I was saddened to read of the gun toting Pastor in this a.m's Age.
It begs the question: do we let The Gospel inform our culture and bring about change, or do we allow culture to inform and change the Gospel?
Jesus was the supreme "non violent" man, even to the point of giving himself up to death on the Cross. His teachings in the Beatitudes [Matt Ch 5-7] and elsewhere in the N.T. speak of non violent responses and active peacemaking.
"Everyone who lives by the sword, dies by the sword".
Whilst there may well be a place for guns for self defence, e.g. WW2 against Fascism, Gospel believing Christians must work tirelessly for peace and non violent responses to all situations.
Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers..."
P.S.
I am not a good blogger - but I would be interested in your comments on the above
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A new way
The Archbishop of Canterbury challenges us to look back to the monastic traditions as a new way of living.
His challenge comes as the world struggles with the issues of the Global Financial Crisis, climate change and so on.
As Christians we have a rich tradition of "community" which is based on mutual care, seeking the common good, and pursuing goals of peace and justice.
In the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles we get an insight into how the first Christians lived.
A real challenge lay in how we might embrace these ideals in a very secular suburban world.
But just as the First century Christians turned the then world upside down, perhaps it is time for contemporary Christaians to turn our world upside down.
After all, we are the "resurrection people" - we have the Way, who is also Truth and Life!
Christ is Risen: Alleluia!
His challenge comes as the world struggles with the issues of the Global Financial Crisis, climate change and so on.
As Christians we have a rich tradition of "community" which is based on mutual care, seeking the common good, and pursuing goals of peace and justice.
In the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles we get an insight into how the first Christians lived.
A real challenge lay in how we might embrace these ideals in a very secular suburban world.
But just as the First century Christians turned the then world upside down, perhaps it is time for contemporary Christaians to turn our world upside down.
After all, we are the "resurrection people" - we have the Way, who is also Truth and Life!
Christ is Risen: Alleluia!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pause a momnet
The A.F.L. Season has started once again. I used to love the footy. But somehow it is just not the same. Call me old fashioned if you like. I loved the days when club loyalty was paramount. When the players were committed to the team. Now with all the money, the draft and all of that - footy is more about money and business. Too many things are now measured in dollar terms. I guess we cannot turn back the clock. However, it would be nice to think that we could just enjoy things for their own sake.
Perhaps as we come to Holy Week and Easter, you can take time to stop, to reflect on these great moments and see what they might mean in your life.
The first Easter Day changed the world for ever; how will this Easter Day affect your Life?
Will it cause you to pause and think about the timeless values of love, peace, justice, compassion and joy?
Will you stop and think about your relationship with God?
Good Friday might cause us all to pause and think of the destructiveness of human sin, of how it sets one person against another, one nation against another.
Jesus' resurrection might once again tell us all of God's power, of God's healing, restorative love.
Take some time to ponder these things
God Bless you
Perhaps as we come to Holy Week and Easter, you can take time to stop, to reflect on these great moments and see what they might mean in your life.
The first Easter Day changed the world for ever; how will this Easter Day affect your Life?
Will it cause you to pause and think about the timeless values of love, peace, justice, compassion and joy?
Will you stop and think about your relationship with God?
Good Friday might cause us all to pause and think of the destructiveness of human sin, of how it sets one person against another, one nation against another.
Jesus' resurrection might once again tell us all of God's power, of God's healing, restorative love.
Take some time to ponder these things
God Bless you
Saturday, March 14, 2009
A SERMON
THE LEARNED MAN SAID
TO THE ALMOND TREE;
SPEAK TO ME OF GOD.
AND THE ALMOND TREE BLOSSOMED.
ANON.
TO THE ALMOND TREE;
SPEAK TO ME OF GOD.
AND THE ALMOND TREE BLOSSOMED.
ANON.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Let freedom roll!
I have started to grow a beard. So what?
Well, that's would you would think should be people's reaction.
Well no; it is fascinating how people feel that they must express their opinion on beards and tell me what I can or can't do with my face!
O.K.; you might have to look at me, but, I also look at you, and I accept how you present yourself. If you want to make a change - that's your choice.
It is fascinating how people feel that they can tell another person how they should look. Surely we are free individuals who have the right to make simple choices: a beard, a new hair colour, wearing a bright pink shirt!
An important part of being human, is having the freedom to be yourself. Loving our neighbour is about letting them express their individuality in a way that they are happy with.
So, I am growing a beard - please - let me have that freedom!!
Well, that's would you would think should be people's reaction.
Well no; it is fascinating how people feel that they must express their opinion on beards and tell me what I can or can't do with my face!
O.K.; you might have to look at me, but, I also look at you, and I accept how you present yourself. If you want to make a change - that's your choice.
It is fascinating how people feel that they can tell another person how they should look. Surely we are free individuals who have the right to make simple choices: a beard, a new hair colour, wearing a bright pink shirt!
An important part of being human, is having the freedom to be yourself. Loving our neighbour is about letting them express their individuality in a way that they are happy with.
So, I am growing a beard - please - let me have that freedom!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Fires
It has been a dreadful time in Victoria this past week. You cannot read a paper or use the electronic media without a heavy heart. The tragedy is beyond comprehension.
The responses of people have been amazing. The compassion so many people are showing encourages ones faith in humanity.
The dreadful statement of Danny Nalliah of "Catch the Fire" ministries deserve the strongest condemnation. To say the fires were God's Judgement on Victoria shows a complete ignorance of both the Scriptures and our understanding of God, who is Love.
The Cross of Christ reminds us that God is in the very midst of our suffering, God is in the midst of our pain and despair. There is nothing blacker than Good Friday, but there is nothing more glorious than Easter day.
We don't have all the answers, we see, as St paul says, through a glass, darkly. But we know, that God, in Christ, is present with us.
"Even though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I fear no evil, you are with me!" [Ps 23]
In these current circumstances we are called to act compassionately, be generous, and pray fervently, trusting in the God who will lead us into the glory of His Kiingdom.
The responses of people have been amazing. The compassion so many people are showing encourages ones faith in humanity.
The dreadful statement of Danny Nalliah of "Catch the Fire" ministries deserve the strongest condemnation. To say the fires were God's Judgement on Victoria shows a complete ignorance of both the Scriptures and our understanding of God, who is Love.
The Cross of Christ reminds us that God is in the very midst of our suffering, God is in the midst of our pain and despair. There is nothing blacker than Good Friday, but there is nothing more glorious than Easter day.
We don't have all the answers, we see, as St paul says, through a glass, darkly. But we know, that God, in Christ, is present with us.
"Even though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I fear no evil, you are with me!" [Ps 23]
In these current circumstances we are called to act compassionately, be generous, and pray fervently, trusting in the God who will lead us into the glory of His Kiingdom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
