www.withoutashepherd.com

www.withoutashepherd.com
hayley's new blog

new name needed...

not sure what to rename my blog - I think it needs a change that reflects more of what content I hope to post this year in light of my new role at Church by the Bridge as community outreach pastor. I hope to write posts that reflect my thinking and experience in evangelism...

any ideas?

New Years Resolutions...

In 2009 I resolve to:
… Get into watching a TV series.
… Read the Newspaper at least once a week.
… Invite friends over for dinner regularly.
… Live generously
… Delight in Jesus.


But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:17-20


_____________________
links
In 2009 I resolve to... by Tales of the Talking Tiger

Is a smile essential? part 2

Last post I ask how far you would go for a decent smile and why it is more acceptable to pursue a good smile over pursuing other corrective treatment for other parts of our body.

I have been trying to work out what the framework and principles that help guide decisions about cosmetic surgery. I found myself stumped when I was confronted to explain the difference between the dental implants I had to correct my smile and the surgery of a friend who got breast implants.

I often excuse my teeth based upon mechanical and health reasons. My brothers and I each have a lack of teeth due to a genetic condition which each one of us have now received cosmetic treatment for. I had missing lateral incisors, very pointy canines and remaining baby teeth. I didn't have a great smile and if I am honest with myself vanity was a major player in getting my teeth corrected. I really wanted to be able to smile confidently! To which most people tell me 'fair enough'.

So what do you say the the young woman who has a AA bra cup size and sees herself not as womanly but as girly? What do you answer her when she tells you she wants breast implants to feel and look like a woman, to fill out a bra and just look her age instead of a 12 year old girl when she stands in her bikini on the beach? Is she allowed to correct her breasts like we correct our teeth? Do you have double standards?

I feel it is far easier to excuse vanity when it comes to teeth. We too easily embrace the "Hollywood smile" as the norm and benchmark for our smiles. Braces and corrective dentistry is so very popular and very socially acceptable. In fact the majority of people today will experience some sort of corrective dentistry.

Is a smile essential?

If you google the phrase “importance of a smile” you will find many people telling you just how essential a good smile is.

The Dali Lama apparently says that he would be a much lonelier man if he did not smile so much. He thinks this simple physical act has brought him closer to people from all walks of life.
A Patchwork & Quilting blog gives 12 reasons of why a smile is important in your quilting world: it makes you feel better, you can hear a smile in your voice and often a smile gains one in return.
Humor Specialist John Kinde says a smile is the number one feature that makes people attractive. It's a welcome mat. It's what makes folks approachable. People with a great smile radiate a warmth that draws others to them instantly.

And to be honest I agree... An individual's smile can say a great deal. A warm smile and a friendly handshake are often thought to be essential ingredients to a successful professional. A great looking smile could also be the spark that attracts an important relationship.

But what do you do when your smile reveals a rotten, missing, stained or chipped tooth? According to Smile Essentials Dentists your smile is essential and if you don’t smile as well as you should improve the beauty of it. Don't settle for anything less, shop for a new one! And we do!

How valuable is this essential smile? Or is the question better phrased how much do we value and think we each deserve the Hollywood movie star smile?

I have been wondering how easy it is to excuse our vanity and idolatry when it comes to teeth. Why is it socially acceptable to have have cosmetic work to one part of your body and not another?

(This too I guess goes for make-up, hair dye, hair styling products that we use to enhance parts of our body.)

New Adventures...

I will be joining the ministry team of Church by the Bridge, as Community Outreach Pastor.

I am so excited by the opportunities that await me as I move into Kirribilli to live and have time to invest in relationships with local residents and with my church family.

As the new Community Outreach Pastor I will be striving:

• To foster a culture of outreach at Church by the Bridge
  
• To build links with local community
• To create opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus with the local community
• To equip and encourage members to share Jesus with those who do not yet know him

Exciting times ahead... also Moore College has agreed to allow me to continue my studies part time. I am very grateful for Moore's generosity in offering me and trialling this mode of study.

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8

I adore the simple pleasures...

"I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex".
-Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray

opening up a can of worms...

Evangelism, mission and social action are topics that you could ponder and talk about for hours. In acknowledging this, I still have found it frustrating with some of the gaps in content of my notes and readings for college.

Here are just three of my frustrations:

Frustration #1 in Word and Action
TITUS.... ???? Titus is an entire letter that spells out, I think rather clearly, the relationship between word and action - so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior! Should this not have a greater influence in the discourse of word and action?

Frustration #2 in Inter-Faith Dialogue
I find it offensive that one of the reasons given to the benefits of inter-faith dialogue is that if you listen to them, they will listen to you. Does anyone think it is wrong to only listen to someone just so you can be listened to in return? Where is the integrity and genuineness in that?

