Carried Away

Boy / Man stuff

2015-06-15T06:12:00.000+10:00

Boy / man blog

When I've taken young teenagers out for rites of passage activities I've often started by saying, "You're not boys anymore."

Shoulders go back, chests puff out a little. A few exchange glances and nods. And then I finish my sentence.

"But you're not men either." Then I've got their attention. I encourage them that they're on the journey towards manhood, a journey of learning respect, courage, wisdom and responsibility. A journey best taken looking toward good examples of men (and women) for inspiration and support.

But I'm working through a new set of thoughts inspired by writing of a Franciscan priest named Richard Rohr. Next time I have such a chance to encourage young men I think I will say, "You're not just a boy anymore. You're becoming a man as well." Not as punchy but you'll see what I mean.

As a man I must put away and overcome foolishness and self-centredness however there are great parts of childhood from which we should never let go. Rohr would say a healthy man holds hope and cynicism, fun and responsibility, fantasy and reality - in balance.

Perhaps this is something like why Jesus meant when He encouraged us to have faith like a child.

On a personal note this perhaps explains why I love working with young people and reading fiction for young people. Something about the amazing place in life where you've realised that the world and humans are far from perfect but you still believe that things can be better.

Love to know what you think.

The Paraclete

2015-03-03T05:43:00.003+11:00

With help from RA Torrey's "The person and work of the Holy Spirit' (free ebook on Kindle)

Paraclete is one of the words from Greek that Jesus used to describe the Holy Sprit, notably in John 14. Paraclete is a word that carries more meaning than the common English translation renderings such as Comforter, Advocate or Helper, as wonderful as they are. The idea of Paraclete or Parakleetos is, "one who is called alongside."

I've heard messages and sung songs about Jesus as our friend, and indeed what a great, understanding, life-saving friend we have in Him. Surely we can also be greatly encouraged by our friendship with the Holy Spirit. We live in the era of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus was foretelling in John 14. We now are blessed to have the ever-present, all-powerful Spirit of God alongside of us, standing by us through every moment from the mundane, to the tragic, to the exultant.

What would your life be like if you really believed that?

What abundance are you seeking?

2015-02-25T05:13:00.003+11:00

I think us humans are so afraid of losing everything that we seek to have and control whatever we can so that we feel safer. We all seek to have more than enough to try and scratch this itch but it doesn't satisfy.

So,

We hoard more stuff,

We reserve more money,

We eat more than we need,

We seek fleeting pleasures,

We cling to people,

We try to do more,

We try to be more,

We chase the wind.

But life shows us that this rarely works, if only to make us forget our fear for a moment. There is an abundance that we can seek and will satisfy. We tend not to because we can't see Him and often forget Him until we get desperate again.

We were made for Him. To seek Him. To enjoy His abundance. In our Father God there is more than enough love, comfort, power, grace, purpose and joy.

In Psalm 23 David says that with God as his shepherd he has no lack at all, that his, "cup overflows."

What do you need of God's abundance?

It's all in the eyes

2013-01-21T22:22:00.000+11:00

I noticed that David mentioned eyes three times in Psalm 101, so I had a second look. It made me think about some important and deliberate things to consider about life.

What should I look away from?
"I will set before my eyes no vile thing" (Ps 101:3)

David makes a whole lot of "I will" statements in this Psalm - maybe it was New Years. These are deliberate statements of his intentions for his character and behaviour. All the "vile things" that I can't think of are media related but somehow even without internet access, David still had to make this aim. As he considered his life he thought about what he needed to avoid and ignore.

What am I showing from the inside?
"...whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart..." (Ps 101:5)

Our eyes are a big giveaway; it's hard to hide what's really inside. So our eyes show what is in our character and emotions. I thought it was useful to consider what I am showing with my eyes. I felt challenged recently about getting lazy with constantly checking my phone and thinking about what message this sends to those around me - especially my kids.

What will I focus on?
"My eyes will be on the faithful..." (Ps 101:6)

We can choose what will be our focus. Just as we can choose what to look away from, we can choose what we will look at deliberately. We can decide to focus on the positive, the worthwhile, the beautiful. We can choose to make our passion and our goals the main thing.

