Otium Sanctum - Holy Leisure

Archbishop of Cantebury's New Year Message

2010-01-02T15:11:00.002Z

In his BBC New Year Message the Archbishop of Canterbury sets out that in this global society we now inhabit "risk and suffering are everybody's problem, the needs of our neighbours are the needs of the whole human family."

As we enter a new decade, the Archbishop reflects on The Millennium Development Goals, eight key objectives about tackling poverty and disease, agreed by over 200 nations and international bodies, which "summed up for a lot of us the hopes we had for a new look at our world."

Dr Williams recognises that it has been a "terrible and gruelling ten years in all kinds of ways, with terrorism and war and natural disaster and the financial collapse of the last fifteen months. But the Archbishop says "before we shrug our shoulders and lower our expectations, let's not lose sight of one enormous lesson we can learn from the last decade.

"The truth is that there are fewer and fewer problems in our world that are just local. Suffering and risk spread across boundaries, even that biggest of all boundaries between the rich and the poor. Crises don't stop at national frontiers. It's one thing that terrorism and environmental challenge and epidemic disease have taught us."

He asks us to recognise how our actions can make a difference:

"We're still falling short in the delivery of the Millennium Development Goals, but that doesn't mean we can forget them or water them down. We've seen some signs of change; we can make more, by supporting efforts to help children out of poverty across the world – and locally as well – by campaigns to protect our environment, by keeping up pressure on our governments."

"We share the risks. The big question is, can we share the hopes and create the possibilities? Because it's when we do share the hopes that we really see what it is to belong together as human beings, discovering our own humanity as we honour the human dignity of others."

The Archbishop urges us try to respond to problems that are geographically remote as we would to those of our immediate family:

"Above all, it's about not losing our hope for change and our love and respect for the dignity of everyone. In a world where risk and suffering are everybody's problem, the needs of our neighbours are the needs of the whole human family. Let's respond just as we do when our immediate family is in need or trouble. We may be amazed by the difference we can make."

The full transcript of the video is below:

Remember New Year's Eve ten years ago? All our family piled out of doors to watch the fireworks all around the horizon.

And the start of the new millennium was a moment for fireworks, a moment of real excitement. At one level it may just have been a flipping over of the calendar, just a date in the book. But for so many people it represented something we all dream about – a change in the sort of world we live in, a change that could bring us that bit closer to a world where cruelty, suffering and unfairness get dealt with properly.

That's why the 'Millennium Development Goals' summed up for a lot of us the hopes we had for a new look at our world – goals agreed by over 200 nations and international bodies with eight key objectives about tackling poverty and disease and building a fairer and safer world.

Yes, we could say, it is possible to think of a world where child poverty has been abolished; yes, it is possible to get rid of diseases like malaria and to guarantee proper access to medication for everyone who lives with HIV; yes, we can do something about education for the poorest. We can after all believe that there is hope for those in our world who have least power and influence and security.

And it's true that it has been a terrible and gruelling ten years in all kinds of ways, with terrorism and war and natural disaster and the financial collapse of the last fifteen months. Plenty there to distract us, you might well think.

But before we do shrug our shoulders and lower our expectations, let's not lose sight of one enormous lesson we can learn from the last decade. The truth is that there are fewer and fewer problems in our world that are just local. Suffering and risk spread across boundaries, even that biggest of all boundaries between the rich and the poor. Crises don't stop at national frontiers. It's one thing that terrorism and environmental challenge and epidemic disease have taught us.

We share the risks. The big question is, can we share the hopes and create the possibilities? Because it's when we do share the hopes that we really see what it is to belong together as human beings, discovering our own humanity as we honour the human dignity of others.

If we look back, quite a bit has been achieved. There is hope but so much remains to be done: each year, nine million children still die before reaching their fifth birthday – from avoidable disease, from violence and undernourishment.

Ten years ago, we had a chance to remember what we wanted for ourselves and others in our world; a chance to remind ourselves what it means to see men and women as made in the image of God, a God who loves each of us beyond imagining and who stepped into our world 2,000 years ago to transform it.

We're still falling short in the delivery of the Millennium Development Goals, but that doesn't mean we can forget them or water them down. We've seen some signs of change; we can make more, by supporting efforts to help children out of poverty across the world – and locally as well – by campaigns to protect our environment, by keeping up pressure on our governments.

Above all, it's about not losing our hope for change and our love and respect for the dignity of everyone. In a world where risk and suffering are everybody's problem, the needs of our neighbours are the needs of the whole human family. Let's respond just as we do when our immediate family is in need or trouble. We may be amazed by the difference we can make.

