CrossPurposes

CP 160 The day the neighbourhood changed

2012-01-24T18:27:00.002+11:00

A damp Wednesday afternoon in November in a suburb near you. An altercation occurs between some local boys. Why the fight? Who really knows. For this piece it doesn’t matter. What matters is that just a few moments later one boy is dead.

For his family everything is changed for the rest of their lives. Empty rooms, empty place at the table, empty hearts. Grief will be a constant in their lives. Heartache will not be imaginary. The pain is real and will never be forgotten. No 18th or 21st birthday celebrations. The relationships between all family members will be affected. One has to pray for recovery and forgiveness.

Nothing will ever be the same for those other boys either. Day by day on their way to school they will pass that spot. Further on they pass the entrance to the street where the dead boy lived. These boys too have mums and dads, brothers and sisters. What pain and suffering to bear. One has to pray for forgiveness of self and others. And for healing.

All these relationships, in both groups, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces, friends and neighbours, fellow school students, are scourged by this brief and fateful encounter. The tragic outcome has consequences beyond imagination..
.
The neighbourhood has changed. It will never be home again with that innocence and security which is freedom.

(I cannot sit in judgement. Many years ago I was present at a fight at the Wagga Beach in which the loser was repeatedly kicked in the body and face while on the ground. The victor had training in martial arts, especially kick-boxing. The outcome could so easily have been the same. The brutality was halted only by the Council Health Inspector who happened to be in the area. I was there, with many others, and said and did nothing. I learnt much about personal ugliness and self-cowardice that day.)

The details of this story are unique to that event, but they are also echoes of the same theme, recurring again and again in human society and community. Sometimes things happen on a global scale. Other times it’s within a country or city. Sometimes deliberate malice is involved, sometimes it comes down to negligence. Sometimes there are accidents. And often enough, just silliness or stupidity without thought of consequence. But every time it happens, the neighbourhood, wherever or whatever it is, is irrevocably changed.

When Adam and Eve chose to grasp for equality with God, to act for self first, to enter into disobedience, and to reject accountability, their actions had consequences. The neighbourhood changed. Innocence was gone. Death entered in. God’s image became blurred so much that it was usually invisible to the naked eye. Mistrust and deceit became the norm. Relationships were always marred by self-interest. Every subsequent child of the first pair has been tarred by the same brush. Everybody somehow, someway repeats the behaviours. It is the neighbourhood in which we all live. Is there hope?

Enter Jesus… the Messiah who came to save sinners. He came to a sick and sorry world, an enslaved and desperate world, a violent and ugly world. But always a world and its people loved by God. His goal was restoration. His task was to open the way so the lost could come home. His call was simple… Follow me. His journey was not above sin and death but through sin and into death. It was the only way to break the satanic stronghold. He stayed the course and was never drawn off track. He is the pioneer of our salvation, who opened up the new and living way, as Hebrews tells us. He died and was buried.

AND ROSE AGAIN… AND THAT DAY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WAS IRREVOCABLY CHANGED.

A Postscript… for example, by next morning one of the members of the Good Shepherd Church here had erected a white cross which became a focal point for a grieving neighbourhood… and again, something changed in the neighbourhood. I praise God for him and what he did.

Be blessed in Jesus the Christ.

Fred

CP 159 A provocative story from Keith Miller

2012-01-19T14:56:00.002+11:00

One evening several years ago I was taking a young friend out to dinner. He had just graduated from the university and was going off to enter the Christian ministry the next day. John was one of those fine, clean young men who somehow get through college without scar or blemish from the world. I found him hard to believe, but he was evidently sincere. We had eaten in a cafeteria and were talking about his future when a good-looking young woman sauntered up to our table in a pair of very short shorts, sandals, and one of those brief halter type tops. She was followed by a tiny daughter in a similar outfit. I recognized the woman as a member of the Sunday school class I taught. The class was rather large, and I had seen her only as a member of an audience. A few times I had spoken to her briefly before or after class, but I had definitely noticed her.
Somehow at the cafeteria, however, she looked very "un-Sunday schooly." I introduced her to my young friend as a fellow member of the same Sunday school class, and asked if she would like to join us. She did, and said at once, "There is something I've been wanting to talk to you about for months."
"What's that?"
"Paul, I think he was a sex deviate:'
My young friend's eyes were protruding slightly in horror, and I sort of wished I had not asked.
"Paul who?" I asked, smiling weakly.
She laughed, "You know who I mean, Paul the Apostle."
So we began to talk about Paul's views concerning women and sex. After about 40 minutes it was apparent that Paul was not the problem she wanted to talk about, and I told her so.
Her whole attitude changed. She said almost wistfully, "I really believe you've found hope in your faith, and I would honestly like to make this beginning commitment of my life to Christ... but I can't do it."
"Why not?" I asked gently.
"Because I've got a personal problem that I can't seem to resolve."
She was biting her lips and looking down at a paper napkin she had folded into a small bulky square.
"But that's why Christianity is called 'good news,' "I said, coming on strong. "We can't solve our own basic hang-ups and separations, and God is offering through the Holy Spirit to furnish us the motivating power to cope with the seemingly impossible situations in life. That's why I'm such a nut about Christianity. I can't promise to change anything. All I can do is to accept His love and grace."
"But," and she hesitated. .."I don't feel acceptable until I whip this problem."
"Listen, Susan, the old song doesn't say, 'Just as I am when I whip
my major problem.' It says, 'Just as I am without one plea,' one problem, one guarantee."
She looked at me with the strangest dawning look of hope. "Do you really believe that?" she said.
"I'd bet my life on it."
She looked down at her hands for several minutes. " All right," she
said, almost as a challenge, "I'm committing adultery every Thursday night with a man who has a wife and several young children. And I cannot quit. Now can I come into your Christian family?"
I just looked at her. I certainly had not expected that. My first conditioned reaction as a Christian churchman would have been to think she is not ready for Christ, or to say something like, "Baby, don't you think you could at least cut down a little?"
Suddenly I realized how phony we Christians are. Of course we would expect her to quit committing adultery. We don't mean, "just as I am without one plea." We actually mean, "Just as I am when I promise implicitly to straighten up and quit my major sins." And this girl had nailed me with her honesty. She had heard the real intent of our church's congregational invitation and knew she did not have the strength to meet its requirements-to quit her "sinning." And yet it was her weakness which had brought her toward Christ in the first place.
I thought about Jesus and what He would have done. Then I looked up at her, "Of course, you can commit your life to Christ just as you are," I smiled. "He knows you want to quit seeing this man, and I don't know where else you can ever hope to find the security and strength to break up with him. So if you commit your life to Christ right now, then Thursday night, if you find you can't help meeting your friend, take Christ with you in your conscious mind through the whole evening. Ask Him to give you the desire and the strength to break off the relationship."
And she stepped across the stream and became a Christian.
Keith Miller. Habitation of Dragons. pp. 69- 71

CP 158 One story leads to another...

2011-12-13T09:54:00.001+11:00

One story leads to another… CrossPurposes 158

The ladies are ‘verbalising dissatisfaction’ with the fridge in the church kitchen. The freezer compartment keeps frosting up. Rob looks at it, chuckles, and not concealing his merriment, says, “All you need to do is fasten the clip after you shut it!” Fred-of-the-smart-remarks chips in. “Ladies, I’m sure the reason he’s so aware that you need to latch the door is because he once forgot to latch the door of his delivery truck and half his load fell out.” Rob tells me I don’t know how close to the truth I am. There have been times when he didn’t secure the rear door properly and he did, or nearly did, lose stuff. Suddenly everybody has a story about other drivers who forgot to secure their doors and lost part of their load.

One had a contract for delivery of clean linen to hospitals and no longer had what he was supposed to have when he arrived. Another was to deliver a 44 gallon drum of specialised industrial oil. The poor man wasn’t even aware the drum had parted company with the truck on a roundabout. Yet another left his packs of insulation behind on the M5.

My own contribution happened when Rose and I were doing the 4WD bit on the Anne Beadall Highway through the sand dunes between Coober Pedy and the West Australian border. At one point I saw in the rear-vision that one of the side windows of the back compartment was open. We stopped to close it. 300km later we made camp for the night. I asked Rose to fetch the tent. It wasn’t there. I checked myself because I knew where I’d packed it in the morning. Not there. Click. Light dawned. It must have fallen out while the side window was flapping about. Slept out in the open that night.

The stories kept tumbling out. There was lots of laughter to accompany the tales. Everybody was interested. Story begets story. Memory triggers memory, which triggers memory, and community happens.

Something like that happened at an Alpha evening a while ago. We were talking about the circumstances in which we came to faith. Someone shared about a particular moment when the truth about Jesus became very personal. Among the listeners the gospel suddenly moved from being about Jesus Christ to knowing Jesus Christ. Someone else shared about the time Jesus became ‘real’ for her. Then another. And another. It was amazing how one story unearthed the next. Those present heard their Christian brothers and sisters speak of the Lord’s call and their subsequent journeys in ways they never heard before. Memory triggered memory, story led to story, community happened. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit became a felt thing among us. Everyone was encouraged.

Telling the story of our walk is good. More than that, it is necessary. In telling our own story we also confess the Lordship of the Lord of the story. In being free to share with fellow believers we find our voice for confessing Jesus Christ to non-believers. It’s called testimony!

Go check that word ‘testimony’ in a good concordance. It’s amazing how often the Word and testimony are linked. John, the author of Revelation, was banished to the island of Patmos ‘because of the word and the testimony’. (Rev 1:9)

For me, even though the gospel is always the unchangeable gospel, I find it much easier to listen to the preachers/speakers when I am given a sense of where they themselves are in the bigger story.

So lets keep calling each other to tell the story.

Be blessed this week. Fred

"Nasty, brutish and short." CP 157

2011-12-06T11:26:00.001+11:00

“Nasty, brutish and short?” You need Christmas. You need a Messiah!

Our political leaders are not always wise. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they even say things that many would consider wise. Then again, the political process seems to demand that ‘the other side’ treat opposite contributions with scorn and disdain. In the depths of your spirit have you ever felt that you have heard the cry of the population for statesman-like leadership?

Every now and then circumstances demand that a truce be called. It was during one such truce recently that Tony Abbott, the leader of Her Majesty’s Federal Opposition, said something that grabbed my attention. Actually it was a quotation he used, and the occasion was the Police Service Medal awards. (SMH 20/09/2011) In his speech, after that of the Prime Minister, Mr Abbott underscored the value of the Police Service by quoting Thomas Hobbes, the English political philosopher who died in 1679. According to Hobbes, man, left to his natural state, was doomed to a life that was “nasty, brutish and short”.

Hobbes wasn’t particularly complimentary about the human race, was he? Left to ourselves, life will be nasty, brutish and short? I doubt, with views like that, that he would be the darling of the modern humanists. The statement is so at odds with most contemporary thinking, and I guess that’s why it caught my eye.

How do you and I think of ‘man in his natural state’? I kept the article and a month or so later happened to be reading 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Here it is.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having the form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

Well Paul’s not flattering anybody either. Then again, he knew himself to be the chief of sinners because of his persecution of the followers of Jesus, especially his ‘consent’ to the stoning of Stephen. On top of that, he became acutely aware of his own insufferable self-righteousness. When ‘he came to his senses’, he produced that remarkable summary statement about himself, in his natural state: “I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh.” (Romans 7:18 RSV)

Is this me? Is this you? The ancients called this truth about humans, “Original Sin”. That is most assuredly an unfashionable idea. I went back to the Augsburg Confession on Original Sin and found the following;

“Our churches also teach that since the fall of Adam all men who are propagated according to nature are born in sin. That is to say, they are without fear of God, are without trust in God, and are concupiscent.” CA 11. (Check your dictionary for concupiscent!)

My guess is that most former Christians are not disposed to think of themselves in the natural state, (ie, without Jesus Christ,) with such shocking honesty. But you and I will only comprehend our need for a Messiah if we get real with ourselves like Paul did. Just take in what he wrote to those Christians in Ephesus:

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God’s people… and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. (Eph 2:12)

One thing I’ve come to believe. I can teach Original Sin as doctrine, and as a Pastor I do. In the end, however, it has to be taught by the Spirit into our hearts. When the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is in the equation we will arrive at that conclusion on the inside. Why is that important? Our freedom and joy to ‘know’ Jesus and the Heavenly Father, to know the full meaning of Christmas, the full meaning of the Cross and the joy of forgiveness it delivers, is dead-set linked to our awareness of who we are in our natural state.

So there. If the Holy Spirit starts stirring the pot about your heart don’t fight him. Welcome him and his work. It’s for your good and your joy.

Be blessed, the Father loves you.

Fred

Poo in the pool CrossPurposes

2011-11-29T09:15:00.001+11:00

Poo in the pool. CrossPurposes 156

The house we had at Woonona, during my leave-of-absence, had a pool. We weren’t looking for a pool, but given there was a pool we were determined to get as much use out of it as possible. It took a while but I learned how to care for a pool. I’d even venture to say I mastered the skill. Mind you, it was a chore, and a relentless one at that!

It was all good, except for the ducks. Ah, that wretched family of half-a-dozen ducks. When we got to Woonona, el nino was still the dominant babe. The great drought of the naughties was yet to break. The ducks needed a place to hang out and swim. Apparently our pool provided all the required facilities. Without so much as inquiring about a lease, they ‘settled’ on our pool. They were true squatters and wouldn’t look after the place. I’d go down for a dip and our feathered friends would take noisy flight, leaving duck-poo on the fences, around the pool edge, and of course floating in the water. It tended to be a turn-off for water-based recreation.

Many means were used to try to wean the ducks from the pool. I could hear the beggars as they gathered. I could see exactly where they were from a window in my office. Early on, I’d sneak down, chunk of brick in hand, and hurl it at the corrugated-iron fence. Yes, it frightened them away – for a while. But they kept coming back, always leaving behind what came from their behinds. I’d hear that quaack, quaaack, and it would drive me nuts. My next approach was to take one of my yard brooms and hurl it over the fence into the pool. The shocked birds would fly away. But they left behind even more of what frightened birds always leave behind. The pool area smelt like how I reckon Nauru would smell.

The quaacks continued. Desperate Fred realized a new strategy was needed. An air rifle would be great, but also illegal. Instead, he went to the newsagent and bought the strongest rubber bands to be had. Given the unavailability of a willow fork, he went home and fashioned some heavy gauge wire into a good old catapault. Went to Bunnings and bought ammunition in the form of staples that farmers use to fasten fence wire to wooden posts. I was now in possession of a potent, if dangerous, weapon.

Next time I heard those offensive and invasive ducks I gently opened my office window and set myself up as a sniper! I must have fired 40-50 times. A lot of staples hit the fence with a high-pitched ping, which caused the nearest duck a moment’s discomfort before it settled down again. A lot of those staples hit brick pillars and ricocheted around the pool area or into the garden. Many of my ‘shots’ missed the pool fence completely and sailed (harmlessly?) into the Franklins carpark beyond. I never hit a single duck. They were unmoved by my efforts, continued to pollute the pool, caused me no end of grief and denied me a comforting dip.

Finally I talked to the expert. Allan from Pool Care advised me to put a pool-cover on the pool. Desperate people do take advice, whatever the cost. The pool cover was purchased, delivered and installed within a week. And the ducks left. And didn’t come back. All because of a pool cover. The maths was simple. No pool cover = poo. Pool cover = no poo! I was free to live, to exult, to enjoy a swim.

Why have I told this tale? Well, for one thing, I like telling stories. Really though, it’s amazing how life’s experiences can amplify truths we need to know from the Jesus Christ story. My duck-poo story has to do with poo in the pool of our lives. It has to do with soul-pollution and guilt. Especially the way guilt has a way of sticking around and mucking up our lives, our relationships and our experience of the Lordship of Jesus. There is not one of us who hasn’t got a ‘history’ somewhere. As often as not, no one else knows about it. It’s something about ‘me’, what I said or did, or what I didn’t do, that had consequences for me or for others. It doesn’t matter that others may not know. I know, and God knows. (The devil knows too!) An awful lot of energy is consumed in suppressing or denying shame and guilt. Unacknowledged shame and guilt cripples me and distorts me. It therefore affects all my relationships. It kills joy, inhibits inner-peace, and cripples my freedom to love. It results in a permanent sense of alienation in relationship with God and others.

The solution? Many people can suggest solutions, including counselling. Others just resolve to forget about it and get on with life. Some seek peace by getting involved in a ‘good’ project as a way of atonement. I’ll suggest what I believe is the Gospel of Jesus Christ way. Get covered and stay covered. One of those little choruses has a wonderfully simple way of saying it:

I am covered over with the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives to me.
I am covered over with the precious blood of Jesus and he lives in me.
What a joy it is to know my heavenly Father loves me so and gives to me my Jesus.
When he looks at me he sees not what I used to be, but he sees Jesus. (Anon)

You see, the devil relishes stirring in the poo-pot of our life. He operates in the area of unexamined and unconfessed sin. He’s a master at reminding us of failure, of the shameful, of our guilt! On the other hand the Spirit of Jesus tells us that God no longer remembers our sin when it’s repented and forgiven. Or as wise old Paul wrote, “There is, therefore, no condemnation now for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) The devil is free to smear our crap all over us if we are not in forgiveness, in Christ. Wherever there is forgiveness it’s the devil who has no freedom! He can’t make anything stick on Jesus, and therefore he can’t make anything stick on the ‘forgiven’ you.

And one other thing from a source I no longer remember: “If the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!”

So get covered and stay covered.

Summer’s on the way. Happy swimming.

Fred

CP 155 A tale of two Taroona High students

2011-11-23T12:37:00.002+11:00

A tale of two Taroona High students

“Once-upon-a-time there was a school in fair Hobart called Taroona High. It was regarded as one of the ‘better’ schools in that southern kingdom of Van Diemens Land. Almost half a century ago, not quite in the olden days, a young girl named Rosemarie was enrolled in the afore-mentioned school. She flourished there and indeed, graduated as dux-of-the-school. An exceedingly bright future beckoned when she moved to the wondrous harbour-city called Sydney.

About thirty years later, in more modern times, another bright student was enrolled at the same school. Although Mary did not become dux-of-the-school, she excelled in her studies, and she too was drawn by the allure of the great city to the north.

By coincidence both young ladies met a handsome men called Fred. Rosemarie met her Fred on Coogee beach on a warm late-summer day. Mary met her Fred on a cool early-spring evening at Darling Harbour during the Olympic Games. Both women married their Fred. By coincidence both Freds worked in a vocation beginning with P, and both serve a in a Kingdom. Rosemarie’s Fred became a Pastor after he joined the Lutheran Church. Mary’s Fred turned out to be a Prince, and before she married him she too joined the Lutheran Church.

Nowadays Rosemarie lives with her Fred in Campbelltown, (let the reader understand,) while Mary and her Fred live in Copenhagen. Rosemarie lives in a parsonage while Mary lives in a palace. Rosemarie lives in relative obscurity and Mary lives in royal opulence. Their lives are a world apart. However both are happy and both expect to live happily-ever-after.”

Here endeth the tale.

Question… Which of these two fair ladies is the more richly blessed? Answer… I have not the foggiest idea. As the older of the two Freds, I might only speak for Rosemarie, and what presumption that would be. But, all things considered, I surmise that she must be very happy. She has 5 children. Add a baker’s dozen grandchildren. Plus she has me. She also has Jesus. And Mary? Touring Australia at the moment, she comes across as happy too. Apart from her children, the eyes of her Fred reveal a deep affection for her and that must count for much. She, too, may have Jesus.

So why am I writing this flowery tale? Is there a faith lesson in this story? Hardly. Is there a moral to this story? The answer is no. All I intend to do is to place a simple observation before you. And what is that? The person we marry, or will marry, has an enormous influence on the content and direction of our lives and in the way our lives pan out.

That’s it. The fairy-tale is to fall in love, then marry, and then live happily ever-after. However being ‘in love’ carries no guarantee of personal or marital happiness. Those who are madly-in-love are almost invariably unable to see with the eyes of wisdom and discernment. Being objective and being in love are not comfortable bed-fellows. Mistakes are par for the course. But who can control that mysterious thing of the way of a man with a maiden? For what it’s worth, at least try to be objective. (You may be sure that the ‘Palace’ checked out Mary of Taroona pretty thoroughly.) I will repeat what is important to remember: The person we marry, or will marry, has an enormous influence and impact on the course of our lives.

Is there hope? Of course! As William Willimon says, “Marriage is not about finding the right person as much as being [becoming] the right person.” For that you need Jesus Christ, his transforming Word, and his transforming Spirit.

Bless you people.

Fred

Sculptures by the Sea (of Galilee)

2011-11-15T16:51:00.003+11:00

Sculptures by the Sea CrossPurposes 154

If you don’t live in Sydney you probably don’t know about the annual sculpture exhibition which is presented on the coastal strip between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. The two week show is on just now. Some of the best known sculptors on the planet have their ‘creations’ placed on the headlands and rock formations, on the grassy slopes and beach sands. Thousands upon thousands visit the site and marvel (or wonder!!!) about the creativity on display. (Joggers hate it because it all happens on their track.)

For reasons I can’t explain, while half-asleep the other morning, I was linking the Sculptures by the Sea with the story of Anna which I shared in CrossPurposes 153. Weird? Not really, if we let the Holy Spirit be the sculptor. The instrument he uses to do his ‘fashioning’ is the Word of God, especially the Word of Jesus Christ. His raw material is the regenerated heart which is set on Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Such a heart is willing to be remade, even if there is a cost. As that person ‘stays the course’ through thick and thin, through the best and worst that happens in life, then transformation is to be expected.

I mentioned Anna Papaj. But think of Jesus’ disciples as they roamed the highways and byways along the Sea of Galilee. Picture their souls and spirits being pickled in his words about salt and light, turning the other cheek, forgiveness of others, meekness and mercy, trust and prayer. Catch their astonishment at his purity of heart and purpose, and his unwavering trust in his Father’s will. Let them hear the call to humility, to wash feet, lead by being a servant, take up their own gospel cross. See their confidence grow as they begin to trust his ‘ask, seek and knock’ promises.

Let’s keep going. Imagine what the Spirit is doing in them as they confront their own failures and as they are unwilling spectators of his crucifixion. Record their amazement when he meets them risen and alive. Sense their relief as forgiveness embraces them. Be heartened as you see them rise to the call to represent Jesus and his kingdom to the world.

You know what they are? What they are becoming? Yep, that’s right. They are ‘living sculptures by the sea’, being wondrously and beautifully worked by the Holy Spirit of Jesus.

But that’s not all. In his mind’s eye the Holy Spirit has an extraordinarily lucid image of the end goal of his labours. The artistic result is what the Father in heaven always had in mind. Without any hint of loss of personality, indeed with marvellous enhancement of individual personality, each follower of Jesus looks more and more like him. Jesus, in his coming, living, working, suffering, dying and rising, is the prototype for the divine craftsman.

Many years ago I went to hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. One thing he said in particular stayed with me. “God forbade his people from making ‘graven images’ because in each human being he already had a person made in his image.” A valid point I reckon, though the image is often so heavily obscured, under layer-upon-layer of sin, that it is well nigh invisible. For new covenant people that image is emerging with even greater clarity and glory than was present with Adam. (Fred, Fred, Fred…are you not bordering on heresy here?) In Jesus we see a side of our God that the newly created Adam did not (need to) see. As we are being ‘sculpted’ after the image of Jesus, the Spirit enhances the ‘living sculpture’ by installing into the core of our inner-self a new heart which is wired to replicate the capacity for Calvary-type grace, mercy and truth which is only found in Jesus the Christ.

Does that give you fresh eyes to see what the Spirit was doing in Anna Papaj? Now think of what the Spirit has in mind for you (and me). Does your spirit not cry out for such stunning possibilities? Ask and you shall receive!

Have a ‘blessed’ week.

Fred

CrossPurposes 153 On being an Anna

2011-11-08T11:27:00.003+11:00

THAT WE MIGHT ALL BE AN “ANNA”

Hi guys, Fred here. The other day I was moving toward the Sudoku in the Sydney Morning Herald when my eye caught a name I recognized among the Funeral Notices. As I read it I found a tear in the eye and joy in my heart.

PAPAJ, Anna

(nee Arnold).

03.07.1921 – 21.10.2011

Widow of Peter (Piotr), mother with all her heart

and strength to daughters

Emilie and Christina and

proud mother-in-law of

Tom. The most loving of grandmothers to James, Andrew and Adriana, and great-grandmother to Darren Castiel (France).

The world’s best baker of cakes and pancakes.

A woman of great intelligence and courage, survivor of so many hardships through her

deep faith. She loved the Lord with all her soul.

Getragen auf Adlers

Flugein bis hinein

In die Ewigkeit

A funeral service for ANNA will be held at St Pauls Lutheran Church,

St Marys, on Tuesday

(October 25, 2011).

Pretty special, don’t you reckon? I knew Anna and I knew she had died. That I came upon her name in the SMH was pure fluke. However, the family’s heartfelt affirmation of mother and grandmother brought back many memories. I was her Pastor in Sydney for almost 10 years. Her story was unique and at the same time it was the story of thousands of others.

Picture Germany after WW1, a time of uncertainty, painful and resentful introspection after military defeat, complete financial chaos, all accompanied by political disorder indistinguishable from anarchy. As Germany entered the Depression years the turmoil intensified until the Nazi dictatorship crushed all opposition. Then came the Hitler years and with him came war. The brothers went to war and she remained on the farm as her father’s labourer until he died. From that point she worked the farm on her own until she married her Polish husband. One brother died during the war. Another was disabled for life. When the third brother returned from Russia he insisted that the farm was his.

As with hundreds of thousands of others, they moved to Australia. Soon after they arrived her husband became sick and could no longer work. (In fact he spent his first day in Australia in hospital.) With an invalid husband and two children she established a poultry farm at Blacktown in western Sydney. It was there that the family was finally able to establish itself.

That’s the bare-bones of the story. But the thing which most got me about Anna was her deep and unswerving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This was not a lady to skip church. She was in Sunday worship because she wanted to be there. Her wisdom and understanding were genuinely remarkable. She ‘got it’. She knew her need, and she knew how Calvary was her Lord’s way of meeting that need. She knew grace. She knew God her Father. She was a woman of spirit and she was a woman of the Spirit! Yes, she was a rock to her family, but she knew, without a skerrick of doubt, that all her efforts, indeed her whole life, was anchored on the Rock of all Ages. She knew the Cross was her lodestar, and she never took her eyes off it.

I guess it is no surprise that Anna was one of the great encouragers of my pastoral life. I was strengthened Sunday by Sunday simply because she was there! I have no idea how that worked, but it was true. Sunday by Sunday, usually without words on her part, I was lifted up. And she did that too, when I visited her at home and in the nursing home.

Why am I writing this story. I’m not 100% sure myself. But from the moment I saw that funeral notice I knew, among other things, I wanted to encourage ‘others’ to be an “Anna” in the lives of yet more ‘others’, especially for their children and grandchildren. More than ever the world needs followers of Jesus who embody holy faith and holy love.

Be blessed.

Fred

PS The German words translate as follows:

Carried on the wings of an eagle, right into eternity.

These words come from one of Anna’s own prayers:

O that we would learn to love God with all our hearts, with all our soul, and with all our being. Then we could sing:

Carried on the wings of an eagle

over the roaring sea of time,

carried on the wings of an eagle,

right into eternity.

A CROSS GENTLEMEN, A CROSS!

2009-03-18T09:52:00.001+11:00

It’s getting on towards Good Friday and Easter. It’s a time where, for 2000 years the followers of Jesus Christ have reflected on the facts of the events of his life and his death, and of his person, and on the meaning of what God does and how he operates. The Gospel tells us that in Jesus Christ God was doing his speaking, and speaking his doing.

Now it’s one thing for God to speak. It’s another for us to hear. Often enough we hear what we want to hear or expect to hear. And sometimes we are so badly tuned or trained that we might as well be deaf.

EPISODE 1

Consider Jesus and his disciples in Mark’s Gospel. They travel with Jesus on his mission, often struggling, or failing, to understand. Finally in Mark Ch 8 Peter ‘gets it’. “You are the Christ,” he blurts out. Finally they see him for who he is. Alleluia!

Jesus immediately began to teach them what he had withheld from them to this point:

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this…(Mark 8:31-32a)

Peter hears what Jesus says – and protests strongly.

…and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (Mark 8:32b)

‘No Jesus, you are the Christ, and no Christ of mine is going to be killed!’

Jesus tells him off. And not subtly either. ‘Out of my sight, Satan!’ He then proceeds to tell them that anyone who want to come with him is going to get a cross for his trouble, not glory.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

You want to live? Then die. You want to save? Then lose. If there’s going to be glory, it’s in and beyond your dying.

EPISODE 2

In Mark 9, Jesus repeats his earlier prediction.

He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:31-32)

And they truly don’t get it. “A cross gentleman, a cross!” The disciples? Arguing about who will be the greatest. Children, children, can’t you hear? Want to be first? Be last. Want to be the greatest? Be least! A cross gentlemen, a cross! Get ready to die.

EPISODE 3

In Mark 10 Jesus repeats the prediction a third time.

"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (Mark 10:33-34)

Glory? Only through death.

James and John are thinking ahead. A cross for us? No! We want the best seats in the house!

"Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." (Mark 10:37)

No gentlemen, no! A cup of suffering, and baptism into death. I’m surely offering you a role. But as servants. With a cross. You want to lord it over others? You want to have authority? Only as you are slave of all.

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:42-45)

How then shall we live? As he did. The call is to live (and die) within his story, in his footsteps. And what did he do?

“Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Bless you people. Happy Good Friday and happy Easter.

Fred

Friends, I’m taking leave of absence from the Parish Ministry from Easter Sunday. This will be the last blog for I don’t know how long. I hope this has been a blessing for you, and that maybe you have found inspiration for sermons, or personal devotions. In the main it’s been great fun writing these, and I’d encourage any of you to do similar things.

Over and out…
Fred

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

2009-03-11T12:12:00.001+11:00

The Good Weekend Magazine (SMH 22/11/08) featured a quick quiz called “Upfront” for Dave Hackett. He’s an author, cartoonist and part time actor.

At one point he was asked his “most humiliating moment”.

“After I played a murder suspect as an extra on Australia’s most wanted, I was spotted in a shopping centre by an old lady, who started pointing at me, yelling, “That’s him! That’s the criminal!”

Fortunately I’ve never been called a criminal. For some of my youthful indiscretions I probably should have been. But how often don’t we experience cases of mistaken identity. Some years ago I waltzed up to a bloke at Central Station and welcomed him to Sydney. (He was from Wagga!) He looks at me and says “Never been to Wagga, mate!”

