Erns' Thoughts

I found it!

2008-09-05T13:04:00.002+10:00

Luke 15:1- 10

1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins^[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

With today's passage you can see that Jesus was focused on unrighteous repenting. The way he explains this (and so many other things) in parables is just great! The second example there where the woman loses the coin, that would be about a days wages. I would be very excited about finding a days wages that I had lost too.

We often lose things, and when we find them it does cheers us up and makes us happy. Generally though, are we happier about finding our lost items, or our friends and family that are no longer "lost"? Do we actively seek to participate in the "searching and finding" of these lost people? Yes, God is the one who will bring people in and convert them, but if we are doing things for God's glory and showing His love to people, then that will be God working through us. THAT is something to rejoice about!

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

2008-09-04T13:13:00.002+10:00

What a way to start off again in getting daily devotionals going. I logged onto the Daily Bread website and went to todays devotion and this is the passage that they are looking at today.

Luke 14:25-35 25

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
34"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

How often do we put things infront of God?...

All the time!

Our lives are just so busy, and even if they're not, we make them busy with other things. Why? because we want to live our lives our own way. In this passage when Jesus tells us to drop everything, or hate everything (find this very hard? so do I. How can I hate my wife and daughter?) to be his disciple.

Does this mean we cannot love our families or ourselves? Of course not, but we need to be following Jesus first and foremost. To do that, we need to hate the things of this world and be focused on the treasures He has in place for us. Even if that means hating our families or ourselves.

Something I have struggled with is bringing Jesus into the forefront of our family. I constantly try to get better at it, but keep failing. Leading my family's spiritual walk is something that I try and have wanted to do since we got together. There have been ups, and downs in how I have handled the spiritual walk of the family, and I think it comes back to how I am living with my faith, my godliness. And as of late, it has been pretty pathetic.

This passage is a real eye (and heart) opener for me. I need to put Jesus first. I need to do that to get back on track in my life, and as a consequence of that, start LEADing my family.

There is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus and that is that we cannot let the things of this world get in our way. Everyday, every minute we are tempted by things of the world. I find it much easier to come home after a full day of work and then TAFE (college) for 3-4 hours and sit myself down infront of the TV before bed, when what I should be doing is spending time strengthening my family.

So yes, physical costs, mental costs. There will be costs to being a disciple of Jesus. Take up your cross and follow him, and dont lose your saltiness.

Back for some more.

2008-09-03T13:07:00.002+10:00

Well it has been more than a year.

Time to bring it back.

Starting tomorrow.

the blog of the erns will live again!

What I am trying to revive here is my daily reading which has gone way downhill. While I was doing it on here and updating it everyday it really helped me in my faith. It did make me stronger, and it was good to know there was people reading it, and keeping me accountable. After I stopped writing here, people have let me know that they miss it, and that they did enjoy it. But I think the best thing it did was keep me solid.

Since stopping I can see how the fire burning inside has been asking for more wood everyday. But, I find it hard to do so.

So this is me, putting some logs back on the fire.

I am fired up, ready to go.

Like always, if you have anything to say, please let me know...

Work Mission Update #7

2007-05-05T14:50:00.000+10:00

Well after working one on one with "Fred" (read over previous Work Mission Updates) and chatting while working yesterday, we are now going to meet up and read the bible together, so hopefully that will go well and we can both get something out of that.

Hopefully he can start coming along to church too.

Short and to the point

2007-05-05T14:48:00.000+10:00

Colds suck.

I have one now and it sucks

Hopefully it will be done and gone by the wedding.

Colds suck!

Things and Stuff

2007-05-03T17:42:00.000+10:00

Logged on and I found a post that wasnt put up from a while ago so I chucked it up here, yeah I know I havent been updating as often as I said I would and I would like, no excuse, just havent...

Anyway... big woopsies last night.

I went to sleep and missed some important phone calls from a very important person...

Sorry bout that.

Things for the big day are getting done (66 days), but that big day is only the start of a huge life together, so that is something we are both looking forward to and planning for as much, if not more than the day itself.

New truck is going well, although some punk kid through an egg at it the other day, landed in the tray and smelt bad, kinda like egg! (wow, really eric, good one...). He is lucky I didnt see him do it, or I would have shown him what eggs are really for... breakfast and/or cakes/cookies!

Moving up at work, I'm now second in charge of a team, and will be taking on more and more responsibility as time goes on...

Got bible study on tonight, so that should be good, hope everyone is up for it and awake.

Cant think of anything else to write now, apart from the fact that everyone (myself included) has been signing up to facebook and spending heaps of time on there. Its the latest craze.

eZor out!

Work Mission Update #6

2007-04-23T18:48:00.000+10:00

** 3/5/07 Woops this has been sitting as a draft for a long while, no idea why i hadnt posted it...***

It is so great to have a boss who is not only a great boss and easy to work for, but a boss who shares the same beliefs as me. He says that his workplace is a mission field, he wants everyone of the guys there to come to know Jesus, and that is just awesome.

Its awesome that we can encourage each other in that too.

One of the guys we have both been talking to is going through a REALLY tough time at the moment, and just being there to be able to talk to him as he thinks through things is a humbling experience. I dont know how God works, but from what I have seen in my time at this business is that God put me here for a reason. Well as reason as anywhere, as anywhere we go we should be glorifying Him.

Tim (my boss) is just a great encouragement, not only to me but to all the boys working there. He is just so supportive of them and he goes out of his way to work around there needs when he doesnt have to. Just yesterday, I came back to the shed halfway through the day to pickup some equipment, and the guy I mentioned in that last paragraph was there chatting with Tim. Tim knowing that I had been talking to him previously invited me into the conversation and we talked for around an hour, encouraging and supporting him.

It is just a great environment...

BUT

I still pass up so many opportunities to glorify Him, and so many of those times I notice them going by. It is SO frustrating.

getting closer

2007-04-11T18:00:00.000+10:00

the countdown is on (double digits)

things are getting done

things need to be done

very exciting

:)

Back to Basics

2007-04-11T17:15:00.000+10:00

Myself and Helen ahce decided to go through Luke in our own time and share what we learn and get out of it together. I'm looking forward to it and it will be good for us to keep each other accountable

But I thought I would also do what I used to do (and what this blog was setup for) and keep a record of my thoughts up here for others to have a look at too.

So today, kicked off with...

Luke 1
At the start of Luke there is an introduction by Luke (duh!).

1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been
fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from
the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I
myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed
good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been
taught.

As you can see here Luke wasnt actually an eyewitness to the events and happenings of Jesus time. He was actually a follower of Paul. He was a doctor (so you could say he was smart) and he also wrote another book in the Bible - 'Acts'. It seems he wrote this so thatTheophilus could have an orderly account and to help him be certain of the things he has been taught by word of mouth passed on from person to person.

Luke is a book on Jesus life, death, and resurrection, and Acts follows on from that and move into the Acts of the Apostles after they recieve the Holy Spirit. So yeah, a bit of an intro on Luke (the man and the book).

The first chapter goes into detail about how John and Jesus came to be. Both were miraculous pregnancies, done by God, and they were done for His purpose. John to prepare the way for Jesus, and Jesus to save humanity. Both parents had a visit from the angel Gabriel before pregnancy, and both were given the names to their yet unconcieved child.

37For nothing is impossible with God.

Thats right, God is in control. He makes the impossible, possible...

These two couples trusted in God (although Zechariah doubted at first) and God gave them the children he had promised, and they grew to be what he had promised, not only to them, but to all Israel through Abraham.

God's plan is just amazing, and it is so great that we can check it out in the Bible. It always feels good to go back to the gospels. As much as you think you know, there is always more to learn and get encouraged by in the gospels.

Looking forward to going through this...

Long time no... er blog. eh

2007-04-07T11:48:00.000+10:00

Would just like to do a huge shoutout to God, He is so amazing for everything he gives us. Most of all the gift of Jesus which we are reminded of this holiday. Its so amazing!

The other huge gift I am so greatful of is Helen. Thanks so much for bringing her into my life God. This year has been the biggest year of change for me ever, and I love everyone of them. 13 weeks today we are getting married and starting our lvies together, I (we) cannot wait.

If you've been reading Helen's blog you would be up to date with what is going on. If not, here is a quick summary.
- Got a new Truck (Nissan Navara, Dual Cab, Turbo Diesel)
- Done alot more wedding prep, including geting the suits measured, and the girls have a dress thing coming up soon.
- Got the family together again last wednesday which was awesome
- Had heaps of fun with Helen, its just great to be spending time with her.

As always, I know there is stuff I have left out, and I will leave with another promise of keeping this updated regularly, lets just hope I can do that. I would love to get back into the habit of getting my daily bible thoughts back up here...

Hate it...

2007-03-09T05:55:00.000+11:00

I absolutely hate being a sinner.

Sin ruins everything

I wish living for God would be easier

Yet when you (and I) realise how great sin is in our lives, it shows us how great God's love really is. That even though we continually stuff up, and we dont deserve anything He gives us in this life, and definately dont deserve the death of His Son for us, He continually loves us unconditionally. Amazing grace!

I hate sin...

Sorry

Time for an update

2007-03-02T20:13:00.000+11:00

Its been a while so I thought I would update you all on a few things.

Moving
We've moved churches, and had decided to do it now rather than wait and put too much stress on us as newly weds when we have to get used to living together, plus the fact that if we do it then we would have to leave and start up in a new bible study group mid year. We have been talking and praying about it for a long while now with ourselves and amongst our family. We did however go about it the wrong way with our church friends without letting them know what was happening, and we are so sorry for the way we acted in that, lesson learnt there. However since letting them know, they have been very supportive, and we will continue to catch up and hang out with them as much as possible.

Wedding
We have planned ALOT in the last few weeks, and have done alot to be proud of. The weeks and months before that were a bit dry of wedding planning, and we thought we needed to get ourselves into gear a bit. So things are happening. Oh and we booked the sweetest honeymoon, I cannot wait, so excited, you can read all about that on hezza's blog though so go check it out. I cannot wait for the big day, but more importantly, our whole lives together. Will be awesome, thanks God.

Birthday
Twas my birthday on Wednesday (28th of Feb, I was due on the 29th in a leap year, but I pushed my way out early). So, I worked... then we went out to dinner that night with Mum, Dad, Noodles and of course Helen. We went to Ribs and Rumps Grill. I will not call it the real name since that is what it is meant to be called! Had a nice steak, nice tasting and nice size. Then we came back (via coles for ice cream) and ran into Chris. Who just happened to buy himself a new car, pretty nice too. He had some cool news too, but I will cover that in the next topic, so hold on. I have a birthday surprise waiting for me next week. I love surprises, cannot wait!

UK
We're heading over to the UK around Christmas time to visit Helens relatives who I am yet to meet so that will be an awesome trip, I cannot wait for that. But Chris came round and said that he, Kate, Tim and Nicole were all heading over there for 6 months and will be there at the same time, so that would be nice if we could meet up with them over there.

So yeah, thats a short little update, there is SOOOO much I cannot wait for huh. 23 is going to be a good year!

Fun fun fun

2007-02-03T23:37:00.000+11:00

Today we went and did "Growing Together", our marriage preperation course. Helen and myself both had no real idea what it would be like when we got there, and had only heard a few stories about it from a few other people, some good, some not so good.

I will just say now, that it was AWESOME, and we both got heaps out of it and had heaps of fun. If we got to tell people what it was like now, it would be an easy thing to do, we would be full of encouragement telling them to go along for themselves.

Great stuff. Good day. Amazing partner.

and more...

2007-02-02T16:15:00.000+11:00

Following on from this - blessed

#9 Boss
Its so gteat to have a Christian boss at work, especially in a trade. We normally have a weekly chat, and encourage each other. Its good stuff, boy am I glad I didnt get that first job I applied and went to tryout for...

Thanks God!

Beautiful...

2007-02-01T21:54:00.000+11:00

MJB

2007-02-01T17:20:00.000+11:00

Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it

I know...

blessed

2007-02-01T16:29:00.000+11:00

Recently the lovely beautiful Helen posted a blog with the same heading (Helen's blessed). I guess this is a follow up and continuation of that, as well as rehashing some of the things in there...