God help you make a difference; and God bless you all and those you love in this coming year.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: Dr. Rowan Williams

His Mercies are new EVERY morning

2010-01-01T19:40:00.001Z

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning... (Lamentations 3:23-24 RSV)
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:5 NLT)

Skepticism isn’t hard to come by. Another lap around the track, another year on life’s treadmill, and skepticism grows along with the wrinkles, freckles, fallen archers, and passing years. “Can a leopard change its spots?” God had Jeremiah ask the consistently rebellious and sinful people of Israel. Even God showed his skepticism at his people’s claim to be able to reform their behaviors. No, skepticism isn’t hard to come by anytime. The start of the New Year, with all its talk of reform, change, discipline, and resolutions only makes skepticism the flavor of the month in many circles where change is unwanted.

For some reason, many of us need a special occasion to help us leverage major life changes. Maybe it’s the second half comebacks we see in sports or the late in life blooming we see in some people we admire. So here we stand again at the edge of the New Year. We’re not really sure whether to try to leverage this “new start” for some needed changes or to simply greet this time of year with a “healthy skepticism” — partially because we’re not sure we want to pay the price for the changes and partially because we doubt we can sustain them. We’ve played this game before and failed, so why do it again?

While I would love to encourage you to follow through on your resolutions toward weight loss, reasonable exercise, more faithful Bible reading, a deeper walk with God, better discipline at sticking to your priorities (or any number other good resolutions), that’s not what this article is about. Instead, I want to remind you that in Christ, our paradigm for fresh starts is not the New Year, but each New Day!

“Today is the day of salvation!” the Bible reminds us in several places (Exodus 14:13; Luke 19:9; 2 Corinthians 6:2). God’s love and mercy are new to us every morning (Lamentations 3:23-24). We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus every today (Luke 9:23). Our lives can be purged of their sin and we can be renewed each day because of the LORD’s forgiveness and grace (Psalm 103:5). We are to find another Christian to encourage today as long as the Lord keeps giving us a new day (Hebrews 3:13). We are not to worry about the future, but instead, focus on today (Matthew 6:34). We are not to get too caught up in our own plans, because each day of our lives is really in the Lord’s hands (James 4:13-17). We must live each day knowing that our ultimate salvation is nearer now than ever before (Romans 13:11).

“So what’s the point?” I hope you’re asking.

We resolve to live each new day as a fresh start given to us by God as gift (Psalm 118:24). Not only do we get a fresh start each new day, we also have God’s promise to keep pouring his love into our hearts each day (Romans 5:5) and to keep on giving us his Spirit each day (1 Thessalonians 4:8). While there are many very good resolutions that we can make this year, there is one commitment I want to challenge you to make: start each day as God’s gift of a fresh new start. We are called to be “today” people, God’s folks who live in the present because we know our future is secure. So let’s begin each day knowing that like God’s love and mercy, we can be new every morning!

"New Every Morning" by Phil Ware

Immanuel: God With Us - Come & Worship

2009-12-25T12:00:00.009Z

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

Advent Conspiracy - Love All

2009-12-24T10:46:00.000Z

When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began four churches challenged this simple concept to its congregations. The result raised more than a half million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift. One unbelievable present in the name of Christ. Advent Conspiracy

Practically speaking...HOW THE HECK DO WE LOVE ALL?? WHAT DOES IT EVEN MEAN TO LOVE ALL? WHAT IS LOVE?

Well Jesus had something to say about love... in fact he had quite a bit to say... and since I'm finding it hard to summarise this message - I'll let Jesus talk to you for a moment!

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? even sinners do that...But love your enemies, do good to them...Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:32-36)

"Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself..." (Matt 22:37-39)

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down's one's life for one's friends...I have called you friends..." (John 15:13, 15)

This love seems to indicate self-sacrifice, servant-hood, where you give of yourself to another, and not just to those with whom you receive something back. So often we give because we get something in return, we love someone because they love us. It's hard to keep on loving when there is no "reward".
Love is what God is all about "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8,16). Many people today have not experienced true love - through neglect, abuse, deprivation and various other things. Yet, we can, even if we have never experienced it, know what love truly is...

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..." (1 Jn 3:16)

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 Jn 4:9-10)

What is interesting is that in 1 John 3, the writer goes on to tell us - the readers, what love is to be about in the here and now

"If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 Jn 3:17-18)

This is what LOVE is all about - not some airy fairy feeling, but real love is evidenced in and through ACTION & TRUTH. It is about acting upon the needs we see around us. It's about caring, being merciful, living out relationally with others, knowing what is happening with them, giving them a phone call, writing a letter.

It is impossible for any one person to know and love all people (except God!) Yet we are placed within a family and network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances. It is in that sphere of personal influence where love can be demonstrated. Where the reality of God's love can be experienced in our daily lives and with those around us.

Advent Conspiracy - Give More...Take Time!!

