Jen's musings

2 months on

2009-10-14T13:42:00.003+11:00

It was just two short months ago that our baby girl died. Though I cry less, the weeping is deeper and longer. And though the days are no longer a haze, each day is a concerted effort to face the children and pregnant women at work, in shopping centres and public spaces.

I want to be pregnant again, but I want my body to heal fully. I want more children, but I am acutely aware that another child will not replace the one that I've lost.

It is painful today, 2 months on...

What Makes A Mother?

2009-10-05T21:05:00.001+11:00

My darling friend Claire sent me this great poem. I love it, and yes I cried when I read it - good tears though. I hope it blesses other mothers...

What Makes A Mother?

I thought of you, I closed my eyes
and prayed to God today.
I asked what makes a Mother
and I know I heard him say,

"A Mother has a baby.
This we know is true."
But God can you be a Mother
when your baby's not with you?

"Yes you can!" He replied
with confidence in His voice,
"I give many women babies,
when they leave is not their choice."

"Some I send for a lifetime
and others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb
but there's no need to stay."

"I just don't understand this God,
I want my baby here."
He took a deep breath and cleared His throat
and then I saw a tear.

"I wish I could show you
what your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile
with other children and say.."

"We go to earth to learn our lessons
of love and life and fear.
My mummy loved me oh so much
I got to come straight here."

"I feel so lucky to have a Mum
who has so much love for me
I learned my lesson very quick
My Mummy set me free."

"I miss My Mummy oh so much
but I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep
on her pillow's where I lay."

"I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek
and whisper in her ear,
Mummy don't be sad today
I'm your baby and I'm here."

"So you see my dear sweet one,
your children are OK.
Your babies are here in my home
and this is where they'll stay."

"They'll wait for you with me
until your lesson is through.
And on the day that you come home
they'll be at the gates for you."

"So now you see what makes a Mother.
It's the feeling in your heart.
It's the love you had so much of
right from the very start."

"Though some on earth may not realise
that you are a Mother until their time is done
They'll be up here with me one day
and know you're the best one."

*author unknown*

It's OK to cry

2009-09-24T23:27:00.002+10:00

I have finished reading It's OK to cry. I found it so helpful in accepting my own emotions in dealing with the loss of Anna. I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with "infertility", "miscarriage" or loss of a baby.

One month

2009-09-12T15:54:00.004+10:00

Sunday is one month since we met and lost Anna. Though I feel quite emotional, I am choosing to spend this beautiful Spring weekend doing things in her memory.

I finished her quilt this week. Today I started a quilted wall-hanging in the same fabrics to hang in our living room. We are also planting a rose and fairy-bells in terracotta pots, part of Anna's garden. Anna's garden is a special place in our backyard which will be a small paved area with potted roses, fairy-bells, and a table with two chairs. A place in the sun to retreat, relax and have a cup of tea. We may even go to the crematorium and pick up her ashes this weekend.

It has been nice to have warm sunshine, put my favourite worship CDs on shuffle, sew and remember our gorgeous little girl.

Helpful Sacred Writings

2009-09-10T09:12:00.006+10:00

There have been some Bible verses that have given David and I much solace in deep pain. For example:

Luke 2:36-38 "There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

We believe our little Anna is like her name-sake. She is up in Heaven encouraging all to worship the Lord, with all the joy her little heart can muster at seeing Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

This verse was sent to us by a friend when we were in hospital after the stillbirth. We have certainly felt the comfort of God and we take this as a mandate to comfort others who also go through stillbirth, miscarriage abortion or loss of a baby.

Psalm 139:13-16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

When we held Anna we could see that at 16weeks gestation she was perfectly formed. All her organs we formed. She had eyelashes, fingernails, big blue eyes (the same colour as her daddy) and translucent skin so you could see her so perfectly. We beheld the miracle of life at a stage that is hidden from most human eyes, and it was perfect. God had knitted her together so perfectly, and he knew her so intimately that her life was planned out: 16 weeks here, eternity in Heaven. Anna is His child, even more that she is ours and she her life had a plan and purpose like all of our does. And she was perfect in that she never had the chance to sin or be sinned against, bless her!

Mark 10:13-16 "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

Anna is even more precious to Jesus than to humanity, which is a blessing to us as her parents, as we know she is with Him now in Heaven. And when people dismiss our loss, forget we are even parents, or think that because Anna didn't make it to 40 weeks she is not a valid child, we can rest in the assurance that Anna is precious to God and she has a lesson to teach all of us.

Revelation 7:9-17 "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,saying:
"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

I answered, "Sir, you know."

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

This vision of Heaven gives David and I hope: for today, for tomorrow and for eternity. Anna is waiting in Heaven, and when we join her all the pain we feel now, and the tears we cry now, will be wiped away. It gives us hope now, because the Lamb is our shepherd...

Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

That is the epitome of expression for the comfort and healing the God brings David and I, now and always.

May these verses bless you in some way, as they have us.

new read

2009-09-10T09:00:00.004+10:00

My friend posted me this great book to read that she said had helped her. It's called It's OK to cry . It is written by a Christian couple that have struggled with infertility and miscarriage. It written by both the husband and wife. It is their story, not a how-to manual. It is honest, vulnerable, permission-giving and helpful.

I recommend it to anyone else who has struggled with the loss of a baby, who has been unable to concieve, or knows someone who has and wants to understand their journey.

Anna Waddell

2009-08-29T09:53:00.003+10:00

Our beautiful and most precious daughter Anna was stillborn on Thursday 13th August 2009. She was our long awaited firstborn. She was perfect in everyway and a delight to everyone who knew she was coming, especially her parents. Rest in peace in the loving arms of God my little one, until we meet again.

Up the Duff

2009-06-20T11:19:00.005+10:00

Well, it's been a while since I posted anything, but I am delighted to announce I am "with child"!

I am about 7 weeks pregnant and am over all this morning sickness, bleeding, blood tests, doctor's visits and hospital emergency waiting rooms.

Never mind. Joy comes through hardship, does it not? :)

2 weeks to go!!

2008-10-26T22:26:00.004+11:00

Sorry I've been gone for a while!! It has been rather hectic of late - but I finish my degree: Bachelor of Ministry in less than 2 weeks!!

It has been a journey of six years of study, and probably just a long leading up to the commencement of the study. I have grown, stretched, broken, re-formed, puzzled, dreamed, been inspired, seen, heard, learned, laughed, cried, befriended, been touched, pondered, mused, cooked, married, eaten, withheld, discovered, emerged...

Thank you to all that have supported me, taught me, rebuked me, heard me, loved me...

:) Jen

Prince Caspian

2008-06-06T14:41:00.005+10:00

I was delighted to go to the openning night of Prince Capsian last night!

A diehard fan of the The Chronicles of Narnia, I have been waiting for this since the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Prince Capsian is my favourite fo all the books, with the Horse and his Boy and close second. I love the faith of Lucy. And this movie certainly lived up to her faith, wisdom and vision... so delighted that they included the trees!! (That was a bit beyond the 1980s BBC versions technical abilities back then).

Without giving anything away (beyond the story line we all know well from the book) it is very important to take the blatant warnings, "Everything you know about Narnia is about the change"... so keep that in mind and you won't be disappointed.

There are still C.S.Lewis-nesses throughout the dialogue which are wonderful, especially spoken by Lucy and Susan.

Overall, I'll rate this 4 stars. I enjoyed it and I'll buy it.

Great blog/article on Woman in Ministry

2008-04-11T21:52:00.004+10:00

Rod Benson from the Tinsley Institute this month wrote an article in his Speaking Ethically column in the Victorian Baptist Witness magazine. For April, the whole Witness was dedicated to Women in Ministry in Victorian Baptist churches and ministries. It is such a great read!!!

The article is in a blog: http://speaking-ethically.blogspot.com/2008/03/april-2008-by-rod-benson-australia-has.html

Rod made reference to this article in a comment to one of my posts below, and I just had to highlight it!

I made some comment, and I hope you do too (I love discussions!). Comments are screened, so won't appear straight away, so keep your eye on it.

The April copy of Witness is available here: http://www.buv.com.au/AboutUs/News/AprilWitnessAvailableNow!.aspx

If only the Vicar of Dibley had kids!

2008-03-25T11:06:00.004+11:00

Been watching the Vicar of Dibley again on Sunday nights. I turned to David during an episode and said, "If only the Vicar of Dibley had kids!"

Don't know if I should use her as a role model - but she sure is fun!

No, no, no, no, no, no, yes!

What does a female minister with young children look like?

2008-03-25T10:14:00.004+11:00

Since meeting with the Leadership at church I have been thinking through there ideas. The one that struck me most was that we may end up in pastoral ministry prior to our overseas cross-cultural ministry. I suddenly thought, "What does a female minister with a young family look like?"

If, God willing, we start a family soon, we would have small munchkins and possible be still popping them out while pastoring a church. I know there are a few around, but I haven't met or observed how a female minister with a family operates.

I am the type that all my adult life I have been observing married couples to learn about marriage, observing parents to learn about raising kids, asking missionaries a million questions to learn about life (family and ministry) overseas, and supporting ordination candidates through the process. But I have never had that opportunity with female ministers with kids (small or grown up).

I have shared this with a couple of people and there are some female friends in that very position who they recommend I grab a coffee with. Yeah!!

Ordination Part 4

2008-03-25T09:45:00.003+11:00

Here is the latest on my possible path to ordination:

I went to see Frank Rees (Principal, Whitley College) who is on the ordination panal here in Victoria, a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to know a little bit more about the process down here and also introduce myself before process started. It was a very encouraging chat and he suggested I speak to Mark Holt (State Director, Global Interaction) because of our plans for Africa, as this will affect the ordination process. Also, he suggested I meet with the Leadership at church, as it is the local church that recommends someone for ordination, not an individual who decides for themself.

