Viewed an interesting program on BBC the other night; "Hard Copy" is the name of the program. It's an interview tackling issues at the 'core'. This interview was with an Anglican Priest who had the oversight of the South American Church, he was also a leading 'conservative' within the Anglican communion. The interviewer was wanting his angle on the current 'divorce' about to happen within the Anglican community mainly over two issues: the ordination of 'gay' clergy and the appointment of women Bishops.
Now I don't intend to comment on these two important issues but only on the way this bishop handled the questions; instead of getting caught up with running people down and negative comments he stuck to the fundamental issue for him and his group; the authority of the Bible, the divinity of Christ and the historic teachings of the church. He stressed that there are 'essentials' that cannot be negotiated, but other issues although important do not alter our relationship with God or our salvation. It was encouraging to hear a church leader clearly stating these are the 'non-negotiables'
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Thats me in blue with cycling friends at Lake Taylor NZ
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Out With Friends
Sunday was such a lovely day, especially after Saturday. The fury of a winter storm blasting from the deep south. But Sunday was a ray of sunlight and it shone for Lydia and her water...ice baptism. It was a wonderful testimony to her young faith and the strong bond of friendship.
Monday night we joined with four of our street neighbours and went down to 'Altitude' a cafe come restaurant at the end of Colombo St. I had been given six free coffee tickets, so we used them. It was a great time with our friends especially as one is leaving for two weeks in the States. These are all non-believing friends enjoying each others company, no God talk on Monday but I feel God was amongst us and signed in that night.
Tonight we had an International gathering. One of our Indonesian friends is going home on Sunday so Bronwyn organised for the ladies from Cant Uni International women's group to say goodbye. Unfortunately only a few were able to come but we did have Kiwi, Maldives and Indonesian here. Apart from the Kiwis the others were all Muslim and we ended up having a discussion about what Muslims and Christian believe about 'bad luck' and superstitions. We talked about how our faiths believe in a sovereign God but also free will, that each person is responsible for their own actions, that if we do good to others we are honouring God. There's always something special, I find, when people of different faiths can sit on the floor and talk about what they believe and ask about the other persons beliefs in a non-threathening manner.Although we talked about each others faith we didn't compromise our own beliefs; dialogue doesn't mean one automatically succumbs to syncretism but one listens and expresses their faith in a friendly, natural way.
Monday night we joined with four of our street neighbours and went down to 'Altitude' a cafe come restaurant at the end of Colombo St. I had been given six free coffee tickets, so we used them. It was a great time with our friends especially as one is leaving for two weeks in the States. These are all non-believing friends enjoying each others company, no God talk on Monday but I feel God was amongst us and signed in that night.
Tonight we had an International gathering. One of our Indonesian friends is going home on Sunday so Bronwyn organised for the ladies from Cant Uni International women's group to say goodbye. Unfortunately only a few were able to come but we did have Kiwi, Maldives and Indonesian here. Apart from the Kiwis the others were all Muslim and we ended up having a discussion about what Muslims and Christian believe about 'bad luck' and superstitions. We talked about how our faiths believe in a sovereign God but also free will, that each person is responsible for their own actions, that if we do good to others we are honouring God. There's always something special, I find, when people of different faiths can sit on the floor and talk about what they believe and ask about the other persons beliefs in a non-threathening manner.Although we talked about each others faith we didn't compromise our own beliefs; dialogue doesn't mean one automatically succumbs to syncretism but one listens and expresses their faith in a friendly, natural way.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Family Discussion Time
It was my daughters birthday this weekend and we had a meal with her and her husband on Friday night. It was a real blessing having all the family there enjoying a lovely meal and some good conversation.
Actually our family can have some very lively discussions, we can get intense and immersed in our point of view. Our daughters (new) husband comes from a different kind of family without brothers and sisters to add to intensity of a good discussion. He is very quickly adjusting to our style.
