Jesus, Life and the Plunkenator!

Home & Away

2009-02-27T11:51:00.008+11:00

I've been reading a biography on a bloke called Jim Elliot (1927-56) and have been loving it! He seems to have a very similar thought pattern as me and has faced almost the exact same problems and decisions I am and will soon face.

I ran across his thought on mission abroad and his response to the challenge to stay in America and grow God's kingdom there.

"I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. So what if the well-fed Church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses and the Prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bankbooks and in the dust on their Bible covers."

There is a lot of truth in that we already have the gospel established in Australia and there are other countries who are in desperate need to hear the saving grace of God, perhaps more than Australia. However, I wonder if our situation is much different now. We are in a post-Christian society where Church and Jesus is a thing of the past, something for oldies. Perhaps there is a greater need in Australia now since Jesus is on the way out? But the name of the Lord doesn't just belong to Australia but all Nations. Everyone needs to Praise the Lord and fear His name. If I am willing and able...why not?

Should I stay or should I go?

Broken Car Radio

2009-02-26T11:33:00.004+11:00

So my car radio/CD player broke last night. It's been a bit of a blessing in disguise though. I've spent my time travelling to a from Mt. Kariong singing and praying so far. Any other thoughts about how this time might otherwise be used?

I'm planning on listening to some sermons tonight on my Samsung MP3 player (I don't like iPods) but is this a bit dangerous? Am I more susceptible to crashing if I have earplugs in since I wont be able to hear my surroundings as clearly?

Sin as a Lack of Faith

2009-02-26T10:18:00.002+11:00

I wonder if sin is sometimes (maybe all the time) a lack of faith for now and what we will one day receive? Sin says to us 'come this is more appealing here and now, look at the immediate benefits' but we forget that the satisfaction from sin is short lived and will not last. God tells us that we should be future orientated, satisfied in him and live for the things we will one day receive. Jesus died to free us from sin and we now live for him. In not sinning and living for Him we are glorifying Him and storing up for ourselves a reward (Mt 6, Eph6, Col3)

Perhaps things like speeding is sin saying to us 'just do it, you wont be late this way' or 'you will get there faster and not waste any time' but forgetting that by obeying the government (put in place by God) we are obeying God and storing up treasures in heaven. Surely it is more worthwhile to live for God and be satisfied in obeying him than seek the short lived pleasures of speeding and efficiency. Perhaps it is a lack of faith in God's wisdom and his timing.

(h/t)

Don't Pray For Rain

2009-02-13T09:09:00.002+11:00

It's a pretty instinctive thing to pray for rain in light of the Victorian bushfires but at this point rain would actually make the situation worse! Due to the loss of vegetation from the ferocious bushfire there is very little holding the soil intact. Rain would only cause huge mudslides on the scorched and charred hillsides. A very similar thing happened in California.

Better to pray for strength and favorable winds for our fire-fighters and that God may comfort and provide for those affected by the bushfires.

Christians and the Defence Force 'Gap Year'

2009-02-12T09:56:00.005+11:00

In case you haven't heard, the Australian Government has released a program to increase recruitment into the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This program is called a 'Gap Year' in which you can join the Army, Navy or Air Force in a non-technical role for 21 months and then leave if you want to. Basically, you can join and serve for 1 year instead of the normal 5-6 years service and fill in some time between school and uni/TAFE/work etc while you try to work out your life.

There are some good things about it. The ADF is a great place in which you learn discipline, perseverance, initiative, teamwork and heaps more, but, it's also a very hard and secular environment. I believe the Australian Government at the moment is founded on good Christian values and many of the current operations have huge humanitarian ramifications. Romans 13 tells us that the government is under the control of God and that they do not bear the sword for nothing. The Australian government is an authority put in place by God and He acts through it to defend the defenseless and is 'an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer'. Serving in the ADF can be seen as serving God in a kind of round about way.

Doing this Gap Year may have some benefits, however, I think it is a very dangerous idea for young Christians. Chances are, you will be posted to a unit with very few (if any) Christians, and the first few years after you leave school are crucial. They are the years that make or break you in terms of your christian life. They are you first few years out of school and into the real, adult world with more freedom of choice than you have had while at school. Going straight into the ADF will be hard as there won't be anyone close at hand to keep you accountable, no weekly bible study or youth-group, no opportunities to serve or be involved in local missions etc. Going The lifestyle of the defence force is going to pressure you to make decisions that don't reflect Jesus' Lordship.

If you are thinking about joining the ADF focus on your christian life first and growing a firm foundation on Jesus and God's word. Don't overestimate your own will and strength to live as a Christian in a secular environment. It's always much harder than you think. If you are seriously going to go through with it, you really need to develop your personal bible reading and start thinking through how you are going to keep growing as a christian in isolation. You're pretty much going to be alone, so reading christian literature, long distance correspondence and liaising with your unit chaplain are going to be your only sources of Christian growth.

I'd also encourage you to think about why you want to join the ADF. A job in the ADF reflects a career more than a job. That is, it isn't something you do to put food on the table, it will take up your whole life.

It's important to remember that during your years of service you will be encouraged to devote yourself fully to your job. I believe the bible puts forward the idea of a job as something to put food on the table, to provide for yourself and others. (This is a bit different if your job is in service of God through Christian ministry, financial support to others, humanitarian efforts etc, in which you should give yourself fully to it.)

But are you attracted by the glossy pictures (like the one I've posted on this blog)? The cool videos of guys jumping out of helicopters and blowing stuff up? Are you looking for the respect from your peers when you get to ask: 'so what do you do for a living? You work at Coles? I'm a soldier in the Australian Army!'

But you may genuinely want to join the ADF to show others to Christ though living differently amongst non-christians and serve other nations who are unable to support or defend themselves, which is fantastic. Just remember that God is more concerned that you work with godliness and grow in godliness. If you think you are liable to slip from the Christian life as a result of joining the ADF think hard about why it is your joining.

Jackie Chan & St. Paul

2009-02-11T11:00:00.005+11:00

In Acts 17, Paul gives a fantastic example of how to go about telling people about Jesus while using everything at your disposal. It is in Athens that Paul speaks to a people whose lives were saturated with foreign gods and knew next to nothing about the God of Israel let alone Jesus. Just like Jackie Chan in any fight scene he uses everything around him (even things belonging to his opponents) to forward the good news of Jesus (h/t).

Paul doesn't start with Jesus, he starts where the Athenians are: "as I walked around ...I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." v23. WHAM! Jackie Chan smashes a henchman in the face using a horseshoe bringing him to the ground.

Paul then keeps up the momentum and uses some Athenian poetry to point them to the true God: "God...is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'" POW! Jackie Chan smashes a villain in the chest using a ski from the rack behind him.

There are heaps of stimuli in culture that I think we can use to forward the gospel. Here is one such example. Can you think of any others? My mates like to have sculling competitions and with it goes a song:

'Here's to [insert name] he's true blue,
He's a piss pot through and through,
He's a b*****d so they say,
He tried to go to heaven but he went the other way,
He went down, down, down, down...'

We all hope we are headed for heaven. We sometimes like to think that's where most people go when they die. Isn't God on about accepting everyone? No. The bible tells us we can't. It says that 'whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life, but whoever doesn't will go the other way. And it doesn't matter how hard we try we can't be right with God without Jesus. Just as that drinking song says: "He tried to go to heaven but he went the other way, He went down, down, down, down...".

Heroes Who Made Science Fun For Me

2008-04-16T21:15:00.003+10:00

Do you remember Bill Nye (the Science Guy)? He made science fun. He made Saturday Mornings entertaining and educational. He's the reason I'm studying science at uni now.