Fortunately the next week was the Leadership monthly meeting, so I asked to come along and I shared my felt calling. I asked them to pray about it and if they felt it was time to recommend me, if they would, or if they felt I should not proceed at the moment or work on somethings, they would let me know. They agreed to pray about it and were very encouraging. A few things came out of this:

They asked me to chat with David how he felt about being a "pastor's husband" and how he would feel moving around in different placements - with his own teaching career. We had a good chat about these and he is fine with both.
They also suggested that I may go through the process and not be recommended for ordination at the end of it. I have thought through this prior and I feel that God is calling me to the process and it would be hugely beneficial and refining in itself. I can never predict what doors of opportunity God will open or shut!
There was also the suggestion that I may end up in pastoral ministry before we end up in Africa as missionaries. They was not something I had thought of before!

I am really looking forward to hearing from them if the church will recommend me ofr ordination (after the Leadership, it will go to a church meeting).

Ordination? Part 3

2007-11-08T17:47:00.000+11:00

Thought I would update you on thoughts from last week's discernment process...

I am feeling much more settled with the decision by the BUV regarding being interviewed in May. I would like to go see Frank Rees at Whitley this year to talk about how my ordination process would look, seeings I have most of my study under my belt, and that I am moving into mission rather than pastoring. I feel this would be helpful in planning out my study and also in developing a friendship with Frank.

During the discernment week, thoughts on timing of children emerged, as well as the story of Esther. It would be great if you could offer further insight into these from your prayer time on my ordination, as I am still a little unsure about these.

Thank you so much for your support and prayers!

Baptist Media Release on Poverty and Politics

2007-11-08T17:14:00.000+11:00

I was very encouraged when I read this today...

"Baptist Union of Australia MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

4 November 2007

Foreign aid a key moral issue for Australia

Foreign aid is a significant moral issue and this should be reflected in real increases in Australia’s foreign aid budget, the President of the Baptist Union of Australia, Rev Dr Ross Clifford, said today.

Baptists are often portrayed as focused only about issues related to sexuality and the beginning and end of life. The reality is that Baptists are deeply concerned and active on dozens of social and ethical issues, and eliminating poverty through aid and development programs is one of the most important.

Young people especially are committed to action to alleviate poverty. Morling College, the NSW Baptist seminary, recently held a highly successful Fair Trade Fair to raise awareness of fair trade issues and offer solutions for consumers. The most strategic and ambitious anti-poverty measure endorsed by Australian Baptists is Micah Challenge which sets the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in a Christian framework.

There is strong Baptist support for Micah Challenge and the Make Poverty History campaign aimed at halving global poverty by 2015, Dr Clifford said.

Alleviating poverty in the world’s poorest regions literally saves lives and ends terrible human suffering. But this is not a political issue but a moral and humanitarian issue. Foreign aid targets should be ambitious and attract bipartisan support. Australia can afford to increase foreign aid well beyond the current level of 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income.

I welcome the personal interest taken by Mr Howard and Mr Rudd in increasing foreign aid. Mr Howard has already met with Micah Challenge spokespersons, including Rev Tim Costello, and Mr Rudd has agreed to increase foreign aid to 0.5 per cent of GNI.

There is strong community support for Australia increase foreign aid. I call on all federal political parties to commit to raising foreign aid to 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2015. In particular I urge Mr Howard and Mr Rudd to agree on this ambitious but socially responsible goal in the lead-up to the November 24 election.

Developed countries have committed to increasing overseas aid to 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015, but Australia has reached only about half that figure. It is estimated that when Australia reaches 0.7 per cent of GNI there would be 70,000 less child deaths each year and 15,000 fewer AIDS deaths each year, and 100,000 more children receiving basic education.

I call on Australian Baptists to support Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History, and to pray earnestly that God will give our national leaders the necessary courage and wisdom to bring lasting justice to the world’s poorest people and rescue them from a vicious cycle of poverty, misery and hopelessness.

We have a moral responsibility to use the abundant resources God gives us to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Increasing Australian foreign aid to 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2015 is achievable. It is within our power to do this. The time to act is now. Mr Howard and Mr Rudd: commit to raising foreign aid to 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2015.

ENDS

Media contacts: Ross Clifford 0417 685 201 or Rod Benson 0412 421 678"

Ordination? Part 2

2007-10-31T14:38:00.000+11:00

I had a phone call today from the BUV saying that I was unable to get an interview this year, so have put me down for the May interviews, so I can start in 2009.

Feeling a little frustrated and disappointed.

Will continue in this week of discernment though before I decide whether to ring or meet with one of the interviewers, the Principal of the Baptist College down here, to discuss my ordination with him.

I will keep praying for: (1) guidance in timing; (2) doors openning if the time is now; and (c) protection.

Ordination?

2007-10-31T12:17:00.000+11:00

As mentioned in my post on my Emmaus Walk below, I am feeling it is time to start the process of being ordained. At Emmaus I felt that as God is setting me aside for full time ministry as a missionary, that I actually go through the process of officially getting set aside for fulltime ministry, that is, ordination.

This first was put on my heart in my early years of college, but at the time I was happy to do it, to give credence to my work, being a women, and planning on church planting. I know that that is not a good enough reason, and I know also that I was not up to the process time-wise yet, as in NSW you don't start exploring the ordination option until your 3 rd or 4th year of College (down here the process starts much earlier). By then, I knew I was headed south anyway.

It seems God was placing the idea on my heart at that time, even though I wasn't ready. Actually, to remember back even further, I remember considering the idea when I was in high school, and also enquired officially back about 10 years ago when I was at Uni studying teaching – but at that time they told me no women were ordained/became ministers in the Baptist Church in NSW.

Anyway, times have changed and I have changed. I had resolved that if God wanted me ordained then I would probably go for it after we got back from the mission field, but now it seems God has other plans.

To get to the point, I was wondering if you would pray with me over this next week about whether I should pursue this option now.

I rang the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV) last Friday, to enquire about the process and info. I am aware that if I did it now, next year would be a "discernment year" where a team from church would go through a regular group interview process with me through out the year, and then a couple of more formal years of process. However, I have also found out that the applications for ordination process starting next year closed 31 Aug. I will also need to do some extra study, which I was planning on anyway.

I got a call back from the BUV on Wednesday, and the next interviews are in May 2008, to start the process in 2009. I asked if it was possible to get an interview this year, so I can do the Discernment year in 2008. They are going to see if that is possible and get back to me.

So, if you can pray for me, (1) please seek guidance as to whether I should go for it, starting next year, (2) please pray that if it is the right timing, that the doors will open before me to start 2008, and (3) I will be protected from spiritual attack at this time, as I have lots of college work to do (essay, 2 email responses, exam).

Please let me know any thoughts (positive or negative) that have come about during this time of prayer. Thanks and God Bless, :) Jen

Been busy studying

2007-10-31T12:09:00.000+11:00

Sorry I haven't been very vocal of late, I have been studying. Got an essay to finish today, plus have 2 email responses and an exam in the next 2 weeks. Fhew!!

I am loving the subject though. It is Theology: Church, Sacraments and Ministry. It has been facinating looking at church strutures, excommunication, females in ministry, worship, prayer, communion, etc. I love reading about why different church groups do things the way they do! It helps me figure out the way I think things should/might go if I did them.

My essay is a theological and biblical response to the Vatican II document lumen gentium, the 'Dogmatic Constitution of the Church'. I have really enjoyed doing it... 400 more words to go!

World Day Against the Death Penalty Petition

2007-10-10T13:05:00.000+10:00

Got an email from Amnesty International Australia today...

"Today, Wednesday 10 October, is World Day Against the Death Penalty.

In the coming weeks the UN General Assembly will vote on a Moratorium on
capital punishment. Over 20,000 people worldwide are awaiting execution by their
own governments. Amnesty International takes a consistent and principled stance
against the death penalty, and continuously campaign for unconditional reversal
of every sentence.

We believe that human rights are inalienable and belong to everyone
regardless of their ethnicity, religion or status.

Now is a time for a worldwide end to capital punishment. Sign the petition to Abolish the Death Penalty. "

Let's remember to stand up for justice.

Facebook

2007-08-23T10:21:00.000+10:00

I having fun discovering the world of facebook!

Tagged: About Me meme

2007-08-09T16:41:00.000+10:00

Paul tagged me, so now it is my turn to tell you 8 things about myself:

1. I have three favouite colours - my main one is pink (but not "medicine" pink), but I also love chocolate brown and green.

2. I am passionate about food - I love to cook it, eat it, and share it with others! I believe the world of love revolves around food - and I believe every gathering of people, be it work or play, should be centred around food. But not crap food. Life is too short ofr crap food!

3. I am also passionate about HIV/AIDS and injustice in the world today - especially in the third world. So I support Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History.

4. I am allergic to cats, dogs, gardenias and floral fragrances.

5. My favourite food is... well, for cuisine I'd choose Indian... for dessert I'd choose creme brulee... for night I'd choose cheese and wine (particularly love camembert and merlot)... for day I'd choose lattes and Llindt chocolate :) mmm food

6. I'm currently studying a B.Min at Morling College. In the past I have studied B.Teach (Early Childhood) and B.Ed and UWS Nepean and cake decorating at Community College

7. I am currently working as a Tupperware manager. I have previously worked with Global Interaction inspiring Young Adults in mission, with Baptist World Aid Australia as an intern looking at development in SE Asia, at Spotlight and KFC, and have taught primary school kids at Essington Christian Academy

8. David and I plan on being missionaries in Africa with Global Interaction. I would love to be connecting with the women in the villages, teaching them through song (and dance), and helping the women with HIV/AIDS and child-headed households do daily tasks like shopping and washing.

