It's really cold.
I'm wondering if, closer to MYC, I should:
a) Take longer, hotter showers because I will be so deprived of them
or
b) Take shorter, progressively cooler showers in order to prepare myself
And another thing, I'm going to do my best not to have the typical name/faculty/year conversation with every person I meet.
I figure if I ask something interesting like:
a) If you had a time machine and could go anywhere, where would you go?
or
b) What colour is your toothbrush?
I'll have a much better chance of remembering people. Well I'm sure they'll remember me, at the very least.
Oh and FYI, I actually do intend to still inquire after a name.
MYC is somewhat less exciting when you approach it in the knowledge that you won't be back for the following semester. Only slightly less! I still heart MYC very much. But, well, come on. I won't exactly be in line for a hoodie. Unless mission is extended to whatever random company I end up working for...
*tear*
(As in crying, not ripping. Felt I needed to clarify)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I sound like Obama with all this talk of change.
Thank goodness we are on a break because I'm struggling to put any effort into anything that isn't ministry.
On Monday night over 50 people gathered at our little church in Bossley Park and every single person was a young ministry leader from the South-West of Sydney. I still can't quite believe it happened. Only God could have pulled us all together and he certainly pulled me through it because I was having kittens over every little detail. For years I have heard from Peter Lin that something needs to change in the South-West, that we need to start smashing the idea that ministry cannot survive here, that we are not strategic enough. Not to mention the fact that nobody wants to live here if they can help it, Christians included.
WELL SCREW THAT.
Hello? God is sovereign. He is in control. He is watching over His people. So why shy away from an area, as though it could be impossible for God to use you and see His saving work done? How could those before me have had so little faith? Enough. God is moving, wherever you are in Sydney, but I'm going to say that the most exciting place to be in right now is the South-West.
Finally people are starting to share this vision and I thank God for Pete. He convicted every person in the room, made the needs of the South-West more real than ever before and we're getting a response. I am full of anticipation but am laying it all at His feet. If God chooses to use this movement, He will. If this is not the means then something else will reveal itself.
No matter what, I am desperate to see God glorified here, to make the most of the opportunities he has placed before us and they are boundless. If this one generation stuck it out so much could happen, so much could change.
Who are you calling unstrategic?
On Monday night over 50 people gathered at our little church in Bossley Park and every single person was a young ministry leader from the South-West of Sydney. I still can't quite believe it happened. Only God could have pulled us all together and he certainly pulled me through it because I was having kittens over every little detail. For years I have heard from Peter Lin that something needs to change in the South-West, that we need to start smashing the idea that ministry cannot survive here, that we are not strategic enough. Not to mention the fact that nobody wants to live here if they can help it, Christians included.
WELL SCREW THAT.
Hello? God is sovereign. He is in control. He is watching over His people. So why shy away from an area, as though it could be impossible for God to use you and see His saving work done? How could those before me have had so little faith? Enough. God is moving, wherever you are in Sydney, but I'm going to say that the most exciting place to be in right now is the South-West.
Finally people are starting to share this vision and I thank God for Pete. He convicted every person in the room, made the needs of the South-West more real than ever before and we're getting a response. I am full of anticipation but am laying it all at His feet. If God chooses to use this movement, He will. If this is not the means then something else will reveal itself.
No matter what, I am desperate to see God glorified here, to make the most of the opportunities he has placed before us and they are boundless. If this one generation stuck it out so much could happen, so much could change.
Who are you calling unstrategic?
Friday, June 19, 2009
It was easier to recall in a poem.
I can’t remember.
Not as well as I’d like to.
How to hold on to those moments?
The ones that left me determined to change
but are fading.
So easily.
He followed me
for the longest time.
“Henna, henna. Will you buy?”
He wasn’t the first.
I made the mistake
of acknowledging his presence.
He guided us
I questioned him.
School. Family. Struggle.
100 rupees –
A mere band-aid.
I could turn my back
on a beggar.
It became necessary.
But he haunts me
How could I have denied Him?
He barely spoke. Hand outstretched.
My memory tells me
I looked right past.
I looked again
He was appealing to his own.
Immediate regret, hesitation.
Decision reversed.
I looked again
He was gone.
14 days
She was a permanent fixture.
Her home
outside our home.
Everything she had
in a little silver bowl.
Winter had claimed Varanasi
The comfort of a blanket
seemed best.
But –
The night took it.
Here I am:
Comfortable.
Not as well as I’d like to.
How to hold on to those moments?
The ones that left me determined to change
but are fading.
So easily.
He followed me
for the longest time.
“Henna, henna. Will you buy?”
He wasn’t the first.
I made the mistake
of acknowledging his presence.
He guided us
I questioned him.
School. Family. Struggle.
100 rupees –
A mere band-aid.
I could turn my back
on a beggar.
It became necessary.
But he haunts me
How could I have denied Him?
He barely spoke. Hand outstretched.
My memory tells me
I looked right past.
I looked again
He was appealing to his own.
Immediate regret, hesitation.
Decision reversed.
I looked again
He was gone.
14 days
She was a permanent fixture.