Threadless.com

2008-04-15T11:58:00.003+10:00

Prayer

2008-04-14T19:43:00.004+10:00

I've been plugging through Prayer by Phillip Yancey recently (about 1/2 way through it now). I tried reading What's so Amazing About Grace a while ago but gave up on it because I felt it was just waffle (at least the first chapter that I read). But putting that aside I picked up Prayer and haven't looked back. He tackles the issue of prayer in a humble way and doesn't make any claims to be an expert on it. This book is kind of a 'thinking out loud' kind of a book and quite an easy read.
It's been great to reflect upon prayer and why do we do it? So far I have really been put in my place in my attitude to prayer. Prayer seems to be something that we do that reflects who we are before God...dependent. Prayer isn't just a duty or something you do when you need something but it is relational, talking to God.
It's amazing to reflect on just how much Jesus prays, what he prays for and what he doesn't. Although he doesn't seem to answer the big theological questions, it does raise the bar for me in the way I view God and just how mysterious and big, huge and awesome he is.
It's also interesting just how often some people pray in that they remind God of his promises and demand he fulfill them. "God look at the injustice, you hate evildoers and those who prey on the weak and you promise you will bring an end to this. FIX IT!"

Some quotable quotes:

'Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God' p. 97
'Prayer is keeping company with God' unknown
'To pray is to make the most of our moments of perception' A. Ecclestone
'There are no atheists in foxholes [pits for those of us in the Australian Army], everyone prays' Ernie Pyle

The War Against Work

2008-04-08T15:19:00.003+10:00

Words are coming soon. Just a bit busy at the moment. I have heaps to tell...promise!

Teenage Affluenza

2008-01-26T12:39:00.000+11:00

KYLC08

2008-01-26T09:42:00.000+11:00

Katoomba Youth Leadership Convention 2008 was AWESOME!
Great Preaching.

Great People.
Even More Great People
Great Food.
Great Views.
Great Times
Reflection on the past week still coming. So stay tuned...

11 Points Towards Mental Health

2008-01-19T20:13:00.000+11:00

I've been listening to a series of talks by John Piper. In it I ran across this bloke called Clyde Kilby who explains to us that we need to 'stop seeking mental health in the mirror of self-analysis, but instead to drink in the remedies of God in nature.'
Psalm 19:1 reflects this:

"The sky is telling the glory of God"

He outlines 10 Resolutions Towards Mental Health which I have found particularly helpful. It has since led me to reflect on God revealing and comforting us through His creation which is absolutely awesome!

1. At least once every day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with wonderfully mysterious things above and about me.
2. Instead of the accustomed idea of a mindless and endless evolutionary change to which we can neither add nor subtract, I shall suppose the universe guided by an Intelligence which, as Aristotle said of Greek drama, requires a beginning, a middle, and an end. I think this will save me from the cynicism expressed by Bertrand Russell before his death when he said: "There is darkness without, and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere, only triviality for a moment, and then nothing."
3. I shall not fall into the falsehood that this day, or any day, is merely another ambiguous and plodding twenty-four hours, but rather a unique event, filled, if I so wish, with worthy potentialities. I shall not be fool enough to suppose that trouble and pain are wholly evil parentheses in my existence, but just as likely ladders to be climbed toward moral and spiritual manhood.
4. I shall not turn my life into a thin, straight line which prefers abstractions to reality. I shall know what I am doing when I abstract, which of course I shall often have to do.
5. I shall not demean my own uniqueness by envy of others. I shall stop boring into myself to discover what psychological or social categories I might belong to. Mostly I shall simply forget about myself and do my work.
6. I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what Lewis calls their "divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic" existence.
7. I shall sometimes look back at the freshness of vision I had in childhood and try, at least for a little while, to be, in the words of Lewis Carroll, the "child of the pure unclouded brow, and dreaming eyes of wonder."
8. I shall follow Darwin's advice and turn frequently to imaginative things such as good literature and good music, preferably, as Lewis suggests, an old book and timeless music.
9. I shall not allow the devilish onrush of this century to usurp all my energies but will instead, as Charles Williams suggested, "fulfill the moment as the moment." I shall try to live well just now because the only time that exists is now.
10. Even if I turn out to be wrong, I shall bet my life on the assumption that this world is not idiotic, neither run by an absentee landlord, but that today, this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course I shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the architect who calls himself Alpha and Omega.

My Sweet New Blog

2008-01-18T10:58:00.000+11:00

Check out my new blog page (only if u read this via RSS feed, otherwise you're reading this from my new page anyway which would defeat the purpose of you visiting it because you're already there).

Summerfest08

2008-01-17T12:14:00.000+11:00

Summerfest08 was fantastic! We were hosted this year by very generous members of our church which meant we lost a little bit of the normal team feel but each section definitely gelled together a lot more.

I served on Xtreme Teenz where the theme was Black and White where we looked at the truth:
Day 1: The Truth about God
Day 2: The Truth about People
Day 3: The Truth about Jesus
Day 4: The Truth about Life & Death
Day 5: The Truth about Heaven

All-in-all a fantastic week where the word of God went out and we were able to serve Him through sharing that good news that Jesus died for our sins and was raised again so that we may have life.

Leading When You Want To Quit

2008-01-17T12:04:00.000+11:00

Here is a series called 'Leading When You Want to Quit' by Tim Schmoyer. Only the 1st part is out now but looks like a cracker!

Shaved Heads

2008-01-16T11:41:00.000+11:00

h/t Dave

Bananna-Gingerbread Mansion

2007-12-23T22:34:00.000+11:00

So we tried making a gingerbread house from scratch and it turned out alright. In fact we even managed to invent a new type of gingerbread house.
I call it the Banana-Gingerbread Mansion.
Step 1.
Mix gingerbread ingredients thoroughly, kneed well and cut to self converted gingerbread house template shapes. Cook for 20-25 min.
NB. Be sure to accidentally over-estimate gingerbread house dimensions so that your gingerbread house closely resembles a gingerbread MANSION!

Step 2.
Assemble gingerbread walls but DO NOT stick pins in gingerbread but trust your own self justified structural intellect.

Step 3.
Watch as the gingerbread walls slowly cave-in and frantically look about the kitchen for ANYTHING to avoid this calamity. A banana should be close at hand.

Step 4.
Place banana's inside to support the collapsing walls and then decorate, photograph, admire and forget the concealed bananas within.

Step 5.
Allow banana's to ripen for 2-3 days. Unwrap and enjoy the rich gingerbread taste with a banana tang.

Divorce Isn't Environmentally Friendly

2007-12-15T11:27:00.000+11:00

Divorce is horrible. It rips apart families, turns friends against one another and distorts God's gist of marriage as an illustration of the (reconciled) relationship between Christ and his Church. But are there other effects of divorce?
A recent article outlined that getting a divorce is actually bad for the environment.

Jianguo Liu, an ecologist at Michigan State University states that 'A married household actually uses resources more efficiently than a divorced household'. Considering that 1 in 3 marriages are failing and 'the proportion of divorced households has increased rapidly across the globe', could this be a potential area in which we could help the environment through a change in lifestyle?
It's interesting that in some areas studied by Jianguo Liu, 'where the total number of people was less, the number of households was increasing.' We really can be selfish with the resources God has given us.
Maybe the hippies had it right? Could communal living be the way to go?

Anhedonia

2007-12-02T13:32:00.000+11:00

I frequently listen to a program on Heart 103.2fm called 'Open House' on my lonely drives on a Sunday night. Last Sunday they interviewed a bloke called Dr Archibald Hart who spoke about 'anhedonia' which is basically means 'the overloading of our brain's pleasure centre through constant stimulation'. I reckon a lot of what he says is true. It is easy to over stimulate ourselves through watching heaps of movies, tv with only the highest quality, music and sound with the best mix, internet over-load etc.
I think these things are causing us to set the bar too high. We need to sometimes sit back and enjoy a book, go for a walk, check out the sunset, catch up and talk in person to someone rather than sms or comment on their facebook/myspace, hang with your family more etc. It's all about 'the simple things that make us happy' I'm not saying (neither is Dr Hart) that we should cut out movies and internet completely. Moderation is the key.

