The Healthy Perspective

This morning I asked God to provide something for me to post on the blog, and today He saw fit to provide in a way I did not expect!  God speaks through times of prayer and scripture reading, but He also reveals Himself in the mundane.  When a man knows God, it changes his perspective of everything.  Even in accidents God's grace and goodness is revealed.  In a little booklet I read the other day written by Ken Ham, he stated all students of science use the same facts but their worldviews dictate how the facts are interpreted.  It is God in a person who opens our eyes to His gracious benefits even when things "go wrong."

In between studies this morning, I went to the kitchen to prepare a coffee for myself.  After tamping the grounds in the portafiller, I pulled the stainless steel milk frothing jug from the strainer.  Unknown to me (at first!), the blade attachment for our blender was stealthily tucked inside!  Before I even looked down or felt the sting, I knew what had happened:  the blender attachment had fallen - face down - into my toe.  It didn't bleed right away, but I kept my eye on it.  It wouldn't be long...yep, oozing blood began to slowly outline the small incision.  I grabbed a paper towel and spent the next few minutes looking through the house for Band-Aids!

As I cleaned the wound, I marveled how close the point of the blade came to hitting the leather strap on my Rainbow thongs.  A couple of millimetres to the left and all the discomfort could have been avoided!  But my mind did not settle on that point, because had the tip of the blade entered a couple millimetres to the right, I would have likely damaged the tendon on my big toe and also sliced through a vein!  Given the situation, instead of lamenting the injury I praised God it was not more severe.  As it was I would relegate the cut to a mild inconvenience and hardly worth mentioning.  But it is worth mentioning that God is worthy of praise whether we manage to avoid injury or if a flying cleaver chops off an entire toe!  Even should the body of a child of God be ruined or destroyed, we have been promised by God a new, resurrected, and glorified body we will use to dwell with God and praise and serve Him forever!

Keeping our eyes on God is a healthy perspective that leads to the grateful praise of God with all thankfulness.  Psalm 118:28-29 concludes with, "You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. ²⁹ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."  God's goodness and mercy does not hinge on the condition of my toe, but what grace He showed me today in protecting me and opening my eyes to see His providential hand for my God and His glory.  Turn your eyes to God and praise the One worthy of all glory and praise for He is good, and His mercy endures forever!

Think, People!

On Tuesdays I teach scripture at a local primary public school to a class of year-six students - that's 6th graders, for those reading from the States.  Over the school term we have grown to have more of a routine.  We usually start with a passage from the Bible and spend the last third of our time in workbooks.  In the workbooks there are crossword puzzles, mazes, fill-in-the-blank questions, and the highly-sought after "find-a-word."  There are days where there seems to be a decent level of understanding, and other days the chore of eliciting reasonable responses is like attempting to pull teeth from a toothless baby!  It is a great consolation to me that God's Word never returns void.  I might be a lousy teacher, but the Holy Spirit isn't! :)

Today I asked a couple of questions to the class before opening the scriptures.  It is imperative to connect real life with the things we speak about from the Bible.  I am not interested in merely a transference of knowledge, but to have these young people apply Biblical truth to their own lives.  Today showed me, however, the kids would rather not think.  After labouring through the second question one girl asked, "Can we get started now?"  She wanted to read the Bible passage.  She knew once we read the Bible passage then she can do the fun workbook.  "We started already," I told the class.  "I am here to help you use your brains."  "What's a brain?" a boy in the back drawled out.  This is going to be a good day, I thought to myself.  And by God's grace, it was.  I witnessed my share of offhand remarks and glazed looks, but I trust God used it to make a difference for eternity.

Kids love to learn, but they don't always like to think.  These kids would love for me to do some storytelling, show them pictures of distant places, entertain them with puppets and drama, and let them spend time in their workbooks. They like finding the correct verse in the Bible and reading it out loud for the group.  They are happy for me to do all the thinking and tell them what to do.  But when it comes to these kids actually thinking about what the passage means, I tend to hear a lot of ridiculous statements or pervasive silence.  It seems to me these students have been trained to hear words, and repeat back when asked verbatim.  They are out of their depth to even hazard a guess what the words mean, much less how the truth applies to their personal lives!  It is so important to encourage critical thinking instead of merely conveying information.  Today reminded me how many children remain unreached in Bible classes and Sunday schools.  Don't get me wrong.  Many of these unreached children know a lot of Bible facts - maybe even more than their teachers.  Because they have never been challenged to think critically about what they are hearing, the truth has not actually been applied to their hearts.  Knowledge about the Bible can pass as a cheap substitute for knowledge of God, and this is a tragedy beyond words.

While adequate preparation and an engaging delivery of a lesson is the aim and responsibility of every teacher, no Bible teacher needs fear their efforts are being wasted.  Is not God a Redeemer?  My confidence must not be in my experience, preparation, visual aids, object lessons, or activities:  it must be in the Spirit of God to open the hearts and minds of kids to consider God's infallible truth and how it demands action on their part.  The Bible is not just facts to know but opens our gaze to our loving Creator, pure and holy.  The Bible introduces us to our Saviour Jesus Christ and how we can be born again through faith in Him.  No matter if we teach children or adults, our best will be useless when we step up confident in self.  Days like today remind me I cannot teach anyone anything.  I need God, and He doesn't need me!  Thank God for sending the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth!  Thank you for choosing to use this frail, sorry vessel to pour forth your love and light.  Praise God for His wondrous grace!

Rejoicing Always in the LORD

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

 Philippians 4:4

At Calvary Chapel Sydney, we've been studying through Philippians.  Rejoicing in the LORD is a common theme repeated throughout the book.  It's amazing to consider these words were penned by Paul, a man who had been imprisoned without committing a crime.  In fact, in the book of Acts it states one of the rulers who could have released Paul kept him in chains because he hoped to receive a bribe from him - which Paul did not pay!  Paul had every opportunity to be bitter and angry for "losing his freedom."  Yet Paul had learned the secret of contentment and peace that passed understanding through faith in Christ.  He rejoiced in the LORD always, and exhorted all others to do the same.

God uses the circumstances of life to reveal to us the condition of our hearts.  He allows struggles and difficulties to purify and strengthen our faith and resolve to obey Him.  I experienced one such instance (which remains in the infancy stages!) yesterday.  I play baseball on Saturdays with mates at a club in Rouse Hill.  Before the game I knelt on the field for a quick prayer, committing myself and the game to God.  I started on the mound, and for five innings we battled.  Behind 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs, I hit a ball up the middle and ran.  As my foot came down on first base beating out an infield hit, I saw the ball kick past the first basement.  Without hesitation, instinctively I began to turn to run to second.  Problem was, my right lower-leg didn't get the message as fast as the rest of my body.  I felt my right knee twist out of joint and all my weight pushed down on it - and down I went like a sack of potatoes.

