This coming month I'm starting a new series at Riccarton Baptist Church, called 'Give Me This Mountain'. It's about vision: why we need it; what ours at RBC is; Who our vision is centred on, and; therefore what we should be doing. We're going to look at one of these each week.
Preparing for this series has had me thinking. Our church community needs a vision, and I love the one we have. But each of us needs a vision as well. Jesus had one. The apostle Paul had one. Martin Luther; William Wilberforce; Nelson Mandela; Mother Theresa: they all had a vision that they lived - and were prepared to die - for.
So, I ask myself, what is my vision? What keeps me awake at night; rejoicing when I see it moving forward, and weeping when I see it stalling?
The advancement of the kingdom of heaven? Well, yes: I am passionate about that. But that's a really big vision: one the whole church is called to undertake. When I drill down deeper, what part of that do I sense is mine to serve? Wilberforce was involved in many things, but his driver in each was to challenge all forms of oppression.
I am no Wilberforce to be sure. But his 'calling' (for that is what he sensed it was) resonates with me. So this year I want to explore a new vision - or rather, the resurfacing of an old vision: this year I want to read and reflect on God's heart for the poor and the oppressed. A verse a week: and frankly it excites me just thinking about it.
Which is what true vision does.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Thursday, 8 August 2013
... Of Roadrunner
When I was growing up there was a cartoon called "Roadrunner". Roadrunner was always being chased by Wile E Coyote, who never caught him (There's a blog in that, I'm sure: about chasing what we cannot catch. Another time, perhaps).
The song for "Roadrunner" had this one line: "Running down the road is his idea of having fun..."
I thought about that this week, after I had gone for a 20 minute 'run' (I'm being generous to myself: but stagger sounds so... old). As I stood at the door, panting and puffing, I savoured each breath. Somehow, my lungs could almost taste the air as I drew it in, and I could feel every breath as I took it.
It was simple. It was exhilarating. It was magic. It had been a while since I last felt so 'alive'.
Simple, innocent pleasures. God created so many of them that we can do and still be in His will. Yet each day, the world crowds onto us more and more overwhelming sensations: sensations that drown out the way we are meant to feel and connect with creation.
Why not find one of those innocent pleasures, and give yourself over to it for a time today. As for me, I'm looking forward to running again tomorrow.
To quote Roadrunner: "Beep, beep".
The song for "Roadrunner" had this one line: "Running down the road is his idea of having fun..."
I thought about that this week, after I had gone for a 20 minute 'run' (I'm being generous to myself: but stagger sounds so... old). As I stood at the door, panting and puffing, I savoured each breath. Somehow, my lungs could almost taste the air as I drew it in, and I could feel every breath as I took it.
It was simple. It was exhilarating. It was magic. It had been a while since I last felt so 'alive'.
Simple, innocent pleasures. God created so many of them that we can do and still be in His will. Yet each day, the world crowds onto us more and more overwhelming sensations: sensations that drown out the way we are meant to feel and connect with creation.
Why not find one of those innocent pleasures, and give yourself over to it for a time today. As for me, I'm looking forward to running again tomorrow.
To quote Roadrunner: "Beep, beep".
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
...of Forests and Trees
I had a day of meetings today. I really enjoyed each of the people I met. They have passion, commitment, ideals, and ask the questions I love to hear asked.
Yet, as I sit here late at night, I somehow feel that today I may have missed the forest for the trees. I feel quite discontented, and I'm not sure why.
What's worse, I'm looking at my diary for the next week, and I have a growing sense that other days will end the same way. I am looking forward to seeing each of the people and groups; so why would I feel this way?
Two answers are possible: one is that my 'gift' of wanting to do the best with every moment and give the best to each person means that I will always feel discontented. After all, perfection by its very nature is not possible in this life, so each moment will always fall short of the ideal. This is a good thing, since it pushes me to rely on God more, and to accept that he will take my best and use it as He wills. And that is a very good thing.
