Friday, November 03, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Inner Reflection
I think it’s time to be honest with myself for a change.
It has been awhile since my last real post on my blog, and there are some reasons for this. The first is that I have, more or less, lost my motivation when it comes to blogging. The second is that I am going through a rough patch at the moment (in which I know I am not alone in), which is contributing to my loss of motivation. This ‘patch’ is study-related; I am going through what can only be described as a phase in my life where I have wanted to basically walk out. I have wanted to chuck in the towel, as it were, and walk out of my studies. I have found this semester to be a difficult one. It feels like I am caught in some sort of ‘limbo’ in my study life, where there seems to be a high workload yielding low rewards. By walking out, I can leave all this crapness behind me, start afresh and find motivation again. Maybe I will return, maybe not.
But that, of course, is not the answer…
I know that to have come this far in my studies, to walk out on it would tell me that everything I had to sacrifice in order to get into college would be for nothing. Walking out isn’t going to achieve the end goal. Walking out isn’t going to allow me to graduate, much less get me the degree. Despite my feelings of utter despair, despite this storm of life, I must press on. I hope I am not alone in this. If I am, then consider this post a whinge that has allowed me to express my inner feelings. If I am not alone, then at least I am not the only one going through this.
It has been awhile since my last real post on my blog, and there are some reasons for this. The first is that I have, more or less, lost my motivation when it comes to blogging. The second is that I am going through a rough patch at the moment (in which I know I am not alone in), which is contributing to my loss of motivation. This ‘patch’ is study-related; I am going through what can only be described as a phase in my life where I have wanted to basically walk out. I have wanted to chuck in the towel, as it were, and walk out of my studies. I have found this semester to be a difficult one. It feels like I am caught in some sort of ‘limbo’ in my study life, where there seems to be a high workload yielding low rewards. By walking out, I can leave all this crapness behind me, start afresh and find motivation again. Maybe I will return, maybe not.
But that, of course, is not the answer…
I know that to have come this far in my studies, to walk out on it would tell me that everything I had to sacrifice in order to get into college would be for nothing. Walking out isn’t going to achieve the end goal. Walking out isn’t going to allow me to graduate, much less get me the degree. Despite my feelings of utter despair, despite this storm of life, I must press on. I hope I am not alone in this. If I am, then consider this post a whinge that has allowed me to express my inner feelings. If I am not alone, then at least I am not the only one going through this.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com |
Friday, June 23, 2006
R.I.P. Dick Smith ADSL Router
My apologies to all, but I had a bit of an issue. My DSL Router at home (which is my only gateway to the Internet) decided to crap itself royally - leaving me without online capabilities. So basically...
- I couldn't access any money
- I couldn't send or receive any emails
- I couldn't check out my standing on TVNZ Virtual World Cup
- I couldn't do any blogging
So I've had a fun time outside of Cyberspace, but I'm back. Bought myself a new Router so, errrmm...welcome back, I guess...
P.S. Stupid technology...!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Apostate Christianity Survey
I read this in a newsletter I stumbled upon purely by chance. Inside this newsletter was a survey taken among Evangelicals in North America, which is what this post is.
Here’s what will happen: I’ll leave this post up for a week, letting you guys read through it and post your responses as comments (I’d love to know what you all think about this). After the week, I’ll post up my own response.
Enjoy…
----------
Survey: Two-Thirds of Evangelicals doubt Jesus’ words regarding Salvation through Him alone.
There's a new poll out which points to a growing rejection among Evangelicals that Jesus is the only way of salvation. For years, most evangelical Christians have been taught and accepted the words of Jesus in John 14:6, where He states, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father but my Me." But now a new Newsweek/Beliefnet poll is showing a shocking number of people who call themselves evangelical and born-again have come to reject those words. The question in the poll read: "Can a good person who isn't of your religious faith go to heaven or attain salvation, or not?" According to the poll results of more than 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older, 68 percent of evangelical Christians believe "good" people of other faiths can also go to heaven. Nationally, 79 percent of those surveyed said the same thing, with an "astounding" 91 percent agreement among Catholics, notes Beliefnet. Beliefnet spokesman Steven Waldman calls the results "pretty amazing."
Here’s what will happen: I’ll leave this post up for a week, letting you guys read through it and post your responses as comments (I’d love to know what you all think about this). After the week, I’ll post up my own response.
Enjoy…
----------
Survey: Two-Thirds of Evangelicals doubt Jesus’ words regarding Salvation through Him alone.