There you go. It's all in the eyes. We get to choose.

What faith for miracles looks like

2012-10-21T17:10:00.003+11:00

I always seem to be drawn back to this part of the Bible. This time as I read John 11:20-27 I was inspired by Martha. She and her sister Mary were believers, they knew Jesus well. Their brother had died, they were grieving, and they had waited days for Jesus to respond.

Nonetheless, Martha went out to meet Jesus when she heard that He was on His way (v.20). It would have been quite legitimate not to. When we are grieving or going through difficulty it is easy to give up – even just for a season – on seeking God. Martha hadn’t given up on her faith in Jesus. She took what must have felt like a risk even though she was hurting.

Martha expressed her feelings honestly and respectfully (v.21). I’m encouraged by the honest way that Martha shared her feelings of disappointment with Jesus. I’m encouraged because I know that she knew Jesus well and felt that this was okay to speak that way to Him. I’m encouraged that Jesus didn’t flinch at this or find fault.

Martha was quick to follow this with an expression of her faith (v.22). She must have been feeling all sorts of things, yet she still acknowledged with her words that anything was possible with God. Martha also hadn’t given up on what she had been taught, she hadn’t thrown out her theology on end times (v.24).

Martha again acknowledged her faith by confessing that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God (v.27). Although she was grieving and disappointed, Martha didn’t give up. She went out to Jesus, she told Him how she felt, and she expressed her faith. Jesus, in His own wisdom and grace, had made them wait 4 days. But then, He did it. Jesus raised Lazarus back to life. Not in the end of time but right then and there.

Martha received her miracle. God is indeed good.

But hold the press just a moment. My next day’s reading blew me away even more. Of course I learnt from Martha that I should seek Jesus even when it’s tough, that I should express my feelings and my faith to Him. But just before I make a recipe or an equation or a contract out of the process to receiving your miracle, I learnt something else from Mary, actually about God.

He is so gracious. Mary didn’t go out to meet Jesus. We don’t hear any great professions of faith. She may well have been an emotional mess. She made Jesus cry. But Mary also received her miracle.

Sometimes faith looks like Martha and sometimes like Mary. But God is always good, and powerful, and unpredictable.

Inner Schism?

2012-08-09T20:17:00.004+10:00

“...dividing soul and spirit...” Hebrews 4:12

Sometimes I feel fear and faith at the same time, probably more often than I’d like to confess. I’ve had times when I feel expectant about what God is going to do as I share the Word but also feeling quite discouraged. There’s been times when I feel full of confusion but able to make jokes and play with my kids.

Is this fake? Am I a hypocrite? Does this make me mentally ill?

When I have reflected on this I have presumed that this is strange and somehow wrong. I am one person, I want to be self-aware and consistent. How can I experience such different things simultaneously?

I’ve recently been considering what it means to be one person yet made with a body, a soul and a spirit. I realised that it can make sense to feel different things at the same time. My body might be tired, my soul worn out, while my spirit can be full of belief for what’s about to happen. Ideally all three parts would be doing great, and I certainly believe that this is possible, but it is foolish to doubt and judge myself when it’s different.

When our soul is overwhelmed with doubt and confusion, we need the living and active truth of God’s Word to divide between our soul and our spirit. Then, as our soul submits to the truth received in our spirit we’ll have peace that passes our understanding.

The Computer Metaphor

2012-08-02T06:34:00.002+10:00

I thought about this idea to help understand the distinction between the spirit, soul and body. It has its limitations. Perhaps you can think of another way.

Hardware

The body is everything we can see, the physical, the moving parts; like the hardware of a computer. If something goes wrong with your hardware then it needs to be fixed or replaced. The hardware needs to do what the software tells it to do.

Software

The software is where the thinking and decision-making happens in the computer. Programs run, files are organised, memory is stored. If there is a problem with your software then you need to get an update, to refresh and to remove any bugs.

Connection

If the hardware and the software are doing their jobs, then the computer should be able to connect to the internet. It can come alive to the big world of the web. The internet is not God, but I think this connection is like the way our own spirit’s come alive at salvation and are then able to connect spiritually with God.

