Cool Scripture

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. 4 And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. 5 And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Committees

I saw this quote on the wall in one of my Polytech classrooms and I thought it was quite appropiate...

A commitee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and quietly strangled
- Sir Barnett Cocks

So true...lol

Bible = Instruction Manual?

I am reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell at the moment, this is the same guy who made the Nooma DVD's I have talked about in a previous post. I am finding this book to be real challenging, he asks the same questions that I have never publiclly aired. Questions about how we take the bible literaly word for word, yet the 'translations' we read are exactly that, they are a group of scholars interpetation of the origional texts.

At one point Rob talks about the differing views of the bible and the attitudes we have towards it, I love how he sums up one of the attitudes out there...

And while I'm at it, lets make a group decision to drop once and for all the Bible-as-owner's-manual metaphor. It's terrible. It really is.

When was the last time you read the owner's manual for your toaster? Do you find it remotely inspiring or meaningful?

You only refer to it when something's wrong with your toaster. You use it to fix the problem, and then you put it away.

I find that this has a lot to say regarding how we treat the Bible.
The question I ask is how do I treat the Bible myself? Is it an instruction manual pulled out when there is trouble and then left in storage gathering dust until another problem comes up?

Something to ponder...

Flame

We had a childrens service this morning, it was an interesting experience for me. Generally I know when the holy spirit is calling out loudly to me because my legs start shaking, my gut starts filling with butterflies and I know I have a choice. I can choose to stay where I am or I can choose to respond. Usually I sense the holy spirit working quietly almost secretly in the background but occasionally he shouts. This morning was a morning where he was shouting to me.
I am unsure what was being done in me this morning but I know that a response was needed, I stepped forward, got on my knees and asked God for his fire, his passion, his zeal.

The question that came to my mind after the service was "Where to from here?" How is this experience going to effect how I live this thing called life? How is this going to be reflected in my wanderings?

I do not have an answer to this, yet for some reason this does not disturb me, it fills me with hope, hope about the things I am involved with, hope for seeing him working in people lives, hope that he has the best for me.

Theres a scripture that talks about this, I can't remember where it is, somewhere in the letters of Paul I think, talking about the "hope we have in him" (Jesus), look it up I think it is kinda related to what I am sharing out lol...

Well this is another step on the journey :-)

Monuments vs Tents

I have been slowly reading through 'An unstoppable force' by Erwin McMannus, in the second chapter he talks about how the church (as a community) has built Cathedrals rather than tents. Cathedrals are a testiment to the past and is a point in time of where a community is at. The problem with a Cathedral is that is can be inflexible and cannot be moved. A tent can be moved with little notice it has a lot of flexibility and is a lot more fluid. I was thinking about how wind effects cathedrals and tents. A cathedral is bricks, mortar and glass and stands against the 'wind' where as a tent can move and flex with the wind, I think it can be the same when the holy spirit blows through a community do they stand resilient against what the spirit is doing or can they flex and move with the wind?

Are we building a Cathedral
or pitching a tent?

The question is that is your church building a cathedral or a tent?
Are you as a community solid or flexible?
How you you react when the holy spirit comes?

Been a little busy

I've been a little busy lately, there has been a lot on with Work (worked all weekend) and with polytek starting to heat up. I was listening to my Nickelback CD and I got thinking about the lyrics to one of their songs:

Nickelback - If Everyone Cared Lyrics

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight

Singing Amen, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I'm alive

[CHORUS]

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died

And I'm singing

Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, I'm alive

And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along

Singing Amen I'm alive
Singing Amen I'm alive

[CHORUS (X2)]

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died

We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died

I found this to be quite cool.

Snowfall

We had an unecpected snowfall this week, heres some photos...

And as a result of too much snow on the roof of the Judo hall next to work...

Church marketing Sucks?

I came across this blog the other day, it has an aggressive title but there is value in what the author has to say. It raises questions about the need for churches to use marketing to spread the gospel. They also look at questions like "Why bother with church?" and "appropiate" language.

Have a look...

http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/dontsuck.html

Small groups...

This week has been interesting, last weekend I had a real downer, I felt lonely and depressed, the path seemed soo hard.

This week has been encouraging, I went to the young adults group on tuesday nite like I said I would, It was great! I loved every minute of it. They are working through a curricilum called "Friends for life" This stuff is New Zealand made for New Zealand :) I'm looking forward to going this week. I started leading a small after 6 months as a God follower so I have little experience of just going to a small group, so it was a bit weird. But I enjoyed it.