I have tagged Chon, Jenny, Geoff, Philip and Matt.

The Emmaus Walk

2007-08-02T10:53:00.000+10:00

I went on the Emmaus Walk 2 weeks ago with the Maribyrnong Nth West team. It was a retreat type thing that went from Thurs night to Sun late afternoon (3 full days). I went on the Ladies walk, and my husband was a speaker on the Men's walk the week before. It was my first time and I didn't know fully what to expect.

There were five short talks a day that were about the basics of Christianity and a Christian life. They were helpful, practical and explained simply. In between we did relfections in groups on the talks which were anything from posters to songs to skits or wahtever. They were fun ways to solidify our understanding.

Also, throughout the weekend were times of silence, prayer, singing and communion.

It was a very vulnerable experience. I had to be really honest with God and myself about how I feel and have been going as a disciple of Christ.

I knew before I went I really did need this time spent with God. When I got there the first day or so I felt like crying and I didn't know why. I think in emotions and pictures and so I did know why I felt this way as yet. As the days went by I realised that because I was really missing deep friendships I was feeling very lonely. Sure, I have deep friendships, but with people in Sydney not down here in Melbourne. And the friends I have down here are great, but they are David's friends from way back, not my very own friends. I felt God saying to me at this time "I am here." This was great and I really took hold of that one night and layed down and just allowed myself to bask in his pressence. That brought me great peace and consolation!

Also, on the weekend I think I re-felt the call to Ordination. Will keep thinking and praying about that. Will also approach the Baptist Union of Victoria and ask what the process is.

I made some great friends and look forward to keeping in contact with them. One I'm going to ask if she'll be my mentor.

When I got letters from friends and family at the end, it really blew me away and I cried and cried! All of you who wrote to me were such a blessing!

Since Emmaus I got back to being regular in my quiet times and have initiated a prayer triplet with young two mums from my inlaws church. I am very relieved and excited about this! I am still feeling emotionally fragile and have the odd "sad" day. But I am spending more time in prayer.

Thanks for your support and prayers xxx

Launch of Missional Concepts Consulting

2007-07-16T16:38:00.000+10:00

Our good friend John Smulo and his mate Phil Wyman have just launched their Missional Concepts Consulting ministry. Here is an excerpt from John's blog about it.

Phil Wyman and I are forming a consulting group called Missional Concepts Consulting. Our vision is to help leaders, non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, and community groups to navigate the difficult to follow and often misunderstood world of New Religious Movements (NRM's), and similarly to help give guidance toward becoming missional in the 21st century.
Missional Concepts Consulting has the following goals:
- Mapping popular trends in the occult and NRMs among youth and adults
- Allaying fears and misunderstandings surrounding unique religious expressions
- Giving sensitivity training toward religiously diverse individuals and groups
- Identifying legitimate concerns attached to occult practices
- Understanding the worldview and the subculture of NRMs
- Creating an effective evangelistic and apologetic model towards the occult and NRMs.

How am I going?

2007-07-14T22:48:00.000+10:00

Well, David and I have been married for 6 mths now, and I think we have ironed out all those initial issues like putting the dirty clothes in the basket and who will do the washing up, so we are getting quite settled with each other now. (It took me about 2 mths to start sleeping properly, getting used to having someone else in my bed, waking as the other stirred or turned over, etc)! :)

Our home is fairly set up now. Of course, there are still things we want to do, like renovate the laundry and repaint two bedrooms. We haven't done any of the garden up to this point, because nothing was growing (not even weeds). Now that the rain has started, I want to get out and start working on the garden beds. We have plans for the yard and need to make some new gardens beds for vegies and the formal and the native areas.

Our guest rooms are set up and have already started being well used! (We delight in having people visit and stay!)

David's teaching is going well and is now also also the Careers Advisor, which he will do very well. We are both working in our Tupperware business and I am now an Associate Manager, with my own team. I love it!

I have started studying again, after a semester off when I moved down here to Melbourne and we started learning how to be married. I am doing two distance subjects through Morling College by distance. I am doing a theology subject and an exegesis subject on Paul and Corinthians. I have never done distance learning before, and am quite nervous about it!

Honestly, how am I going?
I feel very much at home down here (originally from Sydney, for new readers). I love the town I live in and every time I go on a day trip I feel like I am on holidays!!

All the girls down here are very warm and welcoming, but I do yearn for those deep relationships that you have with people you know for years, those who have carried you through your worst and best moments, those who you've lived, laughed, and cried with. I really do miss my girls.

Please pray with me that I find and develop some key relationships here.

Rain, Rain

2007-07-14T22:28:00.000+10:00

It has been raining here for about 6 weeks! I think the drought is moving towards breaking - praise God! The rain hasn't been heavy, but it has been most days that is has been sprinkling. I still have cracks in my front yard but the weeds and some grass has started growing! The drive around Melbourne West and towards the airport in Geelong and the drive to Ballarat are now green - no longer bare red earth and a few remnants on golden straw-like grass stubble.

It is an absolute delight to see the heavens open up! I have always loved the rain. I was born in the last major drought 25-30 odd years ago. Mum said when it was raining when I was a toddler I stood at the window for ages trying to figure out what was happening - I had never seen rain before! My grandparents owned a farm, so I know the importance of rain for rural communities.

After reading the Scriptures, I believe that rain is an predominately a blessing from God. He delights to quench the thirst of the land and its inhabitants, and bring new growth. I acknowledge that because of the theology of the fall, the earth groans from the consequences of man and that rain does not always fall in its due season, but when it does, we see God's goodness breaking through.

I love rain, and am joyous as I endure this cold, wet place I call my new home.

:) Jen

Make Poverty Personal

2007-04-30T12:56:00.000+10:00

I have just realised I haven't written for a while... wow time flies!! It's been all the starting a new business, going to weddings interstate, having family holidays and celebrating Easter I think. But blogging is not the only thing I have neglected, I haven't done the washing for a while either (and we're running out of clothes)... better go and put a load on...

I am very excited that my homegroup agreed to jump head first into a topic of study very close to my heart. We are studying poverty using Ash Barker's book Make Poverty Personal.

We are only a chapter or so into the book at the moment, but I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts as I grapple with making poverty a personal issue and personal cause.

Peacemaking for Christians in the 21st Century

2007-03-26T13:45:00.000+10:00

I read this post on Matt Stone's blog last week. I thought it was well worth a read, so after seeking permission to copy the post, here it is...

I came across a speech by Peter Garrett, shadow minister for the environment, that I thought deserved some wider circulation within the Christian community in Australia, and amongst the evangelical left in particular. It concerns the continuing war in Iraq and the shape of Christian politics in Australia and is just as relevant for today as when it was first spoken six months ago.
In it, Peter Garrett states:
I should take this opportunity to speak on the values debate at this point, which has been in the news of late, in relation to three contemporary elements of the involvement of Christianity in politics.
First, there is a fair amount of fuzziness about where the line of demarcation between church and state, that is the separation of church and state, lies.
This separation is a principle I firmly believe in, while also believing that someone's personal values should and do inform one's day to day thought processes and decision-making.
But there is way too much selective following of the rule nowadays by this government. It invokes the authority and wisdom and so-called legitimate involvement of the church in politics and policy-making when that involvement is pro-government policy.
And the Howard Government directly uses various congregations and speeches to them to promote government policies; but when the church points out human rights and humanitarian values "shortcomings" and "failures” of the government, for example in relation to refugee policy, then the church is loudly deemed to have no place in such discussions and told, often not so politely, to go away quietly.
Second, it is very much "do as I say, not as I do" with this government.
It falsely promotes itself as having a monopoly on "Christian" values and upholding a set of ethics and principles which are in strict keeping with those values - yet its
actions do not accord with them.
What is ‘Christian’ about the treatment of David Hicks? What is ‘Christian’ about the treatment of asylum-seekers? What is ‘Christian’ about believing that sleep deprivation and other harsh treatment of arrestees is not torture?
Finally, let's by all means have a discussion about personal values, and Christian values, and humanitarian values, without the strong suggestion that there is only one correct set of them - the set the government claims sole ownership of - and anyone of any other religion, opinion or general set of beliefs is sidelined, or, at best, "tolerated", but certainly not respected or accepted.
The spectre of the West being involved in or effecting the use of torture, the forced removal of suspected terrorists to countries not connected with the war to enable interrogation outside the legal systems of Western countries, and the imprisonment of alleged terrorists without proper legal process is troubling many lawyers, church leaders and members of the public.
So what should the Christian response be in these circumstances?
In the first instance to oppose these practices. To say loudly and clearly that actions of this kind are contrary to the political traditions, including those that derive from Christian values, that make up our democratic system.
...........................
My reading of Jesus’ call to turn the other cheek, is that not only is it a clear rebuttal of the literalness of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but it is also a practical insight into how arguments that justify the use of violence on the grounds that violence has already occurred can be countered.
It is a fact that it is that much harder to break a cycle of violence, once retribution has started.
The injunction to love your neighbours and pray for those who persecute you meant the early Christian writers, in the main, were clear that violence and war making was unchristian.
..........................
Christian doctrine is not comfortably numb to the scenario of unmitigated, unlawful aggression.
..........................
Unilateral pre-emption throws off the bounds of containment within which any nation operates in relation to others, and which is implicit in the Sermon on the Mount message; namely do unto others as you would have them do unto you (not before they do it to you) and explicit in the accepted rules of international law.
..........................
The rule breaking that defines Christ’s mission as recorded in the gospels is the ushering in of an age where peace is pre-eminent, not one where war is justified.
As I read this six months after it's initial delivery, the war in Iraq continues, David Hicks is still in custody in Guantanamo Bay without any formal charges having been laid against him, the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, continues to cynically
manipulate mainline Christianity with his dog-whistle politics of 'family values' as if Christian values could be reduced to that.
And only yesterday my wife told me of the latest Christian Democrat ploy to demonize the Green Party as Pagan, consequently deligitimizing environmental concern in the eyes of many Christians. Jesus weeps.
[A note for my American friends. Yes, this is the same Peter Garrett who for many years fronted that quintessentially Aussie band Midnight Oil. He is now the environmental minister for the Australian Labour Party, your equivalent of the Democrats].