Frustration #3 in Word and Action
The body and unity of the church... I often find that when the 'great debate' between social action and evangelism takes place we fail to acknowledge the nature of the church and it's diversity of gifts that God has given it.

God gives some to possess word gifts and be pastors, teachers, evangelists... where as others he gives them the gift of helping... and sure we should all be prepared to give reason for our hope but I still think there is far too great an emphasis on priority which leads to a hierarchy instead of a attention given to the unique partnership the great commission and the great commandment have. I think these are two of the most distinguishable expressions of a life transformed by the gospel.

Acts 6:1-6 is often used to promote the priority of word proclamation.... but I wonder if it actually should be used to promote the gifts and functions of the church? We have hands to help those in need and beautiful feet to bring the good news of the gospel to those perishing? Are we saying that our hands are not of importance to the body?

Overflowing generosity and goodness...

As a Christian I want to care about the defenseless and vulnerable in society. I want to speak up against the injustices we see and seek after mercy for those in need. As a Church family I hope we would take the lead in supporting ventures that seek to love and show compassion.

Our Father God has loved us with an everlasting love. He loves us at our worst. He shows us mercy at our worst. No conditions. No strings attached. It should be our prayer to love like he does. To show compassion like he does.

We are having a Christmas Market at Church by the Bridge in a weekends time, where we are selling Fair Trade goods and I have been thinking more and more about why I want to do it. I don't want people to think we run these stalls simply as a bait and switch tactic to get our community to like the gospel. We want to speak up for those who are vulnerable and in this case those who are voiceless in the global market and susceptible to exploitation. We hope to promote Fair Trade and lead our local community to think about our individual purchasing choices and the impact that can have on others.

I hope and pray also that our initiative might open the door to conversations and diaglogue with our local community, as we share with them our motivation to support Fair Trade and other good deeds. (See Titus 2:14, Ephesians 2:10 and Matthew 5…) We should want to adorn the gospel of God with deeds of love and justice that many might see the kindness of God in us and be drawn to a Saviour who can so fully satisfy the hearts of his people that this overflows in generosity and goodness to others. (1 Peter 2:12)


www.tribesandnations.com.au
www.fairtrade.com.au

6,000 reasons to act... each one has a name and story

WORLD AIDS DAY
1 December 2008

Today, like every day, 6,000 children around the world will lose a parent because of AIDS, the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

This December World Vision, Willow Creek and Fuller Youth Institute are partnering to raise awareness of the epidemic that is AIDS.

Willow Creek have produced some free resources for church leaders: video and info pack!

World Vision offer lots of ways to be involved:

PRAY > LEARN MORE > ADVOCATE > SPONSOR > CARE

World Vision even have a Pastors Toolkit, a Carers Kit and resources for college Students also... The Pastors Toolkit gives you statistics, talking points, videos, bulletin outlines, bible studies, guest speak contacts, PowerPoint presentation and ways to mobilize and equip your congregation.

“look after orphans and widows in their distress”
(James 1:27a).

Important Events...

What would you consider to be some of the more important local, national and world events?

eg. Olympics, Christmas, World's Biggest Morning Tea, Big Day Out, National Sorry Day, World Cup, World Smile Day... etc!

Evangelist Quiz

Evangelistic Relationship Quiz
taken from http://ministrymarketingcoach.com

Take your relationship inventory. Read each statement and rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 (1=never, 10=always). Answer every question not only from your perspective, but as others would see you.

• I strike up conversations with new people I meet and bring Christ into the conversation.

• I attend community events where I can meet new people and help others.

• I remember personal details about people and include them in conversations with them to show I care.

• People are always introducing me to new people who are not believers in hopes I might share the gospel with them.

• I intentionally share the message of the gospel.
  
  
• I don’t “beat around the bush” but make sure people I know hear the message of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and the availability of forgiveness through faith in Him.

• I follow-up with the people who make decisions to follow Christ with within 48 hours.

• I believe that everyone should hear the gospel!

• I don’t mind talking openly with people about my faith even when I am being overheard.

• When I am out and about I keep in mind my conversation and behavior could impact my ability to witness.

• I am not constantly pestering people about the gospel–people have fun when I am around too.

• My community (not just my church) can count on me to be involved in local programs and volunteer projects.

• I feel confident when I talk to other people about Jesus.

• I remember to acknowledge the good and strengths I see in others. It’s not all about me!

• I strive to be a servant at heart by giving of myself in helping people, listening to them, and showing Christian love to them in any way possible.

• I ask my friends to introduce me to people in their network who do not know Jesus.

• People often encourage me saying my evangelistic ministry inspires them to be more outward with their faith.

• I see myself as one who is dedicated to helping other people succeed in life.

• My relationship skills and networking have produced fruit in leading others to Christ in the last six months.