#1 Relationship with God
It is just so amazing to be in this awesome relationship and it is only through Jesus that we can be part of His kingdom. Over the past few weeks God has made himself more known in my life. That kinda sounds wierd, but its how it is. Going away last week with a bunch of other christians was a great thing, always is. The teaching at KYLC (Katoomba Youth Leadership Convention) was great too, it was my first time and I found it helpful and encouraging. Most of the stuff from strand groups I have already been through, but its good just to go over things. The talks were great, I have a copy of them on CD if anyone would like a listen. But yeah, through that and some other things, prayer has been a big part of the last few weeks, and the answers to those prayers have been amazing, I guess some of them will come out in the next few points so read on.

#2 Relationship with Helen
I am so blessed to have her in my life. If you told me last year in March when we were getting really close that I would be marrying her this year, I wouldnt have believed you. I cannot wait to start our lives together, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. There have been hard times, we have been through lots of sickness (more than anyone should have to cope with, but then again, there is people alot worse off than us), lots of dissapointments and lots of pressure and stress (I guess that is still around actually). But there have also been great times. We hang out and spend so much time together, but we dont get tired of each others company, we love it. We spend time with each others family, and they all spend time together and its awesome. We get to share together in Gods word and in prayer. Most of all, we share in our relationship with God as we live to glorify Him. Its so cool having someone there who you can support, encourage, love and lean on as we have both had to do that at times and we know that the other person will always be there. Its great to be growing together in our relationship, and I know it will be great in the years to come as we share in the good and bad times, and trust in God to take us where he wants. I cannot wait for that countdown to hit 0!!!

#3 Nanna
I have been able to have another chat with Nanna, something which Helen wrote about in her blog, and also something which we have prayed about. We talked about how the time me and Helene went over there to spend soem time with them and we talked about the bible, she got it out after we left to read it. This time when I went over, I got to read some to her, and she is going to continue on reading it. It was the first time this time that when I have said "Its not to late" she hasnt said "Oh, for me it is" or something to that effect. I hope and pray that God does change her heart so that she understands grace.

#4 Work
For this heading read the Work Mission Update #5 below. Again, this is something which I have been praying for and God has given me a chance to see how He is working.

#5 TAFE
Good and Bad news from TAFE. TAFE this year was going to be 2 nights a week so that I could work the full 5 days. That would have meant spending les time with Helen, as we would only have one weeknight together, but it would mean more money to make living easier. When I got to TAFE however, they told me they had folded one of the night classes and since I was in a day class last year I didnt have preference in the other one that was full. That was the bad new and I thought that it would stay that way. However, praise God, she (the head teacher) then told me that there was another class opening up, an afternoon/evening one. I had no idea that this was happening and was intrigued. It turns out that it a class that starts in the afternoon and goes through to the night time class, getting it all done in one day. This gives me an extra night at home (to spend with Helen of course) and it only means I have to take an hour or so off work rather than the whole day. Even better it is on the same night as a course that Helen is doing, so when that starts up we wont clash! Thanks God.

#6 Wedding
Things are falling into place, slowly, but they are. We went to see the car guy yesterday, and at first he was really anti everything we put forward and really shut us down quite a bit. After a while he did get better, but his people skills were'nt that great. He did have nice cars though. Other things that have been done were listed in Helens blog, and other things still are a super secret surprise that you will have to wait and see!

Still, planning a wedding can get very stressful at times. I need to get my act together and sort things out quickly, and help out more in lots of areas.

#7 Friends
Its great to have such great mates. Aaron had his 23rd birthday yesterday evening and it was good to catch up with them all (hornsby bapos crew) I hope I can know and stay in contact with the goughies (Aaron and Jo) for a long time, especialy if Aarons firemans job takes him away somewhere distant.
Nadja, Peter and Aliyah! Its great to get to know these guys, who I wouldnt have met save for Helen. We are spending the day with them on sunday at the aquarium, should be great fun. Also, Aliyah loves me, understandable I know... I cant wait till we can have a kid, I hope they're friends...

#8 Fun
We got to go to see Third Day after KYLC, and that was a lot of fun, Revive were the support band and they played excelently. The have come so far since playing in our church hall and asking leaders and kids to carry their equipment for them. Third Day were awesome too, playing new and old songs and really engaging the crowd. Top night.

I actually have fun alot of the time, sometimes it doesnt seem like it because I dont show my emotions that much, but seriously there are only a few times when I am not having fun.

I love having fun, and I love Helen, and I love God.

Work Mission Update #5

2007-02-01T16:16:00.000+11:00

Well, I finally got another day to work with "Fred" on wednesday (yesterday).

Again, it was unusual circmustances that had me work there. I wasnt down to be working with him, but at the last moment I got asked to come and give the construction team a hand. At that time I didnt even know he was on the construction team that day.

Anyway, to get right into the story, at smoko (morning tea for the uninformed) he comes up to me and says, "Eric" with a huge smile on his face, "I went to church on Sunday. It was a spur of the moment thing, I was driving and as I went past I just pulled in". I was amazed when he said this. I know God works powerfully, but its just so cool to see it actually happen. Anyway the story went on, he told me he is going to start back up at his old church from 10 years ago, and that he was just thankful for the talk we had.

I hope God continues to work in and through him, and that he can follow and trust what the bible says. Its great to be able to work with him too, I can keep encouraging him that way. God does use even the smallest person in the most insignificant settings to achieve his will and bring people into his kingdom. We all get opportunities, some pass on by without us knowing, some we let pass by, and some we take up. I want to encourage people (and be encouraged of course) to take up every single one of those opportunities. After all we do pray for them, why not use them to glorify God!

It's been a while, but you will still have to wait...

2007-01-29T18:59:00.000+11:00

I havent written an entry here for a while. I've been away, and been busy, will put some updates in either tonight and/or through the following days most likely.

Have been spending heaps of time with Helen, and it is just so awesome to have someone so loving, amazing, caring and encouraging in my life. Thanks God for the two best things ever, Jesus most of all and also Helen!

Anyway, update to follow sometime...

Car park antics

2007-01-18T18:22:00.000+11:00

One of our job sites on thursday has a carpark attached to it, in the quiet suburb of Newington, right next to a huge park. Now every week we go there, there are exactly 3 used condoms, in exactly the same car parking space. We used to bet on if they would be there, but have given up now as it is just to consistent.

It is so unusual, I mean finding the occasional condom in a park or carpark is to be expected from young wild (or maybe not young and wild) people, but exactly 3 in exactly the same spot IS UNUSUAL. Why there? Why only 3? Ah well, I guess I will never find out...

Work Mission Update #4

2007-01-18T18:01:00.000+11:00

If you havent read WMU#3 yet then go have a read of that - here

As an update for that, I finally saw "Fred" again today, he has been away, I didnt inquire as to where or why, and I didnt really get a chance to as today he was again on a different team to me, so I only saw him briefly at the shed in the morning. In fact he saw me, he came up to me, put a hand on my shoulder and said "Thanks Eric" and walked away with a big smile on his face.

Like I said I didnt get a chance to catch up with him properly today, but from the looks of things he is doing much better, and I hope and pray that God is working in his life now, and that he can be trusting God and reading his bible. I would be very interested to talk to him about his bible study mates that he was trying to get into contact with. So if you could pray with me to be able to have an opportunity to do that, it would be awesome.

Sometimes it can be frustrating talking to the guys at work, especially the ones I spend every day with. Most of the time things are said jokingly and it seems that they have no real interest at all. I guess we have to trust in those situations that God can and does work in people to bring them to him, and everything that people hear could be something that sparks some interest, just have to find out what it is.

It is really encouraging to see God at work through what I thought would be a very hard place for his gospel to be shared. Dont get me wrong, it sure is hard, but trusting in Him makes it so much easier, and He sure does give us opportunities, wherever we are, whatever we do, there can and will be opportunities to share God's message of salvation through Jesus...

Where's your ring?

2007-01-18T17:56:00.000+11:00

We had another new guy at work again today (I think, he is only temporary for the week as a few guys are away) and as we were talking I let him know I was getting married in July. After all the congrats and a few details he looks at my finger and goes "where's your ring though?"...

I thought only the girls were meant to have the ring, then when you get married the guys get one too (albeit the girls now have two, haha). Now normaly I could just pass this off as a random question, but the fact is I have had at least 5 of the guys at work ask me the same thing. It hasnt been asked anywhere outside of work, so I have no idea what is going on...

Do guys get engagement rings, or do only landscaping guys get them???

Funny Bible Trivia: Tennis

2007-01-18T17:53:00.000+11:00

When was tennis first played in the bible?

Leave answers in comments and I will see if anyone gets it right, if no one does, I will fill it in. Kudos to dad again for this one...

Intimidation to a short man

2007-01-18T17:36:00.000+11:00

Reading through Nehemiah at the moment with DB, its a pretty cool book, never really read it before. Nehemiah is a real inspiration, he just keeps going, even when the going gets tough, and he achieves great things for and by God.

Nehemiah 6:1-14
At the part where I am up to the wall of Jerusalem has just been rebuilt (by Nehemiah's direction) after the attack of Nebuchadnezzar (or so it is thought) when Israel were taken into exile.

It has now been rebuilt and not a gap left in it, but word of this happening has gone out to his enemies. They try to arrange a meeting a few times, scheming to harm him, but Nehemiah saw through them and sent the same reply every time

2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in
one of the villages on the plain of Ono."
But they were scheming to harm
me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great
project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go
down to you?" 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave
them the same answer.

Sanballat and Geshem were the enemies of Nehemiah and they would give up, so they did it again a fifth time, this time saying that they were writing a report that the Jews were planning to revolt and place Nehemiah as king. Nehemiah again denies the claims. That still didnt stop them though, as they worked through people inside Jerusalem, who tried to intimidate Nehemiah, but agin that didnt work.

That is where the passage finished today, but from this passage (and previous instalments [sorry I havent been posting them much]), you can see just how confident in God Nehemiah is, how he is always trying to do what is right in Gods eyes, even under intimidation. We should all try to be like that, and pray for others to be like that too.

PS, sorry about the title, it has been a joke from my dad (and I am sure many other places) that Nehemiah was very short, in fact the shortest person in the bible, because as his name sounds out Nehmiah "Knee High Mia" he is only knee high... haha, yeah well, you could even use that for a trivia, I had another funny one from dad but I will do that in a seperate post.

Hope this was helpful, please feel free to leave comments.

Random Top 5: Clothing Items

2007-01-15T17:16:00.000+11:00

Havent done one of these for a while now, so I thought I might whip out a RT5. Todays topic, clothing items (these can include accesories by the way).

Singlets: Big big fan, whether it is hot or cold, I am always hot! So singlets are a must for me, whether it be the tank top, muscle top or wife beater, they're all good, and all cooler than most clothes.

Undies: Need I explain? Ok I think I do actually, as there are alot of different types of undies. My choice is the boxer brief. Everything you need from support to comfort.

Sunnies: Last year (or is that the year before now?) these would'nt have been in my top 5, but since working outside I have a real need to have another layer between my eyes and the sun, especially if it is polarized. They are also handy for me for protection against flying opjects from machinery.

Thongs: I would glady walk around with no shoes at all, all the time if I could. Failing that, thongs are the answer. Actually my feet have become a bit soft lately due to working all day in boots, so thongs are of more value for me now. But they have gone up from $5 to $6, how ridiculous!

Now the last one took me a while (about 10 seconds) to think of, here it is...

Snow Goggles: Only because it means I am out on the snow, or pretending to be, which could be fun too of course.

There we go, another 5 minutes wasted for me, and another 2 or so for you for having a read. See you next time...

A few things to do...

2007-01-15T17:03:00.000+11:00

Well, yesterday we sat down and had a look at all the things we need to get sorted before the wedding.

After getting most of the big things sorted quickly, there is quite a list of things we need to do still. Pretty exciting though, cant wait for the day, and for our lives together.

Thinking of Mission

2007-01-10T16:44:00.000+11:00

Last night we (Helen and I) went to Summer Training at our church. Summer Training is a weekly thing run by the staff at the church during the time where the lay leaders have a break from weekly bible studies.

We went to the Global Mission workshop, and we were in fact the only 2 there! However it was an awesome study as we are in fact thinking of going overseas sometime in the not too distant future.