There's a new poll out which points to a growing rejection among Evangelicals that Jesus is the only way of salvation. For years, most evangelical Christians have been taught and accepted the words of Jesus in John 14:6, where He states, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father but my Me." But now a new Newsweek/Beliefnet poll is showing a shocking number of people who call themselves evangelical and born-again have come to reject those words. The question in the poll read: "Can a good person who isn't of your religious faith go to heaven or attain salvation, or not?" According to the poll results of more than 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older, 68 percent of evangelical Christians believe "good" people of other faiths can also go to heaven. Nationally, 79 percent of those surveyed said the same thing, with an "astounding" 91 percent agreement among Catholics, notes Beliefnet. Beliefnet spokesman Steven Waldman calls the results "pretty amazing."
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Moral Laxity
As much as it is not the nicest title to give to any post, through observation over time, I believe something needs to be addressed on this issue. I open this post with two recent examples:
Example 1
For three days out of my average week, I attend four (nee five) lectures at Bible College, plus whatever extra time I decide to spend in the Library studying. I’ve made a ton of awesome friends during my time there, and dare I venture to suggest, I’ve got a family there. But there are issues within the family. A couple of weeks ago, one of my peers left their desk for a short moment. When they came back, they found that their iPod and wristwatch were stolen. At the time of writing this post, they have not yet been recovered.
Example 2
After a three week absence, I returned to the Laser Strike arena, a game that I consider a sport, probably because I’ve never really taken up a proper sport and kept at it (I’ve stuck with L.S. for the past three, nearly four years). It’s great fitness and I’ve carved up a nice group there as well. In one game our lot played, we were joined by a bunch of nine teenagers, whom I recognized as youth from my home Church. We played the game, as you do, but it was not until we finished the game that I heard some interesting things from both camps. From my group, complaints of contact (the definition of contact within a L.S. context is broad, but I can state here that the contact was very light). But apparently, I had been told of threats from the youth side to specific member(s) of the group I was a part of. In addition, during the game it’s funny to see how people transform into green-streaked, competitive fighters, where the use of language is disregarded and the fact that they are Christians doesn’t seem to be factored into the equation. I think I’ve made my point.
In other words, to tie in these two examples, what the heck is going on with the Christian community? How can one justify the theft of any item within a Bible college? And this is a question shared by many at the college; it doesn’t seem to make sense. What kind of Christian witness is out there in the world, be it within college walls, laser strike arenas, mate’s houses, events…you get the idea.
In short, I believe there is a severe moral laxity among Christians in today’s world. And the Church, it seems, is making no inroads in dealing with these issues. It’s as if we are left to fend for ourselves, with the Church waving at us, saying “It’s OK – Jesus loves you anyway.” How do we expect to make a difference in society, proclaiming a message of hope and love, when Christians cannot even demonstrate that themselves?
I’m sorry if this sounds all too much like a whing and a whine – but someone’s got to voice their concerns…
Example 1
For three days out of my average week, I attend four (nee five) lectures at Bible College, plus whatever extra time I decide to spend in the Library studying. I’ve made a ton of awesome friends during my time there, and dare I venture to suggest, I’ve got a family there. But there are issues within the family. A couple of weeks ago, one of my peers left their desk for a short moment. When they came back, they found that their iPod and wristwatch were stolen. At the time of writing this post, they have not yet been recovered.
Example 2
After a three week absence, I returned to the Laser Strike arena, a game that I consider a sport, probably because I’ve never really taken up a proper sport and kept at it (I’ve stuck with L.S. for the past three, nearly four years). It’s great fitness and I’ve carved up a nice group there as well. In one game our lot played, we were joined by a bunch of nine teenagers, whom I recognized as youth from my home Church. We played the game, as you do, but it was not until we finished the game that I heard some interesting things from both camps. From my group, complaints of contact (the definition of contact within a L.S. context is broad, but I can state here that the contact was very light). But apparently, I had been told of threats from the youth side to specific member(s) of the group I was a part of. In addition, during the game it’s funny to see how people transform into green-streaked, competitive fighters, where the use of language is disregarded and the fact that they are Christians doesn’t seem to be factored into the equation. I think I’ve made my point.
In other words, to tie in these two examples, what the heck is going on with the Christian community? How can one justify the theft of any item within a Bible college? And this is a question shared by many at the college; it doesn’t seem to make sense. What kind of Christian witness is out there in the world, be it within college walls, laser strike arenas, mate’s houses, events…you get the idea.
In short, I believe there is a severe moral laxity among Christians in today’s world. And the Church, it seems, is making no inroads in dealing with these issues. It’s as if we are left to fend for ourselves, with the Church waving at us, saying “It’s OK – Jesus loves you anyway.” How do we expect to make a difference in society, proclaiming a message of hope and love, when Christians cannot even demonstrate that themselves?
I’m sorry if this sounds all too much like a whing and a whine – but someone’s got to voice their concerns…
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Genealogy Update
I promised updates as they came to hand, so here’s the first in what I hope to be a frequent list of updates.