[Score Yourself: Add up your score and look at your total. Around 30= Work on being more outgoing. Around 60= Try being more intentional with the gospel. Around 90=Clarify your vision and passion for evangelism. Around 120= Don’t stop growing, but bring someone along with you to help them catch your passion. Around 160= Shouldn’t you be training others to do what you do? Take your total score and and divide by 18 to get your average score. Can you improve your average?]

Preaching Notes...

Joshua Harris from Covenant Life Church, has had a series on his blog called "The Preaching Notes'. He has asked a few of his preacher friends to share their sermon notes that they preach from.

Interesting variety from each of the preachers and I am sure will be of great insight to many! Hope you get some ideas and encouragement!

Please note Josh's purpose: "The purpose of this post and this series is to learn about preaching, not to comment on the preachers or attack their ministries. I've turned off comments for this post and deleted all comments that veer from this clear purpose. Thanks for understanding."

Speak Up...

The Australian Human Rights Commission are inviting you to submit a response to issues of Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century in Australia. In particular they are interested in your responses to any or all of the questions in the discussion paper, as well as any other issues of concern. These questions are intended as a guide only, so respondents should not feel limited by these.

Go onto their website: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/frb download the form and write a submission!

Fun |ˈfən| noun

A bill poster on the streets of Glebe.

Men and tears...

Augustine, Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 12.
MOURNING MONICA, HIS MOTHER

I closed here eyes; and there flowed a great sadness into my heart and it was passing into tears, when mine eyes at the same time, by the violent control of my mind, sucked back the fountain dry and woe was me in such a struggle! But, as soon as she breathed her last the boy Adeodatus burst out into wailing, but, being checked by us all, he became quiet. In like manner also my own childish feeling, which was, through the youthful voice of my heart, finding escape in tears, was restrained and silenced. For we did not consider it fitting to celebrate that funeral with tearful plaints and groanings; for on such wise are they who die unhappy, or are altogether dead, wont to be mourned. But she neither died unhappy, nor did she altogether die. For of this were we assured by the witness of her good conversation her "faith unfeigned," and other sufficient grounds.

...my soul was stricken, and that life torn apart as it were, which, of hers and mine together, had been made but one.

... with a new sorrow I sorrowed for my sorrow, and was wasted by a twofold sadness.

What's normal in culture?

This week my friend accepted a job with Playboy International, as an interior design intern for their New York bars and nightclubs. Another one of my friends is growing in reputation as a burlesque dancer who is fusing the modern and traditional styles. And most of my other friends who work in more ‘normal’ jobs would probably say they are happy for these friends – they are pursuing their dreams, getting good money and having fun. What can be wrong about that? I like seeing my friends happy too, and I am excited that they are accomplishing goals and having fun, however I can’t quite reconcile why happiness is found in working for an industry that feeds the objectification of women and that normalises sex as a commodity.

When did we accept synonymity of sex with red, black and naughty? And why do we construe violent, abusive and pornified images, as the norm for sexy? Our ears are blasted by the advertising jingle for a popular male deodorant, which uses Bom-Chicka-Wah-Wah, the onomatopoeia guitar riff from porn movies of the 70s. This has even provided inspiration for the single released comprising of these lyrics:

“what if in the morning there is guilt and regret? Better than another night watching TV with you pets”

We watch, laugh and usually pass-over the unhealthy concepts of relationships, image and sex promoted. But for how long shall we concede? What are our boundaries? The pornification of culture has even crept into the children’s clothing market whereby ‘bust-booster’ bras are manufactured for girls as young as three. Additionally, the Peek-a-boo pole-dancing kit marketed for six-year-old girls promised, “to unleash the sex kitten inside”.

Am I just the fuddy-duddy, Jesus-loving, old-fashioned and conservative Christian friend? Do you think, as the apostle Paul does in Ephesians 4, that our society has lost all sensitivity?

Then again, should we even be surprised that there are no objective moral norms, given our society holds no belief in an objective moral-norm-giver.


they are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. ephesians 4:17-19

What I am...

Reading:

• "Just walk across the room" - Bill Hybles
  So far this has been full of stories and encouragements to step outside your comfort zone!
  I will review it once I have read it.
  
  
• "One Land, One Saviour"
  Only read the intro - so looking forward to finding out more about the Indigenous church in Australia.

Designing & Making:

• Interior and "Props"
  with Christi-Ann, for Saturday night church, which launched this weekend just past!
  
• A quilt for Sarah, a friend in hospital - please pray for healing and God's mercy!
  

Thinking about:

• the Future
  both the immediate and coming hope.
  
  
• Proverbs
  and what makes them unique from other proverbs in the Ancient Near East - thanks to my Old Testament subject. Praise the LORD that he is the one true creator and author of history!
  
