For regular visitors to my lovely corner of webspace, I have written many articles on things I have encountered, things I have done (such as my last post before this one), and musings on a sort-of philosophical playing field. And all these are good and valid things I have written, but not a lot about the man behind the blog. My very first post was an introduction saying that my blog was for reflection on life and anything else that takes my fancy. Readers beware – I’m about to get brutally honest with myself.
Over the last few days, I have felt like crap. Sure I’ve been enjoying life, keeping a smile on the dial, but for the most part inwardly I have been feeling empty. I know that He is close, but I feel like God is far away from me at the moment. For all I know, it is probably just a patch or a phase I’m going through. But for the moment I’ve been feeling empty inside, I’ve been feeling lost and confused about a few things, and this feeling of being lost has only added to what I can only define as feeling crap!
I’m not writing this post to seek pity. Just simply – for the first time in a long time – being honest with myself with where I’m at.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The Last-Minute Rush
With November fast catching up in the calendar year, it is becoming apparent to me that I still have much to do academically!
November 1 used to be an ‘historic’ landmark. Because of the nature of my out-of-studies work (being in a factory involved in mass production), I always defined November 1 as the start of the “Christmas Period”, the infamous eight-week period where production seems to triple from nowhere, pushing man and machine to their limits. Tempers fly, screws come loose, stuff breaks down (albeit at the worst possible time), but at the end of the day it’s a job well done…for eight weeks! Thankfully, my “Christmas Period” doesn’t start until November 28, but the time at Window Treatments that will be spent full-time will be hard enough.
But that’s not what I’m talking about in my blog. November 1 will mark a different landmark. Even now, I am being made aware of the assignments and essays that are still outstanding. I’m sure I’m not alone in this camp. I’m sure that there are others rowing this boat, scrambling frantically to hand in essays before their due date, tying up loose ends with regard to fieldwork, and making sure their PGM is up-to-date. Compared to this, the exams seem like child’s play.
I don’t know about you, whoever you are reading this, but I’m looking forward to exams. I know that when I reach that lovely hallmark that is November 1, I will look back on the year and find that I have grown so much; spiritually, academically, relationally…I can’t name a facet of my life that hasn’t been changed. And yet, I still have so far to go…and I don’t mean two years of study.
I’m sure my workmates will cope with November 1 and beyond. After all, we get a lovely company-paid spit roast on December 23! But as for me, I will be joining them on November 28. For the time being, I’ve got essays to write up and hand in. I’ve got a Diploma to pass and then throw away – spending my credits on the Degree instead.
November 1 used to be an ‘historic’ landmark. Because of the nature of my out-of-studies work (being in a factory involved in mass production), I always defined November 1 as the start of the “Christmas Period”, the infamous eight-week period where production seems to triple from nowhere, pushing man and machine to their limits. Tempers fly, screws come loose, stuff breaks down (albeit at the worst possible time), but at the end of the day it’s a job well done…for eight weeks! Thankfully, my “Christmas Period” doesn’t start until November 28, but the time at Window Treatments that will be spent full-time will be hard enough.
But that’s not what I’m talking about in my blog. November 1 will mark a different landmark. Even now, I am being made aware of the assignments and essays that are still outstanding. I’m sure I’m not alone in this camp. I’m sure that there are others rowing this boat, scrambling frantically to hand in essays before their due date, tying up loose ends with regard to fieldwork, and making sure their PGM is up-to-date. Compared to this, the exams seem like child’s play.
I don’t know about you, whoever you are reading this, but I’m looking forward to exams. I know that when I reach that lovely hallmark that is November 1, I will look back on the year and find that I have grown so much; spiritually, academically, relationally…I can’t name a facet of my life that hasn’t been changed. And yet, I still have so far to go…and I don’t mean two years of study.
I’m sure my workmates will cope with November 1 and beyond. After all, we get a lovely company-paid spit roast on December 23! But as for me, I will be joining them on November 28. For the time being, I’ve got essays to write up and hand in. I’ve got a Diploma to pass and then throw away – spending my credits on the Degree instead.
