Livinging in God's world

I came across this article in the SMH and it makes me think upon just how far our world has gone away from God's intended purposes. To actually have someone say that infidelity is a good thing for marriages, boils my blood. How many marriages have broken down because of the hurt as a result of infidelity? How deep are the scars of both men and women who are the "cheated on" party? What about the affect on children?

God's intended purposes for marriage are for unity and single minded devotion to our spouses. As a male I don't need this kind talk, as portrayed by this article. I need to be reminded of God's purposes. I know my own heart! This to me is an example of lies being put forwards as truth.

May God be gracious and give our world an appreciation of the goodness of marriage, and why we have to fight so hard to protect it!

A helpful article - "Imagine no religion"

Here is a helpful article by Micheal Jensen on religion. He is a lecturer at the college I attend. It's also interesting to read the comments in response to this. I'm always astounded by the way people argue their case. Find it here...

Remembering God's Word

I've been thinking about how to get scripture into my soul, much to the encouragement of Dave Miers, and it is something that Robyn and I seek to try to do together. So I've also been thinking about posting my verses in this blog...

But if this is something you'd be keen to have a go at, check out the follow for some good resources to get you thinking about it. Find it here

Thinking about Church Part 2

After I got the ball started with my last post, I started reading through some scriptures, jotting down some notes in my journal, and well, started to think this is harder than I thought. It's such a huge topic! But an importance nonetheless.

Anyway what are my thoughts? As I was thinking, I should work out what the Old Testament background to the church is, so I picked up the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology -- by IVP (Great resource by the way!), and read this really helpful little article by D. Tidball. He had this line: the church is the 'consequence of the character and purposes of a trinitarian God.' (p407).

Now as you look at the narrative of the Old Testament you see how this works out. God calls Abram, promises him that he'll be a great nation, and the nations will be blessed through him (Gen 12:1-3). In redeeming Israel (Abraham's descendants) from the oppression in Egypt, Yahweh remembers his covenant with Abraham and Israel's forefathers (Exodus 2:23). They were to be His people and he their God. They were called out to worship Yahweh and serve him (Exodus), in being Yahweh's 'treasured possession' and 'kingdom of priests' (Ex. 19:4-6). The reason for this choosing of Israel was not that they were impressive but because of Yahweh's love (Deuteronomy 7). What was required, was spelled out in the covenant, it was love and loyalty.

However, this is not the picture of the Old Testament people of God. They constantly fall into worship of other gods, and forsake Yahweh. So they get punished for this rebellion with the exile (cf. Deuteronomy 28 for the curses). But the prophets looked forward to the time when God would 'gather' his 'scattered people' to himself. And these people would not just come from the remnant of Israel, but from the nations (cf. Isaiah 2, Micah 4). God's purposes have been to call a people to himself. The Old testament has this huge expectation of an in-gathering of many people to God, to be in relationship with Him under blessing, in fulfillment to the promises made to Abraham way back in Genesis.

Now there is much in the Old Testament that gets picked up in the New Testament, in terms of language used to describe the people of God. it adds depth to our understanding of the church, when see it in this light. The ideas are transformed into a greater reality when seen in light of the person and work of Jesus. But we need the background of the OT. This has been very brief. Next time I'll turn to ponder what the New Testament says in terms of 'what is church?'.

Thinking about Church

Robyn and I are currently on holidays from College, and also after exams, our church (Denham Court Anglican). Last week we decided to go to another church to meet with God's people. As we had another week of Church holidays this week, we decided to go to another church again. It was interesting, and not what we were used to. And so, it got me thinking about church....

What is church? What is important for church? What does the Bible say about how God's people are to gather? And what things should be part of the 'time together'? How much of our culture and the media has influneneced the way we go about 'doing church'? Is that all together bad?

In the next couple of entries, I'll spend some time thinking 'out loud' so to speak, reflecting on church and the things associated with it. I know that greater minds than mine have already written plenty on this, but I guess want to delve into the Scriptures to see if I can start to come up with some answers to these questions... hopefully its a journey that is helpful.

