Where else would you like to put up this sign...

What's your purpose?...

God gives...

Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORDwatches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

2It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one’s youth.

5Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

I went to SaturdayEV tonight with my brother, my sister-in-law and my niece. I really enjoyed! Nice music, friendly people, yum food and generally a good feel about the place! I especially liked the sermon. It's school holidays so they were doing a one off sermon on the above Psalm, which was especially fitting as they had a thanksgiving for a child in their church family!

The sermon was a much needed reminder that in everything, yes everything, it is God who gives. It is He who gives success, sleep, children, life and our glorious Saviour! While soaking in these truths as the preacher spoke, I couldn't help but notice the richness of this text...

( Iwill blog more later, when I can pin down some of the thoughts flying around in my head)

I know I like shoes but...

not so sure of these ones... apparently the latest craze in Japan!

I think the word got out...

THAT I LIKE TEA???

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead...

83-year-old Sidney Lumet's new movie is out: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead...

The advertised premise for the movie is:
When two brothers organise the robbery of their parents' jewellery store the job goes horribly wrong...

Margaret and David both gave it 4 stars!
I'd give it hmmm... 2 or 4 stars... not really sure!

The fractured sequence of events allowed for the building up of ethical tension in the viewers mind. The storyboard provoked me to think about the nature of the events being payed out in front of me... I kept asking myself "do desperate times call for desperate measures?" "how far would I go?" " why would you kill for $60,000?" I think the layers of scenes, flashbacks, although at times seemed to overlap, it provided time for my mind to ponder and grapple with the theme. I think the fragments and going back in the plot also raises the question of "if I could do it over, what might I do different?"

It was a bit slow because of what seemed repetition... but it was confronting, intense and thought provoking. My friend asked me after "what did you think? intense hey?" I replied "Do you reckon desperate times call for desperate measures? He replied "do you really reckon their situations were desperate?" Interesting question!

The other intensity was the nudity throughout and the explicit sex scene that opens the movie and pretty much smacks you in the face. My friend who I went with, he whispered to me "ohh this is a bit full on"... which at that point I didn't know how to respond so I just shrugged and kept watching! Don't think that was the best response at the time but still don't know what the best response would have been.
________________________________________

Can I leave you with 2 questions:

1. What would make you walk out of a movie? sex scene, boredom, drug taking, blasphemy...
   
   
2. Desperate times calls for desperate measures... how do you get to the gospel from that?
   

Moore2Life...

I went on my Moore College Mission to the parish of ULLADULLA - which consists of St Martins Ulladulla (8:30am & 5:30pm services); St Peters & St Pauls Milton (11:30am service) and Sussex Inlet (9:30am? & 6pm?).

I think the highlight of the week was Val Israel, (picture above) my host/billet. She is 80+, been a Christian for 40 years, is a devoted lover of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a thinker, keen learner, gentle, generous, creative and loving. Sarah and I enjoyed endless cups of tea and chats, board games, jewelery making with Val. It was so encouraging to hear how much Jesus is her true Joy, her Hope in grieving the loss of her husband, and hear how she is keener than ever to learn more about Him and share his Love!

The rest of the week was good fun too. The program wasn't too hectic so we were able to make visits to cafes, the beach, a winery, lolly shop, shops...

I was involved in preaching the gospel:

• to kids in running the Sunday School for St Martins 5:30pm church both Sundays;
• to mums @ the Mums N Bubs group - I ran a discussion on FEAR!
• to kids @ local primary schools.
  
• to the youth on Friday night @ Sussex.
  
• to a group of ladies at a bible study group.
  

Other things the team did was preach on Sundays, Skate Park Youth Meet, Christian Surfers Breakfast and Movie Night, Women's Pamper Night, other bible study groups, High School stuff and Men's breakfast!

Please be praying for Ulladulla Parish. Pray for the ministers Geoff and Marty, that God would grant them wisdom as they continue to lead the flock He has entrusted into their care and for the church community to be thinking how they can reach the lost of the Shoalhaven.

Chekhov, Gorky & Strindberg (Sex, Lies & Samovars)...

2nd Year Actor's Centre company presented the above tonight! I went to see a friend who was performing and ended up bumping into two old uni mates - I enjoyed!

Stand Out Quotes of the Night:

from 'Scenes from Philistines by Maxim Gorky'
Adaptation by Andrew Upton


Opinions don't like to be silent



from 'Scenes from Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov'

ASTROV: And when they don't know what label to stick on my forehead, they say "he is a queer fellow, very queer!" I am fond of forestry - that's queer!
___
SONYA: I am not good looking. YELENA: You have beautiful hair.