After a couple of minutes I was able to hobble off and ice up.  I could move my leg, but I knew I was done for the day.  We failed in our comeback bid and lost the game.  Personally I had lost a little bit more still:  the ability to easily walk without a pronounced limp or take off socks and shoes!  24 hours later I am not sure if it is a strain, sprain, or a partial tendon rupture (will make an exam appointment tomorrow God-willing).  But having first given the game to the LORD gave me great peace through the knowledge everything is under God's control.  Whether I am back to the diamond in a week or rehab back to health over months, God has me on an adventure of sorts.  He wants me to do some personal pioneering in patience.  He adjusts our limits at times so we might seek to find our satisfaction and comfort not in what we can do but in His presence and what He has done.

I take Paul's exhortation to heart.  In the LORD I can rejoice always, even when my knee is swollen, stiff, and sore.  The peace God gives is independent of my circumstances or how I feel.  Will I choose to experience this rejoicing for the long haul?  Only God knows, but I aim to.  Whether we suffer a strain or complete knee destruction, God remains just as good.  For those who are facing the worst life can offer, Jesus understands because He has gone through it.  He was in all points tempted - He had every opportunity to become bitter at His Father for what He allowed Jesus to face.  Jesus willingly went to the cross for the joy that was set before Him.  You can rejoice in Him, for He is able to deliver and save.  He will never leave or forsake those who put their trust in Him.

Scripture Teaching

How spiritually healthy and rewarding it is when our steps require faith in God!  The flesh hates feeling out of control, but what a blessing it is to walk in the truth that God is in control.  I experienced one such moment today.  Earlier today God brought to pass the culmination of a desire that has grown since I first visited Phil and Linda White in Brisbane, Australia in 2009:  teaching scripture to students in a public school.  During one of our chats, Linda told me that in public schools in Australia scripture is taught by qualified volunteers from local churches.  I could hardly believe it!  Hailing from the United States of America, a nation hamstrung by political correctness and supposed implications of "separation of Church and State" with corresponding restrictions, this seemed too good to be true.

An open door to teach scripture in public schools stands open in Australia, and God opened a door to teach scripture in my own suburb.  One week after moving house, I received a call from a coordinator of the scripture classes to inquire concerning a character reference.  It turned out there was a vacancy that had just opened up.  It is a remarkable opportunity to expose kids to the truth of scripture and introduce them to God.  The fact is, scripture teaching works!  Students are free to opt out of scripture teaching, and those who do are taught "ethics."  I would be curious to know the origin and foundation of those ethics!

When going through the modules to be qualified to teach scripture, I was amazed at the objectives according to the Rawlinson Report and the current NSW Education Act.  Taken from a Youthworks Training booklet, the five reasons scripture teaching exists are:

• to develop an ability to interpret religious data within the traditions of their particular faith
• to gain an appreciation of specific religious interpretations of issues and problems in which committed people apply their faith to life
• to translate their learning about their faith into active expression in a worshipping community
• to encounter, in a peer group-learning context, religious teaching given from a position of faith and committment by a person explicitly associated with the religious community
• to be aware of the availability of personal and group counselling in the area of religious need

As I entered the school today, it certainly was an act of reliance upon God.  The flesh never enjoys striking into unfamiliar territory.  I could sense doubts and worries being thrown my way by the enemy, reasons why I should not bother teaching scripture.  I had heard the class was difficult, nearly unmanageable!  There is no doubt God gave me a peace and utterance as I shared from the scriptures.  Overall everyone was engaged and attentive.  Perhaps the accent had something to do with that!  Because God promises His Word does not return void, I know seeds were planted, watered, and in His time according to His grace will be fruitful.

Have you recently taken new steps of faith?  If you are a Christian, this is what God has called us to.  By receiving the Gospel by grace through faith we have signed up to take more steps of faith!  If our lives do not require a walk of faith -going into situations outside our comfort zone where God is our only peace and help - then we must wonder if we are trusting Christ at all!  What joy comes from this walk of faith, though our days be filled with unknowns and growing challenges.  When we walk in faith in God, we walk closer to Christ.  He will always lead us in the right way!

The Final Walkthrough

For the past week my family and I have been in the throes of moving.  We are most thankful for the help we have received from church family as we packed, hired a truck, loaded and unloaded our belongings at the new residence.  We were also able to do most of the cleaning of the old house in a single day, thanks to many people pitching in.  Now that the internet is up and running along with changing our phone and electricity providers, and most of the change of address notifications done, things are almost beginning to seem normal.  But not really.  Despite all the work done, there is much more to do!

After a trip to Bunnings today for the necessities - more roach spray and to cut new keys for a new deadbolt I installed - I went by the old house to better clean the oven, range hood, dishwasher, exhaust fans, and shower doors.  When Laura went on the final walkthrough with the agent, he was ridiculously thorough - as I expected.  The list of demands seemed to go on and on, and most of them were reasonable.  Unfortunately for us, we were not so thorough when we moved into the property as he has been upon our leaving.  Though we are leaving the house in much better condition than when we arrived, the improvements we have made are not taken into account.  I know it's his job to ding us wherever he can, force us to pry his sticky fingers from our bond money, and he is good at what he does.  I cannot fault the man for doing his job.  But needless to say, we will be noting every possible thing wrong with our current property so we won't be on the hook when it's time to move on.

As I cleaned today, an interesting parallel came to mind.  When we walked away from the property on Sunday, I was quite confident going into the final walkthrough.  With walls washed, paint touched up, floors mopped, and everything looking shiny and clean I was certain it was good enough.  But not so fast!  The agent started opening appliances and noting things I wrote off as normal wear.  As he went through his checklist he snapped picture after picture to show the owner:  hard water spots, the length of the grass, and inside the gas burners on the cooktop!  The house wasn't new or nearly as clean as when we moved in so I figured some things would be good enough.  But item by item, the list grew.  It reminded me of the scriptures which tell us it appointed for man once to die and then face judgment.  Most people are fairly confident in saying they are basically good enough to get into heaven.  What they do not realise is their words, actions, and motives will be judged against the perfect standard held forth in scripture.  Every filthy deed will be uncovered; every single wicked thought exposed and brought into the light of God's perfection.

Imagine being destitute and being offered a modest home for free.  The landlord agreed to handle all the cost for electricity, water, phone, and rubbish removal.  The landlord even offered to supply money to handle repairs, to buy food, and appliances.  The roof leaked a little, the carpet was a bit worn with an occasional rip, and a couple of the taps dripped.  Despite the imperfections, it sure beat living on the street!  Let's say that you stayed in this home for a whopping 70 years!  Over the course of living in the home for seven decades, you did some improvements on the property.  You added on a room here, more lights in the garage, and had new carpet installed.  The roof still leaked a little, but the bucket worked just fine!  A few cracks had opened in the foundation, but hey - it was free!  After 70 years, you are told by the landlord it is finally time to check out.  His generous offer was finally up.  Nothing could prepare you for the final walkthrough.  The agent did not bring merely a list - he hauled out a massive book with countless things to check off.  He noted everything wrong with the property, even things that were wrong when you first arrived!  The dialogue could go something like this:

"Hmm, that leak been there for awhile?  Quite a bit of water damage - dry rot and mildew.  Didn't you notice it?"

