at our door, just after a coffee and a chat, many of the guys here are very lonely and just need somewhere to feel like they are valued. Yesterday I had a couple of such visitors. The first was a great old guy from a "home for the broken" around the corner from us. He just dropped in for a coffee and a biscuit, and to say 'hi' - we sat for a while and I tried to have a conversation with him, I asked him any questions I could think of (you can't ask this guy what he does for a living, or where he is planning his next holiday), and more often than not I would get an answer that had no connection to the question. However he did say along the way that he was feeling anxious, and when he left he thanked me for all my help and left.
The same night I had a visit from another neighbor, who was crying, drunk and reeked of both alcohol and B.O. This neighbor is a great guy, witty and always ready to crack a joke or laugh raucously about the smallest thing. He had just heard the news that a family member had died. We talked we prayed, we drank coffee, we sat in silence, we even laughed by the end of it, and again this friend left feeling at least somewhat better, and that he had someone to talk to, that he had value.
I am not mentioning these things to say - Look at all the really great things that I am doing, I'm mentioning them to ask the question - why do we look for the grand gestures that we can do for the Kingdom - the great healings - the great mission trips - the great amounts of money to do great works in His name, when all it takes is a $3 jar of Nescafe*, and a willingness to open your door to those who need to feel loved!
* Nescafe have not sponsored this blog entry in any way - in fact I'd prefer you did not buy Nescafe coffee - but rather another coffee brand - given Nestle's history in third world countries! - want to know more? Go to www.globalexchange.org
They were all great gifts to have and be proud of, I can still remember walking around with pride comparing the gift God gave me to others gifts:- "you've got the gift of speaking in tongues huh? - well I'VE got the gift of interpretation of tongues!!". And then there were those who just didn't seem to get it, who could not find their spiritual gift - these people were told that not all spiritual gifts were of the miraculous type, some had the gift of hospitality or something like that (Of course us truly sanctified & spiritual people knew that that was just a cop-out)
Many years on I have finally let go of trying to impress other Christians, by my spirituality - we really missed the point if that is all the gifts of the spirit are used for. I still believe in those miraculous gifts of the spirit and respect those who use them (not their cheap imitation). But one that I have learnt to respect above many of them of late is - the gift of HOSPITALITY.
Yesterday was an interesting day for me. As the guys here in the community get to know me and get to be more comfortable with me (I think it is easier and more natural for women) , I have begun to get visitors at our door, just after a coffee and a chat, many of the guys here are very lonely and just need somewhere to feel like they are valued. Yesterday I had a couple of such visitors. The first was a great old guy from a "home for the broken" around the corner from us. He just dropped in for a coffee and a biscuit, and to say 'hi' - we sat for a while and I tried to have a conversation with him, I asked him any questions I could think of (you can't ask this guy what he does for a living, or where he is planning his next holiday), and more often than not I would get an answer that had no connection to the question. However he did say along the way that he was feeling anxious, and when he left he thanked me for all my help and left.
The same night I had a visit from another neighbor, who was crying, drunk and reeked of both alcohol and B.O. This neighbor is a great guy, witty and always ready to crack a joke or laugh raucously about the smallest thing. He had just heard the news that a family member had died. We talked we prayed, we drank coffee, we sat in silence, we even laughed by the end of it, and again this friend left feeling at least somewhat better, and that he had someone to talk to, that he had value.
I am not mentioning these things to say - Look at all the really great things that I am doing, I'm mentioning them to ask the question - why do we look for the grand gestures that we can do for the Kingdom - the great healings - the great mission trips - the great amounts of money to do great works in His name, when all it takes is a $3 jar of Nescafe*, and a willingness to open your door to those who need to feel loved!
* Nescafe have not sponsored this blog entry in any way - in fact I'd prefer you did not buy Nescafe coffee - but rather another coffee brand - given Nestle's history in third world countries! - want to know more? Go to www.globalexchange.org
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Some Praise & Prayer Points...
Hey Everyone,
Just a quick catch up from Naomi,
The big move on Saturday went extremely well, we are so grateful to all the wonderful people from Foothills who pitched in and helped us out............it was a great way to end our time in such an awesome community.
I thought some of you might like to hear some prayer & praise points........you don't have to pray for us..........but if you want to......
I would like to praise God for
The wonderful acceptance that we have been shown in our new community.........I was imagining sitting around and being bored for the first little while......boy was I wrong.
