The Gift of Administration...

I am working this week for my old boss.

I have jumped on board the production of Vinnies World Youth 4 Justice Concert, which is on after the Pope's arrival. It's pretty big event with 12 bands/artists in the line up! We are yet to release the names of the artists and unsure whether the concert will be open to general public or only to the Pilgrims

This week I have the job title of Artist Liaison - which involves liaising with all the artists, getting press kits, graphics, by-lines, show times, sound check, contracts, VIPS etc all sorted and scheduled. Loving the organised chaos of production management.

I am also producing the Production Manual which, like all desktop publishing design, is time consuming. Details, details, details...

It's fun to be back working for my old boss... its been 3 years since I worked on the last event.

Being back has made me realise where I learn a lot of my "gift of administration" skills.
My boss is amazing! She has taught me lots about how to run events well. Her 30+ years in the rock and roll industry, pays off!

And so it makes me think - does she have the spiritual gift of administration?
Many unbelievers have this skill set, CEO's, event managers don't get where they are otherwise. But they can't be spiritual gifts right?

So do I distinguish my own gifts that way too... since I had the 'gift of administration' before I became a Christian? I relied on my own strength and skill to do things before and I guess I naturally fall back on it when using these skills to serve my church family?

The church is made up of my family > people not programs/events/structures right? So is the 1 Cor 13 principle my guide in applying the skills I've gained in serving the church, for without love I am a noisy gong? But shouldn't love guide me in all my work secular or not?

I guess whether you are a Christian or not, everything you have, everything you are is a gift of God. They are all God-given abilities. It's whether you attribute it to God!

So perhaps like 1 Corinthians keeps pushing its about your attitude and motivation to serve...love!

The choice is yours:
>>> promote self
>>> promote Jesus

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms... he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen

1 Peter 4:10-11

We need more Fujimura's...

Praise Jesus for Faith Visuals for producing this clip!

Makoto Fujimura

He is an artist.
He is intelligent.
He paints.
He writes.

He proclaims Christ.

Mako is a Christian of the reformed persuasion.
Mako and Tim Keller are mates.
Mako is the Creative Director & Founder Artist of IAM
Keller is on the Advisory Board of IAM.

IAM gathers artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ought to be.

I am sad that I haven't been introduced to Makoto earlier... but very thankful that I now have.

"I am a Christian. I am also an artist and creative, and what I do is driven by my faith experience."
— Makoto Fujimura said in a 2007 article by Associated Press reporter Eric Gorsk

He and the artists that he as gathered around him have created a new realm where the arts and religion meet. He and IAM are doing great things for Christianity and the Arts. He is bringing faith to the cultural discussion table and putting the gospel on the agenda. I praise Jesus for the way he and the many artists are using their gifts to express the truths of the God who gave them.

As critic Robert Kushner has written, "The idea of forging a new kind of art, about hope, healing, redemption, refuge, while maintaining visual sophistication and intellectual integrity is a growing movement, one which finds Fujimura's work at the vanguard."

I've just bought his book, became a member of IAM (not that I will get much benefit beng here in Aust, but think its a gospel initiative that I want to support) and iwll use Makoto for the God and Art Course I am running at my church in the coming month.

We need more people like Makoto!

That's a RAP...

Radical Answer to Prayer

I have unfortunatley been feeling a little disconnected from the course material at college. It has really disapointed me that this is the case... stuff seems to go in but hasn't seemed to change or excite or grab me! I think that is sad.

I have been praying that God would transform my heart and mind to be humble and more like a sponge, to soak up the goodness and that there would be some cross over between the stuff I am learning and with serving his people.

God has been super gracious:

1. A girl from my old church emailed me yesterday asking:
   how do you explain to a non-believer about the differences between old and new testament? how do you explain why Jesus changes things, however, there still are some universal values that are kept? I need a crash course...
   
   
2. At church tonight I was asked
   what did you get up to on the weekend: I spent saturday morning having breakfast in a cafe with myself and article.
   
   She asked what article: oh just one on homosexuality...
   
   and can you believe it she was chatting just this week to her gay friend and had thought to herself she really needs to clarify what she thinks about this a little more. So she asked for a copy and we are going to do coffee to chat it over sometime!
   

Praise Jesus for BS 141 (Biblical Theology)

Sex and the City Reconsidered

Christianity Today did a review of SATC movie... Some Christians have reacted in outrage by the 3 stars the movie received, where as Prince Caspian received 2.5 stars.

These articles have made me think - am I guilty?

This movie I think is really telling of our culture. I think it is an accurate picture (within creative licence) of the confused state of our world. But does this film promote the confusion and contridiction of society or does it show it up?

hmmm....
__________________________

Christianity Today Review
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2008/sexandthecity.html

Christianity Today Review - Review!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/youreviewedwhat.html

The Shepherd's Scrapbook Blog
http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/sex-and-the-city-christian/

Boundless Blog
http://www.boundlessline.org/2008/06/christianity-to.html

Love is...

Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind.

He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.

He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs.

Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Jesus never fails!

Yet another RSS feed?...

So I subscribe to a number of blogs... Some posts I read, am built up, rebuked, stretched, infored or amused, some I pick up some tricks, some I skim over and some posts I just ignore (sorry to be blunt).

But the latest RSS feed I am subscribing to in my program NetNewsWire is
http://www.persecution.com.au/news/default.asp and it is one you cannot skim or ignore.

It contains the latest news and prayer requests for the Persecuted Church. Thanks to the organisation Voice of the Matyrs.

I was blown away by finding this update online as I was preparing for prayers at church. I was really rebuked by the apathy of myself and fellow believers here in Sydney and our prayer-less-ness.

PRAY and “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3 )
...

Father God,

We pray for the many people who are imprisoned and tortured around the world because of their faith and trust in our great Saviour Jesus Christ.

Enable them not to compromise or loose heart when authorities forbid them to worship you. Strengthen each believer with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Comfort them as they are rejected, ridiculed, and threatened by other religions and even their own families.

Thank you for organizations like Voice of the Martyrs and for their commitment to helping today's persecuted Christians. Lord God, may you grant VOM the grace needed to continue in the work they do amongst families, prisoners, the underground church and in the work of translation printing, and distribution of Bibles and Christian books. Help them to use resources wisely and fairly, as they seek to encourage, support and equip persecuted believers.

Father help us here in Sydney, to remember those in prison and suffering for your name. Thank you for their example and empower us to pray for those of whom we have not met. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and it grieves us to hear of the ways they suffer and it rebukes us to hear of their faithfulness to you in the face of such trials.

Father forgive us for our laziness, our self-centeredness and preoccupation with security. That as we live in our relative ease, safety and freedom help us not to take what we have for granted. We are sorry Father that instead of using all that you have graced us with for Jesus, we use it instead to promote ourselves. Instead of living boldly amongst our friends and family, we seek to please them and ourselves rather than you.

Father we pray all these things so that the glory of your Son Jesus may shine brighter.
May the world know that it is to Him we belong.

In Christs name we pray...
AMEN

Sex and the City

Things the movie illuminated for me:

• Shoes make me happy!
  
• People hurt people.
  
• Forgiveness is hard.
• Humans like the words "I", "me", "my" and "mine".
  
• Friends are a true blessing.
• Love can stink.
• Families are out of fashion.
• Lonliness isn't nice.
  
• People want to be loved.
• Broken relationships are painful.
  
• Macs are cool.
• Love brings great joy.
  
• People want to live life their own way.
  
• Marriage is a good thing but misunderstood by many.
  
• Children are a miraclous gift.
• People ignore God.

Reading Comprehension...

Does the Holy Spirit illuminate only the Scriptures for the believer?
Does He illuminate primary source documents, theological text books or novels?

How does the Holy Spirit illuminate words for the illiterate?

...

These questions have been floating around in my head in light of thinking about Indigenous Church ministry and also because of my own experience this week trying to comprehend ancient texts for college.

AIM PRAYER NOTES for JUNE 2008...

http://www.aimpa.com/

NEW SOUTH WALES
1. AIM Council: John Keane, Arthur Nicolson, Geoff Bartlett, Len Smith, Pierre Thielemans, Kevin Sylvester, Peter Dart, Cliff and Trevor. Field Members of Council: Jono Wright, Richard Davies, Elizabeth Ham, Dennis Tranter.
Praise: For the faithful work of the Council members, their general oversight and prayer support of AIM, and the special interest of those who visit the field from time to time.
Pray for: the meeting planned for 10th June, for wise decisions to be made.

2. Dubbo David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: More new faces, some are bringing others; Sunday-School is a blessing as well as the new teaching time on Tuesday afternoons; new faces at Men’s Breakfasts.
Prayer: Sunday-School children to be converted; men who attend breakfast to come to Sunday services; David and Rose as they lead the ministry team.

3. Moree Paul and Erin Strahan and Grace
Praise: Erin is expecting a new baby in December; good numbers at Kid’s church; more contact with adults.
Pray for: Paul as he prepares to speak at Collarenebri Convention on long weekend; guidance about reaching more teenagers in the time they have available; more like-minded people to share in the ministry.

4. Office Trevor and Pam, Rob and Jenni Alley, Cliff and Sue
Praise: For the financial gifts given to support the ministry; for the prayer support of many for the work of AIM; for the expansion of the team with the planned move of Rob and Jenni Alley and baby Miriam mid year to the office.
Pray for: A support team for the Alleys as they step out trusting God into the full time ministry of Mission Awareness Tours and Administration; for Cliff and Trevor in their various responsibilities; for Pam as she keeps things running smoothly.

5. Gilgandra Max and Tracy Conlon
Praise: For the acceptance of the Conlons; for the response of the young people to Max’s ministry
Pray for: Building of new relationships; more people to come back to the church fellowship.