Mistaken identity! Reminds me of something Pastor John Sims said to his congregation when I was in my training with him. “Jesus told us to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Sometimes when I observe you it seems I’m looking at a sheep in wolves clothing.”

Clever heh. But he has a point. Our outer lives are meant to match the inner reality of forgiveness and love, and being a “child of God”. That’s what God wants from us in this life. And it’s why James the apostle cries out , rather like a exasperated tailor, “It’s not fitting…”. Mistaken identity.

Jesus Christ’s life is fully in us. So that’s what is now free and able to seep, ooze, flow out of us.

We do get it wrong. Sometimes in a moment, without thinking. Sometimes, though, we are unrecognisable as Jesus’ brothers and sisters. It is not fitting! The way we talk, the language we use, the stories we tell, (or send on the internet), the drinking we do, the compromises we make, the selfish ambition we pursue, the harshness or bitchiness we show in our relationships – all of these do not reveal Jesus Christ to a broken, way off track world.

Hope? Yes. Constant forgiveness as we identify and acknowledge the failure. Also the Holy Spirit revealing Jesus identity to us and giving us the gumption to live it out. AND ALL OF IT BASED ON THE FACT THAT IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US, EMBRACED OUR SINFUL BROKEN IDENTITY, ON THAT CROSS, AND SET GOD FREE TO GIVE US THE JESUS CHRIST IDENTITY WE NEED. And that resurrected (born again?) CROSS BEARER, says to me and you “FOLLOW ME”.

Bless You

Fred

A DANIEL-LIKE HONESTY - CROSS PURPOSES 150

2009-03-04T08:44:00.000+11:00

A DANIEL-LIKE HONESTY

There was powerful ‘letter to the editor’ in the GoodWeekend Magazine (SMH) of November 8-9 2008. It was written in response to an article in the same magazine on October 11 about the destruction of habitat for silverback gorillas in Africa. The editor gave the letter a title: GUERILLAS IN THEIR MIDST. I repeat it below, in full.

“Man (as in all humanity) never ceases to disgust me. We rape, pillage, pilfer, murder… and will continue to do so until there’s nothing left. It broke my heart to read what the beautiful, majestic mountain gorillas of the Congo are up against, and I cried when I saw that sad picture of a murdered silverback (October 11). We really make me sick.
Marie Mast
Montrose, Vic.

There is no indication that this lady is a Christian. But it is a rare thing indeed to find someone who can look out over the endless messes of humanity and use that 2 letter word “we”.

“WE rape, pillage, pilfer, murder…WE really make me sick.” As has been obvious in debates about ‘stolen generations’ the idea of corporate, (as in all of us), responsibility is anathema to many, if not most of us. That goes for Christians too! So how refreshing to see someone, somewhere, pick up and run with that royal WE.

In her letter Marie Mast’s sense of ‘we’ is global and geographic. In scripture it’s global and geographic too. It is also across time! Let me give you 2 examples.

1. Good old Daniel. Generally I don’t much like Daniel – he’s so good and always
focussed on God that I always feel guilty when I read about him! It’s exactly that, however, which makes one of his prayers hit between the eyes.
“ I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
"Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.”
Daniel 9:4-7
See the ‘WE’? – Daniel refuses to separate himself from his people. It’s not ‘I’ and ‘them’, not ‘they’, but ‘we, we, we, we, we’! It’s about knowing that there is something about identity, guilt, forgiveness and freedom that is tied up with the community we belong to.
2. Here’s some of Moses’ words to the Israelites which he tells them to use in their place of worship at least once a year.
“ Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me.”
Deut 26:5-10a
The Jews still speak these creedal words today. It’s not that they (ie the forefathers) were rescued from Egypt. No, it’s ‘we’ and ‘us’. Once again the line between past and present becomes invisible. When God rescued the generations from Egypt he rescued us from Egypt as well. When God made a covenant with that generation, it was with us as well. “You may not separate me from my community in either its history or its future” is what a faithful Jew would say.
THE SON OF MAN
Let’s chew something. Jesus Christ came among us as Immanuel. As Robin Mann’s song has it, “One with us, one with earth”. According to his life, utterly guiltless. According to his identity as human, no distinction made and accepts all our sin and failure as his own sin and failure.
You know what happened after that. Our story became his cross story, and then his story becomes our story. And the rest is eternal history.
Peace.
Fred
WE shy away from the idea of being responsible for communal sin or failure, but we sure don’t mind taking communal credit when there is success and victory. WE beat the POMS at cricket. Didn’t we?

THE FARMER AND HIS (OUT OF TUNE) VIOLIN – Part 2 - CROSS PURPOSES

2009-02-25T08:40:00.002+11:00

THE FARMER AND HIS (OUT OF TUNE) VIOLIN – Part 2

In Cross Purposes 147 – The Farmer and his (out of tune) Violin – Fred tells the story of an Australian grazier, living on an isolated property, who needed access to a “standard note” in order to tune his violin. Ingeniously, he wrote to the nearest radio station asking if they would give him the standard note by radio! The radio station was able to assist and, at an agreed time, struck the tuning note by which the farmer was able to tune his violin and so get on with his music.

The point of the story was that we need to take hold of a quiet time – away from the noise of the world – and tune in to the voice of our Lord. It’s in such quiet times that we can best hear and tune in to the “standard note” of the voice of Jesus.

When talking about this story last week I mentioned to Fred that at band practice each Wednesday evening, the first thing the bandmaster does is to tune all the instruments in the band to a “standard” note. He does this by getting, say, the first clarinettist to play and hold the standard note. As the rest of the band plays and holds that same note, the bandmaster is able to pick up, with his acutely trained ear, which instruments are out of pitch and then directs the player to tune the instrument accordingly. Once every instrument is tuned to the standard note the band is ready to play as one.

Think of the bandmaster as Jesus. Think of the “standard note” the bandmaster seeks the whole band to be tuned to as “the way and the truth and the life” to which Jesus calls us. Jesus calls us to be one in body and spirit – with Him and with each other. He tells us, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), and then in His prayer for us in the Garden of Gethsemane He prays:

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (the gospel as Jesus taught his disciples and called them to proclaim), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

Complete unity in our Lord is only possible when we are tuned into His Word through the power of His Holy Spirit. It requires open, humble and receptive hearts to the message of the Gospel so that we can clearly hear the tuning note and allow the Master to show us where our “pitch” needs adjusting.

Horatio Bonar captures the spirit of this wonderfully in his timeless hymn: ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest . . .” “Behold I freely give . . .” “I am this dark world’s light . . .”’ When we resonate with these words we are well in tune with the Body of Christ. Until then we are tuned only to “discordant” notes.

Blessings

René van den Tol
19 February 2009

THE TRUE TEST OF A PERSON - CROSS PURPOSES 148

2009-02-18T11:15:00.000+11:00

THE TRUE TEST OF A PERSON

Rose and I were going through Kalgoorlie some years ago and took the opportunity to watch a demonstration of the refining of gold. That meant it was heated to 1200 degrees, it melted, and when the flux was added in the impurities could be drained off. The purity was made possible by the heat. We understand that. You want to sharpen an axe? Get a file or a grindstone and you can get it to razor thickness. As Solomon once said in a proverb, iron sharpens iron! We do understand that. It’s clear that adversity brings out the best in a person. It sorts out the men from the mice, the heroes from the wimps. As the writer of the book labelled Hebrews says,

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

In a way we are encouraged to accept trouble and suffering because it draws/forces endurance and perseverance – and that builds hope in us. Poverty isn’t bad either, because necessity is the mother of all invention. And then out of the blue, you find a little passage in scripture which surprises you by being on a different tack.

“ Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.”
(Proverbs 27:21 NLT)

And here it is in NIV

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but man is tested by the praise he receives.”

Different isn’t it. Who you are, in the deep inner-self, is revealed by the way you respond to praise! Everybody is capable, somewhere, someway, of doing that which draws praise. Even Jesus. Perhaps especially Jesus! It’s Jesus who demonstrates, in a godly way, the truth of this saying. He knows that, often, praise and flattery are delivered in order that the one who gives it might get an advantage. After he fed the 5000, the people begun to sing his praises – and here is Jesus’ response.

“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:15)

In the wilderness the devil had recognised the real threat Jesus was to his earthly control. He tried flattery, offered him shortcuts, all of which he refused. He resisted any attempt to deflect him from his Father’s work. He declined to entrust himself to human assessments. (John 2:24) Because he properly feared God he was never double-minded or heart-divided. Jesus’ person and example is our teacher:

· The Apostle Paul: “Have this mind among yourselves which you have “IN CHRIST JESUS” Phil 2:5

· And Father God: “This is my Son whom I love. Listen to HIM! (Matt 17:5)

· And Jesus himself: LEARN FROM ME for I am meek and humble at heart. (Matt 11:29).

There it is. Jesus knew his place before the one whose judgement really mattered. Do you?

Bless you guys

Fred

CROSSPURPOSES 147 - THE FARMER AND HIS (OUT OF TUNE) VIOLIN.

2009-02-11T09:59:00.000+11:00

THE FARMER AND HIS (OUT OF TUNE) VIOLIN.

I’ve grabbed this title from something Selwyn Hughes once wrote. It was about having a daily quiet time in the Lord’s company, a matter which we all know is essential to the nourishment and growth in soul and spirit.

His text was from the Psalms.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8)

When he was asked how and why he maintained his daily quiet time, Selwyn Hughes talked about an Australian grazier, living on an isolated property, whose violin was out of tune. To tune it he needed “a standard note” which he didn’t have at home. What to do? He had an idea – a brainwave. He wrote to the nearest radio station asking if they would give him the standard note by radio!

He asked. It did. Stopped its program at an agreed time and struck his note. He tuned his violin and was able to get on with his music.

Selwyn Hughes’ point? It’s in that quiet time, best in the morning before we hear the world’s ever present, demanding, discordant, clamouring voices – its noise – that we can tune in to the voice of our Lord. It’s the best time to hear and tune into the standard note.

“That is what a quiet time in the early part of the day does for you. Before the mists of worldly happenings blot out your view of God, you take a time exposure of Him which is indelibly imprinted on your mind. Then, after the mists close in, the vision is there – within. You live in two worlds at once – drawing physical strength from the world around you, and spiritual sustenance from the world above you. Pascal, the great French philosopher and Christian, once said: “Nearly all the ills of life spring from this simple source: that we are not able to sit still in a room.” But what if, in the stillness, we meet with God – how healing that would be? We would arise with what Stevenson calls “happy morning faces”. We become children of the dawn.”

Selwyn Hughes
One Year Devotional
Water for the Soul 2002.

So there! Tune in to the one radio station which can give you the ‘one note needful’.

O, and by the way, a little ‘violin’ insight, courtesy of the The Lutheran, which arrived on February 9. A W Tozer is right on the money – or should that be ‘note’:

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity conscious’ and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”

Bless and be blessed.

Fred

IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO? - Cross Purposes 146

2009-02-04T09:27:00.002+11:00

IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO?

MX News is a free commuter newspaper for afternoon travellers in Sydney. On January 14 2008 it carried a story about two men from different parts of the USA who each found a rare pearl in an oyster they were eating. Nothing particularly special about that but I’ve another story.

The Hobart Mercury reported on January 3 2008 about young Kristy Brittain who was tossed off her kneeboard (on January 28 2007) while being towed behind a boat in water off the Tasman Peninsula. In the fall she lost a nose stud from a piercing she had done a week before Christmas. Gone forever? Three days later her fiancéé was fishing in the same area, caught a nice flathead, and lo and behold, there was the nose stud!

Reminds me of a story in the New Testament where some Temple tax collectors front Peter about Jesus and his tax obligations. It’s worth a read.

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
Matthew 17:24-27

I’ve often wondered: One, how did Jesus know about the tax conversation Peter had just had? Two, how did he know about the fish and the coin?

“It ain’t necessarily so”?
Normie Rowe’s song by that name had a line in it that said (of Jonah and the whale) “The things that you’re liable, to read in the Bible, ain’t necessarily so”. But a visit to the Eden Whale Museum on the far south coast of NSW might open your eyes.

There’s a story there about a 19 year old English crewman on a whaler in the 19th century. Up near the Arctic, they spotted a whale and drew up close to harpoon it. The harpoon lodged as it was intended to. The whale dived … then resurfaced under the boat and tipped its occupants into the ocean.

All were rescued except our 19 year old. Accepting his death as fate they returned to the mother ship. 14 hours later they were out again, sighted a whale, harpooned it. The same whale. When they began the process of cutting it up they heard strange noises. Soon a hand popped out, then a whole young man.

Apparently every hair on his body was bleached a deathly white, but he was alive, although he couldn’t talk for the next month. He died at 32. His tombstone has an inscription: “A modern Jonah”. It ain’t necessarily so? The skeptics are always there to question. However faith knows instinctively that God is able to do what is claimed in the incarnation, the Calvary cross and through the resurrection.

An Aside – Imagine how ‘white’ Jonah must have looked after 3 days in the whale. And imagine what a sight he must have been criss-crossing Nineveh calling out Repent! Repent!

Bless you people

Fred

Hey, here's an anonymous extra that came to me in the last week or so. 15/2/2009

"Look at Jonah in the fish belly - surrounded by gastric juices & sucked-in seaweed. For three days God has left him there. For three days Jonah has pondered his choices. And for three days he has come to the same conclusion: He hasn't got any choices. From where he sits (or floats) there are two exits - and neither is very appealing. But then again, Jonah isn't either. He blew it as a prophet. He was a flop as a fugitive. At best he's a coward, at worst a traitor. And what he's lacked all along he now has in abundance - guts."

DEADENING SILENCE? - CROSSPURPOSES 145

2009-01-28T10:51:00.001+11:00

DEADENING SILENCE?

A friend wrote to me recently – I’ll call her Jazz – about where she is currently ‘at’.

Here is a part of her email:

“I am really struggling with my faith – our mutual friends gave me “The Shack” to read and suggested the ‘read the bible in a year’ so I will do that at least. Until last week I hadn’t been to church at all for quite a few months, I had just given up (again). I have had really bad depression for the last 2 years – taking medication and seeing a psychologist (useless)…I look back now and know I had some kind of spiritual burnout of breakdown – I thought things would get better as time went on but it really hasn’t, and bit by bit I gradually removed myself from the church community and God, it all happens so easily if you let it. Not sure why I have just ‘dumped’ all that on you – shouldn’t write emails in the middle of the night, one is often more emotional…”

Did my heart bleed for her? Of course. I know a lot of what’s going on in there. Been there, done that. Am there, doing that. There is nothing so hard as hearing all the promises of scripture about ‘streams of living water welling up to eternal life’ and my sheep hear my voice, I know them and they know me’, and to feel as though you are living in a personal arid wilderness.

It truly does seem that God has absconded and you are on your own. They say silence can be deafening but sometimes silence is deadening! It’s painful, in ways you can never explain, to feel that you are not on God’s radar. It’s not difficult to slide into despair.

There is much comfort in knowing that Jesus was in that place too. He experienced that silence, that forsakenness. “My God, my God, why…why have you forsaken me?’ He had done nothing to deserve being cut-off, yet he experienced the cut off with an intensity no one has ever known before. He allowed it to happen for you and for me.

Jazz’s journey is my journey too. I too have despaired. But one thing changed my approach. One insight. I was challenged to choose whether I was going to believe what I felt or what I knew was written in scripture. People might talk about being drawn closer to God. Good for them. The scripture says something different to strugglers.

“I am with you always”. “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing! Not death, not life. Not noise, not silence. God is for us! This and this alone is the beginning and foundation of hope. Jesus died and Jesus lives!

Yes there might be homework to do, rebellion to repent and confess. Yes it might be a painful journey. But Jazz, and Fred, and all you others, you are never, ever, off the Father’s radar!

Bless you all.

Fred

THE DIG!!! CROSS PUIRPOSES 144

2009-01-14T11:18:00.000+11:00

Hi Friends, Fred here.

Thought it was time to kick in with CP again, but wondered “With what?”

Since life will get serious again, pretty quickly, lets start 2009 with something to tickle the funny bone. It came via email a few years ago and I never knew what to do with it. So here it is. Make sure you read the whole thing.

Lord Jesus Christ, bless us in 2009.

Fred

THE DIG !!!!

WHAT IS A PRAISE CHORUS?

An old farmer went to the city one weekend to attend the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

“Well,” said the farmer, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”

“Praise choruses,” said his wife, “What are those?”

“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked his wife.

The farmer said, “Well it’s like this – If I were to say to you: ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well, that would be a hymn.”

“If, on the other hand, I were to say to you: ‘Martha Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN” – Then if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus.”

THE REPLY !!!!

WHAT IS A HYMN?

A young, new Christian went to his local church usually, but one weekend attended a small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

“Well,” said the young man, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.”

“Hymns,” said his wife, “What are those?”

“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked his wife.

The farmer said, “Well it’s like this – If I were to say to you: ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well, that would be a regular song.

If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

‘Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense,
Hearkenest they in God’s sun or his rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn.
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.’

“Then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four and do a key change on the last verse, well, that would be a hymn.”

IN CHRIST - CROSSPURPOSES 142

2008-11-26T10:40:00.001+11:00

Hello people,
Given that it’s coming up to Christmas I thought I’d send you the front page of our latest Newsletter as the CROSSPURPOSES for this week.

This will be our last effort for the year. Trust they have been helpful to you.

And have a Mirthful Christmas

Fred

IN CHRIST – IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US.

INCARNATION – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

SKIN :The Word became flesh, and dwelt amongst us. John 1:14

PAIN :Surely he has borne our griefs… Isaiah 53:4

SUFFERING :and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:4

TESTING :in every respect he has been tempted as we are. Hebrews 4:15

SIN :God made him to be sin… 2 Corinthians 5:21

FINISHED :A triumphant cry: “It is finished!” John 19:31

FORGIVING :Son, your sins are forgiven. Mark 2:5

HEALING :The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in it’s wings.
Malachi 4:2

KING :Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died,
and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of
death and hell. Revelations 1:17-18

KIN :…we are children of God, and if children, then heirs…
Romans 8:16-17

WIN :We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:31

COME IN :Behold I stand at the door and knock; If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and eat with
him, and he with me. Revelations 3:20

INFINITE : How wide and long and high and deep is the love of
Christ…and to know this love which surpasses knowledge.
Ephesians 3:18-19

You’re invited to a treasure hunt! - CROSS PURPOSES 142

2008-11-19T14:09:00.000+11:00

You’re invited to a treasure hunt!

Who has never had the dream of finding a treasure chest? As a kid the stories of pirates hiding their stuff fascinated me, mostly because we were as poor as church mice. Having once, as a 10 year old, read about the value of a 1930 Australian penny, I turned our whole house up and down, also in the ceiling, driven by the dream of finding such a coin.

Somewhere between Czechoslovakia and Germany, probably in the region of what was East Prussia, one day somebody is going to find a whole lot of buried silver, gold jewelry and other valuables. Can’t tell you exactly where except that it’s on a bend of a river. It happened in 1944-1945 when a family of the German nobility was fleeing before the advancing Russians. Over-laden with the family treasures and therefore slowed down, all they could do was to bury all that ‘treasure’ in the hope of one day going back there to reclaim it.

It never happened. The Iron Curtain descended. The Baron died. His only daughter, who told me this story while we lived in Canberra, has also died. Someday some lucky farmer is going to find that horde when his plough goes just a fraction deeper! If he doesn’t own the field he might get smart and arrange to buy it. That’s what Jesus advised!

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44

Of course Jesus wasn’t talking about earthly riches. His sentence starts with, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

Most of us will have a fair idea of how things stand in ‘the kingdom of earth.’ I suspect we’re aware of our net worth and have a sort of a plan about how we’ll get by. Few of us will be unaware of the status of our shares, or of property values.

On the other hand, how is it with you as regards the Kingdom of God?
Are you hungry for the treasure?
Do you know what that treasure actually is?
Have you found the treasure yet?
Are you free to ‘sell everything’ to make sure you can get it for yourself.

Fred, Fred, questions questions questions. Nevertheless they are the most important questions you and I will ever ask.

Bless you guys.

Fred

The Shack - Cross Purposes 141

2008-11-12T11:14:00.001+11:00

WHY THE GREAT SADNESS IS NOT THE LAST WORD!

My friends, CrossPurposes is a bit longer this week. It’s an excerpt from a book called ‘The Shack’. Its central character is a man called Mack who has experienced a great disaster in his life which has crippled his insides in all ways.

On a weekend alone at his cabin he encounters God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has a name in this story – Sarayu – and this excerpt is part of his encounter with Sarayu.

The Shack

“Of course you will make mistakes; everybody makes mistakes, but you will begin to better recognize my voice as we continue to grow our relationship.”
“I don’t want to make mistakes,” Mack grunted.
“Oh, Mackenzie,” responded Sarayu, “mistakes are a part of life, and Papa works his purpose in them, too.” She was amused and Mack couldn’t help but grin back. He could see her point well enough.
“This is so different from everything I’ve known, Sarayu. Don’t get me wrong – I love what you all have given me this weekend. But I have no idea how I go back to my life. Somehow it seemed easier to live with God when I thought of him as the demanding taskmaster, or even to cope with the loneliness of The Great Sadness.”
“You think so?” she asked. “Really?”
“At least then I seemed to have things under control.”
“Seemed is the right word. What did it get you? The Great Sadness and more pain than you could bear, pain that spilled over even on those you care for the most.”
“According to Papa that’s because I’m scared of emotions,” he disclosed.
Sarayu laughed out loud. “I thought that little interchange was hilarious.”
“I am afraid of emotions,” Mack admitted, a bit perturbed that she seemed to make light of it. “I don’t like how they feel. I’ve hurt others with them and I can’t trust them at all. Did you create all of them or only the good ones?”
“Mackenzie.” Sarayu seemed to rise up into the air. He still had a difficult time looking right at her, but with the late afternoon sun reflecting off the water, it was even worse. “Emotions are the colours of the soul; they are spectacular and incredible. When you don’t feel, the world becomes dull and colourless. Just think how The Great Sadness reduced the range of colour in your life down to monotones and flat grays and blacks.”
“So help me understand them,” pleaded Mack.
“Not much to understand, actually. They just are. They are neither bad nor good; they just exist. Here is something that will help you sort this out in your mind, Mackenzie. Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. Most emotions are responses to perception – what you think is true about a given situation. If your perception is false, then your emotional response to it will be false too. So check your perceptions, and beyond that check the truthfulness of your paradigms – what you believe. Just because you believe something firmly doesn’t make it true. Be willing to reexamine what you believe. The more you live in the truth, the more your emotions will help you see clearly. But even then, you don’t want to trust them more than me.”
Mack allowed his oar to turn in his hands as he let it play in the water’s movements. “It feels like living out of relationship – you know, trusting and talking to you – is a bit more complicated than just following rules.”
“What rules are those, Mackenzie?”
“You know,” he answered sarcastically. “About doing good things and avoiding evil, being kind to the poor, reading your bible, praying, and going to church. Things like that.”
“I see. And how is that working for you?”
He laughed. “Well, I’ve never done it really well. I have moments that aren’t too bad, but there’s always something I’m struggling with, or feeling guilty about. I just figured I needed to try harder, but I find it difficult to sustain that motivation.”
“Mackenzie!” she chided, her words flowing with affection. “The Bible doesn’t teach you to follow rules. It is a picture of Jesus. While words may tell you what God is like and even what he may want from you, you cannot do any of it on your own. Life and living is in him and in no other. My goodness, you didn’t think you could live the righteousness of God on your own, did you?”
“Well, I thought so, sorta…” he said sheepishly. “But you gotta admit, rules and principles are simpler than relationships.”
“It is true that relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you.”
Dipping his hand in the water, he played, watching that patterns his movements made. “I’m realizing how few answers I have…to anything. You know, you’ve turned me upside down or inside out or something.”
“Mackenzie, religion is about having the right answers, and some of their answers are right. But I am about the process that takes you to the living answer and once you get to him, he will change you from the inside. There are a lot of smart people who are able to say a lot of right things from their brain because they have been told what the right answers are, but they don’t know me at all. So really, how can their answers be right even if they are right, if you understand my drift?” She smiled at her pun. “So even thought they might be right, they are still wrong.”
“I understand what you’re saying. I did that for years after seminary. I had the right answers, sometimes, but I didn’t know you. This weekend, sharing my life with you has been far more illuminating than any of those answers.”

The Shack William P Young pg 196-198

(PS. The book is a great read. About $20 from Koorong or Australian Church Resources).

Bless You

Fred

A PARABLE FROM POETS CORNER - CROSS PURPOSES 140

2008-11-05T11:24:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 140

A PARABLE FROM POETS CORNER

In London’s Westminster Abbey there’s an area known as Poet’s Corner. It’s a place where memorial stones have been erected to honour the English Poets. Selwyn Hughes, writing about this in his bible notes – Every Day with Jesus – has a sharp observation about one of these stones.

“Not everything written there is admirable, and I confess a particular dislike for the memorial to John Milton, which reads thus:

“This bust of the author of Paradise Lost was placed here by William Benson Esquire, one of the two Auditors of the Imprest to his Majesty King George the Second, and the formerly Surveyor General of Works to his Majesty King George the First.””

Bit rich isn’t it? It’s not about John Milton the poet at all. It’s about the donor of the stone, about his not so hidden agenda to make a name for himself – to be noticed!

This is the exact thing Jesus was warning about in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matt 6:1-4
“Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men.
I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matt 6:5-6
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matt 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

I won’t speak for you but this business of putting myself in the centre of a story is something I do well.
- Casually let drop about some cause I’m involved with.
- Mentioning names or areas where I help.
- Referring to a sermon, inviting your comment…

I can give you lots of personal examples of blowing my own trumpet and big noting myself. Humility and humanity rarely sit well with each other. (My friends would say that humble and Dutch don’t mesh well ever!) I’m tarred with the brush that’s dipped in “Adam and Eve”. Just like when they rebelled, self kicks in – self-promotion, self-pity, self-effacing, self-protection, self-hatred, self-praise – and it’s ugly. Selfishness is ugly.

Anyway, check out this little text:

Philippians 2:5-11
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Now there’s a model to aspire to! Here’s the one who says “Follow Me”… Love as I have loved… I have given you an example…

You’ve tried? You know you can’t keep it up? You don’t trust yourself to keep that vow to follow him? Good, good, good! A great point has arrived in your relationship with God. How come?

When you despair of doing this humble stuff, and “being humble in heart,” tell him so. He will fix you! He’s already lived your journey of failure on your behalf – without failing. As the coming, living, suffering, dying, dead, raised story becomes your story, his forgiveness is yours. BUT ALSO, his Holy Spirit power to keep it together is yours as well.

There’s hope see. But it’s not in you, or in the strength and determination of your vowing. It’s in HIM. It’s always about Him.

Bless You.

Fred

HAIRBRUSH EXPERIENCE OF BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT - CROSSPURPOSES 139

2008-10-29T13:30:00.000+11:00

CROSSPURPOSES 139

Hi Guys Fred here,

This story from the US was sent to me recently. I’ve learned to be sceptical of stories that arrive on my computer unsolicited. But one of my members sent it so I thought I’d check out its origins and lo and behold, its true! So I’m giving it to you this week as CROSSPURPOSES.
Enjoy it!

HAIRBRUSH EXPERIENCE OF BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT

For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bibleteacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville , TN waiting to board theplane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I wasdoing. I'd had a marvellous morning with the Lord. I say this because Iwant to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God reallyworking in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego. I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humpedover in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes thatobviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier His kneesprotruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coathanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses ofveins and bones.The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hairhung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernailswere long , clean but strangely out of place on an old man. I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning myface. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I foundmyself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, Iremembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport... animpersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served up on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern,and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-lookingold man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall.I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something socontrary to my natural feelings, some thing dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on myspirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. 'Oh, no, God, please,no .' I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through itinto heaven and said, 'Don't make me witness to this man. Not right hereand now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don'tmake me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!' There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, 'Please don'tmake me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane.' Then Iheard it...'I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair.' The words were so clear, my heart leap into my throat, and my thoughtsspun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier.I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, 'Go d, as I live andbreathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm onthis Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a manfaster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man' Again as clearly asI've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statementacross the wall of my mind. 'That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.' I looked up at God and quipped, 'I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?' God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began towalk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: 'I willthoroughly furnish you unto all good works.' (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Evenas I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those samebutterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely aspossible, 'Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' He looked back at me and said, 'What did you say?' 'May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' To which he responded in volume ten, 'Little lady, if you expect me tohear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that.' At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out , 'SIR, MAY I HAVETHE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?' At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Long Locks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, 'If you really want to.' Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, 'Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.' 'I have one in my bag,' he responded.I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands andknees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what Iwas doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It wasperfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many thingswell, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hairmothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissain such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands,remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes -felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure t hat I knew they had to beGod's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to facehim. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees and said,'Sir, do you know my Jesus?' He said, 'Yes, I do' Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, 'I'veknown Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior.' He said, 'You see, the problem is, Ihaven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she'sbeen too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, whata mess I must be for my bride.' Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down hercheeks. She said, 'That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why didyou do that? What made you do that?' I said, 'Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!' And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted,you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to moveon but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting orfeeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees youas an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how manyopportunities just like that one had I missed along the way . . allbecause I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send meto that old man. He sent that old man to me.. John 1:14 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth' Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting,'Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!' If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light........ Mt. 6:22 By God's grace I am what I am..... 1 Corinthians 15:10

A FUNNY PLACE TO FIND EARS CROSSPURPOSES 138

2008-10-22T13:27:00.000+11:00

CROSSPURPOSES138

A FUNNY PLACE TO FIND AN EAR!

A few months ago I was driving back from town and mostly thinking about the things we had been discussing at a meeting I had attended that morning. I was driving behind a taxi and vaguely aware of the advertising panel on the boot of the car, which some taxis have fitted. After about ten minutes of driving and pulling up behind this taxi at the traffic lights my attention turned towards the advertisement it was carrying.

The advertisement showed a music stave drawn in a sort of sweeping motion with a treble clef and few notes scattered along its length. It was advertising radio station FM102.5 and had a caption Music for the heart, except that “heart” was written as hEARt.

Very clever, I thought – and very true. Music has that effect on us. We hear it with our ears but it touches our heart. It soothes and consoles; it inspires and stirs. We hear it initially through the ears of our head, but relate and respond to it through the “ear” within our heart.

So it is with the Word of God. When Jesus talks about those who hear but do not listen, He is talking about those who do not take His Word to heart. In the Parable of the Sower the seed – God’s Word – is sown in four different soil types – namely, hearts that receive or respond to the Word in four different ways. The hard heart, the rocky heart, and the thorny heart hear only with the ears of the head and so the heart does not receive the Word. The heart represented by the good soil hears with the “ear” within the heart and it resonates with the message of salvation Jesus wants to sow in every heart.