I was in Central Library on Thursday for a good part of the afternoon, with a mission to find out more of my family line. Prior to this, my lineage became ‘cold’ at my Grandfather (on Dad’s side, the line I am fervently tracing). My aim was to discover who my Great-Grandparents were. After four hours of searching, I came away with what can only be described as a ‘baby-step’ – but it’s still a step nevertheless.
Going through early Electoral rolls, I have found a list of three possibilities of who could be my GG. Although (after some careful out-of-library research) I may have – by process of elimination – discovered who of the three it could be, I can’t help but sit in the chair of “Un-Confirmation”. I would like to confirm beyond all doubt that my Granddad’s Dad is so-and-so, and thus continue my trace of the Sumner family line. And maybe get out of New Zealand and plow through my ancestor’s homeland.
Watch this space…
I was in Central Library on Thursday for a good part of the afternoon, with a mission to find out more of my family line. Prior to this, my lineage became ‘cold’ at my Grandfather (on Dad’s side, the line I am fervently tracing). My aim was to discover who my Great-Grandparents were. After four hours of searching, I came away with what can only be described as a ‘baby-step’ – but it’s still a step nevertheless.
Going through early Electoral rolls, I have found a list of three possibilities of who could be my GG. Although (after some careful out-of-library research) I may have – by process of elimination – discovered who of the three it could be, I can’t help but sit in the chair of “Un-Confirmation”. I would like to confirm beyond all doubt that my Granddad’s Dad is so-and-so, and thus continue my trace of the Sumner family line. And maybe get out of New Zealand and plow through my ancestor’s homeland.
Watch this space…
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Today is a special day for Christianity. Actually, this entire week ("Holy Week" for the more traditional Churches) is special for Christianity. Last Sunday we celebrated with Palm Sunday. This weekend we celebrate what is known as Easter: the atoning death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But today also holds significance; it is the day that the Lord shared The Last Supper with His disciples. Today (or tonight more to the point) I encourage each of you to celebrate this meal with Him. Invite your home group, invite your friends, invite whoever you want. Get some bread and some wine (or whatever you use in its place) and set up this magnificent table. May we 'break the bread' and 'drink of the cup' as we eat this meal in remembrance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Μισώ τις δοκιμές
Tomorrow I have not one, but two tests! The first is a short Greek test, where I get to see if I not only learnt the Greek alphabet (in addition to twenty words), but if I also learnt the Greek grammar (order of words and the like). The second is a bit trickier; my Theological Method 90-minute exam.
I think there are two things on my list of things to do: Study (which I have done, and will do again), and Pray (which I will continuously do). And I’m ready to bet that I’m not the only one in this camp.
Oh well, in any case, I’ve got my hot Chicken soup in hand, and numerous books out in front of me. The fun never ends for a student of the Λόγος.
Peace out!
I think there are two things on my list of things to do: Study (which I have done, and will do again), and Pray (which I will continuously do). And I’m ready to bet that I’m not the only one in this camp.
Oh well, in any case, I’ve got my hot Chicken soup in hand, and numerous books out in front of me. The fun never ends for a student of the Λόγος.
Peace out!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
A Step Forward For Genealogy
Ever since the first few opening weeks of my Spirituality for Ministry class (latter half of last year), I've developed something of a taste for Genealogy. I have conducted numerous internet searches for my forebearers and turned up nothing. The best I can do is get an exhaustive list of migrants to America, which of course doesn't help me. After countless efforts (and failures!) to establish something of a link, last Thursday marked a significant step forward, one in which I aim to build upon.
The image at the top is my Coat of Arms. I got that image after - by accident - stumbling upon a stall at Northlands offering the historical origins of a myriad of last names. Me, being curious and incredibly interested, checked it out, and walked away with an A3-sized 'history of my name', framed. Having gotten a hold of where (and when) my surname originated from, I have at least something to trace back to. I've also been informed by my sister that my Dad holds a wealth of family records, so no doubt I'm going to touch-base with Dad something in the very near future.
After nearly half a year of failures, things are starting to look a tad brighter. Hopefully I can check back with some more info after visiting Dad. But for now, I at least know of my Coat of Arms, as well as its history (and what a history it is as well).
Sunday, April 02, 2006
March 31
March 31: The end of the Financial Year.
March 31: The date for the major stocktake of Window Treatments.
March 31: The bane of my existence here on earth.
Yesterday was the day that I loathe the most. There’s something unappealing to going to work and counting virtually everything in stock. And yet myself – and a handful of the W.T. veterans – arrived that morning ready to arm ourselves with stock sheets and pens, ready to do such meticulous counting. Gaaahh! The only part that was enjoyable? The five savouries and two cake pieces I ate during break (generously shouted by the boss, a long-standing tradition on ‘Stocktake Day’).