We looked at a few things including:

First thoughts on mission
Differences between Old Testament and New Testament mission
The real reason we should be doing mission
How we can be involved

I wont comment on our first thoughts as you can probably come up with some of your own, so I will start off with the differences between the Old and New Testament. In the OT the focus of mission was to bring people in to Jerusalem, into the place where the temple was, the place where God was dwelling. That was where people were healed, got wisdom and were saved. The focus changes in the NT to reaching out to the ends of the earth, as before people needed to come to God's dwelling place in the temple in Jerusalem, now God's dwelling place is still in the temple, but that temple is Jesus.

The real reason we should be doing mission (abroad or at home) is out of concern for God's glory. That is shown all throughout the Bible. In the OT the Israelites constantly find themselves on the wrong end of God's wrath-stick. This is of course their fault for not living the way they should. God, out of concern for his own name pulls them through hard times, and spares them from his wrath, especially when they are in foreign lands and his name might be tarnished. In the NT we see Paul and his concern for God's glory, in Acts he is provoked by the amount of idols and false God's he sees to do something about it.

We can see so much of this in our world, so why arent we provoked into to doing something about it as much as Paul, or even a little bit!

There are lots of ways we can be involved, we looked at the CMS 4 step process (not sure if process is the right word to use there...), which is to Pray, Give, Send and Go. All these things are great to be doing. Its awesome to be interested in the mission in and around your local area, and also abroad, find out what is happening and if there are ways you can be supporting them and be actively involved. However we get involved, we always need to remember that we should be willing to do what God wants.

We have been thinking of heading to Hong Kong on mission for a while now, even in thinking and planning for that though, we need to remember that that may not be where God wants us. How would we know? Well, sitting around and not doing anything about it isnt a good way to find out, because, although it is entirely possible for God, it is unlikely we will hear a clear voice or message saying "Go here". Rather it would be good to plan to go, and see where that leads us...

I think I may have left some stuff out from last night, but thats some thoughts on it anyway...

In the words of Big Kev... "I'm Excited!"

New bass in the works

2007-01-10T16:38:00.000+11:00

Well, my brother built his guitar for his final assignment for school, and its awesome. He has offered to make me a bass. So I took him up on that offer (a few months ago now) and still have to decide on a few things I need.

At the moment I have the bridge and the tuners (Hipshot 5 string bridge, and Gotoh tuners if you're interested). Everything else needs to be decided on, the main thing being the woods I want. So I will need to make a trip sometime soon to do that. I cannot wait to get it up and running.

My bass playing however needs to be amped up more I think.

Lifted Up!

2007-01-10T16:04:00.000+11:00

John 3:1-21
This passage contains one of the most well known passage in the bible (John 3:16) if not the most well known.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

I added v17 in there for you to read too because it helps to expand a bit on what v16 says. Those verses are an amazing message, and central to what Christians believe. But that is not all that is happening in this passage.

There is a huge comparison between Jesus and Moses.

14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be
lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Jesus says this to Nicodemus, who was an important Jewish leader. The story of Moses lifting up the snake (found in Numbers 21) was that God had sent venomous snakes amongst the Israelites, and many died. Not knowing what to do they turned to Moses for help, so he prayed. God then told Moses to make a snake so that anyone who got bitten could look at it and live, so he made a bronze snake, and lifted it up on a pole, those who looked at it, lived.

Now Jesus is saying, just as Moses lifted up the snake, so must the Son of man be lifted up, again to save people and bring them into eternal life. In this he is refering to the cross, where He will be lifted up and crucified on it. Those who look to Him and have faith in that what he has done can bring us into a right relationship with God, will be saved!

This isnt from todays passage (its coming in a few days time) but is an awesome verse...

John 3:36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects
the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Work Mission Update #3

2007-01-06T17:59:00.000+11:00

Well this did happen a while ago (just before new years) but I havent been active here on this blog for a while now. But this is so cool I just had to let you know, whoever you might be that is reading this.

Just to start I will not be using the real name of the guy involved here, we will call the guy Fred, but the rest is how it happened.

Get to work as usual at 6:30 ready for a hard day of landscaping. One of the guys from our team has taken one of the trucks out early so we had to either squash 3 of us into a tiny ute, or someone could have driven. I decided to drive. Get out to the job site at around 7am only to get a phone call from Tim (the boss) to say, "hey mate, can you jump over to the other team today, as they are short on numbers".

I was happy to, no complaints there. So, travelling again I set off to find them. I actually got there before them but thats not important. We go about the day as normal at the first site and end up leaving there about 12. Me and Fred end up going to the tip to dump a load of rubish so that we could fit more in. On the way out of the tip Fred says under his breath "If God is so good, why does he let bad things happen?" I dont think he meant for me to hear this, as it was quite under his breath. But it got me thinking. I didnt say anything at that stage. We get back into both cars (as I parked mine outside the tip) and head to lunch. At lunch we find out that the team is going to split up and do the last two jobs seperately. So, myself and Fred decide to go have our lunch at the next job site, when we got there I jumped into the airconditioned truck with him.

Fred wasnt very talkative during lunch (which is odd for him) and he did a huge sigh after a while. I asked him if there was anything wrong (I gathered there was from his previous coment under his breath). He said;

"I need to go to church, I need God's help"

At this I was stunned, but excited at the same time. We got talking for a while about what was going on. He was in a pretty bad way. After chatting, we sat there for around 5 minutes in quietness. Then he just started praying out aloud infront of me. Asking God for His help and recognising that was what he needed. It was a pretty full on prayer, so I said a big Amen with him when he finished. He then told me he used to be involved with a bible study group about 10 years ago, and that in those times when he went to them, it was the happiest time of his life. He said he was going to try to get into contact with them again, but it may be hard since he doesnt work with them anymore. So I said if he was having troubles getting in contact that he could come along with me to church. I encouraged him to have a read of his bible too, and he said he would which was encouraging.

I havent seen him since, since we have been on different teams, but I would be very keen to chat with him again and see how he is doing. I just thought it was amazing how God uses people, and how things can come up all the time for us to be spreading God's word.

He has and will

2007-01-06T17:48:00.000+11:00

I have been pretty slack in updating this thing, especially with my daily bible thoughts. Its been half a month I think. Not good!

Anyway, I have been doing some reading, not nearly enough and I can always do better, and right now Have kicked off the year in John's gospel.

John 1:35-42

Since I didnt post yesterdays one up here I will let you know that this is the second time that John points out Jesus as the Lamb of God when he walks past. In yesterdays passage (v29) he also says that he (Jesus) will take away the sins of the world. John recognises that Jesus is the passover lamb for all. Before he came Lambs were used as a sacrifice to keep God's wrath away. Now that he has come, Jesus is the true sacrifice, one for all, for our sin against God.

It's amazing

He has come

He has lived

He has died

He has taken the punishment

He did rise

He will come again

Reflect on that...

Thinking of quitting!

2007-01-06T17:31:00.000+11:00

Well at the beginning of last year I was heavily into Halo and the competitive xbox scene. A little too much some would say (myself included). However, I gave that up because it was taking to much time (we practiced about 4 to 5 hours a night) from friends/family, job and most importantly from God.

Pretty soon though Halo 3 will be coming out and the competitive scene is set to go roaring again, but dont worry I am not going to get into that anywhere near as much as I was last time.

This post is about quitting something else which is affecting me and relationships. TV, now I dont mind TV there are a few good shows on nowadays, and I actually dont intend to quit it at all, I am just going to change my view of it. Just last night, we sat down and watched 3 straight hours of TV, I just got sucked in, but isnt that what they try to do. It's so easy, especially after doing a hard days work to come home and relax infront of the tele. However, there are much better things we could be doing with our time. And there are also much better ways to relax. So yeah there are a few shows I enjoy, so I dont mind sitting down to watch them, but I am going to resist just turning on the tele for a random show to fill in the time. Unless of course its out of my control at someone else's house.

Also about changes, I went to see a doctor on wednesday, and apparently my healthy weight is 78-83 kilos which I was not expecting her to say at all. I thought (and said to her!) thats impossible. However she then said that in 12 months I could be down to that weight! So I've put the running shoes back on, and changed my diet even more now to try to get to that stage, I was aiming at double digits but thats just insane. how cool!

Helen is amazing, she cooked us an awesome dinner last night. Was yum! I am so glad I get to spend my life with someone who is so loving and caring, and really wants people to know the truth of God's word and for their lives to be changed by it.

A foolish man

2007-01-06T17:29:00.000+11:00

I am a fool.

I need to change my ways big time.

I need God's help big time

When down, look up

2006-12-18T16:57:00.000+11:00

Psalm 90
In this Psalm the psalmist (attributed to Moses) recognises that life here on earth is hard, and can often leave us feeling depressed or down, but that God's love is unfailing at the same time. These two things are a huge contrast and many people stuggle to see how they fit together. especially when things are tough for them, or someone close to them.
Some of the reactions people have when things are hard is to doubt God and let go of the love he has poured out for us, or to doubt their pain and pretend that everything is fine, when really they're a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
Rather, like in this psalm, prayer is what is needed. Moses recognised both sides here, that things can be hard, very hard. And that God's lvoe is unfailing. He didnt belittle either. Rather he turned it into prayer...

13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

If things are hard, dont forget God, rather look to him, as his love is unfailing. The things that happen to us in this world are for our best, maybe not in our view. But eternally (something which we cannot comprehend), what is happening is best for us as part of God's plan...

Wht do we need?

2006-12-14T15:50:00.000+11:00

1 Kings 19:1-9a
Coming out of what happened in the last chapter Elijah must have been feeling on top of the world. Untouchable. But in this passage we se that as good as we're feeling or if things just seem to be going our way, there will always be things to draw us down. Big or small, they will happen, and most of the time it will be out of our control. In this passage a messenger was sent from Jezbel to Elijah after Jezbel learnt of what happend. The messenger had this to say...

2..."May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow
I do not make your life like that of one of them."

Upon heaing this Elijah was afraid. He ran. Kept running, and went into the wilderness where, once alone, he asked God to take his life because he had had enough. There have been many times in my life where I wished God would return in a moment, but there is a time set for that when it will happen, and we cannot know when that is. Going through these tough times, and they do happen, we need to remember to be trusting in God, that what he is doing is best for us. Maybe not as we see it, but in an eternal light, which we cannot even begin to understand, what he is doing is ther best for us. Like Elijah in this passage, who has been so strong in following and trusting in God, we sometimes get fed up.

God's response to Elijah... An angel comes and brings food for Elijah to eat, so Elijah eats and eats and then travels for 40 days to a cave where he rested for the night. God provided for him to be strengthened and wanted him to get better. We often look at spiritual health as the more important aspect of our lives, but physical health is essential too, if we are physically unwell it can effect the rest of our lives including our spiritual walk. We need rest, we need sustinance, we need God.

Use gifts...

2006-12-12T16:33:00.000+11:00

1 Kings 18:1-19
In this passage, Ahab thinks of Elijah as a 'troubler of Israel'. Despite what Ahab thought, Elijah was the best hope for Israel. Again we see Elijah trusting in God and what he has told him to do. Going to see Ahab was a very bold and courageous move on his part, but he knew that God was with him.

We too need courage and boldness when we tackle the world with God's message of salvation. God's meesage is very different from that of the worlds, but he gives us the strength to go to all nations.

Although going around the world or even locally preaching God's word is not what everyone is gifted at. In this passage we also se Obadiah who has been faithfully serving God in different ways. He has been hiding people, feeding and clothing them when it was needed.

God pours out gifts to each of us. Like Elijah and Obadiah we should be using them and trusting God to help us use them.

Rebuked

2006-12-11T16:12:00.000+11:00

Sometimes we can find rebukes hard, whether giving or recieving them. This time I was on the recieving end. I tell you what, I am glad that there are people out there that care enough to rebuke you, especially when it effects those close to you. There are areas I need to change, and it is always helpful to be told you are messing up because sometimes we just push these things aside, or think we can tackle them later, when the reality is, there is no better time than now to change.

Thankyou!

Switch is flipped on now...

real power...

2006-12-11T15:59:00.000+11:00

1 Kings 17
In this passage Eliah is told to go to see a widow and the LORD says to get food from her. So he goes there and does this. Some time later the widows son fell ill and died. Elijah here cried out to God and the boy lived. So what can we learn from this passage? Elijah shows dependance and obedience on God, just as we should.. He learns that God can provide, and he is also tested, through that test though he sees even more of Gods power by the raising of the widows son. This was all preperation for him of what was to come when we read on.