The fantastic way our kids have settled into our new way of life, new school e.t.c........in fact, they are not just settled, they are thriving!!!!!!!!
Teaching C.R.E in a new school is going very well, I have had extremely positive responses from various members of staff, and am beginning to become familiar with some children and families in the school.
Please Pray For
Me in particular to find some time for rest and to be able to fit more time with God into my crazy schedule..........It would be nice if people stopped commenting on the dark rings around my eyes
I am running Ladies group for the first time tomorrow (i'm a little nervous)
So few of the kids at Noble Park attend C.R.E, please pray that more kids would want to attend
Peter is beginning to form friendships with a few of the Men in the area, please pray that he would naturally form some meaningful friendships, many of the men around here are lonely and often have no where to go....it's good to be able to offer our place as a drop in for them.
We still don't have our names on the lease where we are living...........the Estate agent thinks it will be fine but is taking her time to sort it out with the owner, I am finding it hard to unpack boxes because in the back of my mind I am thinking "what if I have to repack soon" It would be really great to have that one sorted out.
That I would be able to follow God's leading with making some good connections in the school community
That's all I can think of now, Peter probably has more.......but he's not here so it's up to me.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this.................
Love from Naomi
Just a quick catch up from Naomi,
The big move on Saturday went extremely well, we are so grateful to all the wonderful people from Foothills who pitched in and helped us out............it was a great way to end our time in such an awesome community.
I thought some of you might like to hear some prayer & praise points........you don't have to pray for us..........but if you want to......
I would like to praise God for
The wonderful acceptance that we have been shown in our new community.........I was imagining sitting around and being bored for the first little while......boy was I wrong.
The fantastic way our kids have settled into our new way of life, new school e.t.c........in fact, they are not just settled, they are thriving!!!!!!!!
Teaching C.R.E in a new school is going very well, I have had extremely positive responses from various members of staff, and am beginning to become familiar with some children and families in the school.
Please Pray For
Me in particular to find some time for rest and to be able to fit more time with God into my crazy schedule..........It would be nice if people stopped commenting on the dark rings around my eyes
I am running Ladies group for the first time tomorrow (i'm a little nervous)
So few of the kids at Noble Park attend C.R.E, please pray that more kids would want to attend
Peter is beginning to form friendships with a few of the Men in the area, please pray that he would naturally form some meaningful friendships, many of the men around here are lonely and often have no where to go....it's good to be able to offer our place as a drop in for them.
We still don't have our names on the lease where we are living...........the Estate agent thinks it will be fine but is taking her time to sort it out with the owner, I am finding it hard to unpack boxes because in the back of my mind I am thinking "what if I have to repack soon" It would be really great to have that one sorted out.
That I would be able to follow God's leading with making some good connections in the school community
That's all I can think of now, Peter probably has more.......but he's not here so it's up to me.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this.................
Love from Naomi
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Quote for the Week...
Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is foolhardiness, as with the ordinary soldier. Wisdom without love and courage is cowardice, as with the ordinary intellectual. But the one who has love, courage, and wisdom moves the world.
- Ammon Hennacy (Catholic Activist, 1893-1970)
Finally, we are moving in!!!
Well, 5 weeks in and we are finally getting to the stage where we can move our belongings to Nobel Park!!!! - yay!!! - that will mean that we will be able to sleep in our own beds, sit on our own couches get food out of our own fridge... Sorry it is all wearing a bit thin for me - it will be great to finally just relax and call a place home again.
Out side of that, things are going great and continue to get better. I know we go on about it a lot, but Sammy is just doing wonders, and we can not say anything other than it is a miracle and a real example of God rewarding the faithful actions of his followers.
Naomi was called in to the school by one of the aids to discuss sammys progress, going in with fear, she soon found out that the aid wanted nothing more than to assure Naomi over how well Sammy was doing. The aid showed her Sams work and the work that he is doing is not at all modified (something that we were asking the other school to do for ages) and he is doing extremely well at it too - his work is on display with the other kids work in his classroom (again something that didn't happen at the other school) he is participating in class discussions and being relevant to the topic. In fact they are implementing a number of strategies that we have been crying out for the other school to try for months in not over a year off the bat, and things could not be better - NP Primary got the reports from his other school and were preparing for an absolute monster to join their school - however they have had nothing but an angel for more than a month now!!! - this is not simply because Sammy has decided to change either (though he did try his best to start with) this is because this school seems to understand the ins & outs of Autism and they treat Sammy with dignity! - PRAISE THE LORD - is all I can say - it certainly does not fit into earthly logic or wisdom that a move from Ferntree gully to Noble Park would work so well for an Autistic child! Tomorrow night he even gets to be involved in the school production (again - surprise, surprise - not in he other school) - he is a cowboy in a dance revolving around the village peoples YMCA.