When Jesus says, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” (Mark 4:23), He is calling us to listen with a discerning spirit, a humble spirit, a receptive spirit, a trusting spirit. He is calling us to listen with the “ear” within our heart, not the ear of our head, which so often listens only to what the “gods” of a sinful self tell it.

Scripture is full of references to the heart that sees; the heart that speaks; the heart that cries out. God has also given us a heart with which to hear. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Through His Word and Holy Spirit, God makes it possible for us to receive His call through the “ear” of our heart.

In Jeremiah 24:7 God tells us, “I will give them a new hEARt to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their hEARt.”

The Word of God is music for the hEARt, indeed!

René van den Tol

16 September 2008

What Jesus Freaks Know! - CROSS PURPOSES 138

2008-10-15T19:31:00.002+11:00

What Jesus Freaks Know!

I’ve been reading a book by C J Hill called “Enjoying God”. It’s a reasonable read. In his last chapter he writes about hunger in the spirit for God, and his holiness and love. He includes the following:

“In the introduction to the book Jesus Freak, Tom White, director the Voice of the Martyrs, writes, “The greatest pressure on the freak who stands up for Jesus is the thought that they are all alone – the only one. That is a lie. When I was on trial in Cuba for the Gospel, with a machine gun behind me, the prosecutor made fun of me. I told him about Hebrews 12:1, which mentions the cloud of witnesses around us. He was upset when I mentioned the saints and angels around me. Before trial I had been placed in special, cold cells with no furniture, no blanket, and no light. Cold air was blowing in above the door. Everything was taken from me. I began singing hymns and praise choruses. The guards got angry and pounded on the steel door with their fists. I was not destitute and alone. Second Corinthians 6:10 states that we can have nothing, yet possess everything. I fellowshipped with the Creator of everything.”

Hill then makes a very simple, urgent and valid point. If in your current circumstances you have nothing, or face losing what you do have, or are disillusioned by everything, yet have Jesus Christ, then you have all things, because all things, all in all, are found in Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, if you have all things - material and social, financial and academic – all things, but do not have and know Jesus the Christ as Saviour and Lord, then you have nothing – zip – nothing at all.

Jesus claims to be “the way, the truth and the life – no one comes to the Father except trough me.” ( John 14:6) Little secret here. He is not only the way, ie the door, the narrow gate, the entry point. He is also the life. Know Him, know what life is. Not know him, not know what life is. Or as the old Warrambui staff T-shirt it had:

KNOW CHRIST – KNOW LIFE
NO CHRIST – NO LIFE

That’s why Tom White, and thousands of those who have suffered for Jesus’ name and kingdom experienced such pure, unadulterated joy in prison and under torture. Jesus Christ was all they had. In that place it was all they needed.

Guess where you are called to focus your hope? Freakish, isn’t it?

Have a good week.

Fred

By the way: For those of you in Sydney on October 26 we will have August Fricke – Asia Focus Man – As the preacher for Reformation Celebration.
You are all welcome – St Pauls 10:30am.

AN UGLY WALL IN A STIRLING CHURCH - CROSS PURPOSES 137

2008-10-07T19:35:00.001+11:00

AN UGLY WALL IN A STIRLING CHURCH

I recently read a sermon by a chap called Roger Lovette. He begins this sermon (Pulpit Resource September 14, 2008) by recounting an experience in a Scottish church.

“I remembered something that happened to me in Stirling, Scotland several years ago. Stirling is northeast of Edinburgh and is the gateway to the Scottish highlands. This is where Robert the Bruce fought to gain Scotland’s independence in 1314. The movie Braveheart told that story. It is a beautiful city dominated by a wonderful castle high on a hill overlooking the whole city. Near the castle is the Church of the Holy Rude. In case you’re wondering Holy Rude was a medieval term for the Cross of Christ’s crucifixion. This church dates back to the 12th century. The present building was constructed in the 15th century. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned there in 1543. Prince Henry was christened in this church in 1594. James VI was crowned king in that room. As we stood in the sanctuary the guide said: “Do you see the brick line in there?” He pointed to a line from floor to ceiling right down the middle sides of the church. “This was one our most painful stories. During the turbulent 17th century when there were so many religious and political troubles, the congregation was split into factions. An extreme and bigoted Presbyterian pastor, James Guthrie, refused to accept his more moderate colleague. After trying to resolve the conflict for a long time, the town council finally solved the problem by building a wall across the church between the west pillars of the crossing. They did this in 1656. One church became two separate churches, the east and the west. They worshipped back to back from 1656 until 1936. One altar was at one end of the church and a second altar at the other end. In 1936 the wall was removed and the church was reunited. But for 280 years they worshipped in a divided manner.”

Sad, sad, sad tale! Lovette goes on the apply it to the church at large in its human words and ways, its pettiness and its worldliness. And that is entirely appropriate. I’ve another application too.

A PARABLE OF THE HUMAN HEART.

Psalm 86:11 has a great insight into the human heart.

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.”

That verse was written by someone who knew what it was to have a divided heart. On the one side seek to glorify God, on the other to glorify self. A wall where there should not be a wall at all. Rebellion in one part, worship in the other. Integrity on one side, dishonesty in the other. Truth celebrated here and lies propounded there! A whining little boy here and a champion for Christ there. A scheming little girl sometimes and a gracious adult woman at others. The two exist side by side, walled off from each other. This is the human dilemma, the human reality, sharpened to the point of pain by guilt and shame by the coming of Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives. We’re not stuck with this, thank God. In the blood of Christ all walls come down. (Eph 2:14) Or as Paul says so beautifully about Jesus Christ in Colossians, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his beloved Son, (1:13)… and in him all things hold together, (1:17)!

There’s the miracle you know. It is only in Christ that the prayer of David, prayed for all humanity, finds its answer. Jesus the Messiah lived before the Father with an undivided heart, refusing to be diverted by satan in the wilderness, by aggressive/defensive threatened Jewish leaders, by thick disciples, by suffering in the garden, or at any point in-between. He goes to the place of sacrifice “whole-heartedly”.

And through the victory of the resurrection his undivided heart is given to you and me.

And the walls come tumbling down.

Be Blessed

Fred

Set free from the witches hats - CROSS PURPOSES 136

2008-10-01T13:45:00.000+10:00

Set free from the witches hats

These days whenever I observe something or experience different situations I tend to ask myself, “Is there a Gospel message in this?” Sometimes there is and they become useful anecdotes or illustrations for sermons or school Scripture lessons.

A few months ago I drove out of Brookvale Primary School onto Old Pittwater Road and joined the traffic facing west up the hill towards the intersection with Beacon Hill Road. I was about tenth in line from the lights but had a very good view of the intersection further up the hill.

A road maintenance crew was busy working at the intersection. The work required the lane next to the kerb going east down to Pittwater Road to be cordoned off. A young woman member of the crew dutifully set about placing witches hats along the dotted line to reduce access on the eastbound lanes to a single lane.

As I sat in my car watching her I was impressed with the care and precision she exercised in her work. Being a surveyor, I have a deep appreciation for precision, accuracy, symmetry and the like, and I couldn’t help but admire the way she carefully paced out the distance between each witches hat, placed them all very accurately on the line and then looked back to check her work to ensure all was in order.

No sooner had she finished her work the lights changed. The first three vehicles through the intersection were cars and had no difficulty negotiating the right hand turn into the single lane that was now available to them.

Then came a semi-trailer. Half-way through the intersection it was clear the driver had no possibility of negotiating the tighter turn. He took one look at the witches hats, looked at the maintenance crew, probably saw that the lights were about to change, and with an expression of, “Sorry guys, but I ain’t stoppin’ for no-one,” kept going, and in the process took out the complete line of witches hats. Not only that, as he came down the hill towards me I noticed the witches hats were being caught under his front axle, and so he didn’t just bowl them over, he took them with him all the way to Pittwater Rd at the bottom of the hill.

The look of horror on the young woman’s face was palpable. All her good work was undone in an instant. I really felt for her, but couldn’t help having a good laugh either. Of course, I said to myself, there has to be a Gospel message in this!

Indeed, it reminded me of how Satan – the prosecutor – stands before God always wanting to accuse us. He sets out our sins before God with the same precision and diligence the woman at the intersection exercised in setting out the witches hats. Satan sets out to prosecute our sins one after the other – a whole line of them – each one carefully, completely and comprehensively articulated so that no one can be in any doubt that we have failed miserably in meeting what God’s Law demands. Satan does have a point. We have sinned and we do sin, and do so often.

With Satan having set out the case for the prosecution, things look bad for the defendant. But then Jesus presents the case for the defence and things take a dramatic turn. He addresses our heavenly Father and asks, “Sins? What sins?”

“Oh, you mean the sins of the world – the sins that I as the Lamb of God took away when I shed my blood and gave my life on Calvary? You mean the sins which I forgive and absolve when the sinner comes to me in repentance and confesses me as Lord and Saviour? You mean the sins with which this devious prosecutor here on my left continually tries to burden the conscience by setting them out as reminders like bright red witches hats at a road maintenance site? You mean those sins?”

Yes those sins!

Well, Father, through your plan of salvation, fulfilled in my death and resurrection:
· You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins (Psalm 85:2).
· I bore the sin of many and made (and continue to make) intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).
· You forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
· You bless those, Father, who confess me as Lord and Saviour, and do not reckon their sin against them (Romans 4:8).
· Through the righteousness You grant believers for my sake, they have been set free from sin (Romans 6:18).
· You made me, who knew no sin, to be sin for them, so that in me they might become Your righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

And the list goes on. Every time Satan tries to accuse you with a long line of witches hats to remind you of your sin, just remember that our defender, our intercessor, our Saviour Jesus Christ has done the best maintenance job for you, on you, and in you that you could ever hope for. He cleans up witches hats like no semi-trailer driver ever could, although the fellow on Old Pittwater Road did give me a good insight on how well Jesus does it.

Be blessed

René van den Tol

The Sad Case of the Headless Chook - CROSS PURPOSES 135

2008-09-24T10:45:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 135

September 24 2008

The Sad Case of the Headless Chook

At the recent Pastors’ Conference at Warrambui one of the pastors was telling about the first time he watched a chook experience the axe. Off went the head, and away went the chook, round and round the yard.
“Hey, Uncle, what’s that chook doing?”
“Don’t worry about it. It just doesn’t know it’s dead yet!”

Oh yes, we chuckle. And why not? It’s clever, it’s obvious and it’s funny. As Aussies would say, “The chicken’s not the sharpest tool in the box.” Or as Foghorn Leghorn was known to say, “He’s as sharp as a bowling ball!”

COULD IT BE TRUE OF THE HUMAN RACE? “ It just doesn’t know it’s dead yet”.

WHAT IF IT’S TRUE OF US? OF YOU OR OF ME? You don’t think that’s possible? Let me share something with you.

Of all the challenges I face in working for the church the one which gives me most grief is this: I’m surrounded by hundreds of Gen Xers and Gen Yers who have given up on God. Look across the churches and the age structure 16-45 has all but disappeared. Almost all of these young people I’m talking about have has a seriously good introduction to the things of God. Many have had a brilliant education in Lutheran High Schools. And then they gave up on God. Why? I don’t know and I wish I did. I’ll try to set something on paper.

1. God is boring.
2. God is irrelevant.
3. God is full of lies and so is the scripture and the church.
4. God isn’t compatible with my freedom, my lifestyle, or my trust in science.
5. If I were to take the God seriously I might have to change my priorities and behaviour.
6. I can’t be bothered with God .
7. I just don’t need God.
8. It’s easier if I tell myself God is dead – that way I have zip to account for.
9. God is dead.

COULD THAT BE IT? “GOD IS DEAD BUT HE JUST DOESN’T KNOW IT YET?” This would be a convenient truth, or a terrifying truth, depending on your perspective.

OR COULD IT BE THAT YOU AND I ARE DEAD – IN SPIRIT – AND YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET?

I reckon you’re not dead yet. You’re bothering to read this for a start. You know about God. It’s all still there but the flame needs to be breathed back to life. What I do know is that there’s an awful lot of under 50’s who are in danger of spiritual and eternal death. A whole generation seems to have walked away from a faith which was freely received and welcomed by generation after generation for hundreds of years.

SO. SO? SO!
If God is dead (and doesn’t know it yet), then by all means do your best and worst in life.

If you are dead, or near death in spirit (-and you know it!) – then pray to God that he show you the exact nature of your death, that reality which reduces your life to a one dimensional shallowness / emptiness.

But know, oh yes please know, that the Holy Spirit freely reveals Jesus Christ to those who humble themselves before God and turn to him.

And know, please, that he has a particularly joyful welcome for those who long for real life. He knows you are stubborn often and ignorant frequently. He still loves you better than the best ever possible mum and dad, might have done and then some!

The Father waits.
Jesus, with his shepherd’s crook, has hooked you.
And longs for your willingness to come home.

Bless you people

Fred

SIBERIAN TOMATOES - Cross Purposes 134

2008-09-15T11:09:00.000+10:00

Cross Purposes 134

September 15 2008

SIBERIAN TOMATOES (Yeh! Tomatoes not Tigers!)

Some time ago friends sent me a copy of a daily devotion based on Siberian Tomatoes. It’s written in an old style of language but its message is reasonably clear. (I don’t know the authors name!)

“Siberian Tomatoes

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

In Siberia, where the summer daylight hours are extra long, tomatoes grow huge and green. Unlike the tomatoes in northern California where I live now, and in southern Illinois where I used to live, the tomatoes in the Siberian fields do not turn red and ripen. The early winter frost always hits before the tomatoes mature.

Like Siberian tomatoes, we never ripen to the perfect redness and juiciness God intended. Like a hard winter frost, our own sin thwarts us from ever reaching perfect maturity. Yet out of pure mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to attain for us perfect maturity and completeness that we could not attain ourselves. Now when God looks at us who depend entirely on Christ, God sees the rich, red ripeness of Jesus, not the hard, green immaturity of our soul.”

I rather like some of the thoughts here – especially about Jesus Christ being our ‘maturity’ before the Father. I’m not so sure about the idea of ‘never ripening’. I believe with all my being that change is possible “in this life”, that hard hearts can be unhardened “in this life”, that a softening and ripening of my whole life is possible in this life. Just reflect for a moment on what Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus.

Ephesians 4:11-16 “ So it was Christ himself who gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

I’m really encouraged in these things by Paul who makes it clear that we can set our minds and hearts on growth and maturity (Romans: 8:11) and who reminds us and assures us of the God who makes it all possible because he has placed us in the best place of all: “In Christ”!
Philippains 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippains 2:13 “God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.
So there! Even in this life the Lord Jesus is working on you being a juicy, ripe, red tomato!
Bless you
Fred

Here’s a joke for you, to comfort you if you’re ever been misunderstood.

“Well, Mrs O’connor, so you want a divorce?” the solicitor questioned his client. “Tell me about it. Do you have a grudge?”
“Oh, no,” replied Mrs O’connor. “Shure now, we have a carport.”
The solicitor tried again. “Well, does the man beat you up?”
“No, no,” said Mrs O’connor, looking puzzled. “O’im always first out of bed.”
Still hopeful, the solicitor tried again. “Well, does he go in for unnatural connubial practices?”
“Shure now, he plays the flute, but I don’t think he knows anything about the connubial.”
Now desperate, the solicitor pushed on. “What I’m trying to find out are what grounds you have.”
“Bless ye, sor. We live in a flat – not even a window box, let alone grounds.”
“Mrs O’connor,” the solicitor said in considerable exasperation, “you need a reason that the court can consider. What is the reason you seeking this divorce?”
“Ah, well now,” said the lady. “Shure it’s because the man can’t hold an intelligent conversation.”

“Wow Dad, look at the whole world!” - Cross Purposes 133

2008-09-10T13:56:00.001+10:00

Cross Purposes 133

September 10 2008

“Wow Dad, look at the whole world!”

Sometime before we left Canberra in 1999 to come to Sydney I cut out a little snippet from “The Canberra Times”. I didn’t record the date. In that snippet a bloke called Rob Cameron reported what his daughter Lucinda said:

“Last Saturday morning we were driving along Hindmarsh Drive from Fyshwick over the crest of Red Hill and down into Woden; she exclaimed as the valley unfolded before her: ‘Wow Dad, look at the whole world!’ “

I often drove that road and experienced the same joy of the world opening up before one’s eyes. To the left one could look out toward the Brindabella Mountains in the distance. Straight ahead were the delightful Stromlo Forests as a backdrop to the many Canberra Suburbs in Woden and Weston Creek. (Did you know that Canberra is often described as a “city built in a park”?)

Should you have chanced in that same view after the 2003 firestorm that roared out of the same Brindabellas, through those Stromlo forests and into many Canberra suburbs, you only have been able to say with grief “Oh God, look at the whole world!”

The contrast between “before” and “after” the fire is a reminder of the “before” and “after” of the fall. That which is beautiful and flawless is seared and broken. There are now weeds, and sickness and death. Sin got in, the devil got a hold, death reigns and there’s lots of misery for the earths’ inhabitants. Whereas before the ‘Son’ could say “Wow Dad, look at the whole world!” now he looks to his ‘Father’ and says “Oh Dad, look at the whole world!”

But there’s hope too. In Canberra, that which was ravaged is being renewed and restored. Houses are rebuilt. The bush regenerates. Nature’s healing is well underway.

And hope for the whole earth? Yes. First thing was to get the cleaners in. That’s Calvary! Second thing was to destroy the invader and his powerful hold. That’s Calvary too, and the resurrection. And the overcomer – that’s Jesus – is making all things new.

Along the way the earth’s inhabitants have come to know that God is a Father of grace and mercy. And that’s the best thing of all. “Wow Dad! Look at the whole world!”

Grandpa and Grandma go to heaven - CROSS PURPOSES 132

2008-09-03T11:30:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 132

September 3rd 2008

Grandpa and Grandma go to heaven.

They were both 85 years old – and their last wedding anniversary marked 60 years of ‘bliss’. They weren’t young but they were certainly in rude health because the wife was insistent on nutritious food and lots of exercise.

One day this good health proved little help to them – their plane crashed and they went off to heaven…

Peter led them to a wonderful cottage with a magnificent kitchen, spacious rooms and a waterfall visible from the back deck. In astonishment, they caught their breath when Peter said: “Welcome to heaven, this is your new house.”

The old man, being Dutch, asked Peter what this would all cost. “Well, nothing,” said Peter, “This is yours and yours alone.”

Then the old man looked out the side window and saw a golf course, lovelier than he had ever seen on earth. “What are the green fees?” he asked. “Listen,” said Peter, “this is heaven remember. You can play every day, any time of day, and it’s all free.”

Following this they wandered over to the clubhouse and their eyes danced at a marvelous buffet with very conceivable delicacy in abundance. “Don’t ask,” said Peter to the old man, “this is heaven remember, and everything is free for your enjoyment.

The old man looked around and cast a quick eye toward his wife. “But where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods, and the decaffeinated tea and coffee?” “That’s the best thing about this place.” said Peter. “You can eat and drink as much as you like, of what you like, and you will never get fat or sick.”

The old man thought for a moment.
“No gym or pool aerobics needed for muscle fitness?”
“Only if you want it” said Peter.
“Eat anything I like? Poffertjes and Pavlova and chocolate?”
“No limit” said the heavenly custodian.
“No daily checking of blood sugar levels?”
“Not required ever” said Peter.
“No monitoring of blood pressure or having to swallow handfuls of vitamin supplements?
“Never again. This is heaven remember. Everything you do here is healthy.” said Peter.
The old man turned slowly and addressed his wife. “You with your joyless diets …and endless pushing to exercise…and pills and things…we could have been here twenty years ago!”

SO WHERE DO YOU GET COMFORT? - CROSS PURPOSES 131

2008-08-28T09:51:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 131

August 28 2008

SO WHERE DO YOU GET COMFORT?

Hi Guys. I came across this little piece in my sermon prep recently. It stirred something in me, perhaps a little different than the underlined passage. Read on.

“My father suffered a debilitating stroke earlier this year, and I’ve followed him from the medical wards to Christchurch Public, through the assessment unit at Princess Margaret Hospital, and now to a private hospital. I’ve observed the health system at close quarters. And while the doctors have their place…believe me, it’s the nurses who care for the patients.

In the small hours, it’s the nurses and the nurse aides who change the soiled linen – for the umpteenth time that day. It’s the nurses and the nurse aides who turn the dying every four hours, who empty the bedpans, who spoon-feed and wipe up, who wrestle with the demented, and try to sooth their anxious souls. We entrust to them the care of our most precious people – the sick and the elderly. Much of it is work that would turn your stomach. And they do it for minimal return.

For the record, a nurse aide gets $8.50 an hour, and a registered nurse around $13 or $14. Compare that with $150…no, $200 an hour who represents us in a legal wrangle over the siting of a boundary fence. (1995 figures. Fred.)

But doesn’t it strike you as odd that, as a society, we should value so highly those jobs involving the manipulation of money and property, and yet pay so little to those who fetch and carry for our sick ones? Isn’t it rather strange that, in our most frail and vulnerable moments, we should expect the epitome of devotion from complete strangers – for little more than minimum adult wage?

For me, it points up to the fact that the kingdom which Jesus heralded – that commonwealth of compassionate endeavor, where human dignity and well-being are the highest values…all that is peculiarity at odds with the ways of our materialistic world.”

Brian Thomas in “On the Side of the Angels,”
Cathedral Publications, 1995 (As quoted in the Pulpit Resource, August 25, 2002)

Brian Thomas is right that as a culture we have our values twisted, distorted and inverted. But his piece had me thinking about how we as Christians get comfort from the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1), from our Shepherd (PS 23 & John 10) and from the Holy Spirit – the COMFORTER .

I guess I tend think in terms of a ‘voice from heaven,’ as Jesus himself heard. That’s godly, pious, holy, and suitably supernatural. And Jesus did say “My sheep hear my voice”! However I reckon that God usually clothes his comfort in ordinary human voices and arms and legs. The Spirit does a lot of his “comforting work” through nudging Jesus’ own people to be there, stay there, listen, speak gently, speak wisely, and sometimes say nothing at all, as the rivers of grief flow.

It takes time, effort, and courage to be a comforter. The first two are obvious. The third maybe not. You need courage because walking with someone into their darkness is usually to walk into your own!

And one other thing. You can usually pick the comforters by the fact that there’s a box of tissues near at hand.

Have a good week.

Fred

ON PICKING FIGHTS - CROSS PURPOSES 130

2008-08-20T12:42:00.002+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 130

August 13th 2008

ON PICKING FIGHTS

Under the cover of the Olympic focus on Beijing, Russian troops have occupied the Georgian province of South Ossetia and made deep incursions into Georgia itself. The propaganda claims on both sides, allegations and representations alike, make it impossible to know who or what is right/wrong true/false.

One thing struck me about this above all others. I know these figures are not correct but they do give a true picture of the balance between these nations.

RUSSIA GEORGIA
MISSILES 10,000 50
TANKS 7850 22
FIGHTER JETS 3220 7
TROOPS 7,960,000 23,000

A bit one-sided eh? If Georgia picked this fight, for whatever reasons, its leaders were not thinking of Jesus’ advice in Luke 14:31-32.

"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace."

There is a message for us Christians here too. We are quite accustomed to being told by our teacher/preachers that we are engaged in warfare as followers of Jesus Christ. If this is our situation against satan and his minions then we can apparently do so with great hope. Consider:

4 Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

4 Colossians 2:14-15 “having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

4 Ephesians 1:19-21 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

4 Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

There are hundreds of other such great passages and verses in scripture, especially in the New Testament. When God in Christ is with us-when we are “in Christ”, then we can’t be rolled, as surely as Jesus Christ can’t be rolled.

EXCEPT EXCEPT EXCEPT…
Look again at Luke 14:31 and 32 – and this time I’ve added verse 33.

"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Why does Jesus add that? And what does it mean? And how can I know?

Time for more thinking and prayer Fred!

Bless You

Fred

HOW TO AVOID BEING THROWN OUT THE WINDOW! - CROSS PURPOSES 129

2008-08-13T12:19:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES

17 August 2008

HOW TO AVOID BEING THROWN OUT THE WINDOW!

Hi Guys,

Big word for you. I wonder if you have ever heard it? DEFENESTRATION. It means “the act of throwing out of a window”. Usually associated with a person being thrown out the window!

The Sydney Morning Herald has had a humorous look at this word for the last couple of weeks. ‘Defenestration’ comes up in murder mystery novels as a ‘cause of death’. There are plenty of stories too about prisoners ‘jumping out of windows on the 10th floor’ of Security Service (Secret Police) buildings in various countries. And more than one or two troublesome royals in Europe have had lives ended by being turfed out of an upper window.

Did you know that God himself has been into some form of this “throwing out’? I was astonished how often in the OT the eternal God was warning that if his people would not repent they would be ‘cast out’. He did it too – the whole nation, first Israel and then Judah – went into exile and captivity.

Have you ever thought that God continued this practice in the days of Jesus?

In God’s New Testament economy it happens differently. The Father shoves the Son into this world, and the Son allows it to happen. Later the Son then gets cast out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to confront the devil. Jesus returns to his ministry full of the Holy Spirit. And what should be a ‘welcome tour’ among his own people becomes something macabre as the Son is declared unworthy and unwelcome. He experiences defenestration as he gets thrown out of his own world, by the people he called and created. They can’t stomach him so they effectively vomit him out. Calvary stinks.

But here’s the miracle, he gets cast out, he lets himself get cast out, and he’s the only human who doesn’t deserve to get cast out. Why? So that we can get thrown in! He pays a debt he didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

LISTEN TO JESUS. “The person who comes to me I will not cast out.” John 6:37

Fred

Mum, its like I have to remember to breathe! - CROSS PURPOSES 128

2008-08-06T13:17:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 128

August 10 2008

Mum, its like I have to remember to breathe!

Hi Guys,

Recently a mum was telling me about the medical journey of her daughter. It hasn’t been easy. It hasn’t been without its indignities. And certainly not without pain.

At one point, to ease the debilitating effects of the illness the Doctors increased her morphine intake. Which seemed to be perfectly OK until the patient said “Mum, it’s like I have to remember to breathe!”

That got a response from the medical people. Made me think too. I take for granted every moment of every day that I am breathing. It is built-in to my whole being that I draw breath every second or two. It’s true if I’m running, (not so much these days), it’s true if I’m walking, sitting, doing nothing. I live in this extraordinary world by virtue of my breathing. Without air I’m dead as a doornail. And I’ve never once had to think about the next breath. I’ve assumed it will be there.

In the holy tale called scripture there’s a fair bit about breath too!
4 At creation the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. (Genesis)
4 God breathed into Adam the breath of life. (Gen 2)
4 God breathed into the reassembled bones in the wilderness. (Ezekiel 37)

When the story moves onto Jesus:
4 the breath gets back into dead kids and adults and it gets back into Lazarus.
4 It gets out of Jesus as ‘he breathed his last,’ and it is back in him when raised from death.
4 Then when he meets the disciples he breathes on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit”.

And forever after the breath of the Spirit has been the breath of the kingdom. We sing it in the classic hymn, “Breath on me breath of God”. And we sing of it when we have that contemporary song, “You are the air I breathe…”

But a strange thing. A very strange thing indeed. In eternity, such breathing of the Spirit of God will not be a thing we need to remember to do. But here, in the kingdom, still in this world, it’s not automatic. Here we need to access the air. We still have to access the air of Christ’s Kingdom. We breathe the Spirit as gift but also task. We can do it – that’s grace. But the breath of the Spirit blows over us as we swim in the things of the Spirit of God. It’s about letting the grace of Jesus blow over us and into us. It’s about immersion in the gospel. It’s about worship and fellowship, about prayer and Holy Communion. It’s about living in a vital relationship with God – about engaging with him with all our fears and hopes. We are loved by the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We are enabled to love the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To do so is to breathe.

So there. Remember to breathe.

Bless Ya

Fred

“NO POWER TO COMFORT A TROUBLED HEART” - CROSS PURPOSES 127

2008-07-30T10:30:00.001+10:00

“NO POWER TO COMFORT A TROUBLED HEART”

Hi Guys,

Recently we spent a week of annual vacation at Surfers Paradise. Every time we are there we go walking along the walkway behind the beach. Just south of Surfers there is a little monument – better, memorial stone – and each time I’m there I spend a few moments sitting on the bench in front of it. It’s simple, it’s dignified…and very sad.

The memorial stone has been placed there to remember all those who have lost their lives to drugs, and all those who have been affected by the loss of such a loved one.

On the stone there is a little saying:
DRUGS GAVE YOU WINGS, THEN THEY TOOK AWAY YOUR SKY.

And just below it a simple sentence:
WORDS HAVE NO POWER TO COMFORT A TROUBLED HEART.

I always find that saying about drugs profound; “Drugs gave you wings, then they took away your sky”. And then each time I weep a little bit inside for the conviction that a troubled heart cannot be comforted. What on earth, or in heaven, can it be like to have a belief or a world-view such that no word can ever bring comfort?

Christians are often ignorant and can behave badly but the followers of Jesus Christ do know a bit about comfort. Some examples:

“Comfort, comfort my people” says the Lord. IS:40
“The word become flesh and lived among us” (pitched his tent in the middle of our mess) John 1:14
“God loved the world so much he gave his only Son” John 3:16
“I will not leave you desolate…” John 14:18
“The Comforter (the Holy Spirit) will come” John 15:26
“Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ” Romans 8:39

Easy words. Easily spoken words. Welcomed by one with faith. Nevertheless, I have to remember that for those facing mindless tragedy, lives out of control, meaningless death and bitter experience, it usually feels like no comfort is available.

Certainly we are almost always left with ‘not understanding’ – either the circumstances, or God’s place in it. Offering easy comfort in those circumstances can be a source of infuriating exasperation or simply desolating.

So where is the comfort? That God knows and is near. Felt? Rarely! Known in the Spirit? Yes! Because we know the one who entered into our skin, and our sin, we also know the Shepherd is here and his sheep hear his voice. And he gives permission to rage, to scream at the pain, to question from the broken depths. And in his arms we can weep. And be comforted.

Fred

DA POPE’S COMIN’ – HE MUCKED EVERYTHING UP! - CROSS PURPOSES 126

2008-07-23T12:24:00.001+10:00

DA POPE’S COMIN’ – HE MUCKED EVERYTHING UP!

Hi Guys,

Well, World Youth Day is finished although there are still thousands of WYD Orange backpacks to be seen in Sydney.

One wag in the press here described the pilgrims as the Psalmy Army (as distinct from the Barmy Army). Was amazing to hear guitars/drums and singing of “God songs” in any street, at any time, for the whole week.