After completing that task, I returned home to resume another arduous task: my essay for Sermon on the Mount. I’ve made awesome progression (and discovery) through my research phases, and this afternoon I set out to continue turning my many pages of notes into structured essay. And with Tuesday morning as the time I hand it in, I’ve certainly got my work cut out! The real problem is in how to word my rough notes into the essay. Should be interesting…
In other news, the Crusaders took on the Hurricanes last night, and me and a mate overseas had a drink riding on the game (Coke v Lift Plus). When he gets back in a month’s time, I will have to tell him the “good” news that the Hurricane’s got done! He’s a Wellingtonian, you see, and loyal as anything. Almost as much as I am to Canterbury. Oh well, a Coke for me!
As I’ve always said: C’mon you Crusaders!!!
March 31: The date for the major stocktake of Window Treatments.
March 31: The bane of my existence here on earth.
Yesterday was the day that I loathe the most. There’s something unappealing to going to work and counting virtually everything in stock. And yet myself – and a handful of the W.T. veterans – arrived that morning ready to arm ourselves with stock sheets and pens, ready to do such meticulous counting. Gaaahh! The only part that was enjoyable? The five savouries and two cake pieces I ate during break (generously shouted by the boss, a long-standing tradition on ‘Stocktake Day’).
After completing that task, I returned home to resume another arduous task: my essay for Sermon on the Mount. I’ve made awesome progression (and discovery) through my research phases, and this afternoon I set out to continue turning my many pages of notes into structured essay. And with Tuesday morning as the time I hand it in, I’ve certainly got my work cut out! The real problem is in how to word my rough notes into the essay. Should be interesting…
In other news, the Crusaders took on the Hurricanes last night, and me and a mate overseas had a drink riding on the game (Coke v Lift Plus). When he gets back in a month’s time, I will have to tell him the “good” news that the Hurricane’s got done! He’s a Wellingtonian, you see, and loyal as anything. Almost as much as I am to Canterbury. Oh well, a Coke for me!
As I’ve always said: C’mon you Crusaders!!!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
I am Bond...James Bond
James Bond, Agent 007 | 88% | ||
Neo, the "One" | 75% | ||
Maximus | 75% | ||
El Zorro | 71% | ||
Batman, the Dark Knight | 67% | ||
The Amazing Spider-Man | 63% | ||
Indiana Jones | 58% | ||
Lara Croft | 54% | ||
William Wallace | 54% | ||
The Terminator | 54% | ||
Captain Jack Sparrow | 46% |
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com
Turning Point
Last night my girlfriend and I were at the flat, and a mate of mine (incidentally her brother) visited and we got chatting. We got into a discussion mainly centered on a conversation I had with a guy I work with. Without going into any great details he offered the opportunity for the three of us to get into a ‘prayer circle’ and just pray about anything that came to mind. After we went round the circle as it were, my mate ventured out on a limb, which forms the rest of this post. Hold onto your hats!
Here’s a question to ponder: Is it possible to hold on to unforgiveness for 17 years, without even knowing it, or knowing why? That was my unconscious position for that length of time, yet during the prayer time my mate was getting what he could only fathom as words from the Lord. Acting on these words, he asked if I was holding onto any unforgiveness toward my Mum. I remained silent, although my eyebrow was raised at this point. When he spoke those words, I hadn’t the slightest idea of what he was talking about. If he was speaking the truth, I thought to myself, then I don’t know what’s going on. To my mind, I was harboring no unforgiveness toward my Mum. But his vision from the Lord continued further; he asked me to picture when I was a little boy. And it is from this point that the night took one heck of a turn! To my mind, I had one – only one – memory of anything ill about my Mum when I was a little boy. When I was six, my parents separated (later years would turn separation into divorce), but at the time I had no idea what was going on. My aforementioned memory of my Mum during that time was her walking out of the house, with me looking outside from the spare room. That was it, my memory. Nothing more. I did not think that this was cause for any unforgiveness, but nonetheless I began to explain this event in my life to the prayer circle.
Then my mate began to ask me questions surrounding it; ‘Where was Jesus in all of this?’ I replied to him, ‘Nowhere’, because at the time I had no knowledge of God, and wouldn’t have any until I was 14. If Jesus was there, I sure didn’t see him. That was more or less my response, so my mate prayed to reveal to me exactly where Jesus was in that situation. Retaining my image of Mum walking out (with me in the spare room), I saw in this vision a man dressed in white standing next to me. His hand covered my eyes, and he said to me: “Your eyes will not see this until the proper time.” I did not know what that meant, so I confessed this element of my vision. I was asked then to identify the man in white. My answer was plainly obvious, on the level of being asked to put 2 and 2 together. It was Jesus, and I understood His words. When Mum walked out, I did not understand what was going on. All of this was well above my head; hence my eyes did not see this. The proper time, it seems, would either refer to later years revealing to me the why of the divorce, or to this night.