The battles we face will not be the same as what Elijah came across. But like Elijah we need to spend time alone with God. Build our trust, dependance and obedience in God. And we need to discover the power of God, and we are given the ultimate example of this through his son Jesus on the cross as His blood takes away the sin of the world, in a just loving act of mercy summed up as grace. God is powerful, why not have him as your King?

Quick Review: Halo 3 Trailer

2006-12-06T17:10:00.000+11:00

Outsourced, outlast, outta (or in this case in) this world.

In case you havent noticed, there is a new Halo 3 trailer out yesterday. Its available on the internet at a few sites.

In case you couldnt be bothered finding it, here is a YouTube link - Halo 3 TV Spot

In case you also didnt know, I used to play this series competitvely (both Halo 1 and 2) at a national level and this game does look awesome to me, but I wont be getting involved like I was before at all.

Naked men and sock jokes. Plus more

2006-12-06T16:28:00.000+11:00

Havent updated in a while, so here we go...

Last friday we had our work Christmas partay. We had the option of playing golf in the morning (or working) guess which one I chose? Lets just say that, driving golf buggies as fast as they go gets them to slide pretty well on the dirt patches there. Did a few good shots but nothing spectactular. the highlight of the golf morning would have had to be something Mark said.

"Hey guys, check out these socks, they're my lucky golf socks" said Mark.
The small crowd gathered there looked stunned, how could a grown man believe he had "lucky socks".
One voice from somewhere in the crowd asked "Why is that Mark".
"Oh, because last time I played golf, I got a hole in one" was Marks response.

Ah, good times. But it didnt end there, oh no. We joined the rest of the work crew down at Brooklyn at the Riverview Restaurant. Heaps of seafood platters, which normally I wouldnt bother with, but lately I have been getting back into the seafood.

As we waited for our mains to arrive (Steak for me of course) we had some entertainment from the boys next to us, also having their Christmas party. They were a bit on the drink, and as it was a hot day they decided to go for a swim off the jetty downstairs. So half of them wandered down, but the two who decided to go swimming then decided it would be bad to get their clothes wet, so instead of changing their minds. Off came the clothes. Now standing naked they finally cooled themselves off in the water at Brooklyn, now what happened next would have to be the funniest thing I have seen in a long while. Watching grown men, trying to climb onto a wharf that is about a half metre above the water, while intoxicated and naked, was very funny in a disturbing sort of way.

The day didnt stop for me there though, we had our youth group boys night in at church. So I headed up there early to set up entertainment and organise some food (more bbq, haha). The night was awesome, we did our normal Bible study thing so that was good to see the boys getting into God's word, we did however decide to do it outside, the problem there was bugs. So many of them and they were very distracting. Still going through some pretty tough studies on 1 Timothy, some of the comments in there are over my head, so its awesome to see the guys working together to understand it all.

For a boys night, we got to sleep relatively early (12:30am) so that was good, what was not good however was that I woke up at my work time (5:30am) and everyone else was asleep for another few hours. So I decided to get breakfast (more bbq) ready early, something which I was meant to do anyway.

Saturday felt sick after eating so much, but then decided to go hang with Aaron, Nick and Ian from Hornsby Bapos, and we ran into Greg and Clive up at the Thai restaurant in Hornsby. Anyway, ended up eating again. But it was good Thai so I "had" to.

Saturday night I wrote about in that last post, had a great night spent reflecting with God, have a read if you want.

Sunday had church, plus a quick trip to the Wahroonga markets in the morning. At church we did some of my favourite songs so that was good. But I need to remember that that isnt the reason to be going or to be enjoying church.

Work this week has been good, and monday and tuesday I was looking forward to wednesday (today). I was meant to be doing construction today, which is where I want to be. Last time I was meant to be doing construction I got a call from Franky to say i was going with him for the day (boo) so this week I was jokingly say it would happen again. Well that came back to bite me, as yesterday I got a call to say "Ehhhh Mehte. Yoo carm wi me tumaro" (typing in accent, quite talented there). So yeah, today wasnt on consturction, it was with Franky... I have a whole week of construction next week, lets see him try to call me every day, haha.

Last night had ogalos with Noodles, Moods and the gorgeous beautiful Ms Boyle. Then we went mini golfing. Before this game, me and Helen were even on scores from our previous 3 games.
Game 1 - Hamilton Island - Eric wins by 1
Game 2 - Narrabeen Mini Golf - Helen wins by 5? (I cant remember the amount here)
Game 3 - Narrabeen Mini Golf - Eric wins by 4? (again cant remember but it was one less than what Helen won by)

So we came into it even on scores, but with me one game ahead. Last night we got to the last whole and we were even (oooh tension, not really). Now Helen went before me and shot a 5. In my head I was cheering casue I thought it couldnt be that hard. But I ended up shooting a 7. So in the end Helen is now ahead in scores, but we are even in games. It was close babe, I will get you next time.

Phil, one of the guys at work busted his back lifting something on Monday, so he wasnt there today as he was seeing the Chiropractor (spelling?). That just reminds me that I need to be taking care of myself. As I found out today he had the same thing I did, a slipped disc in his back earlier on in his life.

So yeah, this is challenging the longest post I have made on here. If you have read this far, you can get a prize next time you see me.

Got another bbq tonight for our bible study christmas party. Looking forward to it...

Grace and Peace

Reflections

2006-12-03T09:11:00.000+11:00

Last night I had a solid reflecting time with God. Was good to sit back and see what's been happening, what's going on and what I would like to happen. Mike actually mentioned something like this at bible study on wednesday night. He said that he knew someone who once a month got all his employees to have a CAT day. Now CAT stands for Climb A Tree. Sounds pretty wierd at first, but it is a good idea. The idea behind it is to remove yourself from the worries of the world, and forget about everything for a day. Then look back at what has been happening, and then look forward to where you would like to head in the future, just to give you some bearings.

I didnt climb a tree, I just drove up to bobbin head and spent a few hours up there, but I did have a good long reflection, think and prayer time with God. I also read this Psalm.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

God is good, He is amazing. Everything that happens is in his plan. He guides us and comforts us. In this fallen world there are alot of things that happen that make it hard for us to move forward, or that make us stop and think or even go backwards. Through them all though, God is with us. He has prepared a place for us forever. In his love, he has brought us back to him through his son, Jesus on the cross.

Looking back at where I have come from, I can see that yes there have been some big changes especially this year. But these are changes that now that they have happened I wouldnt have things any other way. Before this year, getting a full time job was never on my cards, before this year I hadnt thought about getting married (anytime in the near future anyway), before this year I hadnt given thought to having kids either. Now that i sit back and look at all these changes, I am SO happy that God has lead me to where I am today. These changes have brought me closer to him, through reading his word more and more, through the encouragement of others and through the tough times too. In our engagement we have had quite a few struggles, some in and some out of our control. Sometimes I find myself questioning God when things like this happen, but we arent here to know why they do, we are just here to love and serve him and each other.

The other part of the CAT day was looking forward to see what you would like to happen. My goal in life is to be serving God all my days, and with his help bring people into his kingdom. As an extra cool, and totally awesome added bonus to that, I have a partner who would love to do the same. Spending my life here with Helen is something that will be encouraging to me and hopefully encouraging to her too. Getting to know her, building our friendship, being engaged, getting married, starting and raising a family has been and will be so exciting. So yes, looking forward I just hope to be in a position were I can serve God and (God willing) my family in all areas of my life.

God has blessed us with so much
And He has promised us so much more!

king or King?

2006-11-30T18:01:00.000+11:00

1 Kings 11:26-43
As God said in yesterdays passage, Solomon has forfeited his kingdom, but it will come into effect when his son reigns. The man God chose to rule the kingdom was Jeroboam, a man of standing we find out, and Solomon saw how good he was and put him in charge of the whole labour force. However, after he finds out about Jeroboam being lined up to be king, he tries to kill him.

God did promise to leae a tribe for David's descendants, and Rehoboam (Solomons son) did become king of that tribe

What about Jeroboam? he is working hard, getting advancements, living life well in Solomons kingdom. Then one day he finds out he will be taking over as king because Solomon has lead Israel in forsaking God. It is a huge warning to Jeroboam, a big 'Obey me or suffer the consequences' from God. God is in control and is able to give and take kingdoms away.

So what does this mean for us? We ourselves are not kings of huge kingdoms or leaders of nations. But we do make the choices that govern our lives here. Are we going to be king of our lives, or entrust that role to The King. The choices we make every day, big and small, can make a huge difference in how our life plays out. We should follow God, pray to him, seek his wisdom, find it in the bible (although, sometimes the specifics you look for aren't there).

God should be the centre of our lives. Follow him, and be part of His Kingdom!

222 till 777

2006-11-29T17:45:00.000+11:00

Lost my sunglasses today at work. Kinda my fault really. I was watering and as it was a hot day and I was feeling hot. I wet my head, forgetting that my sunglasses were on. The force of the water exiting the hose flushed them off my head. Now you say "well, why didnt you pick them up Eric" to this I answer "I spent about 15 mins looking for them, the water was spraying very hard, and my head was pointing into dense bush and I couldnt find them anywhere, doesnt help that they were green either". So yeah, no more glasses for me. The only good thing about that is that they werent actually mine. Someone left them in my car about 3 years ago, so sorry. If anyone ahs lost there glasses in my car, they are now actually lost...

According to the lovely Ms Boyle there is 222 days till 777 (o7 - 07 - 2007) the day she becomes Mrs Mylius. Very exciting stuff!

Bible study tonight, hope it goes well with a few people not coming and others not feeling to well. Myself a wee but tired. I hope we can all switch on for God's word and that we can encourage each other.

Been having some AWESOME prayer sessions with Helen lately. Love praying with her, its the best. I do however need to get my act together and organise some more studies for us. We actually got some more yesterday which should be good to get started in. Also at the same time got some Third Day tickets for next year, looking forward to that one too...

No compromise...

2006-11-29T16:08:00.000+11:00

Thats a good book if you havent read it... butnot what I am talking about today...

1 Kings 11:1-13
Solomon had it all, in this passage we find out not only did he have a wife... he had 700 of them, plus another 300 concubines. Think about that, if you spent a day with each, it would take you around 3 years to see them all... wow, just think - birthdays, anniversaries, what they like/dont like, etc... Just the one for me thanks :) haha.
Anyway, we find out in this passage that Solomon is being led astray by his many wives. They are leading him in his old age to turn to other god's. Something which God warned his people might happen if they marry foreign women. With this many, not even Solomons wisdom could keep him on track.
As a response to a turning away from him, God says he will take away all that he has given him, but not in his life, in his sons life. All that will be left is one tribe, "for the sake of David [Gods] servant, and for the sake of Jerusalem, which [God] has chosen."
Solomon followed his own desires and it took him away from God, even with all the warnings he was given (God even appeared to him twice). We can fall in to the same trap all to easily, and we are given plenty of warning too. We compromise the way God wants us to live daily by taking an easier path. We need to be asking God to strengthen us in those weak areas of our lives...

Engagement pics

2006-11-25T21:06:00.000+11:00

Here's a few pics from our engagement party last weekend. Great people, great food and good fun had by all.
If it wasnt for us, there would be no party...

Here's a pic of some of the crowd gathered there...

And here's us again, this pic is from our pre-wedding photo shoot with our wedding photographer

By the book!

2006-11-25T13:03:00.000+11:00

Acts 18:1-8
Paul did things by the book, not just any book. The Word of God. As he moves about spreading God's word you can see that his confidence lies in the Word of God. He always preached it, reasoned with people from it, and even let people know of their condemnation by it.
The Bible is a powerful tool, God speaks through it. We as Christians need to rely in the same way on it and not on our own understanding, or on our own talents to bring people into the kingdom.

5 ... Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that
Jesus was the Christ. 6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he
shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own
heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

Paul had given the Jews all they needed to be saved, yet they were still abusive to him. Paul could see that he wouldnt be able to change their hearts. Only God could do that. So he leaves them behind, only after giving them the gospel.
We do not know who will be saved and who will not, therefore we need to bring his word to everyone. Do we do things by the book?

An Unknown God

2006-11-23T16:54:00.000+11:00

Havent been on here to update for a few days... Since the engagement party actually, but more on that later. I have been looking at Acts over the last few days and today brought me to...