Thought I’d tell you about my encounter with the Newsagent. Early Saturday morning I went to buy the paper – and the agent looked so sad. Asked him how it’s been and he said “Da Pope’s comin’ – he mucked it all up!” Translation: business took a real dive while his holiness was in town. The pilgrims weren’t covering for his usual custom and customers.

I think the pope’s coming did muck up a few things.

1. Too much going on in town so we at St Pauls met in the 4 ‘house churches’ instead.

2. Certainly some businesses did miss out. The pilgrims, who took all accommodation for miles in any direction, weren’t necessarily rich. Nor was shopping their foremost agenda.

3. Another group missed out badly. The pubs and nightclubs. Oxford St is around the corner from where we live. It’s home to dozens of Nightclubs and lots of Hotels. To walk along it early Saturday morning or Sunday morning is to be confronted by hosts of young people pouring out onto the street from all night binge-drinking, dancing and partying, all mixed with Ice or whatever the latest concoction is. Many can’t stand on their own two feet, and must be supported by equally ‘out of it’ friends. The gutters become emergency seating, and the vomit is there for all to see and smell, and step in if you are unlucky.

But not last weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings it was quiet, clean and safe. The usual sense of darkness hanging over the street was gone. The NORM got mucked up. And it wasn’t the Pope. It was the Spirit of Jesus Christ himself who effected that change!

See, the real agenda of World Youth Day wasn’t the Pope – it was the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the preaching of the Gospel, coupled with the call to worship and sacrifice. And a community operating under that agenda and spirit – well, things change.

To quote 67 year old Merle Pollack (SMH 21/7/08)
“there was something there in the energy…JUST THE QUIETNESS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE WONDERFUL CLEANLINESS OF EVERYTHING.”

I’ve returned to that thought many times in the last 36 hours…THE WONDERFUL CLEANLINESS OF EVERYTHING… I think she hit on deep truth! Day in day out we live in this world. The powers and structures that support it, which demand our attention and truth daily – well, they pollute us and defile us. We are confronted and put upon by their perversions and diversions. They ask for, indeed demand, our worship. We feel contaminated! We long to be clean and free.

And? YOU ARE ALREADY MADE CLEAN BY THE WORDS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU. So speaks Jesus of Nazareth. John 15:3. His best speaking – his best word – is Calvary. The gift of a clean heart flows out in a clean life.

Praise his name!

Fred

WORLD YOUTH DAY - CROSS PURPOSES 125

2008-07-18T13:19:00.000+10:00

World Youth Day

Hi Guys,

Fred here…cynical old Fred. Thought I’d tell you a couple of things from my experience of World Youth Day (WYD).

1. The city is not snagged up – it’s beautiful and quiet – and a joy to walk among groups of youngsters from 170 or so nations, all singing and dancing about their faith in Jesus Christ. Hyde Park across the road is the focus of a lot of activity.

2. Before WYD one of our kids found a backpack full of clothing, obviously stolen, in our back lane. I rang the owner (ID in pack) and he came to collect it – wearing a WYD volunteer cap. Got talking. He’s from Brisbane and helping out. Said all he wanted to do for the rest of his life was proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord! We celebrated! And he gave me his volunteer cap.

3. Walked past a couple of guys yesterday. As I passed, one of them said “Hi Sydney”. Stopped to talk with them. From Poland. One says to me, “I from Poland, World Youth Day, to honour Lord Jesus Christ”. My spirit rejoiced again. Told them I was a Pastor of the Lutheran Church – which they rejoiced about. They invited me to the Papal Mass.

Thing is, this emphasis on Jesus Christ, and his commission and empowering, dominates this event. Yes there’s stuff I struggle with but I’m praying that there’s lots of proclaimers of Jesus Christ and his Gospel coming out of this.

One other thing – met only one person I’ve known in my life up to now among all those pilgrims – and that’s Archbishop Francis Carroll, whose altar boy I was for many years in Wagga. He’s a lover of Jesus’ Christ too.

Be Blessed

Fred

DISREMEMBERED, MISREMEMBERED, NOT REMEMBERED, CROSS PURPOSES 124

2008-07-01T20:10:00.001+10:00

DISREMEMBERED, MISREMEMBERED, NOT REMEMBERED

Hi Guys,

Recently here in Sydney we’ve had an enquiry into dodgy dealings at Rail Corp, which runs NSW trains. On a number of occasions, reported by the Evening News, Rail Corp staff were being asked about this circumstance, or that situation, and giving the response “I don’t remember”. Later, after they were forced to listen to and view secret recordings of their illicit dealings, most immediately change their evidence to “I remember now….”

Happens often does it not? Time and time again witnesses before Royal Commissions and other investigations say “I can’t remember,” in answer to a question concerning their dealings or what they knew. Eg “What happened to the Bond money?” Gets that way that we don’t know we can trust what is said by anyone. (We’re like that too? Hmm? Hmm?)

Not long ago Hilary Clinton claimed in an interview that she had had to be rushed off an aircraft, practically under fire (somewhere in Iraq I think.) Later, News Media ran footage of Mrs Clinton relaxedly walking off the plane. Confronted by this footage Mrs Clinton said she had ‘MISREMEMBERED’. Don’t you just love that? A delightful new word to sidestep responsibility. Never admit you lied!

Not long ago I read the story by Edward Dyson called “The two funerals of Malachi Mooney”. It’s a great Australian short story – well worth a read – and close to it’s end ‘Flynn’ claims to have ‘DISREMIMBERED IVIRYTHING’ – another ingenious use of language – to cover a whopping mistake.

Man, can we ever fiddle with words – or rather can we ever fiddle with the truth! How unreliable and deceitful we can be! Our God has a word for us on this theme. He is looking at us through the lens of Jesus’ Cross. He knows what we are like. He knows the truth about us. Nothing is hidden from him. And he says – “to faith” - I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE” (Hebrews 8:12).
“I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15) but “I will remember your sins no more.” Done and dusted. Rejoice! Celebrate! Live!

Bless you

Fred

THE ‘GOINGS’ AND ‘COMINGS’ OF GOD – AND WHY (CROSS PURPOSES 123)

2008-06-18T11:14:00.001+10:00

THE ‘GOINGS’ AND ‘COMINGS’ OF GOD – AND WHY

It’s a bit of an issue of mine but I’m forever trying to understand what it means to KNOW God rather then KNOW ABOUT God. What is the difference? I know I come to know the Father by knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son. But what is it that enables me to ‘know him’, relate to him personally, as distinct from accumulating more and more factual knowledge about him?

Thus when I was perusing the bookshelves the other day I was drawn to 2 books. One, but Selwyn Hughes, is entitled “How to know God”. The other by Joyce Meyer goes with the title, “Knowing God intimately”. Promptly proceeded to read both.

While reading Joyce Meyer’s book I was really hooked by one phrase, in two parts.

“JESUS GOES TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR US; THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO PREPARE US FOR THAT PLACE.”

I just love that sentence!

Jesus goes to prepare a place for us – we recognise that that preparation involves the Cross. That’s what we see physically in the world. From the perspective of the Spirit he goes into the Most Holy Place and into the Holy of Holies – bearing his own blood of sacrifice. That blood, coupled with an utterly pure life (The first since before Adam sinned) is enough to rip open the curtain and ensure the gift of holiness to humans, and access into the presence.

His “going” means the Spirits “coming” – whose task it is, in part, to work with us and in us, to give expression to that very holiness we already have created in us by the Holy Spirit. This is none other than the Holiness of Jesus himself.

The Spirit does his job by leading us - nudging us - to truth. He counsels, guides, leads, causes remembering of Jesus’ words – but especially points us to Jesus as the Word who in word and action embodies truth!

The Spirit immerses us in truth – and as he does he brings to light that in us which is false, which is lie, which is sinful, polluted and defiled. Like bitterness! Like active and passive hate, and jealousy, like laziness and pride and lust and whatever.

The Spirit prepares us by running the plumb-line of truth over us. And as he does, the scripture is being revealed as true internally and externally.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
“2 Corinthians 3:17-18.”

Read it again.

And welcome the Spirit’s artistry.

Love you

Fred

Soaring like an Eagle - CROSS PURPOSES 122

2008-06-17T19:59:00.000+10:00

Just got home and read my favourite daily devotional, The Word for Today.

In yesterday’s segment Bob & Debbie Gass tell a little story about a man, who, as a boy, was given the reins to drive his dad’s team of horses, while his dad sat alongside him. Anyway, the young lad got bored with the team just plodding down the road so he clucked the reins and they began to trot. The horses took it upon themselves to start galloping to the point where the boy, sensing danger, tried to rein in the runaway team. All the while his dad, sitting beside him, seemed oblivious to what was happening. Finally, when panic set in, the boy turned to his dad in desperation and said, “Here, take the reins, I don’t want to drive any more.”

Bob and Debbie add, ‘Regardless of how old we get or how capable we think we are, there’s always that moment when the only way out is to turn to our Heavenly Father and say, “Here, take the reins, I don’t want to drive any more.” And He will, but you’ve got to give them to Him!’

It’s true what they write, but when I read that yesterday morning, I had this sinking feeling and heard myself call out aloud, “But how do I do that, Lord? How do I give You the reins?” “I’m holding the reins on things I no longer want to, but try as I may, I can’t let go. How do I give You the reins? How?”

There was no answer – until this morning, that is.

In this morning’s devotion Bob and Debbie give us some absolute pearlers. They refer us to Acts 26:20 – “Repent, turn to God, and do the works befitting repentance.” They start the devotion by saying that ‘when God tells us to repent, He gives us the time and grace to do it.’ Then they add, ‘Scripture is an arrow to the heart of that stubborn sin you want to keep holding on to. Sin is always a choice. As long as you prefer the rewards your sin brings, you won’t seek deliverance from it.’

They cite a Christian who writes: ‘I kept trying not to commit a particular sin, praying about it over and over, only to do it again. Finally, I got mad at God and cried out, “Why don’t You help me with this?” He answered, “Because you aren’t disgusted with it yet. You’re still enjoying it.” I protested, “I do not. I hate it.” God replied, “If you hated it enough, you’d quit it.” In that moment, I realised that I enjoyed the rewards of my sin more than the rewards of obedience. I also discovered something else; I couldn’t hate sin enough by the power of my own fleshly will to come to repentance. I stood helpless in corruption. Repentance is a gift of love which comes from God. And until that love is allowed to work in us touching and exposing those carefully guarded areas, we cannot change.’

I’ve never looked at repentance that way before. Repentance, has always been something I thought I had to do. That’s why I could never do it properly, because on my own I’m simply not equipped to do it. Repentance is a GIFT of LOVE which comes from GOD!!! Repentance is a GIFT! Wow, Fred! You’ve got no idea what impact this has had on me this morning. I’m floating – soaring like an eagle.

Bob & Debbie conclude with the exhortation, “So today, ask God for the gift of repentance.”

I tell you my friend, I’ve asking for it by the truck load! Jesus is Lord! And I’ll tell you something else, just between you and me and the Lord. The tears are flowing right now. I haven’t felt this good and so uplifted since that day… when I danced around the billiard table after sealing the letter that set off the chain of events that led to…

God bless you, brother.

WHO FAILED? - CROSS PURPOSES 121

2008-06-11T08:19:00.001+10:00

I can’t remember if I’ve told this story before – if I have, forgive me. If I haven’t, enjoy!

My first parish was by ‘assignment’ rather than will. It was in South Oz. one day a member bailed me up for a conversation and it was obvious he was distressed. The son of one of his relatives had been denied confirmation by his Pastor.

“How come?” I asked. It turned out that the boy was disabled slightly and was what we would have called a slow learner. He faithfully attended lessons for the full 18 months but he simply could not pass the ‘test’ set by the Pastor. So he was refused the opportunity to ‘confirm his faith’ and his parents were told he’d have to repeat lessons with the next class.

It took me all of 2 seconds to process that information and then I winced. The boy, (and his family, and his congregation) were being given a lesson the Pastor probably never intended. And what was it? Worthiness to come forward, kneel at the edge of the holy sanctuary, and receive Holy Communion, was determined by whether or not you were clever enough, or together enough, to pass an academic exam! Worthiness was about IQ and not faith given by Christ’s Spirit! The lad didn’t fail confirmation. The pastor failed his Lord, his people, and his call!

Churches and Christians and their representatives are more than capable of sending false messages like that. “Worthiness” is on the basis of achievement or behaviour? False! False! False! Worthiness is given by God himself when he causes us to love and trust Jesus Christ in all things and above all things. Jesus’ resumé (cv) becomes ours. Faith receives HIS worthiness.

Somewhere or other there’s a quote from Old Martin that goes something like this.
“I don’t go to the sacrament because I am worthy; rather I go to the sacrament to be made worthy.”

Let’s resolve to send ‘Jesus Christ’ messages in all we say and do.

Love you

Fred

THE HOPSCOTCH DILEMMA - CROSS PURPOSE 120

2008-06-04T11:01:00.000+10:00

THE HOPSCOTCH DILEMMA

Back in ’77 (so last century!) I was a vicar – sort of like a one-year internship for pastors. My ‘vicar-Father’ was an Englishman called John Sims who was a superb story teller. Like most story tellers he had an ear for a good story with good application. Here’s one of them.

“A church full of sober Christians in Scotland, on re-examining their Reformation roots, realised that they had lost something over the years – their FREEDOM as Christians. To demonstrate that they were reclaiming their ‘evangical freedom in regard to the Sabbath’ they made a radical decision. They gave themselves permission to play hopscotch after worship each Sunday!

So each Sunday the whole church, the young, the old, the married and the single would draw that familiar shape with its squares in the dirt and they would proceed to have their fun and merriment. And a good time was had by all.

Now there’s nothing like spontaneous joy to draw people to your church and many new folk did come, all of them commenting on this marvellous Christian liberty.

One of their new members, a convert named James, then created a problem for them. HE REFUSED TO JOIN IN THE HOPSCOTCH AFTER WORSHIP. There was much tut tutting, and ‘shame, shame’, and ‘how could he?’ His refusal caused quite a stir, if not turmoil. He was ‘called (hauled) before the elders’ and asked to explain himself. He didn’t like hopscotch he said. And therefore wouldn’t participate. The elders pleaded with him to reverse his decision. He refused. SO THEY EXCOMMUNICATED HIM!

FRED’S COMMENT: I’ve always said to myself, “There’s a sermon in there somewhere.” I’ve not preached it yet. Maybe it will still come. But so easily, so quickly, so devastatingly, can Christian institutions turn Christian freedom into Christian legalism.

Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32

Be Blessed

Fred

All eyes on Jesus - CROSS PURPOSES 119

2008-05-28T09:07:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago we celebrated the ascension of our Lord. In Luke’s account of the Ascension in Acts 1:10 he records that the disciples were looking intently up into the sky as Jesus ascended to His heavenly throne. That’s a good description of what our witnessing should be like. We need to keep our eyes intently fixed on Jesus Christ – He is the centre of all that matters.

I was given a wonderful reminder of this a few weeks ago. I had an appointment with a mortgage broker and it came up in the conversation that I had spent a year in Adelaide on full-time study. She asked what I had been studying. “Theology,” I told her. “Really? – that’s what I’m studying,” she exclaimed excitedly. As we shared our faith, it transpired that this lady had not really had a Christian upbringing as such, but had become interested in Jesus as a result of attending a leadership seminar conducted by the Christian radio station FM103.2.

It was a joy to chat with her about our faith, and I tell you, she has a rock solid understanding of God’s mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. At one point she pointed to a diagram depicted on the cover of her company’s promotional material. The diagram shows five jig-saw pieces: a centre piece in gold with a dollar sign on it, and four other pieces in grey each with a house symbol on them, and they each slotted into the centre gold piece. It is meant to remind investors that financial strategy is central to property investment – properties are merely vehicles through which the financial strategy is realised. But all too often investors become emotionally involved with their investment properties and lose sight of their financial strategy. They take their eyes off the centre piece.

Pointing to this diagram she said, “Christianity is like that. We all believe Jesus is our Redeemer and Saviour – he is the centre piece of pure gold – but we tend to shift our focus onto other things that are peripheral to the centre piece, Christ,” she explained. She gave several examples where she believed different denominations emphasised certain points of tradition or doctrine. They are all good and well,” she added, “and I’m sure people are well meaning, but they can become so intense about these secondary things that it shifts the focus away from the centre piece, which is Jesus Christ.”

She is absolutely right in her observation and makes a very valid point. When you think about it, there are innumerable examples – and I’m not just talking about points of doctrine or theological interpretations – where we as individuals or collectively as members of the Body of Christ put greater importance on things that are secondary to Christ, and so shift our focus away from Him. We don’t look intently at Him and to Him; we take our eyes off Him and our intensity for Him diminishes.

I said to this lady, “You know there is a second way we can look at this diagram. We can look at it as a target where Christ is at the centre.” I told her that the Greek term for sin is associated with an archery term meaning falling short of the mark. Indeed, Paul tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “Like this diagram shows,” I said, “when we take our eyes off Jesus – the centre piece – we fall short of God’s glory.”

The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of the Father is the fulfilment of God’s glorious plan for humanity. In our falling short of God’s glory we are put right with Him by His grace through the righteousness of Christ. The faith to receive His righteousness is His gift to us and it comes through our hearing of the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Ascension message carries a call to repentance, a call to faith, a call to receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal salvation, and a call to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – the Risen Lord, the Ascended Lord, the Centre piece of all that is. Praise His name forever.

René van den Tol

Heart Ache is for real - CROSS PURPOSES 118

2008-05-21T13:38:00.001+10:00

21/05/2008

Hi Guys

A few weeks ago Rose and Fred were at a Pastors and Wives retreat at Bundanoon. During a sermon on healing the following devotion was distributed. I delight to share it with you and will make one just one comment at the end.

Your Heart Literally Aches

From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

I remember that there was a single moment in time when my mind formed the words, “so…this is what heartache is.” I was experiencing an actual sensation in the centre of my chest. Not a pain. No… .. that wasn’t it. I don’t remember fearing for my health. I can only describe it as a ‘hollowness.” Like something had been removed. Like there was air in there where it shouldn’t be. Similar to indigestion, I suppose… but higher. It persisted.
And persists, these years Later. Oh, it has certainly diminished. Slowly. But I have accepted it as part of my physiology. I live with heartache.
I was (and am) surprised by that. I expected that death to change me. My mother and I were unusually close. She died too young. She suffered too long. I expected that death to change my attitude… . my emotions… my perspective. I expected to cry. I expected to miss her. I knew it would change me.. and change the world for me.
But I didn’t expect that it would change me PHYSICALLY… permanently. And yet. I have come to embrace that part of’ me-that heartache. It has become for me a persistent reminder that that love was REAL… and STRONG… and is PERSISTENT. That love, like that loss, has changed me.
Is that what our now glorified Lord thinks as he ponders the marks in his own hands… the hollowness in his own side? “My love has changed me. My love… for YOU.”

Prayer
I rest myself, dear Jesus, in the deep recesses of your love. Amen.
Written by Peter Mead. © 2006 Creative Communications for the Parish (used by permission).

And my comment? We might never know, never have any idea about what is being covered in the hearts of those we meet. Even they might not be able to put it into words. But the pain is real. So let’s commit to grace and mercy and love and compassion. Let’s touch their lives like Jesus might touch their lives.

Bless You

Fred

The Black Socks Church - CROSS PURPOSES 117

2008-05-15T13:58:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 117 – SHEDDING THE BLACK SOCKS!

In August of 1988 Rose and I were in Holland. This was my first trip back to the country of my birth since I left with my parents as a 1 year old in 1951. It was almost a year since dad had died and I was on a sort of pilgrimage, “spending my inheritance to find my heritage” so to speak.

Come Sunday morning and we wished to attend worship. My Catholic rellies gave us directions to a local church. We found it easily enough. A substantial white building as I recall. Streets awash with cars, the church car-park full. And not a soul in sight. Walked up to the church doors – and found them locked. Thought it must have another entrance. Any doors we found as we circled the building were also locked. Checked our watches – 5 minutes past the hour. And it dawned on us that by conscious decision no one was ever getting into that building after the appointed hour for worship to begin.

Later we discovered that this particular church was nicknamed the “black socks church” because everything was conducted somberly and rigidly. Now, I understand that the word ‘church’ in Greek is ‘ecclesia’ which means called out. ie God’s people are called out of their involvements with sin, death, the world and the devil and called into the community which reveals our God’s holy love and love of holiness in Jesus Christ.

However we are not called to live in ghettos – cut off from all contact with the world. We are those on the receiving end of a clear instruction – “Go into all the world – proclaiming repentance, forgiveness – Good News”. John does tell us that God loved and loves the world…John 3:16.

Are our communities open to those who need the gospel?

Am I, in my heart, open to those who need the gospel?

Could it be that we are at risk of creating our own Christian enclaves in which we no longer ever have to risk contamination? Nowadays you can have Christian playgroups, kindergartens, schools, high schools, gyms, bookshops – complete with café, and of course nursing homes. In between we can limit ourselves only to Christian Real Estate agents, plumbers, builders, architects, accountants, holiday homes etc etc. I forgot to mention hospitals and radio stations! There’s our challenge, isn’t it? Knowing how to build links in daily life which become opportunities and openings for proclaiming the gospel.

It’s not only a wicked world out there which needs to be challenged so forgiveness can be proclaimed. It’s also full of broken people, wounded, confused, searching – sheep without a shepherd – vulnerable and exposed.

And it’s a world in which many of God’s loved humanity have been involved – are involved - in liasons, actions and behaviour which they personally hate – and which have left them feeling forever defiled and unclean.

Maybe it’s time to get off our butts and onto our knees and repent of our exclusiveness and self centeredness. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit, in full and fullness, who alone conveys and energises Jesus’ plan to save souls.

Nuff said

Fred

The Dumb Hitch hiker - Cross Purposes 116

2008-05-07T13:41:00.000+10:00

THE DUMB HITCHHIKER

On ‘ABC overnight’, at about 4:00am on Tuesday morning, Trevor Chapple got a discussion going about hitchhiking stories. Hitchhiking was an ‘in thing’ to do in the sixties and seventies. It’s illegal in many places today.

It reminded me of a story of my own. I was going home from Sydney to Wagga. Having caught the suburban train to Liverpool, I parked myself, thumb out, beside the Hume Highway. A Holden sedan pulled up with 2 blokes in it. They were going my way so I was happy for the lift. The bag I was carrying went into the boot which was opened with a screwdriver.

A little further along the highway we stopped to pick up a hippie couple traveling with a dog, which shared the back seat with us. (Yuk!)

Around Yass we needed to fill up with fuel, and since the guys in front were apparently tallying up lots of silver coins rather than notes I did the decent thing and offered them a quid (=$2:00).

We all got some lunch and then renewed the journey, with me aware for the first time that this car didn’t need a key to start.

They were on the way to Melbourne so we parted company at the junction with the Sturt Highway, just short of Tarcutta. The company had been reasonable, if a bit smelly, but I wouldn’t have given them a second thought except for a news item.

That evening it was reported that police had arrested 2 men after a car drove away from a service station at Holbrook without paying for petrol. Furthermore these same 2 men were charged with theft of a motor vehicle in Sydney, and also with robbery from poker machines at a suburban club!

You know, the thought had never occurred to me that the car might be stolen? Nothing in me rang a bell to say “Hang on, there’s something funny here.” Not the screwdriver, not the coins, not the missing key, Nothing! I was naive, not worldly wise, an innocent abroad. I guess a holidaying, hitchhiking policeman would have sussed it out the moment a screwdriver was produced for opening the boot. How easily could I have become entangled in illegal affairs, perhaps even assaulted and robbed for my money.

All of what I’ve written above was somehow processed in just a minute or two. And then the Spirit nudged the thought further and said to me, “Fred, many people, including the people of God, get involved in stuff which is dangerous and entangling for them simply because they are unaware of the dangers. And Fred, sometimes they do not want to know, and do not want to see that they are “hitching rides” which can ensnare them.”

I get the nudges every now and then. And am then reminded again that one of the charges of my call as a pastor is to do whatever I can and must to help Jesus’ followers be on their guard. St Peter says “Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaming lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5)

Someone can remonstrate with you about the things you get involved in. We can warn you about how unwise it can be. We can get on your case and nag you. You might not want to know or see. That’s often the reality.

However the best way we have to help you is to help you be immersed in the love affair between God and humanity as we experience it in Jesus the Christ. The more we swim in his things, know his heart, know his mind, experience his community and treasure his word, the more aware we become of things, words, events, situations and involvements that are traps from evil. It’s through these things that the Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual nose to smell trouble even if we can’t define it. He gives us discernment. The Holy susses out the unholy! Our Father in heaven wants us safe and on guard. And he wants our children safe. In these evil days discernment is one gift we cannot live without.

Be blessed Celebrate Pentecost. Ask and you shall receive!

Fred

What does it mean to totally forgive? Cross purposes 115

2008-04-30T12:43:00.003+10:00

Hi Friends.

This weeks Cross Purposes is a ‘borrowed with permission’ article on forgiveness. I have personally always found ‘forgiving others’ a really difficult and troublesome thing – especially when the person/people concerned have never said sorry in any way.

Reading each of the 7 statements in this article forcefully and radically challenged my commitment “to forgive as God in Christ has forgiven...”
It was one of those times where as I read, I knew I was receiving truth in my spirit. Each of the statements presented me with “Christ’s way or my way” alternatives. And since in my heart I want to be such a forgiver, well, I commit myself to it! But note the last sentence!

Be Blessed

Fred

What does it mean to totally forgive?
By RT Kendall

Totally forgiving someone who has hurt you is one of the hardest things that anybody ever has to do. That’s why Open House’s Sheridan Voysey recently interviewed RT Kendall, author of Total Forgiveness, to talk about what it really means to forgive.

Kendall, former Pastor at London’s Westminster Chapel, says that it is only natural to want an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. As he says, “We cannot bear the thought that another person can be let off the hook and not get punishment.” Kendall says that his book, Total forgiveness, was inspired by his own experience when a friend advised him, “RT, until you totally forgive, you will be in chains – release them and you will be released.”

So in his book, Kendall offers ways you can find forgiveness for those who have hurt you. And he gives seven proofs of total forgiveness:

1. You tell nobody what they did to you. With the exception of telling one other person for therapeutic reasons, or for legal reasons, do not tell anybody what offence was committed against you.

2. You will not let them be afraid of you.

3. You will not let them feel guilty. Kendall says that the majority of people you need to forgive don’t even know they have done anything wrong. It takes more grace to forgive someone who is not sorry.

4. You will protect their self-esteem.

5. You will protect them from their darkest secret.

6. You will pray for them. Do not just say, “Lord, I commit this person to you.” Pray blessings upon them just as God has blessed you with his undeserved love.

7. You will serve a life sentence of forgiveness. “Forgive and forget” is a popular but not a very practical saying, because we simply cannot forget; but we can continually forgive.

Kendall says that total forgiveness is possible with Christ, “Partial forgiveness can be done at a natural level. Total forgiveness can only be done by the help of the Holy Spirit through Jesus.”

This article comes courtesy of Sydney’s FM 103.2 The website is www.heart1032.com.au

Opening the eyes of a 10 year old - CROSS PURPOSE 114

2008-04-23T12:33:00.001+10:00

Yesterday it fell to me to take three of my grandsons to the Australian Museum which is just around the corner. They’d been dying to go, especially since the new Dinosaur Exhibition was recently opened. We had a great time, all the more since they each have a surprising interest in things of history. (What was life like in the olden days grandpa?)

Close to the end of our visit we spent some time in the “Indigenous Australians” exhibit. It has been upgraded and took in Stolen Generations material as well as Mr Rudd’s apology. All fascinating, but it was a photo from West Australia (circa 1890?) which provided me with a special moment.

Eight healthy aboriginal men, each wearing nothing but a loincloth. No, that’s not right. Each man also wore a steel collar and each collar was linked to the others by a massive chain. Some of these men were also manacled together at the wrist. Eight indigenous men, side by side, in a land their ancestors had enjoyed for centuries. Welcome to the new order brothers!

I guess at the time the photo was taken most in white society didn’t see anything here to worry about. Certainly it wasn’t much questioned in my years at school in the 1950’s and 60’s. In the Museum yesterday, however, well, it was an image that appalled.

And yet it was a moment of quiet joy as well. Why? Because my 10 year old grandson Jayden stood in front of that photo with me, and in his spirit reacted to the horror of the circumstances of those men and their predicament. My joy was in his guileless recognition of injustice and cruelty. “His eyes were opened” to see something of the human condition. He’s a joyful ‘’believing in Jesus Christ” kid but his facial expression and his words registered both the pain of the men and the pain of God. He was moved beyond indifference. He saw. He knew. He felt. He cared.

The heart of Jesus is growing in him. And that’s good.

Take Care

Fred

‘When joining “The Chorus” might be a betrayal of your own truths.’

2008-04-15T09:56:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 112

‘When joining “The Chorus” might be a betrayal of your own truths.’

Hi People. Trust you are well.

Just before Easter the Sydney Morning Herald ran a series of “Special Investigation” articles concerning “Mercy Ministries”, a program for helping young women in trouble of one sort or another. Mercy Ministries was introduced to Australia through people connected with Hillsong. It receives substantial support from the Gloria Jeans Coffee organization.

A number of young women who had not had ‘good experiences’ in the program were interviewed. You can imagine the headlines and the “horror stories”. Newspapers and other media love that stuff. And if we have a bias against Hillsong we’re tempted to ‘silently applaud’ as well.

Now I’ll admit upfront that I have personal reservations about some things Pentecostal. I have my own questions. But I have my own questions and reservations about the media presentation and hype as well. What’s true and what is not can be hard to know.

HOWEVER… HOWEVER…

There was a sub-text running through the SMH articles and subsequent media commentary which is important for us to discern, evaluate, acknowledge and disown. Let me give you some examples. (The best way for me to capture the tone is to paraphrase.)

“These young women had to participate in daily bible studies as part of their ‘healing’. Can you believe that? It’s laughable that anybody would entertain the idea that bible study would help young women in trouble.”

My comment: Jesus said to the tempter, “Humans shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus said “if you continue in my word you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Paul says “be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
To know Jesus Christ ,and Jesus Christ centred truth is, for us, the beginning and end of all healing! It’s why we put high value on Bible reading and Bible Study.

“Oh dearie, dearie me. These people actually believe that prayer for healing can lead to healing! How fanciful is that? I mean, this is the 21st century after all. How naïve can you be?”

My comment: Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Hebrews on prayer and healing. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful in its effects”.

“These fundamentalist Christians think the ideas of Jesus, spoken 2000 years ago for heaven’s sake, are the way to understand the issues of our modern world. They even want to talk about guilt and shame. That’s ridiculous, let alone dangerous to a person’s mental health”.

