Let me just state right off the bat that I'm a conservationist. I posted on that in one of my earlier blogs. http://howfastcanavango.blogspot.com/2006/06/we-kill-world.html but that doesn't mean I encourage extreme methods of the greenie groups. For example putting nails in large tree forests so when the lumber jacks cut their chain on their chainsaws snap potentially killing them. I do believe the environment is important but not of equal importance to human life- we were put here to steward the world not be equal with it.
I did have a good chuckle at reading an article though- remember the whaling "letter delivery" aka piracy where 2 crewman jumped aboard a japanese whaler. The media seized on the vision of the people zip tied a rail saying- they were only just giving a letter to the captain. Well were they? apparently not. In an interview Capt Watson of the Steve Irwan said the two crewmen who boarded the Japanese whaling ship in January planted several tracking devices aboard which has enabled the Steve Irwin to keep in touch with the fleet. (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=72873)
Well well well- Calling upon the government in the article to act to seize the whalers who are breaching australian law while breaking them yourself... How different what we are called to as christians. We are called to be light in this world. The end never justifies the means. How we act is just as important as what we do.
Slightly off topic Carly has posted some good thoughts about image (http://carlys-ramblings.blogspot.com/) as is well worth reading.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
A stinging sensation
Couldn't help laughing when i saw this on the news- Western bulldogs afl player Jarrad Grant was stung by a stingray. The humorous thing is the irony- he was picked to make his debut this weekend replacing Farren Ray. To top it all off, the club he was recruited from? Why the Dandenong Stingrays of course.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
God isn't forgetful even when we are.
Rather than blog about things which most people don't care about e.g. liverpool beating inter milan or collingwood getting thumped in AFL I thought i'd tell you guys about how i was encouraged by God yesterday. To go back a few years: (wavy dreamy music plays)
Background- I live in a house managed by the pressie church and as such there are rules/ regulations about who can move in. For example the person must be a christian and looking to be actively involved in serving at the church. (next door). We are expected (gentleman's agreement ;) ) to live lives as Christians (apparently this means mowing the lawn )
Now a few years ago a guy (Woody) moved into the house from ayr a relative of a person on the board- indeed i think might have even been our landlord (not 100% sure on that we have had so many) So imagine our surprise when we found out that this person was quite honest about his lack of Christianity. However he was a good bloke and we included him in everything and he abided to the house rules and over time began to learn more and more about God and Christianity. he was very keen on learning about God and really made some major changes in his life. He had made some bad choices in friends at home in Ayr and these friends were getting him into trouble/fighting/alcohol and so was often going home to ayr for weekends and coming back with stories of "defending people" and massive brawls. Over time he came to realize that it wasn't helping him and he was affecting his life by making bad choices. He then made a commitment to serving God. All seemed to be going great.
Imagie my frustration when he got involved in a relationship with a Church girl who "needed him" and so stopped coming to bible study and stopped growing. We kept trying but...
Anyways to make a long story short there was a major explosion involving nervous breakdowns, stalking, other girls, paranoia and many other things- he decided he was really missing his family, his dad offered him a job and so he moved back to Ayr and straight back to his old lifestyle and friends emerging every now and again when we went down or he came up. Over the years his mobile number changed and we lost contact for a year or so- every now and again we'd hear rumours through friends or he'd give me a call often a bit tipsy and we'd have a good chat.
I'd often been blaming myself, if only i hadn't been so busy, if only i'd done that, if only i had a few other guys i could have let int the whole situation instead of keeping quiet, if only.
Now recently we had the joy of having some one come to Townsville on a bible college mission and over a year or so they were lead to come up here to take over at the congregations at Ayr and Home Hill (they had no minister our church had been rotating with guys going down to preach for the last 2 years or so). As we were planning to go down to celebrate with the people there for the induction service- i thought- wouldn't it be great if woody was there. (Could i just put in that although he sounds like a thug he is actually a top bloke)
So i called his mobile- no response, tried to find his e-mail address- no luck. and had just about given up. Then on Tuesday i remembered he worked at the ford dealership a year earlier. doubting if he still worked there i gave them a call- and Woody answered. he had a chat and i invited him to the event on wed night. He indicated he might be keen but was in Bowen that day and would see how he went- he only finished work at 5 and the bbq started at 5:30.
Now I mentioned to the new minister at Ayr that a friend of mine might show up and i wanted to introduce him but wasn't really expecting him to show.
Well lo and behold in walked woody straight from work having driven an hour to come up for it. he stayed for the bbq and then for the church service and then hung around for hours afterwards chatting to us and to the new minister. In fact he was still there chatting to Gavin (the new minister) when we left and indicated he'd come back to the church and invited Gav to drop in on him at work or for a coffee etc.
I felt like dancing around (partying right now) and was reminded about how God is in control. I'd almost given up- actually i probably had but yet God was in control to give woody an active christian contact in his home town.
Now I'm not saying i know what the future will bring but i know God is in control- I'd love for you to join with me praying for Woody and for Gavin and janelle (his wife) as they get settled into this new area. Pray that God might encourage them in their ministry. And don't ever give up on a friend thinking they are too hard: God is in control.