Friends, God is so good to us, so we really ought to submit our hardware to Him which pleases Him. Don’t be branded by the world but as you connect with God, let Him update, upgrade and refresh your software. Then you will know all that God has for you and wants for you.

Very rough paraphrase of Romans 12:1-2

Note to soul: Praise the Lord

2012-07-10T06:13:00.001+10:00

"Praise the Lord, O my soul;" (Psalm 103)

It's encouraging that even the great worshipper, King David, had to have stern words with his own soul to focus in worship. In any time when I want to focus spiritually I find that I need to put my soul in its place or I'll quickly be distracted, inundated with fresh thoughts and feelings that make the quietest place so noisy. This Psalm of David encourages me.

He begins by commanding his soul to conform to what he believes in his spirit. He praises God for all that He is doing for him - God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns and satisfies. It's clear from the text that David was glad to remember these things and to be renewed like the eagle. This is coming from a time when David needed to remember, needed to make his soul focus.

With body and soul now submitting to his spirit's agenda, David begins to consider the character of the Lord God he knows so well, so intimately. David thinks about God's righteousness, compassion, grace, faithfulness and love. David didn't simply learn these things from Sunday school. He had experienced these things in these times of intimacy, they'd been revealed to his spirit as he spent time with God even through the most difficult times.

Then it gets really interesting. As David has made his soul submit to the truth and as he tunes in to the character of God he begins to prophesy. David moves from expressing what he remembers and what he knows, in to sharing live what God is telling his spirit about the future. He sees the future of God's people being filled with His love and righteousness. David sees God's throne established and His dominion over all. David freely builds into a crescendo of praise.

It's as we offer to God our bodies and our minds that we can truly worship, and He can reveal His heart to us (from Romans 12:1-2).

2012-06-24T19:34:00.000+10:00

Body, Soul and Spirit - Who am I?

For the word of God is alive 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

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the distinction between soul and spirit. I'm beginning to think that understanding the difference is as important as appreciating the difference between my arms and my legs, or between my brain and my heart - maybe even more important.

The Scriptures are clear enough that there is a distinction, but there's plenty of room for mystery with the details. I'd like to be more strong in my spirit. It's my spirit that came alive when I came to Christ. It's with my spirit that I believe.

I find it easy to let my soul lead the way. I think. I feel. It's hard to stop. I'd like to give my spirit some more airtime, but I need to learn how - and practise.

Glory!

2012-05-09T06:31:00.002+10:00

Glory is one of those Bible words that just keeps on coming up, yet it can seem mysteriously elusive and difficult to define.

When my son put me on the spot to explain what it meant my first thought was to get him to think about the awesomeness of a thunderstorm, something we both enjoy to watch. Later I looked in a dictionary to see if I could get some clarity but found that I was happier with the picture of the thunderstorm to understand it.

I think glory, like grace, is something that is better described through pictures and stories – better experienced than explained. God’s glory is revealed freely but it is easy to miss, like an ant walking over a gold bar looking for food.

Any idea of man’s glory, the triumphant hero, the victorious sportsman, is tangled with man’s ego. God has no need of such affirmation, He displays His glory for our benefit and because it simply His nature.

God’s glory is His greatness on show, His power and character displayed for the benefit of us.

What does it for you? What’s a picture that overwhelms you with God’s glory?

Flapping or soaring?

2012-03-19T06:29:00.000+11:00

Do you not know?  
Have you not heard?  
The LORD is the everlasting God,  
the Creator of the ends of the earth.  
He will not grow tired or weary,  
and his understanding no one can fathom.  
He gives strength to the weary  
and increases the power of the weak.  
Even youths grow tired and weary,  
and young men stumble and fall;  
but those who hope in the LORD  
will renew their strength.  
They will soar on wings like eagles;  
they will run and not grow weary,  
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40

It seems that my natural approach to life is to rely on my own strength and resources. It doesn’t take long before I’m flapping around like a seagull, craning my neck to and fro, looking for the next thing to squawk at or the next hot chip to steal.

But God, my Heavenly Father, has made me to soar like an eagle. I’ve watched sea eagles, strong and graceful. They stretch out their wings and rise up on the currents of warm air; letting those currents lead them on. They move effectively and easily.