"Yep, roof's been leaking since I moved in.  After a while you just learn to deal with it, right?"  You laugh, hoping to reduce the tension that has been building.  He didn't even smile.

"Unfortunately for you, you are liable for all damage to the property even if it happened before you arrived.  The landlord expects the entire property to be immaculate - not just like new or improved in your estimation, but completely new."

Your eyes opened wide.  "What?  That's ridiculous!  Doesn't the room I built count for anything?"

"Actually, that room is a serious problem.  It's not built to code and will incur additional fines."  As he continued to turn the pages, noted every single mark on the walls, and took pictures of everything, dread knotted like snakes in your gut.

"I thought because of what I did to make the house better it would compensate for faults the house came with," you reasoned.

Tears welled in the eyes of the agent.  "Yes," he said softly.  "Most people do think that.  But it doesn't change the facts that you are on the hook for all the damage.  I have never met a single person able to pay the fees according to the exorbitant exchange rate.  You are in serious trouble."

"What will happen to me?  How was I to know you would charge me for dust in the attic, every single scratch on the wall, every fibre of carpet out of place, cockroaches I never saw, or for smudges on windows I can't even reach?"

"Because you lived here, you are liable for all.  You will be sent to prison to spend eternity in solitary confinement.  If you remember, the same landlord who lent you the property free of charge provided the funding necessary to make all things new.  But instead of investing in eternity you ignored his correspondence and offers and now you find yourself doomed.  He called you every day.  You cannot blame him for refusing to answer and act on his offer."

"It just isn't fair!"

"No, it isn't," the man continued, "and it was never meant to be.  It is all of grace.  You had this house to live in all this time at no cost to you, with everything graciously provided at his expense.  You loved the house instead of the landlord who gave it to you.  In a way it was all a test:  he gave you 70 years to answer his call.  Some people have far less time than that!"

The Bible teaches every person who walks the earth will one day be required to settle accounts with the Almighty Creator, the righteous God who is a just Judge.  He has given us bodies, a world that supports life, and the means to know His righteous requirements through the scriptures.  We are all imperfect, having broken His law.  Seeing that no man had the means to be reconciled to God - to be made new, perfect, and acceptable according to the divine code - God became a man:  Jesus Christ.  Because God put on human flesh, Christ's sacrifice was able to atone for His fellow humans who would repent and trust in Him.  For those who are born again, all has been made new.  We will not face the same consequences of the final walkthrough of those who are forced to check out before they have answered the call of the landlord to repent.  Even though our salvation is secure through Christ, Christians too will face judgment and answer for our stewardship.

Still not convinced?  The words of Christ still ring true.  Matthew 12:38-42 says, "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." ³⁹ But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here."  Are you confident to appear before God?  Will you be found perfect?  Only those who answer the call to repentance and are born again by grace through faith will be found flawless, for our righteousness has been imputed by Jesus Christ!

The Old "Shave and a Haircut" Knock Trick

This Sunday after 3pm I lay down for a little sleep.  I had not been laying there ten minutes when I heard a loud, "Shave and a Haircut - two bits!" knock on the glass by the front door.  "Now who could that possibly be?" I thought to myself as I creaked to my feet.  I walked down the stairs hoping it would be someone that I knew.  It wasn't.  It's an experience I've had far too often for my liking, even after placing a sticker which asks politely for salespeople to refrain from knocking.  The second I cracked the door the nice young lady wouldn't stop talking, briskly showing me her wares, and inquiring about my interest in her paintings.  She was a bit put-off when I was able to break in a minute later and say, "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."  She kept talking even after I closed the door.

I have to say, I really struggle when people come to my door to sell me things.  If I wanted to change my electricity provider, I wouldn't do it with a fast-talking salesman who shows up at my door unannounced.  Then there are those cagey folks who aren't actually selling anything - so they say!  It doesn't matter who it is or what they are selling:  after they leave, I always tussle with salesmen rejection remorse.  It is not that I have ever actually been tempted to buy anything.  But I always think later:  "Was I too harsh or abrupt?  It could have been a scam, but possibly it was someone trying to make an honest living.  Should I have tried to engage them in an actual conversation?  How could that have gone better?"  The self-talk inevitably goes on an on.  And I pray.  Something about people coming to my door sends me crying out to God, and sleeping becomes out of the question.

After this latest unwanted intrusion, many thoughts swirled around in my head.  The truth is, I don't trust anyone who comes to my door I don't already know.  I don't know who they are or what they are about.  Then I started thinking:  what if that girl had come to the door asking for water, food, or money?  My guard would have dropped a little.  Once it is clear I am not being swindled out of something I can relax a bit.  When the Salvos have their shield appeal, it's a very different feeling.

When I lived in San Diego, I had an interesting conversation with a friend who originally was from Ohio.  He said it was not out of the ordinary for friend to drop by unannounced and to extend hospitality, share a drink and a chat.  He said he noticed that was not often the norm in Southern California.  When he dropped by a friend's house because he was in the area, they were quite guarded.  They might open the door to shake his hand, but never once invited him inside.  He found it most disappointing.  It's true:  inviting an unexpected visitor into your home is personal business.  It means you are choosing to put aside your plans and to gladly extend hospitality to an impromptu guest.  It is a sacrifice of love when done joyfully.  As I thought of my friend's story, I thought of Jesus Christ's words in Revelation 3:20:  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

Jesus says those words in context not to strangers, but to the members who comprise His Body - the church.  When Jesus stands at the door and knocks, calling out to those within, it is with the implication that the person on the inside of the house has the power to either open the door or leave it shut.  We can ignore the door and Christ's voice, we can open the door for a chat but block His entrance (because we're not exactly prepared or have other things we'd rather do), or we can open the door and invite Him in.  If Jesus chooses to drop by, I don't want to be too busy with other things to spend time with Him.  I don't want to pretend I'm not available when my Saviour seeks my company.  To have a meal with Jesus!  What a treat!  If we will hear His voice and open the door, Jesus will come in to us so we can share fellowship together.

This morning at church we had a wonderful time of fellowship and a time of remembrance through Communion.  Bread and juice were received, symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood for our sins.  It is a good thing to walk in obedience to Him and proclaim His death until He comes in remembering the price paid.  God is challenging me to show my appreciation to Him for all He as done in the form of loving others even as He loves me.  Even when pesky fast-talking sign-ignoring salespeople with agendas knock at my door, I pray God helps me make it my agenda to love them as people He died to save.  When someone knocks at the door, Christ knocks in a strange disguise!

