Why are we so shallow? On Saturday the first eight pages of a newspaper were committed to a football team?! On Tuesday morning, the day after one of Australia’s most significant days, the ANZAC day coverage began on page 4? Now, I love my footy as much as anyone but a reality check please. I visited Disneyland once and it was a lot of fun; but I don’t want to live there.
At WikiChurch last Sunday we began to bounce around the matter of values and just what kind of values do we live by today; if indeed we live by any at all. Christianity for many people today has been condensed down to a set of values or a moral code. We send / bring our kids to church so that they can learn some ‘Christian’ values. Can somebody tell me just what the heck these things are because if asked I have no answer.
I was asked the other night what I saw as being Christian values to live by and was happy to skip right past the Ten Commandments and just give the two that have transformed and shaped my life.
The first is in Genesis where we find the awesome concept that mankind is created in the image of God: ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness’. The great poet/shepherd/king, David, once pondered: what are human beings that you mindful of them, mortals that you care for them.’ Despite all of the cruelty and brokenness that we reap among the world and each other, yet there is some noble grandeur within that seeks to climb higher? Why is that? Could it be that Genesis is not just some ancient myth but is indeed grounded in the truth that there really is a ‘god shaped hole’ in every one of us? My first value – imago Dei – image of God.
When our youngest used to head out to a party or some other entertainment I would say to her, ‘Remember who you are.’ I like to think I hear the voice of God speak to me on occasions quietly encouraging me to remember who I am.
My second value is in the gospel of John where we read: ‘And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.’ The Christian faith claims that the voice that spoke the world into being – the Word – at a moment in history broke into life itself. Within this human baby was contained the completeness of God and man. Thousands of years had passed before his time and thousands have passed since his being, and yet in those 33 years we caught a glimpse of God’s creative act and desire. In his life, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension Jesus opened up a little glimpse of glory through our man made curtains. My second value – God so loved the world that he gave his only Son ..
Do I accept and believe this simply because the Bible says so? No! I saw and experienced it long before I discovered its truth in Scripture. I found out about the image of God as people I knew to be followers of Jesus valued me more highly than I valued me! They were looking through different lenses. I discovered the love of God as men and women of Christ seduced me into the kingdom of God. I had been seduced all of my life but at last I had found what I was looking for (my apologies to U2).
The previous paragraph is not a history lesson because I still see and experience this reality and these values just about every day. My faith is a living faith not a story book faith – it’s alive. It is not written on stone tablets full of thou shalt and thou shalt nots. I know what a man named Jeremiah meant when he wrote under the power of God: ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’
Why are we so shallow? Perhaps we are not shallow at all? Have we just shaped a life and even a faith that is created in our own image? Maybe that is enough for us.
Elisha prayed: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17
Cheers - John
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I have just come out of four days (and counting travel 56 hours) of attending the NSW Synod meeting. This is a gathering held every 18 months designed to receive numerous reports from different boards or agencies (and we have lots!) and at the same time being open to hear what God might be saying to us as followers of Jesus today. It all sounds a little boring and for me – who does not do meetings well – it was; but I want to say that it was other aspects of these past four days that make me say that it was a good Synod.
I am growing more and more to realise the value of real Christian friendship. Over these past few days I have had so many conversations with people who have blessed me in various ways over my almost 20 years of ministry in NSW. At each Synod meeting there is a special ‘Celebration of Ministry’ service on the second last day, to recognise ministers who have been ordained since the last Synod meeting, those who have retired and those celebrating significant milestones in the anniversary of their ordination. Being one of those honoured, I sat at a table with a man who was celebrating 60 years since his being ordained (a figure that I am unlikely to reach!) Across the room I saw a dear friend that I hadn’t seen since our move to Sydney, who was celebrating 50 years of ordained ministry. When the eating had stopped I quickly hurried over to spend time with this very special saint.