Background- I live in a house managed by the pressie church and as such there are rules/ regulations about who can move in. For example the person must be a christian and looking to be actively involved in serving at the church. (next door). We are expected (gentleman's agreement ;) ) to live lives as Christians (apparently this means mowing the lawn )
Now a few years ago a guy (Woody) moved into the house from ayr a relative of a person on the board- indeed i think might have even been our landlord (not 100% sure on that we have had so many) So imagine our surprise when we found out that this person was quite honest about his lack of Christianity. However he was a good bloke and we included him in everything and he abided to the house rules and over time began to learn more and more about God and Christianity. he was very keen on learning about God and really made some major changes in his life. He had made some bad choices in friends at home in Ayr and these friends were getting him into trouble/fighting/alcohol and so was often going home to ayr for weekends and coming back with stories of "defending people" and massive brawls. Over time he came to realize that it wasn't helping him and he was affecting his life by making bad choices. He then made a commitment to serving God. All seemed to be going great.
Imagie my frustration when he got involved in a relationship with a Church girl who "needed him" and so stopped coming to bible study and stopped growing. We kept trying but...
Anyways to make a long story short there was a major explosion involving nervous breakdowns, stalking, other girls, paranoia and many other things- he decided he was really missing his family, his dad offered him a job and so he moved back to Ayr and straight back to his old lifestyle and friends emerging every now and again when we went down or he came up. Over the years his mobile number changed and we lost contact for a year or so- every now and again we'd hear rumours through friends or he'd give me a call often a bit tipsy and we'd have a good chat.
I'd often been blaming myself, if only i hadn't been so busy, if only i'd done that, if only i had a few other guys i could have let int the whole situation instead of keeping quiet, if only.
Now recently we had the joy of having some one come to Townsville on a bible college mission and over a year or so they were lead to come up here to take over at the congregations at Ayr and Home Hill (they had no minister our church had been rotating with guys going down to preach for the last 2 years or so). As we were planning to go down to celebrate with the people there for the induction service- i thought- wouldn't it be great if woody was there. (Could i just put in that although he sounds like a thug he is actually a top bloke)
So i called his mobile- no response, tried to find his e-mail address- no luck. and had just about given up. Then on Tuesday i remembered he worked at the ford dealership a year earlier. doubting if he still worked there i gave them a call- and Woody answered. he had a chat and i invited him to the event on wed night. He indicated he might be keen but was in Bowen that day and would see how he went- he only finished work at 5 and the bbq started at 5:30.
Now I mentioned to the new minister at Ayr that a friend of mine might show up and i wanted to introduce him but wasn't really expecting him to show.
Well lo and behold in walked woody straight from work having driven an hour to come up for it. he stayed for the bbq and then for the church service and then hung around for hours afterwards chatting to us and to the new minister. In fact he was still there chatting to Gavin (the new minister) when we left and indicated he'd come back to the church and invited Gav to drop in on him at work or for a coffee etc.
I felt like dancing around (partying right now) and was reminded about how God is in control. I'd almost given up- actually i probably had but yet God was in control to give woody an active christian contact in his home town.
Now I'm not saying i know what the future will bring but i know God is in control- I'd love for you to join with me praying for Woody and for Gavin and janelle (his wife) as they get settled into this new area. Pray that God might encourage them in their ministry. And don't ever give up on a friend thinking they are too hard: God is in control.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Finally Tim has come back Blogging
Inspired by Leah's return to blogging ( http://missleahmaria.blogspot.com ) i thought I should place some thoughts on screen. Last night a group of us went to see Les Miserables put on by the Townsville Choral Society. I was struck about how much of there is of a portray of Christians (something I'd never picked up before) there is in the musical. To begin with when the Convict Jean Valjean is released he is shown nothing but cruelty and hatred hardening his heart and looking to fight for what ever he can get. However he is broken of this by a Bishop who brings him in for a meal and a bed. Jean then repays him by stealing his silver. being brought back by the police the bishop admonishes Jean and says did i not tell you to take the candlesticks too. This act of Grace is turning point for Jean Valjean and a point where he fails to understand Why...
The bishop continues But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!
Whilst I don't agree fully with the practise of buying some one :) it is a nice little summery of our state in todays world.
If only there was more of that in todays media/entertainment.
Maybe thats a challenge to us to live as Christians in our day to day living and generosity to others- that we might show to others the grace that was shown to us.
The ending of the musical is probably my favourite part so i thought I'd share it.
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you.
Lord in Heaven,
Look down on him in mercy.
VALJEAN
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.
FANTINE & EPONINE
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation.
Take my love,
For love is everlasting.
VALJEAN, FANTINE & EPONINE
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God!
CHORUS
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes...
Tomorrow comes!
The bishop continues But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!
Whilst I don't agree fully with the practise of buying some one :) it is a nice little summery of our state in todays world.
If only there was more of that in todays media/entertainment.
Maybe thats a challenge to us to live as Christians in our day to day living and generosity to others- that we might show to others the grace that was shown to us.
The ending of the musical is probably my favourite part so i thought I'd share it.
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you.
Lord in Heaven,
Look down on him in mercy.
VALJEAN
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.
FANTINE & EPONINE
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation.
Take my love,
For love is everlasting.
VALJEAN, FANTINE & EPONINE
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God!
CHORUS
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes...
Tomorrow comes!
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