I choose to wait on God, to hope in Him. I want to glorify Him as I determine not to flap anxiously, but to soar with a heart full of trust.

Resolutions

2012-01-22T08:02:00.000+11:00

A New Years resolution can be quite a burden. Any goal that we set for ourselves can be a weight that we carry. As I consider the new year ahead I plan to make it a year of carrying burdens lightly, to keep them in perspective and to lean on God for the outcomes.

I’ve learnt before that having a goal whether it’s to save money, to get fitter or to write more regularly can become a source of disappointment and discouragement, often taking the joy out of what we’re trying to do and taking an axe to our motivation.

So this year there is a condition to any resolutions I make. I don’t want a personal goal to become a distraction or a rod for my back. I’m making goals with this in mind.

My New Year’s Resolution is to carrying burdens lightly in 2012.

How can you carry your goals ‘lightly’ this year?

Light Burdens

2012-01-16T12:29:00.001+11:00

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus didn’t say that there aren’t any burdens to carry, but He did say that we could carry them lightly. Coming to Christ doesn’t mean a carefree life where we float around while He does everything for us. Yet neither does it mean that we are to walk so heavily laden with expectations that they bury us.

Jesus challenges His disciples to live with the values and purpose of His Kingdom. We are to love one another as He loved us. We are to be a light in our community. We are to become like Him. We are to ‘take up our cross daily’. Jesus was obviously not promising a walk in the park.

Strangely, Jesus says that carrying these burdens shouldn’t be difficult. Now, I’ve tried living up to these challenges. I’ve tried balancing them and managing them. But in my own strength I have failed. And I’ve seen others try and fail too, sometimes becoming discouraged at their weakness or dropping the ball altogether.

But Jesus is offering to us a different way. We’re not on our own. He doesn’t expect us to carry them without His help. He knows that we can’t possibly succeed that way. And so He invites to Himself and to His way. He draws us near and promises to teach us how to walk next to Him so that He can take the weight.

I have become intrigued and excited about this idea of light burdens. It somehow resonates with me. I want to live like that. I’m not interested in living without burdens and I’ve certainly tried to carry a whole lot on my own and learnt how awful that can be. So I’d like to take some time to develop my thoughts and hopefully let Jesus change the way I live. Feel welcome to come along for the ride and let me know how it’s working out for you.

Remember your leaders

2011-10-01T21:06:00.000+10:00

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7

I love this verse. It was one of the first verses I memorised after it replaced one of the heavy metal posters on my wall when I was 14. It contains great advice and is incredibly simple. We should exercise discernment as we consider who we want to imitate. I'm thankful for many leaders who have given me great examples for faith to follow.

A few days ago I heard that this Sunday is Pastors’ Appreciation Sunday. I thought I’d like to honour my pastor, Ps Jack Hanes, with a few words. He’s a leader who has certainly spoke the word of God to me, and I’d love to have faith like his. It seemed appropriate to honour Ps Jack’s style and go with an acrostic.

F – Faith, lots of faith. It’s not just something that he preaches.

A – Action to make the big and the tough decisions.

I – Integrity. I appreciate his preaching and example on real heart issues.

T – Truth. Always preaching the Word of God passionately and clearly.

H – Has other great attributes, like courage, humility and graciousness.

Thanks Ps Jack.

Faith & Patience

2011-09-18T07:56:00.000+10:00

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:12

Over the past month or two I have been suffering from a syndrome called ITBS. Now I've never been that fond of computers but it's not what you're thinking. But the process has taught me about believing and ultimately receiving God's promises.

There is a muscle band that begins behind your hip, extends down the side of your leg and attaches itself just below the knee cap. It's the ligament that stops us from falling over sideways when we walk - I hope you appreciate it now. It's known as the iliotibial or IT band. ITBS (iliotibial band syndrome) is a runner's injury where this band becomes inflamed at the hip or the knee, becoming painful after a few minutes of jogging.

At first I was happy to ignore it - I had never heard of ITBS and the City2Surf was coming up, which I was glad to finish but not without the pain in the knee becoming excruciating. But this kind of denial wasn't going to get rid of the problem. Pretending there wasn't one wouldn't help me run freely again.