Well, we started talking about how we stand up and express our Christian convictions. Is it better to stay in the background or to stand up and be noticed by society, even if they get offended by either our message or style. The issue was illustrated by the recent Destiny Church protest in Wellington. The great thing is we have people arguing both sides.
The discussion then moved onto creation and if a Christian can except a role for evolution or the 'Big bang theory'. I'm not sure how it got there!
The discussions in themselves were not so important, it was more that we were able to talk about our understanding of Christian faith in an open and honest manner. At least the family was trying to grapple with issues of faith and what does God's word say about these things.
What does our faith look like to those around us, how are we relating to non-believers especially those folks that are often ostracised by the Christian community. The Homosexual community was one we talked about. Why is it that we are seen to be haters of Homosexual people? How do we say that we actually love the people but hate the sin? Does a protest against the activity send out the right message, are we making friends of people who are homosexual or do we belong to organisations like the AIDS Foundation?
We must examine very carefully what our words sound like and what our actions look like because as sure as not the media and other groups will take them out of context.
So I think we all ended our discussion on good terms and hopefully it will lead us back to scripture and see what the heart beat of God is on the real issues.
Actually our family can have some very lively discussions, we can get intense and immersed in our point of view. Our daughters (new) husband comes from a different kind of family without brothers and sisters to add to intensity of a good discussion. He is very quickly adjusting to our style.
Well, we started talking about how we stand up and express our Christian convictions. Is it better to stay in the background or to stand up and be noticed by society, even if they get offended by either our message or style. The issue was illustrated by the recent Destiny Church protest in Wellington. The great thing is we have people arguing both sides.
The discussion then moved onto creation and if a Christian can except a role for evolution or the 'Big bang theory'. I'm not sure how it got there!
The discussions in themselves were not so important, it was more that we were able to talk about our understanding of Christian faith in an open and honest manner. At least the family was trying to grapple with issues of faith and what does God's word say about these things.
What does our faith look like to those around us, how are we relating to non-believers especially those folks that are often ostracised by the Christian community. The Homosexual community was one we talked about. Why is it that we are seen to be haters of Homosexual people? How do we say that we actually love the people but hate the sin? Does a protest against the activity send out the right message, are we making friends of people who are homosexual or do we belong to organisations like the AIDS Foundation?
We must examine very carefully what our words sound like and what our actions look like because as sure as not the media and other groups will take them out of context.
So I think we all ended our discussion on good terms and hopefully it will lead us back to scripture and see what the heart beat of God is on the real issues.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
His Glory Will Appear Over You
God seems to be speaking to me when reading his word lately about how I can express the kingdom to not just my fellow Cantabrian, but to the nations. I was reading Isaiah the other day, Chpt 60, I always struggle with how much I should 'claim' verses for myself. It's all very nice taking the 'nice' verses as God speaking a specific word to me, but I'm not so keen when it comes the 'not so nice' ones.
This Chapter, especially the first few verses, really stood out when I read them: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For the darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Nations for will be drawn to God through Gods glory shinning out from me! What a privilege, a responsibility we have to those around us. God chooses a people to express his glory , his good news to the world. He chose Israel but they turned their backs on God and instead of drawing the nations to honour him, they dishonoured the name of God. Now God has chosen another people to represent his name among the nations, those whom he has redeemed through Jesus.
What shape does this light that shines for the nations look like; chapter 61 gives us a glimpse. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour ..."
But what I find even more incredible is that this is not some 'way out there' promise; it is brought right next to us when we read Luke 4:18 and then verse 21. "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." "The kingdom of heaven is near". Jesus is The Good News, and he lived in the "power of the Holy Spirit", he lived and preached a message that should be 'violent', that should rip open the complacency of our comfortable established lives. He came down from Heaven to enter into the messy, broken world and to establish a kingdom that we are part off.
Today I listened to a friend talking; who is going through a rough time with his marriage and trying to make major employment decisions. A neighbour came into work this afternoon in real agony because his leg is very sore, he had had a bad day and we sat down with a coffee.