2009-12-23T19:22:00.007Z

What is giving really all about? It seems today that so much of life makes demands on us... and especially within Christian circles. There seems, to me, an expectation on our lives to constantly be giving of our time, resources, of ourselves. Giving too much of yourself is not necessarily a good thing - and I learnt that the hard way. I know the pitfalls of "full-time" ministry, and listening to the call to "do more...give more... be more." I've heard the questions...What are you doing with your life? What have you done for God? Why don't you...? You could get involved with the youth... preaching...bible study...

So I'm not going to advocate listening to all the voices that constantly shout at us to "give more". It doesn't really help motivate people. AC (Advent Conspiracy) says the following:

God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right? Advent Conspiracy

The point here is not to suddenly give away all your time to those around you... perhaps I could urge you to TAKE TIME instead. Each one of us are individuals and we function best within relationship to others, but first and foremost we need to foster deeper relationship with God, and this can only be done by TAKING TIME. None if us would reject the notion that to form good relationships you need to spend time together. If we spend time with God then we will get to know him better, and that is what this season in part is about - God showing himself to us through a "helpless babe". The great thing about spending time with God, whether that's through listening to music, reading the Bible or out in creation looking and watching, we often can find refreshment to do all the other things that are asked of us - or at least perhaps for some - you may find the wisdom to know what to give and when to give it?!?

Faith Comes by Hearing - Free Audio Bibles

2009-12-22T16:08:00.003Z

I have to admit that I am a BIG fan of good quality audio Bibles. I say "good-quality" because there have been and probably still are some pretty horrendous cheap recordings.

I was first given a "faith comes by hearing" set of New Testament tapes many moons ago when they were first released. It was the NIV dramatised, and I loved it. I would play it at night - was really great for helping me sleep!!! Ha ha!

With the advent of CD's, and MP3 CD's the Audio Bible seemed to be a great way for publishers to make some extra bucks, since most, in my opinion were over-priced. I then found the "Inspired By Media Group", an American produced assortment of the whole Bible using the TNIV (Today's New International Version). A very entertaining read, though at times the accents and expressions annoy me, and I often wonder why they decided to use that particular person to play the voice of someone in the Bible - guess it is a matter of personal preference?!? I gotta say in general its been helpful, especially for me who has had to make her way through most of the Bible, several times!!

Well, just yesterday I was referred out of chance right back to my favourites - the "Faith Comes by Hearing" (FCBH) group. I have been looking for a good audio version of the NRSV - my usual study Bible. Not being someone with a lot of dosh to spend on such luxuries and am "ecstatic" that part of the mission of FCBH is to provide FREE Audio Bibles in as many languages as possible. OH YEAH - you heard it right...FREE... and not the kind of FREE that has you sign up and then you realise you get 5min sample. I just downloaded 2 different versions of the New Testament in English. So far I am impressed. Though at times it sounds slow, I can always speed that up in Quicktime. For me this whole thing gets a big THUMBS UP - it's Free, offers quality playback, and has the New Testament in over 400 languages.

So here is the link for all you interested parties - I suggest downloading their "Audio Bible download manager" and creating an account to get a more than 1 download. You can also become an "Ambassador", should you wish?

AND... for those you know without a computer - like a lot of the world, you can purchase CD's, or even "the Proclaimer" (a dedicated, digital player powered by the sun).

Faith Comes By Hearing.com

Advent Conspiracy - Spend Less

2009-12-19T19:10:00.029Z

This year I have managed to buy less presents for people - though I must admit it has been fuelled more by the emptiness in my purse than it has to do with the call by the Advent Conspiracy lot. It's not a bad idea though I love buying presents. Gift buying is often my personal way of showing love to people, especially those I know well, and am close to. Advent Conspiracy says the following:

Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean. We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas.
How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation?
Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.

Gifts, and giving as we do at Christmas is not a bad thing. The wise men who visited Mary & Joseph after the birth of Jesus bought gifts!! Gifts can be a sign or symbol of something much deeper. Yet today, we find the real meaning of Christmas is lost in the commercialization of this season, and because western society is so entrenched in valuing money & materialism it would serve us well to take a step back from what Christmas has become for so many of us, and consider our motivation - what is driving us to spend, and is it necessary for us to devote so much of our time to things which, ultimately, will not endure?!?

Advent Conspiracy - Worship Fully

2009-12-18T12:11:00.002Z

What does it mean to WORSHIP FULLY? To live a LIFESTYLE of worship? How do we worship?