Matt has more great posts on Christianity and Australian politics, giving traditional views of Church & State a kick up the pants! Have a read...

Becoming Jane

2007-03-20T12:35:00.000+11:00

I love Jane Austen's books, especially Emma. I am delighted that a movie of her life is now coming to the big screen!! My only wish now is that BBC would make Emma in the same way they made Pride and Prejudice ten years ago!

To see the trailer and other info, click...

Conference talk downloads

2007-03-19T13:01:00.000+11:00

Interested in talk downloads from some amazing Aussie conferences by organisations like Forge and UNOH? Check out the Idea Ripple site here. This includes the talks from the latest Dangerous Stories 2 (Forge) conference.

Also, for news on Alan Hirsch's movements, read his blog post here.

Children, our future

2007-03-16T10:41:00.000+11:00

An excellent post by Chantale here on children around the world!

Two weddings, two cities, two days...

2007-03-16T10:19:00.000+11:00

One the weekend David and I went to two weddings which was lovely! The first was in Melbourne on Saturday and friends from church were married. The second was in Sydney on Sunday and David's cousin was married.

It was a lovely time, catching up with people we don't see often.

I was great coming to Sydney on Sunday and Monday! We went to my old church on Sunday morning... the first time we have seen most of them since our wedding in December! And yes, I did get a little teary :)

We also had the chance to catch up with my old mentor Di and her husband Phill from College on Monday morning for breakfast... it was great!! I enjoyed hanging out with David's family more as well.

I want to go back to Sydney for about a week and schedule in catching up with people for the whole week!

When being "Neutral" is a good thing

2007-03-08T12:11:00.000+11:00

Recently, as the discussions about Global Warming have been chatted about around the globe, the idea of being "neutral" has been promoted. Not "sitting on the fence" or fart-arsing around, doing bugger-all, but being carbon dioxide neutral.

Being CO2 neutral is about reducing the emissions we dispence, and paying for offsets to counter the emissions we cannot help.

Alan Hirsch has a good discussion going about such issues here.

Some practical ways to be neutral, for churches, homes and businesses, and David and I are attempting these are:

a) install water tanks

b) use energy saver light globes

c) fix leaking taps

d) install grey-water filters and pipes for use in flushing toilets and watering gardens

e) turn off photocopiers, computers, lights, etc. when they are not needed

f) preach these practical measures

g) have tree-planting and Clean-up Australia day type outings

h) get our electricity from Green companies

i) get “neutral” by paying for iniatives that counterbalance the emissions and waste we make

j) drive hybrid or feul-efficient cars

k) use public transport, or better still ride a bike or walk

l) reuse bags, especially green, cloth or paper bags

m) use Tupperware instead of clingwrap

What some ways you can suggest? What are your thoughts on the Global Warming issue?

International Women's Day

2007-03-08T11:24:00.000+11:00

Celebrate International Women's day by:

Showing the women in your life how much you love and appreciate them; and

Support Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.

I have two Hillsong t-shirts

2007-03-06T10:02:00.000+11:00

Many people in the "emerging church" arena in Australia and in the "evangelical" arena in Sydney spend plenty of their time and energy bagging, slagging and snobbing Hillsong Church. I pose the question is this critising warranted?

Firstly, let me say that I come from the view point of a "Sydney born-and-breed" "Uniting-come-Baptist-influenced-by-FourSquare(Pentecostal)" who believes the future of Christianity lies in "incarnational mission" and "accountable-to-denominations communities of believers".

My Mercy t-shirt

The first Hillsong t-shirt I owned has butterflies on it and the word mercy written across the side. It is to support the social justice and transformation outreaches of Hillsong church.

Many people overlook the massive amount of social justice and transformation work Hillsong is involved in. They take advantage of there size and income, devoting a massive proportion of it to work in the community, with the broken and needy.

As the butterflies symbolise, they believe in the power of God to recreate broken and hurting people into who God created them to be. And as the word mercy indicates, nothing is expected or sought by Hillsong in these acts of compassion, they are just responding to the heart of God.

Question: For those of you who bag Hillsong, what is the social justice and transformation work in your church or community like?

My daughter, warrior, princess t-shirt

Despite the sword on the front, which I know Matt can't get over, this t-shirt supports the Colour Your World conference and associated womens ministries of Hillsong Church. It is based on Holly Wagner's book God Chicks. If you have been to a Colour conference, you will get this, but for the rest of you...

The Hillsong female pastors have a passion for empowering women, desiring them to be all God created them to be. And for many women this is vital. I can attest to this myself. Many woman (and men I know) struggle with insecurities, conformity, roles dictated by men, singleness, marriage and motherhood.

The daughter aspect focusses on being a beloved child of God. To know their identity as loved and treasured by God, that he delights to give good gifts to his children, that his discipline is healthy and his steadfastness is unmoving. This is a very powerful image and very difficult for insecure woman to accept, but basic for a secure and full life in Christ.

The warrior aspect focusses on the victory of Christ and the power in Christ to overcome lifes obstacles and hardships, to stand firm in onslaughts, to remain true, to survive. To know that they can survive singleness, or a difficult patch in marriage, or the terrible twos of your toddler, to the despair of losing a loved one. To know and claim the power of prayer in the name of Jesus and to know that other woman will stand by you and be your rock when you don't think you can stand anymore. This is very powerful for woman, and a true blessing to know and take hold of. This is what will allow woman to be great woman of God, great single chicks, great wives, great mothers, great business women, great pastors.

The princess aspect looks at being the Daughter of the King, the daughter of God. To know that you are a princess (or prince) because you belong to God is key to how you allow people to treat you. If you know that you are a princess you will not settle for second best in male-female relationships. You will not allow yourself to be trampled by others or bullied. You will act graciously and respectfully, honouring the King. This is especially important for teenage girls and woman of all ages to accept so as not to be used in relationships. It is also important for teenage boys and men to realise. They cannot treat their woman folk as they want for their own pleasure and personal gain. They need to realise that God the King is very protective of his girls, and these princesses need to be treated with dignity and respect, they deserved to be loved and cherished.

Question: How is your church empowering, supporting and treating women?

Although I would probably not myself regularly attend Hillsong Church. I do visit and I support their work. I am also proud of the way they handle wrongdoing in the church. Ps. Brian had to sack his own dad, the founder of the church, over sexual misconduct, and he sacked him without scandle. How does your church handle misconduct?

Yes, I know that every church has its faults. They are all made of humans! But instead of focusing on these faults, how about we focus on the good in churches, celebrate these, and learn from them!

Prince Caspian cast chosen

2007-02-27T15:50:00.000+11:00

The cast for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian have been selected and filming commenced on Feb 12 in New Zealand. See details of the cast here.

Lent

2007-02-27T14:11:00.000+11:00

It is now Lent, so I thought that these might be helpful for those wishing to be more reflective:

1. A journey into wholeness: a study for Lent by Christine Sine, download here.

2. A poem I wrote in 2003:

Sit quiet and still before the Lord.
Listen for His whispers.
Sit there for as long as you need.

God bless you.

Wilberforce abolished slavery... or did he?

2007-02-26T11:32:00.000+11:00

With Amazing Grace in the cinemas in America, there are some great articles emerging about slavery. The article Free at last on Christianity Today.com is truely worth a read. Here are some snippets...

Two hundred years after William Wilberforce campaigned to abolish the slave trade within the British Empire, slavery continues. Experts estimate there are 27 million slaves worldwide today, probably more than at any time in human history. About 17,000 are trafficked annually into the United States.
"They are not slaves in a metaphorical sense," notes International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen. "They are held in forced servitude by other human beings."

Modern-day slave trading, called human trafficking, funnels slaves into two types of forced servitude: sex and labor.

Between the 1700s and 1860s, lawmakers banned slave trade and ownership in Europe and the Americas. In 1948, the United Nations condemned it in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Worldwide, many Christians have considered the victory complete and have found other causes to champion. The laws, however, merely drove slavery underground, and some nations do not enforce existing laws.
Modern slavery thrives through deception and secrecy. Traffickers lure millions of victims through lies, fraud, and coercion. A trafficker may offer to smuggle someone into a nation for legitimate work, such as becoming a waitress or nanny. Later, the unsuspecting target discovers the evil bait-and-switch: The actual labor is sinister and exploitive, with no pay, insane hours, and physical brutality. By then, escape is nearly impossible. Traffickers confiscate passports.
They relocate captives where they cannot speak the local language. In one infamous case, police caught traffickers after they had enslaved 1,000 mute or deaf Mexicans, whom they had lured into the U.S. to beg.
Traffickers instill hopelessness through violence and death threats against the slave or his or her family members. Bribed law enforcement officials look the other way.
Bonded labor is another ancient form of slavery that survives. Also known as "debt bondage," it is rampant in certain parts of Asia. A loan shark or trafficker lends money to someone who works at a very low wage to pay it back. The debt may not be paid off for decades and can be passed along to family members, sometimes enslaving generations.