This Chapter, especially the first few verses, really stood out when I read them: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For the darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Nations for will be drawn to God through Gods glory shinning out from me! What a privilege, a responsibility we have to those around us. God chooses a people to express his glory , his good news to the world. He chose Israel but they turned their backs on God and instead of drawing the nations to honour him, they dishonoured the name of God. Now God has chosen another people to represent his name among the nations, those whom he has redeemed through Jesus.
What shape does this light that shines for the nations look like; chapter 61 gives us a glimpse. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour ..."
But what I find even more incredible is that this is not some 'way out there' promise; it is brought right next to us when we read Luke 4:18 and then verse 21. "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." "The kingdom of heaven is near". Jesus is The Good News, and he lived in the "power of the Holy Spirit", he lived and preached a message that should be 'violent', that should rip open the complacency of our comfortable established lives. He came down from Heaven to enter into the messy, broken world and to establish a kingdom that we are part off.
Today I listened to a friend talking; who is going through a rough time with his marriage and trying to make major employment decisions. A neighbour came into work this afternoon in real agony because his leg is very sore, he had had a bad day and we sat down with a coffee.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Farewell
Well just had to pop into the blog and say I had some great sales today, busy day for me. It always amazes me on how people love to stop and talk, must get that coffee machine going at work!
We went round to our Indonesian Muslim family tonight for dinner, they are so loving and hospitable. Its been interesting watching the wife progress with her English. When she came here it was very difficult to get many English words out of her but now, after about three and half years you can converse comfortably with her in English. However it is with sadness that we saw them tonight because Ira, the wife , is returning to Indonesia with their two kids with her husband following in about two months. We have gotten to know them well over these past few years and count them as dear friends. When you share meals and your home with people, you can see past the stereotypes and move through the preconceptions about people that are, on the outside different to us. These folks are Muslim, she wears the scarf head cover and he goes to the Mosque each Friday. They should be trying to convert us to Islam, take over the world. But hey, they are just like us; love their family, want the best for the kids, strive to make ends meet on limited income, and want to honour God.
How does the kingdom come near to them? I could try and argue with them on how their religion is wrong, point out the mistakes, say how violent Islam is etc. No. The kingdom will come near to them as I come near to them, I am Gods representative of the kingdom here on earth. If they want to see the kingdom then all they should have to do is look at me. Although they are leaving NZ soon, our friendship will continue across the seas and we can just keep open the friendship, unconditional and watch for those moments God gives us to speak into their lives. We know that if we get to go over to their home they will welcome us in, even if there is little room. God please do your miracle in their lives.
We went round to our Indonesian Muslim family tonight for dinner, they are so loving and hospitable. Its been interesting watching the wife progress with her English. When she came here it was very difficult to get many English words out of her but now, after about three and half years you can converse comfortably with her in English. However it is with sadness that we saw them tonight because Ira, the wife , is returning to Indonesia with their two kids with her husband following in about two months. We have gotten to know them well over these past few years and count them as dear friends. When you share meals and your home with people, you can see past the stereotypes and move through the preconceptions about people that are, on the outside different to us. These folks are Muslim, she wears the scarf head cover and he goes to the Mosque each Friday. They should be trying to convert us to Islam, take over the world. But hey, they are just like us; love their family, want the best for the kids, strive to make ends meet on limited income, and want to honour God.
How does the kingdom come near to them? I could try and argue with them on how their religion is wrong, point out the mistakes, say how violent Islam is etc. No. The kingdom will come near to them as I come near to them, I am Gods representative of the kingdom here on earth. If they want to see the kingdom then all they should have to do is look at me. Although they are leaving NZ soon, our friendship will continue across the seas and we can just keep open the friendship, unconditional and watch for those moments God gives us to speak into their lives. We know that if we get to go over to their home they will welcome us in, even if there is little room. God please do your miracle in their lives.
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