Monday, October 24, 2005
A Day Out At Arthur's Pass
Today being Labour Day, I had the opportunity to head over to Arthur’s Pass for the day with four of my mates. The idea of the day was just to chill/hang out with one another, have a lot of laughs, throw a rugby ball round (don’t ask me about my Mehrtens impersonation), and to take advantage of the many walking tracks Arthur’s Pass had to offer.
I had an absolutely breathtaking day! We first walked around the small township (actually, to and fro from the Info Centre), deciding what tracks we wanted to walk. In the end we chose two tracks: one lead up to a waterfall, and the other was a four hour return walk through the Bealey Valley. Anyway, the first walk was good. The waterfall walk was only a twenty minute venture, but then we left the “main” track and opted to see this waterfall up close and personal. Man it was HUGE! If I can, I’ll post up some photos of our walk (once I get copies from my friend’s digital camera first).
The second walk was mostly done on the river, where the water wasn’t flowing. Lots of rocks, some water, a heck of a lot of sun, a few burnt bodies, but scenery that you cannot get anywhere else! We walked right to the end of Bealey Valley up to a glacier, where we were met by not only a small waterfall, but a massive snowshelf – in the heat of the day – that you could walk under. But I decided not to, mainly because there were heavy rocks on top of this shelf, and with the snow melting I didn’t want to be underneath if it ever collapsed!
I love expedition. I love tramping. And rather than stay at home in Christchurch, doing goodness-knows-what (probably not a lot), I had the time of my life away from the city. And if the opportunity ever arose to me again, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Arthur’s Pass – I’m coming back sometime! Hopefully soon…
I had an absolutely breathtaking day! We first walked around the small township (actually, to and fro from the Info Centre), deciding what tracks we wanted to walk. In the end we chose two tracks: one lead up to a waterfall, and the other was a four hour return walk through the Bealey Valley. Anyway, the first walk was good. The waterfall walk was only a twenty minute venture, but then we left the “main” track and opted to see this waterfall up close and personal. Man it was HUGE! If I can, I’ll post up some photos of our walk (once I get copies from my friend’s digital camera first).
The second walk was mostly done on the river, where the water wasn’t flowing. Lots of rocks, some water, a heck of a lot of sun, a few burnt bodies, but scenery that you cannot get anywhere else! We walked right to the end of Bealey Valley up to a glacier, where we were met by not only a small waterfall, but a massive snowshelf – in the heat of the day – that you could walk under. But I decided not to, mainly because there were heavy rocks on top of this shelf, and with the snow melting I didn’t want to be underneath if it ever collapsed!
I love expedition. I love tramping. And rather than stay at home in Christchurch, doing goodness-knows-what (probably not a lot), I had the time of my life away from the city. And if the opportunity ever arose to me again, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Arthur’s Pass – I’m coming back sometime! Hopefully soon…
Friday, October 21, 2005
How On Earth...?
This is perhaps my shortest post in blogging history!
I was at my workplace today, and one of my workmates got Tennis Elbow playing Cricket.
Is that even possible?
I was at my workplace today, and one of my workmates got Tennis Elbow playing Cricket.
Is that even possible?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Origins of the East and West
I have Foundation for Missions class on Wednesdays, and I have to say that it was an interesting, insightful class. Allow me to elaborate...
My lecturer was teaching us, with the aid of trusty Microsoft Powerpoint, and on one of the slides he brought up an interesting comparison between Eastern and Western cultures/nations. The picture I've appended at the top of this post serves to highlight these differences, which I will explain shortly. For now, I will more or less echo what my lecturer had to say.
Basically, when you think about it, all the world's major religions had their roots in the East. In fact, every religion can be traced back to the East. And in present day 2005, there isn't much difference; Eastern culture is still very much founded on the Spiritual and the Religious. The first three logos of my banner represent the three major religions to come from the East.
Contrast that with Western civilization. While the West was founded initially on Christian principle, today it is seldom practised. Since the days of Darwin, Man (I use this term plurally) has broken away from his Creator and instead opted to do things his way, which brings us to the other three logos: namely, Atheism (represented by the hammer and sickle), Rationality (representing modern thinking man, bound only to the natural), and Science (of which modern thinking man appeals to instead of God). So Western culture is very much grounded in the Rational, the Real, the Natural, and the Scientific.