QUEENSLAND
6. Camooweal Jono and Grace Wright and family
Praise: For cooler weather; visit of Grace’s parents; Grace’s renewed strength
Pray for: Jono and Grace as they go on deputation soon, that it will be rewarding and fruitful; that the Christians in Camooweal will continue to encourage each other in the Wright’s absence; Jono as he leads the studies at the Bible School over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

7. Cherbourg
Praise: That Church leader Sammy Murray has been elected as the Mayor of Cherbourg.
Pray for: Sam Murray and family as they grieve the loss of Doris; more men in the church; the breaking of the cycle of substance abuse among the young people; those who teach RE in the schools. Pray for Sammy Murray and Neil Simpson as they lead the church.

8. Rockhampton Bill and Lesley Power David Chambers
Praise: David is building strong friendships among the young people; growth in interest among those at the Milbi Rehabilitation Farm where meetings are held weekly
Pray for: Church leader Irene Currie, whose husband Alex died recently. The funeral was 23rd May; for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Sunday School children, the church council meeting to be held at Inala on 6-8th June.

9. Woorabinda Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: For open doors into the community; for various churches which want to help and support the ministry in Woorabinda
Pray for: The community as it becomes a dry community soon; for Martin as he has been approached by Dept of Communities to assist, especially with troubled youth; Rose as she does RE and helps in Day care.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
10. Darwin Rhonda Coats and Elizabeth Ham
Praise: Rhonda has been able to make an extended trip (about 8 weeks) to various centres with literature and to teach where possible; for the opportunities Elizabeth has in hospital ministry and in the school.
Pray for: Safety for Rhonda as she drives alone, for good openings to share and for people to be around when she visits their centres; for Neremiah, a young car accident victim from B’loola whom Elizabeth has met in Darwin hospital . Her family are very anxious about her.
Pray for: Marion Quinn, teaching at Woolaning Homeland Christian College, who has students from many centres including Belyuen. Each day is a challenge as they prepare students to face the future.

11. Katherine Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise: for the outreach already started at the Gorge and for God’s blessing so far.
Pray for: Continued blessing from the Gorge outreach; for the Lord to strengthen the church council and make them more committed

12. Borroloola Max and Doris Field Vincent Charlie Warren Timothy Miriam
Praise: For growth in Sunday School and Miriam’s faithful teaching; for the quiet confident way in which Shaelene faced her death, trusting in Christ and for the testimony at her funeral service.
Pray for: Shaelene’s young son in the care of family; Gemma who has turned her back o God but had contact with Max and Doris; health of the Fields; reaching out to those who have been baptised and drifted away

13. Elliott Harold and Kay Dalywaters; Raymond and Thelma Dixon at Marlinja
Praise: For Sunday School being run by Harold and Kay and the good number attending; for the faithful witness of the Dalywaters and Dixons in hard places

Pray for: These couples to live as examples in their communities and shine for Jesus in these dark places; for other Christians to be encouraged to reach out in the community.

14. Tennant Creek Richard, Cedric, Jeff , Ruth and Eugen
Praise: Growth in new converts, especially Brian Jakara; ladies and teenagers learning new sewing and tapestry skills; the church folk picking up extra responsibilities
Pray for: Ruth and Eugen as they travel to Canada to meet their new grand daughter, for safety and good health ; for the health of church members who struggle, especially in colder months; for those taking on new rolls in the church outside their comfort zones.

15. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: local ladies have taken over running the Sunday School and doing well; encouraging participation in Ladies’ meeting Tuesday night, men’s meeting Thursday afternoon. Praise for Rodney’s leadership
Pray for: continued growth in understanding among the church people; for Andrew and some men who are going to Elcho Island
3-10th June for dedication of New Testament. Andrew grew up there so will renew acquaintances and introduce the desert men to some Christians from salt water country. Pray for Cindy as she copes at home alone.

16. Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: For those who stand strong and resist pressure; for opportunities to teach RE at the school

Pray for: Those who made commitments at Easter meetings and now face loneliness as they are cut off from friends and facing temptation; for trusting friendships to grow within the church family; for a Christian teacher to respond to the advertisement placed by the School Principal ( Ben)for an English teacher.

17. Alice Springs Bob and Deb McKerrell
Praise : For the wonderful ministry of Bob and Deb over six months; Bob’s successful nerve block treatment in Brisbane recently for a chronic back problem; for God’s sustaining strength and help to meet each situation; for those who have assisted during the past six months.
Pray for: Bob and Deb as they return to Toowoomba on 9th June; their planned trip to Aurukun with a team of workers to do ministry; for the new short term workers.

SOS - We have just learned Terry and Olga Manton are now unable to go to Alice Springs to carry on the ministry after the McKerrells depart. We have nobody available at such short notice to fill in. Please pray with us about what the Lord wants us to do regarding Alice Springs.