  
• my view on Worship, Women and Work.
  
  

Enjoing:

• Deeper friendships at church, college and out of those contexts.
  
• my new iPhone.
  
• my family - staying at my folks over college 2 week break.
  
• the smell of new carpet in my folks place.
• 2 Samuel series at Sunday night church: the preaching has been showing me the great clarity and riches of the gospel in the shadows of the Old Testament.
  

Looking forward to:

• New family at SNBTB.
• Exams and the end of first year college.
• Summerfest 09.
  
• Holidays with Lisa.
  

Listening to:

• Hillsong Album: This Is Our God!
  
  

What on earth am I thinking...

Do you ever question that the life you are living is real... that maybe you and the small amount of Christians in the world got it wrong?

It's a sad wrestle that we 'all' go through? I know I did for many years. And it is sad to see it in your friends who were once pumped for life of loving Jesus...

I think Tom Steller sums up the emotion well in this parallel from the Wizard of Oz:

Toto wanders behind the curtain, pulls the curtain open, and reveals the truth behind the great Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz was a hoax. He was a kindly but pathetic old man without any special powers. He merely projected his face on to a giant screen and amplified his voice. What Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Man, and I had hoped in turned out not to be real.

As a result of this movie I can specifically remember wondering for the first time in my life if God was a hoax. Maybe my priest, Father Winzerling, was a fraud, or perhaps he too was deceived. Maybe there was some mastermind who thought up religion and who created the Bible to fool naïve, desperate people. Maybe God wasn't real. Maybe there really wasn't a God at all, except the ones we could dream up in our imagination. What a frightening thought for a religious boy like me to have. Have you ever had those thoughts? Do you even wonder now sometimes if God exists—I mean really exists? Is God real, or is he a concoction of our wishful thinking. Are we just playing games here Sunday after Sunday? Sometimes, even since I have become a Christian, those thoughts enter my mind.

Steller also describes the perfect solution:

JESUS

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know shim who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20

Creativity and the Arts #4

What do Manet, Gauguin, Koons, Henson and Serrano all have in common? ART CONTROVERSY...

Who would have thought that an orchid, upswept hair, a black cat, and a bouquet of flowers would enhance the sexual explicitness of an artwork? Well in the day of Eduoard Manet's Olympia, 1863 these objects were recognized symbols of sexuality.

Art has been and will remain to be a source of cultural reflection, critique and confrontation.

So how are we to engage with art that we don’t agree with? Personally, I think we learn more about ourselves when we discover things we disagree with or find offensive. Controversy provokes a response and impassioned to stand up about truth. Pushing boundaries helps you know what you really think.

Since the arts have become less of the prerogative of the church, Christians have stepped back from debates and forums where art critiques, argues and searches for meaning in humanity. Rightly so have we taken a step back, but perhaps a too far back where there is no Christian voice being heard. After all, isn't this the very stuff that we were so good at talking about?

Steve Turner in Imagine:A vision for Christians and the arts 2001; says

… Consistently, Christians didn’t consume much art either. On the whole they didn’t own televisions (“the devil’s box), collect art or go to the theatre. Fiction, like dancing, was okay for children but not for adults. Rock music was worldly. Movies were suitable only if they were cartoon, family entertainment or, oddly enough, fact-based war epics. The reasoning was that most art was created by nonbelievers and could therefore damage our spiritual health...

Is this type of response the right reponse to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22's threefold command for a discerning mind:

Judge everything, Cling to what is good, shun what is evil.

And...

...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians. 4:8

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Ephesians 5:3

How far back do we need to stand?

Discernment is out of fashion. We all think we should have exactly what we want, with little regard to the effect it may have on ourselves and on others. As we discussed said last night: some images are just impossible to erase from your memory... and it is in our senses that much of our memory is stored in".

So how do we make clear distinctions and judgments to live lives worthy of the gospel, especially when we are labeled for going against accepted modern culture values.

At the same time, Christianity brings freedom and what suppose you don't find Manet's Olympia sexually stimulating, it doesn't envoke evil thoughts or desires - must you not view it because?

Personally, I think it depends.... may seem like a cop out but isn't that what discernment is all about? It's the tension we all live with in our everyday life... what is the godly choice?

And so " … we need to bring any work of art before the bar of moral criteria. We must ask questions about the moral intention of the artist. Is the purpose of a work to deprave or corrupt? If a work contains immoral behavior or evil, what is the context? It should be evident to us that the Bible contains many accounts of wicked behavior, sometimes very graphically portrayed. Works of art must not necessarily be condemned because they contain such violence, but context and intention have to be considered. (Christianity and the Arts - Jerram Barrs)

And so with all this in mind...
What say you about the Statue of David?
Is this work reason for concern - is it art controversy?