My 21st

2007-12-01T12:10:00.000+11:00

God Becoming Man!?!

2007-11-15T16:41:00.000+11:00

I'm doing a series of talks on Philippians 2 this weekend and in writing them I've hit a bit of a wall.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself...

Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2 talks heaps about Christs attitude and how he was a servant, humble and obedient. God was so humble that he even went as far as becoming human! Reflecting on this has been mind boggling. The God of the universe, the one who created and sustains all things, the one who has always been, reduces himself down to a fleshy gross, finite body with pimples and farts and poo, everything!
How the heck can you illustrate God becoming man? I don't think there is any illustration that will do it justice.
Any ideas?

Jesus is Lord

2007-11-13T12:23:00.000+11:00

...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

The statement 'Jesus is Lord' can sometimes wash over us. Many Christian groups or organisations have this phrase as their motto. It's written on shirts, bumper stickers and some keen-bean probably has it as their ringtone. But if you break it down it is so profound. Romans 10:9 says that believing that Jesus is Lord is the founding truth as to whether or not you will be saved. Let's think it through:

JESUS is Lord: Jesus is Lord. No-one else. Not you, your parents, your girl/boyfriend or anyone but Jesus. He is the one, there is no substitute. It's not Jesus and '...' are Lord but Jesus and Jesus alone.
Jesus IS Lord: Jesus is the Lord now. Not tomorrow or last year or when I was a kid in Sunday school but now. Jesus isn't Lord in 10 years when I'm happy for him to be after I've done everything I want to do but he is Lord now. He is present and acting. Jesus is Lord of the now all the time. Right now, he is the Lord.
Jesus is LORD: Jesus is in control , he is the ruler, the one we submit to. He's not some guy I look up to or someone with some good advise on how to live well but LORD! He's not to be underestimated. He is Lord of what? Romans says he just is. He is Lord. Lord of everything. The Lord of our life, decisions, family, job, creation, wars, government everything.

Do you believe in your heart that 'JESUS IS LORD'?

Short Hair vs. Long Hair

2007-11-09T22:54:00.000+11:00

What do u reckon? Is short hair more than just practical?

Justice League

2007-10-28T15:45:00.000+11:00

I recently got a letter from my local government to let me know I'm a part of the Australian Justice League (jury roll). Having a hand in our country's justice system is awesome. I can't wait to help in our continuous struggle against crime!

Sick Church Drama

2007-10-22T19:36:00.000+10:00

I just discovered GodTube incase u haven't worked that out yet. Heaps of people have blogged this video but I don't care. I think it's a sick drama. Its a bit corny at times but it gets really good so watch it all the way to the end. It's all about Jesus.
What would u change if u were to do this drama at your church/youthgroup? Would u change anything at all?

How Cute are Kids!? Psalm 23

2007-10-22T19:31:00.000+10:00

Spiritual Obesity

2007-09-30T12:30:00.000+10:00

I heard a comment the other day:

'Evangelicals are suffering from obesity: eating heaps but not exersizing.'

I think this is true for many Christians if their emphasis is on head stuff and thinking through heavy theological issues but not acting it out. I know I fall into that trap heaps as I may read my bible, pray and maybe even read a missionary bio, but I'm not exercising everything I've just read and prayed to be prepared for and I suspect it is the same for many Christians. Living out your faith is more than just evangelizing, it's more than just not teasing the kid that everyone else teases. It is going out of your way to serve others, looking for opportunities to help others and love them because Jesus loved us!

I was struck last week by a particular verse from 1 John which says:

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

You may look, sound, smell, think, dress, speak and church like a Christian...but are you living it out?

Is Hell The Absence of God?

2007-09-29T12:19:00.000+10:00

This blog from desiringgod.org talks about the nature of hell and the presence/absence of God in it. I grew up thinking that hell was more of an absence of God rather than a place of torment, but R.C. Sproul seems to think otherwise.

Christians & Music

2007-09-25T12:46:00.000+10:00

I've had a love/hate relationship with Christian music over the last few years. Some of it is tacky and I can't help but cringe at what Rhema fm and other local Christian radio stations play sometimes.

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine the other day. I think that listening to Christian music is sick and has many more benefits than listening to the radio or chucking on a secular cd about chicks and money. I think listening to Christian music is sick, not necessarily because Christian songs are great lyrically or musically, but because you're just not filling your head with junk from a worldly perspective.

Having said that there are some sick Christian bands that I find spiritually edifying and great musically as well. It's a hard market to crack into but after some searching and chatting to some Christian 'music heads' finding good Christian music isn't all that hard.Some would say 'I just listen to secular music for the music, not the words'. To this I would say don't underestimate your own will, the themes and ideas expressed can affect you subliminally (especially if this is all you listen to) and consequently these songs can have an impact upon the way you think and see things which may not necessarily be the way God wants us to live and think in light of the cross.

At the least, you will probably have this song stuck in your head and will sing it out loud. If you are a youth leader (or any type of Christian role model for that matter) you are setting the standard for others, and in a way, you are endorsing the themes and ideas expressed in secular music. You may not be affected by the music, but potentially, because of your actions, those who look up to you will not see secular music as a danger and their lives may no longer be shaped by God's word but by the words of the world.

Prince Caspian

2007-09-24T11:25:00.001+10:00

Strap yourself in for the next installment of The Chronicles of Narnia. Prince Caspian is coming out May next year! I've been loving the new Chronicles of Narnia, I used to watch the BBC series all the time as a kid, and seeing it on the big screen with awesome SFX is just sick.

Parkour

2007-09-18T13:38:00.000+10:00

I was thinking about taking up Parkour but this video made me think again.

ADF Gap Year

2007-09-17T11:43:00.000+10:00

There are some good things about it. The ADF is a great place in which you learn discipline, perseverance, initiative, teamwork and heaps more, but, it's also a very hard and secular environment. I believe the Australian Government at the moment is founded on good Christian values and many of the current operations have huge humanitarian ramifications. Romans 13 tells us that the government is under the control of God and that they do not bear the sword for nothing. The Australian government is an authority put in place by God and He acts through it to defend the defenceless and is 'an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer'. Serving in the ADF can be seen as serving God in a kind of round about way.

Doing this Gap Year may have some benefits, however, I think it is a very dangerous idea for young Christians. Chances are, you will be posted to a unit with very few (if any) Christians, and the first few years after you leave school are crucial. They are the years that make or break you in terms of your christian life. They are you first few years out of school and into the real, adult world with more freedom of choice than you have had while at school. Going straight into the ADF will be hard as there won't be anyone close at hand to keep you accountable, no weekly bible study or youthgroup, no opportunities to serve or be involved in local missions etc. Going The lifestyle of the defence force is going to pressure you to make decisions that don't reflect Jesus' Lordship.

I'd also encourage you to think about why you want to join the ADF. A job in the ADF relects a career more than a job. That is, it isn't something you do to put food on the table, it will take up your whole life.

It's important to remember that during your years of service you will be encouraged to devote yourself fully to your job. I believe the bible puts forward the idea of a job as something to put food on the table, to provide for your self and others. (This is a bit different if your job is in service of God through Christian ministry, finiancial support to others, humanitarian efforts etc, in which you should give yourself fully to it.)