The other answer is that I'm getting too engrossed in the trees, and I need to stop, take a deep breath and wait on God; to hear what he is saying about my busy days, and from there to see the forest afresh. This is also good: for again it pushes me back to God.
So: both paths lead to God. The first 'trick' is figuring out which path I am on, and then enjoying the ride with Him.
The second 'trick' is learning to accept I am a driven type, who does overfill his days (and nights).
The final 'trick' is not to over-think things: like I'm doing now...
Psalm 46 says: “Be still, and know that I am God" Perhaps it's just time to be still.
And eat a rose.
Yet, as I sit here late at night, I somehow feel that today I may have missed the forest for the trees. I feel quite discontented, and I'm not sure why.
What's worse, I'm looking at my diary for the next week, and I have a growing sense that other days will end the same way. I am looking forward to seeing each of the people and groups; so why would I feel this way?
Two answers are possible: one is that my 'gift' of wanting to do the best with every moment and give the best to each person means that I will always feel discontented. After all, perfection by its very nature is not possible in this life, so each moment will always fall short of the ideal. This is a good thing, since it pushes me to rely on God more, and to accept that he will take my best and use it as He wills. And that is a very good thing.
The other answer is that I'm getting too engrossed in the trees, and I need to stop, take a deep breath and wait on God; to hear what he is saying about my busy days, and from there to see the forest afresh. This is also good: for again it pushes me back to God.
So: both paths lead to God. The first 'trick' is figuring out which path I am on, and then enjoying the ride with Him.
The second 'trick' is learning to accept I am a driven type, who does overfill his days (and nights).
The final 'trick' is not to over-think things: like I'm doing now...
Psalm 46 says: “Be still, and know that I am God" Perhaps it's just time to be still.
Monday, 22 April 2013
...of Fruit Trees, Puddleglum and a Donkey
When my beloved and I were about to get married we were given a most precious gift by another young couple. The gift has promoted communication, and spending time together. It has deepened our understanding of God, and of the world around us. When our children came along, we used that same gift to build relationship with them too. It wasn't quite as effective with them, but that was more about my impatience, not the gift nor the children.
The gift was the full set of Narnia books by +C.S. Lewis . C.S. Lewis was a gifted thinker and author in the mid-Twentieth Century, who converted to Christianity as a young man. The Narnia books are a series of seven stories written for children. Set in the fantasy land of Narnia, the stories recounted moments when people from our world entered that world, at the behest of Aslan - a great and mysterious lion.
We read them together, one chapter at a time, almost every night for a year. We loved the characters, the stories, and the magical way 'Narnia' cut to the very heart of key truths about Jesus Christ. We learned so much about each other, and about God. And when our children came along, we sought to share that experience with them as well. It may seem strange to a generation raised on amazing graphics and internet-based gaming, but the shared experience of imagination was a powerful bonding time. There was the fighting mouse; the giants of the North; a number of children from earth; an evil witch; and of course, Aslan. And mixed in were knights, kings, horses, and talking animals of all kinds.
Those nights huddled in or on a bed, with the rain falling outside, with my children (or wife!) asking for 'just one more chapter' remain some of my most precious memories. When people ask me how to build a relationship with their spouse, or their children, I always start by offering them 'Narnia'. "Just read them", I say. "And don't worry if older children tell you it is too baby-ish for them: make reading a chapter a required event straight after dinner (which, by the way, should also be a complusory family gathering time). Let the Emperor work His deep magic in your lives. You'll be surprised at the life-long benefits you will gain from such a simple family ritual."
I know I have been. Even today, I can't walk past the well-worn gift box in which 'Narnia' sits, without recalling nights as a family straining to see, hear and touch that Lion, that Witch, that Wardrobe.
The gift was the full set of Narnia books by +C.S. Lewis . C.S. Lewis was a gifted thinker and author in the mid-Twentieth Century, who converted to Christianity as a young man. The Narnia books are a series of seven stories written for children. Set in the fantasy land of Narnia, the stories recounted moments when people from our world entered that world, at the behest of Aslan - a great and mysterious lion.