It was interesting having this difference explained to me, because - while it had existed for a long time - I had not known of it before. I had never thought of it that way. And this is the very world with which I am a part. I am in this scientific, rational culture, bereft of its Creator.
And yet...I have a duty to bring God back into the equation. For East to meet West again, as it did in the Apostle Paul's time, and those that had gone after him.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
The J Can Dance!
Tonight was Ole, a ball run by the 20’s group at my Church. About a hundred people turned up, a band named ‘Ritmo Latino’ provided the musical entertainment, and there was limbo and dancing galore.
Would you believe, there IS a dancing bone somewhere in my body! Now, I’ve never been in a dancing school, never taken lessons, never danced before in my life. Yet here I am – complete greenhorn – up the front bustin’ a groove! What an absolutely fantastic time it was! I’d do it again if I could.
Anyway, must dash. It’s nearly 1am and I have to get up at half past 6 to get ready for a Marae visit. Man am I going to be tired…
But hey, at least I can dance…after all =)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The Spirit Made Me Write This!
I have often wondered why we do this. Not that everyone does it, but they are out there, at this very minute, as I type my post. I’m talking about Christians who seem to explain away situations with that world famous biblical clique: “The Spirit made me do it…”, “God told me to…” or, “The Spirit told me it was OK…”
Have you ever had a conversation with a fellow Brother or Sister in Christ, and have they spoken this infamous one-liner? Have you caught yourself saying it?
The times I have heard it spoken to me by good mates of mine, is usually when they have rang me up for a listening ear. And hey, we all need that kind of accountability aye. But often when they have asked me for my opinion on the matter, naturally I have given it (more often than not my opinion is a challenge to what they rang me up for). And it is only when I challenge them on their lifestyle do I hear that the Spirit said it was OK. I find that somewhat irritating, and here’s why. First off, why ring me if the Spirit said it was cool? Surely the entire point of the phone call was because you felt a nagging within yourself, and you wanted to know a solution to the problem. But in acknowledging the problem is to also say that the Spirit wasn’t cool with it. If the Spirit was cool with it, then there is no problem, right?
Secondly, as was affirmed in my N.T. class today, the Spirit – being the very nature of our Father God – would not partake in anything contrary to His being or His will. And if we imagine that the Spirit said that sleeping with someone outside of marriage was OK, then what Spirit is that person listening to? Also, remember that even the Devil can masquerade as an Angel of Light.
And thirdly, and I know it sounds blunt, but using that one-liner sounds so much like a cop-out! Rather than face our sins and our shortcomings, we would rather shut them up, bolt them down, turn our backs and walk on…without actually dealing with the sin in the first place. That is the way of the sinful nature.
One final note: I have absolutely no doubt at all that the Holy Spirit speaks into the lives of people. But I do doubt I hear the Spirit affirming a sinful act.
Have you ever had a conversation with a fellow Brother or Sister in Christ, and have they spoken this infamous one-liner? Have you caught yourself saying it?
The times I have heard it spoken to me by good mates of mine, is usually when they have rang me up for a listening ear. And hey, we all need that kind of accountability aye. But often when they have asked me for my opinion on the matter, naturally I have given it (more often than not my opinion is a challenge to what they rang me up for). And it is only when I challenge them on their lifestyle do I hear that the Spirit said it was OK. I find that somewhat irritating, and here’s why. First off, why ring me if the Spirit said it was cool? Surely the entire point of the phone call was because you felt a nagging within yourself, and you wanted to know a solution to the problem. But in acknowledging the problem is to also say that the Spirit wasn’t cool with it. If the Spirit was cool with it, then there is no problem, right?
Secondly, as was affirmed in my N.T. class today, the Spirit – being the very nature of our Father God – would not partake in anything contrary to His being or His will. And if we imagine that the Spirit said that sleeping with someone outside of marriage was OK, then what Spirit is that person listening to? Also, remember that even the Devil can masquerade as an Angel of Light.
And thirdly, and I know it sounds blunt, but using that one-liner sounds so much like a cop-out! Rather than face our sins and our shortcomings, we would rather shut them up, bolt them down, turn our backs and walk on…without actually dealing with the sin in the first place. That is the way of the sinful nature.