My comment: It’s clear that if we unthinkingly join the chorus of ridicule and criticism being sung over that ministry, which is being carried out in the name of Jesus Christ, then we sacrifice our own identity and foundations on the altar of secular acceptance.

Jesus saw, identified and recognized the Prince of Darkness and his Kingdom for what they were. He understood the enslavement and burden of sin, guilt, shame, fear and condemnation. Good Friday, and all that led up to it, was an utterly necessary action on God’s part for human forgiveness, freedom and fellowship with God.

SO THERE. Have your questions. Ask them. But let’s resist with fierce love the possibility that we deny our own truths, and condemn our brothers and sisters without cause. Jesus is Lord.

Fred

I am the Good Lollipop Lady

2008-04-15T09:54:00.001+10:00

Cross Purposes 113 By Rene - I am the Good Lollipop Lady

“I am the Good Lollipop Lady”
(John 10:11)

Wakehurst Primary School is just around the corner from where I live. The school is assisted by a “lollipop” lady who dutifully walks into the middle of the school crossing to stop the traffic with her lollipop “STOP” sign whenever a child needs to cross the street, and then caringly sees the child safely across to the other side before allowing the traffic to proceed. In the five years I have lived in Belrose it has always been the same lady. She is there every morning and every afternoon of the school term – come rain, hail or scorching heat.

It seems a strange thing to say, but I’ve come to enjoy being part of this little ritual at the school crossing when I happen to be driving along the street at the beginning or end of the school day. It’s because in the action of the lollipop lady, and her interaction with the children and their parents, I see an unfolding of the story of the Good Shepherd, and in the face of the lollipop lady I see the face of Jesus.

The connection with the Good Shepherd story (John 10:1-30) occurred to me one Wednesday morning last year. I was waiting at the school crossing on the way to the Scripture classes I teach at two other primary schools a few suburbs away. The lesson for the morning was Jesus the Good Shepherd.

As I watched her that morning and recalled all the other times I had witnessed the same little ritual, I thought about the care this woman shows in ushering the kids safely across the road. It wouldn’t surprise me if she knows by name most, if not all the kids who use the crossing, and that likewise they know her name, or have an endearing name for her. She goes onto the crossing ahead of them, stepping into the oncoming traffic alone, bringing it to a halt and rendering the crossing safe before allowing the children to step onto the road. Should there ever be an incident where a driver fails to respond to her stop sign (and we pray there never will be), she alone would be the one in danger of injury or even death – her children at this point still safely on the footpath. Only when it is safe does she call them across, while she stands guard in the middle of the road.

In reference to the good shepherd, Jesus says: “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (v.3). Then he says: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (v.11); and then goes on to say, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (v.14). A little further Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (v.27).

From my observations of this lady going about her daily task, it would not surprise me if the children were not the only ones who listen to her voice. Often I will see her engaged in conversation with the young mums who have taken their kids to school. It’s a lovely interaction to observe. One gets the impression that these young mums see the lollipop lady as a motherly figure – someone in whom they can confide, someone in whom they can share their joys and concerns, someone in whom they can put their trust and confidence.

The story of the Good Shepherd concludes with the wonderful reassurance that we can confide in Him, and that we can share all our joys and woes with Him, and above all that we can have complete confidence in His promise to us, and can entrust everything to His care. He is the good shepherd, and he speaks thus of us, his sheep: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (vv.28-30).

As we reflect on the ‘Good Shepherd’ readings, it is timely for us to remember and understand that, “He and the Father are one,” for as Matthew records in his Gospel, “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).

He is with us, indeed, as our Good Shepherd, as our Redeemer, as our Saviour and, yes, as our Good Lollipop Lady!

René van den Tol

CROSS PURPOSES 112

2008-04-02T10:26:00.001+11:00

CROSS PURPOSE 111

2008-03-26T13:28:00.001+11:00

CROSS PURPOSE 111

An Easter Thought

Earlier this year, pretty close to each other, two people I knew very well died suddenly. The first was Bruce Grosser, who, with his wife Rosemary, often worshipped in the Sydney Parish with his kids and grandkids. Bruce collapsed and died on his daughter’s farm. He was 62. Shortly afterwards, Aimee Macgregor, who’d led work among young people for 10 years from Warrambui, died in a single vehicle accident near Yass.

We can ask ‘why’? We can ask ‘why’? till the cows come home. We can comfort each other with promises from scripture. But in the end we are left with hope only if the Easter Story is true. Consider the following:

It had better be true
Yesterday was Easter Sunday, and today I met a friend. I greeted him with, “He is risen!” “He is risen indeed!” He instantly responded, then added, “I must tell you what happened in church.”

He told me how he’d no sooner entered his pew than he recognized a childhood friend and playmate just in front of him.

In the moment for exchanging the greeting of peace, he eagerly touched her arm, then, as she turned, exclaimed, “He is risen!” To his surprise there were tears on her cheeks as she said, “He is risen indeed!” then added in a whisper, “AND IT HAD BETTER BE TRUE!” She then informed him of her husband’s recent death. Continued

Reflecting on our conversation. I recall my early childhood. What wonder-filled luxury Christmas presented in the happy procession of days, when seen from a child’s-eye view!

But years have passed, and now I’m old. Time has brought its gifts of joy, but heartache and sorrow, too.

I call to mind one special Christmas when the family news was bad. I had no heart for preparing with only a cloud-covered sky, but I knew that I must, and I did. Then I saw as never before what Christmas essentially is, not annual luxury, but daily, unrelenting necessity.

So with Easter.
It was fun, as a child, to bound down the stairs to find seasonal sweet-treats under each plate, but again, with the passing of time, and the shadow of death over our broken family circle, I’ve seen Easter as highest necessity. If hope is to flourish, IT HAD BETTER BE TRUE!
From Gerhard Frost “Reflections on Death and Resurrection”.

Something has always touched me deeply about that quote and that title. And it reinforces again and again the little truth – we believe it – can’t prove it – we trust Easter even though the terrible stuff happens to us to. We don’t have immunity. And therefore, for us, WORSHIP IS ALWAYS AN ACT OF DEFIANCE! Death is not the end. Easter says – Life is... because Jesus is... Jesus Lives!
Pastor Fred

The Stark choice of Good Friday

2008-03-18T21:45:00.000+11:00

Hi guys…We’re just a few days shy of Good Friday and I’ve been hanging out to share the piece below which I’ve lifted from the best ever set of meditations for Lent that I’ve ever, ever read. In our Sydney Parish we bought enough of these little hard-back books from Koorong to give every family unit connected with us a free copy so we could go the journey together. Riches and nourishment aplenty for the soul and spirit. (IT’S CALLED ‘RELIVING THE PASSION’ BY WALTER WANGERIN. (PUBLISHED BY ZONDERVAN) Wangerin is a prince among Jesus Christ obsessed storytellers. He has a way of throwing graceful holy darts into the heart of his reader.

So try the following excerpt…It’s based on the choice a desperate and frustrated Pilate offers the troubling crowd surging restlessly before him…

THE STARK CHOICE OF GOOD FRIDAY

Behold the people! Though they think themselves the force of the morning, in charge of things (by virtue of their numbers and their noise), they are in fact being put to a test which shall reveal the truth between their words, the reality beneath their self-assumption and all their pretense.

Behold the nature of the breed!

A crowd has gathered at the Praetorium, a rabble, an obstreperous delegation of Judeans whose presence complicates Pilate’s inclination to release Jesus. These crowds are volatile. Instead of a simple release, then, a choice is offered the people. Let the people feel in charge: let the people decide. The Governor will, according to a traditional Passover amnesty, free one prisoner. Which will it be-

Jesus of Nazareth? – whom they have falsely accused of treason against the empire?

Or Barabbas? – treasonous in fact, one who committed murder for the cause?

If they choose the latter, their loyalties to the empire ( which Jesus is supposed to have offended) are revealed a vile sham, and these are no more than temporizing hypocrites, pretending any virtue to satisfy a private end.

But the Governor will release only one prisoner. Which will it be?

Jesus – who is the Son of the Father, who is the Kingdom of God come near unto them?

Or Barabbas – whose name means “the son of a (human) father,“ flesh itself, the fleshly pretensions to god-like, personal power in the kingdoms of the world?

This precisely, is the timeless choice of humankind.

If they choose the latter, they choose humanity over divinity. They choose one who will harm them over one who will heal them.

If they choose Barabbas, they choose the popular revolutionary hero, the swashbuckler, the pirate, merry Robin Hood, the blood lusty rake, the law-flout, violence glorified, appetites satisfied, James Bond, Billy Jack. Clint Eastwood, Rambo, the celebrated predator, the one who “turns them on,” over one who asks them “to deny themselves and die.” They choose (voluntarily!) entertainment over worship, self-satisfaction over sacrificial love, getting things over giving things, being served over serving, “feeling good about myself” and having it all and gaining the whole world and rubbing elbows with the rich rather than rubbing the wounds of the poor-

The choice is before them. And they think the choice is external, this man or that man. In fact the choice is terribly internal: this nature or that one, good folks or people essentially selfish and evil. It’s an accurate test of their character. How people choose is who they are.

Behold a people in desperate need of forgiveness.

BE BLESSED, AND BLESS

FRED

The Temple as abattoir

2008-03-13T16:44:00.000+11:00

No flies on Jesus…The Temple as abattoir

Hi guys. Thought I’d better start turning heart words to screen words. Since Good Friday is around the corner there’s a lot on which to ponder.

I’ve been thinking for some months about ‘conditions inside the temple’ in Jerusalem, especially as the sacrifices occurred. This was triggered by a statement I made spontaneously during Christmas worship that I’d been tempted to go to a local horse stable and get a bucket of the ‘good stuff’ to put behind the crib scene, with a fan running over it, to create a smell of authenticity.

So my thoughts ran to what would be authentic in the Jerusalem Temple at the time of the ritual slaughter of the lambs at Passover time. It’s commonly agreed among scholars that at least 100,000 pilgrims would add themselves to the normal population of Jerusalem when the Passover Feast came around. There had to be at least 10 persons per slain lamb so there might have been up to 10,000 lambs had their throats cut on a single day!

That’s an aweful (!) lot of blood flowing. Some is used ritually, maybe all of it. At some point it begins to run with depth through the channel which takes it out to the valley of Hinnom where everything that is corrupt and rotting, rubbish and dungish, forms a ‘lake of fire’ which is continually burned to keep all that is filthy under control.

Now think to yourself…what is the first thing that happens when any of us gets a bodily cut? First on the scene is the fly, or rather the flies. Bees might go for the honeypot but it’s flies to blood. Can you even begin to imagine the thousands upon thousands of swarming flies which might descend upon the temple and its surrounds, especially that lake where the blood collects? Now ask yourself ‘who is it goes by the name “Lord of the flies”’? Beelzebub…identified as Satan by Jesus himself…the accuser.

Now in your spirit (in the Spirit) go stand at the foot of the Cross and observe your Lord, beset by flies for the whole time he hung there. This you observe, and then comes the Roman soldier who forces his spear into the heart of Jesus, already dead, and out comes ‘water and blood’ as one last feast for the devil!

And it is Satan/Beelzebub’s one last feast. The scripture clearly says that Christ died once for all…and thereby ends, for once and for all, the need for blood to be shed. Forgiveness of sins is established …it is finished …no more sacrifices needed. Ever. Sin dragged into death and left there. Can’t come back with Jesus when he’s raised from the dead. No more flies on Jesus. Ever.

Paul the Apostle begins Ch. 8 of his letter to the Roman church with this declaration: There is …no condemnation now for those who are in Christ Jesus. No flies on Jesus…no flies on you and me.

May the Good Friday/Easter reflections find you ‘…in Christ Jesus’. And if you don’t know what that means then bloody well go and find out.

Bless even as you are being blessed.

Fred

The glass shower

2007-12-12T13:05:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 108

12th November 2007

The Glass Shower

Hi Guys, Fred here. One last Cross Purposes for 2007. We’ll probably start again toward the end of January.

You’ve heard of rain showers, petal showers, cold showers, even meteor showers. Until last Sunday, I’d never lived through a glass shower!

We were sitting in our kitchen area (in our inner city terrace residence) when we heard the sound of breaking glass, which seemed to go on and on. We rushed outside thinking someone must be throwing glass onto our ‘backyard’. There were bits of glass, large and small, everywhere.

In fact there was broken glass, shattered and slivered, also in the back lane, over our carport, in our gutters, on our front verandah, and out on the front street. We’d experienced a glass shower.

How come? It turns out that there was a bloke squatting on the 20th floor of the 22 storey empty skyscraper beside us, who, high as a kite, started throwing chairs at glass windows…a chunk of 6ml glass broke out, somewhere on the way down it hit concrete, exploded, fell everywhere.

I think the thing which impressed itself on me is the way that one event on floor 20 had, and has, consequences for many others. Most obviously the potential for death or injury for the two street guys camping on the narrow landing between us and the skyscraper. One piece of glass 13cm by 6cm cut straight through one man’s tent, just missing him. A couple of other chunks landed right where the cook would be standing at our BBQ.

The police were called (didn’t come). The council was notified and the buildings owners were involved as well.

Then there were chunks big enough to cut car tyres in the back alley, glass in gutters, slivered glass in our garden beds. One tries desperately to clean up only to find more glass in strange places. Some can’t be cleaned up, in the back lane the bits and pieces are all caught up in the tar. I won’t be walking bare feet out there again. My suspicion is that one way or another those bits and pieces will “come to the surface” as long as this place is lived in.

We have done our best to clean up, even resorting to the vacuum cleaner in places we’d usually walk, but I’d put money on it that someone will one day experience cutting injuries from what we missed.

It’s a bit like sin. From Adam and Eve down to us. From Hitler through Europe and beyond, down the years. From Robert Mugabe through Zimbabwe to neighboring countries in the lives of refugees all over the world. The effects of the crusades. The impact of the doctrine of Terra Nullius on this land’s original inhabitants. Think Sudan, think Cambodia, think, think, think… From anything that I’ve done flowing through to others. One way or another sin has consequences which often leave others to try clean up the mess – and usually can’t!

A solution. I’ll offer you the two quotes below.

“The world is weary
Of cures that don’t cure,
Blessings that don’t bless,
and solutions that don’t solve.”
(C G Chesterton)

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…”
(John the Baptist)

A blessed Christmas of forgiveness and restoration be on you!

Jesus is Lord

Fred

Temptation/Good Luck

2007-11-28T14:15:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 106

28th November 2007

Temptation/Good Luck

Hi Guys, Fred here.

The blokes at Men’s Brekky recently got into a discussion about Jesus and Temptation. One line of thought said “yeh, but you know he was never going to sin.” My response was “well, if he was like me and was confronted by a beautiful babe who was ‘willing’, I’d have to admit the temptation was real.” At that point, another of the group quoted a ‘rock song’ with this line:

“I CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEMPTATION AND GOOD LUCK”

It’s true that Jesus did not sin. It was the only way he could be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But without doubt he felt the tug of sin, including through the Mary Magdelenes’ of this world.

He did not sin however because he allowed nothing to come between himself and his Father in Heaven. He chose – willed himself – to remain utterly focused on Abba Father’s will. And that is why he did not suffer confusion as the writer of the line above did.

The beauty of it is that his clarity – read his purity and holiness – is what is given to us in the Spirit when he takes our sin to the tomb, and we trust him and his message for life.

“Our Father, who in heaven…your will be done…lead us not into temptation.”

GOOD STUFF ISN’T IT?

Enjoy your week.

Fred

Something else…remember the Colin Powell’s favourite quote from last week’s Cross Purposes?

It’s from Thucydides: “Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.” Powell elaborated: “The more powerful you are, the more people want to trust you with that power. They would hate to not trust you with that power.”

Somebody responded with this quote:

"Anyone who wants to be a politician shouldn't be allowed to be one."

And The Bulletin in discussing ‘the Powerful’ in it’s November 27 2007 issue included the following:

“The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.” Lord Macaulay

In regard to the last quote from Lord Macaulay, it could be amended to describe Jesus and his attitude to power:

“The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without using it.”

That my friends, is biblical meekness.

Fred

Power and Restraint

2007-11-21T14:08:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 106

21st November 2007

Power and Restraint

Hi Guys, Fred here.

The Sydney Morning Herald of November 16th 2007 had an article about the election by it’s political editor, Peter Hartcher. In that article he quoted former US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The quote goes like this

“The former US general and secretary of state, Colin Powell, has a favourite quote. It’s from Thucydides: “Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.” Powell elaborated: “The more powerful you are, the more people want to trust you with that power. They would hate to not trust you with that power.”

Without a doubt Powell is right about the psychology of the way the governed think and feel in their hearts towards those who are in power. It’s why we hate it when we are lied to, manipulated, played for fools, treated like idiots. We respect those who come clean with us and are upfront with us. May Jesus Christ bless your voting, whatever way you vote. Vote in good faith according to your faith and conscience and he will bless you.

This Cross Purposes is not about the election though. It’s about that son who was entrusted with power on earth as he went about his fathers business. He was faithful – to the bitter end of his human life – faithful unto death – to everything his father wanted said and done. This has consequences for us.

As Jesus life is restored he receives “all authority in heaven and on earth” and Jesus becomes the one “before whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess…” This is truly the One to Fear. But there is good news here. For those who fear him in the right way, who trust him, who revere his name, Paul has a word of comfort. Here it is:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

See, God in Christ Jesus is for us. He has power and authority which is being used “for us”, for our good, for our faith, comfort, forgiveness, restoration and vision.

My challenge to you this week is to absorb and digest what Paul is praying for you and me in Ephesians 1: 18-23
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Have a good week, Christmas is coming, be at peace!

Fred

The funeral of Colin Klabe

2007-11-14T14:21:00.001+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 105

14th November 2007

One of St Pauls long standing members died last Sunday. The name Colin Klabe is probably unknown to most of you and carries no weight. Colin was 64. He’d been sick and declining for a long time. He just sort of faded away.

Colin was no visionary of the prophetic church. You’d never call him a “charismatic”. Wasn’t given to the making of stirring speeches at Annual Meetings. Wasn’t one to go creating trouble and mischief either. A quiet man, peace loving, never pushed himself into the public eye and able to be almost invisible. Yet the hole he leaves in our church is enormous.

Consider the following quote from a note which arrived by email from the USA soon after the news got out:

“Laura and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Colin Klabe. At the same time we celebrate Colin’s graduation into heaven! His memory has a lasting and positive place in our hearts.

Colin had a tremendous impact on our lives while we lived in Sydney. Colin has that gentle spirit and always made us feel welcome at church. In fact, when Laura and I attended other churches in the states, we would always look for the “Colin” of the church. Colin set the standard for engaging with people of all ages. He is a true saint and a big part of the congregation to welcome us to St Pauls. Our faith grew knowing Colin. Colin and Ruth always welcomed us and many times opened their home to us (and many others) who were away from home for the holidays.

Mark & Laura Kurtz

Mark captures it perfectly. Every church needs a “Colin”. I’ve never known anyone with such a heart for Jesus and his people – a heart for helping people connect quickly and easily. He didn’t welcome people. He became the welcome. Time after time I’d check with him about visitors and he’d have the info at his fingertips. He saw his role among God’s people and lived it out. He did lots of other stuff around the place but the business of “being Colin” was what really blessed St Pauls since he was confirmed in 1957 – ie he did it for 50 years!!

St Pauls has a rich history which was largely built around the Colins of this world. You can build a church on “Colins”. They are simply “there”. The great gift they bring is to be present, rain, hail or shine. You never have to wonder where they are – they’ll be there doing the simple, helpful, tidy up things without an ounce of fuss or bother.

So, think God for Colin and Colins!

And, in what way are you a Colin? In what way can you be a Colin? How able are you to break the Baby Boomer / Gen X / Gen Y moulds, seize the day, and allow yourself to commit to Jesus Christ’s cause for the blessing, the Kingdom blessing, of others who need Jesus Christ?

So there! I dare you to risk being a Colin.

Fred

PS – Colin just adored his Lord!

FOLLOWING ON FROM THE ANGELS’!

2007-11-09T11:35:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES 104

9th November 2007

Hi Guys

A couple of weeks ago in the blog I put forward the view that to imply that a loved one who has died has somehow been promoted to angelic status is to demean them. Angel status is not the goal of God’s action with humanity. His goal, when he puts people “in Christ”, is to cause them to share the status of Christ! As Ephesians 2: 6 makes clear, he raised up up with Christ to the right hand of the throne! He’s the heir and we get to “co-heir” with him.

So today, along similar lines, another challenge to muddled and unhelpful thinking. Someone we knew had been called from this life. We sent a condolence card to the family. A few months later a preprinted card arrived in the mail with a photo of the dearly departed. Underneath, an inscription that looked like this:

Fred Bloggs
Born: April 24, 1922
Entered Eternal Life: August 16, 2005

Nice card! Nice thought! But not true. The starting point for “Eternal Life” is not the moment the soul departs the body. It’s the point at which one is born again – born from above – through water and the Spirit. Your (and my) eternal life begins at the point we come “into Christ Jesus”, usually at our Baptism.

That is a core position for followers of Jesus Christ. We are called and challenged to live our lives here on earth out of the gift we already have. It’s not how the world sees it of course. Where there is some sort of belief in God and an afterlife it likes to proclaim that we live towards life with God – and mostly implies that if you do reasonably well in your life (at least what the public sees) your family and friends can declare, at your funeral, that God ought to be pleased to receive you!

Unless you get this difference between ‘living to express’ and ‘living to impress’, the chances are we will live unrestfully, always hoping we’ve done enough for acceptance. Thank God that it is by grace you have been saved!

Pastor Fred

Recycle Bin / Rubbish Bin

2007-10-31T13:47:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 103

31 October 2007

We were driving along the Hume Highway the other day, returning from a wedding in Victoria. Being tuned to ABC Melbourne we happened on a conversation about the replacement of a ‘host person’ from a well known reality TV show. Such conversations can be witty but also unkind, and still be insightful.

“She’s out of the recycling bin and into the rubbish bin”, said one. (a comment about her career)

“Nah”, said the other, “she’s out of the rubbish bin and into the recycling bin!” (a comment about the show)

All sorts of themes are to be found here – not least the way words are used to demean or destroy, or to damn with feint praise. In the middle of an Australian election campaign we’re smothered by it. Another possible theme here is the way those phrases might help us understand how and where we are with the Almighty.

There are plenty who are willing to consign those they don’t like or agree with to God’s rubbish bin. And equally there are plenty who are sure they belong there because of their own past sins. What I love about God, perhaps most of all, is that his specialty, his strength if you like, is getting hold of those who have no future apart from the rubbish bin, and completely renovating them.

I’m reminded of an exchange between Zacchaeus and Jesus in the film “The Robe”. (Forgive me if I’ve mentioned this before). After Zacchaeus vows to repay all he stole and then some, and to give half of his goods to the poor, Jesus asks the little bloke “Why are you doing this Zacchaeus?” The answer is burnt into my mind and heart for the truth it is: “Because when I looked into your eyes I saw the person I was meant to be!”

Ah truth, truth truth! Holy, holy, holy! Jesus Christ is the prototype for us. “Because when I looked into your eyes I saw the person I was meant to be!” God takes us out of the rubbish bin, (‘I know that in me, that is, in my flesh there dwells no good thing!’ says Paul), and remakes us in the image of the Redeemer himself. All who call Jesus Christ “the Lord” from faith are a work in progress. The sign outside our heart says “Under Renovation”.

And another truth! Jesus Christ voluntarily allowed himself to be thrown out onto the world’s rubbish heap, (read Calvary), so this could happen. And that’s worth celebrating!

Be Blessed

Pastor Fred

The Lake Angel! (?)

2007-10-24T13:48:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 102

24 October 2007

Few in Australia will have been untouched by the tragedy of a little 2 year old boy named Dean whose body was found, in a suitcase, in a pond at Ambervale – South West Sydney this week.

My instinct is that the ‘tragedy’ is not only about the death of Dean and the shocking disposal of his body. It embraces, also his parents, grandparents, wider family and the children and community where his body was found.

There is just one aspect of this I want to place before you. The SMH (October 24 2007) has a headline on page 5 “AMID GRIEF, FAMILY FLOATS A TRIBUTE TO LAKE ANGEL”. Inside the article there’s a note to say that Western Sydney residents are calling for donations to establish a ‘Lake Angel’ trust fund to honour Dean with a plaque by the pond.

Why did it catch my eye? Just a week or so ago there was an item in the local rag about a much loved mother who had died – and her two daughters spoke of her as “an angel watching over them from the nearest bright star”.

That theme, of declaring someone to have become some sort of guardian angel upon death has become frequent in a time of angelic spirituality. Especially so with babies and toddlers. It seems obvious that the death of a loved one often drives those left behind to think of the future of the departed one in a ‘good’ spiritual way! It must surely comfort people.

Nevertheless it troubles me – especially so when it is a christian or a christian family that that speaks this way. Why? Consider the two verses from scripture below:

“What are angels then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation”. Hebrews 1: 14 (GNB)

“God’s Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God’s children. Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him…” Romans 8: 16-17 (GNB)

My issue? Simply this: God declares those who put their trust in his Son as Saviour and Lord to be his children! We don’t become angels – we already are children who share the inheritance! The Lord has all the angels he needs – and they exist to serve him and us.

Let’s not rob those who die in faith of the dignity and joy of their high status!

Be Blessed. Jesus is Lord – and he’s the big brother of all who trust the God of Calvary and Resurrection.

Pastor Fred

Whipping us into shape

2007-10-17T12:28:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 101

17 October 2007

Recently the Sydney based pastor’s of LCA NSW have worked their way through a study of the Seven Deadly Sins. Our material was largely based on a workbook put together by a chap called Maxie Dunnam and his (pastor) daughter Kimberly.

I guess you know those sins: Pride, envy, avarice, lust, sloth, anger and gluttony. It was pretty challenging stuff – quite confronting. Today I’d like to point you to a phrase from their chapter on anger. They talk about how there is place for a very right and necessary anger. And of course pointed us to Jesus walking into the Temple precincts and discovering that the space, sacredly set aside for the gentiles, was filled with marketeers. He made a whip and …

The Dunnam’s posed a question. “Jesus made a whip to deal with something that was entirely outrageous. For what purpose would you make a whip?”

Ouch. Nailed. Spoken to. Addressed. Convicted. What sort of thing / circumstance / situation / event would get me angry enough to take action. Sure there are things that get my dander up – get me ropeable etc etc – usually because I’m protecting my own interests. Especially in regard to family we get very protective and that’s good.

What I struggle with is the way that if it doesn’t affect me directly then I don’t care. And that’s exactly what sloth is. If lust is sinfully passionate, then sloth, “not caring”, is sinful apathy. “I can’t be bothered. It’s none of my business”.

I wonder what we’d look like if we had Jesus’ passion for people to be free of their burdens, guilt, sin and apprehension. It’s not just that people get ripped off – sometimes it’s the system that needs to be challenged because it’s the institution that does the ripping off. In our culture it’s the little people who are usually on the receiving end of trouble – those who can’t depend on themselves.

Similar things might be said about climate change, companies that promote asbestos (or some such) when they know it is deadly, allowing the building of pulp mills which destroy ecosystems through their input and output, governments which allow health systems to run down, governments which lie to us or set out to massage the truth to us – ah the list goes on.

But you know, Jesus the Christ reserved a very special anger for those who block the simple and the unlearned from knowing their forgiveness and freedom under God. Check it out. He reserved his deepest anger for the legalists and lawyers.

So there’s the question. Especially in regard to the Kingdom; “For what purpose would you make a whip?”

Fred

PS What would happen to you if you suddenly got bathed with the passion of the Holy Spirit of Jesus for the spiritual welfare of the people around you?

Most Christians have enough religion to feel guilty about their sins but not enough to enjoy life in the spirit. (Martin Luther)

Remembering a Covenant

2007-10-05T14:39:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 100

5 October 2007

The progress of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland was not particularly easy. There was a fair bit of cut and thrust involved as first the Roman institution, and then later the Church of England, endeavoured to bring the Scots ‘under control’.

From around 1580 groups of those committed to the teachings of the Reformers began to make sacred agreements with each other to keep and maintain their faith. These people came to be known as “Covenanters’. Crucial to their understanding of their faith was that the “Temporal Monarch” , ie King / Queen of the day, was not Lord of the Church.

Tension abounded for decades as various kings and queens sought to impose their authority on this Kirk (church) of Scotland. Eventually in 1660 Charles 11 came to the throne. One of his early edicts (1161 I think), was to declare that those who subscribed to the Protestant Covenants were guilty of High Treason. Public Worship by covenanters was banned under threat of death. The covenanters were ruthlessly hunted down and savagely persecuted. But they kept their covenants! And continued to meet in the fields as and when they could. Even though to be caught was certain death.

And that leads me to a short, compelling story I was told in England:

One young woman was apprehended on the way to such a field meeting in the early hours of the morning. The soldier who apprehended her demanded to know her business. Here’s her reply:

“My older brother has died and I am on my way to the reading of the will and to claim my inheritance!”

Now that’s not a bad definition of being a follower of Jesus. It’s not a bad definition of faithful worship either.

Go on, read it again: “My older brother has died and I am on my way to the reading of the will and to claim my inheritance!”

May all our journeys be like that.

Bless your day, Bless your week!

Fred

This marks Cross Purposes Number 100! To be truthful I don’t always know the mark they make in any given week. The feedback is usually appreciative. And it is certainly appreciated. Hope that’s true for you. Maybe you might say a quiet prayer today thanking Jesus the Christ for touching lives through these simple words.

The gospel in one sentence?
“We’re all bastards but God loves us anyway” (Will Campbell)

A book that changed your life…

2007-09-26T13:49:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 99

26 September 2007

The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday paper has a magazine inside called ‘Good Weekend’. Each week Good Weekend (GW) has a column titled “Your time starts now…” Whoever is being interviewed is given a host of half finished statements which need a quick and short conclusion.

The sort of statements involved are:
My earliest memory is…
I wish I’d never worn…
My happiest moment was…
What I don’t find amusing is… And so on.

One of the statements each week is, “The book that changed my life is…” Recent responses to that statement include:
… ‘Intimacy and Solitude’ by Stephanie Dowrick (Stephen Campbell, Head of campaigns, Greenpeace Australia).
… ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran (Ethan Stiefel, Ballet Dancer).
… has yet to be written. Only experience changes us. (Peter Cundall, gardening guru).

It was while reading Ethan Stiefels responses that I began to wonder what I would say in answer to that same query. The book that changed my life is…? Lots of books have informed me and challenged me. Some profoundly. Eg “The People of the Lie” by M. Scott Peck, or “The Covenant” by James Michener.