Acts 17:16-23
Over the last few passages, you can see the real emphasis on the Bible, not just Paul preaching from it, but those listening were taking it in, and checking what Paul taught against the Bible. This is what we should be doing whenever we here someone preach, teach, talk or write a blog about things like this. Always go back to the Bible.

The passage today has Paul in Athens. While waiting in Athens, he got distressed that there were so many idols. They even had an altar with the inscription 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD'. They are a religous people (Paul mentions that) but they just havent got it right. They are aware of God, but they just havent met Him yet. Now instead of just shoving the gospel of Christ in there amongst their other teaching, Paul, being the clever man he is (by God's power of course), goes to the synagogues and other places where people gather to reason with them. Eventually he is brought to the meeting of Areopagus (a meeting of all the bigwigs around at that time)

22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men
of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked
around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar
with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something
unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

From this he goes on to proclaim God's message of salvation (but that is tomorrows reading so I will go more into that then. I just like the way that Paul doesnt just use brute force tactics to shove the gospel in there. He is smart about how he does it, DB thought the same things as me and this is what they had to say about it. "Its fascinating to see him adapt his approach to different audiences. When he is with Jews he quotes from the Bible (OT); among educated gentiles he also found some common ground in some of their history, poets and past thinkers"

I think that when we bring Gods message to others (and we should be) we need to do it in a way that will reach out to them, not turn them away.

WAKE UP! dont snooze...

2006-11-20T17:25:00.000+11:00

Matthew 26:36-46
In this passage, jesus asks his disciples three times to keep watch for him while he goes and prays. Each time they fall asleep and he comes back and wakes them up. Its like all through His ministry when he was with them. He kept giving them hints at what was going to happen, but they ignore it and fall asleep. He keeps hinting at the death and resurection of the Christ (himself). DB likens this to the snooze button on an alarm, it shocks you when you here it (the alarm) but you have the abilitly to put off waking up by pressing the snooze button. It seems like this is what the disciples were doing.
Do we do the same? We are given a massive wake up call by the gospel. Are we awake, or just snoozing?
We need to be active and awake to serve Jesus...

Partay

2006-11-18T20:48:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow is our engagment party. I hope it goes well, people have a good time, and that we (and our brothers and sisters in Christ) can be a great witness to those who do not know God.

mmm food

2006-11-18T20:38:00.000+11:00

Matthew 26:14-25
Reading through this passage do you find it wierd that Jesus has as a friend (and one of the 12 closest to him) someone he knows is going to betray him? Normally when we befriend someone, it is someone we enjoy spending time with, and someone we (to the best of our knowledge) know wont betray us. We wouldnt think to go out of our way to make friends of those who are out to get us. But Jesus did.
Should we be like that, accepting and inviting people into our homes for meals, even if we know they're not the nicest of people. We should be welcoming everyone, as we do not know who God has chosen to be part of His kingdom, our witness to others, no matter who they are or how they act, could win them to God if it is His will.

Being a bride

2006-11-14T18:10:00.000+11:00

Back into Matthew, starting at chapter 25, right where DB left it last time.

Matthew 25:1-13
There is a wedding reception happening soon, and no I am not talking about mine. I am talking about the party that will go on forever in heaven, when Christ returns as the bridegroom, to gather His bride (the church) and take her away. That is what this passage is about, there is a group of women who go to meet the bridegroom, but some run out of oil in their lamps so they have to go get more. While they're gone, the bridegroom comes and takes the ones who had enough oil away. What is the point of this? We need to be prepared. All the time. We do not know when Jesus will return, all we know is that we are in the last days and He will be coming back soon. Dont let your oil lamp go out, if they do, and you are caught unaware, then when you go to knock on the door, you will get this reply...

12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

All we have to do is keep our oil lamps going, keep trusting and following Jesus as Lord, and he will bring us in.

13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the
hour.

Left alone?

2006-11-13T16:47:00.000+11:00

2 Timothy 4:9-22
In this last passage of 2 Timothy Paul recounts some of the things that people have done to him (or not done in some cases). He has suffered and been deserted by his closest friends. As humans we remembed those times when we are hurt... but is that what Paul is getting at here? He goes on to say that through all this, and even to the point of death, God was with him, giving him the strength to preach the gospel to the gentiles. Paul was never left alone, he had God with him the whole time.

17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the
message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was
delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil
attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for
ever and ever. Amen.

Do we have that same conviction and trust that God will get us through, and bring us into his heavenly kingdom? That he will deliver us from the lions mouth?
God is there with us all the time, even when people desert you, and they will, humans do that. God doesnt! Follow Him. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen!

Small, medium and large... suffering.

2006-11-11T08:32:00.000+11:00

2 Timothy 3:10-17
We will suffer for being christians. Just look at Paul, he went through so much suffering for what he believed and had faith in, and he did not turn away. Should we be seeking out suffering like his? I dont think so, I think that as we live our lives we will encounter suffering without seeking it out. We do not use suffering as a way to make ourselves look better, for example: You wouldnt want to walk into church one day and say "I was walking down the street the other day praising God, and this car drove past and spat on me, then I had a rock thrown at me"... Boasting about our sufering to make ourselves look good isnt what it is about.
Living as a christian suffering will come if you want it to or not. It may be small (like being laughed at for not joining in something at school, uni or work that everyone else is joining in) it could be medium (like getting fired for refusing to lie to a customer at work) or it could even be large, or life sized where your life is on the line for living for and serving Christ. However, no matter what the magnitude of suffering is we need to stay strong, and to remember what we have been taught. Just as Paul said to Timothy to encourage him, we can read his words to us...

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become
convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from
infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is
useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so
that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Lean on the word of God, it is from God. Through it we know of our salvation that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Stay strong to that, so that you may be thourougly equipped in all situations. We will suffer as Christians. But we have God to help us through it, and we have something way better than anything in this world to look forward to...

Stay Strong!

Brief fame

2006-11-10T16:17:00.000+11:00

2 Timothy 3:1-9
We're in the last days now, sounds kinda wierd but it is true. We're in the last days before Jesus returns. We do not know when that day will be, but from now (or from Jesus' death really) until it happens it is all the last days. Paul recognises this and is writing about them here to Timothy. They will be "terrible times" according to Paul, and we only need to look at his list and then compare it to our world to see that it is true...

2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud,
abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love,
unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5having a form of godliness but denying its power.

We see these things all the time in our world. What should our attitude be to it, and people that live these ways, well Paul follows with one easy to understand sentance

Have nothing to do with them.

This is not saying do not have anything to do with non christians, how else would God's kingdom grow? I think, however, that it is talking here about people that use their "faith" or "religion" for personal gain. There is power to be gained by living a religous way if you want to exploit it, and it can be tempting to some.

8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the
truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are
rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,
their folly will be clear to everyone.

Like it says here, people who live like this, and decieve people for their gain oppose the truth. The way they live will show people what they're really like, and they will not get very far at all, even though they may look promising. Paul's advice to us is to stay away from them, as they can be convincing, and we could be tempted to follow. Their fame will be brief. God will deal with them.

Do not be ashamed!

2006-11-07T16:01:00.000+11:00

2 Timothy 1:8-18
Do not be ashamed! That is the message Paul is telling Timothy here. There are times when we feel ridiculed, when we feel that our ministry is being laughed of and that there is nothing we can do. Paul found himself in prison, in chains and he knew and often said that it was horrible. But he never gave in to despair, he knew that the message he had been given was the truth. We carry that same message, we should not be ashamed of it. Paul was convinced of his sure hope of salvation on the day when the Lord returns, and as such, he spent his life (no matter his situation) telling people about it.
We have a sure hope, through Jesus' blood on the cross. We are insanely lucky we do not have to rely on ourselves for salvation, cause we would be stuffed.

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his
prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have
done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ
Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the
appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought
life and immortality to light through the gospel.

It is nothing we have done, it has all been done for us. Just as Paul responded...

11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom
I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted
to him for that day.

...So should we. Do not be ashamed!

Work Mission Update #2

2006-11-06T17:09:00.000+11:00

Got another opportunity to talk to someone today at work. Thanks God! The guy still couldnt believe that I didnt live with my missus, but was getting married, and so young too! He then asked, "Howcome I am a christian? Was it because of family etc" - so I got to share my testimony with him. I have been so encouraged lately by the amount of opportunities God through my (and everyones) way. Sometimes I know I miss them, either by totally not noticing, or our of shyness/fear, and I kick myself when I do. God wants people to be in his kingdom. We do not know who is meant to be and who isnt. So we should take every opportunity that comes our way. God will use it. His will WILL be done!
Please keep praying that these opportunities happen at work for me, and that I can break out of my normally shy comfort zone and use these opportunities for God's kingdom, and likewise, I will keep praying for others to have their opportunities. If there is anything in particular anyone reading this would like prayer for. Let me know.

Thanks God!

2 Timothy too timid

2006-11-06T16:53:00.000+11:00

Moved into 2 Timothy today, we are going through 1 Timothy with our youth group boys at the moment. I love the letters Paul wrote to Timothy. Like the rest of the bible, they speak very well to us also.

2 Timothy 1:1-7
In the opening, like in all of his letters, Paul states who he is. He is an apostle (authorised spokesperson) of Christ Jesus. And that is only by the will of God. In the opening of his letter Paul not only reminds Timothy of who he is, and what God has done (for him, and for eveyone) but he encourages him by letting him know that he is always in his prayers. That is a huge encouragement to know that someone is praying for you, caring for you, looking out for you. We should be praying for others more often.
He then goes on to challenge Timothy who as we learn has become timid. Now Timothy was brought up in a family of people with sincere faith, his grandmother and his mother, and Paul is convinced that same faith is now in him. But even people with great faith have ups and downs. They need to be encouraged and rebuked.
God has been with those before us, we need to not be timid in the face of opposition, to stand firm, and in everything to glorify God. We need to encourage others to do this too. Pray that God can give us the strength to stand firm!

Opportunities!

2006-11-04T14:08:00.000+11:00

Thanks God!

I had an amazing opportunity today to talk to my nanna about my faith and the differences between catholicism and christianity. She is a catholic and has been since childhood. She has recently begun to question some of the religous practices they have though, but she still goes along with it.

I was able to talk to her today for a good 45 mins about the differences we have in our faith. Grace - the point that things have been done for us and that there is nothing we can do was the main topic that we kept coming back too. We also talked about how the catholic church has put preists and the pope in the place that only Jesus can fill. There is one mediator between man and God and that is Jesus.

It was very encouraging for me to see her thinking through these things and questioning if what she believes is right. Thanks God for the opportunity to talk to her, and I hope that I get many more. Please pray that I do, and that she will understand grace.

There are so many opportunites that we get to share our faith, with those we care about and with those we dont even know. Trust God and take hold of those opportunities!

Unmistakeable

2006-11-04T12:25:00.000+11:00

Matthew 24:15-31
This passage is the Matthew version of the Luke passage I did a short talk/workshop on last week at youth group. It is good how the gospels have the same stories but told different ways. This particular passage is about the end times. The coming of the Kingdom of God. Following on from yesterdays passage, people wanted to know of signs to tell when this will come about. Here Jesus talks about Daniels prophecy, again linking himself with the Old Testament, to show that He will bring about the fulfillment of what was said.
Lots of things will happen when the Son of Man returns, but here Jesus is letting us know that while we wait for that day, we will suffer. It is not going to be easy living as a christian as some false teachings lead people to believe. Sure there will be easy times, but there will be plenty of hardship.
There will be lots of false prophets and messiahs. Lots of false teaching, all aimed at drawing people away from the truth. How can we tell when the one and only messiah returns?

27For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

It will be unmistakeable when Jesus returns. Everyone will see it, and no one will be able to deny it. So look forward to that day. Things might be tough, at school, at uni, at work or at home, we will be suffering. But praise God that He chose to save us, and look forward to that day when the lightning will come.
"Come Lord Jesus, Come!"

When???

2006-11-03T16:53:00.000+11:00

Matthew 24:3-14
In this passage the discipels question Jesus about when the end will come, they want to know when this day of judgment will come upon the world of men. They ask after signs so that they can predict when it will happen.
Jesus replies that there will be many disasters, wars, false prophets, famine and persecution. People will die for Jesus, and people will turn away from their faith in Jesus. People will be decieved.