After lunch some 100 of us were presented to the whole Synod meeting where our particular milestone was individually acknowledged and over 400 Synod members surrounded us and prayed a blessing over us. Blessings are becoming more and more important to me. There are lots of things that happen when we attend a time of worship but the one thing that always happens is that at the end of our gathering a blessing is given. Increasingly I am becoming aware that the best thing I can do at an act of worship is make sure people leave the time together with a feeling of being blessed well! There is no knowing what the week might hold and we need to know that whatever hits we are blessed. This past Synod – in the midst of some turmoil – turned out to be a blessing for me.
At almost every break in proceedings I found myself in conversations with a large variety of people who have touched me and / or I have been privileged to touch. There were many smiles and much laughter as we checked on each of our different journeys. Each night at the longer dinner break a number of us invaded the local fish and chip shop, where I am sure the owner was glad of the business, but unsure about the good natured carry on from this strangely happy (blessed maybe?) people.
One of my many failings is that I eat too quickly. I think that it is a western thing where eating is simply a pit stop in the great race of life where we re-fuel as quickly as possible and get back in the race. I am gradually learning to enjoy the meal and the company which of course is most often my lovely wife. In Psalm 34:8 we read: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.’
People of the Old and New Testaments didn’t have McDonalds! A meal for them was long and slow and full of voices sharing a journey together. I sometimes think we should open a Drive By window at Annangrove Road where people can get a blessing and never leave their car?! You see that’s why I struggle with church on the Net or ‘I can be a Christian at home’.
People created in the image of God are always looking to share with other image bearers in the flesh. It’s part of our DNA.
Cheers - John
I am growing more and more to realise the value of real Christian friendship. Over these past few days I have had so many conversations with people who have blessed me in various ways over my almost 20 years of ministry in NSW. At each Synod meeting there is a special ‘Celebration of Ministry’ service on the second last day, to recognise ministers who have been ordained since the last Synod meeting, those who have retired and those celebrating significant milestones in the anniversary of their ordination. Being one of those honoured, I sat at a table with a man who was celebrating 60 years since his being ordained (a figure that I am unlikely to reach!) Across the room I saw a dear friend that I hadn’t seen since our move to Sydney, who was celebrating 50 years of ordained ministry. When the eating had stopped I quickly hurried over to spend time with this very special saint.
After lunch some 100 of us were presented to the whole Synod meeting where our particular milestone was individually acknowledged and over 400 Synod members surrounded us and prayed a blessing over us. Blessings are becoming more and more important to me. There are lots of things that happen when we attend a time of worship but the one thing that always happens is that at the end of our gathering a blessing is given. Increasingly I am becoming aware that the best thing I can do at an act of worship is make sure people leave the time together with a feeling of being blessed well! There is no knowing what the week might hold and we need to know that whatever hits we are blessed. This past Synod – in the midst of some turmoil – turned out to be a blessing for me.
At almost every break in proceedings I found myself in conversations with a large variety of people who have touched me and / or I have been privileged to touch. There were many smiles and much laughter as we checked on each of our different journeys. Each night at the longer dinner break a number of us invaded the local fish and chip shop, where I am sure the owner was glad of the business, but unsure about the good natured carry on from this strangely happy (blessed maybe?) people.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ John 15:12, 13
One of my many failings is that I eat too quickly. I think that it is a western thing where eating is simply a pit stop in the great race of life where we re-fuel as quickly as possible and get back in the race. I am gradually learning to enjoy the meal and the company which of course is most often my lovely wife. In Psalm 34:8 we read: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.’
People of the Old and New Testaments didn’t have McDonalds! A meal for them was long and slow and full of voices sharing a journey together. I sometimes think we should open a Drive By window at Annangrove Road where people can get a blessing and never leave their car?! You see that’s why I struggle with church on the Net or ‘I can be a Christian at home’.
People created in the image of God are always looking to share with other image bearers in the flesh. It’s part of our DNA.
Cheers - John
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
An Easter hangover
Following the Easter weekend I invariably find that I suffer what can probably best be described as a spiritual hangover! I find that not only are my physical energy levels are in need of a re-charge but there is almost a brokenness of spirit accompanying it.
Easter for any follower of Christ is a very emotionally charged time. Compressed into these three days we come across times of love, betrayal, mystery, loneliness, fear, wonder, pain, loss, joy and bewilderment.