Gleaning Gold

I had the opportunity to go on Abel's class trip to Bathurst, the site of the first gold-rush in New South Wales, Australia.  We visited Hill End, the place where Holtermann's Nugget was found.  That huge slab of gold mixed with slate weighed about 235 kilograms!  It was a busy few days and a great blessing.  We also toured through the Jenolan caves.  It was a great introduction to some of the history and sights I have yet to see during my time in Australia.  To share that experience with my son and his classmates, teachers, and fellow volunteers was a wonderful privilege.

During the trip we had two opportunities to pan for gold, something I once did on a similar trip with Zed.  One of the times we panned each camper received a pan full of sand which had been "salted" with a small amount of gold.  The other opportunity was in a riverbed without any planted gold.  Needless to say, the gold salted in the pans was far easier to find than the miniscule dust showed us by master miners in the riverbed!  The kids found panning for gold very difficult.  Since they were not immediately rewarded by large obvious pieces of gold, many of the kids were immediately disinterested.  They enjoyed swinging the mattock or throwing things at each other while they were trampling over potential treasure.  I found three tiny specks of gold in five pans of sand - not too bad!  Gold was there to be found but it took a lot of labour to find it.

Miners are like fishermen, in that they will never on their lives divulge the best spots.  Why?  Because they reserve the best spots only for themselves!  Reading God's Word is like entering a mine rich with wisdom and knowledge.  Instead of hiding His truth from the humble, diligent seeker, God's response resembles that of Boaz with Ruth.  He looked upon Ruth with favour and love as she faithfully gleaned in his field.  He commanded his reapers to intentionally leave a good amount of grain on the ground so it would be easy for her to leave with plenty.  God does the same with those who treasure Him enough to study His Word.  He gladly leaves some nuggets even laying right on the surface just waiting to be picked up by those who prize and heed them.  Have you been faithful to glean the truth God has left for you to find?  Keep on looking and remember to thank Him for such treasure!  Where else can we find the Word of Life?

In God is Our Help

On my way home from a meeting this morning, I could see a line of traffic extending towards me from the intersection of Windsor and Samantha Riley Drive.  The coloured lights of a fire truck, police cars, and ambulances flashing through the boughs of swaying trees told me there had been an accident.  The 10 minute wait as traffic was an unexpected setback, but was nothing like the shock and serious injury of being the one in the smashed vehicle.  A blue hatchback suffered severe damage, and the airbags had been deployed from a frontal collision.  I could drive away from the accident as a bystander, but as I did I thought how there are likely some people who will carry physical injuries and frightening memories for the rest of their lives.

Life can change in an instant.  As durable and hardy as people are, life is a most fragile gift.  I expect the driver of that blue car expected to reach his or her intended destination.  But instead they were rushed to hospital in an ambulance as they received treatment for injuries.  We all know "accidents happen," but we are still shocked when they happen to us.  Planes crash, boats sink, people are mugged, abducted, raped, and murdered.  Sudden illness and injury and can permanently change our lives.  No one plans to have a heart attack, stroke, or to have to learn to eat, talk, or walk again later in life.  We see these things happen all around us and know that sooner or later the reality of the frailty of human life will strike closer to home than we ever imagined.  Only faith in God and His Word can aid us in successfully navigating the troubled, unpredictable waters of life on earth.

It is at this point where I am greeted by a greater tragedy than the ills of a world steeped in sin:  the tragedy of men, women, and youth who have been exposed to the saving life of Jesus Christ and choose to walk away from Him.  I cannot count how many young people I have witnessed be brought up hearing the words of life and choose to walk away.  They know with their brains the truth that will set them free but they choose instead a life of bondage to sin.  Intoxicated by the passing pleasures of sin, they choose death.  They reject Jesus Christ, the One who died so they might live.  It is something akin to horror I unfortunately know only too well, when I see a life once verbally consecrated to God now marked with profanity, fornication, immorality, and godlessness.  These nominal, illegitimate Christians fit well the description of Titus 1:16:  "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."  It is the obedience of a follower of Jesus Christ that proves his faith genuine.  Unless we obey Jesus, He is no Saviour of ours.  Hebrews 5:9 says, "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him...".

What joy we have in knowing that even if we are foolish to wander from Christ, salvation is offered to all who repent and return to Him.  Hosea 13:9 reads, "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help."  Man is a master of self-destruction, because all his natural appetites are drawn to feast upon sin, and final result of sin is death.  It tastes sweet to the tongue but is bitter poison in our bellies:  it is deceptive food.  In God we find help, forgiveness, deliverance, salvation, and strength for the day.  One person dying as a result of sin is too many, and no one goes to hell by accident.  Man should not be surprised when death comes to collect his just due.  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Allow me to offer a word of encouragement for all who grieve because you know one who has wandered from Christ.  Paul shared the Gospel with Onesimus, a slave who had run away from his master.  Onesimus responded to the message of salvation, became a Christian, and had become profitable to Paul and others with his service.  Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with these encouraging words concerning his once wayward slave:  Philemon 1:15 reads, "For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever..."  God's purposes are not thwarted when people wander from Christ and fellowship.  God sometimes allows people to depart for a season where they experience hardship so they might be humbled and return to Him for good.  The prodigal son was such a man.  I was such a man.  Many people I know who have been greatly used by God as steadfast and faithful disciples were not always so.  God loved them enough to let them depart and suffer so they might seek their healing only in Him.

If man had it his own way, he would destroy himself.  But God, who is rich in mercy and not willing that any should perish, is willing to allow people to fall so He might pick them up.  May we be those who are wise to abide in Him forever!

Are You Prepared?

Next week I plan to head down with a friend to Jindabyne.  It will be our first time ever visiting the snowy mountains.  While I am not too interested in the "snowy" bit, I am looking forward to fishing and having a little break from the normal routine.  It's amazing how much preparation goes into planning even a short trip to be a success:  accommodation must be booked, fishing gear prepared, planning for the weather conditions with clothing and boots, buying food, sorting out activities, and on.  It's like a full-time job trying to prepare yourself to not be on the job!  Perhaps a little bit of my American self is showing through:  planning a getaway is so much work it is a relaxing thought to stay at home, go back to work Monday, and forget the whole thing!

All this preparation has me thinking:  with all the prior planning necessary for a short holiday or vacation, how can it be that people think no preparation is necessary for eternity?  It is planning of a different kind.  Where we are going no one else can come, and we can bring nothing with us.  Naked we were born, and naked we return to the dust.  There are two potential eternal destinations:  heaven or hell.  The Bible says that it is appointed for man once to die and after the judgment.  We will all stand before the Living God - whether you want to or not - and every thought, word, deed, attitudes, and even sins of omission will be judged according to God's perfect law.  There is no one who will be innocent on that Day when judged according to our works.  The wages of sin is death.