13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Jesus does not give us signs or tell us when this will happen, he just says to stay strong, stand firm. Then he challenges them...

14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The gospel will go out, people will go out to preach it. We need to be part of that mission, to bring the gospel to all peoples of the earth, all the while praying "Come, Lord Jesus, Come!"

Work Mission Update #1

2006-11-02T18:18:00.000+11:00

I will just start by saying I have been extremely blessed in the boss that God has given me. He too is a committed christian and is keen to see God's kingdom grow. He sees his workplace as a huge mission field as in landscaping, like many trades, christians are hard to come by. He was so excited when he found out when he hired me that I was a christian too, and he has taken me aside for chats to encourage and support me too.

There are so many opportunities for me to witness and share the gospel at work. But I, like some others out there I assume, shy away or get ashamed. Yet the times when I do speak up, good things come from it, sure I might get slammed then and there for my view on things, yet it opens up doors later on. So far in this job, chatting in groups I have been put down multiple times, yet when chatting to those guys alone, they are very open and receptive about chatting about it.

Just yesterday, on one of the longer travelling days I had a great chat with one of the older guys from work. Married with 2 kids. He is appalled at the state of the world, and he kows that it isnt meant to be like this. He knows that there is something more. So we chatted for a while about the differences of some religions, the difference between religion and relationship with God. It was great to be able to speak to him, and I only wish that I can take hold of these opportunities more often.

One of the guys today was amazed that i am getting married so young, and that I dont even live with my missus beforehand. The ideas and way of thinking of some (or most) of these guys is unhelpful at the best of times, so I need to be on guard and watch that I dont fall into anything unhelpful that they're doing.

So, pray for me (if you're the praying type) that my time at work can be fruitful for God's kingdom, that I wont fall into temptation or follow the ways of this world, that I can take hold of every opportunity God gives me and that in everything, God will be glorified.

Thanks God for everything you give us...

Listen Up!

2006-11-02T16:46:00.000+11:00

Matthew 23:37 - 24:2
Moving on from the Pharisees Jesus now turns his attention to the city of Jerusalem as a whole. God's city. The main city of the jewish nation, the capital of Israel, where there were religous festivals, sacrifces by priests and the teachers of the law to bring God's word to others. A holy city set apart for God. Was it? Was this city really set apart for her God, did they welcome the King. Well we read here that they stoned those sent to them, they killed those that God had sent to be messengers to them. They rejected the word of God. Jesus knows what He is going to go through in jerusalem too, yet he still feels compasion for them. He has longed to gather them to himself, but they were not willing.

Looking back now, we can see the way in which he has gathered those people back to Him. The ones that were willing to listen and follow at least. jesus suffered the same fate as the other messengers of God sent to Jerusalem. He was killed. He was crucified on the cross. Only one difference here. After three days, he rose again. Through this action Jesus has defeated sin and death and has brought those people in Israel, in Jerusalem (and people ouside of course) back to Him. Those who are willing to listen.

Do you listen?

Thanks God!

2006-10-31T19:40:00.000+11:00

The last few weeks things have really been getting rolling with wedding prep. It has been great spending time with both families, together and apart, seeing them have fun and getting to know each other which is just so cool. Its great that they all get along. Helen and I have both been blessed with amazing, supportive families and we are both thankful for that.

Like I said, in the last few weeks we have done alot of prep, if you want more of an update (with more detail than I could type in, and i may get it wrong too) have a look at Helens blog (link is hezza over there ->). There is alot to do for weddings, I am glad we only have to go through it once. It is fun though, I love spending time with Helen now, and I cant wait for the wedding, it will be so fun, and I cant wait for our life together, serving God...

I have been amazed at how God works in my life throughout my life and he never ceases to amaze me. We have been through some hard things in our relationship so far, and its great that we can not only draw support and comfort from one another but more importantly that we can get that from God too. God is there for everyone and anyone who calls on him, for love, guidance, support and comfort. Being able to talk (pray) to Him openly by myself and with Helen is so awesome, and the way He answers prayers is just as awesome, even when its not how we would like it. He is in control and guides us through and opens and closes doors for us. All we need to do is trust in Him, which is hard at times. But we need to remember that, and that in all things He will protect us, and be with us.

Thanks God for being there for us
Thanks God for bringing Helen into my life
Thanks God most of all for sending your Son to die in our place, so that we can be with You.

Your are amazing God!

Woe to you... you hypocrites!

2006-10-31T19:15:00.000+11:00

As I said, I am now back after dinner... this passage follows on from yesterdays one

Matthew 23:13-24
The Pharisees are getting slammed here by Jesus for not being the leaders that they say they are. Through their leading they are not bringing people closer to God, and they are even leading some further away. Their insistence on sticking to religous law saw them failing to do God's will. They were straining out alot of small stuff (which is not a bad thing) but they missed the big picture. Their failure (as leaders) to understand had prevented many people from entering God's kingdom, and led others astray.

Do we see the big picture, or do we get caught up in smaller things? It is often so easy for us to write off the Pharisees, without seeing the Pharisee inside us. Are we hypocrites? Are we living how God wants us too?

23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

BRB

2006-10-31T18:58:00.000+11:00

Wow, I have been bad at updating this lately, sorry for those that try to read this regularly. DB has moved into Matthew now and in todays passage (which follows on from yesterday with the same theme...)

Having dinner, then will be right back to type todays reading in...

Cut in two!

2006-10-24T16:15:00.000+10:00

1 Kings 3:16-28
In this story, Solomons wisdom is shown very well. 2 prostitutes come up to him with a problem. They both had babies, here is what happened...

19 "During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne."
22 The other woman said, "No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours."
But the first one insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the king.

So, as you can see there was a bit of a problem here. Solomon, sent for a sword to chop the baby in two and give them each a portion. Now, from hearing this you would think he is mad. But the reactions from the two ladies are completely different...

26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"
But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."

So, from his apparently mad decision to chop the baby in two, he found out who the real mother was. Very well played on Solmons part. Or did it have something to do with the wisdom God had given him from yesterdays passage (sorry, didnt get to type that one up, go have a read of 1 Kings 3:1-15). Solomon demonstrated his God given wisdom here, and as a result his fame spread and helped to establish his rule.

There are many times in our lives when we need wisdom, how often though do we not turn to God, we turn to ourselves, family or friends. Everything we do, God is willing to help, pray to Him and ask Him for wisomd and help in ANY situation.

Live well, die well...

2006-10-22T09:11:00.000+10:00

1 Kings 2:1-12
In this passage David says his last words and passes away, leaving Solomon to rule Israel. David was not a fool, he knew he was going to die. So he passed on a few things to Solomon, wisdom, encouragement and warning (vs2-4). He also passed on some unfinished business he had with a few people and urged Solomon to use his wisdom in how to deal with them.

So David died, a man who loved and served God, who served God in his time. He was no where near perfect, and he knew it, but he lived and died well. We will all come across death (unless Christ returns first of course). We, like David, are no where near perfect ourselves and deserve God's wrath on us. However as part of God's amazing plan, He sent his son to die for us, to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, so that we can be in a right relationship with God and not have God's wrath poured out on us.

David knew his time was up and was willing to let go, how often do we pray that WE can be healed, and not die, or not to be sick, rather we need to be focusing on what God's will is in our prayers. "Let your will be done". After all, His plan is perfect, and He has saved us.

Wake up

2006-10-21T12:15:00.000+10:00

1 Kings 1:28-53
Yesterday, I moved into 1 Kings with DB. ITs a great story here about who will succeed David when he dies. David had promised that Solomon would be King after him, but since David was getting old and not taking active charge of the nation as he once did. Adonijah, Solomons older brother, claimed the throne for himself, but David was roused by Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet to anoint Solomon king at once. So David did, and Solomon became king before Adonijah could. So a big battle of politics, but the right man was put on the throne, the man God wanted there.

David had in a way fallen asleep. He needed to wake up and see what was happening, he had no idea what Adonijah was doing. He was the leader of God's people and he needed to be leading. We, and our leaders need to be doing the same. We need to be awake. There can be alot going on in our churches or communities that we can just forget about or ignore, and just sit comfortably in our churches, minding our own business. We need to be the opposite of that, we need to be proactively caring for others because Jesus is with us.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's

2006-10-16T17:29:00.000+10:00

Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees, always trying to catch Jesus ou, ar eup to their tricks again in this passage. They try to trap Him in his words.

"Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

This was their question. They thought they would trap Jesus out with this, if he said yes, then that would undermine his ministry, but to say no would surely see him punished, possibly even killed. However Jesus, knowing their intent, gives an awesome answer to a shallow question.

18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

21"Caesar's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

I am going to take the words from DB here as I think they summed up this bit pretty well.

Jesus has deeper intentions, and here he takes the opportunity to bring the earthly and the heavenly together. This is actually an important question, but not in the way it is being asked. What we do with the material world has to be considered. How we relate to, and give allegiance to, governments, works, sience, art and the media has to be carefully considered... Caesar has his place in the overall order of things, but over all things is God.

This world is run by governments and authorities that we need to submit to. However God is above that, and our first alliegance is to God. Yes we pay taxes, yes we abide by laws. God has put these people and laws in there places.

21... "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 22When they heard this, they were amazed.

They were amazed at what Jesus has said. Everything belongs to Jesus, do we hold on to things to much? Do we disregard the law and those in authority because they are only earthly? Do we pay taxes to Caesar or not? Well God has put these things in there places, so we should obey, and live by what governments and authorities say, unless that goes against God.

Are you phariseeing?

2006-10-14T12:30:00.000+10:00

Matthew 21:28-32
In this parable Jesus describes two sons. They were both asked by their father to go work in the vineyard. The first one said "No, I will not" but later on he went and did it. The second son said "Yes, I will sir" but didnt end up doing his work.

31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"...

Jesus asked that question of the Pharisees and they rightly answered "The first". So then Jesus gets to the point of his parable.

31 ...Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

The Pharisees didnt believe what John had to say, but these others that they consider less than themselves did. Now Jesus is saying that the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering heaven before them. The Pharisees would not have liked this one bit, and they still have not repented.

They thought the tax collectors and prostitues were less than themselves and had no place in heaven. How often do we think the same. when someone new comes to our church and we find out a bit about them, we can very easily label them as less than ourselves. When in fact doing that is not what we should be doing, sometimes it wont even be a conscious thing we do. It just happens. Everyone is a sinner, and all fall short of God's glory. Everyone needs God's grace, and He freely gives it to all who call on Him. We are called to live for God, yet so often we say we will and just walk away. I know I need to change in this, after all how much has God done for us. We are too comfortable here...

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Gotta have faith

2006-10-12T17:16:00.000+10:00

Matthew 21:18-27

Yesterdays passage (which I didnt get to put up here) and todays show us that Jesus wasnt always the gentle guy everyone thinks of him as. In Matthew 21:12-17 he goes into a temple and overturns tables and benches. Today he kills a fig tree. Why would he do such a thing to the fig tree? Well it would seem because it is useless as it wasnt bearing fruit. The disciples were amazed at how Jesus killed the tree and how quickly it had happened.

21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Faith is a big thing. A lil quote from DB - "Fig trees being zapped will be nothing compared to what faith can achieve in the hands of those who have their beliefs sorted out. Their fruit will be proof of their spiritual maturity and the harvest wil be incredibly abundant". We have faith in God, and in His power and grace. Through us (and other means) He brings people into His kingdom.

If God's kingdom came back today how would that look in your life?

Significant?

2006-10-10T15:55:00.000+10:00

Matthew 21:1-11

Today DB moved into Matthew and it is starting at the beginning of the climax. Jesus is just arriving Jerusalem. It is amazing how well the Bible fits together, you would think it was planned or something, or that there was some big God guy behind it all making sure things went the way they needed too. Well there is, and things did go the way they were meant to. And as we see here the fulfilment of Gods plan is coming about, but as Matthew points out there are earlier references to how it will happen.

In the OT we are given heaps of tidbits of information about the saviour to come. The one from this passage

5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

Is from Zechariah 9:9. God knew what was going to happen, what he was going to do and when they were/are going to happen. Jesus knew what he was going into, there is so much written about what he will do that if people payed attention they would see it. There was a great reaction to Jesus when he entered on the donkey...