Then I thought I should probably have answered “The Bible”, which made me wince because it sounds so pious. I wasn’t the least bit comfortable about that until I thought about one particular book of the Bible. It’s St Paul’s Letter to the followers of Jesus Christ at Ephesians. The first time I actively recall reading in that book it changed my life. After years and years of “working to impress” the Lord above, I read this:

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast”. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

As I read these verses I was hit by a conviction that has never left me. All my bloody best efforts to get into God’s good books counted for nothing – and Jesus Christ counted for everything. That very day I stopped the hard labour of trying to do enough to get into God’s good books and accepted that God gave me freely in Jesus Christ what I desperately wanted and which I couldn’t create for myself. Peace!

Later it dawned on me that each follower of Jesus Christ, each one who trust him for Good Friday and Easter, “…has been saved”. It’s behind me already. I don’t live toward his acceptance. I live from his acceptance. Freedom!

Over the years it’s been this letter of St Paul which has provided so much of the insight that has shaped my life, my hope. and the cause to which my energy goes. Let me share a few:

God raised us (past tense) up with (Christ) and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (2: 5-6). Translation? My kingdom address is: In Christ, at the right hand of the Father. Home!

“… he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world…” (1: 4). Translation? Don’t know how, but I was / you were on his radar before creation. Known! And loved!

“…through him (Christ)… we have access in one Spirit to the Father” (2: 18). Translation? I / you have a permanent entry pass into the Father’s presence. Personal conversation!

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…” (3: 20). Translation? You’ve gotta love that ‘abundantly far more’. Our requests are never ever beyond his reach. Limitless!

“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers for building of the body of Christ…” (4: 11). Translation? The word about Christ – the message, the knowledge, the wisdom – is the absolute foundation of everything the church does and how it lives and how I live. And I have been given ears to hear!

“… being filled with the Spirit” (5: 18). Translation? The followers of Jesus have a high calling for sure – but he is constantly moving his Spirit toward us to make it happen. Rained on!

“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church” (5: 25). Translation? I / I’m going to lead in my marriage, it will be the way Jesus lead – by serving, even if it means the cross. Counter-cultural!

There you go. I could give you dozens of examples just from that one book. It’s a living Word we’re dealing with. It’s a living word which is dealing with us.

Bless You

Fred

“The joys of iodine”

2007-09-19T14:03:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 98

19 September 2007

In the year penicillin was discovered, 1928, my grandfather died of blood poisoning. He was a builder. Having got a splinter in his hand he removed it using a chisel. Infection followed and death soon after. Four years later, in the year penicillin was first mass produced, grandfather’s father also got an infection in much the same way. He too died soon after.

My own father was 12 at the time of the first death, and 16 at the time of the second. He never knew much about penicillin but he was extraordinarily wary about cuts and wounds getting infected. And since iodine was regarded as an infection killer we got large amounts of it put on any wound or cut. How much it might hurt didn’t come into the equation. He knew infections could be deadly and responded accordingly. He was taking no chances.

That’s not unlike our God with us. Well may we know that our sins are forgiven. But our heavenly Father well knows that continued sin in the life of a believer can be a contagion that leads to death. It’s the reason he confronts those who belong to him, often very harshly, to bring them to the place of receiving the “Cross-help” they need. Someone will challenge us directly. Or someone will send us a note. Or something we read is like an arrow to our conscience. Or we hear a sermon that hurls us to our knees. That’s our heavenly Father doing his inspection of our wounds and alerting us to the need for ‘medication’. He wants to get at the problem area, the unconfessed sin, so that healing can take place – so that spiritual iodine can be applied.

That’s why we cherish mates / friends / parents / pastors who will tell us the truth about ourselves frankly and fearlessly. They represent a wake up call before it is too late.

That’s why in our worship services we have a time to reflect at the beginning of Worship – so we can know the value of that cleansing word of forgiveness spoken in Jesus’ name.

It’s also why we ‘get real’, perhaps better “are forced to get real”, before Communion. The medicine of immortality works its miracle for those who know they have need of it.

To use a different analogy, can you imagine any of us ignoring the signs of termites in the foundation timbers of our homes? No way. We see the signs and respond accordingly. We hope it’s not too late. Necessary remedies are put in place. The time to act is now! We innately know those things in the natural realm. Strangely we’re slower than slow in the spiritual. So be grateful when the Lord Almighty smacks you on the nose to get your attention. It’s one of the ways he has of saying “I love you!”

Go with God.

Fred

PS: Some years ago I met a chap attending one of the AA group meetings here at St Pauls. He was well over six feet tall with abundant tattoos adorning a very imposing frame. We got talking. He’s a passionate Christian with an outreach ministry. Gave me his business card – “Joe Bloggs, 4X2 MINISTRIES. Said that God had to use a 4X2 to get his attention!

PPS: A word of wisdom which I’ll attribute to “Marcus van Namen” :

“It is wise to acknowledge the splash of truth in the shit-bucket of criticism which is thrown over you”.

Relationships inside the church

2007-09-12T12:10:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 97

12 September 2007

Hi Guys

On the last Sunday in April I conducted a wedding at Observatory Hill which is right beside the southern entry to the Harbour Bridge in Sydney. For the short address I used the recent 75th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the Bridge. Often during those days there were pictures of the two sides of the span reaching out toward each other – trusting that there would be a gentle bonding in the middle to make one bridge.

Well, all week leading up to that wedding I was thinking that those same thoughts were appropriate to our churches as well, and to the relationships inside those churches. How do we / can we move ‘towards the other’?

The other thing was that I had an obsession about conveying this to the gatherings on Sunday morning using words beginning with G. I came up with two lists:

1. Negative, destructive patterns, attitudes or behaviours
a) grudging: moving toward the other with reluctance –
not wanting to ‘move toward’.
b) gushing: moving toward the other in a superficial overdone way.
c) grievance: moving toward the other with anger, hostility and bitterness.
d) grinding: moving toward the other with the idea of wearing
him/her down.
e) grim: moving toward the other without joy.
f) gross: moving toward the other in an offensively rude way.
g) grubby: moving toward the other in an underhand way.
h) grasping: moving toward the other with the aim of taking and keeping
control.
i) greed: moving toward the other with coveting in the heart.

2. Positive Kingdom building, blessing type attitudes or behaviours
a) gentle: approaching the other with care, in a non-invasive way,
acknowledging that I must come humbly, as a guest, into your
space.
b) graceful: moving toward the other with respect, and protectively
c) gracious: moving toward the other recognising that we always bring foibles
and failures to our meeting, and choosing to rejoice in the other
anyway.
d) generous: moving toward the other with a generous spirit from a generous
heart, with all we have and own, including forgiveness.
e) goodness: moving toward the other with that winning combination of truth
and love, holiness and compassion.
f) glowing: moving toward the other with joy.
g) gleaming: moving toward the other with light.
h) grateful: moving toward the other with gratitude and thanksgiving for God
and for them.
i) grieving: moving toward the other with willingness, when necessary, to
enter into the sadness, to hold the hand of the suffering, to massage the heart with compassion.
j) gritty: moving toward the other with courage and determination.
k) guiding: moving toward the other to be helpfully beside him/her.
l) glue: moving toward the other because we’re supposed to stick
together.

All of this is possible because we have been graced in Jesus the Christ,
- forgiveness is real, and complete
- his life is ours
- his Spirit is ours
- his love is ours
- his mind is ours
- his will is ours

God is for us.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4: 2-3).

And hey, God loves you!

Fred

Letting them in or keeping them out!

2007-08-31T15:15:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 96

31 August 2007

Most Aussies are familiar with “The Rabbit Proof Fence”. Of course it’s a true story movie about indigenous girls escaping from forced separation by trekking 1500 miles through harsh country in Western Australia to get home to family. It’s also deep in the Australian consciousness because it expresses the determination to stop the spread of rabbits into West Australian farming areas! Rabbits were a plague that threatened to kill off viable farming and so were to be kept out at all costs.

Fast forward about one hundred years to the centre of good old Sydney, where in early September 2007 there’s a meeting of the APEC Forum (Asia-Pacific nations). It is high security so the authorities are erecting a 3 metre high, 5 kilometre long fence, made of steel and concrete. The fence will run through the CBD and nearby parks to establish a ‘secure zone’. It will keep ‘unruly elements’ out!

It was very clever, and no surprise, that some wag from the Press dubbed it “The Rabble Proof Fence”. How apt!

Anyway, that name for the fence got me thinking about a verse in “The Message” translation of John’s Gospel. It comes after the Temple Police have been told to arrest Jesus – who was standing outside the Temple – saying seditious things like “If anyone thirsts, let him come to ME and drink… (John 7: 37).

The Police came back empty handed! The High Priests and the Pharisees demand to know why they haven’t brought Jesus in. They reply: “Have you heard the way he talks? We’ve never heard anyone speak like this man”.

Now just note the answer”

The Pharisees said, ‘Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble? You don’t see any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or from the Pharisees? It’s only the crowd, ignorant of God’s Law, that is taken in by him – and damned” (John 7: 47-48 – The Message).

Do you see it? The spiritual leaders of Israel had erected a fence to keep the rabble out! Not a visible wall to be sure, but real nevertheless, and their exposure in having such a wall drips with contempt and dismissal. The ignorant rabble certainly aren’t “in!”

Ignorant of the finer details of the Law the rabble might be. But the “rabbling” crowds flock to Jesus and hear his words gladly. His heart is open to them. Even though he is the original giver of the Law, the leaders won’t receive him, or accept any claim he makes. But in his presence and words, manner and actions the rabble discerns God’s true intention. It’s to embrace, not to exclude. To welcome and not to wall off. To forgive and not to flay way. To restore and not to repel!

Sometimes I wonder. I wonder, I wonder. I wonder if the way we have the truth, hold the truth, guard the truth and police the truth – well, whether it isn’t doing the exact opposite of what Jesus intended? Just as many of those who were drawn to Jesus didn’t have lives that were in order and beautifully sorted, so now, in our day, there are loads of people (rabble if you like) dialoguing with us on the edges, sussing us out, who are very sensitive to whether they are hearing Law or Grace.

Churches are famously brilliant at succumbing to a Law approach – full of judgement and criticism – and thereby repelling those who seek forgiveness and grace.

Please let’s not got there. Please keep the truth and Spirit of Jesus Christ to the fore – love those who seek God with sincere and repentant hearts. Love those who haven’t got their lives in order but who are searching earnestly.

But there’s more! There are also those in the rabble who actually hate Jesus, his cause and his name. And grace can get hold of them too. Think of Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the Apostle! History has many more.

Let’s not acknowledge any Rabble Proof Fence that Jesus wouldn’t acknowledge. Let’s not be part of building such Rabbit Proof Fences. If Jesus wouldn’t build them, we won’t either. In fact as Jesus the Christ sought to cross those fences in the “wrong direction”, well, let’s do the same! May our churches be a holy rabble.

Bless You

Fred

Pickled Followers of Jesus Christ

2007-08-22T13:18:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 95

22 August 2007

A dozen or so years ago, by odd circumstance, I found myself in attendance at a teaching seminar organized by a charismatic group. At one point the main speaker quoted from an ancient document, generally believed to date from about the time of Jesus. It was written in Koine Greek (Common Greek) which was in use in the first century after Jesus birth. It was from a letter a woman wrote to her sister about an ordinary daily event. It changed my thinking about how God deals with us.

The quote went like this. “This morning I went to the garden and picked a cucumber which I baptized (washed with water), and then I went inside and baptized it (immersed it) in the vinegar”. Simply, she picked and washed a cucumber from the garden, then set about pickling it in vinegar!

Try an experiment. Cut off a slice of cucumber, eat it and record the taste. Next take a pickled cucumber, cut off a slice and record the taste. What’s the difference? Is the pickled cucumber still a cucumber? Why does it not taste like one? Because its immersion in vinegar and spices has caused it to absorb all the qualities and taste of the substance it’s been bathed in.

What a fantastic analogy for the life of a follower of Jesus. Our life in him begins with a washing of cleanliness. And from that moment, having declared us clean, he sets about the task of transformation, of creating a new heart in us, of making our whole life holy. How does it happen? By our being immersed in the Spirit! Does baptized in the Spirit sound familiar?

The newly picked followers of Jesus find themselves immediately the subject of pickling by Jesus Christ as he immerses them in all the things of the Spirit. How does it happen? The Christ based loved of parents. The soothing joy of Christ’s song. The drawing of a young child into the story of Jesus Christ. Love and truth in Sunday School. Reading the Scriptures, especially with Jesus Christ, new covenant focused glasses. Joyful parenting and other adult mentoring. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit in worship and community.

Immersed in the Spirit – baptized in the Spirit – in this way we find ourselves taking on the qualities and nature of Jesus Christ. This is expressed in the fruit of the spirit, (love, peace, joy, nature, gentleness, kindness etc), and the gifts and capacities the Spirit gives (giving expression to the gifts and capacities of Jesus himself). It also causes our walk to be within the walk of Jesus himself – where our story becomes his story, our vision becomes his vision, our mission becomes his mission, our cross is actually his Cross, all infused with and constrained by his love and compassion, holiness and truth. Along the way, he’ll be nailing away our sin, shame and guilt!

(Man the last paragraph was a mouthful!)

That doesn’t happen in a day just as Rome wasn’t built in a day. Pickling doesn’t happen because you share a cucumber in some vinegar and pull it out a moment later, a day later, a week later or even a month later. It’s about constant, long-term immersion in the things of Jesus Christ, actually in Christ and in his Spirit, over a lifetime. It’s especially about the sheer joy and discipline of swimming in the Word of Jesus Christ, the Word of the Cross, the Word of the Lord raised.

Guys when that happens, as it happens, you begin to smell like Jesus! Think the aroma of the gospel. You know, we talk about drug addicts getting stoned! We talk about drunk people getting smashed! But God sets out to pickle us. And I’ll promise you this – your walk with Jesus, which is by faith, will also become a walk with experiences to boot.

Bless you all

Fred

The filing cabinet in my heart

2007-08-15T13:58:00.000+10:00

Cross Purposes # 94

15 August 2007

Over the last six months or so, I’ve heard a couple of people put forward the idea that inside each human spiritual heart there is a filing cabinet with three drawers, which contain our spiritual convictions. The top drawer is for those things we’ve been able to file as “Truth”. The bottom drawer is for those things we’ve come to understand as “Lies”. The in-between drawer is labelled “Unsure”.

Most of us are people of good heart and good intention and therefore are innately inclined to live out of our Truth Drawer. We wish to build our lives rightly, and form our views and convictions correctly and honestly. We sense and know that a lot of life and harmony revolves around getting it right. That expresses the beginnings of holiness.

The way we are, the way we live, the people we become is just as much decided by the fact that we don’t want to build our lives on a lie. Instinctively we sense that to do so is going to get us into trouble. The Lies Drawer is therefore also an important reference point for us.

The Unsure Drawer has on file those things we haven’t yet come to clarity and conviction about – and since people are at different stages in life, maturity and spiritual awareness, what’s inside may vary from person to person.

To have “Truth” in the truth drawer and “Lies” in the lie drawer is to have healthy spiritual foundations. Problems arise, however, and massively so, when we happen to have genuine ‘truths’ filed in the lie drawer and falsehoods filed in the truth drawer. I was going to say ‘when this happens’ but I believe that it’s true that every human being, including Christians, are in that actual situation. The only outcome possible is confusion, pain and destructive behaviour.

How do we establish what is ‘truth’ and what is ‘lie’? For the followers of Jesus Christ there is only one way. If he is “the way, the truth and the life” then he is the touch stone, the straight stone by which we can check the alignment of the things on which we build our lives. It’s in him that we see as clearly as ever revealed “what God meant and intended” for human beings. The behaviours God seeks, and the heart stance he looks for, are set out in the Law of God. However, if you were looking for “standards” then we need to know that in Jesus Christ God raised the bar. Compare:

Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Torah OT

Love one another as I have loved you New Covenant.

The New Testament tells us we have the mind of Christ, the Spirit of Christ (of Truth), the meekness and gentleness of Christ, the love of Christ – and on and on. It’s not that we aspire to get or have these things. We have them! We do aspire to live these truths out in daily living. Now that’s the real challenge.

So what are some of these truths in the lies drawer and lies in the truth drawer which stuff up our lives? Here’s some to think about.

All religions are the same in that they are all equal tracks to God.
God rewards all people with eternal life if they live good lives on earth. (check out what is said at almost any funeral)
The only way to handle depression is to get psychiatric help and medication.
All behaviours are okay if they cause no one physical harm.
I can be a Christian without worshipping.
There are no consequences for promiscuous behaviour.
Modern people know that abortion is not an issue anymore.
Baptism and Confirmation mean I’m guaranteed to be okay with God.
There’s no place for a human ‘spirit’ in the modern understanding of people and life.
The devil doesn’t exist.
Hell doesn’t exist (except as a town in Norway).
Yoga, Buddism, and the Christian faith are not in conflict with each other in any way.

I could go on with such examples. Even as I write this I realise there are many who’d disagree with what I’m suggesting. However the two basic commands of the New Covenant are the truths which can and need to inform our lives for salvation, let alone health, harmony and safety.

Here again are the great truths of the New Testament:

Truth One
What must we do to the works of God? (Jews question to Jesus John 6: 24-25)
His answer? “Believe in the one the Father has sent”. ie believe in and trust Jesus Christ. This is the primary command of the New Covenant.

Truth Two
How shall we live? “Love one another as I have loved you!” Jesus Christ to his disciples on the night before Good Friday.

He is truth folks. All else is smokescreen! And he forces us to consider that fundamental question – Is he a lunatic making idiotic claims?
Is he a liar making false claims?
Is he Lord, and what he says and does is revelation of truth and therefore to be trusted?

Happy digestion, or indigestion as the case may be.

Fred

“No loans from Jesus – just a gift”

2007-08-08T14:30:00.000+10:00

8 August 2007

Hi Guys, another contribution from Rene

Earlier this year I found myself thinking back to a sermon I heard quite a few years ago by an Anglican priest. He had been a schoolteacher earlier in his life and he told a story about a particular experience he’d had. Not long after starting in his new appointment an older more senior teacher approached him for a loan of £10, which he promised to pay back next payday.

The senior teacher promptly did pay back the money, but a couple of days later approached him again for another loan, another £10, which he again promised to pay back next payday. Only this time the loan wasn’t paid back on time. It eventually was, but the priest told of how much he had anguished over it and wondering if he would ever get his money back, so much so that he decided he would never again lend money, but would give it away if he had it to give. His reasoning was that if he gave something away, it was a gift, and therefore he had no reason to expect it back, and therefore no cause for anguish.

I loved that story, and decided it would become my principle also. Over the years God has blessed me with the means to give to others in need, and that Anglican priest is absolutely right. If you give it away, you have no thoughts of expecting repayment, and consequently no anguish about any outstanding debt owed to you. I’ve followed that principle ever since hearing his sermon, except once – just once.

Someone came to me a few years ago – someone I like, a good bloke – asking if I could help him out. He could no longer service a loan and was faced with repossession. Now, I like this fellow, but from what he had told me about himself, and the opportunities it seemed he’d been given during his life, I formed the opinion that he had not been as financially responsible as he might have been. It’s a big thing for me – financial responsibility – organising your life so that you can pay your bills on time, pay your taxes, your rent, your mortgage, or whatever. So I decided I wouldn’t give him the money, but rather, I’d lend it and he would repay me in monthly instalments over a period of two years.

Well, not long after, he fell behind in his repayments. He’d catch up, but then fall behind again, first one month, then two, then three, and all the while I anguished about what was owed to me, and I thought some very uncharitable things about this fellow – whom I liked and counted as a friend. In the end we renegotiated a repayment schedule of smaller instalments to be paid over a longer period. But I was determined the loan would be repaid in full – not so much because I needed the money, but because I believed my friend needed to learn financial responsibility. There was a principle involved, wasn’t there?

Then I read some notes in relation to Jesus’ trial and crucifixion – notes about Jesus not accusing his accusers, not demanding his rights, not protesting about his mistreatment, not anguishing over what others owed him, but instead calling out “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

A little voice was saying to me, “René, look at how much you have in your Super Fund. Look at the investments and assets you have.” “Yes Lord, I know – you’ve been very good to me. The balance sheet shows lots of assets and no liabilities. But Lord, with respect to my friend, there’s a principle involved here, isn’t there?”

“Mmmm”, said the little voice. “Yes, principles. But what about the principles you’ve failed to live up to over the years, René? What about the principles you’ve disregarded – and we’re not talking about a piddling little loan repayment are we?” Ouch!

“And, by the way, your friend hasn’t actually disowned his debt to you, has he? He’s never walked away from it; he’s committed to paying it back – he’s just a little behind, that’s all. And those assumptions and conclusions you’ve drawn about your friend and his situation, are you sure they’re correct? Are they fair?” Ooh! Double ouch!

Jesus doesn’t have any problems with loan repayments. He’s cancelled all debts. With his blood he has paid out all that was owed. He, who had done nothing wrong has compensated for our wrongdoing. When he was numbered with the criminals, he didn’t demand his rights or call a lawyer to set him free. He didn’t accuse his accusers or point out how foolish it was for them to think him a lawbreaker. He didn’t protest that he was being mistreated or judged improperly. He didn’t call down the wrath of God to punish those sinners. Instead he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

When others took away the few possessions Jesus had and sorted through them before his eyes, he didn’t fight to hold on to what was his. He didn’t prove they belonged to him by waving receipts, or identification numbers, or loan agreements in their faces. Instead, he called on his Father to forgive them.

His response to those who mocked and insulted him was to purposely turn aside their anger with a softer answer: the only and ultimate answer for sin – a word of forgiveness. It put my attitude towards my friend’s debt into proper perspective and I was able to cancel his debt.

The effect was immediate; the Anglican priest was right. The anguish associated with wondering if I would ever be repaid evaporated. You see, if it’s not yours to expect back, there is no reason for anguish. A gift is a gift, after all, with no conditions attached.

Such is Christ’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life. He doesn’t anguish over debt, because he knows what he has to give can never be repaid. That’s why grace is a gift, not a loan.

René van den Tol
Sydney Lutheran Parish

19 July 2007

Annoying Heaven out of God

2007-08-01T12:02:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 92

1 August 2007

Our Men’s breaky guys have been reading a Philip Yancey book on prayer. In a chapter entitled “ASK, SEEK, KNOCK” he gets into two stories Jesus told about a persistent friend who needs help and a persistent widow who needs justice. Jesus’ point is that our Lord is telling us he’s surely listening.
Here’s some of the text:

“Older versions of the Bible apply the little-used word ‘importunate’ to the widow and the borrower in Jesus’ stories. Sometimes our requests will seem annoying, as that word implies. I think of William Wilberforce submitting the same bill, year after year, before Parliament as he argued, importunately, for the abolition of slavery. Or of Senator William Proxmire giving a speech every day on the floor of the Senate – 3211 speeches delivered over nineteen years – until his colleagues finally passed a bill outlawing genocide. I think of Sister Helen Prejean, portrayed in the movie Dead Man Walking, who tirelessly crosses the United States pleading against the death penalty. And of Martin Luther King Jr as he addressed the bloodied Selma marchers from the steps of Alabama’s state capital, voicing again and again their question about justice: ‘How long?...How long?...How long will it take?’
Activists who take up a cause – third-world debt, AIDS in Africa, homelessness, abortion, sexual trafficking, racism, hate crimes, drink driving, health care, unjust wars, the environment, pornography, prison reform, terrorism, human rights and a hundred others – will doubtless grow weary and may be tempted to give up the fight. To them, God must resemble the callous judge or the crotchety neighbour in Jesus’ stories. Jesus insists otherwise. Unlike the judge and the neighbour, God has infinite tolerance for our requests and demands, especially those supporting the cause of God’s own kingdom. Why else would the Bible include so many importuning psalms, so many prophetic laments?
In his sermon ‘The Parable of the Importunate Widow’, Helmut Thielicke notes that ‘God is doing nothing less than offering to his praying church a part in his government of the world’. The giants of history, Thielicke says (thinking of his contemporaries Hitler and Stalin), stride across the stage under the delusion that they are directing the drama of the world, whereas in reality they are only bit players permitted on-stage for a moment. Real power rests in those who perceive history as God’s own drama, who tap into a power accessible only to those who ask and seek and knock. Prayer sets God loose. As we revolt against the world’s disorder in our actions and in our prayers, refusing to resign ourselves to evil, we demonstrate that there remains, in Jesus’ phrase, ‘faith on the earth’.
Generations may pass before persistent prayer receives its answer. How many soldiers died before Thielicke’s own prayers for peace and justice in his homeland Germany were answered? How many Jews died praying for a future at a time when it seemed the entire race was being incinerated? Filipinos prayed, importunately, for relief before People Power brought down a corrupt regime. Millions languished in prison camps before the Iron Curtain fell to the ranks of peaceful protestors. How many Chinese Christians still suffer imprisonment and torture while outside the prison walls an unprecedented spiritual revival continues to gather steam?
On a more personal level, how many abuse victims plead for healing and still wake up every day feeling wounded and ashamed? Addicts pray for deliverance and then rise each day to fight the same relentless battles. Parents grieve in prayer over children who seem determined to live self-destructively”.

Go on! Annoy God. Be very annoying! Be importunate. Get on his case. Tell him he’s promised to do things, to listen, to respond. Remind him he cares! Let there be faith on earth! “You promised… Your kingdom come”.

Be Blessed friends

Fred

“You have no right to be here! This is a Jesus meeting!

2007-07-25T10:12:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 91

25 July 2007

“You have no right to be here! This is a Jesus meeting! And you have no right to be here!” These words still ring in my ears as loudly and as piercingly today as when I first heard them several years ago. I was at the annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Canberra. It’s a gathering of people who confess their faith in Jesus Christ – politicians from all sides of politics, parliamentary workers, and members of the public – and an occasion to give glory to God and to pray for our nation.

It started off really well – an opening prayer, and warm and friendly conversation at the tables. Religious leaders came to the microphone and proclaimed the Gospel. Politicians were invited to lead in prayer or read a passage from Scripture. There was a good feel about the whole occasion.

At a point well into proceedings a prominent politician was invited to read from the Bible. He had barely started when the serenity in the hall was brutally punctured by the angry, indignant, impassioned cry of: “You have no right to be here!”

I felt the full force of it because it came from the table right behind me. I looked around and saw a diminutive, very well dressed, elderly gentleman on his feet, his finger pointing accusingly at the politician. His face was bright scarlet with anger. I could see the veins dilated in his neck, his eyes glaring at the politician with indignation and outrage.

Then he called out again. “You have no right to be hear!” and this time he gave a reason why he believed this particular politician had no right to be there, which I won’t go into here. By now everything had come to a halt and all eyes were upon him. Then he called out – twice – something I will never forget: “This is a Jesus meeting, a Jesus meeting! And you have no right to be here!”

Another man at the table gently urged the enraged man to take his seat. He did. He composed himself and sat down. The politician handled the situation very well, I thought, and offered to arrange a time to talk with the man about the issue over which he felt so strongly. The proceedings resumed and the politician completed the reading.

But I can’t remember the rest of the prayer breakfast. I kept hearing: “This is a Jesus meeting! And you have no right to be here!” This is a Jesus meeting! – and I thought to myself, “Is it? Is it really?”

I thought, what is this fellow’s understanding or definition of a “Jesus meeting?” What would be the agenda for his “Jesus meeting” – what would be the business arising? Clearly, there would be rules and conditions for who could attend and who could not. If someone has no right to be here, then implicitly there must be terms and conditions that have to be met before an individual does have the right to be here. This would not a meeting for all, but for insiders only – those who had earned the right to be there. Clearly, the man considered himself to be an insider and the politician an outsider.

I have no doubt that this man was sincere and genuinely concerned for those affected by the issue he raised. It was a sensitive issue and he was impassioned about it, and rightly so. But by his own inference of what he viewed as a “Jesus meeting” he had behaved remarkably like Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7:36-8:3.

Like the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, the meeting between Jesus and Simon the Pharisee centred round a meal and, like the Prayer Breakfast, all was going well until an outsider disrupted proceedings – a woman known to be a sinner, who in the eyes of Simon the Pharisee had no right to be there because her credentials didn’t qualify her to attend his definition of a Jesus meeting.

Jesus read Simon’s thoughts and told him a parable about a man who cancelled two debts – one for a man whose debt was small, the other for a man whose debt was enormous – from which Simon correctly concluded that the one who owed the much greater debt had more reason to be grateful? Jesus used this parable to contrast the caring, welcoming action of the woman with Simon’s own lack of hospitality.

It’s an invitation from Jesus for Simon – and for all of us who at times are quick to judge someone as having no right to be here – to view things from Jesus’ perspective.

Jesus is saying, “Simon, look at this woman.” He is saying to the man at the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, “Friend, look at this politician.” He’s saying to me, “René, look at this person you believe should be excluded from the Kingdom.” He’s saying to you, “Look at this person you believe is an outsider and has no right to be here.”

He is saying, “Look, what do you see?” Do you see a sinner in need of exclusion, a sinner who has no right to be here, or do you see a sinner in need of forgiveness and reconciliation. Do you see a person who needs to be cast out, without concern, or do you see a person full of hunger who needs life-giving nourishment.

It all depends how we look at it. There is a difference in the way Simon the Pharisee saw the woman and the way Jesus saw her, just as there is a difference in the way the man at the breakfast saw the politician and the way Jesus sees him.

Jesus says: “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” (Matt 11:28-30).

There is a message here for us who see ourselves as insiders. Our temptation sometimes is to look at someone else and say, yes I know I’m a sinner, we are all sinners, but that person is a real sinner, a bad sinner. It’s easy for us to grade sin on a scale of one to ten, and of course our sins are always at the low end of the scale. It makes it easy to set limits – what is excusable and forgivable, as opposed to what we deem would disqualify someone from having the right to be at our Jesus meeting.

But for Jesus, forgiveness is a gift to be received with empty hands, no matter how unworthy the recipient. In Jesus, our heavenly Father is busy inviting everyone to meet him – even unworthy and sinful politicians.

You see, the business of a Jesus meeting is forgiveness and salvation for all. We don’t need to present our credentials, which is just as well, because we don’t have any. We all fall short of the glory of God. The credential that gives us entry to a “Jesus meeting” is the Cross of Christ, and we did nothing, and could do nothing to merit a stake in that on our own account. We merit the righteousness of Christ by God’s grace on account of Jesus Christ alone and for the sake of Jesus Christ alone.

On leaving the breakfast I noticed the fellow who had earlier called out against the politician sitting at the table talking with the other man who had earlier urged him to sit down. This time there was a thoughtful, reflective look in the eyes of the man who had earlier expressed such hostility. Perhaps, just perhaps, he was listening to the other man telling him about the forbearance of our loving, gracious God, who excludes no one, whose forgiveness is for all, and who wants all to come to repentance, so that none are lost. I would like to think so, for such is the essence of a real “Jesus Meeting.”