Thankfully, Romans 6:23 doesn't stop there. Paul continues:  "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD."  Jesus is the Way to heaven, and we can prepare ourselves by making a heavenly booking through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  No long distance telephone call is required, and no details must be entered in a top-secret website.  We must simply humble ourselves before God, admitting that we have terribly broken His laws and are without excuse.  We must affirm we deserve hell for our great sins against Him and others.  Then we must repent, meaning that He has changed our mind concerning sin.  We decide to agree with God, committing to turn from our sin and follow after Jesus Christ in faith.  Our reliance is no longer in ourselves, but upon Jesus Christ our Saviour and Messiah.  He is God-Made-Flesh who died for the sins of the whole world so we too might be saved.  Romans 10:9 says, "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  No man knows the day of his death, but everyone knows it is only getting closer.

You prepare for your holidays and vacations:  are your prepared for eternity?  What arrangements have you made?  If you neglect this most important calling of every person born in sin, you are planning for eternal disaster and damnation.  God implores all people through His Word in Ezekiel 18:30-32:  "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. ³¹ Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? ³² For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"  Take to heart the words spoken by Christ in John 3:16-17:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

Love Makes the Difference

After church yesterday, my wife Laura and I went to a high tea put on by the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  For over a year now I have been a volunteer with the Foundation, committing to one hour of reading and playing educational games with a child in foster care a week.  It is really a terrific organisation that seeks to meet the needs of an ever growing number of children in foster care.  We had a good time chatting with other volunteers and enjoyed a musical performance by the Lane Cove Orchestra.

The founder of the Pyjama Angel Foundation spoke about the importance of education for the children in foster care, as statistics show they are at a high risk of dropping out of school and committing crimes as juveniles and adults.  The simple act of spending time with undivided attention for each child conveys a sense of value and security.  Literacy and education, she said, were keys to giving kids in care the opportunity to progress and develop in their studies and life.

As I looked over the group of people listening to Mrs. Sheehan, I thought about what she said.  I agree completely with the vision and purpose of the Pyjama Angel Foundation.  But I do not believe education is the answer to the problems children in foster care face.  They need the same thing that all people crave:  love.  If I try to "educate" without love, it profits very little.  When you love a child unconditionally, what you say now becomes important.  Knowledge and facts have their place, but they are no substitute for love.  If a child knows he is truly loved, his trust will begin to grow.  He may still have baggage, issues, and struggles.  He may not seem to get out what you are putting in.  But it is your love he will cherish and remember, even when he is old - not the English facts you skillfully present.  It is love that will transform a life.

When I think back to all my years in school, I learned many things.  But it is easier for me to remember the faces and names of my teachers and professors than what they actually taught me.  The teachers which made the biggest difference in my life were the ones who impacted me by touching my heart.  It was their love of kids and the love of teaching that came through.  It is love that mades the difference.  Jesus Christ did not come to earth as the Master Teacher, though He is unrivaled as far as good teachers go.  He came and demonstrated His love for all people.  He went to the sick and healed them.  He fed the hungry and taught the multitudes.  Jesus took babies and children in His arms and blessed them.  Those same hands were nailed to a cross:  Jesus laid down His life as a payment for sin so all who repent and trust in Him can be born again and become children of God.  Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Plenty of men were crucified by the Romans, but the death of Jesus Christ was different.

What does this teach us?  It is love that makes the difference.

Joey Hockenberry, Loved By God

Funerals are bittersweet:  bitter because we are processing the loss of a loved one, but sweet to reflect on how people have impacted our lives for good.  The first funeral I officiated was for a man I never knew.  Our church was contacted by the coroner's office in San Diego and were asked if we could provide someone to perform the service.  I was on staff as a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel El Cajon at the time and had been recently ordained as a pastor.  It was through that phone call I was introduced to a young man known by his friends as Joey Hockenberry.

Joey was a man I wish I could have met.  A condition from birth prevented him from being able to speak.  Even at 30 years old he enjoyed simple pleasures, especially balloons.  He had an amazing smile.  His mother and sister loved Joey deeply, and his death was a tragic shock.  In a moment, this young man passed into eternity.  As I stood at the lectern at the funeral hall, the organist playing softly behind me, my heart broke for the grieving people who knew the young man.  This was a man who was greatly loved by people and the God who created him.  Though I never met Joey, I will never forget Him.  His life should be celebrated more than the mourning of his passing.  If I could meet Joey's mum and sister again, I would give them each a hug.  They shared the life of their dear son and brother that day, a gift I can never repay.

There are some people who might trivialise Joey's life because of an arbitrary level of physical or mental development.  I can tell you one thing for certain:  God doesn't.  God spoke to Moses in Exodus 4:11, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?  God made Joey Hockenberry.  He made him exactly as He intended to, and God does all things well.  Joey never lost the wonder of being young.  He laughed, he loved, he was human in every way.  What we see as a limitation in someone else is a revelation of our limitations.  God values human life to the point of sending His own Son as a sacrifice for sin.  God allowed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to face death on the cross so all might live.  Jesus died for Joey, me, and you.

God values life.  He is the one who gives eternal life!  Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  If you hate your life, it is because you love yourself more than Christ.  And when Christ becomes your life what freedom, peace, and joy is provided by His grace.  Psalm 16:8-11 reads, "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. ¹⁰ For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Open the Door!

There have been a rash of electricity salesmen knocking on my door of late.  The thing that bothers me about them is their dishonesty:  they claim they are not trying to sell me anything when the exact opposite is true.  Listening to them talk, it is simply out of the "goodness of their hearts" they are trying to save me money on my electricity costs.  They all have similar tactics:  they butter me up or ask a loaded question, and then try to sink their hooks in.  No matter how direct I am, a salesman who understands the point and walks away before I close the door is rare.

Because of the influx of well-intentioned salesmen who want me to switch my electricity provider (and I'm not changing, so please stop bothering me!), when I hear a knock at the door I instinctively groan.  Who could it be now?  Who else wants to make me their customer?  How many more times will I have to endure the shallow chatter and repeat myself over and over?  "No thank you.  And no, I will not allow you to look at my previous bill."  The other night our whole family just sat down to dinner and there was a loud knock at the door.  I had dealt with one electricity salesmen of the overweening variety that day.  The previous night at dinner a man came trying to sell me some Spanish art!  I continued to eat dinner.  "I am not answering that," I announced to the family.  "If they were someone who knows me, they could ring."

The next day it came to light that it was not a salesman who came to my door, but a FedEx courier with an overseas shipment!  I knew a shipment was coming soon, but at that moment I was so fed up I didn't care who it was!  In retrospect, that was a rare occasion when I wished I had opened the door.  My decision to ignore the knock at the door reminded me of an anecdote titled "Afraid of the Landlord" told by D.L. Moody.  It is recorded in John Lobb's book Arrows and Anecdotes on page 135, written in 1877:

Many think God comes wanting something from us.  When he was in Glasgow, Dr. William Arnot heard that a poor woman was unable to pay her rent, and he thought he would go round to her house and give her some assistance.  After knocking he heard some one moving; he knocked again, but no one came; he waited some time, but after knocking repeatedly he had to leave without gaining admittance.  A day or two afterwards he met the woman in the street, and told her that he had been at the house, with the view of helping her. "O doctor!" exclaimed the poor widow, "was that you?  Why, I thought it was the landlord, and was afraid to open as I had nothing to pay him with."  Now that woman just represented a sinner.  Jesus comes knocking at the door of our heart; He says:  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man open I will come in and sup with him."  He is knocking - knocking today, and yet we keep the door fastened and hide trembling, imagining all the time that He has come to demand something we cannot pay.

