Truth is truth

Mark Driscoll ‏@PastorMark5h

"I the LORD do not change." –God. When we disagree with God, one side is gonna have to change their mind…and it's not going to be God.

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I enjoy following Mark Driscoll on Twitter... sometimes his rants are just funny, but then there are these ones that just make you stop and think.  One of the things I see most as a pastor these days is people who just out and out disagree with what the Bible says and don't seem to comprehend why they can't just have their own version of Christianity that suits them.

Truth is truth... no matter what a post-modern world thinks.  Either you say God is truth or you don't.  If you don't then you're not following a Christian faith.  In some ways I'd rather people own that and walk away saying they don't believe the truth... than try and warp and infect Christian faith with selfish, human or social thoughts and beliefs.

Faith or Popularity

"I very much doubt if it is possible to be faithful and popular at the same time. I fear we have to choose." John Stott

From the context I wonder if John Stott is only talking about the world, but to some extent also in the Church. It seems in many churches today that a drive for popularity often overrides a desire for faithfulness.   It's an obvious observation when talking about the world - of course they won't hold up faith views as popular.  But it is a scary proposition when we move inside the walls of the church... that faithful actions would be deemed unpopular would be a sign of unhealthy believers. Once again we must check ourselves, because the on;y person we can really change is ourselves.

I pray I stay faithful no matter what.

Merry Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:4-7, ESV)

With such simple prose we are introduced to Jesus - God, who became man, so that He could bring the world back into relationship with him, saving us all.

Being human was the ultimate act of humbleness for God - can you imagine seeing the throne of heaven and the glory of God and choosing to leave that to experience all that there is to human life... beginning in the womb of his mother - how humbling... how confining... what a sacrifice.

But there would be more to come...

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
                    “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(Luke 2:8-14, ESV)

The angels knew the reason for the birth of this child.  The angels had been there when Adam and Eve disobeyed and began the cycle of sin which has wreaked havoc on the world ever since.  The angels would have seen the pain on the creators face, they had witnessed the continued history of man, as it turned from God again and again.  Then this night they saw God come to earth, to right the wrong, to bring peace to those who will have faith... and they can't contain themselves, they praise his name and shepherds witness this so they explain what is going on.  The Christ is here - a Saviour who will conquer sin and death.

This Christmas let's remember that... The Christ is here!  We know what he did to save us, so let's allow our own joy and thankfulness and praise to overflow just like the angels did on that night.  Let's praise His name forever!

Breakup 2013

It was great to be able to hire out the Deception Bay swimming pool for our youth and kids ministries breakup this year.  We had 160 people, some from the church and others family of kids who come along to our kids club. It was a great time of sharing together.

I made a video with my new GoPro to help celebrate the night.  Check it out.

Rejuvenating

I have not posted a blog in a fair amount of time.

If you are a friend on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter (or Instagram), you will have seen all about my amazing trip to the United States through November.  It was great to have a break, and a very distinct one by heading about as far away as you could possibly get from my work.  I think I really needed it, not just a holiday, but a distinct break and disconnection for a few weeks to have time to myself.

Part of that break was a conscience decision not to blog during those 3 1/2 weeks in the States, my devotional times and theological considerations were for my own personal gain, without processing them in a way to share with others.  Sometimes I feel my initial thought when God says something to me is to think about how I can communicate it to others.  I purposely wanted to listen to what He said to me... for me.  I don't think I did a very good job if I am honest, but it has begun a habit in my life I want to develop now I am back.

I think that processing and developing is why I haven't dived back into blogging when I got home.  I am still trying to work through things God spoke to me about while I was away, and also what He's saying as we come to Christmas this year.  Ministry and life are colliding big time, but I thank God that the holiday in November was so rejuvenating.

I feel able to cope with all that's going on, and see a bit of a vision for what is to come - and I think that's all because I had such a good break.  It's not perfect, but I feel God might be laying out things for me to do in the coming year and beyond and I am resolved to follow Him.