René van den Tol

Lost and found on Sydney Harbour

2007-07-18T13:23:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 90

18 July 2007

Hi Guys

This week's Cross Purposes comes to you courtesy of René van den Tol

The parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4-7 reads as follows:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

This parable was the Bible text for a sermon earlier this year, and in the process of my sermon preparation it became a reality for me on Sydney Harbour. You may recall the visit of the ocean liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 to Sydney in February. I took my boat out on the harbour to have a look.

Well, I motored to Circular Quay and it was absolute mayhem. Boats everywhere. I manoeuvred to a position quite close to the QE2 when someone came across behind me and clipped the back of my boat. Very soon after, the motor started to run erratically, and a few minutes later it died – and I nearly died with it. There I was, bobbing like a cork on a choppy Sydney Harbour. I gave everything a quick check. The fuel line and electrics still appeared connected. I turned the key – again, and again, and again. Nothing. The motor was completely dead.

By now I’m drifting in the one direction I didn’t want to be drifting – straight towards the QE2. As well as all the people in the boats there were thousands more watching from the shore. Four or five helicopters were circling overhead – most probably television crews. I made sure I kept my sunglasses on and I pulled my cap down further on my head. I didn’t want to be recognised. I could picture the news reports. Local idiot from the Lutheran Church slams into the side of the QE2. His only excuse – “The Devil made me do it.”

I tried to start to motor again. No joy. “Lord, I don’t need this. Deliver me. Ple e e e e e ease!!!”

At that point I could see myself in the parable – like the lost sheep wandering about aimlessly in the wilderness, I was drifting hopelessly on the Harbour, bleating for the shepherd.

After my big silent “Ple e e e e e ease” to the Lord, a fellow came past slowly on my port side and in desperation I called out, “Mate, I’m in trouble, my motor’s dead, can you give me tow, please?”

He did more than that. He backed up, and with his mate they secured me alongside their boat and we slowly motored to where the other boats had positioned themselves at a safe distance from the QE2.

Another vision came to mind, this time of the lost sheep being found by the shepherd, being lifted onto his shoulders, and being carried back safely to the fold.

After being secured to the other fellow’s boat, we propped right under the Harbour Bridge to enjoy the fanfare and I was able to take some photos. My boatie friend even offered me a beer, and when it was time to go he offered to tow me to his boat ramp at Gladesville, or to radio the Maritime service to come and tow me back to Roseville where my car and trailer were parked.

I settled for the second option, and while he was on the radio I took a closer look at my motor and noticed that the electrical connection wasn’t quite seated properly. It must have been slightly dislodged when I was clipped earlier. I gave it a tap to knock back into place, turned the key, and the motor started. I thanked the guys for their help and I was on my way.

God calls all of us to be shepherds to his people, particular the lost sheep. But sometimes we take up that call without the necessary humility that Jesus always showed, but rather with an attitude and air of self-righteousness and superiority that tends to be judgemental of others.

We need timely reminders, that we too are sheep who lose their way and get lost. On that evening on Sydney Harbour I received a timely reminder that I can get as hopelessly lost as anyone, but that in Jesus I have the perfect shepherd – the true shepherd, the only shepherd – who is always patiently trying to tell me that I am his sheep, and that when I get lost, he’s going to look for me. And when he sees what I’ve done, he turns to the Father and says, “Father, forgive him, for he doesn’t know what he is doing.”

Jesus gently reminds you that you, too, are his sheep and that he tirelessly searches for you every time you get lost. He is your shepherd. He is our shepherd who gave his life so that when we lose our way he can call out “Father, forgive them, for they do know what they are doing.”

René van den Tol

DROP THE BANANA!

2007-07-04T12:21:00.001+10:00

4 July 2007

Hi Guys

Yet another of the men who make up our weekly Men’s Breakfast has provided something for us to chew on this week. Morne Swanepoel is a man “out of Africa”. Here he shares a little truth he’s found which he knows is true.

“You have probably heard about a rather interesting method they sometimes use when trying to catch a monkey for the zoo. It seems that trappers take a small cage out into the jungle. Inside the cage they place a bunch of bananas and then they close it, locking the bananas inside. Now a monkey coming along and spotting the bananas, will reach through the narrow rungs of the cage and grab a banana. But he can't get it out. And no matter how hard he tries – twisting his hand back and forth – he can't pull his hand through the rungs while hanging on to the banana. And even with the approaching trappers he won't let go of the banana. For the trappers, it's simply a matter then, of coming up and grabbing the monkey. Now if you were standing there in the jungle, watching all of this happen, and wanted to save the monkey, you might yell in exasperation, "Drop the Banana!"

In the same way, we sometimes hang on to our problems and attitudes – attitudes that cloud our perspective, attitudes that alter our actions, attitudes that sidetrack our best intentions – and won't let go of them, even when it would be in our best interest to do so.

Why is that? Why are we continually plagued by long outstanding problems?
Why aren't they overcome or at least brought under control?

Could it quite possibly be that that is the way we want it? We can get so comfortable doing what we have always done that we don't want to overcome the inertia of continuing on as we are.

We don't want to drop the banana in our life because we really enjoy just doing what we have always done even if that behavior is not serving us well. There is a saying that "when you're in a hole, stop digging."
Sometimes we just have to bring everything to a complete halt. Make an assessment of what is going on and make the appropriate correction. The first step in changing your behavior is to stop doing the destructive action that got you there in the first place. Self-examination is necessary for change. But it can be uncomfortable. Comfort is one of the most demotivating forces on earth. It stops us from growing.

Sometimes we say, "I tried but I just can't do it." When we do, we need to catch ourselves – bells should go off in our head, fireworks should burst in the sky, we should immediately go into red alert—because we're really just kidding ourselves.

In fact, if we face reality, it's more likely, that it's not "we can't," or "we tried," it's that we really don't want to. We might want someone else to change. We might even fervently pray that they do so. But we don't really want to. We like things just they way they are. Trying is easier than doing. Doing takes discipline—consistent discipline.

I don't want the cheese, I just want to get out of the trap.

The problem is within. It's not parents. It's not other people. It's not our circumstances. It's us.

Actually about 80% of our problems are of our own making. A successful person always says, "What is it in me that I need to change?" They're open to the fact that they're not perfect.

Be blessed this week. Morne and Fred

Guilty but not guilty

2007-06-27T12:55:00.000+10:00

27 June 2007

Hi Guys

This week I’ve got a guest contributor. His name is Rene van den Tol, and he’s the Pastoral Assistant in the Sydney Parish. His encounter with the Law makes for interesting reading.

Fred

“Guilty but not guilty”

This is a story I shared recently with our men’s breakfast group. It sums up how we stand before God when we acknowledge our sinfulness, repent, and confess our faith in Jesus Christ.

Several years ago when I was living in Canberra a few friends visited from Sydney. We went out for a meal at a local club and during the course of the evening ordered several rounds of beer. I ordered light beer for myself when it was my shout and thought my friends had also ordered a light beer for me when it was their shout.

On my way home I noticed red and blue flashing lights reflecting off a road sign beyond the crest ahead and thought it could well be a breathalyser unit. At that point I could have turned into another road to avoid the unit if I’d thought my blood alcohol level was over the limit. Confident it was not, I continued on my way. As it turned out, it was a breathalyser unit, and I was pulled over and tested. To my dismay I recorded .07 and was duly driven to the police station for further testing, which confirmed I was over the limit.

I was told I was being charged for driving under the influence and that my car would be impounded overnight, and that I could collect it the next morning. A very considerate, and even sympathetic police officer advised me that as this was my first offence, the best approach would be to plead guilty, get an early hearing, and just tell the magistrate exactly what happened. Given the circumstances, there would be a good chance the magistrate would bring down a verdict of guilty with no conviction recorded. I took the police officer’s advice.

A few days later in the Magistrate’s Court, while waiting to be called forward, I witnessed over half a dozen people take the stand to answer DUI charges. I could hear the verdicts and the sentences. “Guilty! Twelve months suspension of licence.” “Guilty, loss of licence for two years and $2,000 fine.” “Guilty! You’ve been here once too often Mr Smith. Loss of licence and six months imprisonment.” And so it went on.

By now I had my head in my hands thinking the worst – public humiliation, loss of job, loss of licence. “Surely he ‘s not going to send me to jail, is he?” I continued to pray like fury.

When it was my turn to face the music, I stepped forward, hoping the fact I was wearing my best suit would make an impression, but feeling none too confident. My lawyer had advised me to defend myself and “just say it as it is” – just like the police officer had advised.

When asked to explain the circumstances behind my being in court, I told the magistrate exactly how it was. I was only a social drinker, who had gone out with some friends visiting from out of town. We’d had a meal and about five schooners over a period of three to four hours. I thought I’d been drinking light beer, but clearly, some of the beers had been full strength. I had noticed the flashing lights of what I thought could have been a breathalyser unit but felt confident I was under the limit and so had no cause for concern. I was dismayed to be told I was over the limit, but the technology doesn’t lie I told the magistrate, and so I had no defence. I was guilty and I acknowledged it.

The magistrate turned to the police prosecutor who was asked to read the police report. The officer at the scene had reported the facts of the matter. He included that Mr van den Tol appeared to have been in full control of his faculties and had shown no signs of intoxication. He had added that Mr van den Tol had been polite, respectful and fully cooperative at all times. The magistrate then asked me how long I had been driving and if I had ever been convicted before. “About thirty years” and “no” I replied.

At that point the magistrate advised that it was in his power to exercise discretion in these matters. He informed the court that he was sorry someone who had such a clean driving record for so many years had to appear before him, and then pronounced me, “Not guilty.”

“Not Guilty?” “But I pleaded ‘guilty’ didn’t I?” I asked myself. “How then can I be not guilty?” I puzzled.

It reminded me of an even more perplexing question and the amazing grace-filled response. We “blow” more than .05 every day in our relationship with God. We are not only guilty of sin; we are as guilty as sin. We all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But Jesus comes along – he who never “blew” as much as .0000005 – and takes the conviction and penalty for us. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

How can we be “guilty” and yet be considered, declared, and made “not guilty?” It happens, as I was reminded, by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

René van den Tol

To go forward you've got to go back

2007-06-13T14:06:00.000+10:00

13 June 2007

I have a young friend here in Sydney who comes from Lebanon. As a 9 year old in Beirut he broke his leg badly. It healed badly and he was left walking as a cripple, hobbling along at best.

His Dad heard about a doctor in (biblical) Sidon who was good with bones. Took young Kassem to see this specialist. The leg was soon examined, and the doctor announced that there was nothing wrong with the leg. All it needed was to be broken again, and reset in its proper place.

Kassem didn’t hear much past the “broken again”. He knew nothing of anaesthetic. What he did know was that breaking his leg had brought the worst pain he had ever felt and here was a doctor offering more of the same. He bolted! As fast as his gammy leg could take him, he shot out of that surgery and hid. His father, the doctor and friends of the family spent the day searching for him, but he stayed out of sight.

When his Dad eventually found him he was adamant he wasn’t having it fixed. His dad, a wise man, I reckon, said that was okay. ‘When you’re ready to have it fixed, we’ll get it fixed’.

Back in Beirut Kassem continued to hobble in his distorted way. His friends couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t get it fixed. Kassem remained fierce in his determination not to submit to the doctor. Until someone told him about anaesthetic. At that point he confronted his fears, went to Sidon, had his operation under anaesthetic, had his leg broken and reset, went home – and one month later was walking properly! He had to go back before he could go forward!

I wonder if you can understand that Kassem’s experience is a beautiful illustration of repentance. He needed to be free. Be he couldn’t be free until he went back to receive what he needed.

Kingdom Principle: To go forward you must first go back.

A couple of examples from recent scripture in Worship.

Simon Peter: Jesus wanted him in clear and clean relationship with him so that, among other things, he could use him to “fishing for human fish” in the kingdom. So what happens? Peter must first experience the glory of Jesus so that he knows the true nature of his sin. The revelation is so powerful that he cries out, “Go away from me for I am a sinful man, Lord”. Then, and only then, can Jesus say to him “It’s okay you need have no fear – follow me and I will make you a fisher of human fish!” (see Luke 5: 1-11)
Principle: You can’t go forward unless you first go back.

Young Isaiah: Dedicated young priest whose passion is the holiness of Yahweh and his Temple. In there one day, to pray, he sees “…the Lord, high and lifted up, and his presence filled the Temple… and the angels called to one another “Holy holy holy is the Lord Almighty. The whole earth is full of his glory”.

And how did young Isaiah respond to this revelation? “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips…” An angel brings forgiveness to him from the altar, and his guilt is taken away and sin atoned for. Then, and only then, can he hear the Lord calling: “Whom shall I send?” And Isaiah responds, “Here I am, send me!”. (Is. 6: 1-8)

There is the Kingdom Principle again. You can’t go forward unless you first go back.

Michael Leunig makes the same point in this simple cartoon!

Peace

Fred

“NO-WAY FRED!”

2007-06-06T10:11:00.001+10:00

6 June 2007

Hi Guys

This edition of Cross Purposes comes from my friend Fred Gollasch, who worked with me in Sydney last year. Here he shares something that is true of all of us… an initial stubbornness and deafness to the voice of the Lord.

I love the way God works! Twice, my life has taken dramatic changes in direction, and I realise there is a pattern involved reflecting both on me and on the Lord.

In early 2005 Fred Veerhuis called on me in my first year of busy retirement in Canberra for a coffee. We sat chatting at the dining room table and out of the blue he said, “Why don’t you stop talking about all this stuff around here, and come and help us out in our Sydney congregations next year?” I was shocked. My immediate response was, “NO-WAY!” Fred asked why, and I said, “Because I want a rest!” He said, “I can understand that”, and started on some other topic.

In less than a minute, I was no longer listening. The Spirit was at work in my head and my heart and I found myself thinking and praying, “Hang on a minute! Lord, you told us it was time to leave Warrambui, and you said you had other plans for us. Maybe this is part of your plan?” I interrupted Fred (who told me later he had no intention of suggesting that option when he came), and asked for more information. God did the rest. Over the next months we had God’s peace about moving to Sydney and me taking up a totally new roll as pastoral assistant in the two city churches. That year (2006) was one of our most fulfilling years. It was challenging, fruitful, stretching, and wonderful. God’s ways are best!

This experience took me back to early 1989 in Wagga. I had a phone call from Stan Scheetz asking if Inta and I were interested in applying for the management jobs at Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre near Canberra. I was not interested in change and my response was, “NO-WAY!” Stan accepted that and I went off to work and forgot about it. That night I thought, “Maybe I should tell Inta about that call!” She had never been as involved in Warrambui as I was, but I mentioned it and she floored me when she said, “THAT WOULD BE GREAT!”

God works in all sorts of mysterious ways. Inta to this day, does not know why she came out with that response, (it even surprised her), but it led to 15 of the most amazing years of our lives at Warrambui. Fred Veerhuis wasn’t planning to ask us to Sydney and yet it led to a wonderful year of rich joy and blessing for us, although it wasn’t easy. I didn’t want to change direction in life; in fact I was opposed to it both times. In response to God’s call I was “No-Way, Leave Me Alone, Fred!”

When our response is “No-Way Lord”, I love God’s patience as He waits for us to wake up to His reality. And on reflection we have lots of “No-Way” companions: Just three are - “No-Way Moses”, (when God called him to return to Egypt to rescue His people); “No-Way Jonah” (as God called him to witness to the people of Nineveh); “No-Way Peter” (who declared he would never be a “No-Way” man yet did it three times in denying His lord); and look what God did with those guys!

Looking back it is quite obvious that God plans our pathways in the greatest detail. Sometimes it comes to us gradually, sometimes the way it is revealed is sudden and surprising. I am thankful that God was patient enough to persevere with me, and nudge me with His Spirit at the right time.

It is crystal clear now that as hard as it is to change direction at times, if the Lord is calling us, the joys and blessings that come from following Him are so rich, why would we want to wander off in our own direction or stubbornly stick to what is safe and comfortable?

Next time God gives you a nudge, remember His promises: “My ways are not your ways…I will never leave you or forsake you.”

The Other Fred
(Fred Gollasch)

Beware the Power of Prayer

2007-05-30T14:04:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 85

30 May 2007

Hi Guys

Another Cross Purposes from someone else’s experience and knowledge. This one’s by Tony Perdriau and is challenging because it invites us to be vulnerable to the different ways God heals.

A couple of years ago I attended a school at Ellel, Gilbulla near Campbelltown, which dealt with all sorts of topics, one of which was anger. Towards the end of that particular teaching session the students were given the opportunity to ask God to bring to mind anything that was causing them deep seated anger.

At the end of that prayer all the class members enthusiastically went of to the various activities on offer to deal with their anger – except me. I sat there for a few minutes thinking I had no anger in me at all, I was the calmest guy I knew.

As the conference hall was needed for some of the activities, I had to move so I decided to dump my books in my room and go for a long walk.

This turned out to be the shortest “long walk” I have ever taken. I had taken maybe a dozen steps outside the conference hall when a loving Father God lifted the lid on a whole lot of suppressed anger that I had no idea was there. All of a sudden the calm (read control) was no longer there and I was furious.

I had known about a particular incident in my life for some years and had joked about it, albeit somewhat uncomfortably. It was in its own way reasonably trivial. If the words and actions had been addressed to an adult or even a teenager they would have been laughed off. But to a three year old, who had not developed the same ability to reason the impact was devastating and I realised it had coloured my whole life (hence the need to be calm and not make waves).

What followed was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.

Among the anger activities on offer to the class were a couple of barrels which were to be hit with something. Being a guy I needed to do something physical as a release. I turned up at the first barrel with steam blowing out of both ears. The person in charge took one look at me, looked at the plastic pipe he had in his hand and told me to see the next guy over as he had an axe handle.

It sounds ridiculous, a grown man trying to demolish a barrel with an axe handle but boy it felt good – not at the time necessarily, because all this anger was exploding out of me, I could let it go at last.

Even through the red haze of all this anger I was conscious that it was directed at the incident itself, not at the person involved. The term “controlled explosion” comes to mind and the whole episode was under control. Fortunately it was Jesus Christ’s control and not mine, after all, my method of control was to bury it, while Father God knew it had to come out.

Looking back on that childhood incident now there is a sense of sadness that it ever happened. I no longer joke about it, however uncomfortably, and the sense of pain and loss covered by that “joking” has been taken away. I just thank God that He took me at my word and answered my prayer in such a way that the power of the incident was broken while the personal relationship involved was strengthened.

So beware of the power of prayer, you may get what you ask for and you may feel that you have been put through the wringer. But one thing’s for sure, as Father God chooses to answer it you will be all the better for it.

Tony Perdriau

The laterite rock basin beneath.

2007-05-17T11:10:00.000+10:00

Some years ago brother Leon and his wife Jo, and yours truly and Rose went for a long drive. West of Ceduna we turned north up to Maralinga, then headed due west until we got into WA. When we reached the first town (Laverton, I think), we headed north up into the Pilbara and then the Kimberly.

There’s lots to tell about that trip but I want to tell you about one small episode. (If you’ve heard this before forgive me – I’m never really sure when I’m picking up an item a second time). Driving up on the Gibb River Road – rough as guts, and washed away in many places – we arrived one afternoon at the King Edward River which was in flood. We wanted to cross over because that was the way to the Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls. However, the just visible aerial of a 4WD that got washed off the crossing was fair warning.

Not long after we set up tents a couple of Rangers rocked up in their 4WD – contemplated for a while – tested water depth by walking across – cleared the biggest rocks off the causeway – and drove across in just under 3 feet of water. Next morning we did too.

The Rangers had camped in a clearing across the other side and when we arrived we got into a long talk about lots of stuff. One of them whose name I remember as “Brownie” was talking about river heights and flowing water. At one point he said something that struck me as really profound.

“People think that all this water is because of this year’s rain. Actually most of this water is from last year’s rain. The rocks around here are laterites. They have iron in them. Over the years the iron rusts out and the rock is like a giant porous sponge. In really wet years it’s a giant water storage and it’s still flowing strongly years later”.

It was something like that. And I thought: “Fred, there’s a Pentecost sermon right there. We think we’re going to flow with the Spirit right now because the Spirit’s been rained on us right now. Actually the ‘flow” we have today – that capacity to give ourselves, and to give from ourselves, freely, joyously, generously, sacrificially, - comes from the Words of Jesus, his Kingdom and his Gospel, which have been placed in us and found a place in us in the years before this day”.

That’s what I thought then. I still think it. Jesus used a different idea, making the identical point, when he said that the oil in our lamps today is oil we put in there yesterday, and had in reserve even before that. We give from the fullness of the Spirit’s rain because the Spirit’s had an opportunity to fill us. We share and love from the storehouse our Lord created in us and which we allow him to fill. It’s the only way to survive those long, lean, desolate and dry periods which inevitably come.

So how to be like laterite rocks and soils? Only one way! Live humbly before our Lord, deliberately saying no to human self serving, self protective ways of building ourselves up. Placing ourselves, emptying ourselves, before him so that the gospel word gets to fill up a hungry and thirsty heart.

Bless You

Fred

When they’re empty you can’t keep them together!

2007-05-04T10:21:00.001+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES #83

04 May 2007

When they’re empty you can’t keep them together!

Walking out of the Prince of Wales Hospital the other day I encountered a young man with a 4 wheel trolley who was ferrying a stack of those empty 15 litre plastic bottles back to his truck. His problem was that the footpath was bumpy in the extreme and, in any case it sloped off bumpy to the left. The bottles kept falling off, both sides, and rolling away. He was not happy.

As I passed by I muttered some words of comfort – something about a “tough job”. He looked at me and said, with venom, “When they’re empty you can’t keep them together”.

I went on my way full of wonder at that young man’s footpath theology. He spoke a truth Jesus would own about his followers. Isn’t it just true of the strength of the community of Christians that, “when they are empty you can’t keep them together”.

We long to be strong in community, effective, united, having a sense of committed togetherness, friendship and common purpose. For that to happen, to be our normal way of living, we need to be filled. It’s only as we are filled properly that we get well-bonded together and anchored in any storm.

Jesus made it clear that we must guard our hearts so that they are filled with the good oil of the gospel.

It’s not as though it’s beyond as. Paul prayed for the people he was looking after that they would be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3: 19). And he summoned that Ephesian church to the ongoing challenge of “being filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5: 18). He knew this to be important because the Spirit, the creator of our trust in Jesus Christ, the source of our freedom to give thanks and praise, is also the faith community’s source of unity.

He wrote, “Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together” (Eph 4: 3).

As I wrote above, the Spirit is he who creates, builds, and maintains our trust in Jesus Christ. And of Jesus Christ Paul writes;… “for the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, and you have been give full life in union with him” (Col 2: 9-10). Not for nothing does John say, “…from his fullness we have all received” (John 1: 16).

So there it is. To keep coming, day by day, week by week for refilling. Of course it requires our emptying ourselves through repentance - turning away from what we know in Christ is wrong, sinful, even evil and wicked. As our “turning away” becomes a turning towards Christ – well, the filling to fullness continues.

Pastor Fred

Hickstrionics

2007-04-13T17:11:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES 82

13 April 2007

Hickstrionics

A couple of years ago I included a reference to a current political episode in our Christmas letter to friends and family. For my trouble I got back a note from a friend who said he loved the season and the greeting but was ‘really disappointed that I’d sullied it all by referring to politics’.

He didn’t like or agree with what I’d written! That aside, the whole Jesus Christ story is about a heavenly intrusion on “Current political arrangements!” My suspicion is that my friend is so aligned on one side politically that anyone who expresses a contrary view is going to elicit a blast.

I’ve got something similar going in my current writing. Mention David Hicks and I’m going to receive another anonymous note remonstrating with me over mixing faith and the world. It’s like having a fish on the line. Throw out a bait, (refer to Mr Hicks), and you get a strike. It’s not what you say, it is that you mention his name. In this case I’ve coined the term “Hickstrionics” to describe it. And now that the “trial” is over – those who are hickstrionic are out in force.

Made me wonder what it is that makes your blood boil? What is it that really gets you going? Maybe the right question is, ‘who is it that really gets you going?’ I’m not much of a psychologist but it is perfectly obvious that almost all of us have someone / something that pushes our buttons – someone / something, the mere mention of whom or which can ruin our day.

An example. Not long ago I was having a chat with a man who is the author of a number of books – some about political figures, others about military people and stories. In the course of that conversation I mentioned Sydney author Peter Fitzsimmons and his writing on Tobruk and Kokoda. The reaction was instantaneous. A look of anger / contempt flashed over his face. Then the shutters went up, the eyes glazed, and the conversation was abruptly ended. Professional jealousy? Maybe.

He’s not alone. It’s likely that as a public figure his reactions are going to get noticed. But I suspect most of us have similar stuff going on and therefore need to hear the call of Jesus Christ to “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Take up the invitation to unload your junk. As a dear friend of mine discovered, it was impossible to freely pray for someone else, (read: to have pity for someone else), until she unloaded years of accumulated self pity.

So, away with Hickstrionics, which reveal so much of the old Adam in us, and get on with being made Christlike.

Bless You, and bless your soul work.

Fred

Space, place and face = grace

2007-03-29T13:27:00.000+10:00

CROSS PURPOSES #81

29 March 2007

Space, place and face = grace

Hi Guys, a short Cross Purposes for Holy Week.

1. Jesus Christ came and shared our space

“The Word became flesh and lived (pitched his tent) among us”. John 1: 14

2. Jesus Christ came and entered himself into our place.

“God made him to be sin, who knew no sin…” 2 Cor 5: 21

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. John 1: 29

3. Jesus Christ, through Cross and Resurrection, has made it possible (and free) for us to behold God’s face.

“… through him (Christ) we have access in one Spirit to the Father”. Eph 2: 18

And this my friends, is the meaning of grace.

Or as my friendly post office person Anne says: ‘Grace is what you get when you don’t get what you deserve to get’.

May your repenting be joyful, even if painful, and welcomed, even if humbling!

Jesus is Lord. Grace abounds!

Pastor Fred

If you are in Sydney over this Easter period, the following are our Service times at St Pauls (3 Stanley St, East Sydney – opp Hyde Park).

Good Friday 10.30am HC
Easter Sunday 10.30am HC

Parking is available at Sydney Grammar opposite the church.

A Bridge too far? No, a bridge from one side!

2007-03-24T20:00:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES #80

23 March 2007

A Bridge too far? No, a bridge from one side!

There’s been lots of talk about ‘bridges’ around Sydney these last few weeks. Well, really about one bridge – the Sydney Harbour Bridge – which was officially opened 75 years ago, on March 19, 1932. Sydneysiders have ‘The Bridge’ in the psyches. It has become something in ’the spirit of the place’ that marks this city.

I reckon we’d be hard put to find an Australian who wouldn’t instantly recognize it, alongside the Sydney Opera House. After all, we put it on display for the Sydney Olympics, and every Australia Day celebration too. Most surveys conclude that it is one of the most instantly recognised structures in the world.

(However I did once have an occasion when I took a visiting South African clergyman – black, and from the townships – to see some of the sights. From South Head we looked back along the Harbour to the Bridge and Opera House and he had no idea what it was. He’d never ever seen it before and it meant nothing to him. He wasn’t at all impressed with any of the lovely homes I was showing him either!)

All the photos of the Harbour Bridge while it was under construction show the development of the arch coming equally from both sides, like giant fingers reaching out, that must meet each other perfectly at the peak in the middle. And of course they did, I think to within half a centimeter.

It’s all had me thinking about that ‘other’ bridge which was needed to span the apparently unbridgeable gap between the Holy God and the children of Adam and Eve. Those of you who are still biblically literate might remember such phrases as:

“…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3: 23)

“Your sins have made a separation between you and your God”.

“…you were separate for Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world”. (Eph 2: 12)

“… you were dead…” (Eph 2: 1) – and dead people build no bridges!

What is really telling is that Eph 2: 6 talks about us sitting with Christ at the Fathers right hand in heaven! On the ‘God-side’ of the divide! How did we / do we get there? Because God, in his mercy, built a bridge to us which enabled us to come to him. It begins with that first Christmas where God comes to live among us, (Immanuel = God with us). It continues to Good Friday, where that person called Jesus Christ enters into death, into that separation, in our place, having absorbed into himself all human sin and evil as he went! That lays the foundation for the ‘bridge way’ back to the Holy God. The Easter Sunday risen Jesus Christ draws us with him, forgiven, into the Father’s presence! This bridge is built on the blood, sweat and tears, and death, of the eternal Son of the eternal Father.

It’s our bridge to life. And we are set free to walk on that bridge as we acknowledge and confess two things:

That who and what I am, as far as holiness is concerned, doesn’t cut it with God – and never will.
That who and what Jesus Christ is does cut it with God. Indeed it’s the only thing / he’s the only One who does cut it with God – and he alone is Saviour and Lord.

Acknowledge and confess that and, well, the bridge is yours!

Happy Good Friday and Easter celebrations

Pastor Fred

Giving Jesus the boot!

2007-03-16T14:57:00.001+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES #79

16 March 2007

Giving Jesus the boot!

I was at a conference not long ago where a bunch of capable ‘interns’ produced a skit about a young lass who gets a car of her own. Hops in the drivers’ seat and takes it for a spin. Sees her friend Jesus along the way and invites him to drive! All’s well. Sees another friend walking by and invites him to sit in the front seat while she drives. Jesus gets asked to take a back seat!

A third friend joins the joy ride and then a fourth, at which time Jesus is given the boot! (US = trunk) Literally!

I was reminded of this while reading in a book on Prayer by Phillip Yancey. He quotes one of my all time favourite Bible verses (which I’ll freely admit I’ve been hard pressed to ever manage to achieve). It’s this:

“Be still and know that I am God”

I’m not a very good “be still” person. Not ever. Not anywhere.

Anyway, Yancey points out that the Latin version for ‘be still’ is vacate! It’s as though God says to us “Go take a holiday!”, or “Go play truant for a while!”. Go away! Vamoose! Scat! Get out of my hair!

Is that an easy thing for us to absorb? Just give him the field for a while – or in the car story – let him drive. It’s all about control isn’t it? If it’s my car (my life) I want to be the director of operations, I want to determine the journey, decide the goal. Inevitably you and I finish up at dead ends, or trapped in the flooded creek beds of life, or get caught in the blizzards from hell. We are such slow learners.

I wonder if we can learn to ‘vacate’. Could we learn that the business of life is not that we invite Jesus in as passenger? That genuine wholeness, health and purpose comes when he’s the driver. We are summoned into his journey rather than he being invited into our journey. For me it’s a trust issue. Having spent much of my life learning that I don’t give way my trust easily, if at all, I’m now called to hand it over. Scary! But Alive! Risky! But full of hope!