But throughout this vision I was having, I saw this little boy and Jesus from a third-person perspective. And the little boy was talking to Jesus. And as the outsider looking in – the little boy’s future counterpart – I could hear their conversation. The little me was asking Jesus what was going on, and Jesus was replying in words that could have only been from the mouth of the Lord. My six-year old self had many questions, and Jesus answered them all. During this vision, my mate asked me if there were any lies I took on board since the separation, and he asked the Lord to reveal them to me, if I could not see them. And indeed a lie was revealed to me (but for personal reasons I won’t post them here), to which I replied as to what this was. I was then prayer over to have this lie broken, removed, set free from my life. And no sooner had he prayed over me, I did feel something come off. I did feel loosened from something.
I write this post because I wish not to forget what happened last night. I felt the power of God in a way I have never felt before, for a long time. God came down and revealed to me an unconscious unforgiveness that I was holding onto. And now I can say that I have been set free from the separation, the lies I held to, the events that would shape me as a result. I have been made new, because God had decided that – through my mate – last night was the proper time.
Here’s a question to ponder: Is it possible to hold on to unforgiveness for 17 years, without even knowing it, or knowing why? That was my unconscious position for that length of time, yet during the prayer time my mate was getting what he could only fathom as words from the Lord. Acting on these words, he asked if I was holding onto any unforgiveness toward my Mum. I remained silent, although my eyebrow was raised at this point. When he spoke those words, I hadn’t the slightest idea of what he was talking about. If he was speaking the truth, I thought to myself, then I don’t know what’s going on. To my mind, I was harboring no unforgiveness toward my Mum. But his vision from the Lord continued further; he asked me to picture when I was a little boy. And it is from this point that the night took one heck of a turn! To my mind, I had one – only one – memory of anything ill about my Mum when I was a little boy. When I was six, my parents separated (later years would turn separation into divorce), but at the time I had no idea what was going on. My aforementioned memory of my Mum during that time was her walking out of the house, with me looking outside from the spare room. That was it, my memory. Nothing more. I did not think that this was cause for any unforgiveness, but nonetheless I began to explain this event in my life to the prayer circle.
Then my mate began to ask me questions surrounding it; ‘Where was Jesus in all of this?’ I replied to him, ‘Nowhere’, because at the time I had no knowledge of God, and wouldn’t have any until I was 14. If Jesus was there, I sure didn’t see him. That was more or less my response, so my mate prayed to reveal to me exactly where Jesus was in that situation. Retaining my image of Mum walking out (with me in the spare room), I saw in this vision a man dressed in white standing next to me. His hand covered my eyes, and he said to me: “Your eyes will not see this until the proper time.” I did not know what that meant, so I confessed this element of my vision. I was asked then to identify the man in white. My answer was plainly obvious, on the level of being asked to put 2 and 2 together. It was Jesus, and I understood His words. When Mum walked out, I did not understand what was going on. All of this was well above my head; hence my eyes did not see this. The proper time, it seems, would either refer to later years revealing to me the why of the divorce, or to this night.
But throughout this vision I was having, I saw this little boy and Jesus from a third-person perspective. And the little boy was talking to Jesus. And as the outsider looking in – the little boy’s future counterpart – I could hear their conversation. The little me was asking Jesus what was going on, and Jesus was replying in words that could have only been from the mouth of the Lord. My six-year old self had many questions, and Jesus answered them all. During this vision, my mate asked me if there were any lies I took on board since the separation, and he asked the Lord to reveal them to me, if I could not see them. And indeed a lie was revealed to me (but for personal reasons I won’t post them here), to which I replied as to what this was. I was then prayer over to have this lie broken, removed, set free from my life. And no sooner had he prayed over me, I did feel something come off. I did feel loosened from something.
I write this post because I wish not to forget what happened last night. I felt the power of God in a way I have never felt before, for a long time. God came down and revealed to me an unconscious unforgiveness that I was holding onto. And now I can say that I have been set free from the separation, the lies I held to, the events that would shape me as a result. I have been made new, because God had decided that – through my mate – last night was the proper time.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Time For Change
After dicing it up in my head for almost too long, it’s time to be brutally honest with myself about blogging. Visitors will spot the ever-growing gap between blogs, and that’s for a very good reason; I’ve (sadly) lost the ‘drive’ to blog as frequently as I used to. When I began my blog, it was in the middle of last year for one of my classes. When the nature of my posts didn’t meet the grading criteria, this blog then essentially became my online place to express my thoughts, feelings and opinions, particularly theological ones. These days, my blog has declined into none of the above. Looking back now, I think I placed upon myself unnecessary pressure/obligation to blog. This of course, is the wrong approach, and henceforth I am going to try a different approach to remove the ‘compulsion to post’, the expectation. I will instead opt to turn this blog into a more ‘personal’ direction. My idea at this time is to mainly check in each week with how I’m going, what’s good and what’s not so good in my life…basically, returning to the personal side of blogging (within reason of course). If I have theological musings, these will most likely be written offline on my computer, rather than posted up here.