A good mate gave me a clear diagnosis and some advice about ITBS (Thanks, Enoch!). Long runs don't help, stretching does. Even so discouragement was tempting. I could stop running and miss out on something I’ve come to enjoy, or I could keep running long distances with lots of pain and make it worse. I would have to be wise about the way I use it so that it could regain strength and flexibility.

Over the next few weeks I tried a few short runs. Once or twice the pain was so bad that it was better to stop jogging and walk home. This was really disappointing, even disheartening. I couldn’t run for more than 5 minutes without pain. I wondered if I should just stop running altogether. I wondered if it would get better.

I was encouraged to learn more about stretching and that regular short runs could help to rebuild strength while doing no further damage. I did this, hoping and praying that eventually I could run without pain. I diligently stretched, even though it brought on more pain.

Over the last week I have started to be able to do longer runs without significant pain. What a relief! I was really encouraged by the verse above that now that I was seeing the evidence of faith in action I still needed to exercise patience. It is so tempting to try a much longer run but I need to continue with the shorter runs for now.

The passage from Hebrews encourages us to be diligent with our faith so that we can receive what we hope for. It’s lazy to be in denial – to ignore the problems and the promises. But it’s also lazy not to be patient while we wait to receive our promises.

I know that there are bigger and more significant promises that are in your heart (and mine) than the one I’ve described here, but I pray that you’ll be encouraged to keep believing, keep taking action on it and that you won’t give up – that takes patience.

What promise do you need to exercise faith and patience to receive?

PS – Part of the promise that I’m looking forward to is to complete the Six Foot Track (45kms through the bush from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves) in a day as part of WestCare’s Steps of Hope Fundraiser. Check out the link if you want to know more about what WestCare does for my city or if you’re keen to sponsor our efforts!
http://www.westcarepenrith.org.au/events-fundraisers

A Holy Flash Mob

2011-08-22T05:48:00.001+10:00

A few days ago I read the story about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11). Something about it really captured my heart. I felt a fresh excitement for it. Perhaps it was seeing how Jesus prophesied the instructions, or how His disciples obeyed. Perhaps it was seeing how a whole crowd of people began to go along with prophecy and the will of God - like some kind of holy flash mob - a viral, Spirit-led movement; a beautiful partnership between the sovereign power of God and the submission of mankind.

The story stayed on my heart and lingered in my imagination. A few mornings later I read the story again, asking God to show me why it's caught me. As God was applying the Word to my spirit I felt to ask Him, "What is the colt?" The colt carried Jesus into the town. The colt was prophetically acquired. The colt was the vehicle for Jesus, the one that He chose to enter the city on. The colt was an instrument to help many people respond to Jesus and worship Him.

At that moment, and in answer to my question, God brought to mind an idea that had been hanging around in my head, an idea that I had been praying about. God used this story to encourage me and bring some confirmation that He wants to use this idea to be a vehicle for many men to come to know Him. And, I am encouraged to believe that He could use it virally, that it could spread out for His glory - somehow like it did that day. I would so love to see this in my city.

What's the colt? Has God given you a prophetic idea that He can ride into your town?

The rich man of Penrith

2011-08-17T20:08:00.000+10:00

A man saw Jesus in a dream and said, "So Jesus, what can you do for me?"

"Well, with me you would have eternal life."

"I'm sure I'll be right with that. I mean, I'm good to my wife and kids, I work hard, give to charity - well sometimes; I even mow my mum's lawn."

Jesus said, "All those things are good. But it's not enough. I want your heart. I want you to give up on the idea that you've got it all together without me. I want you to stop depending on your money. I want you to stop believing whatever the world tells you."

The man walked away with a heavy heart. Waking soon after feeling disturbed.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:23-27

Jesus - Author and Perfecter

2011-08-14T19:12:00.001+10:00

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus is writing a book and it has your name on it. Mine is called Mark's Faith Race. What's yours called?

The draft is complete. He has marked out a race for you. Now the Master-writer is working and re-working passages to improve the manuscript.

It takes a lot of creativity and determination to complete a book, but Jesus is up for it. Your book was His idea. He started it with excitement and He works passionately to complete it.