_________________________________________________________

Watching these plays has made me want to read some more Chekhov! He has amazing wit and insight into life: a wasted life. Which is I think is what I saw as the linking theme between each snippet of plays by the three Russian playwrights...
the meaninglessness of mores, the valuelessness of wealth and the fruitlessness of unrequited love.

What also impressed me is the clear shared culture of the plays (1888-1902?) with that of our own: sex, lies, broken relationships, pursuit of wealth, fortune and a name (oh not to forget tea - we all love a cuppa!).

What I am...

PLANNING FOR...

• Replenish 08 - CBTB training course term
  This is my brief. I will present it with a guy from church who is also 'creative'!
  
  God’s view on Art, how to do it in a way that glorifies God;
  Explore the theology of visual media & human artistic expression (but don’t get bogged down in it – allow lots of time for teaching skills to people who want to express their love of God artistically. (eg how to make an artwork of a passage – even if you don’t finish it by the end of 4 weeks!). Broader issues of how visual media can serve the gospel (eg. The effect of visuals, even decorating a room, can effect how people hear the gospel… maybe the course needs to finish by re-decorating church!)
  
  

LISTENING TO...

• Joanna Newsom - The Milk-eyed Mender
  She is a harpist and singer - unique voice but great sounds!
  http://www.joanna-newsom.com/

• Soko - Soko not Sokute
  Very fun lyrics expressing blunt emotions!
  http://www.myspace.com/mysoko
  

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

• College Mission -to Ulladulla
  30th March - 6th April
  
  
• Newsboys Concert this Saturday night
  
  
• Carrie & Todd's Wedding! Anzac Day

HAPPY ABOUT...

• My back and headaches are better.
  Thanks to the Osteopath and retesting of my eyesight!
  
  
• Finding treasures in God's word:
  I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant... Genesis32:10
  
  
• My girls in my bible study group
  Bec, Kim, Hilary & Laura have been a great encouragement in spurring me on to godly living.
  
  
• Seeing my brother Toby around college heaps! Plus meeting lots of new friends and building existing friendships here!
  

SAD ABOUT...

• No door-knocking - on mission
  Love door-knocking, and sad to hear that my team won't be involved in any where as some other teams have heaps of it.
  
  
• Not being around home, especially in the lead up to my brother Todd's wedding.
  
  

DRINKING...

• Passion t2 Tea
  an exotic and sensual spicy blend. energising with high levels of anti-oxidants. added ginseng promotes general health and stamina.
  made from: hibiscus, rosehip, cardamon, lemongrass, red clover, jasmine, pasion flower, ginseng, rose.

MISSING...

• The fellowship of peeps from Matthias.
  
• My sewing machine and time to sew!
• The convenience of being around my family.

EXCITED BY...

• God sending his Son to intersect humanity, at that point in time and location in history... Using the greek language to record the events of Christ's life. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the clarity and precise nature of the Greek language. So much meaning can be found in each word - it excites me!!! YEP nerrrrdd!!
  

Good Friday...

2 Corinthians 5
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What a Saviour...

My soul is weak
My heart is numb
I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I’ll hold on tightly
You will never let me go
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross

Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To that place where every tear is wiped away
For Jesus, You will never fail
Jesus, You will never fail

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross

What a Saviour, what a story
You were crucified but now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified but now You are alive

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
Clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
Clinging to the cross


http://www.myspace.com/timhughesmusic

Links to resources...

Check out the whole lot of links I've added to the side bar...

Please use your discernment as some of the resources vary greatly in quality. Some things are great as is, some things need tweaking, and some just provide a spring board for ideas!

I hope you find some of the resources useful in your context of proclaiming Christ!!

I found...

A MUSHROOM!
in my parents backyard!

Sharing in His Kingly Rule...

I Corinthinans 6

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?

And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels?

How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

I really enjoyed digging into the depths of the scriptures for our Connect Group study last night. In doing so my view of God just got a bit bigger.

If you try and extract some of the implied truths from the questions Paul poses to the Corinthians - in his efforts to help them see how ridiculous it is for the church to pursue conflict resolution from unbelievers - you come across some astounding truths.

• Saints will judge the world.
• The world is to be judged by the saints.
• Even the lowest person in the Corinthian church is competent to judge.
• The saints judge angels.

In searching the scriptures I stumbled upon the following verses to help me work all this out...

Daniel 7
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

Matthew 19 28 Jesus said to them, Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Timothy 2:11-13
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Revelation 20
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Ultimately Christians will judge the ungodly and angels too… Affirming that when Christ returns God’s people will share in his kingly rule - one aspect of which is passing judgment on the ungodly.