My Thoughts on Creation/Evolution

2007-09-04T13:02:00.000+10:00

In my first year of university I took a compulsory course BIOS1101 which was a biology course all about evolutionary and functional biology. I went in with a closed mind and ignored everything said about evolution because I thought it was stupid and took the adults approach to sticking my fingers in my ears and going 'lalalalalala'. My association was evolution=no God= no right wrong= abortion, genocide, sexism, slavery etc. (as social Darwinism has shown in the past). Looking back on it now I think I chose to read Genesis literally because it presents a romantic creation in which humans were made separately.

Since then I failed BIOS1101 (largely because of the 'lalalalala' during lectures) and am repeating it this session with a new thought process. Evolution/creation isn't the be all and end all of the bible. It's all about God and Him being glorified through the creation of the universe and the grace shown to us through Jesus' atoning death on the cross.

I've done some more thinking since 2005 and have come to a different standpoint on the creation/evolution debate. I believe the big picture of creation outlined in Genesis puts forward that

God made the world under his own free will with absolutely no opposition,
he is in control of his creation,
God is the only God who made the universe (mono-theism), and
humans are different from the rest of creation (made in God's image Gen 1:26).

I'm still thinking some things through, but I am becoming more convinced that evolution may be a legitimate method though which God created the universe. There is evidence that points either way, however, evolution has lost credibility as it's theory has been contradicted by fake or misinterpreted evidence in the past. On the flip side, some evidence to support creation has been explained.

Evolution should never be used as a way of explaining away God and I think evolution may even point towards God . The probability of life forming, the perfect positioning of the Earth in relation to the sun, the makeup of our atmosphere and the tilt of the Earth giving it seasons without throwing out the orbit (just to name a few) is so remote that some form of divine intervention is needed.

However I do have some problems with evolution:

there are still a lot of holes in it's theory and disagreements between evolutionary theorists,
I don't see how evolution fits into the idea or original sin in the bible,
At what point did the creatures cease becoming animals and became humans fully accountable for sin and made in the image of God?
How does death fit into it? If sin entered the world at a certain point and sin goes hand-in-hand with death (Rom 5:12, 6:23, 7:5) how can evolution work as evolution relies upon death and mutation in order for organisms to evolve?

Youth, Hell & Purpose

2007-08-21T10:44:00.001+10:00

I suspect that teenagers aren't daunted by the idea of hell or God's judgment as much as other age brackets. I think youth are looking for purpose and meaning in life more than a way to atone for sins. A question this raises is 'what emphasis (if any) to we place in presenting the gospel to youth?' Is it showing them that life can only find it's fulfillment, joy and satisfaction in Christ? Knowing God and acknowledging Jesus as Lord of our life and living it out may have more relevance, in the mind of a teenager, than the penal substitutionary death of Jesus.

The atoning death of Christ is a crucial part to Christian doctrine and we should never deny or get rid of it completely. But, I'm not convinced that teenagers respond to their need for a way to deal with their sin as much as a need to find purpose and fulfillment in life. Teenagers are by definition in their teens (der) and haven't been around for very long (double der) and they don't feel the weight of their sin as much as older people do who have lived a longer life and have potentially committed greater sins and have more time to recognise and reflect upon their own sinfulness and imperfection.

Does anyone have similar or different observations?

Stranger Rodeo

2007-08-14T12:37:00.000+10:00

(h/t grice)

MYC07 Guidance

2007-07-31T10:33:00.000+10:00

Mid-Year Conference this year was on Guidance. I arrived with a pretty big head and was thinking' I know what Grimmo's going to say. I've read 'Guidance and the Voice of God', it will just be stuff about matters of righteousness and triviality.' But God really put me in my place during that week.

We started off by looking at why we need guidance, and it is because of sin, which distorts our communication with God and has bent our world out of shape.
The real clincher for me all week was the second talk which was on marriage (it's not what your thinking). Our marriage with Christ is God's ultimate will for us and God's use of marriage isn't a reflection or illustration of an earthly marriage, but rather an earthly marriage is a shadow of the true marriage with Christ. For a bloke this idea is a bit wierd, but Grimmo explained well that marriage is about belongong to one another and so our marriage with Christ is belonging to him and him to us. This isn't a gay hippie fairy wedding between men and men and women and men but our unity with God.

That talk put everything else in perspective and made many decisions seem trivial. As far as guidance goes we learnt that God doesn't use signs like he did in the OT but uses wisdom to guide us. Wisdom gained through observing the world and letting the scriptures guide our decisions.
I could go on for ages but theses were the things that stood out for me.

And to finish it off, here's a photo of the science faculty:

My Working Holiday

2007-07-24T12:02:00.000+10:00

I spent the majority of my holidays working on a farm in Canoelands (near Dural) and it was fantastic. Look at what I woke up to everyday! How awesome is God!

I lived on-site by myself which was a great experience (although it's very easy to become selfish). The best part of the house was the toilet...it's right next to the bed! How good is that!?!

The living room wasn't too bad either. Pruning and learning how to shape a tree to maximise fruit productivity is a bit of an art but I think I got the hang of it towards the end.

But sometimes pruning isn't enough!!! (real men use chainsaws). One tree down...3000 to go.

I Agree With Dale

2007-07-22T13:03:00.000+10:00

Nerd Jokes

2007-06-18T17:56:00.000+10:00

'Alas, C3P0. I knew him'
If you get this joke you're a nerd and read too much Shakespeare. Find out more here.

Isaiah

2007-06-14T12:13:00.000+10:00

I've been reading through Isaiah and I thought I'd share some encouraging chunks.

I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

Isaiah 61:10-11

How good is it that God has clothed us with salvation and dressed us with righteousness through Jesus' sacrifice? This truth is a constant blow-away and I've been encouraged to reflect on God's generosity.

Famous Aaron's of the World: Aron Ralston

2007-06-11T14:33:00.001+10:00

I've recently finished reading a book called 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' by Aron Ralston. In case you haven't heard of Aron Ralston before, he was involved in a cannoning accident in Utah, USA. His right hand was crushed and pinned by a boulder and was unable to move due to his immobilizing circumstances. After 5 days of freezing temperatures at night, severe dehydration and attempts to free himself by yelling for help (obviously), hacking at the boulder and a make-shift pulley system, Aron broke his own arm and cut off his hand using a pocketknife. Amazingly, Aron survived.

After reading his book, I'm surprised he hasn't died 5 times already. He's been in avalanches, chased by bears and even endured frostbite to his hands. His book isn't all about his 5 days trapped but many of his other trips.

Aron's story reminds me of a passage from Matthew 5 where Jesus said

'If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.'

Matthew 5:29

Aron's situation was so serious was that if he did not cut off his own hand he would certainly die. Just like Aron, our struggle with sin should be just as serious, not to the point of mutilating our own bodies, but I think Jesus is saying we need to take sin seriously and take drastic steps to fight it.

I'm always challenged to take sin more seriously than I do, which I think is really hard because it's easy to become callous to sin because we live in and amongst it everyday. We should have the same attitude towards sin as God and hate sin, because God hates sin and be holy because God is holy.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:15-16

8 Reasons Why I don't Share My Faith

2007-06-11T14:27:00.000+10:00

Check out this video. It's a good laugh. A bit corny at times but it makes some great points.

Study Buddies

2007-06-05T06:28:00.000+10:00

Well it's exam time once again and I thought I'd introduce you to some friends of mine who make the hours of mindless study at my desk a bit more bearable.

Yes, that is a Periodic table poster on my wall. Don't laugh it's very handy!

Meek Christians

2007-05-25T11:01:00.000+10:00

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

It's a pretty solid stereotypical view that Christians are doormat people (you can walk all over them) and this passage from Matthew probably fuels this view. What does it mean for a Christian to be meek? Meekness has many negative connotations and often comes across as meaning weak, vulnerable, hopeless etc.