Luke is also in the production as a cat in a dance to "What's new Pussy Cat" and Jake gets the lead in Rocky Horror Picture Shows "Time Warp" - he assures me he is not wearing fishnets and stillettos though!!! - once I have my computer back on the net I'll try to post a picture.
On news about Naomi & I, it looks like I have been given the role of looking after the food distribution at the Food Bank here on a Tuesday morning as well as a number of other responsibilities that are just beginning to form around me at the moment. It is hard to describe what a day consists of here - though a lot of it has to do with relating to people, having visitors, making very lonely people feel loved etc, so it is very hard to put down our roles in neat boxes. Naomi is currently hosting a women's group back at home, so I have been kicked out and therefore am catching up with things here at Cafe Salvo - the new local hang out, where if you want to meet a local, have a great coffee or jump on the net its the place to be - a bit like cheers, without the alcohol or woody!
Anyway - I have run out of things to say as a general catch up - I'll post again soon, especially once I am on line again but until then - see you later.
Peter
Out side of that, things are going great and continue to get better. I know we go on about it a lot, but Sammy is just doing wonders, and we can not say anything other than it is a miracle and a real example of God rewarding the faithful actions of his followers.
Naomi was called in to the school by one of the aids to discuss sammys progress, going in with fear, she soon found out that the aid wanted nothing more than to assure Naomi over how well Sammy was doing. The aid showed her Sams work and the work that he is doing is not at all modified (something that we were asking the other school to do for ages) and he is doing extremely well at it too - his work is on display with the other kids work in his classroom (again something that didn't happen at the other school) he is participating in class discussions and being relevant to the topic. In fact they are implementing a number of strategies that we have been crying out for the other school to try for months in not over a year off the bat, and things could not be better - NP Primary got the reports from his other school and were preparing for an absolute monster to join their school - however they have had nothing but an angel for more than a month now!!! - this is not simply because Sammy has decided to change either (though he did try his best to start with) this is because this school seems to understand the ins & outs of Autism and they treat Sammy with dignity! - PRAISE THE LORD - is all I can say - it certainly does not fit into earthly logic or wisdom that a move from Ferntree gully to Noble Park would work so well for an Autistic child! Tomorrow night he even gets to be involved in the school production (again - surprise, surprise - not in he other school) - he is a cowboy in a dance revolving around the village peoples YMCA.
Luke is also in the production as a cat in a dance to "What's new Pussy Cat" and Jake gets the lead in Rocky Horror Picture Shows "Time Warp" - he assures me he is not wearing fishnets and stillettos though!!! - once I have my computer back on the net I'll try to post a picture.
On news about Naomi & I, it looks like I have been given the role of looking after the food distribution at the Food Bank here on a Tuesday morning as well as a number of other responsibilities that are just beginning to form around me at the moment. It is hard to describe what a day consists of here - though a lot of it has to do with relating to people, having visitors, making very lonely people feel loved etc, so it is very hard to put down our roles in neat boxes. Naomi is currently hosting a women's group back at home, so I have been kicked out and therefore am catching up with things here at Cafe Salvo - the new local hang out, where if you want to meet a local, have a great coffee or jump on the net its the place to be - a bit like cheers, without the alcohol or woody!
Anyway - I have run out of things to say as a general catch up - I'll post again soon, especially once I am on line again but until then - see you later.
Peter
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Finally..........a word from Naomi
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
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
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
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
"It's a Revolution Baby!"
Hi everyone,
I recently read a book by George Barna entitles ‘Revolution’. What an amazing book considering Barna’s history – from statistician writing books about church growth, to statistician writing a book about a movement that his statistics have missed – a book about a trend of Christians who have abandoned the church to seek a true spiritual walk – he calls this the revolution – a word that he himself sees as being overused and watered down over the last few years. Anyway the book is an interesting read although quite short and probably overpriced… anyway at the end of the book he writes “The Affirmation of a Revolutionary” which I found quite inspiring, so here it is:
I am a Revolutionary in the service of God Almighty. My life is not my own; I exist as a free person but have voluntarily become a slave to God. My role on earth is to live as a Revolutionary, committed to love, holiness, and advancing God’s Kingdom. My life is not about me and my natural desires; it is all about knowing, loving, and serving God with all my heart, mind, strength, and soul. Therefore, I acknowledge the following:
- I am a sinner, broken by my disobedience but restored by Jesus Christ in order to participate in good works that please God. I am not perfect; but Jesus Christ makes me righteous in God’s eyes, and the Holy Spirit leads me toward greater holiness.