It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Advent Conspiracy - Worship Fully

Christ tends to get overlooked at Christmas, just watch an hour of commercial TV and the adverts will show you what Christmas has become. But lets just ask a Christian what it means to worship? Or what image comes to mind when the word "worship" is mentioned? I'll bet you a couple of shiny coins that most think of church, Sundays and if you're lucky... hands in the air. I did an image search for "worship". Guess what picture presented itself the most? Yep - it was the "hands in the air image"

This has become the symbol of worship!! The question we need to ask ourselves - is that what worship is about? Of course I'm sure most will answer NO. Singing songs together is just a part of it. An outward expression of love for God. They may be right.

Yet what is the philosophy that fuels this type of worship? Some churches I've been to, worship is a specific "TIME" slot and seems to be more about performance than Jesus. So What is worship really about? What does Jesus say about it? What does the Bible say? What does a worship lifestyle entail? If worship is about Jesus - what should that look like today?

A 7 day church!

2009-12-16T18:50:00.001Z

7 is greater than 1 - Check this video out from Soul City Church (USA).
What if church was not just a 1 day a week occurrence? What if the church engaged in its local community 7 days a week?

HT Thanks: Rus Hardin for pointing out the vid

Advent Conspiracy - Christmas is coming!

2009-12-14T12:26:00.000Z

What should Christmas really be about? I don't think I am the only one asking this question. Just have a chat with a few different people and you can often hear the frustration of this season - the presents, family gatherings, expectations, credit crunch...and the list goes on.

So how did we get to this point? Where December sees our credit cards maxed out, our life become hectic... more of everything! Where the suicide rate increases, arguments explode... is this what we can look forward to?

There is no doubt that Christmas for many is not a time of celebration, something to look forward to. Rather it's a time of loneliness, frustration, sadness...

Christmas in reality is very different to what it is in truth!

Christmas is...and should be...about Jesus. A time to remember not just a story, but an actual event where God showed his love for this broken world by sending his son Jesus as a vulnerable little baby. A baby that was a king! A baby that was to "save" this world from separation from its creator God.

Jesus is the "reason for this season" as some slogans say. However, if you're having a bad time of it that doesn't seem to offer you much hope! Yet, Jesus' birth is all about hope. It's all about God the Father loving the world - loving you and me - and giving us a chance at a new life. Not necessarily an easy life, but a new life, where we can live in fellowship with God.

Christmas is a time to show the world there is HOPE. That this season is not just about having to meet the expectations pushed upon you by the media, by materialism, adverts and all that. It's not about cooking the perfect turkey, or laying on the best christmas day spread.

The next few days I'm gonna take a look at the 4 concepts promoted by the aptly named "Advent Conspiracy".
1. Worship Fully
2. Spend Less
3. Give More
4. Love All

Who wants a Christmas worth forgetting? Christmas can still change the world - The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

What is it with Christians? Making Judgements!

2009-12-08T13:27:00.003Z

Please forgive me... it is rant and rave... vex and vent time... and if I withhold you can bet I won’t be able to get on with my study!!
Yes, what is it with certain Christians that they feel they are able to judge what God is doing in anothers life, as if they have the formula...and as if God works according to our human understanding?!

Now don’t get me wrong,

Can we understand what God is about? Yes, but with limits!

Can we learn his ways? Yes, but within limits!

Can we know why God did something? Or how our life turned out the way it did? Yes, but not in its entirety!

Just take a look at the book of Job - why did God do what he did? Did his friends understand his situation? Did his friends have insights into the workings of God? Well they thought they did but that turned out VERY wrong. They has their formula all sorted and declared that Job’s misery was a result of his sin and God’s judgement. The reality that we have insight into is that Job was blameless. His situation had nothing to do with judgement or sin. Even in the book of Job we never read that he got answers to his questions - we never fully understand what God was up to - but one thing was for sure - God was doing something!

God has certainly revealed important things about himself, his ways, his character, but if anything he has surely shown us (through Scripture, through Jesus etc) that we cannot presume to fully know what God is about. His character DOES NOT CHANGE, but surely his WAYS DO?!

So perhaps us Christians should learn that life is not so simple, that we best refrain from our judgements - not simply because we may be wrong, but because it hurts!! When we judge anothers circumstances, we judge from a one-sided bias... based on our own limited experiences of God, the world, relationships. When we judge another, we show lack of love, understanding, compassion, neighbourliness...

At least if we’re going to judge - perhaps keep our mouth shut in the process - I would certainly benefit from that?!!

Advice from J.I. Packer

2009-12-03T11:03:00.000Z

JI Packer - theologian, teacher, writer, Patriarch - a man I admire. I've never met him but would love to "sit under his feet"... He's written over 60 books on various subjects related to Christianity. He was the only academic and theologian named in Time's 2005 list of the most influential evangelicals in America. He's now headed for his mid-80's and still going strong. Here's some advice from him:

Packer's advice

To new husbands: My advice to a new husband is nothing more than "husbands, love your wives." And "love your wife as Christ has loved the church." Never forget that you are Christ's representative in serving your wife.