A W Tozer presents a helpful view on this issue in his book 'the Pursuit of God' (read it online here). In it he says:

The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels. (Tozer 1982, p. 104)

Be encouraged that through Christ we are made strong, but at the same time completely dependent on God. Tozer sums it all up with these words: '[man is] in himself nothing; in God everything'.

Uni Supplies

2007-05-25T10:42:00.001+10:00

Ever wonder what the Plunkenator takes with him to uni every day?

1 CASIO scientific calculator (for scientific calculating)
1 notebook and clipboard (for doodling in during lectures)
1 bible (to hear God speak)
1 backpack (3 guesses as to what this is for)
Assorted stationary (to chew on in lectures)
1 600mL water bottle (to squirt my mates with)
1 hacky-sack (to hack)
1 Newcastle/Central Coast Line train timetable (to work out how fast I need to run to the bus/train station)
1 UNSW issued diary
1 beanie (when its cold)
1 cap (when its sunny)
1 lunchbag
Assorted books (at present 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' Aron Ralston, 'Voice of the Martyrs' DC Talk and 'The Pursuit of God' A W Tozer.
1 Australian English Dictionary (for all those long words lecturers use that I don't understand)

Have I been forgetting anything? What do u take to uni?

White as Snow

2007-05-15T09:29:00.000+10:00

I'm reading through Isaiah at the moment:

...Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18
I don't know if this can be directly applied to us (as Isaiah was written to Judah and Jerusalem and not to us 1:1) but it is a great reminder of Jesus who was the one to come and fulfill God's promise and make us 'white as snow'. It's a great relief to know our sins have been fully payed for. Praise God

Plunkenator Lost?

2007-05-15T09:13:00.000+10:00

Ever wonder what happened to me for 28 days in February? Here's some photo's.

Marvel & DC Movies

2007-05-11T17:31:00.000+10:00

Dating

2007-05-08T20:46:00.000+10:00

Dating is a bit of a hot topic amongst Christians (it probably has in the past as well, and will be in the future I'm sure) .Check out this blog/article on dating. I think it makes some good points about the way we need to teach youth/young adults about dating and marriage. It's a great read, especially when comparred to a lot of Josh Harris stuff and his books.
Here's a snipit:

"...teach with far more honesty about marriage, not just sex or dating, to young people. Only if marriage is understood by youth can any approach to seeking a spouse be wisely undertaken. The message should not be to date with a view to marriage, but to date when you are ready for marriage. Not to say that people should date committing to marriage. But rather be at an age of maturity that you are able to get married."

I think if you push for a too serious view of dating you run the risk of taking dating too seriously and viewing dating as a mini-marriage. There needs to be a purpose in a dating relationship with marriage in mind, but there needs to be a reality check sometimes.

I'm trying to say all this humbly from what I've observed from other relationships but I can't speak from experience. (Ive never really had a girlfriend)
What are your thoughts?

Church Isn't About You!

2007-05-08T20:40:00.000+10:00

When I rock up to church the things that are usually at the forefront of my mind are: "who's here tonight?" "Joe-Blogs is on music...sick!" "I wonder what's for supper?" "I hope I can get heaps out of the talk tonight".
I was struck hard in a workshop we did in my Christian group at uni on church. We go to church to hear God's word, sing praises to God, pray and for some to serve. But, we can hear God's word, pray and sing on our own (with God). So what is it that makes church so different? The main point of Church is service as we love one another (if you don't love one another you don't love God, John 3), we do this by serving one another (Galatians 5:13). We also show God's wisdom

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 3:10

And this wisdom is the fact that everyone (both Jew and Gentile) can partake in the promise of Jesus Christ and heirs together (verses 1-7 preceeding Eph 3:10).

After thinking overthe implications this has, I realized areas in my life I need to change in relation to church:

Turn up early. Newcomers come early because the church flyer says Service 6:30 and so they can only assume that it starts at 6:30 so they turn early so they don't make a scene by turning up mid-service. But, unfortunately they don't know that nobody really turns up till 6:40. So they're stuck hanging around, just them, the minister, set-up and music team.
Pray. Pray for the speaker, set-up, tech team (yes they need prayer as well), music team etc. Pray for newcomers and finally, myself that I would have a serving heart as I attend church.
Know my job. Making sure what I'm supposed to be doing (supper, music etc.)
Read the passage and think it through. Coming prepared is important so you can dig into deeper stuff that you wouldn't think about on your first glance at the passage. It also helps keep the minister and their teaching in check (they are after all human too and not some super spiritual transcendent being that gets it right all the time). I think a godly minister will not be offended if you say challenge them, maybe saying "I'm not sure what you said was correct...this is what I think and why".

There's a few ideas. Can you think of any others?

Sleep

2007-05-08T19:02:00.000+10:00

I'm starting a new sleeping pattern in my life. I normally run on 8-9 or even 10 hrs of sleep per night, but today I'm making a new resolution. As a trial, for the next few weeks I'm going to force myself to run on 7-8. I know in my head that 7-8hrs is all I really need and I'm going to give it a go.

How many hours do you run on?

Scripture Minded Heart

2007-05-07T14:38:00.000+10:00

Actively memorising scripture and setting time apart to do it is not one of my strongest points and I need to do it more often. Since realising this a while ago, I'm getting better but there's heaps of room for improvement. Some scripture I can remeber off the top of my head is through indirect memorisation through Church sermons or studying parts of the bible numerous times. But when I reflected on what I can actually remember, the majority of mind-commited scripture is scripture I have actively sought to memorise in the past. There's so many benefits to memorising scripture. Committing scrpture to mind (and heart) will help shape your life as it is so powerful.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12)

Having God's word constantly on your mind will inevitably change the way you live as you reflect upon it more and more. When times are tough or you're in a tricky spot and don't know what to do you can refer to the scripture you have in your head, ready to go.

It's ridiculous to not memorise and mediate scripture if you want to be in a relationship with God. To be in a relationship with anyone you need to talk to them and listen to them speak, how much more do we therefore need to do this with God if we are to grow in a relationship with Him. Reading and memorising scipture is part of our relationship with God.

Here's some verses me and some guys at CBS are trying to memorise at the moment:

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

If you happen to run into me, challenge me to see how I'm going.

Let him who boasts boast in the Lord

2007-04-30T14:24:00.000+10:00

Pride or self pity I think are one of the most dangerous mindsets a Christian can be drawn to. Thinking that 'man I am so good, I can't wait to see what I can do for God', or equally just as dangerous: 'I'm so pathetic and dumb, how can God ever use me?'. I ran across a sick passage in my personal bible reading in 1 Corinthians recently:

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:26-30

It's a huge comfort to know that even though we may not be heaps smart, funny, witty, athletic God can still use us. When I thought about this a bit more I realised that right throughout the history of the bible God uses ordinary people to bring about his purpose: the shepherd David or the Egyptian outcast Moses, or even the Christian persecutor Paul (Saul). But for the times when I feel that I'm so great and talented its important to remember the reason God uses the weak: "to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him". It is ultimately to glorify God and any gifts we have are from God and God alone.

The passage finishes with a great application attitude:

Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 1:31

PHAT07

2007-04-20T12:02:00.000+10:00

PHAT was phat!!! PHAT is our annual youth camp and it's always a joy to be a part of the team and serve God. It was sick hanging with the yr 9 boys. I had a goal to know every kids name in juniors and failed miserbly. I was chucking Sarah's, Sams and Jake's all over the place. I might just have 2 stick to "mate". Does anyone have some tips 4 name memorising?

The theme was spies and I was on the USA (CIA) team. We didn't win but we were still the best team by far!

The talks were great. For juniors (yr 7-9) we studied 1 Thess and learned about what a Christian is. The night talks were on Idols (in particular the idol of selebrity, success and sport). The big idea was that we should turn from idols (anything that gets in the way of your relationship with God) and serve the living and true God. Make Jesus no. 1 in your life! Even as a leader I found the talks heaps helpful. I think we need to constantly check ourselves and make sure Jesus is no. 1 in our life.