I talk a fair bit about the need to be transparent, vulnerable and authentic and I think that some of my fervency about these attributes comes from this final week of Jesus. From Palm Sunday on Jesus was always under surveillance. His disciples must have picked up some of the ‘vibe’ but could not put their finger on just what it was. Behind the scenes plots and sub-plots were bubbling up. As Jesus spoke openly around the temple mount he would have seen or sensed the whisperings going on around him. At the Last Supper he called the disciples together knowing full well that a betrayer was in their midst. Yet, in the middle of all that was going on Jesus remained centred on what he was called to be and do.
I always enjoy a giggle when reporters are trying to get answers out of politicians. They ask a question and the pollie just gives the party line; no matter how hard you try they have to stay on script.
No matter what was happening on the periphery of Jesus’ life that first Easter week Jesus stayed on script – ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.’
What amazes me in this is that Jesus did not harden himself to get the job done? I know that there were times in industry when I had to do something that was particularly hard and often this involved people, I would almost step into another persona and tough it out. Jesus never did this. His authenticity, vulnerability and transparency never diminished. To the betrayer Judas – ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ To the three time denier Peter; ‘But I have prayed for you Peter that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’
On reflection I think that we have a major problem in our affluent (I always get the temptation to put an e rather than an a as the first letter) society and that is that we don’t have a script of our own and so – mixing metaphors - we dance to whatever tune happens to be playing at any given time.
Perhaps one of the reasons that I find the Easter season so spiritually, emotionally and physically wearing is not so much connected to my somewhat distant birth-date as it is to the fact that what is going on here is so anti everything that we are conditioned to believe for the other 362 days of the year. Let’s face it, even the message of a child born in a stable in the back yard of a pub is overwhelmed by mountains of presents, parties and tinsel.
As I have wound down from the Easter reflections this year I have found it useful to remind myself of the script to which I am committed:
Cheers - John
Easter for any follower of Christ is a very emotionally charged time. Compressed into these three days we come across times of love, betrayal, mystery, loneliness, fear, wonder, pain, loss, joy and bewilderment.
I talk a fair bit about the need to be transparent, vulnerable and authentic and I think that some of my fervency about these attributes comes from this final week of Jesus. From Palm Sunday on Jesus was always under surveillance. His disciples must have picked up some of the ‘vibe’ but could not put their finger on just what it was. Behind the scenes plots and sub-plots were bubbling up. As Jesus spoke openly around the temple mount he would have seen or sensed the whisperings going on around him. At the Last Supper he called the disciples together knowing full well that a betrayer was in their midst. Yet, in the middle of all that was going on Jesus remained centred on what he was called to be and do.
I always enjoy a giggle when reporters are trying to get answers out of politicians. They ask a question and the pollie just gives the party line; no matter how hard you try they have to stay on script.
No matter what was happening on the periphery of Jesus’ life that first Easter week Jesus stayed on script – ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.’
What amazes me in this is that Jesus did not harden himself to get the job done? I know that there were times in industry when I had to do something that was particularly hard and often this involved people, I would almost step into another persona and tough it out. Jesus never did this. His authenticity, vulnerability and transparency never diminished. To the betrayer Judas – ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ To the three time denier Peter; ‘But I have prayed for you Peter that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’
On reflection I think that we have a major problem in our affluent (I always get the temptation to put an e rather than an a as the first letter) society and that is that we don’t have a script of our own and so – mixing metaphors - we dance to whatever tune happens to be playing at any given time.
Perhaps one of the reasons that I find the Easter season so spiritually, emotionally and physically wearing is not so much connected to my somewhat distant birth-date as it is to the fact that what is going on here is so anti everything that we are conditioned to believe for the other 362 days of the year. Let’s face it, even the message of a child born in a stable in the back yard of a pub is overwhelmed by mountains of presents, parties and tinsel.
As I have wound down from the Easter reflections this year I have found it useful to remind myself of the script to which I am committed:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Matthew 6:9,10
‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.’ John 4:34
Cheers - John
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