In any case, I won’t be disappearing completely, just rehashing the whole aspect of blogging.
Peace out!
In any case, I won’t be disappearing completely, just rehashing the whole aspect of blogging.
Peace out!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Of God And Illness
If you’re anything like me, then you hate it when you’re stuck at home nursing some kind of illness. That’s been me over the last couple of days; I’ve been recovering from a sore stomach and, would you believe it, was caused by me eating far too much sugar products! Let’s just say that when you get a bunch of mates sitting at home watching the Crusaders on Sky, one tends to get a bit too “partied-up”, no alcohol needed. That was me on Saturday night…and Sunday/Monday was spent in stomach agony. When will I learn!
But being stuck at home has its upsides too. Like not being at work for instance (although I did go to work on Monday). But I didn’t get to College because I wanted that extra day of recovery, and I’m pleased to report that I am back to my normal, energetic self.
Being stuck at home also allows one to sit back and reflect on God. I mean, what else can you do when you’re crook? When you’re used to sprinting through life, you’re now forced to hit the brakes and take life in the slow lane. I’ve used my “day of slowness” to sit down and catch up on some homework (which I’m now up-to-date with), and it’s interesting that God can be found within my studies. I’m sure many of my College buddies can attest to that. I wouldn’t say that God has leapt every time I flick over a page, but just little seeds here and there have helped me grow in this faith journey we call life.
So the next time you get caught out by any sort of illness, sit back and take the time to mull with God. When you’re healthy and stuck in the fast lane of life, seldom does anyone check up on their personal growth. I am one such person. I need to downshift, and maybe you do too.
But being stuck at home has its upsides too. Like not being at work for instance (although I did go to work on Monday). But I didn’t get to College because I wanted that extra day of recovery, and I’m pleased to report that I am back to my normal, energetic self.
Being stuck at home also allows one to sit back and reflect on God. I mean, what else can you do when you’re crook? When you’re used to sprinting through life, you’re now forced to hit the brakes and take life in the slow lane. I’ve used my “day of slowness” to sit down and catch up on some homework (which I’m now up-to-date with), and it’s interesting that God can be found within my studies. I’m sure many of my College buddies can attest to that. I wouldn’t say that God has leapt every time I flick over a page, but just little seeds here and there have helped me grow in this faith journey we call life.
So the next time you get caught out by any sort of illness, sit back and take the time to mull with God. When you’re healthy and stuck in the fast lane of life, seldom does anyone check up on their personal growth. I am one such person. I need to downshift, and maybe you do too.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Return Of The Student
Disclaimer: Most of you may have noticed that I deleted a post prior to this one. That’s because the post contained a HTML graph that stuffed up the menu on the right of my blog. Hence, I removed the post.
The day has finally arrived; I’m back at Bible College. Today is Wednesday and halfway through the Orientation Week, and man it feels good to be back! I have returned to have a stab at the second year of the Degree problem. It’s interesting being a returning student, among all the first-yearers. I remember when I first started at College. I was like a stunned mullet, with this “what’s going on here” look slapped all over my face, having no clue as to what this new place is and what I’m getting myself chucked into. I know how the new students feel, and I hope that I (and the rest of the returning crew) can get along side the new students and help them into the college family atmosphere. Either way, it’s shaping up to be yet another fun – and hard working – year as we all seek to discover not only our brains, but what God has in store for us as we enter our studies.
Peace out.
The day has finally arrived; I’m back at Bible College. Today is Wednesday and halfway through the Orientation Week, and man it feels good to be back! I have returned to have a stab at the second year of the Degree problem. It’s interesting being a returning student, among all the first-yearers. I remember when I first started at College. I was like a stunned mullet, with this “what’s going on here” look slapped all over my face, having no clue as to what this new place is and what I’m getting myself chucked into. I know how the new students feel, and I hope that I (and the rest of the returning crew) can get along side the new students and help them into the college family atmosphere. Either way, it’s shaping up to be yet another fun – and hard working – year as we all seek to discover not only our brains, but what God has in store for us as we enter our studies.