The Human Slingshot

2007-04-20T11:58:00.001+10:00

PHAT was Chuck Norris!!!

2007-04-17T17:26:00.000+10:00

PHAT was phat (more on that to come) but for now here's Chuck Norris.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?

The reason newborn babies cry is because they know they have just entered a world with Chuck Norris.

When Chock Norris jumps in the water, Chuck Norris doesn't get wet, the water gets 'Chuck Norris'

Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

Chuck Norris doesn’t need an airbag — his stearing wheel and windshield know better.

Bill Gates lives in constant fear that Chuck Norris’ PC will crash.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records, it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.

PHAT & Year 9 Boyz

2007-04-07T10:25:00.000+10:00

PHAT07 is fast approaching with just under 4 days to go (if you count today). One of the things I love about PHAT is hanging with my youth boys for 5 days straight!!! as opposed to just Sunday and Friday night. We're studying 1 Thess and I can't wait to hit it with the boyz at PHAT.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

2007-04-05T16:23:00.000+10:00

There is this new movement called The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It started when a bloke called Bobby Henderson wrote a letter to the Kansas school board. This church is technically a religion. It basically suggests a new kind of intelligent design, which Bobby suggests should be taught alongside evolution and intellegent design in schools. Bobby pretty much pays out intelligent design and says that if a baseless evolution alternative, that is based purely on faith, can be taught in schools why not something just as ridiculous as a spaghetti monster?

His request is that teaching should be done thus:

"One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."

I think it's sad that this is how some people view christians and creationism. Since the start of my science degree at uni I have been forced to weight up the evidence for and against evolution (as it is pumped into every first year in science), after which I was convinced by the theory of creation. I don't think creation is baseless, but a theory with strong evidence to support it.

He also makes a pretty funny claim about pirates:

"...global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s."

Easter Linebacker

2007-04-02T09:50:00.000+10:00

Click here to watch a hilarious video that emphasizes the true meaning of Easter.

Chipped Tooth

2007-04-02T09:24:00.000+10:00

So there I was playing laser skirmish to celebrate my Ryan's 21st birthday. I approached the large fallen log with enthusiasm and (over)confidence driven by a will to win and the need to fire the first shot. Left foot...right foot..one foot take-off...leap...crack. The oversized laser rifle hits me square in the mouth. As my feet land squarely on the ground so does a small part of me (my tooth) as well as a little dignity.

So here I sit waiting for my 1100 appointment at the dentist who will hopefully transform my rugged, badboy, toughguy face back to the pretty boy face with well proportioned teeth. It's funny the things you do that you think will help your situation. It's a kind of 'being your own doctor'. For instance, over the last two day's I've probably drunk about 3L of milk which I thought would help. Milk is good for teeth right? Maybe it will help strengthen it? One thing's for sure, soft-drink probably wasn't a good idea.
(the picture above isn't actually a photo of me but it's kind of like what my teeth look like at the moment. A photo of me still to come!)

Some Cool Pics

2007-03-30T11:02:00.000+10:00

Defence Force Chaplains

2007-03-27T11:21:00.000+10:00

One area of ministry that I think is often over looked is ministry within the defence/armed forces in all branches: army, navy, air force. Chaplains (or Padre's) in the defence force have the privilege to be employed by the government to serve soldiers through Christian ministry.
Although I believe that peer-to-peer evangelism is far more effective, God is truly working through Defence force Chaplains to reveal himself to, and strengthen soldiers, within the armed forces.

My impression is that most Defence Force members see Padre's as counselors or the 'go to man' when your girlfriend is pregnant. However, in this they are still showing God's love and it is always when we are at our weakest that we realize we need God in our life.

My worry is that there are a lot of Padre's who are watering down the gospel. At Kapooka I had one opportunity to go to church (which was compulsory for all recruits in their first week). I went to the protestant service and heard a talk on 'the good Samaritan' and how we should be good to our mates. This was only one experience and I hope all services aren't like this, but I think that what people need to hear is Jesus. The focus should be on changing the heart of the problem, sin, and not just try to fix our attitudes and be 'good to our mates'.

Pray for Defence Force Chaplains as they preach God's word to soldiers. Pray for godly wisdom, strength and comfort as some are often separated from their families for extended periods of overseas service.
Here's a link to the Anglican defence force chaplains website.
What are your thoughts?

Mengineering

2007-03-18T12:15:00.000+11:00

What is 'Mengineering'?

men-gi-neer-ing [men-juh-neer-ing]

the study of how to become a Christ-reflecting, life-changing, baby-making, wife-loving, child-rearing, Satan-smacking man of God
the forward motion and planning of a mengineer
an annoying and ridiculous term implemented by an attendee of Mars Hill’s Men’s Basic Training

Pretty funny and cool name 4 a mens training group I think

Top Train Travelling Tips

2007-03-13T14:12:00.000+11:00

I'm in my 3rd year of uni at UNSW (Kensington Campus). It may not seem like much but for those of you who don't know me, I live in Gosford on the Central Coast. One of my biggest challenges is using the 4hrs a day I spend traveling wisely. Here's some tips:

1. Read. What you read is almost as important as reading itself. Pump through a book in the bible, I read through Genesis-Exodus in my 1st session of uni. Christian literature is gold! 'Don't waste your life' (John Piper) or 'Gospel and Kingsdom' (Goldsworthy) is a great place to start. Printing off sermon transcripts are great. desiringgod.org has great resources like John Piper sermon transcripts plus articles and other stuff.

2. Work. Readings, Lab reports, tut essays, map diagrams or just good old study. I personally struggle to do uni work on the train due to the limited space but it's great when I do. This also frees up time at home to do other stuff. Moore CollegePTC courses by correspondence are a great way to better undertand God/Bible.

3. Write. Write a Bible study if you lead one or even if you don't. Write a letter to someone, it's soooooo good to get mail that isn't a bill or that free monthly newsletter for that thing you signed up for at Erina Fair once. Write a blog or a comment you might post on my blog after reading this?

4. Talk. Organise to catch the train with a fellow commuter or someone willing to come along for the ride. Talking to someone on your mobile is also good, but I know some people find it irritating when someone talks on their mobile when most people just want peace and quiet. Having a chat to the random next to you is always fun. You can usually pick the ones that would love a chat ( 50+ years is a good benchmark).

5. Ponder. Also known as brainstorming, day-dreaming or thinking. What are your plans for the future? What's a good game to run at youth on Friday? Does that girl really like me? What did she mean when she said "do you like coffee?", how big is God? Where am I lacking in my walk with Christ?

6. Sleep. Not the most productive thing to do, but if you need it the potential is there.

7. Listen. Good music, mp3 sermons or audio textbooks (for all those keen beans out there) keep your ears ready and your mind awake.

There's just a few. Can you think of any more?

INTERNATIONAL SUPER HAPPY FUN FRIEND DAY#3

2007-03-09T10:59:00.000+11:00

For this edition of SHFFD I thought I'd introduce you to one of my oldest friends Josh. Josh and I became friends through his brother. Josh and his family live just a stone's throw from my house, I was good mates with his brother and Josh was always just there in the background and I never gave him much thought. When Josh's brother moved out I was stuck I was down one friend (which is a lot when you live in Kariong). I was a bit skeptical about hanging out with him at first due to the unwritten law that you aren't supposed to be friends with your friends brother (at least when your 10 anyway). But the more we hung out the more we realised we had in common.

Together we've lead on numerous Summerfest's and both serve at ccecyouth. We've shared trips to Sydney, Nelsons bay, Tuggerah, Cold rock at Terrigal and heaps more that I can't think of right now. The biggest thing we have in common is our love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, because of this Josh isn't just a mate or my friends brother but my brother in Christ.