To new pastors: You have three priorities: teach, teach, and teach. Evangelical churches are weaker than we realize because we don't teach the confessions and doctrine. Set new standards in teaching. Understand the word catechesis, and practice that art.

To web devotees: I'm amazed at the amount of time people spend on the internet. I'm not against technology, but all tools should be used to their best advantage. We should be spending our time on things that have staying power, instead of on the latest thought of the latest blogger—and then moving on quickly to the next blogger. That makes us more superficial, not more thoughtful. —
World Magazine

The Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody

2009-12-02T10:51:00.000Z

Have the Muppets gone politically correct??

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody @ Yahoo! Video

Just out of interest,
"the original had Freddy Mercury singing about 'Bismillah' - the opening word in the Qu'ran (Koran) which is translated 'In the name of Allah':

Bismillah! No - we will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let me go"

As Cranmer goes on to say:
"this lyric does not appear in the Muppet version: it is supplanted by incomprehensible gibberish.

Presumably, it is completely excised so as not to offend some hyper-sensitive Muslims or to cause the invocation of a fatwah on Kermit or Gonzo. After all, we could not have Miss Piggy invoking the name of Allah, could we?" Cranmer

Ah, what the heck? Who cares - I love the Muppets and their usual gibberish - nothing new there. I bet most people never knew "Bismillah" was even near a reference to "the name of Allah" - I certainly didn't until Archbishop Cranmer kindly pointed it out!

Beelzebub seems missing as well (in the original version He-Has-A-Dev-il-Put-A-Side-For-Me! For-Me! For-MEEEEEEE!)

Advent Conspiracy - Changing the World

2009-12-01T11:16:00.000Z

Christmas can [still] change the world.
The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.
Here is the 2009 promo video

Beautiful Slave

2009-11-30T10:07:00.000Z

There are more people in slavery today than at any time in human history – 27 million.

This growth in the number of slaves is driven by the population explosion, widespread impoverishment of people and their resulting vulnerability, and government corruption so that people are not protected from the violence of enslavement.

Recently I took a small group of people through the letter Paul wrote to Philemon. The letter itself concerns a slave called Onesimus who had run away from his master (Philemon), and somehow met the apostle Paul in prison in Rome. By Roman law, the power of life and death was in the hands of the master - the head of the family. Onesimus, despite laws to protect slaves during the 1st century, would have been considered as "property" - thus anyone coming in to contact with a runaway slave was required by law to return them to their owner.
1st century slavery was slightly different to what we have now come to know - when we think of it today, I'm sure images of Black Africans chained up, deprived, abused etc comes to mind - a race based institution. 1st century slavery did not function on a racial basis and its intention was not to reduce the value of the enslaved. Slaves were often educated, and an important part of the Roman Empires workforce being given jobs of responsibility. Slavery was not considered a permanent position and there were ways you could be released - death or manumission (be released/set free). Owners could manumit someone on the basis of good, loyal behaviour and hard work, and on release many were given citizenship into the Roman Empire.

The Bible does not expressly condone or condemn slavery, yet there are many things we can learn from the Bible about the ideal treatment of people. The apostle Paul was a somewhat "subversive" type when it came to slavery, and so was Jesus. They may not have spoken out-rightly against the established system of the time, but it seems to me they certainly did not support the system as an ideal.

Ultimately, slavery ENSLAVES. It is a system where one person takes power over another persons life and subjects them to their will. Studying Philemon brought us to look at slavery today. Yes, it clearly exists. Our daily news readers may focus on the wars in Afghanistan...Iraq...Pakistan...globally... and knife crime on the streets etc... Yet behind the scenes, in the darkness, many people are losing their life to the ravages of human trafficking...slavery.

Take a look at this excellent video on slavery - it touches my heart deeply every time I see it:

WEBLINKS:
Free the Slaves
Anti-slavery
Freedom Center
10 Fascinating facts about slavery

It's my lucky day...Apparently!

2009-11-27T10:04:00.003Z

Oh yes... According to the email I got this morning, and some bloke called Anthony de Croud, I should have good fortune drop through my front door any time soon!! Well, that is if I forward the message to 20 people in the next 4 days...Phew...4 days...that beats some of them that usually only give me 12hrs or the like. I do wonder why people send these things on?? Perhaps it’s the “I’ve got nothing to lose” idea, or the superstitious “just in case”?!? Maybe they think I need some luck in my life?? I mean...being single...in my 30’s...studying...currently staying with my parents... sheesh, that can’t be so good...best send it to her!!

To be honest I’d rather have a cheque thanks!

So...just in case you’re feeling a little unlucky today...or perhaps no-one has sent you a get lucky email recently...shame on them!! Here it is for your enjoyment... and maybe I will become doubly lucky for posting it here...Hmmmmm?!?!