I really liked this pic because I feel that I am like the guy, I feel I am walking away from the burn't out rubble into a better day.

Treading the wandering path...

It's an interesting path that we walk down, we seem to have days where the path is easy walking the sun streaming down and there is a slight refreshing breeze. Walking the path is a pleasant experience it is refreshing and brings a sense of peace.

Other times the path can seem rocky, you seem to stub your toe on every second rock, the rain is pouring down and you are chilled to the bone. At times like this the last place you want to be is on the path. But it is the memories of sunnier times on the path that keep you going, they keep you putting one foot in front of the other.

You know that regardless what the travel on the path is like the destination is what you are striving for, you are enjoying the trip on the path but the destination is hovering in the back of your mind.

The life of a God follower can be like this path, there is times where it is easy to follow God and you have a great time, other times can be a struggle, things can make us feel guilt, shame, jealousy. At times like this following God can seem soo hard or that we are not good enough to follow the path any more.

Yet when it is sunny and when it is pouring there is a still silent voice that is calling out, a voice that is full of compassion in the times of guilt, a voice that is full of encouragement when we feel down. This voice is whispering "I will never leave or forsake you"

How is the path for you at the moment?

The question I ask you is how is the path for you at the moment? Are you basking in the warm sunshine? or are you slipping in the mud?

Picture from http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/2808913/

Curtis profile

I saw this on a friends myspace site and I thought I'd fill it out for myself :)

Name: Curtis
Birthdate: September 25th
Birthplace: Timaru New Zealand
Current Location: With parents
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 1m 80'ish I think
Weight: 84
Piercings: Nope
Tatoos: Nope
Boyfriend/Girlfriend: Nope
Overused Phraze: "Keeping outa trouble?" "Sweet" "Cheers"

FAVORITES
Food: Silverside with mustard sauce, or Daal on rice (indian lentil soup stuff)
Candy: Mints
Number: 42 (the meaning of life)
Color: blue/black
Animal: Dog
Drink: Chai Latte
Alcohol Drink: I enjoy Heiniken & Stella Artior
Bagel: Nope
Letter:
Body Part on Opposite sex: Lol what a question, the safe guys answer is eyes or hair, but the reality is that most of us guys don't just look at a girls eyes or hair, figure does play a part. I'm not being lewd or demeaning to women when I say this. I spose for me it would be a girls face and figure. But the key thing is if they love God, are outgoing and I can be myself around them.

This or That
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
McDonalds or BurgerKing: Burger King
Strawberry or Watermelon: Watermelon
Hot tea or Ice tea: Hot tea
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Hot Chocolate or Coffee: Iced coffee
Kiss or Hug: Hug
Dog or Cat: Dogs
Rap or Punk: Punk
Summer or Winter: Summer
Scary Movies or Funny Movies: Funny
Love or Money: Love

YOUR...
Bedtime: 10'ish
Most Missed Memory: Living out on our lifestyle block out by the airport
Best phyiscal feature: The large scar on my left knee
First Thought Waking Up: What have I got on today?
Goal for this year: To continue seeking God and to grow in my relationship with him
Best Friends: in no particular order, Brad, Jase, Gina, Loachy, Shaz, Nyree
Weakness: Being assertive
Fears: rejection
Heritage: Well Curtis is derived from the word "Courtious" and my mother maiden name is Soper which comes from "Soap Maker" so you could say I'm a Polite Soap maker!!!
Longest relationship: lol none that I would term a relationship

HAVE YOU...
Ever Drank: Yes
Ever Smoked: Tried it but nearly choked
Pot: Nope
Ever been Drunk: Yup, not really a peasant experience
Ever been beaten up: Not badly
Ever beaten someone up: I've defended myself but thats it
Ever Shoplifted: Nope
Ever Skinny Dipped: Nope
Ever Kissed Opposite sex: I've been kissed but it was one sided (its a long story)
Been Dumped Lately: Nope

IN A GUY/GIRL
Favorite Eye Color: Doesn't matter
Favorite Hair Color: Brown/Black
Short or Long: Either
Height: Irrellevant
Style: Willing to go against the crowd
Looks or Personality: Both
Hot or Cute: Cute
Drugs and Alcohol: No drugs, Alcohol fine