Our faith comes from God. It started with Him. It was His desire to impart it to us. And by His grace and strength our faith is increased and improved through every season.

Where our faith has been hindered by past experiences, carrying burdens we shouldn't be, Jesus rewrites a story of healing and freedom. Where you've doubted your faith, taking on lies from the world and the enemy, Jesus renews your mind, rewriting stories of peace and breakthrough.

It is up to Him. It is His work to build our faith. Any other philosophy will result in flagellation where we fail, or our own pats on the back where we succeed. This is dangerous territory.

Be encouraged. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. He knows what He's doing. He is the one who inspires faith - turning mustardseed faith into mountain-moving faith.

Whatever shape your faith is in - as long as you're alive - the book is still being improved by the perfecter. When the race is over, and our book is published, it will be a glorious day indeed!

Character and the Spirit

2011-08-05T21:14:00.000+10:00

This week I enjoyed a brief beginning to a worthwhile discussion that deserves a lot more. It relates to character - our role and the role of God the Spirit. My thought, this year, has been to look for every chance to honour the Holy Spirit and to challenge every chance to overlook His work so it got my attention quickly.

It is easy to over-estimate our own role in character growth. I certainly think that we have a role to play however I think it could be quite dangerous for it not to be balanced by an appreciation for all that God does to help us. Our own pats on the back could easily become self-righteousness. And on the other hand, if we think that it's up to us, then we could become disheartened when we take an honest look at ourselves and acknowledge that we can't do it on our own.

The good news is that we are not on our own. I believe that our journey of character growth has the Spirit's footprints all over it. His role is not limited to one simple download at rebirth, and neither do I see this discussion in the realm of apologetics or systematic theology. I'm talking about how the Spirit helps us in day-to-day, real life - a wonderful life where we are invited to keep in step with Him.

When we were reborn by the Spirit we were given a new nature, and with it our motivations and desires changed. With a balance of carrot and stick (or conviction and inspiration), the Spirit leads us to want to take on His character.

The Spirit leads us into and through many situations and circumstances that test our character. One way or another God allows us to go through tough times that develop patience and perseverance.

Through hard days and average days, God's Word holds us securely. The Spirit breathes on the Word, reminding us of the truth and showing us how to truly live according to it.

Everyday the Great Mentor speaks to us and coaches us. He stirs us to do one thing and He warns us to avoid another. Always positive, always believing in us.

The Spirit's power transforms us - even our character. Where we would have no hope to change a character trait, God can breakthrough - healing us and shaping us. Of course we need to keep walking in it, being renewed and continuing to choose His way as we are reformed.

There is freedom in seeing our own role as small and God's role as big. This leads me to stop contending with the flesh and to simply pray and trust. It is not up to me to change me (or to take the credit) as it is also not up to me to seek to change others but to trust God and pray for Him to have His way.

Being born of His nature means that I will naturally produce His fruit, so I can take no more credit than the branch can take for producing apples. The fruit comes by His nature, His design, His life. This also means that I don't have to strive to produce such fruit - and that such striving is fruitless.

I believe that our role is to simply submit to His wonderful love, power and will. This role is not unimportant or passive, the path to the point of submission may not be without blood. But our part is to simply say 'yes' and let His nature take it's course.

I'd love for you to add to the discussion.

Saying no to strivenness

2011-07-26T19:29:00.000+10:00

Not sure how it's spelt but I think I just made it up so I don't think I can be corrected.

A few weeks ago I noticed how I can easily enslave myself to striving and drivenness. I came to recognise a pattern in my life, where given some time to myself I'd fill it up with a list of things I "had" to do. I'd get to the end of that time exhausted and think that what I really needed was to relax and get renewed. Drivenness took the joy out of things. I'd do something that I didn't really need to do because I thought I should. I'd struggle through with frustration and not enjoy it at all.

Strivenness is an awful motivator.

I came to a point one evening and said no to striving and being driven in those situations. I took it easy, happy not to get anything done particularly. I've since noticed that I've been more relaxed generally with the way I've used my time. I haven't felt subject to have-tos that really aren't. I thank God because I think He set me free from something in my heart.