Peace out.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Merry PC-Christmas
I’ve wanted to write this post for a while, but have never gotten round to it. However, here I am, so brace yourselves in and cast your minds back to Christmas 2005…
I love Christmas. I love the fact that there in our calendars is a day to commemorate the birth of the One who came to save every single human being in history (and future). Years ago, it was just a day for me to get tons of presents, but these days my focus has shifted somewhat. However, not everyone out there shares these views. Yes, I’m referring to both the birth of Jesus and the secular present-swapping tradition. For those of us that keep abreast of the news, we will have followed the uproar of Christmas itself. I read everything in my workmate’s paper about it: there were scores of letters, articles and snippets dedicated to debunking Christmas as “exclusive”, and cries of “multi-culturalism” echoed throughout as a counter or rebuttal. I remember thinking to myself, isn’t it funny how Christianity or anything linked with Christianity gets bricks thrown at it, yet every other religion remains unscathed? Let me elaborate: Christmas is under fire as being too exclusive. Why don’t I hear anything against Hanukkah? Why aren’t people taking pot shots at Ramadan? What about the page-filling story in The Press about the birthday of Hinduism’s foremost deity, Ganesh?
My point to you is this. The cries of “exclusivity” are coming from those who by choice did not wish to partake in the Christmas celebrations themselves, be it celebrating Jesus’ birth, or swapping gifts. Those that are pushing for an “alternate Christmas” (or a “neo-Christmas”) are not only those who would deny Christ’s birth and existence (done by choice of course), but these very same people would have no problem with the other festivities I’ve listed. Hanukkah is specific to the Jews, yet I hear no uproar. Ramadam is the Muslim month of fasting, yet noone throws up their hands and cries “intolerance”. And I don’t recall ever hearing a bad word slung against Ganesh or the Hindu celebrations themselves.
One final point needs to be written: I also find it funny how those that sling arrows at Christianity do so from a most comfortable range. It only seems to be those not interested in belief in Christ (or any “God” for that matter) that seek to bring Him down – or out – for anyone and everyone. How does the general public (aided by the Government) seek to establish a PC, tolerating society when intolerance is still rife? Does the existence of intolerance not suggest that there is a line to live by? Does not the rampant advance of intolerance show us that we are far, far from this line?
I would be willing to bet that God is looking down on His creation. And He is crying. He is crying to a world without ears. He is crying to a people that couldn’t care less. And we have done all this…by choice.
I love Christmas. I love the fact that there in our calendars is a day to commemorate the birth of the One who came to save every single human being in history (and future). Years ago, it was just a day for me to get tons of presents, but these days my focus has shifted somewhat. However, not everyone out there shares these views. Yes, I’m referring to both the birth of Jesus and the secular present-swapping tradition. For those of us that keep abreast of the news, we will have followed the uproar of Christmas itself. I read everything in my workmate’s paper about it: there were scores of letters, articles and snippets dedicated to debunking Christmas as “exclusive”, and cries of “multi-culturalism” echoed throughout as a counter or rebuttal. I remember thinking to myself, isn’t it funny how Christianity or anything linked with Christianity gets bricks thrown at it, yet every other religion remains unscathed? Let me elaborate: Christmas is under fire as being too exclusive. Why don’t I hear anything against Hanukkah? Why aren’t people taking pot shots at Ramadan? What about the page-filling story in The Press about the birthday of Hinduism’s foremost deity, Ganesh?
My point to you is this. The cries of “exclusivity” are coming from those who by choice did not wish to partake in the Christmas celebrations themselves, be it celebrating Jesus’ birth, or swapping gifts. Those that are pushing for an “alternate Christmas” (or a “neo-Christmas”) are not only those who would deny Christ’s birth and existence (done by choice of course), but these very same people would have no problem with the other festivities I’ve listed. Hanukkah is specific to the Jews, yet I hear no uproar. Ramadam is the Muslim month of fasting, yet noone throws up their hands and cries “intolerance”. And I don’t recall ever hearing a bad word slung against Ganesh or the Hindu celebrations themselves.
One final point needs to be written: I also find it funny how those that sling arrows at Christianity do so from a most comfortable range. It only seems to be those not interested in belief in Christ (or any “God” for that matter) that seek to bring Him down – or out – for anyone and everyone. How does the general public (aided by the Government) seek to establish a PC, tolerating society when intolerance is still rife? Does the existence of intolerance not suggest that there is a line to live by? Does not the rampant advance of intolerance show us that we are far, far from this line?
I would be willing to bet that God is looking down on His creation. And He is crying. He is crying to a world without ears. He is crying to a people that couldn’t care less. And we have done all this…by choice.
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Amazing Thing About Grace
I was cleaning out my room the other day, and I discovered a book that I had not read in a very long time. This book was Philip Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace? This book has a history: A cell group I once belonged to (that is, before it disbanded) used this book as the basis of our studies. In fact, the copy I own of Yancey’s book was a study guide to it. Either way, we were unable to complete our study of the topic of Grace, due to our group splitting off.