One final note: I have absolutely no doubt at all that the Holy Spirit speaks into the lives of people. But I do doubt I hear the Spirit affirming a sinful act.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
My Generation cf The Next Generation
I was going to write this post up last week, but never quite got round to it, so here we go…
Last week at my home group saw the final chapter of the “Decisions” bible study we were working through. I had the privilege of leading this particular night, but before we got under way we ‘broke the ice’ with our happenings for the week, and David (our leader) mentioned the recent Bali bombings. What he said was quite freaky, and this is the basis of my post. Definitely worth thinking about.
Twenty years ago, terrorist attacks – especially of this frequency – were unheard of. Islam was a religion seldom mentioned here in the West. Around about the time I was born the world was (relatively) a safe place to live in. But these days things have changed. Ever since the events of September 11 the world was moved into a completely new direction. No longer is there a thing called safety. Islam is now making headlines throughout the world. Terrorism happens every week, every day! You cannot get away with buying the paper and not reading about some sort of terror attack. The world has changed.
Here’s the freaky bit: as I said, when I was growing up these events were unheard of. Terrorism in my childhood was not the norm. But the next generation is growing up with sound knowledge of all these awful events, and they will grow up thinking that this is the norm. Why? Because this is the environment they have been exposed to. To them, this will be the new norm.
I wonder, what will the world be like for the next next generation?
Last week at my home group saw the final chapter of the “Decisions” bible study we were working through. I had the privilege of leading this particular night, but before we got under way we ‘broke the ice’ with our happenings for the week, and David (our leader) mentioned the recent Bali bombings. What he said was quite freaky, and this is the basis of my post. Definitely worth thinking about.
Twenty years ago, terrorist attacks – especially of this frequency – were unheard of. Islam was a religion seldom mentioned here in the West. Around about the time I was born the world was (relatively) a safe place to live in. But these days things have changed. Ever since the events of September 11 the world was moved into a completely new direction. No longer is there a thing called safety. Islam is now making headlines throughout the world. Terrorism happens every week, every day! You cannot get away with buying the paper and not reading about some sort of terror attack. The world has changed.
Here’s the freaky bit: as I said, when I was growing up these events were unheard of. Terrorism in my childhood was not the norm. But the next generation is growing up with sound knowledge of all these awful events, and they will grow up thinking that this is the norm. Why? Because this is the environment they have been exposed to. To them, this will be the new norm.
I wonder, what will the world be like for the next next generation?
Culture Shock
Today was one of the more unique days at College.
On Saturday a group of us students are heading off to Akaroa (pray for sunshine) for the day, and the reason being that we are visiting a Marae. The last time I stepped onto a Marae was when I was about ten, and that was out at Pages Road. Anyway, we had a class today which was a rundown of protocol (sort of a “how-to” of Marae events), and yes…we even got to sing!
The last time I remember singing Maori songs was back at my primary school (loooong time ago), and even then I hadn’t really had a good grasp on the Maori language. Mind you, from an early age I was taught that I didn’t go to school to sing, I went to school to learn.
So fast forward to today. I’m my own person, with my own choices. And I have indeed chosen to sing. And I tell you what: there’s nothing like singing to God in another language. It’s actually quite a rewarding experience, so I can’t wait to step onto this Marae, for the first time in twelve years, singing this song of praise and welcoming one another…
He honore (all honour)
He kororia (all glory)
Maungarongo (peace)
Ki te whenua (over all the earth)
Whakaaro pai e (goodwill)
Ki nga tangata katoa (to all people)
Ake ake (forever, forever)
Amine (amen)
Te Atua (to God)
Te piringa (our desire)
Toku oranga (our well being)
On Saturday a group of us students are heading off to Akaroa (pray for sunshine) for the day, and the reason being that we are visiting a Marae. The last time I stepped onto a Marae was when I was about ten, and that was out at Pages Road. Anyway, we had a class today which was a rundown of protocol (sort of a “how-to” of Marae events), and yes…we even got to sing!