This lack of contentment and joy, and a sense of striving and drivenness can mess with our hearts. I can think of many times I have served others from this place and really I have been searching for some kind of fulfillment in my heart. Where being fulfilled in my Father's love I can do things out of the overflow of His life, from my heart.

I have recently been again impressed by Jesus and the way He seemed to be so secure and so different to our own culture of drivenness. He limited His time with the crowd so that He could spend time on His own with Father God. He didn't do anything to promote Himself or drum up business - He actively sought to keep many miracles quiet. Jesus didn't worry about impressing people or building momentum in His ministry. No strivenness there at all.

Any thoughts?

Impressing Jesus

2011-07-17T06:01:00.001+10:00

The main variable for impressing or disappointing Jesus is our faith.

Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith in His hometown and with His disciples on many occasions. At other times He was impressed with people's faith and credited to them for righteousness and healing, such as the Centurion.

Jesus was never impressed by good behaviour or shocked at poor behaviour either (although self-righteousness and it's fruit obviously got right under His skin). Of course, Jesus made it very clear that sin is our problem. His teaching shows us that we could never perform well enough to pass any tests on that front. Our only hope is to believe in Him and His righteousness. Indeed sin is a fruit of our lack of faith. And our idea that we can perform well actually destroys our connection with Him perhaps more than anything else.

I have certainly failed when it comes to sin. I have also fallen short in the area of self-righteousness for that matter. Unfortunately I have also failed miserably when it comes to faith. But I thank Jesus that He is so willing to accept me as I believe in Him, that my mustard seed of faith in Him is grounds for my forgiveness and salvation.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

I'm so glad that faith is such a key to impressing our Lord Jesus. Our human efforts at achieving right behaviour will fall short; but righteousness itself is a fruit of faith. Believe right then be empowered to behave right.

Love to know your thoughts.

Pentecost Love Letter

2011-06-12T07:52:00.000+10:00

12th June 2011

Dear Holy Spirit,

It's Pentecost and I want to write to say I love You. I know You're the same everyday and everywhere. But I want to honour and celebrate You today, and hopefully appreciate You more every other day.

You are the ultimate best friend. You are always here with me. You always have a kind word. You always encourage me and build me up. You even bless me with real peace and real joy. You are amazing!

You are so gracious and loving to me. You know all my thoughts and actions yet You stay with me. You correct me gently, You heal my brokenness and forgive my strife. You never give up on me. You fill me with joy and peace again.

You whisper bold ideas into my ear then You fill me with boldness to follow through. It's always exciting to think about You and recognise You in situations. There's nothing more fulfilling than getting the chance to partner with You in Your purpose. It's fun to flow and fly with You.

Thank You for inviting me to walk with You. What a blessing. It is the best walk of my life. Your kindness and You presence mean so much to me.

I love You so much!
Mark

Waiting for Pentecost

2011-06-03T20:03:00.001+10:00

I wonder if the air was different. I wonder if it felt different when you were on your own - waking, thinking, walking. One thing is for sure - things changed very significantly on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts Chapter Two.

I hope in heaven that I get a chance to ask some that were there what it was like before and after. That day was a very significant shift in human history - the Holy Spirit was being poured out on all flesh - not just the few.

When the Holy Spirit was deposited in my life, when I was baptised with Him - I was completely changed. I felt new life, new desires and a new power to live His way. I never want to live without the Holy Spirit's love and power.

I'm determined this Pentecost (and my whole life for that matter) not to take the Holy Spirit for granted. I want to think about Him and desire Him - to acknowledge His presence and everything that He has done is doing for us.

I'm going to celebrate Pentecost this year be bringing the day in with a fire and a few mates in my backyard. I don't know what will happen but as we sit together I hope that we bring honour to Him as we share about what He has done for us. Any guys are welcome between 9pm and midnight.

I've decided to consider the Public Holiday on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday to be also in honour of the Holy Spirit - nice of the government to give us more time to celebrate.

How will you take some time to honour the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

What I've learnt about fasting

2011-05-28T20:10:00.001+10:00

In the last few weeks I've learnt a lot about fasting from the Holy Spirit walking me through it and from a book called "Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin. I am thankful to my Pastor (Ps Jack Hanes) for again challenging our church community to fast over the last three weeks.