Her home
outside our home.
Everything she had
in a little silver bowl.
Winter had claimed Varanasi
The comfort of a blanket
seemed best.
But –
The night took it.
Here I am:
Comfortable.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Encouraged to discouraged in about 60 seconds.
The sign was on the money but the pamphlets being handed out warned against a recent piece of technology called the VeriChip which could possibly be the "mark of the Beast" and insinuated that Obama may turn out to be the Antichrist: "He will be made known when he makes a seven year peace agreement with Israel and establishes peace", among other things. It started out comparable to Two Ways to Live but just went downhill with the literal explanation of Revelation.
The man who handed me the pamphlet looked so determined. I could see that he knew how important the saving message of Jesus was, indeed he'd been standing on a footpath in Paddington all day trying to reach people with it. Mum and I told him we were already Christians and he was genuinely pleased to hear it. But did he really believe all of what this pamphlet was telling him? So much of God's Word was tainted, close to the truth yet so far from it.
Close to the truth isn't good enough. If I learnt anything from Phillip Jensen's talks on Spiritual Warfare last Monday, it's that the best lies are those that sound most like the truth. My heart just breaks for that man. If he truly trusts in Jesus then I suppose it's no big deal if he boycotts VeriChip, but he has such poor teaching! Argh! Lies!
Prophecy in the news, people!
Sorry for the excessive exclamations.
Oh and if you wanted anymore proof that you need to take anything Joyce Myer says with about a ton of salt, her website features on the back of this pamphlet in conjunction with Benny Hinn's. I hear her name around sometimes, even amongst good Sydney Anglicans, but I haven't openly slammed her to anyone (who isn't in my bible study). I haven't read any of her books or heard any of her talks but I'm thinking this confirms her as dodgy in my books.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Reality check.
Firstly, cheers for smashing me over my last post.
Secondly, every Christian female (although indeed probably the general female population at large), should read this article. It is by Beth Spraul from Capitol Hill Baptist Church and is titled You've Got Lies: Chick Flicks and the World's Approach to Men and Marriage. It addresses the seemingly innocent but actually quite damaging influence that chick-flicks and chick-lit have over women's expectations of love. That is, they're ridiculously unrealistic.
I’d like to suggest that culture attacks women similarly — it is just a bit more subtle. The lies told to women are introduced at the level of women’s emotions (less harmful, right?), in how they dream about men, and in what they long for relationally. Like pornography, chick-flicks take a good gift from God (romance, relational intimacy) that women are created to desire, and distort it by presenting as “normal” an unbiblical and unrealistic picture of men, love and marriage. And just like men who buy into the lies of pornography, women who believe that their husbands and marriages should always be like what they see on the screen will be sinfully dissatisfied with God’s good gift to them of a “normal” husband and marriage.
Obviously, the analogy is not perfect. Unlike pornography, it is possible to engage in watching "chick flicks" and have it be a sin-free activity. With pornography, the very act of viewing it is always harmful and always a sin. However, before you assume you are able to watch chick-flicks and read romance novels without harmful effects to your expectations for men and marriage, consider the following lies often propogated by these movies, and think about them in comparison to what Scripture teaches.
You mean men don't think of romance and intimacy the way we do? Marrying the right guy won't see me live happily ever after? Chemistry isn't that important and my intuition isn't always right? Far out man this was a good read but it certainly wasn't any fun.
Poor men. Between Mr. Darcy and Edward Cullen, the real guy has got no hope. I will do my best to bring my own lofty expectations back down to earth and in line with Scripture...
Secondly, every Christian female (although indeed probably the general female population at large), should read this article. It is by Beth Spraul from Capitol Hill Baptist Church and is titled You've Got Lies: Chick Flicks and the World's Approach to Men and Marriage. It addresses the seemingly innocent but actually quite damaging influence that chick-flicks and chick-lit have over women's expectations of love. That is, they're ridiculously unrealistic.
I’d like to suggest that culture attacks women similarly — it is just a bit more subtle. The lies told to women are introduced at the level of women’s emotions (less harmful, right?), in how they dream about men, and in what they long for relationally. Like pornography, chick-flicks take a good gift from God (romance, relational intimacy) that women are created to desire, and distort it by presenting as “normal” an unbiblical and unrealistic picture of men, love and marriage. And just like men who buy into the lies of pornography, women who believe that their husbands and marriages should always be like what they see on the screen will be sinfully dissatisfied with God’s good gift to them of a “normal” husband and marriage.
Obviously, the analogy is not perfect. Unlike pornography, it is possible to engage in watching "chick flicks" and have it be a sin-free activity. With pornography, the very act of viewing it is always harmful and always a sin. However, before you assume you are able to watch chick-flicks and read romance novels without harmful effects to your expectations for men and marriage, consider the following lies often propogated by these movies, and think about them in comparison to what Scripture teaches.
You mean men don't think of romance and intimacy the way we do? Marrying the right guy won't see me live happily ever after? Chemistry isn't that important and my intuition isn't always right? Far out man this was a good read but it certainly wasn't any fun.