Evangelism

2007-03-02T12:55:00.000+11:00

This is hilarious.

The Army, Teamwork and Jesus

2007-03-01T14:13:00.000+11:00

I learnt a lot during my time at Kapooka, one of which was the 6 values of the Australian Army. One of the 6 values the Army is built on is 'teamwork' and as I reflected upon it I was suprised by how important it is. At Kapooka (and in the wider Army), teamwork is essential and the recruit instructors make sure that everyone is a team player and no-one is going 'jack on their mates'. It's amazing how closely I bonded with the recruits of 16 platoon. We all had a common goal and learnt to work together on any given task and to rely on each other when times were tough.

I reflected on this and how we as Christians have a common goal much more profound than that of the Australian Army. We are one in Christ with a common goal to glorify Him and further His kingdom. How much more should we as Christians be sticking together and working as a team!?! While I reflected on this a few bible verses came to mind:

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:4-8

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galations 3:26-28

Let us be united together as brothers and sisters in Christ and use whatever gifts God has given us to further His kingdom. GO TEAM!!!!

PS. I got a new nick-name while I was away: 'Plankton'. What do u reccon? Could it catch on?

Kapooka Return

2007-02-26T15:56:00.000+11:00

I'm back from 28 days with the ADF at Kapooka recruit training centre. It was mentally, physically and spiritually challenging. Praise God for the opportunities I had to talk to my fellow soldiers about the love I have for Jesus and the hope they can have in Him. Praise God also for the great mates I made while there and for my own personal growth while at Kapooka, I really do feel like a different (a good different) person because of it.

I'm a bit stuffed at the moment but stay tuned for a more detailed de-brief of my time at 1RTB after some R and R.

INTERNATIONAL SUPER HAPPY FUN FRIEND DAY #2

2007-01-02T14:29:00.000+11:00

Well it's International Super Happy Fun Friend Day once again. I thought I'd introduce Lachlan Grice. Grice is another good mate of mine. He goes to Sydney Uni studying Liberal studies (glorified arts degree) and is also a leader at ccecyouth. I first met him years ago at youth group. He's a bit smarter and more masculine now but he still has a nose for mischief. We both catch the train to Sydney for uni and the conversations we have are always fruitful as we discuss issues from predestination to singleness and marriage.

Just hanging around him and chatting to him over the years has encouraged me to think further about issues in the bible and really dig deep, not just settle for the popular or simplest answer. I'm always encouraged by his relationship and attitude towards his parents, even when things seem unfair. He has been a great friend over the years and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him in the future.

The Story So Far...

2006-12-27T13:14:00.000+11:00

I just bought a cd called 'Vheissu' by Thrice. I'm not normally into sreamo bands but i think they make it fit well and it really complements the cd. The cd rocks out and the lyrics a so encouraging. Here's a few lines:

'For Miles'

I know one day, all our scars will disappear, like the stars at dawn
and all of our pain, will fade away when morning comes
and on that day when we look backwards we will see, that
everything is changed
and all our trials, will be as milestones on the way.

'Of Dust And Nations'

so put your faith in more than steel
don't store your treastures up, with moth and rust
where thieves break in and steal
pull the fangs from out your heel
we live in but a shadow of the real.

Definately a cd worth buying. Happy post boxing day

Psalm Chunk

2006-11-25T22:56:00.000+11:00

This will be my last post 4 about a week as I will be in Sydney fruit picking. I thought I'd leave you with a Psalm chunk I've found encouraging in my personal reading time:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit

within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to

sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

It's funny how sometimes scripture really hits the spot. Personally, I can really identify with the author in this cry to God. It's encouraging to know that God has given us the Holy Spirit so we can serve and worship him joyfully.

Asking God to not take the Holy Spirit away from me is never a constant prayer point in my mind. Maybe it should be something we should be praying for more often? I definately need to be constantly echoing this prayer in my heart as I ask 4 joy and a steadfast, willing & sustaining spirit.

Catch u in a week!

INTERNATIONAL SUPER HAPPY FUN FRIEND DAY#1

2006-11-24T10:00:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the first INTERNATIONAL SUPER HAPPY FUN FRIEND DAY (ISHFFD). On ISHFFD it is customary to do a short blurb about one of your close mates on your blog. I'm going to try to make this a regular thing but soon enought I'll get bored or run out of friends to blog so keep those comments coming. Here we go:

This is Ryan 'RPG' PJ, I've known him for about as long as I've been going to CCEC. He's one of my great mates and we've been through a lot together. He leads a bunch of year 8 boys with me at youth and I don't know how I'd cope without him. People who haven't known either of us 4 very long get us confused because we share the same height, shirt size, build, our surnames start with the same letter and we're about as good looking as each other (and we both share a remarkable resemblance to Brad Pitt).

For example, two Sundays ago at morning church Mr Vant spoke to me for a good while about holidays and if I'm ready for my apparent trip to Canada yet, which I wasn't because it was the PJ's who were going not the Plunketts.

Some of our adventures include: year 12 study camp (It sounds lame I know but I've never played that much hackie in 6 straight days in my life!), Schoolies @ Nelson's Bay, numerous trips to Sydney, 2 years of CCECyouth, 3 Summerfests and 2 PHAT camps.

Happy INTERNATIONAL SUPER HAPPY FUN FRIEND DAY!

Exam Euphoria

2006-11-16T12:01:00.000+11:00

Last night at bible study we looked at being thankful towards God, what to be thankful for, our motivation etc. This was because last Sunday at church was 'THANKSGIVING SUNDAY' (Rhett assured me that it is in no way related to the American day of thanksgiving). One question which I really reflected on was is it easy to feel thankful?

For me,I find it varies from time to time. I particularly feel thankful towards God around exam time (or when uni assessments are hectic). When things are getting tough it's always comforting to know the hope we have in Christ and the things of this age (exams) will one day pass away.

One of my biggest struggles is letting this fact rule me in such a way that it leads to complete apathy in my uni work. I have found there to be a fine line between knowing our hope in Christ and a loss in effort put into study or work.To be honest, I should be studying right now instead of writting this blog.
As always, we must be challenged and shaped by the Lord and his word. In these circumstances I try to remember:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

What can you guys be thankful for? Does anyone else struggle with this aspect of work or study?

10 Reasons To Love AFL

2006-11-14T08:58:00.000+11:00

AFL is one of those sports which is too often overlooked. Everyone gives into peer pressure and decides to hate AFL...but I love it!

Here's 10 reasons why:
1. It's uniquely Australian,
2. It's more national than NRL (which is east coast dominated),
3. It's free flowing with little stoppages,
4. Watching glorious marks are way more entertaining than watching
5. There's a rich history behind AFL,
6. There's more biffs in AFL,
7. It takes more skill to kick a goal
8. The key advantages are speed and agility not brute strength
9. Bouncing a football while running takes a fair bit of skill under pressure and they pull it off, and
10. Tourists have no idea what you're on about when you try to explain it to them

I'm Not Alright

2006-11-13T10:30:00.000+11:00

My mate Gilbert lent me Sanctus real's latest album 'The Face of Love'. I found it so encouraging and so I read a bit behind the making of the album and it turns out that a series of terrible events led to the whole theme of the album. It seems that when hard times come around people tend to react one of two ways:

1. Hate God because of it and become bitter towards him, or

2. Turn to God and find comfort in Him and His sovereign will.

The lyrics of this cd show despair in amongst hard times but comfort in knowing God. The first song of the album is called 'I'm Not Alright'. Here's a snipp-it:

If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of

Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall

I am not immune, I only want to be loved

But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need impress?