9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

The crowds were really happy to see him come, but will things stay like this? Well I am sure over the next few days the passages will tell us more. If you dont know what happens, have a read on for yourself.

God knows when and how things needed to happen, and when things will happen in the future. We do not, the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night for us. Are you ready? As we read on we will find out that Jesus becomes like a sacrificial lamb for us, just like an ordinary lamb was for Moses and the Israelites as they fled egypt. In the same way they were saved, Jesus blood for us saves us from Gods eternal wrath which we truly do deserve from turning away from Him. That IS a significant thing!

Quick Review: Audioslave Live in Cuba

2006-10-09T18:32:00.000+10:00

A huge first, a great achievment and sounds alive.

Yeah I know I've already done something Audioslave, but this is just sitting next to me, and it is just great...

Do our part...

2006-10-09T17:55:00.000+10:00

I love Acts, such a great story of how God uses situations and people to further His kingdom. In todays passage...

Acts 16:25-40

Paul and Silas had just been put in prison, but what do they do? They pray and sing to God. And they had an audience. The other prisoners where listening in. But suddenly there was a big earthquake and the doors flew open and chairs were released. No ordinary eaerthquake that... Anyway, Paul and Silas didnt leave the prison then, instead they calmed down a guard who was going to kill himself, and spoke the gospel to him, and he was saved (from two types of death, physical by killing himself and spiritual for not being with God) right then.

There are so many opportunities for God's people to do His work. Paul and Silas are a great example of that. Even in prison there is a need for God's word. Many christians today are imprisoned for their beliefs and we often think that it would be great for them to get out and continue preaching and teaching, but there is a massive need for it in the prisons too (the prisoners and guards). So when praying for persecuted people, maybe pray not that they would be free, but that they may be doing God's will, which may mean being set free, but maybe not. God is in control.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

Take every opportunity you get, people do listen, even if you think they arent. God works through us to bring people into His kingdom.

Helen is sick :(

2006-10-09T17:23:00.000+10:00

She is at home sleeping it out right now. Hope she is getting good rest. Had a great weekend, and spent heaps of time with her after a week without seeing her. I hope it wasnt any of my germs i brought back from camp that got her ill. Was quite a busy weekend too, heaps went on, and not much sleep could have contributed to getting ill... I dont know, but it would be nice for it to pass. She ahs so much on right now. I'm very proud and very in love with her.

Today at work was nothing special, except that I almost lost my eye, if I wasnt wearing my sunnies I would have. I am 99% sure of that. Whippers are dangerous things... I am working with a different team tomorrow in a different area. But I do get to sleep in half an hour cause they leave the shed at 7 instead of 6:30am. Should be good.

Need to get into the Bible now, need to get more disciplined in that, and in organising for me and Helen to spend more time in it too. You can never have enough Bible. Bible thoughts to follow.

And I'm back... again...

2006-10-06T12:53:00.000+10:00

Got back last night from surf camp. Was great to see the kids growing in their relationships with God up there, and I didnt get sick this time. Was so good to see Helen again last night too, sucks that she couldnt come. Back to work on monday, and a full 5 day week this week because there is no TAFE.

Oh and someone egged my car while it was left at church when we went away. Bit of a lame thing to do, and its just sticky. Just a nuisance really.

Anyway about to go catch up with young ms boyle soon for lunch via church to do powerpoint stuff.

Daily bible thoughts to follow, and more...

Keep travelling. Keep preaching...

2006-10-06T12:11:00.000+10:00

Well Bible reading has still been going well, I am in Acts now (started on the first of Oct) and today it is

Acts 16:6-10
In this short passage Paul and hiscompanions are travelling and preaching, or at least trying to. they are stopped by the Holy Spirit in a few palces. Not giving up though they keep goiing. Then Paul gets a vision about going into Macedonia. So they set off straight away. Paul doesnt give up, he takes every opportunity he has to share Gods word and message of salvation with everyone. He didnt get discouraged by places where he was unable to preach, he just found somewhere else. Dont get discouraged if when you talk to someone or a group of people they seem cold and unreceptive. You have spoken and God will use that in whatever way He see's fit. We do not know who he has chosen or set apart. We just need to keep going, and keep leading people to Him.

Possessions possess

2006-09-29T17:06:00.000+10:00

1 Timothy 6:3-10
Why do we follow God? why do we serve God? Is it for gain, be it financial or something else? That is what Paul is addressing here. There are people out there that think godliness is a means to financial gain. But in doing so they fall away from the truth. Paul also mentions that us striving after wealth will lead us away from godliness too...

10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...

So does this mean we have to get rid of our money and possessions? Not at all, but we need to be content with what we have. We should not strive after something which would be nice to have but we dont need. We need to live in godliness and be content with what we have, just as the passage says.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

We did come into this world with nothing, and we can take nothing from it. So why strive after these things that will not last. What we need doesnt cost us money, Jesus' death on the cross is more amazing than anything we can achieve, and it is a free gift from God. God wants our hearts. He wants to prevent our possessions possessing us. Are you content with what you have?

Elders

2006-09-28T17:02:00.000+10:00

DB - 1 Timothy 5:17 - 6:2
In Paul's first letter to Timothy, he is (and we are too) given alot of instructions. Now I have been a bit slack in posting up bible thoughts for the last week, so you can go back and read abou tthem yourself if you would like (and you should, its a very good read). This passage is looking at our elders, ie. those in place over us in the churhc. Our paid church staff members. How should we treat them? Well Paul says here that...

17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

Elders are worthy of double honour, he also mentions wages, do we consider that when we honour our elders? These guys in place over us have been put in place by God to be leading and guiding His people through His word to come to have greater understanding and a good relationship with Him. Do we recognise and remember that? We go to church, we hear sermons, we put some money in the offering bags/plates when they come round. Do we honour them as much as they're worth? and this isnt just by money either. We need to honour in attitude and action those God has called to lead and teach us...

BiaY - Isaiah 55, 56; Hebrews 10

Isaiah is one of my favourites, yeah I say that about every book dont I... well anyway. It is great. Here are some solid verses from these chapters

Isaiah 55
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God's word is at work and it does have a purpose, and it is doing its purpose. God is control...

Hebrews is great too, check this out from chapter 10

11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Every day the priests were doing their duty and offering sacrifices, but they did nothing. Then this priest, this priest who is God's Son, without sin comes and makes one sacrifice for all. He has made us perfect before God. How awesome is that, and his enemies will be his footstool. I wouldnt want to be a footstool... and with Christ I am not... Are you?

Wow, that went on a bit longer than I thought, but thats cool, have a good one guys...

It's been a while...

2006-09-28T16:37:00.000+10:00

... a week to be exact. Where have I been. Well here. But I started work this week and it has thrown me out of my normal habits. Like waking up at 7:30ish read the bible then get on with the day. Now its - wake up at 5:30am go to work, come home at 4ish then finish the day. I have been waking up at 5am every day BEFORE my alarm goes off which is kinda wierd, maybe in a way God is prodding me to do my bible reading then, rather than wait till I come and either forget about it or do something else. Sometimes routine can be a bad thing, but I need to get something going here...

Other than that, work is going good, everyone is nice. Although it is a trade so sometimes things get carried too far, and language is a bit colourful, but thats ok. I just need to stand out and keep trusting in God. Today I had a conversation with a guy there about why I go to church and do the youth group there, it was awesome, and he started up the conversation too. God gives us the opportunities, we need to take them.

TAFE is still going good, had a bit of an awkward moment this week at thouhg. Not for me, one of the other guys (p1 to make this story easier) there. He does spots in ads on TV as his dad produces them. Anyway one of the guys (p2) in our class came up to him and told him that he saw him on TV during the weekend. So p1 asked "oh yeah, what did you see?". p2 responded "Um, it was on late at night" in a rather 'I dont know if I should be saying this around everyone' voice. At this p1's face looked worried. Anyway to cut this story short, cause this p1 and p2 business is confusing me. p1 was in one of those raunchy sms chat commercials AND his dad produced it. He was getting a few coments for the rest of the day... haha anyway... why would you do that though? moving on...

We (Helen and I) need to get organising for our wedding, I know its a while off, but things NEED to be done. I need to find some sweet ride to take us down to newport after the ceremony, if you have any ideas, drop a comment on here and let me know. I might not listen to it, or take any advice, but it would be nice to get a comment or two. I know people read this, where's the love? Yeah anyway, asked Aaron to be a groomsman so its now up to 3 for me and 2 for Helen (I am winning, haha) Noodles is best maning it up, the glenoes is repping us both cause we both want him up there and Aaron has joined my side, so I guess you could say it is 3 all and that I am not winning. Yeah alot needs to be done.

Helen is amazing!

That is all for now, actually just quickly. I will update my bible readings in the afternoons after work from now on. Last night at Bible Study I was told/reminded that it is encouraging for others to read them too, and people do, and its not just for me to keep track of my bible reading. I guess it is good to be reminded of that. So if you do find things encouraging, leave a comment on that too...

Now, that is all... Tchus

Listen to conscience

2006-09-21T16:53:00.000+10:00

1 Timothy 1:12-20

15... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

That is what Jesus came to do, and He did it. Through saving sinners and working through them he gives His people strength to serve Him. No matter what our backgrounds, Christ can use us. Just look at Paul and what he was like (as he says here in v13 and in many other places). Gods grace was poured out on Paul - granted he came to have a relationship with Jesus in a special way (actually seeing Him) - and through that Paul began to serve. Even though we dont see Jesus in the same way Paul did when he became a Christian, we are still called to serve and to (like it said in yesterdays passage) stand firm.

Paul writes this to Timothy to remind him of this. Just as Paul had been set aside for service, so had Timothy. Timothy is hold on to faith, continue to believe the true gospel, and have a good conscience. Why would it be important to have a good consicence? Well our conscience tells us when we are stuffing up, whether we like it or not. More often than not we dont listen to it. We should be, it is often harder to do so, but it is the way we can be living for God, and the consequences of not listen can be horrible to. In the passage we hear of Hymenaus and Alexander who have been handed over to Satan because of the way they lived. Does that mean that any little thing we do wrong means we are eternally damned. Well apart from the fact that we already deserve death because of our sin. Of course not, we are saved through our faith in Christ's death and resurrection.

17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Stand Firm!

2006-09-20T10:43:00.000+10:00

1 Timothy 1:1-11
Starting off in Timothy today, Paul is writing this letter to Timothy to encourage and support him in his ministry to the church. Timothy had been finding it difficult in what he was doing and Paul is urging him to continue. The church needs someone who will stay true to sound doctrine and speak out against false doctrine. Paul saw the need for Timothy to be there and to stand firm, as the people of Ephesus were being lead astray. They needed good teaching. They needed the gospel.

How often are we tempted to run when things get tough or when we dont know what to say? We have this letter from Paul to Timothy in the bible and it is there to encourage us too. We need to stand firm. We need to also be encouraging others to not give up. People need encouragement...

6:30am

2006-09-18T16:24:00.000+10:00

Well that interview I had last week was good, I was what they were looking for and was told that i would be contacted in about a week and half about coming in for the second round of interviews. I was excited at that, sounded good.

This morning however I was not prepared for them to call up and ask "Hey, can you start work for us this thursday?"...

"Of course" was my answer, after an initial pause for trying to figure out what was going on here...

Apparently, they liked me so much they told their boss, and he said, just hire the guy, he sounds great. So yeah, I am now employed again, which is great. What is even better is that the boss (who I met today) and the receptionist are both committed christians, so that is excellent, and they're top people too. They know about surf camp (a camp our church is running) and are happy for me to go on that even though it is coming up in only 2 weeks...

Going to ogs tonight, then TAFE tomorrow, then for a long due run. Wil lbe good to get back into that...

Oh yeah, the title '6:30am' is there because that is when I am due at work on thursday. Some people would not like that, no problem for me, I am an any time of the day person. Some people like mornings, some people like nights. I like the whole thing...

Quick Review: YouTube

2006-09-18T16:15:00.000+10:00

Some gems, mostly random, but a good way to waste a day or two watching user created or taken videos.

If you dont know what YouTube is check it out - YouTube

Serve, not served

2006-09-18T09:21:00.000+10:00

Matthew 20:17-28
A concerned mother asks of Jesus what she thinks is a good question about where her sons will stand in the kingdom of heaven. She asks whether one can sit at his right and one at his left. She goes about it with sincerity and is reverant when she does it too. She had her sons best interest at heart, but she is missing the point about what the kingdom is about.