How true this can be of us in a spiritual sense!  We can be so involved in the cares of this life, so focused on extinguishing fiery darts of the wicked one, and be caught up in trials that when Christ comes to spend time with us we feel too weary to give Him the time and attention He deserves.  How many times has Jesus stood out calling our names at the door of our hearts and we run and hide, thinking he brings greater guilt and condemnation!  We see our lack and are ashamed of any meal we might prepare for the King of Kings, forgetting that He is the one who supplies the food for the table!  Christ desires to commune with us.  He has already provided Living Water of the Holy Spirit, His broken body, and His shed blood - food and drink for our souls indeed!  Jesus has given us Himself, become the propitiation for our sins, and purchased us with His own blood.

God provided the Jews manna in the wilderness; bread from heaven to sustain them.  Jesus is the Living Bread!  He proclaims in John 6:35 & 51:  "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst....⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."  When Jesus comes knocking at your heart, don't ignore His call!  Open to Him!

The Big Move

Over the years I have helped a lot of people move.  The biggest move I was ever a part of, however, was moving with my family from San Diego to Sydney.  My wife, our family, and more people than I can name helped us with packing, storing, shipping, and delivering.  Before we could move, a lot of preparation was involved.  Having to move brings to light how much stuff you have and how much stuff you don't really need.  When a friend of mine moved to Africa, he spoke of this phenomenon.  We simply don't realise how much stuff we have accumulated over the years until we are confronted by the moving experience.  Slowly but surely cabinets, drawers, closets, and shelves start to fill up and overflow.  So much of the stuff we tossed out or gave away was of use, but we rarely or never used it.

Accumulation is part of life on earth.  "Accumulation" is defined as "an increase by natural growth or addition."  We accumulate stuff, knowledge, memories of experiences good and bad, even body fat!  Some of the things we accumulate are positive and useful, but a lot of it is simply junk which serves no beneficial purpose.  It would be worth next to nothing at a garage sale.  It seems to me it is a lot easier to clean out a closet than my thoughts, yet sometimes I struggle to even straighten out my closet.  If we can let the closet or the garage become choked with clutter, I should assume the same could happen concerning the spiritual issues of the heart.  Our lives can be packed with activities, but are we grasping for what truly matters?  Wrong ways of thinking, speaking, and coping are certain to accumulate in a human heart.  It takes divine illumination from the Word of God to reveal just what needs to go.

Very few people are actually ready to move when it is time to move.  Though a family may know the move is scheduled, most people are ill-prepared when the moment comes.  Often much is not yet packed, furniture has not been disassembled, items have not been organised, and there is a frantic pace of action in the last days before a move.  Decisions about keeping and throwing out are still being made hours before the keys need to be handed over.  I don't know how many times I have helped people move over the years, but people have a major similarity when it comes to moving:  they are largely unprepared.  I think the same can be said of many people when it comes from leaving this earthly shell of flesh and being ushered into eternity through physical death.  When it comes to dying, often people simply aren't ready.  Unless they have prepared their hearts and been born again through repentance and trusting in Christ, they are unprepared for their final move.

Jesus says in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  I don't want my heart and mind cluttered with the useless junk of this life when I have a Saviour preparing a place for me where nothing of the earth can be brought.  I don't want to be debating what needs to go and what I want to keep when it is time to put off this earthly tent and go to my permanent home in heaven.  I don't want the dazzling trinkets of this world to take my eyes off the prize of the upward call of Christ.  I praise God He has removed the rich gleam of the earthly so I might treasure Him above all.  It is good to have our hearts and minds purged and uncluttered of worldly accumulation!

Camp Kedron

Last night I came home from a week at Camp Kedron, a wonderful Christian camp on the edge of a national reserve.  I was part of a team hosting a holiday camp for years 7 through 10.  Even with the rain it was a massive success:  kids had an awesome time, the Gospel was shared and discussed, and Jesus Christ received the glory.  As I drove up Mona Vale road, the sunset was breathtaking:  rays of light peered through plumes of clouds, lining the edge with a glistening ribbon of white.  Two vertical pillars were illuminated with a swath of orange and blue as fog swirled like a fragile membrane between them.  "God, how could something be so beautiful?" I asked.  "I have done greater than this in the hearts of many this week," was His response.  And God's right - nothing is a beautiful as the transforming, redeeming work He does within the soul of a person by His grace.

As the camp speaker for six days at an Australian holiday camp, it was a fresh experience for me.  Distinct from a church camp or retreat, it was my role to hold forth the word of God to a largely unbelieving group.  I felt as Jesus was lifted up and glorified there was a holy hush upon those who heard, for together we ventured upon holy ground.  A ten-minute talk gave way to lively cabin groups which discussed and questioned the things we were learning about the great God who made all things.  Hard hearts softened as young minds wondered aloud.  Decisions were made to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives.  Kids whose parents don't believe God exists soberly admitted they were not far from the kingdom of God.  Leaders where challenged and encouraged to go deeper in faith.  Life for the hundred or so in attendance, me included, will never be the same.

One of the greatest snapshots of the fun we had at camp came into focus when I walked by a boys cabin.  The leader was serenely reading through the Bible as five or six kids covered in sleeping bags with their feet sticking out thrashed all over each other, wrestling around.  Muffled grunts and groans came from the bags as they traded positions.  As I stopped and watched the match, wondering how stuffy and uncomfortable it must be inside those sleeping bags, a boy walked up and threw his sock two meters above the leader's head.  The sock stuck beautifully to the wall and was followed by the second.  Ingenious, sweaty, and stinky kids.  Gotta love 'em!  

Throughout the week I was blessed to meet and speak with many of the leaders and campers.  In my prayers last night I was able to recall about 50 of them!  I am comforted that God will not forget a single one.  When they grow up, He will always recognize them too.  I was greatly encouraged by what a leader said:  "Even if speaking at Camp Kedron was all you did during the next two years in Australia, it would be an eternal success."  I feel the same, by God's grace.  I have thrown my hat into the ring to be a leader in the future.  Should God open the door and give opportunity, I'll be paying my dues as a youth leader all over again.  It's funny how the dues are never fully paid!  Praise God for the fact He has paid my debt, and for that I will be forever grateful.

When the Devil says no...but God says yes!