Read the full article here.

William Wilberforce movie

2007-02-22T14:43:00.000+11:00

There is a new movie out about William Wilberforce and his efforts to end the slave trade. It is called Amazing Grace. For a trailer, see here.

"Compassion"

2007-02-21T12:21:00.000+11:00

I am not interested in picking up the crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu South Africa

What I'm up to

2007-02-21T11:58:00.000+11:00

I have been attending Melton Baptist with David since we were dating, and now that I live here, I have enjoyed becoming a part of the community here.

David and I have decided to take a less busy year (focussing on our marriage getting established and setting up home) and as part of that, we are choosing were to focus our combined and individual energies.

David is not studying this year and continues to teach fulltime. I am looking for work, while doing some casual work with Baptist World Aid Australia. I have taken a semester break from studying, and plan to pick up one subject in semester two, providing the subjects I want/need to do are on offer.

At church, David and I are joining another couple in leading Young Adult-ish home groups. They have been running one for quite a while now, and it is getting too big, and not everyone can make it on the one night. So, David and I are hosting the new group.

We had a BBQ all together on Monday night, letting everyone know about the new group, and we will invite others not already in home groups to join one of the groups. We are now up to the stage of finding the night of the week for ours and discovering who will go where. We also decided at the BBQ that there will be combined events, social events and weekends away and the like. David and I are happy to head that up with whoever is interested joining in the organising.

The group seem pretty keen that it is all expanding. They like the thought that if they miss their usual group because of a work meeting or wahtever they can join the other group that week. They like that it is an expansion and not an us and them.

And I am excited!!! I loved co-leading and being a part of Anything Goes with Matt Stone, and the gang at Pendle Hill, and I am keen to get into a new group! Can't wait!!

Other than that, I will join the music team at church in two weeks as a backing singer. I have also been asked if I mind being put on the preaching roster later in the year. Who knows what the future holds at Melton for me :)

We are still looking for a new fulltime pastor, so please pray for us finding the right person/family for that position. Our Interim pastor leaves us this weekend.

2007-02-21T11:16:00.000+11:00

The Amnesty International e-magezine issue 11 says...

"Close!""¡Cierren!" "Schliess!" "Fermez!"

When it comes to saying "Close Guantánamo!", few people have been as creative as Make Some Noise supporters. At home, on the bus, in parks and from rooftops, with the widest array of props (candles, flags, puppets, cakes, pebbles, glasses, ball pools (!)), alone, with family or in groups, you have expressed your outrage at the legal blackhole that is the US detention centre of Guantánamo Bay, demonstrated your solidarity with detainees who have been held for up to five years without charge or trial, and demanded that human rights violation there stop immediately.
You have taken the message to the four corners of the world, from New Zealand to Canada via Peru and Cyprus, in more languages than one could ever master. The first video came from Birmingham, England, less than 24 hours after we posted our call. The latest came a few days ago from Québec. Join in and add your voice to the international chorus of protest.
You can also sign the Guantánamo animated online petition , where you can customise your avatar and check out comments from other activists. Keep making some noise and lend a voice to people who are being silenced. You can make a difference.

"Amnesty International has been very supportive of our efforts to get a trial for my son. Their Make Some Noise campaign is very exciting to me. While I don't know much about music, I recommend it."(Khaled al Odah, father of Guantánamo detainee Fawzi al Odah)

I have added my voice (and animated character) by signing the Guantánamo animated online petition . (My character is Jennifer Reed from Australia, if you want to see my character).

Will you add you voice?

Fun kids aid & development website

2007-02-15T11:28:00.000+11:00

I stubbled across this great website designed for kids (and parents/teachers). It is all about children around the world and the issues they face, like poverty, agriculture, human rights, fair trade, etc. It is full of fun stories, activities, lesson plans, homework helps and... games. David played some of the games last night and said they were probably more for upper primary and older.

The site is developed by Christian Aid in the UK.

Global Gang Homepage

It is certainly a fun and well put together site... have a play!

Water wise

2007-02-15T11:19:00.000+11:00

With the "greater" restrictions on water use that have been shared with us Victorians during this drought and hot summer, check out this info on the new rebates for water tanks and grey water...
Rebate Information

Small Groups study on poverty & justice

2007-02-13T12:33:00.000+11:00

I found this on the Catalyst website. I am considering using it for my small group from church if they are keen...

Small Group Studies
Interested in getting a discussion going on global justice and advocacy? Then why not try our discussion guides?
A Time to Speak
This four part guide will help participants explore what it means to build their lives around God's heart for a just world and recover the prophetic vocation of calling on leaders to enact justice. The format is four articles that are read and then discussed. Both the articles and the discussion questions are provided.

Get into it! :)

Visitors!!

2007-02-06T15:47:00.000+11:00

On Sunday night David and I were joined by our first visitors from Sydney!! We were surprised by a phone call earlier that day when they said they were on holidays in Victoria and just nearby and can we catch up. And I have been buzzing and telling everybody ever since!

Thanks Carolyn and Stu for your wonderful surprise and fabulous company! We had a ball having you for dinner in our new house. God bless you in you life and ministry in Sydney.

Narnia online

2007-02-06T15:38:00.000+11:00

For those who love The Chronicles of Narnia just as much as me and can't wait for the next movie to be made, check out NarniaWeb for all the goss on the new movie Prince Caspian and future Narnia movies. You can even sign up to get Narnia movies updates by email!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!

"Licence for prayer"

2007-02-01T08:23:00.000+11:00

I found this article in my local paper Melton Leader this week (Tues Jan 30 2007), written by Gabrielle Hodson:

SKIPPING church for the pub won't be such a sin in Gordon [Victoria] anymore. Now you can have a beer as you listen to the weekly church sermon. Anglican minister David Oulton will lead the first Sunday service at the Gordon Hotel this weekend then again on the first Sunday of each month.
I've done mass in many homes and on camps in the bush, but never in a pub," the Ballan-based minister said. "It's generated an enormous amount of conversation already."
Fr Oulton said the idea came after talking to a series of people about religious services in hotels everywhere, Gordon's population boom, its location as the centre of Ballan-Bungaree-Morrisons parish and sale of the town's former Anglican church.
"The Bishop agreed to the idea and the hotel owners were also OK," he said. Sunday's service will include pre-recorded music and communion - but there will be no alcohol from the bar.
"Parents will be responsible for making sure alcohol is not serviced to children at the hotel, but they should be OK if they wish to have wine at communion," Fr Oulton said. "This will be for anyone who for whatever reason is afraid to cross the threshold of a church and everyone is welcome."
The 5pm Gordon service will be reviewed at the end of the year.

I am quite interested to see how this service turns out. I am impressed by the research by the pastor, but I question its contextualisation with the "pre-recorded music" and all.

I am reminded by "A tale of two pubs" that Mike and Allan review in their book The shaping of things to come, pp.9-13 which discusses the contextual approach of churches and pubs.

I think I will go along at some time to check it out.

What are you thoughts on the article above?

Heroic women

2007-01-29T11:14:00.000+11:00

Matt Stone has a good post on learning from the women in the Bible called "Heroic Women".

What a girl dreamt about

2007-01-25T17:16:00.000+11:00

Last month my little, not-so-little, and big girl dreams came true when I married my very own Mr. Darcy!

We held the wedding and reception at Parkside Baptist Church is Western Sydney and then after photos around Sydney Harbour (the Rocks and Observatory HIll) we had dinner with family at the Little Snail in Sydney's Pyrmont.

It was a perfect day and I love my husband David dearly!

New Year, New Life!

2007-01-24T12:47:00.000+11:00

After our wedding on Dec 29, David and I have started the new year as married! We arrived in Melbourne on Sunday morning, an hour before church started and toddled off to my first visit to Melton Baps as a regular attendee.

We are living in our new house, a new city for me (from Sydney to Melbourne) and even a new name! I am Jen Waddell now!

It's nice to be settled again, after 3 months of travel, house sitting and wedding: Cambodia and Thailand in November, house-sitting and wedding in Sydney in December, honeymoon in New Zealand in January.

I look forward to reading everyone's blogs again and catching up with what going on in the blogshere!

:) Mrs Waddell

Been overseas

2006-12-11T09:47:00.000+11:00

I haven't written as late because was in Thailand and Cambodia, and now doing my exams. Will share about my trip later in the week, once exams out of the way.

About the traps...

2006-11-02T10:59:00.000+11:00

(Is that just an Aussie phrase - or does everyone know what I mean by that? It basically means, what is going on around the place.) There are some great discussions going on on some of my fellow bloggers sites that I would like to draw your attention to:

1. Alan Hirsch has a great discussion happening but the displacement of Jesus from the Church, and putting Him back in here

2. John Smulo has a beginners guide to blogging here and several discussions on the issues of sex for marrieds and singles - you will need to scroll up and down to catch them all here

Essays, essays, essays

2006-10-30T11:37:00.000+11:00

I am getting quite worn out trying the get all my college work done. But praise God I finished a seminar paper on Saturday! hope to get another essay done today (fingers crossed).

wisdoms to live by

2006-10-23T13:13:00.000+10:00

I am focused on writing essays at the moment for College, so not quite so up with the blogging this week. In my essay on "to what extent is the book of Zechariah apocalyptic" (which I am loving! So interesting!) I am of course reading a bizillion books and articles.