We read them together, one chapter at a time, almost every night for a year. We loved the characters, the stories, and the magical way 'Narnia' cut to the very heart of key truths about Jesus Christ. We learned so much about each other, and about God. And when our children came along, we sought to share that experience with them as well. It may seem strange to a generation raised on amazing graphics and internet-based gaming, but the shared experience of imagination was a powerful bonding time. There was the fighting mouse; the giants of the North; a number of children from earth; an evil witch; and of course, Aslan. And mixed in were knights, kings, horses, and talking animals of all kinds.
Those nights huddled in or on a bed, with the rain falling outside, with my children (or wife!) asking for 'just one more chapter' remain some of my most precious memories. When people ask me how to build a relationship with their spouse, or their children, I always start by offering them 'Narnia'. "Just read them", I say. "And don't worry if older children tell you it is too baby-ish for them: make reading a chapter a required event straight after dinner (which, by the way, should also be a complusory family gathering time). Let the Emperor work His deep magic in your lives. You'll be surprised at the life-long benefits you will gain from such a simple family ritual."
I know I have been. Even today, I can't walk past the well-worn gift box in which 'Narnia' sits, without recalling nights as a family straining to see, hear and touch that Lion, that Witch, that Wardrobe.
Friday, 12 April 2013
...of rainy days
The Carpenters were a brother/ sister band in the 1970's, who had a string of hits. The brother, Richard, did most of the musical composition and arranging, while the sister, Karen, sang and - at least initially - played the drums. They wrote/ covered and sang a succession of top ten songs from 1969 to Karen's death in 1983.
One of their cover songs is "Rainy Days And Mondays", in which the singer describes how she needs a special someone on those 'feeling blue" days that we all experience. Nothing dramatic: just the need for that one good friend. It's a gentle reminder that we are not made to live alone. Connecting with other people is as essential as breathing. Not just for the days of high excitement, or deep despair; but for every day, including the 'life is quietly happening' days.
I'm reminded of that today, as the rain is gently falling outside. (Yes, we are in Perth and it is raining! The locals are stunned). We all need moments of solitude, to reflect on who we are, and how God has wired us. But, as it tells us in Genesis 1 and 2, we were created to be in community. Relationship is so intrinsic that even God chooses to reveal Himself to us in relationship. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
For most of history this was so obvious as not to require saying. But our uniquely 21st Century Western mind-set has so isolated us from each other that the obvious does need stating. We need each other. On good days, on challenging days. And on rainy days and Mondays.
No, it is not good for a person to be alone. And so, as I sit here, with the rain gently falling, I am thankful for my beloved, Rhonda, whom God brought into my life. And for my family. And for the community in Christchurch that God has placed us among.
One of their cover songs is "Rainy Days And Mondays", in which the singer describes how she needs a special someone on those 'feeling blue" days that we all experience. Nothing dramatic: just the need for that one good friend. It's a gentle reminder that we are not made to live alone. Connecting with other people is as essential as breathing. Not just for the days of high excitement, or deep despair; but for every day, including the 'life is quietly happening' days.
I'm reminded of that today, as the rain is gently falling outside. (Yes, we are in Perth and it is raining! The locals are stunned). We all need moments of solitude, to reflect on who we are, and how God has wired us. But, as it tells us in Genesis 1 and 2, we were created to be in community. Relationship is so intrinsic that even God chooses to reveal Himself to us in relationship. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
For most of history this was so obvious as not to require saying. But our uniquely 21st Century Western mind-set has so isolated us from each other that the obvious does need stating. We need each other. On good days, on challenging days. And on rainy days and Mondays.
No, it is not good for a person to be alone. And so, as I sit here, with the rain gently falling, I am thankful for my beloved, Rhonda, whom God brought into my life. And for my family. And for the community in Christchurch that God has placed us among.
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