If you want the truth I need to confess

[Chorus:]

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside

And all I go through, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride

Bring me to my weakness

Until everything I hide behind is gone

And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to

Only you are there to lead me on.

Honestly, I'm not that strong

This reminded me of a verse I read recently from Psalms:

The righteous cry out, & the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close close to the broken-hearted & saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:17-18

Be encouraged to take comfort in the Lord in times of trouble especially when the times are tough.Peace Out

The Screwtape Letters

2006-11-13T10:27:00.000+11:00

I've recently started reading 'The Screwtape Letters' by C. S. Lewis again. If you haven't heard of it, it's a series of fictional letters written from the perspective of devils or tempters. In this case, the letters are written to a junior tempter from his more experienced and senior uncle. It provides a great insight into the spiritual realm of this world and made me realise a lot of things about myself and the human condition of selfishness, pride, love, war amongst other things.

One section that stood out for me was about the deception of time:

"Our business is to get them [us] away from the eternal and present...The future is of all things the thing the least like eternity. It is the most temportal of time for the past is frozen and no longer flows and the present is all lit up with eternal rays. Hence nearly all vices are rooted in the future. Gratitude looks to the past, and love to the present; fear, greed, lust and ambition look ahead."

How often do we look to the future instead of the present? How often we hear ourselves say 'I'll work on that later' or 'I'll make amends with that person later' 'I'll work on that sin later'? What struck me was that we are eternal creatures made by God to be with him. Living in the present is the thing that most reflects eternity and we should be living in it.

'The duty of planning tomorrow's work is today's duty; like all duties, it is in the present'.

I also found it to be a helpful reminder that there is a spiritual world and a spiritual battle going on, but the real comfort is that we know who will win.

My True Love

2006-11-13T10:25:00.000+11:00

Hey I found this funky love poem generator. You just punch in a few nouns, adjectives, types of fruits, body parts and volla! I reccon I'll be married in no time.

My LoveYour skin glows like the paw paw, blossoms straight as the venus fly trap in the purest hope of spring.

My heart follows your big bass drum voice and leaps like a giraffe at the whisper of your name.

The evening floats in on a great toucan wing.I am comforted by your beanie that I carry into the twilight of bikebeams and hold next to my nose hair.

I am filled with hope that I may dry your tears of mercury.

As my pinky falls from my sweat band, it reminds me of your house.

In the quiet, I listen for the last squeal of the day.

My heated nose leaps to my metro.

I wait in the moonlight for your secret clock so that we may run as one, nose to nose, in search of the magnificient aqua and mystical shelf of love.

Tips 4 Bible Reading

2006-11-13T10:24:00.000+11:00

Reading the bible is a great privilege we have and we too often take advantage of the fact that in Australia bibles are plentiful and in our first language. The Bible is God's word and we should be feeding on it daily.
Here are some tips for bible reading I've come up with just from personal experience:

1. Pray before you start. It is only through God giving us the Holy spirit that we can understand his word and we definately need his help to do this.

2. Don't read on your bed. I find it distracting and makes me a bit drowsy. Try sitting at a study desk or even standing and reading out loud.

3. Study notes can be good and bad. It can temp you to read a passage and then go 'what the heck does that mean?' and go straight to the study notes or footnotes (like in the NIV study bible). Try to wrestle with the passage yourself first, look up cross references then after you've made up your own mind have a look at what other people have written.

4. Intentionally read a book. Don't just randomly plonk open your bible, stick your finger in the middle of the page and go 'hmmm I guess today I'll read Isaiah 53:10'. Set apart a book in the bible and read the whole thing in its context. It is really helpful to read a bit on the background of the book(particularly with OT books) like the author, recipient, relative time in terms of the bible etc.

5. Don't read the Bible dutifully (if thats a word), it shouldn't be a chore but a joy. When you read the bible, you're listening to the God of the universe speak to you...how awsome is that!

6. Set time apart to read the bible. If you read the bible whenever you feel like it it won't really happen all that much. Set a time like as soon as you wake up or the first thing you do before you get home and flick on the telly (wow imagine reading instead of watching tv!). Make this your priority and don't let anything get in the way. I really struggle in the holidays so that may be a focus area for you as well.

7. After you finish reading think about what you've read and mull it over in your mind don't just plonk it down and be grateful that that part of your day is over. How have you been challenged in the way you view yourself? God? the world? Do you need to change anything in your life? What questions do you still have? Pray in light of what you have read.

8. Don't let your bible reading shape the way you think how much God loves you. It is not by anything we have done that God loves us, it is through his son, Jesus, that we are saved. There is nothing we can do to gain his favour. You will no doubt feel slack when you haven't read the bible for ages. Just stop, pray, repent and get right back into God's word.

9. Memorise bits of what you read. Store away key verses and themes in your mind ready for reference later on. This is really useful, particularly if you're in a place of leadership.
Hope you find these helpful. Let me know of any other methods you have found helpful I'd love to hear them.

Jeremiah 29

2006-11-13T10:22:00.000+11:00

Towards the end of my year 12 schooling the year 11's gave us each a laminated memory verse to encourage and keep us sane throughout the HSC. It is taken from the book of Jeremiah who was a prophet to Israel after years of Israel's idolitary and turning their backs on the one true god, the Lord (Yahweh).
The verse quoted was Jeremiah 29:11-13:

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Although this is an encouraging verse I think it is used incorrectly. The way in which it is often used (and intended when presented to us I suspect) is that if we are God's we will prosper and have a nice life with a great HSC score, wife, job whatever. I have just finished reading through Jeremiah in it's entirety and I'm not convinced we can apply this verse directly to us.

The key to understanding this text is by it's context, that being it's intended recipients. This promise is made directly from God to his people (via the prophet Jeremiah) in amongst the curses and warning God brings upon the Iraelites. The majority of the book is God judging and condeming Isreal for their idolitrous ways but still with a glimmer of hope (Jeremiah 29 being an example of this).

In the end (WARNING: SPOILER APPROACHING) the city walls are breached and some of Israel flees to Egypt and other places (only to be wiped out by famine and the sword). But in the end the prophesy comes true and the Israelites that stayed are captured and taken into captivity.

This is where I believe the promise comes into play. The promise is to the remaining Israelites, that even after years of living under slavery in a foreign land God will restore them and not forget them but "prosper [them] and not to harm [them], plans to give [them] hope and a future".

This isn't to say we should tear out the book of Jeremiah. It does have an application to us in that this is a shadow of the things to come, Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of thispromise. God does have plans for us (but not those directed towards Israel in this sense) and we will prosper but it may not necessarily be on Earth. God's promise of prosperity to us is through the sacrificial death of Jesus and that through that we may inherit eternal life pruely through grace. To apply Jeremiah 29:11-13 in such a way that it means we will prosper is not reading it correctly. If 29:11-13 applies directly to us why not 29:17-18?:

I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like poor figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten. I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth and an object of cursing and horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them.

I am not saying that being a christian means you wont prosper in this life (in a materialistic sense). It may very well happen and this is by no means a sign of godliness or God's favour unpon you, but this shouldn't be our focus. Suffering and hardship are to be expected, 1 Peter 4:12-13:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Indeed not only should suffering be expected but rejoiced in (v13). Suffering is an essential part of growing as a Christian as we grow in character. Romans 5:3-5:

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I have found Jeremiah 29:11-13 an encouraging part of the bible as it reminded me of the promise God has made to me (and all of us who have faith in the Lord Jesus). That being the hope we have in heaven.
What are your thoughts?

Furthur Reading: Goldsworthy, G. 1981, 'Gospel and Kingdom'

Welcome

2006-11-13T10:19:00.000+11:00

Welcome to my fist blog. I thought I'd start by copying blogs from my previous blog so have a squiz if you haven't already. Always feel free 2 comment.