Well, at least it may brighten your day...just think... a chinese proverb originating in the Netherlands!! The message sent by “Anthony de Croud” but signed by J.A.B?!? A request not to send money because money can’t buy luck but 2 of the “testimonies” concern people becoming rich!! I guess my cynicism is gonna mean I’ll be a pretty unlucky person for a very long time... Bugger!!!

Ah, what the heck... I don’t really believe in “luck” anyway... so in honour of the non-existent Anthony de Croud, and all you “unlucky” people like me...here is the text of the infamous...circled the world 8 times... lucky message... Enjoy!!

ABOUT MONEY

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A HOUSE
BUT NOT A HOME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A CLOCK
BUT NOT TIME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BED
BUT NOT SLEEP

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BOOK, BUT
NOT KNOWLEDGE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY MEDICINE,
BUT NOT GOOD HEALTH

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A POSITION
BUT NOT RESPECT

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY BLOOD
BUT NOT LIFE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY SEX
BUT NOT LOVE

THIS CHINESE PROVERB BRINGS LUCK
IT ORIGINATED FROM THE NETHERLANDS

THIS PROVERB HAS GONE 8 TIMES AROUND THE WORLD, NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO HAVE GOOD LUCK ONCE YOU HAVE RECEIVED IT.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE

YOUR LUCK WILL COME BY MAIL OR INTERNET

SEND A COPY TO PERSONS THAT REALLY NEED LUCK, DO NOT SEND MONEY, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BUY LUCK, AND DO NOT KEEP IT FOR MORE THAN 96HRS (4 DAYS)
HERE IS A FEW EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE THAT GOT LUCK AFTER RECEIVING THAT PROVERB:

CONSTANTIN, GOT HIS FIRST IN 1953, HE ASKED HIS SECRETARY TO MAKE 20 COPIES.
NINE HOURS LATTER HE WON $99 MILLION IN THE LOTTERY.
CARLOS, EMPLOYED RECEIVED THE SAME CARD, BUT DID NOT SEND IT, A FEW DAYS LATER HE LOST HIS JOB.
DAYS LATER HE CHANGED HIS MIND, SENT IT, AND BECAME RICH.

IN 1967, BRUNO GOT THE CARD, HE LAUGHED ABOUT IT AND DISCARDED IT, A FEW DAYS LATTER HIS SON GOT SICK.
HE LOOKED FOR THE CARD MADE 20 COPIES AND SENT THEM. NINE DAYS LATTER, HE GOT GOOD NEWS: HIS SON WAS SAFE AND SOUND.

THIS CARD HAS BEEN SENT BY ANTHONY DE CROUD, A MISSIONARY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

BEFORE 96 HOURS YOU HAVE TO SEND THAT CARD.
YOUR LUCK WILL COME WITHIN 4 DAYS FROM THE MOMENT YOU RECEIVED THAT CARD, IF YOU COMPLY TO THE WISHED EXPRESSED IN THIS CARD.
THIS IS TRUE.

THIS CARD HAS BEEN SENT FOR GOOD LUCK.

LUCK IS FINALY AT YOUR DOOR. SEND 20 COPIES TO ACQUAINTANCES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

ONE DAY LATTER YOU WILL GET A GOOD NEWS OR SURPRISE. I SENT THIS CARD EXPECTING IT TO GO AROUND THE WORLD.
SEND ONLY 20 COPIES AND EXPECT GOOD TIDINGS IN THE NEXT DAYS.

IMPORTANT:

DO NOT MODIFY THE TEXT THAT I SENT YOU, COPY IT EXACTLY THE WAY YOU GOT IT.

GOOD LUCK.

J.A.B.

An American Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T09:51:00.001Z

I’ve been slightly absent for a while - perhaps that is something you can be thankful for?!? Today, Americans celebrate their “Thanksgiving”. Something that has become a mainstay in their identity - a part of who they are. For most it is a time for family, close friends, feasting...turkey...pumpkins, and the like. Yet the whole concept of an American Thanksgiving is rooted in Christian principles. Abraham Lincoln’s famous Proclamation recognises clearly the hand of God in his provision.

Below is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

From Abraham Lincoln Online

Welcome to Church?!?!

2009-10-28T23:25:00.000Z

My local church had a special service this past Sunday, apparently it was to do with being a "welcoming" congregation...I didn't go...In fact I haven't gone for several weeks! In some ways it's great that there is a focus on such things, but my predominant emotion toward such an event is one of sadness - the very fact that a church needs to invite someone in to speak on such a topic makes me wonder! Where is the church at? Surely it cannot be in a good state if it doesn't even know how to welcome people into its midst?

