In the month of May on the Australian Yearly Calendar, we have a day set aside to say 'thank you' to our mums. We will be treating them to a special champaign morning tea this coming Sunday at our church. But here's a thought. Why wait until we have a date set aside for something that should be a natural occurance every day ... think about it; saying 'thank you' to Mum or anyone else who goes out of their way for us, should happen automatically. This was so important to God, that He wrote it into the 10 Commandments - the commandments for the best practice in relationships; it goes something like this: Honour your father and mother.
These days in our western culture, respect and honour are rare things. We hear that 'you have to earn it before I will give it.' So here is the challenge: 'you have to give it before you can receive it back.' God's Word gives us a principle for life with the thought of sowing and reaping. Sow the seeds of honour and respect into the lives of those who are closest to you and see what happens. It is transformational. Don't wait to do this on just one day of the year; practise it every day and see the results of blessing come back to you: 'You reap what you sow!' Sow the good stuff...
Rev.'D
05 May, 2010
Pentecost Sunday - celebration coming up
John the Baptizer prophecied about a day that would come through the work of the Messiah when we would be baptized with God's Holy Spirit (Matt.3:11). The work of Christ to bring redemption found its fulfillment on this day. The crucifixion dealt with our sin; the resurrection secured for us eternal life; but it is on this day of Pentecost that Jesus gave us the promise of God (John 20:19-23; and John 14:26). From this moment onwards, believers have been empowered by God's Holy Spirit to share the Gospel (Acts 2:1-4; and Acts 2:39).
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
21 April, 2010
Easter Season
With Holy Week and the special services, like Good Friday, now a past events, as are the school holidays, it doesn't take long before we are back in our busy routine. Before you know it, the holiday photos are just a reminder of a little escape from all the demands of life. Like a mountain-top experience, we have to leave and return back down to the valley. So often our Christian life is just like that - a moving moment, an inspiration, a conviction ... and then back into the ordinary flow of everyday sameness. What happened to Jesus proclamation: "I have come to give you life, and life in all its fullness" (John 10:10)?
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
10 March, 2010
The Prodigal son in Luke 15
This parable must surely be the best known of all the stories told by Jesus. The son wishes his Dad dead ('give me my inheritance , NOW!') and makes his way to wreck and ruin. Finally he comes to his senses and makes his way back home. There is a great moment when the Dad welcomes him, but as you read on, the other brother is not happy about this at all!
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
04 March, 2010
03 March, 2010
Figuring out moments of tragedy
Aceh, Haiti, and now Chile. Massive loss of life. 'God have mercy.'
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
A saint for internet users
Would you believe it, there is a saint for internet users. Lutherans don't get into the saint thing, because, in Christ we are all declared to be saints (not by our efforts, but by the righteous acts of Jesus - transferred to us). But I still think it's worthwhile sharing with you that the patron saint of internet users, computer technicians, students of all ages is ... (drum roll): Saint Isidore of Seville.
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
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