Anyways, the re-discovery of this book got me thinking. What is so amazing about grace? And at work one day, the answer came to me. Ponder this passage of scripture for a while…
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
One of the central keys to Christianity is the doctrine of Grace. Jesus came as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sin, which of course was His saving act by His blood, on the Cross. One thing to bear in mind about salvation by Grace is that it stands in stark contrast to salvation by Works. And here’s where I got thinking in overdrive: when we do wrong against another person, our natural tendency is to “work” off the transgression we caused to him or her. A sense of guilt accompanies an act of wrong, and we naturally try to work off our guilt, in the hope that we have done enough in order to satisfy the person we’ve wronged. Now, almost every major religion (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, et al.) stresses that it is by our good works that we are able to be made perfect. And you would expect an all-powerful God – creator of all things - to look at us humans, and look at those who have done the greatest. Yet the very same all-powerful Creator God does the exact opposite to the common sense and logic of human thinking. In fact, the message of Grace can be summed up this way:
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8
Anyways, the re-discovery of this book got me thinking. What is so amazing about grace? And at work one day, the answer came to me. Ponder this passage of scripture for a while…
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
One of the central keys to Christianity is the doctrine of Grace. Jesus came as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of Sin, which of course was His saving act by His blood, on the Cross. One thing to bear in mind about salvation by Grace is that it stands in stark contrast to salvation by Works. And here’s where I got thinking in overdrive: when we do wrong against another person, our natural tendency is to “work” off the transgression we caused to him or her. A sense of guilt accompanies an act of wrong, and we naturally try to work off our guilt, in the hope that we have done enough in order to satisfy the person we’ve wronged. Now, almost every major religion (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, et al.) stresses that it is by our good works that we are able to be made perfect. And you would expect an all-powerful God – creator of all things - to look at us humans, and look at those who have done the greatest. Yet the very same all-powerful Creator God does the exact opposite to the common sense and logic of human thinking. In fact, the message of Grace can be summed up this way:
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8
Arthur's Pass
Remember my post from way back when I went over to Arthur's Pass for the day? Here's some photos of the day =)
Enjoy...
The Crew (Left to Right: Ricardo, Miriam, Andrea, Myself and Peter)
The Crew (sans Andrea) atop a bridge on the Devil's Punchbowl track
A view of a really cool mountain
Devil's Punchbowl Falls
This is the self-suspending ice-shelf I made reference to in my last post about Arthurs's Pass. Considering it's the middle of Spring and it was roughly 25 degrees outside, this was the most impressive bit of the whole tramp!
Enjoy...
The Crew (Left to Right: Ricardo, Miriam, Andrea, Myself and Peter)
The Crew (sans Andrea) atop a bridge on the Devil's Punchbowl track
A view of a really cool mountain
Devil's Punchbowl Falls
This is the self-suspending ice-shelf I made reference to in my last post about Arthurs's Pass. Considering it's the middle of Spring and it was roughly 25 degrees outside, this was the most impressive bit of the whole tramp!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Full Scale Clean-Up!
Although it wasn’t intended, this post is mainly ‘an extension’ to my previous post.
I have titled this particular post as is on purpose. Basically, I need prayer…tonnes of it! I have fallen into a lull in my lifestyle at the moment, and it has created a suffocating aura, an aura that promotes nothing but sheer laziness. It’s not that I don’t do anything, it’s just that I have fallen into a trap (like so many people do) of getting into a habit of playing far too many computer games. Yep, I get home after work and the first thing I do is blob. Where do I blob? Not in the lounge, that’s for sure. I blob in my room, in front of this screen of mine, and waste my time playing games.
However, I need a change. Prior to typing this post I uninstalled every single game off my computer, now I need to pack away the boxes. The prayer is mainly for not only breaking this deadly and anti-social habit, but to also devote my time to more meaningful, fulfilling activities.
Thank you…
I have titled this particular post as is on purpose. Basically, I need prayer…tonnes of it! I have fallen into a lull in my lifestyle at the moment, and it has created a suffocating aura, an aura that promotes nothing but sheer laziness. It’s not that I don’t do anything, it’s just that I have fallen into a trap (like so many people do) of getting into a habit of playing far too many computer games. Yep, I get home after work and the first thing I do is blob. Where do I blob? Not in the lounge, that’s for sure. I blob in my room, in front of this screen of mine, and waste my time playing games.
However, I need a change. Prior to typing this post I uninstalled every single game off my computer, now I need to pack away the boxes. The prayer is mainly for not only breaking this deadly and anti-social habit, but to also devote my time to more meaningful, fulfilling activities.
Thank you…
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