I wonder how many of us have walked into churches and felt like an outcast. Why is that? Why is that so many of us feel judged rather than accepted?

The characteristic of hospitality is essential to church and especially to its leaders. If it fails at that, there is not much hope. The apostle Paul wrote to his associate Titus, when advising him on who to look for to fulfill the position of overseer, commanded that they must "be hospitable..." (Titus 1v8) When writing to Timothy, his young co-worker, we find him saying the same thing, "...now an overseer must be above reproach...respectable, hospitable..." (1 Timothy 3:2)
I find it intriguing, out of all the characteristics we place as important for the leaders of our church, so often we miss this KEY FACTOR - that of hospitality - the embracing of others, of welcoming, of being generous with oneself. God himself is hospitable - he is someone who embraces people from all backgrounds and walks of life. If only the church could grasp the heart of God instead of trying to formulate methods and systems that are based on legalistic structures than hinder and hurt rather than release and embrace!

How do we reach the Younger Unchurched?

2009-10-25T10:31:00.000Z

The characteristics and needs of the young adult generation - well worth a look. Very thought provoking and based on research by "Lost and Found" - Lifeway Research.

Michael Frost on the Missional Church

2009-10-25T10:17:00.001Z

Australian missiologist Michael Frost talks about what it means to be the missional church, addressing the 2007 Presbyterian Global Fellowship Conference in Houston, Texas. The video is about 50 minutes long. If you are interested in the concept of Missional then this is well worth a listen.

Missional Communities

2009-10-16T21:51:00.001+01:00

Here is a quick clip of Scott McKnight talking about "Missional Communities"

Fresh Expressions of Church

2009-10-14T20:18:00.004+01:00

Society in Britain and around the world has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, especially in terms of our understanding of community and how we relate to one another. One of the responses of the “Church“ (Church of England) has been to plant new churches and create fresh expressions of church; churches that relate to our changing context. The Fresh Expressions initiative has been part of Archbishop Rowan Williams' vision to create a 'mixed economy church' of traditional congregations alongside new expressions of church life

There are no experts when it comes to starting and sustaining fresh expressions of church. No one has really been doing it long enough yet to claim to know it all. But we can learn from one another. Having looked at the idea of a ”Missional“ church, it’s also good to read and look at how others are doing it in practice. Of course not all are calling it ”Missional“, and using all their principles, but what is important is that there are people out there trying to change the church so that it remains relevant to the cultural context of the community.

What is important as we search for new expressions of worship/church, or as we seek to be relevant to those around, is that we never change the story, or message of the gospel. It can be easy, as we desire to change, to take on patterns of the world. Where we let the culture convert and conform us instead of the message of Jesus, converting and changing us and others!!

Take a look at the Fresh Expressions website and explore some of the stories, look for principles and values rather than simply models to take off the shelf and follow.
Click here for Fresh Expressions stories

Take a look also at this video about Fresh Expressions, shown on BBC 1 TV program "Songs of Praise"

AND THIS ONE ON THE SKATEBOARD CHURCH: LEGACY XS

What the Missional Church Looks like

2009-10-13T10:16:00.000+01:00

I was going to tag this article on the end of my previous posting, but having read through it again, I believe it deserves its own "slot". So often we measure the success of a certain program or idea by the number of people who attend. Having worked in a mission organisation for many years I have begun to learn that this is not what it is about. Success in God's terms is not measured in numerical concepts. We need to re-think and realign our definitions with God's idea of success. This article helped me consider more about my definition of success. Some of what is suggested below I am still contemplating because they do relate to numerical measures, but that doesn't mean I just toss it aside and move on.... See what you think?!

What the Missional Church Looks Like
JR Woodward at Dream Awakener has a perspective on success that really helps my understanding of missional. His post A Working Definition of Success provides a working definition of what missional might look like. Here it is:

Not simply how many people come to our church services, but how many people our church serves.

Not simply how many people attend our ministry, but how many people have we equipped for ministry.

Not simply how many people minister inside the church, but how many minister outside the church.

Not simply helping people become more whole themselves, but helping people bring more wholeness to their world. (i.e. justice, healing, relief)

Not simply how many ministries we start, but how many ministries we help.

Not simply how many unbelievers we bring into the community of faith, but how many ‘believers' we help experience healthy community.

Not simply working through our past hurts, but working alongside the Spirit toward wholeness.

Not simply counting the resources that God gives us to steward, but counting how many good stewards are we developing for the sake of the world.

Not simply how we are connecting with our culture but how we are engaging our culture.

Not simply how much peace we bring to individuals, but how much peace we bring to our world.

Not simply how effective we are with our mission, but how faithful we are to our God.

Not simply how unified our local church is, but how unified is "the church" in our neighborhood, city and world?