So there it is. Vacate!

Be blessed whatever you do this week.

Reminder that the book – ‘Shit Happens, Grace Surprises’ is available by order through
info@ferryhouse publishing.com

The ATO as an ATM

2007-03-09T14:33:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 78

9 March 2007

The ATO as an ATM

I’m married to Rosemarie who brings many blessings into my life, not least of which is the fact that she’s a pretty expert specialist tax-preparer. There’s not much she doesn’t know about helping people with income tax returns. I marvel at her efficiency, her knowledge, and her people skills. Above all, I marvel at her honesty and courage in holding clients to the line of what is, and what is not, acceptable according to the Tax Law in the eyes of the Tax Office.

I don’t ever have to worry about getting my tax return done on time – it’s done for me! Wasn’t always like that. For probably the first fifteen or so years of our marriage I completed the tax returns. (There had to be some pay-off for a Bachelor of Commerce I never used!).

I often fudged the figures. Claimed expenses I had no business claiming, didn’t show income that should have been included. It was normal. As far as I knew, everybody did it. You got away with whatever you could. Bothered the conscience for a while each year but it passed. Always breathed a sigh of relief when the assessment was returned, with cheque, without being contested. Needless to say, economical with the truth.

Over the years the Lord above had to use a baseball bat on me a few times to drive me toward integrity. In the end, clarity with him became so important that un-clarity elsewhere – compromises in honesty – had to go. I’m free and I’m grateful.

You can understand then that I was taken by a comment I heard at Men’s Breakfast recently: “Some of my friends treat the ATO as an ATM!” Really struck a chord. And instantly had me thinking again of our journeys toward integrity. And I mean journeys. I’m sure some will say that they’ve always been honest as the day is long. Never been like that for me, nor for most (honest) people I know. Decisions are made day by day, week by week, year by year, and not always on the side of truth.

But things change. It’s not only about “complying with the Law”, or about “living with yourself”, or “preserving your reputation”. Lasting change came to me, and for me, as “I looked into the eyes of Jesus and saw the person I was meant to be!” (Zaccheus in The Robe). When that happened to me, the drive to get it right came from the inside. The drive to get it right was matched by a longing to get it right. Love begets love which begets truth. A clean heart (ie forgiven!) drives a clean life. When that happens the ATO is where I make legitimately required deposits and claims, and the heavenly Boss provides the ATM.

What about Reparation?
Yes, what about reparation? What about making good what one did, (equals obtained dishonestly), in the past? I’ve worked out my own ways to respond to that need, essentially by the way I handle giving away things / money when that’s required.

I’ve never rung the Tax Office and asked how I could repay what is owed. I know someone who did and he was told there was no protocol for it. He did his own calculation and sent off his cheque! He also had a rethink about all the sickies he took before his moment of truth and asked his earthly boss about setting that right. Again there was no mechanism for it, so he did a calculation and worked extra overtime for a couple of years to clean the slate!

There is a joy in being honest. And a freedom. There’s a greater joy and a great freedom in being able to be honest.

Take care

Fred

The Government, David Hicks, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and you, and me.

2007-02-28T10:32:00.000+11:00

28 February 2007

The Government, David Hicks, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and you, and me.

Those of you who know me reasonably well will be aware that I have long had a problem with the way the business of David Hicks has been handled. Each of us has to think our way through the issues. In this case I’ve had a sense that “something is not right with this picture”.

Let me declare upfront that I believe David Hicks deserves to be punished if indeed he is guilty of a crime. As Paul observes in Romans: “The emperor does not bear the sword in vain” If we keep in mind the distinction between Caesar and God which Jesus makes, it’s perfectly expected, and to be supported, that those who sin against a community must expect to be held accountable by the justice system. Justice must apply.

From a historic western, legal point of view there is a problem because David Hicks has been unable to have his day in court! That reflects on us as a secular society and the values we hold.

From a Pastor’s viewpoint something else has troubled me greatly. It’s this: Our government leaders, most of whom have strong Christian ties, and who are part of worshipping communities, make much of the fact that Australia is a Christian country with values, with ethics and morals, which arise out of the Judaeo – Christian history of Europe. This is expressed in a commitment to Ten Commandment type values. In the process our system of justice, and how it is put out there as the thing that makes us as uniquely Christian. It’s this commitment to bible principles which marks us a Christian. Viewed from this perspective, what has been allowed to happen (or not happen) to David Hicks creates no problems.

How about we approach this with the prodigal son in mind (Luke 15). There is a son who has messed up not only his life – but his position in the family! In that story, what marks the Father’s heart is the longing to have his son return, the rush to forgive, the declaration of welcome home, all wrapped in compassion and mercy. Not everybody likes the idea but that father always kept open a way back for his son. Now there’s a true Christian value from the mouth of Jesus himself! And how that stands in contrast to the position of the older brother who is deeply resentful of the unfairness of it all when he himself has always done the right thing.

I think what has offended me is this: that David Hicks is an Australian Citizen, who has been hung out to dry by his Government. I tell you straight, if one of my sons were to do something heinous, which warranted time in gaol, do I disown him? No! He’s still my son. He remains my son, and I long for him to be home. If it was against me that he had committed the crime, he’s still my son, and I still want him home.

There’s my conclusion. If we are going to argue this case on Christian foundations, we have to keep compassion, mercy and forgiveness, and reinstatement, in the picture. That’s the way of our heavenly Father. If justice (and fairness) is the only consideration then we line ourselves up with the older brother. We line ourselves up with the Pharisees!

Ah, how difficult it is to live out the mercy and forgiveness so freely given to us through Calvary!

Pastor Fred

Crash Helmets and Church Bells

2007-02-23T13:02:00.001+11:00

23 February 2007

Crash Helmets and Church Bells

Today’s Cross Purposes is not mine. I have ‘borrowed’ it from “Pulpit Resource” Feb 4, 2007. It touched something deep in me. I pray it does so for you too!

Writer Steven Vryhof tells the story of a miraculous, life-giving glimpse of God in worship:

One Sunday morning, years ago, I entered a Lutheran Church in a small village on the coast of Sweden. Perhaps because of the early hour, or the lure of a beautiful summer morning, or the effects of state-run Lutheranism, there were only fourteen congregants gathered. The minister was a slender, blonde lad who had to be fresh out of seminary. I struggled with the Swedish hymns and the Lutheran tendancy to stand to pray and sit to sing, the opposite of what I was used to. I joined the others at the front railing for communion, taking the bread and the wine, then returning to my seat.

While the minister, his back to us, was putting away the elements, a parishioner, a middle-aged woman, returned to the front, this time pushing an old woman, presumably her mother, in a wheelchair. The mother had the classic nursing-home look: slumped to the right, thin, scraggly, colourless hair, vacant eyes, and a slack-jaw with her tongue showing a bit. She was here for communion. There was an awkward minute as we all waited for the minister to notice the two waiting at the railing. He finally did turn, perceived the situation, and proceeded to retrieve the elements. He carefully administered the bit of bread and the sip of wine to the old woman. And then he paused, and I held my breath, because I knew what was going to happen next. The young minister looked at the old woman, physically a wreck of a human being, and he said to her the most important words that one human being can say to another human being. The minister looked her right straight in the eye, and said to her, “var Herre Jesus Krist, vem kroop och blod ni hartatt emot, bevaran din sjal til evigh liv”. Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose body and blood you have received, preserve your soul unto everlasting life.

And I suppose it was a coincidence, but it was a God-given coincidence nonetheless. At that precise moment, the bells of the church started pealing, ringing and resonating and resounding and reverberating through the church and through me, making the hair on the back of my head stand up. Heaven touched earth and it seemed that Var Herre Jesus Krist, himself was saying, “Yes! I will do that!” And then the Father and the Spirit joined the Son, and using the same words given to Julian of Norwich, the Triune God proclaimed loudly over the ringing of the bells, “I may make all things well, and I can make all things well, and I shall make all things well; and I will make all things well, and you will see yourself that every kind of thing will be well!”
(Steven Vryhof, “Crash Helmets and Church Bells”, Perspectives, August/September 2000, p.3).

Audio, Video, Disco – Email, Snail Mail

2007-02-17T13:01:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 75

Some years ago in London, well after audio tapes had been invented, and not long after video clips had gotten a foothold in music promotion, and about the time schools began running discos, some company or other was doing foundation work for a new building, when a stone with an inscription was unearthed. It was in Latin and it read Audio Video Disco. Archaeologists dated it around 200AD.

It translates to I hear, I see, I learn. The archaeologists believed it to be the headstone from a Roman School in Londinium. Those who chiseled it out, or those who taught there, would never have guessed how it might look and sound in 1990!

I don’t suppose one day another store will be unveiled which has “Audio, Video, Disco, E-know”. (We do have emailscam but that’s a different matter).

What is true is that the original stone captured something about learning in any culture, in any time, in any place. I learn by hearing and by seeing. Teachers know it to be true. Jesus Christ taught this way as well. His Parables were straight out of life.

A farmer went out to sow…
A merchant found the finest pearl…
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed...
A King goes to war against another twice as strong...
You put your hand to the plough… and look back...
A man had 100 sheep…

Jesus taught from the agricultural perspective of his listeners, and from the domestic perspective as well.

No one lights a lamp and puts it under a barrel.
I am the Light of the World…
A woman has 10 coins…
A man had two sons…
Five virgins were wise, five were foolish! – this one is straight out of the wedding drama.

The Apostle Paul sought for images in his teaching that were appropriate to his context. His image of the armour a Christian wears in Ephesians 6 is straight from the usual practice of a Roman Soldier. His call to ‘higher service and awareness’ is based on what his people knew about being citizens of an empire as distinct from slaves and servants. Perhaps my favourite one of all is his image of adoption for Jesus Christ’s followers – drawn straight out of a Roman concept of adoption ahead of any other. What is brilliant in his use of ‘adoption’ to describe the status of Christians with their Heavenly Father in that a Roman ‘Paterfamilias’ – Head of the House - could not disown an adopted son. He could disown his blood children – but he could never, ever, disown children he had adopted. It’s this image Paul uses to describe the joyful, unbreakable commitment of the Heavenly Father to his adopted children. Fantastic!

Which leads me to ask, in this cyber space, computerized age – with which I’m barely familiar, what are the concepts, ideas, realities that are useful for communicating the good news of Jesus Christ?

Some I’ve heard of or know, off the keyboard:

Delete – for forgiveness and complete removal of sin?
Back – one can begin again?
Send / Receive – for prayer?
Junk/empty – for forgiveness?
Find / Search – for lost sheep?
Undo delete – for repentance?
Restore - for absolution?
Go – for the charge to get out there with the good news?

The issue here is that the modern world brings challenges to communicating. I guess we’re all confronted by a generation that is biblically illiterate and totally disconnected from the rural stuff of the Bible. I read just this week that most people are not agnostic, but ignostic!

I’d love to hear any of your ‘parable’ suggestions for those who live inside computers, inside cities.

Eg “Live the Brand” – Like Steve Irwin – for Discipleship.

Fred

Do you have a ghostwriter?

2007-02-09T16:04:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 74

9 February 2007

Do you have a ghostwriter?

A friend recently gave me a book on “The Power of Praying Together”. It’s by a lady called Stormie Omartian, together with Jack Hayford (“Majesty, Majesty…”). My friend didn’t want to push but thought I really should read the first two chapters. So far I’ve managed the Foreword and the very last sentence caught my heart. She describes how this book was written by “ – Pastor Jack and I and, shall we say, a ghostwriter?”

What a profound statement. We know that many “autobiographic works” are actually written by ghostwriters. The sporting hero or celebrity tells their story and it’s written into book form by the ghost!

So here’s the question. Is the script of your life being written by you? Or is it being written by the heavenly script writer aka the Holy Spirit? Who’s running my agenda? Fred or the Paraclete – my own personal guidance officer? The idea of the Holy Spirit as ghostwriter of that script is fascinating, challenging, forbidding and comforting all at the same time.

Christians puzzle endlessly about how “to live the love born within our hearts” by the Holy Spirit, as the story of Jesus the Redeemer penetrates beyond our physical ears. The broad stroke answer is that we imitate Jesus Christ himself. He endlessly calls us to follow him, to ‘do as I have done’, to love as he loved and loves us, to forgive as he forgave and forgives us. The shape of our life increasingly reveals the shape of Jesus Christ, and the Cross he carried, and the victory he lives, at the Fathers right hand.

All of that needs to be fleshed out indetail. The story textof our lives needs working out. And that’s where the ghostwriter steps in.

How does he do it? He has a freedom to prompt us from inside (where he lives in the temple of the Holy Spirit). As we hear the gospel, and the wrestling with its meaning that occupied the apostles and prophets, he begins to nudge. Challenges our misunderstandings here. Convicting us about “truth” there. Alerting us to sin and rebellion. Sharpening consciences distorted by our history of justifying, and excuse making. Affirming our place anew, by grace, in the Fathers’ heart. Opening our eyes to see the world and its people as the Father sees it. Growing compassion in us for the lost as Jesus does it. Nudging us to pray, praise and give thanks, wherever we can. Daring us the trust our Father regardless of what our eyes see. Always holding before us the Cross-way of Jesus.

Our scripts begin to change. As husbands, wives, parents and children, employers and employees, as servant leaders, as people in ordinary communities, as bearers of good news, as men and women of character and authority, as followers of Jesus Christ! Welcome to your ghostwriter!

Fred Veerhuis

Shit Happens, Grace Surprises!

2007-02-02T13:24:00.000+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 73

2 February 2007

SHIT HAPPENS, Grace Surprises!

A troublesome episode from my early life. I’m six and a half. Brother Leon is just five years old. We’re out in the backyard, “cutting firewood”. Leon has his hand on a piece of wood that I want to chop. “Move your hand,” I say. “No,” says he. I chop anyway. He screams. I recall an image of a V shape in his hand. Then blood spurting. He runs inside, terror manifest in his scream. Pandemonium. White nappies reddening as they are wrapped around his hand, trying to stop the bleeding. Oldest brother sent running up the street to call the ambulance. Mother distraught and threatening me with the police. Me mortified and terrified. So scared. Out the back gate and up the lane, re-emerging to watch from a hundred and fifty metres away. Ambulance arrives, men with uniforms. The police? I don’t know, and I’m too scared to get closer and find out. Eventually they all leave and I slink home. There’s nowhere to hide. Leon’s been taken to hospital. One fearful and angry mother, and a lot of brothers and sisters who don’t know what to say to me. Isolated, lonely and lost. Oh, so lost!

Father comes home. Hears the story. No immediate response. Goes about his chores and then gets into his daily bath. I’m the only one in the bathroom with him. I’m dying inside. Shattered to silence. That silence, on his part as well, is not broken until he’s just about ready to hop out. Then he turns to me and says, in Dutch, “Weet je wat je gedaan hep?” Translation: “Do you know what you’ve done?” I indicate “yes”. I don’t think I said it as a word. More silence. A long, painful silence, during which shame and guilt seem to find their way into my deepest places. Finally, after what seemed forever, he speaks. “Je ben genug gestrafd.” Translation: “You have been punished enough.”

I remember those words as if they were spoken yesterday. I also remember that the meaning didn’t sink in because I continued to wait for the inevitable. And waited. I knew perfectly well what I could expect. Rage and anger, then a hiding, followed by the withdrawal of parental affection and approval. But he didn’t follow the script. “You have been punished enough.” He was leaving it at that. Forgiveness, pure and simple, cutting through the shame and humiliation. Forgiveness cutting through the layers of shock about what I’d done, what I’d caused, and about what I’d discovered I was capable of. I’m not clear anymore about the time frame of my appreciating what his forgiveness meant, but from that day onwards I sensed, deep inside, that he understood my pain, fear and shame. There was a sort of security with him and, in spite of what I’d done, there was space for me in his heart. And you know, he never ever once mentioned it again. It was done and gone. Shit happened … grace abounded … and surprised. Not luck, but willed, freely bestowed grace.

I have to acknowledge that sometimes shit happens and you can’t see grace to bless yourself. In fact, the crap stuff inevitably comes along in life to everyone. It’s just that in my life much of the bad stuff that occurred also seemed to initiate something good as a result. Maybe every cloud does have a silver lining. I can agree, in part, with Professor Robert Spillane who said, in a panel discussion on happiness, “Life is essentially a shitheap. The only reason to keep going is to find those little jewels in the heap.”1. I’d want to add that life is often rich and abundant, and that the precious gems are often found in large numbers buried in the dung.

One of my friends says he’s only ever grown when life has been rough and tough. That’s when he’s been stretched and had his horizons and heart expanded. I happen to believe that there is an Almighty and that he is behind all this. Mind you, sometimes there’s a pretty big lag time between the bad stuff and a good outcome. And sometimes the good outcome is not the one you originally thought you needed.

This book is, by and large, the story of how I have experienced the reality of grace, in the midst of inevitable turmoil and trouble, in and through the four great institutions of my life: my birth family and my dad in particular, the Roman Catholic Church, my wife Rosemarie and our children, and the Lutheran Church in Australia, especially the local parishes I’ve had the privilege of serving as the incumbent reverend.

When it comes to forgiveness for our own children I’ve always tried to emulate my father. Strange it has been that the more serious an episode was, the less anger accompanied it. And once forgiveness was spoken, or indicated, the matter at hand was never mentioned again. No account keeping. No “historyonics” down the track. Along the way I like to think I’ve come to enjoy good relationships with my kids. Maybe such forgiveness is part of the reason why. That, and the fact that I learned to apologise to them as well!

Having such a dad as I did was not luck. I think of him today, years after his death, as God’s gift to me. So I reckon that what most of us call luck would be better described as grace incognito – grace unrecognised.

Fred

For more information about this book from which this is the first chapter send an email to info@ferryhousepublishing.com

Redeemaphobia? Redeemerphobia!

2007-01-24T15:27:00.001+11:00

CROSS PURPOSES # 72

24 January 2007

Redeemaphobia? Redeemerphobia!

There are a lot of big, eye-catching billboards around Sydney at the moment graced by the word REDEEMAPHOBIA. The billboard goes on to say .n. ‘a fear of an inability to redeem frequent flyer points’.

Well that’s a new one on me. Of the making of fears there is no end!

Understandably that word caught my attention. Redeemaphobia? That’s pretty close to Redeemerphobia, which is a fear you could legitimately add to the collection.

REDEEMERPHOBIA. n. ‘a fear arising in the heart when God seems to be too close and personal’ Truth is, there are people who have a phobia, or fear, about the Redeemer and of all talk of needing a Redeemer.

I understand there are people who know in their heart of hearts that there is a God – but the knowledge does not bring comfort. Rather it creates uneasiness, insecurity and uncertainty, often underpinned by personal guilt.

Others have been hurt by someone offering themselves as a redeemer, and have resolved not to let themselves be hurt again.

All of this, and other things, help create a group of people who get agitated at the mere mention of a Redeemer, or of the need for a Redeemer. It’s as though some button is pushed, some nerve is touched, which has people lashing out, almost bitterly, with resentment, that we would even think they needed a Redeemer. In this case the fear is overlaid by anger.

The over-the-top reactions by so many people reveals some discord in their inner heart. We rarely know what sits behind these responses but this phobia about the Redeemer is real. Mention God and people clam up. Mention Jesus Christ and people actually run away. Often others are happy for you and I to be ‘religious’, but since they’re ‘not religious’ would you please leave us alone.

It’s all rather sad really. When I sit down with someone in trouble there is never a problem about admitting that what most lives lack is an integrating centre. It’s not there! And person after person feels as though (experiences life as though), they are coming apart on the inside. Heaven knows, we need whatever it is that can bring a true, lasting and healthy harmony to our lives. And since the power to do that is not in us, well, we need a redeemer.

The claim of the scripture is that this deepest and truest need of all human beings is met, can be met, can only be met, by Jesus the Christ. Give yourself permission to read Eugene Peterson’s extraordinary translation of something the Apostle Paul wrote about 1950 years ago.

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

He was supreme in the beginning and – leading the resurrection parade – he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe – people and things, animals and atoms – get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. You yourselves are a case study of what he does…
(Colossians 1: 15-17)

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. Is the Redeemer for all! Is the one who holds all things together!

Fred

Hanging on by the skin of my teeth!

2007-01-17T15:15:00.000+11:00

17 January 2007

Hanging on by the skin of my teeth!

Hi Guys, Fred here. First time in 2007. Hope you are all well.

I have no idea where the phrase “by the skin of my teeth” comes from. Maybe one of you can tell me. I do know what the phrase means. It means that we are barely surviving. One more trauma, storm, setback, could knock us over. The phrase is used by farmers hoping to see out a draught. Or by businessmen wanting to survive an economic downturn. Or by families under pressure who wonder about the future. Or by Pastors who realise they mightn’t have the inner resources to keep going. Or… Or… write your own scenario!

I’ve recently discovered for myself what it’s like to “hit the wall”. It’s all been a bit of a surprise at a conscious level. However, somewhere deep inside I knew it was coming and, believe it or not, I welcome it.

You see, normally when we consider “one more storm” we think in terms of things moving to a position of hopelessness. However if you and I can approach our struggle from the point of view of faith then our position can never be hopeless.

Sure, the feelings are all there. Frustration, pain, maybe rage, often fear, certainly grief – all with a sense of desperation – or not understanding. However, if Jesus is Lord then he knows about this battle and, indeed, experiences it with us. I might feel as though I’m gone – but in him I am never gone. It might seem as though I hang over the abyss, with no help at hand – but as David found, ‘underneath are the everlasting arms’.

There’s a lesson to be learnt here. When things go well – when you’re cruising – and life is good, its easy to have faith, to believe that God is for you. It’s another thing to trust, and keep on trusting, when it seems all reason for trust has evaporated. Such faith is a gift. That gift must be put to work in a crisis. And that’s my / your choice – to keep on trusting, regardless of circumstances. That’s also how you build your spiritual heart muscles.

I’m reminded of something William Willimon said:

“There’s nothing the devil hates more than a person who continues to trust, when circumstances dictate that trust should cease. That person is beyond Satan’s reach!”

Hey now. Look at Good Friday!

Have a blessed week.

Fred

I didn't even have to try...

2006-12-13T09:25:00.000+11:00

Cross Purposes # 70

13 December 2006

I didn’t even have to try…

A bright young man of 13 years, with whom I am acquainted, attended a wedding recently at which he was totally surrounded by a host of his older cousins. Many of them he had not seen for ages.

What astounded him was their acceptance of him inside all their conversations, their willingness to listen to what he had to say, their freedom to encourage him. He felt ‘at home’. He felt as though he belonged. He made a comment to his mother afterwards that tugged at my heartstrings “… and I didn’t even have to try”.

Don’t you love that? I didn’t even have to try! How many times in my life have I been wondering, “Do I even belong here?”. How often, over many years, in so many places and ways have I agonised over whether ‘they’ will like me, accept me, reject me or hate me? It creates in me (in us?) a conviction that I have got to perform because I can’t live without acceptance. ‘I’ is ‘we’, and ‘me’ is us. We long to be ‘at home’, sense we are not, and live with uncertainty and insecurity because we’re not sure we’re adequate, not sure we’re up to what is expected.

I didn’t even have to try. You know when I said that myself? When, after years of trying to impress and improve, years of trying to establish credit points, (which always evaporated because of bad behaviour on the other side of the ledger), it finally got through my entrenched ideas that God loved me absolutely not because of me but because Jesus Christ fixed it for me. At 3.00pm on Good Friday God changed the rules. “It’s not about behaviour any more – it’s about how you receive my Son! He is my expression of love for you. You don’t have to do anything to qualify!” As Paul wrote: “By grace you have been saved… and this is not your own doing… it isn’t something you have to earn… so there is nothing for you to brag about”.

I didn’t even have to try. God found me and had it all fixed before I even know about it. That’s Christmas love. I / we belong. We are accepted… we have been saved. You don’t need to impress me, says God. I have called you by name. You are mine. In fact, I’ve engraved you on my hands!

The way the cousins of my 13 year old friend treated him was a beaut example of the gospel. You’ve got that family name? – “you belong!”

May you all know you’ve got that family name! Name? Davidson!

Have a merry Christmas.

Fred

The Curse of HECS

2006-12-06T15:57:00.000+11:00

Cross Purposes # 69

6th December 2006

Hi Guys. Fred here.

The Curse of HECS

In year 7, my first year of High School, I won a “bursary” – a sort of scholarship that paid my school fees until I finished year 12. After that I landed a Teacher’s Scholarship, from the Education Department in NSW, which paid my Uni fees and gave me a weekly living allowance. The Tasmanian Government then gave me a Scholarship to do my Dip Ed on graduate salary! And after having taught for a couple of years, the Lutheran Church never charged me a fee to study at the Seminary, and gave me a married student’s living allowance!

Yes, I was especially privileged. Most of my fellow Baby Boomers who went on to study at tertiary level were looked after like I was. All the State Governments issued Scholarships and there was also a Commonwealth Scholarship.

If I compare that to you younger people I am almost ashamed to admit my good fortune. One of my son’s in law is about to graduate from the NSW Police Academy – and he’s going to graduate with a HECS debt! All our kids have had to settle HECs debts as they began their working careers. I can readily identify with the sense of grievance that many young people have about this ‘user pays’ system.

I’m wondering about the impact its had on your hearts. Believe me when I say that Rosemarie and I graduated with a sense of duty and obligation to somehow work and contribute in a way that honoured the gift to us. We were blessed and so felt it was right to bless someone else in turn. I couldn’t say that everyone saw it like us but many did – and set out to be net contributors to society.

The younger generation? I wonder if the message has been that “the first person I have to look after is me. I’ve got this debt hanging around my neck and I want to be free from it”.

It’s easy to see how that huge policy change might have helped create a real selfishness in our society.

True or not? We can’t change the policy! Then again maybe we can, and should work toward changing it. In there, as well, I’d like to encourage you to think past resentment and unfairness, and resolve that your heart will be driven by generosity – as Jesus’ heart was driven by generosity. I challenge us all to be counter-cultural, to be ‘Kingdom of Jesus Christ people’. Let it be his flag that flies in our hearts and over our lives.

Coming Up
There’ll be one more Cross Purposes before Christmas and we’ll go into recess until mid January. Hope this has been helpful this year.

For those of you in Sydney, our Christmas Worship Times are as follows
Christmas Eve 6.30pm
Christmas Day 10.30am

All Welcome

And here’s a good story about Forrest Gump

FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN

The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself. However, the gates are closed, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper. St. Peter said, "Well, Forrest, it is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast, and we have been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven."

Forrest responds, "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was." St. Peter continued, "Yes, I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions.

First: What two days of the week begin with the letter T? Second: How many seconds are there in a year? Third: What is God's first name?"

Forrest leaves to think the questions over. He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers."

Forrest replied, "Well, the first one -- which two days in the week begins with the letter "T"? Shucks, that one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow."

The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, "Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?" asked St. Peter.

"How many seconds in a year? Now that one is harder," replied Forrest, but I thunk and thunk about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded, St. Peter said, "Twelve? Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

Forrest replied, "Shucks, there's got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd.... "

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind.....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too. Let us go on with the third and final question.

Can you tell me God's first name"?

"Sure," Forrest replied, "it's Andy."

"Andy?" exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter.

"Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?"

"Shucks, that was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied. "I learnt it from the song, "ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN. . . "

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: "Run Forrest, run."

***

Give me a sense of humor, Lord. Give me the ability to understand a clean joke, To get some humor out of life, And to pass it on to other folk.

And, Lord, let me eat a box of choc-o-lets just every once in a while, without regret.

Pastor Fred

The Ethics of Egg Throwing

2006-12-01T11:38:00.000+11:00

Hi Guys. Hope you are well and enjoying the early summer.

Living in city / urban communities is accompanied by all sorts of challenges that are not necessarily present in smaller towns and villages.

My wife Rosemarie often has cause to cross Hyde Park at night. It’s well lit, but it does have some risks. Her strategy, as far as I’m aware, is to move quickly and, if possible, within range of other walkers.

As a regular exercise walker I’ve also discovered that there are ways of indicating to a woman who is walking on her own that you are safe. For example, if I’m approaching someone walking in the opposite direction I make a point of looking away and making space by moving sideways slightly. If I’m going in the same direction and need to overtake I try to indicate my presence with a cough or a scuffing of the shoe. And I also veer aside where that’s possible.

What I’ve not worked out is how to deal with people who get into my space but who become very threatening if they are approached in any way. It’s particularly young aggressive ego’s involved here, and sometimes wealthy and thoughtless egos.

A little while ago I was wakened at 1.30am by the thunder of deafeningly loud music and even louder voices talking over the top of the music. Since our street is well lit it was possible to see that it was a group of five or six young men, of non-European extraction, gathered around a car with its CDs on full volume. All had stubbies in hand. The attitude was clearly that if you don’t like what we’re doing you can get stuffed. I pondered, from my darkened house, what one should (or could) do. Approaching them was simply not an option. I haven’t the guts or the foolishness. One quickly becomes a target, along with one’s house if such egos are challenged. Calling the police wasn’t going to help either because that would only fuel the obvious aggression already fuelled by alcohol.

After about ten minutes, (and having forgotten to pray), I chose the egg option. Collected one from the pantry, eased open the front door unobserved, used an under-arm action not unlike that of Trevor Chappell, and lobbed the egg in their direction. I shut the door quickly so didn’t see what happened.

I heard though. Through the still open – but looking closed – front door there came loud exclamations accompanied by much swearing. At precisely that moment a lady just down the street appeared at her second floor balcony and demanded an end to the noise. They in turn raged about the egg, but knew it hadn’t been her. At least they did kill the music. But they stood looking upwards angrily – at the taller building behind ours, trying to locate the culprit.

You will understand that I wasn’t doing anything to declare my presence. But I was an interested observer as they glared over my head. I still hadn’t seen where the egg had landed but it was obvious they didn’t like the idea of being sitting ducks. They left a few minutes later. I went back to sleep. The next morning I wandered across the street to have a look. My aim had been poor. A cricket umpire would have ruled it a ‘no-ball’. In tennis terms it was a lob that landed just beyond the baseline. It had cleared the car by inches and smashed onto the footpath on the other side. I checked yesterday again. It’s still there.

The incident has also given me cause for thought. Such events often do. What would Jesus do? How would he respond to that sort of situation? Is there anything to know from or for Christian ethics? How do the defenseless, the fearful, and the outnumbered, defend themselves? Was there another way one could have responded? Does “Blessed are the peacemakers” apply? Or perhaps, “As far as it depends on you be at peace with all men”?

I dunno myself. I’d be open to suggestions and responses.

Fred