One of the most empowering books...

This is a short film of one of the most empowering books I have ever read!

This film stops at the turning point of the story...

Any guesses how the story ends?

Total Church & Community...

Over the Christmas holidays I read TOTAL CHURCH by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis.

I found it an easy and enjoyable read - although there were many bits throughout that I got frustrated by, actually I don't think it's the book that frustrates me but that the book had to be written and that Christian leaders might see this as new information.

Sorry if that is harsh, but some concepts and ideas presented were so obvious that I was surprised by how many 'greats' think this is a radical, insightful, and punchy book! (Having said that maybe it is a great book for some church contexts and countering big problems of churches in the areas of the authors churches.)

This book shares aspirations and theory of The Crowded House church plants... the authors are keen to make it known that this isn't necessarily a 'how to' do church right and have all the practices in the book as an off-the-peg model, but instead a biography of the life of their church.

In the beginning chapters and introduction the reader is introduced to the two principles: Gospel Centred and Community Centred > which pretty much speak for themselves. Together these principles act as a coathanger, from which all other chapters hang.

Chapters including topics: Evangelism, Social Involvement, Church Planting, World Mission, Discipleship & training, Pastoral Care, Spirituality, Theology, Apologetics, Chn & Yng People & Success.

Especially having just completed MTS I found the Discipleship & Training chapter a good read... but throughout it thought much of what was written was common sense to one who reads the word and wants to live it out!

eg. TEACHING ALONG THE ROAD... that we cannot just bash people from the pulpit and not get down into sharing in the messiness of life with each other:
"truth cannot be taught effectively outside of close relationships... the truth of the gospel becomes compelling as we see it transforming lives in the rub of daily, messy
relationships."

This is a principle that has been modeled to us by the apostle Paul - not only does he delight to share the gospel with the Thessalonian but also his life as well! (1Thess 2:8) And it applies to discipling the Christian and witnessing to the non-Christian. People are curious to the hints and clues you might have to get through life, and if they see you Praise Jesus in the way you respond & wrestle with the trials and joys that life throws you, it speaks sooooo powerfully!

And as we share our weaknesses, struggles and joys we become vulnerable to the other person, which in my experience deepens friendships, yields great opportunities to build trust and intimacy, within which the big things of life like the gospel and godliness can be discussed sincerely and shamelessly.

As I write this I reflect on the past 2 years and the comments that I received from people who said they felt it to be privilege to know my fears and anxieties and struggles... Is it because Christian leaders are often seen by parishioners as super busy, task driven, super godly and all we do to counter this is to speak about how we aren't really perfect and that we too are sinners but not actually stop to share real examples of how we strive for godliness in dependence on God? Or do we not intentionally share our lives, not let people in, so people can't even see real examples because we keep our barriers up to maintain our dignity and pride?

Let's share our lives in intentional ways so that people can see us wanting to have Jesus Lord over all areas of our lives! Who doesn't want real and genuine friendships where you talk about the things that matter? I know I do... so I love that the chapter encourages us to share our lives with gospel intentionality. Bring it on!

Whatever friend, think how you can encourage them to take a step forward in cherishing Christ. This applies to your non-Christian friends and Christians friends AND STRANGERS alike.

Which leads me to my favourite quote from the book I am currently reading: God's Passion for His Glory - Living the vision of Jonathan Edwards, by John Piper

"A Christian spirit... disposes a person to be public-spirited.
A man of a right spirit is not of a narrow private spirit;
but is greatly concerned for the good of public community to which he belongs
and particularly of the town where he dwells -Jonathan Edwards "

Later in the chapter on 'Spirituality' of Total Church, I questioned the authors emphasis on community and its importance as I it almost becomes a crutch with very little attention given to the individual nature of salvation and responsibility of training the self in godliness - I can't rely on community to grow my relationship with God, but see God's mercy in giving us community to share each others burdens and spur us on - allowing one other, along with the Holy Spirit, a license to dig into our lives and challenge our hearts.

Thailand...

Just back from 10 night trip to Thailand with my Mum and her friend Gillian. We stayed in at Patong Beach Hotel - right in the heart of this holiday destination. It was a great time with my mum and sharing this traveling experience with her. Very thankful she was so generous in taking me on the trip with her. It was also good to see Gillian again who is a family friend from way back. She is also the mum of the kids that I was school of the air home tutor for in the Aboriginal community, which was the last time I had seen her (4 years now)!

We shopped at the markets that had lots of the same sorts of things - t-shirts, dvds, watches, sunglasses, tailored suits & dress, shoes, tourist: hats, towels, wooden elephants, tissue box covers and much more... oh did I mention shoes??

Patong Beach Street

I came home with 4 pairs of new shoes... a new pair of brown flats for winter, pair of fun white plastic flats (v. cute), pair of dress heels and a pair of beige open toe flats.

Now as some of you know I do have a small and moderate love for shoes. So I think I did well by coming home with only 4 pairs since each shoe averaged a whole $5.

But instead of talking shopping which you can do at home or pretty much anywhere, I will move to my impressions of the culture and country of Thailand, well perhaps Patong Beach anyway!

First impression of Patong Beach, Phuket - hot, smelly and humid! Got used to the smell by day 2 and pretty much never got used to the humidity except when in the air conditioning!!