Every Christian knows we are pitched in a spiritual battle.  Our flesh, Satan, and the world under his sway resist and rage against obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that we can overcome.  Though our awareness or sensitivity to this battle against satanic wickedness and obedience to God might at times be muted, other times we become acutely aware of how much the devil hates God and all those who trust in Him.

Jesus was condemned and crucified an innocent man, though He had only always done what had pleased the Father.  After He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to fill and come upon Christ's faithful followers to instruct and empower them to live for God's glory.  Men who once cowered behind closed doors for fear of reprisal from the religious leaders boldly preached Christ crucified and risen.  On one occasion Peter and John were arrested because they preached publicly after performing a notable miracle in the name of Jesus.  The religious leaders severely threatened them if they decided to ever preach in the name of Jesus Christ again.  In their presence Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you judge.  We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Later Peter, John, and other believers gathered for prayer.  This portion of their prayer is written in Acts 4:29-31:  "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."  God doesn't just rattle the gates of hell:  He crushes them to powder so the captives might be set free.  Instead of making concessions to the enemy of their souls, through God Satan was cast under their feet as they boldly proclaimed the Word of God.

A day will come for every Christian when the devil says "No!" because you are close to encroaching upon his territory.  We can choose to be afraid of Satan and run and hide.  We can be like the Israelites when confronted with the giant Goliath, who cowered in fear in the false hope he would just be quiet and go away.  Or we can respond with the boldness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah because His perfect love casts out all fear.  It is in this moment that God is testing us:  will we respect the "No!" of the prince of this world or obey the "Yes!" of the Almighty God, Creator of All?  Let us make a stand in obedience for righteousness.  Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5:  "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"

My Oolong Lesson

When our family lived in the USA in 2005, our family hosted a Chinese student who brought us some hand-picked green tea as a gift.  For me, that is what put loose tea on the map.  I would wake up early, put the kettle on, and drop about 10 tiny green balls of dried leaves in the bottom of my mug.  As I poured in the hot water, the dark green leaves floated to the top and slowly unfurled.  It always amazed me how big the leaves would grow, kind of like those tiny plastic dinosaur toys which absorb water and grow large.  It wasn't long before I had finished the tea.  I was never able to find the same brand or type of loose tea again, much to my disappointment.

This week our family went to a meal at a friend's house and I was offered a cylinder of unwanted tea our hosts had received as a door prize at a company gathering.  My eyes lit up as I examined the tea.  "It's supposedly good quality, but we won't drink it," I was told.  The red tin had a picture of women picking tea and all the writing was in Chinese characters.  As I opened the tin, I could see I hit the jackpot!  The vacuum-sealed gold foil wrapper appeared bumpy, stretched taut over the balls of dried leaves.  It was the same kind of hand-picked oolong tea that I had not been able to find for seven years.  Needless to say, every other hot beverage I occasionally drink has been put aside to enjoy cup after cup of the good stuff.

When you find something that is really good, it's hard not to talk about it with others.  On Australia day, our family enjoyed a BBQ at the home of some friends.  We started talking about tea and coffee and I started raving about this new tea I had found.  I quickly offered to give our hosts some tea to try.  Now as much as I want everyone to enjoy the tea, there is part of me that recognizes I have a limited amount.  There is that sinful, selfish part of me that says, "Hello?  What about me?"  As I filled a Ziploc bag with the tea, the LORD said softly to my heart:  "Freely you have received, freely give."  I put some more tea in the bag, nearly filling it.  As I sealed it, the flesh said again, "That's a lot of tea to give away.  Shouldn't you put some back?"  Again I felt the LORD confirm, "Freely you have received, freely give."  So I gave away some of the tea and felt great doing it.  The funny thing is I instinctively offered some more tea last night to a mate so I will be filling another bag.  But I got the message!  Freely I have received, freely give.

How awesome it is that God gives us freely all that we need out of His stores of grace!  There is nothing we have that God has not freely given us out of His generosity.  2 Peter 1:2-4 reads, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."  What has God given?  "All things that pertain to life and godliness," as well as "exceedingly great and precious promises."  God does not look at the promises He has given and later decide, "Those promises are a bit too good for these people and certainly too abundant.  I will withdraw some of these promises until people show they are worthy."  No!  God gives us all this and more still!

God has given us the Holy Spirit, His regenerating, empowering, guiding, and teaching personal Presence within us for the express purpose of assuring us of what He has given.  1 Corinthians 2:12 states, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."  We know that God will never leave us, forsake us, or rescind the grace, love, and acceptance granted us through Christ.  John 10:27-28 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."  Sporting events, concerts, airplane flights, and hotels all have limited capacity.  But there is room in God's house for all who will repent and trust in Christ.  It is not "first come first served:"  it is the "last will be first, and the first will be last," and "...him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

As excited as I can be about long lost tea which is quickly given away and consumed, I ought to be most excited about God and all He has freely given to me.  The blessings and promises of God are not to be hoarded or treated as privileged information intended for a few worthy folks:  God has provided His love and grace for the most unworthy, weak, blind, lame, imprisoned, selfish, helpless, hopeless, poor, and wretched sinners like me this world has produced.  Freely you have received, freely give.  What joy comes to those who hear the word of the LORD and do it!  God has freely given us all things, so we ought to give ourselves and all we possess back to Him with exceeding joy.

Work of Flesh or Spirit?

As I rode the train yesterday, I paused as I read the Bible to consider the battle between the Holy Spirit and our flesh.  The most common battle we face is resisting or rejecting the desires of the flesh to sin.  Though our hearts have been regenerated and filled with the Holy Spirit, our flesh still longs to satisfy itself apart from the will of God according to holiness and righteousness.  As difficult as it is to always flee from temptation, there is a battle of a different kind which can be more difficult to recognize.  Sometimes we feel led to do or say something for God and we are not sure if it is a work of the flesh or the Spirit.  We struggle and choose not to act because we would not want our efforts to be a work of the flesh.  Many times, I am realizing, this in itself allows the flesh to claim another victory.

The thought occurred to me as I sat surrounded by silent people on the train.  Everyone was reading the paper, using mobile phones, or music with ear buds in.  Only a couple of people who clearly knew each other were talking in quiet voices.  I thought, perhaps I should stand up on the train and say, "Good morning!  I just wanted to let you know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the only way to heaven!"  I recall a time in Seattle where a man stood up on a bus and told the people that all people are sinners and heading for hell and that all must repent and trust in Jesus Christ to be saved.  I was a Christian and I felt the uncomfortable tension.  True words were spoken on that bus, but people were clearly irritated by the interruption.  The response, of course, should not sway us from the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That day many social norms were unapologetically broken and personal airspace had been commandeered by a terse Gospel presentation.  Was that the right thing to do or not?  Was it a work of the flesh or of the Spirit?