The last time I remember singing Maori songs was back at my primary school (loooong time ago), and even then I hadn’t really had a good grasp on the Maori language. Mind you, from an early age I was taught that I didn’t go to school to sing, I went to school to learn.
So fast forward to today. I’m my own person, with my own choices. And I have indeed chosen to sing. And I tell you what: there’s nothing like singing to God in another language. It’s actually quite a rewarding experience, so I can’t wait to step onto this Marae, for the first time in twelve years, singing this song of praise and welcoming one another…
He honore (all honour)
He kororia (all glory)
Maungarongo (peace)
Ki te whenua (over all the earth)
Whakaaro pai e (goodwill)
Ki nga tangata katoa (to all people)
Ake ake (forever, forever)
Amine (amen)
Te Atua (to God)
Te piringa (our desire)
Toku oranga (our well being)
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
My View vs The Church
(Disclaimer: This is going to be a large post.)
I was reading the post of a good friend of mine, and it has inspired me to write a post of my own regarding the issues he has raised. You can read the original post(s) here and here (you may need to read them in order to get a better grip on what I’m trying to say).
There are two things I want to explore in my post, all of which have been gleaned from my friend’s post. These are:
A Divided Church versus A Unified Church
What exactly is it that divides a Church? What can happen in order to have a unified one instead? I guess this is both a problem and a solution for churches nationwide – or worldwide for that matter.
I want to first open with a quote from my friend’s post:
In a perfect world I would like to see one church
stand together against Satan and not fall down
because they can't agree on which denomination
they belong to. (1)
I find it amazing that whenever I have asked people about their Christian journey, they more often than not say, “I’m a Baptist” or, “I’m a Catholic” or, “I’m Anglican”. I was once asked this and I responded with “I’m a Christian”. I didn’t say that to sound smug or superior. I said it because that’s who I am. My name is Ryan Sumner, and I am a Christian. I can’t pinpoint the exact time that denominations turned into “armed factions”, but that’s what has happened in today’s church. We have become entrenched in this thinking that says my church is the right church, and all those others are wrong! It’s like saying the Anglicans have the way of salvation, and the rest are like blind guides. Did I miss something? Isn’t Jesus Christ, the Son of God the way of salvation? And if that is so, then how is it that we believe that Christ is only part of one denomination? He flipping isn’t! The Bible tells us that the church is His bride, not one or two denominations. Let’s get that record straight!
Last month, various denominations pulled strings and hosted Pastor Greg Laurie and musician Rebecca St. James at the Christchurch Town Hall for an amazing night of evangelism. Good grief, did I say various? I hope that serves an example that different denominations can work together without debate. It can be done.
Hypocrisy within the Church
It is no surprise that we as Christians are constantly bombarded with accusations of hypocrisy. And our usual inclination is to bite back and charge that it is all lies. And I know I can find a number of biblical texts to throw at the accusers, but let’s hit the pause button. If I did that, would I not be fuelling their flames? To fight fire with fire, I would not be winning a soul for Christ; I would instead be proving that I am no different to everyone else. Instead, would it not make sense to listen to what the charge is? I mean, we can’t deny what Capill did.
Allow me to quote a second time from the same post:
…its just that in the world and the church these things
are so relaxed. That said, if we as church relax
whatever rules and laws are we not in danger
of becoming hypocrites…(2)
This is what the church in Corinth did 2000 years ago, and (sadly) this is repeated in so many churches. In 1 Cor 5, we have an account of a member who is practising an abhorrent sexual sin. While we probably don’t have church members (congregation and worship team, there is no distinction) doing that sort of thing, most churches these days are affected with the cancer I like to call tolerance. Churches have become lax. Churches are tolerant of sin. Dare I say this?
If you disagree with that comment, take a look at your church, and tell me that you don’t have the following:
I’ll stop my rant here and wait for the oncoming storm of comments. But before you leave a nasty comment (if you plan on writing a nasty one), stop and think for a moment. Has anything I’ve said been an outright lie? Or do I actually have a point? Is there an actual problem with Christianity out there? And if there is, what are we prepared to do about this problem?
Someone suggested being more like Christ. I say we invest our lives – and our lifestyles – in that achievement.