It was hard to get to know the culture of this town as it is so geared to the tourism market. The locals are there to appease all needs, desires, wants and greed of the tourist - Which is quite sad... Patong Beach could be soon made an new Aussie state, every second person is an Aussie's with tattoos who are on their annual holiday there.

But to our holiday... We did two tours, one to Phang Nga and the other around Phi Phi Islands mountains/rock that go straight up out of the water.

On the Phang Nga trip we travelled in a Longtail boat, had lunch at a Muslim Fishing Village, except we didn't have time to look around... only stayed in the restaurant.

Phang Nga / James Bond Island was beautiful, absolutely spectacular. Absolutely picturesque. Some of the photos of me, like the one below, look as though I am superimposed - but no it's the real deal. Mind blowing!

Before we got to the Phang Nga region we stopped off for an elephant trek, buffalo cart ride and see some very cute monkeys, except for the cheeky monkey that bit me.

Phang Nga - Long Tail Boat Ride

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, were two of the most beautiful islands ever... Phi Phi Ley is where "The Beach" movie was filmed. So beautiful. Again absolutey stunning. Thailand truly has some of the most glorious parts of God's creation!

On our trip was Shampoo and her family. Shampoo owned the tour booking company that is at our hotel. She was trying out the tour to recommend it to customers. She was so kind and looked out for us the entire time. It was a treat to meet her family, all very polite and kind.

Later in the arvo near Phi Phi Don, we were let out for a snorkel - oh the fish we saw were fantastic. So many colours adorned the fish. I am however still suffering from the sea lice bites, grr...

Some of the funniest sites were seen while getting ready for the swim. An Indian couple who never been swimming before gave it a go, many Asians who decided to go in fully clothed all with life jackets, some Indian boys who don't own swimmers and decided to go in just their underpants, an very obese man jumping off the boat, some Thai boys who forgot swimmers bought some from the boat and got changed in front of everyone!

And then me and a few other Aussie's and some Brazilians went in with swimmers and our snorkel - I never felt so normal yet in such a minority.

We also went to Phuket town, local growers markets (which was a daring place to eat dinner but so worth it) and the Butterfly gardens. But lots of the time was spent in the Patong Beach Markets and the beach and by the hotel's gorgeous pools.

But in effort to get to know the place better we refused to eat at any of the restaurants and so we risked it to eat at the side-of-the-road stalls, where the Thai themselves eat. Which was great... we had no problems, we never got sick and got to enjoy the delight of real Thai food and real chats with Thai people. Plus we finished off most meals with Banana/Choc Pancake mmmmmmmmmmmm yummy!!!


As we walked home from dinner every night we would have to walk up the 'red light' street. Which was really sad. The whole street is blocked off after sun down and the lady boys and prostitutes emerge. Again the Thai folk seem to be appeasing the demand of tourism.

I was really saddened by the exploitation of these women (& lady boy men) and disturbed by their seaming willingness but also I saw how sad and lonely the men who hire these people... lonely and desperate enough to make a trip to Thailand on your own to hire a woman to travel with for the week. Really didn't know who to blame, who to feel sorry for or what to think...

But having said that Mum, Gillian and I found the Thai people very polite, honest and kind - which we attributed to their Buddhist Culture. Animals were treated well, their dogs were clean and healthy. Plus when both my Mum and I lost our wallets on separate occasions (yes, yes, it runs in the family OK!) our wallets were returned with nothing taken.

So I guess Precepts 1 (harmonious conduct regarding Life) and 2 (harmonious conduct regarding Property) are the easier precepts to keep in the Buddhist faith. However, it seems they turn a blind eye to Precepts 3 (harmonious conduct regarding Sexual Conduct) and 5 (harmonious conduct regarding Mindfulness - intoxication).

Instead of a Gideon's bible in the hotel we got a great little book "Karma for today's traveler" by Phra Bhasakorn Bhailai with David Freyer... which is a good read, well... Helping me get a better insight into this ever increasing popular religion... I should do another post critiquing this book.... but just quickly it seems highly illogical and impossible.

Superimposed 'me' @ Phang Nga

Other books I got to feast on while away was Don Carson's book on Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians - THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. Very helpful and insightful book. I love books that work you through passages. It's great to sink your teeth into God's word with a saint like D.Carson as your guide. I have found it really practical in assessing my attitude towards serving, understanding of the role of leaders and the responsibility - it's been a rebuke and stretching book.

Plus can't go on holidays without my Uncle Piper. So I read CONTENDING FOR OUR ALL - John Piper, which Marcia gave to me for my birthday. This book is Piper's insights into the life lessons of Athenasius (bishop), John Owen (pastor) and J. Gresham Machen (seminary founder). WOW! What heroes of the faith... they really fought hard and contended their all for the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ. Great examples of perseverance in the faith in conflict and controversy, for the sake of Truth, the Kingdom, the Cross and for the sake of Christ's church.

Hmmm ... if you have read this far I applaud you. I guess I will stop ranting and just say I enjoyed my time away! Thank God that I feel refreshed spiritually, emotionally and physically! Very thankful to him for blessing me we such a restful holiday.