I am convinced that if the man on that bus spoke motivated by the love of Jesus for the glory of God, what he did in breaking the unwritten rules of public decorum were the right thing to do.  He spoke not to make a name for himself but to bring attention to Jesus Christ.  He certainly didn't become more popular on the bus with his fellow travelers!  The opposite became true:  people scowled and looked at him with disgust - something the flesh really hates.  The flesh wants to be accepted and to fit in.  Today it seems that in general the church is so conflicted about the flavour of the Gospel presentation that the Gospel is not shared as it ought to be.  That is like withholding good meat from starving people because you are unsure if they would prefer a teriyaki marinade or a dry rub.  Can you imagine hoarding bread from dying children because of the fear they might complain because the bread is wholemeal and not white?  Consequently we choose inaction and justify ourselves with the fact that our motivation to give the bread and Living Water of the Gospel might be of the flesh - which is exactly contrary to the truth.  The Spirit of God always wants to glorify Jesus Christ, while our flesh is much more concerned with social customs and fitting in with others.

I wish I could report to you that I did stand up on the train and boldly proclaim the Gospel - but I didn't.  Thank God that He gives us opportunities all the time to glorify Him and not make the same mistake again, sitting down and remaining silent when God gives words He desires us speak.  It was a great benefit to me to have that discussion with the LORD and once for all clear up that dangerous lie, that the opening of my mouth for the glory of God would be an act of the flesh.  1 Corinthians 12:3 states, "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."  If I open up my mouth to glorify Jesus Christ in public, I do so empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Love, mercy, grace, and compassion ought to mark my words and deeds.  It is time to stand up and be numbered among those who are not just open about their faith but boldly proclaim it.  We will prevail and have overcome already, for He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!

As a Root out of Dry Ground

Our family enjoyed a beautiful walk at Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains this morning.  We started early, beat the traffic, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the National Pass.  The waterfalls, lush green ferns and gums, gorgeous panoramic views, majestic rock formations, and squawks of sulfur-crested cockatoos made it an amazing setting I heartily recommend and never grow weary of.  Not to say it was an easy walk, though:  by the end of the walking track we were all ready for a well-deserved rest and light lunch at the Conservation Hut.

As we walked along the National Pass, I frequently observed gum trees which appeared to be growing out of the rock and sandstone.  Gnarled roots heaved across dry stone, seeking after a water source.  It reminded me of a scripture which speaks of the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ.  Isaiah 53:1-2 reads, "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? ² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him."  As I saw roots growing out of dusty, dry sandstone, my mind hearkened back to the Isaiah passage.  Jesus did not attract people because of His physical beauty, bulging muscles, light which emanated from His face, or a magnetic speaking voice.  In appearance Jesus appeared like a normal person.  The thing which Jesus possessed which set Him apart from all others was life.  John 1:4 tells us, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Dry ground does not promote life.  Grass does not grow on the dry footpath of the National Pass.  But some trees do!  Many of the roots of healthy, green gum trees are exposed along the path.  The primary difference between the dust and the root is that the tree is alive.  Jesus is distinct from all others because in Him is spiritual life.  Jesus did not reserve life only for Himself, but offered the unfailing promise of eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him.  The great irony is that Jesus embraced death on the cross so all people who place their faith in Him will be washed in His blood and live forever with Him.  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World.  Spiritually speaking, men are born dead in sins.  But Jesus came as a tender shoot, like a root out of dry ground, bringing life to all who believe through His death and resurrection.

Jesus says in John 12:24-26:  "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ²⁵ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."  Though there was nothing desirable in Christ's appearance which set Him apart, it is His love and grace which draws men to follow Him.  He is glorious in the beauty of His holiness.  While we were yet sinners, Jesus demonstrated His love for us on the cross.  God has raised my soul from hell, and has brought life to these dead bones by His grace.  He will do the same for you because God's Word teaches us He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Just like I wish everyone could experience the beauty and splendour of the National Pass, I desire more still that all would experience the love and life found in the person of Jesus Christ.  The National Pass will someday pass away, but those who trust in Jesus Christ will rejoice in new life for eternity.  You will need to take a plane, train, or car to the National Pass and walk it yourself to experience it, but no camera or video can contain the beauty you behold there.  No man can discover the wonder of God alone.  But Jesus has come to us!  He has walked this earth, performed signs and wonders, died for us, and rose from the dead in victory over death.  No article, blog, or sermon can adequately portray the beauty of the One who is likened to a root out of dry ground, Jesus Christ.  You will never know what life is until you give your life to Him.

Don't Eat What You Should Chuck

The other night we had an interesting occurrence at the dinner table.  Everyone in our family had nectarines with dinner.  It's not an oddity to eat fruit in our house, but what happened next was a first for me.  I was assured that the nectarines had been washed just after being purchased.  But being the avid fruit and vegetable washer that I am, I still examined it carefully.  Where the stem used to be there was a little grey fuzz, nothing scary.  I poked a knife into the hole and suddenly a tiny stick poked out a couple centimeters away.  I removed the knife and held it up in the light to see better.  Funny, I couldn't see the stick.  Again, I cut into the nectarine and suddenly the stick appeared again.  Wait a second, I thought.  Something weird is going on...it was one of those strange moments when the brain is a little slow to process.

Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly.  I stabbed right into it.  As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm!  Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see.  Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again.  And yes, I ate the rest.  Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine.  I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten.  It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.

So much of life is like that nectarine.  Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing:  sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows.  But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind.  Even in good shows there can be bad spots.  It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show.  That's where discernment comes in.  Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect.  It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.

Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go.  But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie.  What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat?  No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday.  In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle).  The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.

So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it?  Or will you cut it out?  Same thing with what we put before our eyes.  Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin.  It's no good for you, and it will make you sick.  A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life!  By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure.  Take it to the LORD.  He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision. 

Tawny Frogmouth!

One blessing about living in Australia is the benefit of living in close proximity to natural wildlife.  When the boys arrived home from school today they shouted in excitement, "We found a tawny frogmouth!"  My favorite bird is the tawny frogmouth, followed very closely by the kookaburra.  Tawny's have very expressive faces and have an amazing defense behaviour that imitates a tree branch (very convincing!).  They also can be quite tame and allow you to pet them as they flash their bright yellow eyes.  The boys led Laura and me down the street and showed us a juvenile bird.

When we first approached the bird, he acted like he didn't see us.  But when we came nearer, he opened his eyes and showed us his very large, red mouth.  He almost looked like a fuzzy bird version of a triceratops when he puffed himself up!

Many people in Australia volunteer to look after injured native wildlife and lost birds like this one.  If you find one of these birds and it's making hungry croaking noises, raw mince (ground meat) is a good thing to feed them. 

After dinner we saw some people congregating around the bird and a man was holding it.  The boys ran over to investigate and discovered the man is a volunteer who looks after lost or injured animals.  With the bird resting comfortably in capable hands, the story has a happy ending.

What a treasure life is!  Thank God for all the beautiful wonders He has created and allows us to enjoy - sometimes right outside your door!