When they said "We can" to the question that Jesus asked in return, which was "Can you drink from the cup I am going to drink?", they were right. Jesus was going to suffer, they were going to suffer for his name, and Jesus recognises that. He then goes on to say however, that places in heaven are not His to grant, they are set aside and prepared by His Father. Jesus then uses this opportunity to teach his disciples something.

25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
People in this world lord it over others. Followers of Jesus are called to be different. As Jesus came to serve, not to be served, so should we. Great in this world in no means means great in the kingdom of heaven. Does this mean we should never let anyone serve us? Not at all, but we should not be seeking to be served all the time, and we should have an attitude that we a lower than others and need to be serving them, and not lording it over them.

Gods to give, not ours to earn.

2006-09-17T09:27:00.000+10:00

Matthew 20:1-16
In this passage the kingdom of heaven is likened to a landowner hiring people for his vineyard. In the morning he went out and found people to work in his vineyard and they agreed to a work for a denarius for the day, over the course of the day he went out at regular intervals to find more workers who agreed to the same thing.

Now when pay time came, they all recieved the same amount, and the ones who were hired in the morning began to grumble.

12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

In humanities eyes they have a point, they worked harder and longer than those who worked for the hour at the end of the day. They did deserve more for what they did. However, when thinking about the kingdom of heaven, we have no right to even be there. It is only by God's grace that we can enter. It is His to give, and as much as we think we can work for it - and sometimes we do, it feels good for us to do things for God - but as much we do, we can never come close to earning a place in heaven.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 20
15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?

We do deserve death, all our work amounts to nothing in Gods eyes. The kingdom of heaven is Gods to give, not ours to earn.

Let go...

2006-09-16T10:52:00.000+10:00

Matthew 19:16-30
In this passage, we see the rich young man come up to Jesus to ask what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

You see, right there from the start he has the wrong idea. What good thing must I do. It is nothing we do that we can inherit eternal life. It is all Gods doing. Following on from that, Jesus answers that he must keep the commandments, to which the man says he has and asks what he still lacks. Jesus says..

21..."If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Now the man was sad at what he heard because he was wealthy. He thought he could earn his way into eternal life. He had kept the commandments, but he still felt there was something he needed to do. In fact there was, he needed to let go of his security in this world, and follow Jesus. How much like this rich young man are we. We hold strong to things of this world in which we think we have security. When infact we just need to let go, and give it all to Him.

28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Following Jesus may be hard in this life, but we will recieve a hundred times more AND have eternal life...

Quick Review: V for Vendetta

2006-09-15T12:11:00.000+10:00

A Vision. A Versus. Verifiably a Very Visual Victory, Valued in my Video (dVd) troVe.

I hope this quick review has been helpful for you...

Questioning and Choices

2006-09-15T10:04:00.000+10:00

Back into Matthew today, starting from chapter 19

Matthew 19:1-15
There Pharisees were always out to get Jesus, and what we see here is not idfferent. They ask what seems to be a simple question about marriage/family in v3. But it leads to a clever attempt to trick Jesus about the grounds for divorce. However Jesus taking the argument away from what we can know about here under heaven, speaks about God's will and how marriage was designed to be. Yes Moses did give permission for a man to divorce his wife, but this is only

8because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning...

Arguments like this come up quite often, but are we bringing them up on the right grounds. Jesus here in this passage points them back to creation and God's will so that they can see that what they are arguing is not the main point, rather they should be seeking that will. Making hard choices and questioning things is part of everyday life for us. God never said that living as a Christian would be easy, and that we will need to make hard choices, but He has promised that we will not be alone when we make them.

There are lots of questions we can ask, and lots we dont even think to ask of God. Lots of them are answered through the Bible, some of them arent (or we cannot see them). God wants to have that relationship with us where we come before him with all questions.

Lastly the disciple rebuked thsoe who brought children before Jesus. But Jesus says

14Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Why would the kingdom of heaven belong to children? Well back in Matthew 18 the disciples found out why, and so do we.

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Children are humble and trusting, we need to be trusting in God, putting everything in His hands and following Him, be like His children. When we have hard choices or questions, we need to be bringing them before God...

No lesson learnt...

2006-09-14T14:09:00.000+10:00

So, got a call today to come into an interview for a landscaping job tomorrow. Hope it goes well, would be nice to have some income again.

Also, got some more blisters on places that havent caloused over yet on my fingers, seriously, I thought my fingers were over this and I could play bass non stop now... I was wrong, although I did learn 'One and the same' today a new Audioslave song, good fun to play too, before they turned up, I think I got the blisters from continuous playing. No I didnt learn a lesson from that.

Growth Group (Bible study) tonight, will be good, hasnt been on for a while.

Costly worship

2006-09-14T12:10:00.000+10:00

2 Samuel 24:16-25
This is the last day in Samuel, and here we see the end of the plagues that were started in yesterdays passage.

17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family."

As you can see, David was willing to sacrifice himself and his family rather than let those who follow him be under this plague. David was then instructed to build an altar to the Lord. Now where he was told to build it was a mans property. So he insisted on buying it off the man as well as some oxen for the offering, and he paid well. David didnt want to sacrifice to God what wasnt costly to him. God heard his worship and stopped the plague on Israel.

How different is that from how people act today. DB brought up the whole idea of worship in songs... Not only is worship often only thought of as a song we sing to God, but often it is thought of as something to build ourselves up. Rather, worship is a gift from God to us. He has given us so much, our whole lives should be lived in worship to him, and a type of worship that could be costly to us. We should be willing to give our lives, which is easy to say, and hard to mean. Yes singing songs is an act of worship, but so is the rest of lives. We sing to remind each other of the truths about God and to build each other up, this is praising God.

24 "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

We need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for God, not in the way of killing ourselves, but in giving our all, not just in singing, to Him. Yes it might be costly, but you were bought at a price (1 Cor 6:20) too, and what a cost that was...

Quick Review: Audioslave - Revelations

2006-09-14T10:39:00.000+10:00

Yeah, well I am going to jump on the bandwagon here and start putting more into this blog, starting today... Reviews. and to start it off with, I will review the new Audioslave CD too. However, my reviews in keeping in my nature, will be short, one liners... so, here we go.

Audioslave - Revelations
A step in the right direction, or to the side at least, but not backwards.

Hope this review has been informative to you. See you next time for a quick review.

His mercy is great!

2006-09-13T12:18:00.000+10:00

2 Samuel 24:1-15
In this passage David was faced with 3 choices. The choices were.

3 years of famine in your land
3 month of fleeing from enemies while they pursue you
3 days of plague in your land

If you were king, which one would you choose? All of them would be a hard choice, what does David do. Well in this passage we see what is so great about David. Throughout his story, we learn that he wasnt perfect, he made plenty of mistakes, he is human, like you and me. What is so great though is that he has total trust in God. DB - "He trusted in God's wrath just as completely as he trusted Gods love" - that was a good line I thought from DB. We need to trust God in everything. The good and the bad. Every struggle he can help us with, we just need to trust in Him.

14 Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great...

Australian OH&S

2006-09-11T12:23:00.000+10:00

Part of my landscaping course is to go through OH&S practices. Now here is an example of good quality Australian OH&S footwear for the landscaping trade...

As you can see, a quality product there, plenty of air flow too to keep your feet cool...

9/11 - 5 years on...

2006-09-11T11:34:00.000+10:00

It has been 5 years now since so many people lost there lives in acts of terrorism. 5 years since the world has been in a hightened state of fear about what could happen next. This has touched so many people in so many different ways.

What about me?

I was horrified at what happened, even here in Australia, I was up at midnight watching it unfold and couldnt believe my eyes. After the initial shock of what was happening left and people got to think about it, I too did the same. Being a Christian in a fallen world gives us views on this which others might not see or appreciate. While I do think that what happened, and the things that continue to happen are horrible, and I would love for them to stop.

I do think that while we are in this world, horrible things will continue to happen. Wars, terrorism, poverty, famine, the list goes on. Humans are seperated from God by our sin. We are born and we will die, and without God that would be it. Seeing things like 9/11 happen only impresses in us the fleeting breath of life that we have. There is an urgency for people to know God, life could be taken at any point. I do believe that God was in control of what happened then, and everywhere. God is sovereign. God is a God of love, compassion and mercy in the midst of suffering.

Is suffering a direct result of our sin? No, it could be linked, but it doesnt have to be. Does that mean that people who died and lost their lives were sinners? Yes, we all are. Were they any worse than everyone else? No, we have ALL fallen short of God's glory and as such all deserve death, however in His grace He has given us his one and only Son to be the propitiation (or the substitute for us, by taking the death we deserve on the cross) for our sins. Why then did these people die, and why does God allow acts of terrorism and other horible things to happen? I do not know, it is all part of God's plan, but it does give us a sense of urgency to be evangalising the world, so that those in need can be saved...

Wow, bit of a ramble there, hope it all made sense... drop a message if you would like to and share your views...

God of War

2006-09-11T10:07:00.000+10:00

There are lots of different ideas we have of God, the loving father, the creator, the just judge, the list goes on. Today the passage looks at how God is a God of war too.

2 Samuel 22:31-51
We see David here praising God for the strength and training for battle that he has been given by God. God guided and protected him in battle. The Israelites were now living in a time of peace, and that is only thanks to God, who worked through many bloodshed battles with David. David and the Israelites realised that God is a God of war too.

In the same way, we need to recognise that God is a God of war. We do not know when, but there is a time that God has set aside when this world will end. At the same time, we need to be thankful for times of peace, because He is also the one at work behind these times of peace.

47 "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!

Random Top 5: Video's I own

2006-09-11T09:57:00.000+10:00

No not DVD's, this is old school videos baby, this time RT5 is going old school. Lets see here, my top 5 videos in no order.

Braveheart - always a great movie, incidentally, I own this on DVD too.
Dragon Ball Z - Well I used to love this show, and as such I actually taped every single episode, I dont watch it now, but since I was so into it then I think it should be in this RT5, especially as this collection takes up so much room
Forest Gump - One of my all time favourites, I am yet to get this on DVD
24 - I know this show came up in my favourite TV show RT5, but the only way I could watch it was if it was taped since I was out on the nights it was on, therefore, it earned a place here too.
Blank Tape - Always useful, for those programs you just want to see but cant, and since money is an issue, one of those HDD DVD recorders is out of the question at the moment, so Blank Tape, you get the last place of honour.

There you have it, another RT5. You can still be the first to reply to one of these, but I know that since this is blogger beta that people will need to get a new account (or upgrade their old one) to do so. So until this beta build gets rolled out, I think I will be talking to myself... Take care.

Hamo Pico

2006-09-11T09:53:00.000+10:00

This is one of the pics from Hamilton Island, as you can see it is very dark. Thats what it was like up there... well not really, that photo was actually taken at night time incase you couldnt tell. For some other (more interesting?) photos you can check out Helens blog

Hamilton Island

2006-09-11T09:46:00.000+10:00

Well I thought I would do a brief update on the 2 days up there.

Was nice weather
Went snorkelling with a turtle and some stingrays
Helen trod on a stingray
We played mini golf, I won by 1
Breakfasts were good
Lunches and dinners were also great
Great company up there
Will be going back there one day for sure
Next time I will drive a golf buggy around, didnt get to this time, but that is ok, was an awesome time anyway.

See that was brief, might write more about it sometime...

By God's Power

2006-09-10T08:55:00.000+10:00

Well I have missed out on this for a few days now, but will get back into it.

2 Samuel 22:17-30
David here recognises the power of God, how God has worked through all the amazing things in his life. That God is doing all these things, and that he is not. David was King here, it could have been quite easy for him to take credit for his own work and to forget about what God had done for him. Humans often take credit for their own work and forget that God is guiding them. We see this in Jesus' time too when the Pharisees take credit for the way they live. Jesus tells a story of 2 people praying in the temple. The first was a Pharisee who praised himself, thanking God that he was not like the second man. The second man was a tax collector, who humbly begged for God's mercy.

How should we be living? in our own praise or praising God?

29 You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop ;
with my God I can scale a wall.

God is there to help us, whether we realise it or not. David had a partnership with God. We have the same partnership with God through the Holy Spirit.

How great is God!