Poor men. Between Mr. Darcy and Edward Cullen, the real guy has got no hope. I will do my best to bring my own lofty expectations back down to earth and in line with Scripture...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A quiet and gentle spirit.
What does this look like? How do I pursue it? It seems I'm not the only one who is experiencing difficulty in trying to figure out how to be assertive on the one hand, yet submissive and gentle on the other.
Sometimes I think that I need to just sit in a corner and shut up. That I should silently concentrate on hiding the Word in my heart, looking up only to smile sweetly from time to time. Ok meditating on God's Word is a constant, but anybody who truly knows me would never describe me as quiet and I'm not sure whether gentle is the first thing that would pop into their head either. I'm too driven, too quick to assume leadership, too ready to offer an opinion.
Perhaps this will help. John Piper's talk on the Ultimate Meaning of Womanhood warns us not to settle for wimpy theology leading to wimpy women.
It is not wimpy to say that God created the universe and governs all things to magnify his own grace in the death of his Son for the salvation of his bride... The ultimate meaning of true womanhood is this: It is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of his Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood.
Therefore, sitting quietly in a corner sounds like a terrible waste. Piper gives examples of assertive women and makes clear that the opposite of wimpy is not a brash, pushy, loud, controlling, sassy, uppity, arrogant Amazon. Oh-kay.
But still nothing of what gentleness looks like practically. Do you know what I think of when I think of gentleness? I think of Snow White singing to little birds perched on her finger and of Kleenex tissues. Women today are not keen on gentleness. It's all about empowerment, independence, flaunting sexuality. Gentleness seems on a par with weakness.
It's not as though gentleness and assertiveness are mutually exclusive. Just because a woman is confident in the promises of God and passionate about them, does not make her loud and pushy. It follows that a woman who is trusting in God and living by his Word, will fully understand her role as a woman and exercise it willingly. That's reassuring.
But why is the idea of gentleness so lost on me?
Sometimes I think that I need to just sit in a corner and shut up. That I should silently concentrate on hiding the Word in my heart, looking up only to smile sweetly from time to time. Ok meditating on God's Word is a constant, but anybody who truly knows me would never describe me as quiet and I'm not sure whether gentle is the first thing that would pop into their head either. I'm too driven, too quick to assume leadership, too ready to offer an opinion.
Perhaps this will help. John Piper's talk on the Ultimate Meaning of Womanhood warns us not to settle for wimpy theology leading to wimpy women.
It is not wimpy to say that God created the universe and governs all things to magnify his own grace in the death of his Son for the salvation of his bride... The ultimate meaning of true womanhood is this: It is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of his Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood.
Therefore, sitting quietly in a corner sounds like a terrible waste. Piper gives examples of assertive women and makes clear that the opposite of wimpy is not a brash, pushy, loud, controlling, sassy, uppity, arrogant Amazon. Oh-kay.
But still nothing of what gentleness looks like practically. Do you know what I think of when I think of gentleness? I think of Snow White singing to little birds perched on her finger and of Kleenex tissues. Women today are not keen on gentleness. It's all about empowerment, independence, flaunting sexuality. Gentleness seems on a par with weakness.
It's not as though gentleness and assertiveness are mutually exclusive. Just because a woman is confident in the promises of God and passionate about them, does not make her loud and pushy. It follows that a woman who is trusting in God and living by his Word, will fully understand her role as a woman and exercise it willingly. That's reassuring.
But why is the idea of gentleness so lost on me?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I am.
Slightly overwhelmed. This is not exactly what I was planning. Far too many people. But there's no room for doubt. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Adamant. Ministry is my boyfriend. He is quite the jealous type. Singleness is a flipping gift. Use it. Yes, I just said that.
Liberated. Have you ever really thought about the power of decision making? Make a decision. Stick to it. Simple as that.
Full of hot air. But hoping that I will end up writing that Tharunka article in the next month. Inspiration will come.
Imagining. What will heaven be like? When I am surrounded by God's people and my heart is full of love and thankfulness fit to burst - when I am most happy, most aware, most joyful - I think I may have some insight into what I might be in for. Yet the happiness I experience here is only a shadow. It cools. It fades. What will it be like, standing in the presence of God, to have that void filled wholly, finally, forever? I can only imagine.
Uncertain. The next 6 months are looming. They will not be easy but they will be for His glory.
Trusting. Like never before.
Adamant. Ministry is my boyfriend. He is quite the jealous type. Singleness is a flipping gift. Use it. Yes, I just said that.
Liberated. Have you ever really thought about the power of decision making? Make a decision. Stick to it. Simple as that.
Full of hot air. But hoping that I will end up writing that Tharunka article in the next month. Inspiration will come.
Imagining. What will heaven be like? When I am surrounded by God's people and my heart is full of love and thankfulness fit to burst - when I am most happy, most aware, most joyful - I think I may have some insight into what I might be in for. Yet the happiness I experience here is only a shadow. It cools. It fades. What will it be like, standing in the presence of God, to have that void filled wholly, finally, forever? I can only imagine.
Uncertain. The next 6 months are looming. They will not be easy but they will be for His glory.
Trusting. Like never before.
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