Some thoughts on Suffering and 2 Corinthians

Here is a paper that I wrote up for church. It's a paper that reflects on our personal experience, and the parts of 2 Corinthians that have become precious to us in being comforted by our gracious God...Tell me what you think, find it here.

You Know me Lord...

Psalm 139

1 For the music director, a psalm of David. O LORD, you examine me and know.

2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives.

3 You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do.

4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it.

5 You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me.

6 Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

7 Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence?

8 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.

9 If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea,

10 even there your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me.

11 If I were to say, "Certainly the darkness will cover me, and the light will turn to night all around me,"

12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, and the night is as bright as day; darkness and light are the same to you.

13 Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother's womb.

14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. You knew me thoroughly;

15 my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence.

17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total!

18 If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Even if I finished counting them, I would still have to contend with you.

19 If only you would kill the wicked, O God! Get away from me, you violent men!

20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully; your enemies lie.

21 O LORD, do I not hate those who hate you, and despise those who oppose you?

22 I absolutely hate them, they have become my enemies!

23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns!

24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the reliable ancient path!

(NET Bible)

Indeed Praise be to...

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NET)

The Holy Spirit in John's Gospel

Trying to get my head around the Holy Spirit in John Gospel (for NT2 essay). As a result I've been reading the work of Carson and Kostenberger (Baker Exegetical) in their Commentaries (Carson generally is better, better at answering my questions I think), as well as a new book by Kostenberger and Swain in the NSBT series (Father, Son and Holy Spirit in John)...Basically really helpful stuff, but there is one point where I think I disagree with Carson and Kostenberger though (but not sure if my argument is sound). This is on the reference in John 3:5-8. Is it a reference to the person of the Holy spirit (ie born of water and the Spirit, so NIV, TNIV, ESV and other trans), or is it just a reference to spiritual renewal? While I get the fact that grammatically v5 'water and Spirit' are governed by the preposition ek, I think the reference is a reference to the person of the Holy Spirit because of the strong allusion to Ezekiel 36:26-27 where Yahweh promises cleansing and renewal by water (yes), and promises to place HIS SPIRIT in Israel. Also v 8 does appear to be a reference to the person of the Spirit (by analogy with wind). With that background is it not possible to John 3:5-8 as a reference to the person of the Spirit? Just getting my thoughts down.

Why did Jesus come?

I've been studying for my new testament exam which is tomorrow, and I guess I was hit again as to why Jesus came into this world. He, the one that was from eternity past, came into our world for a purpose:

9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:9-13 HCSB).

That's just excellent. He came so we can become children of God. Where do you stand with this Jesus?

A great quote!

Just after community chapel today (By the way, a really encouraging sermon by Phillip Jensen on Hosea 11), at morning tea, some friends and I were chatting (As you do), and we got talking about the current term, which some have affectionately called "the new term of death". At this point my friend Stephen McGuiness came out with this great line:

"I didn't realized it was the term of death, until I died!"

It has us in stitches...thanks Stephen.

P.S. While this term has been hard, I have to say the work is so worth it!

'Come to me all who are weary' Matthew 11:28-30

It's funny how more and more reflection and mediation on a passage of the Bible, makes me more excited about preaching a passage at church. I'm working on a sermon in Matthew' gospel which i have been really struggling to think through for church (maybe a symptom of continuing illness, or I may be just slow! – Oh, and by the way, I'm feeling much better now!!). As I've continues to pray about and meditate upon this portion of Scripture, I'm becoming more and more pumped about this passage. In my preparation I found a really helpful quote from J.C. Ryle (a former Bishop of Liverpool who has been with Jesus for some time now). This part of scripture is really a gracious invitation from King Jesus.

²⁸ "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB)

And Ryle comments:

• "We should mark, lastly, the encouraging account that Jesus gives of His service. He says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." No doubt there is a cross to be carried, if we follow Christ; no doubt there are trials to be endured, and battles to be fought: but the comforts of the Gospel far outweigh the cross. Compared to the service of the world and sin, compared to the yoke of Jewish ceremonies, and the bondage of human superstition, Christ's service is in the highest sense easy and light. His yoke is no more a burden than the feathers are to a bird; His commandments are not grievous; His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace. (1John 5:3; Proverbs 3:17.)" – J.C. Ryle, Expository thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew .

All I wanted to say at this point was, 'AMEN Brother!'

Oh, how glorious in this grand invitation of Jesus! Oh, how excellent is the one who calls us, we who are weighed down by the troubles of this life, we who are burdened with guilt, we who suffer, to find our rest in HIM! Finding our rest in Jesus, finding our satisfaction in HIS call to follow him definitely surpasses all that this world can throw up. What an encouragement this has been to me!

some random thoughts

I'm doing a series of short kids talks at church on doctrine. I've been thinking about it, and the 4 doctrines that i'm going to teach are:

• Salvation
• propitiation
• justification
• resurrection

If you had to teach 4 doctrines to kids what would they be?

Coffee doesn't help my fuzzy head!

I have to say this,I hate being sick. It just means that I have the fuzzy head thing non stop! And no, coffee doesn't help at all, although I wish it did.

I'm now on my sixth week of being sick with some viral thing. And I can tell you that it is no fun at all, especially when college just keeps on going. I have a church history assignment that i really haven't been able to get my head around because I'm constantly fuzzy... I don't take in information, and I'm constantly coughing (I won't share the colour of the Flem, 'cause that would be just gross!)

I've been so out of it, that the question of my last entry (Christians and the Law sermon prep), resulted in me preaching while sitting down, due to the fact that if I stood for 20 mins, I would have collapsed...

I'll be glad to be rid of this thing. I might even celebrate with a celebratory dark brew of my own making!

How do Christians fulfill the law?

I'm in the midst of preparing to preach this Sunday at DCAC (my current church). The passage is Exodus 20:12-17. Its all about the way God's redeemed people Israel were to relate to each other as a people. This was how God's treasured possession were to mediate the knowledge of God to the nations around them (Exodus 19:4-6).

But it raises some big questions. How does this apply to the Christian? Jesus says he has fulfilled the law (cf Matt 5:17-21), and It seems that Paul says, the law tells us we are sinful (Romans 3, and 7), and the way we love we fulfills the law (Romans 13).

But the issues I'm currently thinking through are: what does it mean for elderly people who have lost parents to 'honour their parents'. Or what about the issue of murder; how does this command relate with the current controversy of abortion in this country? Can we expect others who are not redeemed to follow these laws?

Just some of the thoughts going on in my head. (And this is not the only thing I'm trying to get my head around - I have a paper on Deuteronomy 30:11-20 due on the Tuesday after I preach!)

Here is My Crazy Dance off!

It's become known at Moore college (amongst 2nd year anyway) that I won a dance off competition at an NBL game last year. Some guy in the crowd caught the whole thing on his video phone. Now it's on Y-tube for all to see.

Something like this video was shown at the recent second year weekend away (thanks Stan), and I've also been encouraged to make a link possible. I've gone on better and added this vid to my blog. Have fun at my expense, and enjoy laugh!

What are we to think about inerrancy?

I'm trying to get my head around the doctrine of inerrancy, and so I've just picked up a book by G.K Beale, called "the erosion of inerrancy in evangelicalism." (Amazing how you can read things other than what you are supposed to read at college!)

I've read a chapter so far, and it seems to a fair treatment and interaction with one evangelical scholar's attempts to view the Old testament as not inerrant, and not actually history (parts of it anyway).

These kinds of comments make me nervous. At the moment I think I'm an inerrantist in my view of th doctrine of scripture. And I'm trying to come to terms with those in evangelical circles who are not. I desire to love my brothers and sisters in Christ in this regard, but also come to some conclusion on the issue.

I guess the big thing for me in this regard is that God is a God of truth and doesn't lie (Titus 1:2), so what am I to think?

trying to struggle with th issue...

Hello stranger.

After much encouragement from my wife Robyn, and also others (like Micheal Jensen), I'm back on board. This has been the first post in long time. A very long time.

I hope to use this to put out there a lot more reflections while I'm at college. And my thinking on different issues.


And hey, there will be the random post on the wonderful world of guinea pigs, life, and of course coffee! (Although as I thought about that last one what can really be said?)

Peace out