Fasting is a normal and important part of life as a Christian.
Although I have fasted from time to time, I've regarded it as a fairly radical and fringe activity. Jentezen's book shows through scripture that it is quite a normal and even expected part of Judaism and Christianity (among other religions). Just as I invest myself in giving or prayer, I also want to be a person for whom fasting is a regular part of my life and worship.

Fasting is for spiritual breakthrough.
Fasting makes a difference to the power of our prayers. Where prayer alone may not work, fasting can be the element that brings the authority to bring a healing or an answer to prayer. Of course, Jesus Himself said this to His disciples. Breaking through physically can precede breaking through spiritually. Same God, same purpose, same prayer - but fasting brings greater power and authority to our prayers. I want to remember this when my prayers don't seem to be answered.

Fasting is not as hard as I thought.
Fasting of any kind has never actually been as difficult as I thought it would be. Before recently I believed that I couldn't fast completely on work days, that I wouldn't have enough energy and I'd get to grumpy without some sugar in my system. Now I know that isn't close to being true. I have even found that I could do (limited) exercise while fasting completely without any side-effects. I have learnt especially how important it is for me to know why I am fasting and to decide before I start exactly how I will fast - working it out as I go has never worked for me.

Fasting is for sanctification.
Fasting is a test. It's like putting your hand up to tell God that you're ready for your character to given a bit of pressure. It is a chance for God to work in our lives to bring sanctification. In this season of fasting God has very clearly walked me through different themes as I have continued - fear, pride, flesh vs. spirit and criticism.

Fasting helps you to get carried away.
Fasting was practiced by so many of my heroes in the Bible and more modern heroes of the faith. I don't know how I haven't fully recognised before how much fasting is a key to a 'deeper' spiritual life. Those with a clear presence of God on their lives and authority and miracles in their ministries have been people who fasted regularly. I want to be a 'carried-away' Christian.

I have a desire to make fasting a regular part of my life and worship. I want to be the kind of person who is quick to fast and pray for salvations and spiritual breakthroughs. I want to be led by the Spirit as I begin to fast more often. I want to crucify the flesh so that I might walk according to the Spirit.

What have you learnt about fasting lately?

Flesh or Spirit

2011-05-23T20:56:00.001+10:00

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25
Fasting helps me to realise some of the desires of my flesh and hopefully to reinforce the Spirit-desires that God has put in my heart. As I've been feasting on the Word in this time of fasting God has started to speak to me and challenge me about the flesh and the Spirit. I have noticed that Paul had a lot to say about the topic, and that there is much to learn from the life of David.

Paul made it clear that the distinction and indeed the conflict between flesh and Spirit is of great importance in the life of a believer. The flesh, writes Paul in Romans 8, is hostile to God, cannot please God and leads to death - the Spirit brings life! Paul encourages us to live according to the Spirit, the kind of life that is the opposite of the flesh-life. He warns us not to use our freedom to indulge the flesh (Galatians 5).

Paul said that he put no confidence whatsoever in the flesh (Philippians 3). He listed all the wonderful reasons he had for backing himself - his intellect, his breeding, his passion and his accomplishments; but made it clear that in Christ and in truth that his flesh could still not be trusted. Rather we should look to the Spirit for motivation, guidance, and strength.

I have been impressed as I read again about the life of David, the man after God's heart, the man full of the Spirit of God. Like Paul, he could have reasonably acted according to his flesh but rather chose to honour God. David prayed about going to war, when he could have gone ahead according to the power of his army or a desire to crush his enemies. When he had a chance to take his enemy, King Saul's life, he chose to spare him in order to honour God. David didn't put confidence in his flesh which had claim to revenge, self-preservation, anger, rights and even calling. David walked according to the Spirit and trusted Father God.

I have often thought of the influence of the flesh of course as the kind of nasties listed in Galatians 5:19-21. But this has left me off the hook for so many times that I am self-directed, self-indulgent or full of self-pity. Follow the flesh and it will lead to death. Walk with the Spirit and He will give you life. There is no basis for having any confidence in our flesh, rather we should trust our heavenly Father with everything and in every way.