In one article I was reading about how apocalyptic literature gave readers a historic review, a history-eschatalogical perspective, so as people could see their crisis situation in the greater scheme of God's plan for the world and for evil, and the author, Frederick J. Murphy said so eloquently:
"To change perspective is to change the world."

I was so encouraged by that sentence, that I have adopted it as one of my 'wisdoms to live by'. "To change perspective is to change the world"... I feel that says a lot in favour of advocacy.

The other 'wisdom to live by' that I have adopted is Ghandhi's:
"Be the change you want to see in the world."

I believe that says a lot about love, mercy, grace, acceptance, kingdom of God, civic participation and responsibility, social action, mission, ecological action, etc.

What are the 'wisdoms' you live by?

A thought...

2006-10-20T14:56:00.000+10:00

Here is a quote from The Broken Body by Jean Varnier hanging on the wall in my office...

Rejected people are sick and tired of "good" and "generous" people, of people who claim to be Christians, of people who come to them on their pedestals of pride and power to do them good. No wonder their hearts are closed to new people. They are waiting for someone who really cares and who sees in them the light of love and wisdom, who recognises their gifts and their beauty; someone who will accept them just as they are with no preconcieved ideas that they should change...

Amen.

G20 meeting and concert

2006-10-18T13:38:00.000+10:00

With the G20 meeting coming up in Melbourne, Australia next month, there is a concert being organised by MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. There is info on the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY website that details events and the importance of being a voice in Melbourne when the G20 meeting is on.

I unfortunately will be out of the country at the time (more details later), but if anyone can get there are give us some news, that will be tops!

The Girl in the Cafe is a brilliant telemovie that is about the G8 meeting and advocacy last year. I bought a copy at the ABC shop. Everyone who I have lent it to loves it.

How Sunday went

2006-10-18T12:27:00.000+10:00

Thought I had better let you all know how Sunday went at church for International Micah Sunday. It went really well. The message from our associate pastor Mark was excellent - looking at the mandate for social justice in the Bible, particularly focussing in on Deuteronomy 15:7-15...

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of
sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor
and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.

I did a kids talk on Esther and Mordecai, from the book of Esther, focusing on their advocacy of their people when they were to face genocide for apparent treason. The kids liked the wooden spoon puppets I made to tell the story... easy to do: just buy wooden spoons, drawn faces on with markers, glue on googly eyes, and wool for hair, remembering to use eyelashes for girls and bushy eyebrows for men, and metalic pipecleaners for crowns. I introduced to them the word advocacy with the help of the verse from Proverbs 31:8-9...

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

The kids were entralled, which is always nice. And we watched The Grace during the offering.

After the service about a dozen people wrote letters to their Members of Parliament regarding keeping the Millenium Development Goals, about ten signed the Micah Call, and about 30 people bought MAKE POVERTY HISTORY white arm bands.

It was a great day... so glad to see it actually happen in our church!

"Cool the globe" campaign

2006-10-16T14:47:00.000+10:00

When I was watching Sunrise this morning (an Australian Breakfast Show), they mentioned their online petition to the Australian Govt on keeping rebates for home solar energy kits. Here is the blurb:

Sunrise is actively fighting global warming with its campaign to COOL THE GLOBE. We've shown how solar energy can help - with the sun able to force energy back into the electricity grid. But our Federal Government has already slashed solar electricity rebates and is planning to phase them out completely by the middle of next year. SIGN our on-line petition now to stop it from happening. And don't forget to tell your friends about this petition. Every signature helps.

International Micah Sunday

2006-10-14T21:28:00.000+10:00

Sunday October 15 is International Micah Sunday. It is a day that Christian around the world unite to stand up and be a voice against poverty, injustice and oppression. It is a day for us to stand under the call in Micah 6:8...

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what
does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God.

and meditate on what it means live this. It is a day to remember the heart of God that is breaking as he sees a world where men, women and children are mistreated in the name of greed, and the earth is exploited in the name of self-benefit. It is a day to remember he has put his people in charge of doing something(s) about it.

If you have not explored what the Micah Challenge is about, or have not signed the Micah Call, please take time out today to do so. Why not find out what events are happening near you in your country for Micah Sunday and join in?

At Pendle Hill Baptist Church we are having a Micah service. And being the last weekend of the holidays the kids will be in the whole service. I am really looking forward to it. All the songs, the sermon, prayer, info packs, kids talk, and audio-visual will be focused on the Micah Challenge. There will also be the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY white arm bands for sale, and tables set up at morning tea for families and individuals to write letters to their local Member of Parliment asking them to keep the federal government accountable in keeping their promise to meet the MDGs. I can't wait! If you're local to Sydney, why not join us for this 9:30am service?

Lunch

2006-10-14T21:12:00.000+10:00

It was lovely today to meet up with Philip Johnson and his darling wife Ruth, Matt Stone and Paul and talk shop... I mean blogging. I see Matt regularly at the moment, and I bumped into Philip last semester at college, but the last time I saw Ruth must have been at the Katoomba Winter Magick Festival 2 years ago! It was great to meet Paul. Best of luck with your studies.

And can I just say... the food was great! I had the roasted pumkin, caramelised onions and guyriure (forgive my spelling) cheese tart with a sparkling white, followed by a vanilla bean creme brulee served with strawberry coulios and a latte. Yummmm.

A different sort of Christmas

2006-10-12T15:19:00.000+10:00

As the over-eating and creditcard-spending season... I mean Christmas season begins (Yes, the shops say its Christmas, so I am not too early!), its time to start thinking what gifts are going to be given this year. Instead of the extra shirts, jewellery and CDs, how about buying or requesting these sorts of pressies:

Adopting an endangered animal for a year, water saving shower heads, etc. - WWF
Fairtrade tea, coffee, hot chocolate, spices, toys, etc. - Oxfam
goats, toilets, school supplies, etc. for poor communities - TEAR
crop pack, cataract operation, etc. for poor communities - Baptist World Aid Australia

If people have other organisations that do unreal & different gifts, let me know!

Weddings

2006-10-12T15:13:00.000+10:00

Weddings a such a big job to organise! I can see why people employ wedding planners for their big day. This week alone I, mum, and 1/2 dozen friends have been sewing bridesmaid dresses, lining flowergirl dresses, making all the flower arrangements, and making the invitations... When am I going to get to the assignments I need to do for college?

I love it though! Wouldn't have it any other way. If you have a chance, feel free to pray for me getting everything, especially college work, done. Thanks :)

Angels

2006-10-09T17:24:00.000+10:00

A couple of years ago I wrote an article on angels for church leaders and pastors seeking to connect with the general angel-believing population of Australia.

To view this article, click here and click on the article in the 'downloads' box.

miniture earth

2006-10-09T15:38:00.000+10:00

Rodd Jefferson kindly shared his findings of this great site. It is great for showing what wealth, poverty, and resources, etc. are actually like on this planet, but percentaging it's population to 100 people.

Check it out! http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Petition for peace-keepers

2006-10-09T15:07:00.000+10:00

A Dev-Zone Development Issues Update [29 Sept, 2006]:

Demand UN peacekeepers be sent to Darfur NOW! Thousands of people in Darfur (West Sudan) are still being raped, killed and displaced from their homes, despite the signing of a peace agreementon 5 May 2006. The UN says around 23,000 peacekeepers are needed to protect civilians and implement the peace agreement. Sign this petition to demand the peacekeeping force be sent NOW. Add your blue helmet to the peacekeeping map. http://amnesty.textdriven.com/home/index_darfur.php?lang=en

Thanks for your action!

For more info on the latest in Sudan, check out these articles from Amnesty.

Why still Temple theology??

2006-10-02T21:12:00.000+10:00

Where did the church develop its Temple theology from? In the Old Testament worship was centred around the Temple, as that is where all the sacrifices and such happened, and where the glory of God dwelt. But as revealed in the New Testament, Jesus taught that the Temple was ready to be destroyed and he is the new Temple, as sacrifices are no longer needed, he being the final atoning sacrifice. Thus making it possible for us the commune directly with God and worship him without the necessity of priests and such. Jesus also taught that people no longer needed to go to a specific place to worship, as what was important was the heart of our worship, not the location or rituals.

Now I am not saying that traditions and places of worship are bad. I believe that the Scriptures also exhorts believers to meet together for prayer, worship, support and encouragement.

What I am saying is that we have fallen back into pre-Christ worship patterns, making the going to church the crux of worship, rather than the crux being the spirit and truth of worship, as displayed in generosity, love, compassion, charity, mercy, justice, brotherly kindness, etc. We have made the Sunday morning/night attendance at a building the mark of our Christianity, rather than making our everyday actions and attitudes the mark of our Christianity.

DC Talk once said:

The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians - who honour Jesus with their lips, walk out of the door, and dishonour him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

More info on the Sudan crisis

2006-09-21T17:50:00.000+10:00

For those interested in reading a little more on Sudan, I contacted my friends at Baptist World Aid Australia (Les Fussell and Scott Higgins), who knew more than me, and sent this info:

For what the Australian government is doing (thank God they're doing something):
1. http://www.smh.com.au/news/NATIONAL/Downer-to-visit-Canada-US/2006/09/17/1158431582972.html
2. http://www.ausaid.gov.au/media/release.cfm?BC=Media&ID=2849_1718_1540_7164_3403

For more info on the Sudan crisis itself:
1. http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3060
2. http://www.acfid.asn.au/about/policies/s_sudan.htm

At the third link there is more info on how to get more involved in advocacy as well.