Notes:
(1) See http://youraveragechristian.blogspot.com/2005/10/lets-get-controversial-part-2.html.
(2) ibid.
(3) To get a better understanding, I recommend either Maximised Manhood (Edwin Louis Cole) or I Kissed Dating Goodbye (Joshua Harris).
I was reading the post of a good friend of mine, and it has inspired me to write a post of my own regarding the issues he has raised. You can read the original post(s) here and here (you may need to read them in order to get a better grip on what I’m trying to say).
There are two things I want to explore in my post, all of which have been gleaned from my friend’s post. These are:
- A Divided Church versus A Unified Church
- Hypocrisy within the Church
A Divided Church versus A Unified Church
What exactly is it that divides a Church? What can happen in order to have a unified one instead? I guess this is both a problem and a solution for churches nationwide – or worldwide for that matter.
I want to first open with a quote from my friend’s post:
In a perfect world I would like to see one church
stand together against Satan and not fall down
because they can't agree on which denomination
they belong to. (1)
I find it amazing that whenever I have asked people about their Christian journey, they more often than not say, “I’m a Baptist” or, “I’m a Catholic” or, “I’m Anglican”. I was once asked this and I responded with “I’m a Christian”. I didn’t say that to sound smug or superior. I said it because that’s who I am. My name is Ryan Sumner, and I am a Christian. I can’t pinpoint the exact time that denominations turned into “armed factions”, but that’s what has happened in today’s church. We have become entrenched in this thinking that says my church is the right church, and all those others are wrong! It’s like saying the Anglicans have the way of salvation, and the rest are like blind guides. Did I miss something? Isn’t Jesus Christ, the Son of God the way of salvation? And if that is so, then how is it that we believe that Christ is only part of one denomination? He flipping isn’t! The Bible tells us that the church is His bride, not one or two denominations. Let’s get that record straight!
Last month, various denominations pulled strings and hosted Pastor Greg Laurie and musician Rebecca St. James at the Christchurch Town Hall for an amazing night of evangelism. Good grief, did I say various? I hope that serves an example that different denominations can work together without debate. It can be done.
Hypocrisy within the Church
It is no surprise that we as Christians are constantly bombarded with accusations of hypocrisy. And our usual inclination is to bite back and charge that it is all lies. And I know I can find a number of biblical texts to throw at the accusers, but let’s hit the pause button. If I did that, would I not be fuelling their flames? To fight fire with fire, I would not be winning a soul for Christ; I would instead be proving that I am no different to everyone else. Instead, would it not make sense to listen to what the charge is? I mean, we can’t deny what Capill did.
Allow me to quote a second time from the same post:
…its just that in the world and the church these things
are so relaxed. That said, if we as church relax
whatever rules and laws are we not in danger
of becoming hypocrites…(2)
This is what the church in Corinth did 2000 years ago, and (sadly) this is repeated in so many churches. In 1 Cor 5, we have an account of a member who is practising an abhorrent sexual sin. While we probably don’t have church members (congregation and worship team, there is no distinction) doing that sort of thing, most churches these days are affected with the cancer I like to call tolerance. Churches have become lax. Churches are tolerant of sin. Dare I say this?
If you disagree with that comment, take a look at your church, and tell me that you don’t have the following:
- Openly gay ministers.
- Fornicators on the worship team. (3)
- Preachers who don’t practice what they preach.
- Pornographers on the ministry team.
- People in the church (ministry and congregation) that you know are living un-Christ like lives, turning up to church, and thinking everything is ok.
I’ll stop my rant here and wait for the oncoming storm of comments. But before you leave a nasty comment (if you plan on writing a nasty one), stop and think for a moment. Has anything I’ve said been an outright lie? Or do I actually have a point? Is there an actual problem with Christianity out there? And if there is, what are we prepared to do about this problem?
Someone suggested being more like Christ. I say we invest our lives – and our lifestyles – in that achievement.
Notes:
(1) See http://youraveragechristian.blogspot.com/2005/10/lets-get-controversial-part-2.html.
(2) ibid.
(3) To get a better understanding, I recommend either Maximised Manhood (Edwin Louis Cole) or I Kissed Dating Goodbye (Joshua Harris).
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