RANDOMS
Number of Regrets in the Past: yea
What country do you want to Visit: Japan, States, India (again)
How do you want to Die: regardless how the result is still the same!
Been to the Mall Lately: Yes
Do you like Thunderstorms: luv em
Get along with your Parents: yup
Health Freak: No, but trying to be healthier
Do you think your Attractive: Sometimes
Believe in Yourself: most of the time
Want to go to College: I've studied at Carey Baptist College (Diploma in Mission and Diploma in Youth Ministry) and am currently studying at Aoraki Polytech (Bachelor of computer Science)
Do you Smoke: Nope
Do you Drink: Yup
Shower Daily: Yup
Been in Love: I once thought I was but I was wrong
Do you Sing: Only in my car when I'm alone
Want to get Married: Yup
Do you want Children: Yup
Have your future kids names planned out: Nope
Hate anyone: I have a couple of people I strongly dislike but I wouldnt say I hate them

Who I'd like to meet: Erwin McMannus (to goto Mosaic in Los angles and see what they are doing to impact their community)

No mates .... no thanks

I have had a real nagging feeling for the last few months, I have read books to try to satisfy this feeling, I have subscribed to website newsletters, and I have tried to ignore it by keeping focused on other things (e.g. Gaming, Movies).
This weekend it has been really hitting me... I feel lonely. As a teenager this wasn't an issue, I always got invites to things from friends but friends have moved on and now I spend my weekends either alone at home or with teenagers playing computer games (no offense to the teenagers). I know I am not the only person who stuggles with this I have tried to get together with people my own age but this is soo hard.

Well I'm sick of this!

Well I'm sick of this! I heard about a young adults small group that the local New Life church runs, I have contacted them about it and I'm going to go tomorrow nite.

I find it amazing how in a world that has so many methods of connecting with others (texting, instant messaging, video calls, blogs etc.) that we are the most disconnected generation yet. I was watching Juice TV (music channel) and every second song was singing about lonelyness. Lyrics like "Such a lonely day shouldn't exist, It's a day that I'll never miss, Such a lonely day and its mine, the most loneliest day of my life"(System of a Down) and "I'm so lonely,I'm Mr. Lonely" (Akon) . There is a cry out there for that sense of connection with others. There is no denying that God will never leave of forsake us

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you. (Deut 31:8, NLT)

Its comforting to know that regardless how we feel that our God will never bail on us.

Risk, Poker & Innovation

I was talking to a close friend the other day, and eventually we got onto the topic of Girls (as a lot of conversations seem to drift towards). We started talking about dating and the way we do this as christians.

Ill hafta share my story sometime on this blog but that can wait for another post.

In a nutshell I am the only one in my family to have a faith committment. I am exposed to differing lifestyles, this has its pros and its cons. I see my sisters lifestyle and the way she reacts to life and I know that it is not the way I want to live my life BUT I do see that her relationships are a lot more open and honest about intentions right from the beginning.

Something I found funny is the way we as Christians go about dating. We have to be so sure before we say something, its like a bad game of poker; to minimise the risk of loosing we 'hedge' our bets before we do anything. In relationships it seems that we don't want to take a risk unless we are really sure, I can understand why we do this because to take a risk is to open yourself up and to be vulnerable to someone who may reject us. Personally I have had little experience with dating, the experiences I have had have not been positive and I know I went through a patch where I felt that relationships (and friendships in general) were not worth the effort. The cost can be high, But does that mean we stop taking risks? A poker player that never takes a risk on their hand will never find out what could have come from playing that hand out. They could loose everything, they could break even or they could clean out the house. Such is the way with a risk. The thing with taking a risk is that it can hurt, it can mean heartache and the (potential) crushing of dreams. Personally I have experienced rejection mostly because of me misinterpeting friendship for something more. At times I get scared that I will be alone for the rest of my life, but then I generally get caught up in the busyness of life and it gets forgotten. Well regardless of my 'relationship status' I know that seeking & serving God is the priority.

Comfortable vs Innovative

I wonder if this attitude of 'hedging' our bets is wider than just dating, I wonder if this has become the mantra for the church in general. We seek to be safe before we move forward, we seek to be comfortable above being innovative and we sit there and question why people don't come en-masse to meet God. I think this is why I have loved being involved with Youth Minsitry at my church, the youth are not afraid to be innovative, they are a lot more willing to take risks.

So what am I going to do about it? Its easy to complain about the church but harder to get stuck in and make a change....

Well

I'm going to get stuck in again, be willing to serve where needed and be willing to put my money where my mouth is. I am exploring the possibility of starting a small group that meets during the lunchbreak downtown in timaru and explores issues that arise in life.

Female picture from http://www.deviantart.com/print/43962/

Dog poker picture from http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/7943902/

Good articles on singleness http://www.christianitytoday.com/singles