The life and legacy of Steve Irwin

2006-09-20T21:44:00.000+10:00

As I awaited the furniture removalist van to arrive today I became glued to the TV set watching Steve Irwin's memorial service live from Australia Zoo. Looking past the impressiveness of the PM's speech and the celebrity condolences, I was moved to tears by the life and legacy of Steve.

The overarching impacts on me were inspiring. Steve was known throughout the world for being real. So many of the tributes shared by those in the service or played in the service expressed his real bravery. As Kevin Costner so well shared, his bravery was not in his skillful handling of mighty creatures, but his honesty in a world so fearful and critical of honesty. He was genuine, real.

Secondly, he knew his purpose in life. In one interview of Steve replayed, he shared passionately that he knew he was put on this earth for the purpose and message of conservation of wildlife. In another clip, with broken rib and busted fingers, he ecstatically announced he had achieved his mission. No doubt as he stood before his Lord and Saviour this last week (he became of follower of Jesus just one month before his passing), God would have be saying to him, "Well done good and faithful servant. You have accomplished what I asked of you." He knew his purpose, and he was passionate about achieving it.

Thirdly, he was loud and far-reaching in his message. Steve purposed to educate the world on conservation and bring it to the agenda. Russell Crowe shared in his tribute that Steve's passing had been on the news in America for a full week. He said of this, "This shows, mate, that you got your message across." What a powerful statement about Steve life. He got his message across, to all corners of the globe. He got his message across, and he got it wide-spread.

FInally, Steve was known to be a profoundly faithful and loving husband, father, son and friend. He was labelled a great family man and mate by so many, that they even declared that Steve had been an example for them in their own relationships. I can't think of anything more powerful. He was loving and faithful to his family and friends.

Steve's life impacted incredibly on thousands of people and animals around the world. And his legacy, I admit, has imbeded into my own life. As David Wenham recited in a poem at the end of the service, it is now our turn, it is up to us to honour all he did and was about, by continuing in his work.

I don't know about you, but I want to continue in his work. I want to be real, to be passionate about my purpose in life, to get my message across, and to be loving and faithful in my relationships. May God bless all those who are grieving Steve at this time.

History does not need to repeat itself!

2006-09-20T08:31:00.000+10:00

I can't believe the devastation we allow to happen in our world!?! Only twelve or so years after the horrendous genocide in Rwanda, history is repeating.

Genocide is now happening in Sudan and the Congo, and on a small scale in Zimbabwe and the international community is silent again.

This has been going on for months, if not years, and I am embarrased that I have only found out about it this week. Embarrased because our national media hasn't taken it up as an issue. Emabarrased because our churches are not "speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves". Embarrased that our governments are keeping their attentions focused on our own national interests.

Please join me in writing to or visiting our local federal politicians: fervently petitioning them to move our governments to put pressure on these countries that are allowing genocide within their borders.

When we are silent, out hands are also stained with the blood of the innocent.

On the move

2006-09-20T08:22:00.000+10:00

I have been undergoing the huge task of moving house this week. It is always such a draining and daunting experience. Though, the opportunity to set up a new home is always a joy for me! With getting married at the end of the year, David and I have bought a house in outer Melbourne, and are now setting it up. It is amazing the bargains you can find on eBay and smaller furniture stores when you're strapped for cash! Just awaiting the backing-loading truck to arrive...

When will ecological action enter the gospel debate?

2006-09-13T05:06:00.000+10:00

In my Aid & Development class last night we were looking at the church's involvement and beliefs over the past 2000 years in Christian mission, with particular discussion on the relationship between evangelism and social action. It seems that both have been seen as important and revelant expressions of Christian faith, as expressed by Augustine, Basil the Great, John Crysostom, the Wesleys, Wilberforce, the Booths, Martin Luther King Jr, etc.

But for some reason, that understanding changed early 20th century. Since then with WCC and Lausanne conferences and the like discussing this relationship between evangelism and social action, the debate has raged for close to a century. Surely 1900 years theology and practice, let alone the teachings and examples of Christ himself (eg. Matthew 5-7; Matthew 28:16-20; Matt 21:33-46; Matthew 25; John 4) are enough evidence to prove that both one's verbal and nonverbal message express their convictions and faith!?

As we were discussing these in class, I began to ponder the third role of the churches mission: ecological action. When I was once asked why I considered the activities of the church to include environmental welfare, I replied, "God gave people three commands at the beginning of time: worship God; love people; steward the earth."

When we consider the kingdom of God, surely the earth has its place. After all, Scripture does talk about giving the earth sabbatical years of rest (Torah) for the sake of nutrients and allowing the poor and animals to eat of its produce freely; and it talks about the earth groaning because of the corporate sins of the people, such as land and resource exploitation, which in turn makes the rich more greedy and the poor more oppressed. Even the concept of Jubilee as discussed in Leviticus of the Torah gives the earth a sabbath of sabbaths (50 years), and the poor get their family land back after losing it through debt, sickness or whatever.

God's heart goes out the earth and poor, oppressed people, and he promises to reverse injustices at the end of time. But he also promises to judge us for our conduct. Are we, am I, living a life that reflects my faith in God? Am I, are we, showing his concern through the ethical, just, and life-giving lives we live? When will ecological action enter the debate?

Create to Advocate

2006-09-11T08:00:00.000+10:00

On Saturday I went on a journey with a few friends across to Manly. Its time again for the Manly Arts Festival, and there are many exhibitions, etc. all happening over there this month.

Our destination (other than an ice-cream shop) was the William Street Studios, Fairlight. We came to experience the Create to Advocate exhibition. You check out all the details at: http://www.smallboatbigsea.org/arts/ :

"30,000 children die each day from extreme poverty. We have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. The Make Poverty History Campaign calls world leaders to honour their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, an eight-point plan for tackling poverty. Now it's our turn to speak up through art to Make Poverty History. Small Boat's Annual Spring Art Exhibition this year will be in partnership with Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History as part of the Manly Arts Festival. Exhibition Opening times can be found below. Selected art works will be chosen to be exhibited in Parliament House in Canberra for International White Band Day."

I was very impressed by most of the art I saw. There were genuine expressions of the plight of many impoverished people around our world. No doubt the Canberra exhibition will be bigger and better. I hope our politicians view the exhibition and respond in time for the election in 2007, increasing the aid budget towards the target they agreed to (0.7% GNP rather than the 0.3% they give now).

The exhibition continues next weekend, click the link above to find out where and when.

Getting Married

2006-09-11T07:40:00.000+10:00

David and I are getting married in December, which gives me great joy (as well as a lot of organising to do)! We have bought a modest house and look forward to setting up home there before flying off to live in Africa. Fortunately for us, the house is so modest that the rent that will come in will pay the mortgage!

God is always good in the ways He blesses us. But He likes us to surrender all our dreams and aspirations to Him first. I can tell you, it is much more rewarding when after letting go to God your dreams and aspirations, He brings greater and more fulfilled dreams and passions into your life!! He brings more than we could ever possibly hope for, achieve or imagine. And He does it after we have been humbled before Him and loving to towards others (less focused on ourselves).

Here is the photo of David proposing to me, after he flew to Sydney as a "surprise". He stayed at my parents (surprising them aswell) and had to hide behind the couch when I popped in for a few minutes unannounced. Too funny!

"The poor will always with be with you."

2005-10-24T23:25:00.000+10:00

... and so will our opportunity and responsiblilty to respond to them!

I was just reading the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY site and read the about the difference the $4billion Howard promised to overseas aid over the next five years, a promise he made at the UN Summit in September, will actually make. Read the pdf by clicking on the purple words "boost in aid" on the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY site.

I am somewhat baffled by Christians who use the phrase "the poor will always be with you" as a cop-out to not doing anything about poverty (spiritual, physical, emotional, etc)!

From my understanding, Jesus said that as a response to an ignorant group of people that judged a woman's worship. The Jesus I read about in the Bible was revolutionary in the fact that He modelled actually doing something about poverty: HEALING people so that they could work and earn, EXCORSING people to release them from spiritual torment, FEEDING people spiritually and physically, RAISING people from the dead physically and emotionally.

Jesus talks about the kingdom of God being like a man holding a lavish banquet and sending his servant to gather people from the streets, the waysides, the lonely and outcast places, and bringing them in to eat, be accepted and valued, to be without want.

Yes, the poor (collective) will always be here. But what about the child the dies this moment, and the one that dies in three seconds time, and the one that dies in three seconds time, from poverty, that we can do something about???

The dying art of letter writing...

2005-10-13T13:18:00.000+10:00

This week Stephen and Steph in jest commented on the formality of a thank you letter I sent them: it "sounded like a had a chicken up my bum." I was somewhat taken aback, though amused, by the comment.

Recently I decided to uptake again, what I percieve to be, the dying art of letter writing. In a world of business and technological communication, we have lost the sense and sensibility of handwritten cards, notes and letters. We have forgotten the etiquette of writing a thank you note for a meal shared or a kind deed rendered. We have lost the significance of prioritising the time to write a letter, or make a call to a friend or family member as a sign of love, care, responsibility and friendliness.

I was brought up writing thank you letters for gifts, and writing letters to friends and relatives, most significantly for the purpose of respect: of the person and of the social "to do". Language was also very important. When I was quite young, my letters were to be written first as a draft, so I could be checked for and rehearsed in the conventions of correct grammer and language. I still take particular note of the conventions and elegant language when writing. I have set aside Monday nights to write, looking forward to writing letters of friendship and love, cards or notes of thanks, and expressing my heart to those separated from me by distance. In this I am unapologetic.

How lovely it is when we open the mail box to find a personal letter, with a handwritten address, from a relative or friend! Let me leave you with some other's thoughts on the matter...