Not simply how much we immerse ourselves in the text, but how faithfully we live in the story of God.

Not simply being concerned about how our country is doing, but being concern for the welfare of other countries.

Not simply how many people we bring into the kingdom, but how much of the kingdom we bring to the earth.

The Missional Church - What it is NOT!

2009-10-13T10:04:00.003+01:00

Continuing our look at the "Missional Church"
If you've missed the flow of discussion, take a look at my previous postings:
1) A New Way of Doing Church
2) Missional - A Change in Thinking
3) Description of a Missional Church

What the Missional Church is Not

The missional church is not a dispenser of religious goods and services or a place where people come for their weekly spiritual fix.

The missional church is not a place where mature Christians come to be fed and have their needs met.

The missional church is not a place where "professionals" are hired to do all the work of the church.

The missional church is not a place where the "professionals" teach the children and youth about God to the exclusion of parental responsibility.

The missional church is not a church with a "good missions program." The people are the missions program and includes going to "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The missional church is not about a new strategy for evangelism.

The missional church is not missional just because it is contemporary, young, hip, postmodern-sensitive, seeker-sensitive or even traditional.

The missional church is not about big programs and organizations to accomplish God's missionary purpose. This does not imply no program or organization, but that they will not drive mission. They will be used in support of people on mission.

The missional church is not involved in political party activism, either on the right or left. As Brian McLaren wrote, we need "purple peoplehood" — people who don't want to be defined as red or blue, but have elements of both.

Description of A Missonal Church

2009-10-12T17:08:00.002+01:00

If you follow this blog you will know I have posted a couple of articles on the "Missional" church. This is not to say I completely agree with everything it says, but I am exploring what it means to "be church" in today's context. There is so much written about how church should look, whether that is to be "emergent", "Cell", "Missional" or some other form of description. Each seems to have an identity based on reasonable and good values. Hopefully, at some point I will be able to sum up more clearly what I personally think... For the moment, I will continue to present what I have found in regards to different "styles" of church:

Description of A Missional Church:

The missional church is a collection of missional believers acting in concert together in fulfillment of the missio dei.¹

The missional church is one where people are exploring and rediscovering what it means to be Jesus' sent people as their identity and vocation.

The missional church is faith communities willing and ready to be Christ's people in their own situation and place.

The missional church knows that they must be a cross-cultural missionary (contextual) people and adopt a missionary stance in relation to their community.

The missional church will be engaged with the culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (not of the world). They will become intentionally indigenous.

The missional church understands that God is already present in the culture where it finds itself. Therefore, the missional church doesn't view its purpose as bringing God into the culture or taking individuals out of the culture to a sacred space.

The missional church is about more than just being contextual, it is also about the nature of the church and how it relates to God.

The missional church is about being -- being conformed to the image of God.

The missional church will seek to plant all types of missional communities.

The missional church is evangelistic and faithfully proclaims the gospel through word and deed. Words alone are not sufficient; how the gospel is embodied in our community and service is as important as what we say.

The missional church understands the power of the gospel and does not lose confidence in it.

The missional church recognizes that it does not hold a place of honor in its host community and that its missional imperative compels it to move out from itself into that host community as salt and light.²

The missional church will align all their activities around the missio dei -- the mission of God.

The missional church seeks to put the good of their neighbor over their own.

The missional church will give integrity, morality, good character and conduct, compassion, love and a resurrection life filled with hope preeminence to give credence to their reasoned verbal witness.

The missional church practices hospitality by welcoming the stranger into the midst of the community.

The missional church will always be in a dynamic tension or paradox between missional individuals and community. We cannot sustain being missional on our own, but if we are not being missional individually we cannot sustain being mission-shaped corporately.³

The missional church will see themselves as representatives of Jesus and will do nothing to dishonor his name.

The missional church will be totally reliant on God in all it does. It will move beyond superficial faith to a life of supernatural living.

The missional church will be desperately dependent on prayer.

The missional church gathered will be for the purpose of worship, encouragement, supplemental teaching, training, and to seek God's presence and to be realigned with God's missionary purpose.

The missional church is orthodox in its view of the gospel and scripture, but culturally relevant in its methods and practice so that it can engage the world view of the hearers.

The missional church will feed deeply on the scriptures throughout the week.

The missional church will be a community where all members are involved in learning "the way of Jesus." Spiritual development is an expectation.

The missional church will help people discover and develop their spiritual gifts and will rely on gifted people for ministry instead of talented people.

The missional church is a healing community where people carry each other's burdens and help restore gently.

The missional church will require that its leaders be missiologists.

1. Brother Maynard 2. Frost and Hirsch 3. Brad Sargent

HT: Friend of Missonal

Related Posts:
A New Way of Doing Church

Missional - A Change in Thinking

Church of the Middle Classes