God created me for His purpose. My desire as a Revolutionary is to fulfill those ends, and those ends alone. When I get out of bed each day, I do so for one purpose: to love, obey, and serve God and His people. - Every breath I take is a declaration of war against Satan and a commitment to opposing him.
- God does not need me to fight, but He invites me to allow Him to fight through me. It is my privilege to serve Him in that manner. I anticipate and will gladly endure various hardships as I serve God; for this is the price of participation in winning the spiritual war.
- I do not need to save the world; Jesus Christ has already done that. I cannot transform the world, but I can allow God to use me to transform some part of it.
- My commitment to the Revolution of faith is sealed by my complete surrender to God’s ways and His will. I will gratefully do what He asks of me simply because He loves me enough to ask. I gain my security, success, and significance through my surrender to Him.
- I am not called to attend or join a church, I am called to be the Church.
- Worship is not an event I attend or process I observe; it is the lifestyle I lead.
- I do not give away 10 percent of my resources. I surrender 100 percent.
- God has given me natural abilities and supernatural abilities, all intended to advance His Kingdom. I will deploy those abilities for that purpose.
- The proof of my status as a Revolutionary is the love I show to God and people.
- There is strength in relationships; I am bound at a heart and soul level to other Revolutionaries, and I will bless believers whenever I have the chance.
- To achieve victory in the spiritual war in which we are immersed, there is nothing I must accomplish; I must simply follow Christ with everything I have.
- There is no greater calling than to know and serve God.
- The world is desperately seeking meaning and purpose. I will respond to that need with the Good News and meaningful service.
- Absolute moral and spiritual truth exists, is knowable, and is intended for my life; it is accessible through the Bible.
- I want nothing more than to hear God say to me, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”
Thank You, Lord God, for loving me, for saving me, for refining me, for blessing me, and for including me in the work of Your Kingdom. My life is Yours to use as You please. I Love you.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Homesick for the future!?!
It was my mothers 60th birthday last Thursday, and to celebrate, we headed out to a Thai restaurant in Blackburn South. What an experience! – the smells, the tastes, they brought us back to Thailand.
One of the Waitresses was actually on holidays from Thailand and heard that we had just come back from there – teaching English. Not surprisingly she assumed straight away that we were Christians. We had a little bit of a conversation with her, and had fun for the rest of the night.
The amazing thing was that both Naomi and I were struck with this sense of – um – what could only be described as homesickness – not that we can call Thailand our home or anything – we only spent 3 weeks there – but our hearts truly are already there – and God willing, in a year and a half we will be there…
A whole year and a half – I am really feeling impatient, but then I guess patience is meant to be a character trait of a follower of Jesus. And who knows what the Lord has in store for us between now and then – for all I know Thailand isn’t even in God’s plans for us…
Pray for us – that the Lord will be with us, we are still searching for a rental property in Noble Park, the struggle is mainly due to not many houses being available in the smallish geographic area we have set ourselves. We have not had many houses that we could apply for in the time that we have been looking – but we continue to look – next weekend there are hopefully another handful of likely candidates, but we will see.
One of the Waitresses was actually on holidays from Thailand and heard that we had just come back from there – teaching English. Not surprisingly she assumed straight away that we were Christians. We had a little bit of a conversation with her, and had fun for the rest of the night.
The amazing thing was that both Naomi and I were struck with this sense of – um – what could only be described as homesickness – not that we can call Thailand our home or anything – we only spent 3 weeks there – but our hearts truly are already there – and God willing, in a year and a half we will be there…
A whole year and a half – I am really feeling impatient, but then I guess patience is meant to be a character trait of a follower of Jesus. And who knows what the Lord has in store for us between now and then – for all I know Thailand isn’t even in God’s plans for us…
Pray for us – that the Lord will be with us, we are still searching for a rental property in Noble Park, the struggle is mainly due to not many houses being available in the smallish geographic area we have set ourselves. We have not had many houses that we could apply for in the time that we have been looking – but we continue to look – next weekend there are hopefully another handful of likely candidates, but we will see.
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