"What cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they
can speak; they have in them all that force which expresses the transports of
the heart; they have all the fire of our passions. They can raise them as
much as if the persons themselves were present. They have all the
tenderness and delicacy of speech, and sometimes even a boldness of expresion
beyond it." Heloise To Abelard

"It is the immemorial priviledge of letter-writers to
commit to paper things they would not say: to write in a more grandiose manner
than that in which they speak: and to enlarge upon feelings which would be
passed by unnoticed in conversation." C.S. Lewis

"Something happens to our thoughts and emotions when we
put them into a letter; they are then not the same as spoken words. They
are placed in a different, special context, and they speak at a different level,
serving the soul's organ of rumination rather than the mind's capacity for
understanding." Thomas Moore

And now, I will bid you good health, and continue to take up my pen (a beautiful Venetian Murano glass ink-dipping pen my father recently brought me back from Venice) and continue on my merry writing way... adieu

This time Matt inspired me...

2005-10-12T20:55:00.000+10:00

Matt posted a blog on Religious Barbies. This reminded me of one of my fav sites, and a chick I really want to buy.

Introducing... Feral Cheryl

"Here she is, the anti-Barbie, fresh from the rainforests of Northern New South Wales, Australia.
This 34 cm vinyl doll runs barefoot, dreadlocks her hair with coloured braids and beads, wears simple rainbow clothes, has piercings and a range of tattoos, and even a bit of natural body hair.
Feral Cheryl is modelled on the green extremists, known as ‘ferals’ from Australia.
In contrast to the ‘fashion doll’ mentality, Feral Cheryl does not have an extensive wardrobe, or high heels, or swimsuit, or gym gear, or wedding dress or cheerleader outfit. She needs no sports car or hairdressing salon, no disco stage or shopping mall.
Her motto is "Live Simply, Run Wild". Her only accessories: a bag of home grown herbs*, a sense of humour and a social conscience.Each Feral Cheryl doll is individually crafted with a variety of coloured beads, bindis and a range of tattoos, so there are no two exactly the same.

* the doll comes with a small stash of dried basil."

Isn't she fabulous!!

Semianniversary

2005-10-12T20:37:00.000+10:00

David and I will be celebrating our semianniversary this Saturday (6 months anniversary, but anni means year, so have adopted semi make up my own word). Yeah! Should be a good day & weekend.

(All smiles)

The scariness of "inspiring" Matt

2005-10-12T20:26:00.000+10:00

Matt Stone is such a funny man, especially when he is "inspired"... you never quite know what to expect!

Matt said my last post, When the joke is no longer funny..., "inspired" him. Check out the crazy stuff he found: Thank God these guys weren't gospel writers!

Oh Matt, you make me laugh.

When the joke is no longer funny...

2005-09-28T22:35:00.000+10:00

In reference to Matt's comment on my posting The local vs. global challenge, that

"If cross-cultural mission is not relevent to these students its essentially an
admission that they are not relevant to our pluralist culture,"

I have to assume such students, and Christians who think like them, are responsible for the posters outside churches that are just way beyond even a joke!

This week as I have driven past a certain local church I have come across a poster that makes my stomach turn, my blood drain, my face fall... The green poster had a picture on a man reading a book with a look of sheer terror on his face and his hair on end. The caption:

"Try reading the Bible, it'll scare the hell out of you"

followed by a gentle God verse. Are you also horrified? It sounds like we read an R-rated horror novel or something. Only an insular Christian would think such a play on words witty and relevant. I would love to hear some Christian and non-Christian reactions!

IMF making poverty history...

2005-09-26T11:26:00.000+10:00

Check out the good news on the IMF delivering the goods in the effort to make poverty history...

IMF drops poor countries' debt. 25/09/2005. ABC News Online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1467892.htm
"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to wipe out the debt of 18 of the worlds poorest nations after rich countries bridged differences that had threatened a pact first signed in July..."

Woo hoo!

[Thanks Mel for passing on the good news]

Creation Care: A Prayer*

2005-09-21T20:29:00.000+10:00

Creating God, you have given us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth ...
Resources conserved
Earth tended
Atmosphere cleansed
Trees planted
Injustice ended
Oceans teeming
Nations at peace

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
Alert nations, enthuse churches,
Receive our commitment and so entwine our lives with Your purpose
Earth and heaven will then sing of your glory.

Amen

*Poem found at Oikonomia, which Matt Stone found at Eco-Congregation.

The local vs global challenge

2005-09-21T13:06:00.000+10:00

I have been increasingly frustrated at late by an attitude of many of my fellow students at college and pastors I come into contact with. Whenever cross-cultural mission becomes the topic of discussion, many instantly shut off, declaring, "That is not relevant to me, I am called to Australia."

What the???????

I am not sure if they have openned their eyes lately, but more often that not, the two neighbours on either side of their house, and those in their street, are quite likely to not be born, or have parents born, in the same country as themselves! Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

So, they are called to pastoral or congregational ministry. Does anyone in their suburb live in a different subculture to them? Does anyone speak a different language at home or dress or eat differently to them and those in their church? Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

So, they are to be a youth leader, kids' church worker, pastor, music ministry leader, home group leader, etc? Are there not people in their team that can be trained and raised up to serve cross-culturally? Are there those attending their programs that are of a different cultural or subcultural background to themselves? Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

Today, in the Mission Spot at college, compulsory to all first year, full time students, David Crowe from InterServe spoke on a such an issue as this. Yeah! David spoke about having and local and yet global view - not either/or. After some basic biblical teaching on the theology of mission, he gave a beaut example of what this means:

When one is playing a racing computer game, what you see on the screen is the steering wheel and the road ahead through the windscreen. This is the local perspective. What you are doing in the here and now. However, there is a split screen. There is also a birds-eye-view of the whole track, with your car and the other cars marked. This is the global view. This view puts your work into the frame of God's bigger picture, and helps you see and plan for other work at different points of the "track".

Having a split view of mission and ministry is so important. One cannot deny that Australia has many cultures and subcultures present. How valuable it would be for those in ministry to be trained in cross-cultural skills and stratelgies by cross-cultural workers (ie. missionaries), missiologists, cultural anthropologists, mission agencies and aid & development agencies. And should have the opportunity to visit another country on a short term trip with a mission or aid & development agency, to truly understand the issues of others around the world.

Imagine the impact, effectiveness and grace of our churches then! What is your local and global vision for life and ministry?

Springtime!

2005-09-09T14:45:00.000+10:00

At about 6am this morning I went outside to collect my clothes from the laundry. I was instantly taken aback by the gentle sunshine filling the new day, the beautiful melody of the magpie and the tweetering of many other birds about the place...

I love Spring! It is filled glorious blooms, warming sunshine, gentle breezes, and quenching rains.

My garden is starting to come alive with colour. Some plants are proudly flowering, while other plants are shyly daring to sprout green from the winter earth. Spring seems to be such a gay festival of life, of loveliness and fun, and many eagerly seek the hotter months to come. Yet to me, Winter is the hero month...

Winter is lifeless, hopeless, dry, chilling and desolate, yet somehow, all who pass through this sobering, broken season rarely reflect on their journey as they collapse into the rest and harmony of the new season. Here is my favourite poem at the moment:

"Courage is not the towering oak
That sees storms comes and go;
It is the fragile blossom
That opens in the snow."
Alice McKenzie Swaim

May I honour all of you still in the Winter season. Treasure the journey you are on, and remember Spring is on its way!

Toward Kingdom Communities

2005-09-09T13:26:00.000+10:00

I have been increasingly concerned about the lack of social action and social engagement in our preaching of the gospel - we seem to be only preaching half of the message (note: Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand, and now come - not merely personal, indivindualistic salvation). As I personally have been looking at the practical faith community/church ministry of mission and the role of a church in a community, I have been burdened by a constant, piercing message. I believe this is God's message for His church in Australia at the moment, and I am struggling to figure out what this means for myself, my church, and for my faith community Anything Goes.

I believe this is a two fold message, and two phrases have been repeated at the many conferences and meetings I have been attending, from international to local grassroots speakers, from the Forge National Summit to Hillsong Conference...

1. If my church shut up shop this week, would my community notice? Is the community service and life giving family that is my church, by leaving, dissolve the web that binds this community? If not, what is my church not doing?

2. Revival. NOT revival as traditionally seen: movements of pray or singing, etc. But revival to God's intention of church: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, providing family for the lonely, giving hope to the hopeless, binding broken hearts, offering God's mercy, grace and salvation, etc.

As I said, I am stumbling over what that means practically for me and my church. This morning in my Church History B class at Morling College we looked at what the definition of evangelical was. Author David Bebbington penned four features:
1. conversion (experience new birth)
2. the Bible as the sole authority for all faith and practise
3. activism (social engagement)
4. crucicentrism: atonement, the cross as substitutionary
We looked at how over the last 400 years the balance of these has not always been in equilibrium, with the activism one often being the one that disappears. How can this be if the other three are taken so seriously? They all point to such, do they not?

Coming up is an event that touches on such issues. It explores the practical question:

"How does my church connect relationally with those in need in our community without marginalising its own congregation?"

The event is called Toward Kingdom Communities, October 24, speakers are Dave Andrews and Alan Hirsch. For those interested, contact organiser Elizabeth Gorham pr@bcs.org.au

Make Poverty History

2005-09-08T15:42:00.000+10:00

This Saturday Sept 10 is White Band Day for the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY and Micah Challenge campaignes, seeking our government to take seriously the Millenium Development Goals they signed to half global poverty by 2015.

Check out these sites for more details: www.makepovertyhistory.com.au and micahchallenge.org.au