How mind blowing is that?

This is the sort of authority our Jesus has, he gave it up to plummet to his death for us his enemies. He washes, sanctifies and justifies us and not only do we gain access to the kingdom, but share in His rule!

One girl alluded to the image from Narnia, when the kids sit on thrones alongside Asalan - I am not a Narnia buff, so am unsure of this scene... but I think it was a helpful image!

I am not sure how it will actually work out on That Day, but it is obvious that we share in Christ's rule and all I can think is WOW - what a privilege!?!


_____________________________

"Sitting on the throne passing the kingdom" - PD '08

March Prayer Update...

PRAISE GOD:

• I am very aware of his kindness to me in the transition into college life. I have found the last few weeks leaving home, moving in, making friends, starting study, leaving Matthias, starting at CBTB, and generally settling in a joy! There are lots of changes and things to get used to but I have to say it’s bee a pleasant few weeks.

• Thank God for people who lift your gaze from yourself to the infiniteness of God and his plans for the world:
  
  ➲ Friday Community Chapel we were challenge to think outside the box of Sydney by some folk from OMF. It was awesome to hear of the growth of God’s church in places like Africa and Asia and the need for people to GO!
  
  ➲ Last night I bumped into Jo (we both taught SRE at North Sydney Dem 2 or so years ago!) and she was great in challenging me to keep Indigenous Australia on the agenda. She knows my story and how the time spent out in Burringurrah Community impacted me and made me realise the urgency of the gospel. So she wanted to remind me of that passion and conviction I used to speak with. She shared with me the many opportunites she is aware of, the need for youth ministry and the lack of workers under the age of 40 out there!
  

PRAY:

• That I would be willing to be more prayerful about the future plans and that I would be open to heading into gospel work amongst Indigenous/Remote Communities. It has never slipped from my radar but in the last 2 years it has definitely become far less a priority and dream. Pray also that I would be prayerfully support the work going on already out there. (So partly why I am blogging about it is so that you will ask me about it and keep me thinking about it!)
  

• That I would wear my glasses and go get my eyes re-tested. I have had a really sore eyes and headaches over the last week. Some days are better than others, but it makes it hard to concentrate in class and studying - as it hurts to think (yep I said it).

• For my friends and that they would meet and love Jesus. Please pray especially for my friend Lisa who came to church the other week! Thank God for our friendship!

my connect group...

The young adults bible study group was encouraged to be hip and trendy and so have a unique name distinct from the other connect groups at church...

ocg4god (our connect group for God) was winning for a while but I think affix has taken over!

what do you think?

Insert Jesus instead of baby...

I think Alicia Keys has great insight into what motivates us & what we allow to define us...

Mmmmmm Mmmm mm ooo

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, Yeah

Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me

Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah

If I ain't got you with me baby
So nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby

Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and
count them as rubbish,
in order that I may gain Christ
- Philippians 3:8

What's so funny about comedy...

I went to Comedy at The Fringe Bar on Monday night, with some good mates. We had three comedians entertain us as we enjoyed dinner and drinks.

Having thought about what I heard for a few days now I have lost myself in a world of questions:

• what makes something funny?
• why is the default for funny crude and explicit? why do we so easily laugh at crass jokes?
• why are the sexes, Asians, sex, old people, religion, sex, aeroplanes, sex, occupations & sex the centre of all jokes?
• why can Christianity and Christians be made fun of, but all other religions are off limits?
  
• why does swearing make things funnier? Why does swear word make up every second word of a comedic sentence?

I was thinking that maybe our culture has degenerated so much that clean jokes are seen as lame or classed as Dad jokes... but I was reflecting on the comedians comments above and comedy over the ages and I don't think society has changed that much.

Comedy back in the good old days of Commedia Del Arte topics were of similar vain to what comedians spin out today. Isabella, Pantelone, Arlecchino, Il Capitano and other characters are all similar stereotypes that get made fun in stand-up acts, the themes of this ancient comedic genre were sex, relationships, miscommunication, and exploiting in jest the weak or minority - team with grotesque costumes to emphasis the point!

Do you reckon there is a place for the Christians to get into Stand Up Comedy and be apart of the dialogue within our culture? Is this a form of public apologetics?

Got any funny friends?
__________________________

Ben Price :: Apparently one of Australia's best impersonators and is a Christian!
http://www.benpricecomedy.com/

Hell of a Joke!
http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/one-hell-of-a-joke/2006/04/30/1146335603943.html

Stop...

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.