Over the next week or so lot's of people are getting money from the government. It's all part of the plan to "get the economy going". It seems consumerism will solve the problems rampart consumerism created(!!??!!).
Perhaps it is time for western Society to have a major rethink. Is it time for us to take to heart the challenge to live more simply? I remember a call from the late 60's - "live more simply that others might simply live."
At Christmas, in my family we are trending to giving "aid packages" as gifts. You know the sort of things I mean, you can get them from World Vision, Oxfam, Tear and so on. You can give a goat, school supplies, a well - you name it. Instead of giving more stuff to people who don't need it, we give to people and communities that really need very basic items. Our experience is that the recipients really appreciate such gifts. The more and more ordinary folks share like this the better the world will be and we will generate good change from the bottom up.
Have a Holy and Blessed Christmas - and give a goat to a third world family - it will transform their life!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
life is like a game of golf.
Last week I played a game of golf - the first time in 12 mionths. We played "AMBROSE" We were in teams of 4. It works like this. We all tee'd off, then we selected the best positioned ball and all had our second shot from there. And so it continued. As a very rusty player i was able to make a significant contribution - I had a few "pearlers" of shots. It was a great team effort.
St Paul speaks about the Christian community being a "body" and we are all different parts of the body - working together for the common good.
This stands over and against the rampart individualism that affects so much of modern life.
I find it so much more satisfying when we use the "team model" do you?
St Paul speaks about the Christian community being a "body" and we are all different parts of the body - working together for the common good.
This stands over and against the rampart individualism that affects so much of modern life.
I find it so much more satisfying when we use the "team model" do you?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Eating.....
My wife and I have just had an enjoyable holiday in Tasmania. Eating out at a variety of places we made a few observations.
1. The number of people who are seriously overwieght.
2. The size of meals people eat - that is of course facilitated by the size of serves the venues give the customer.
We found ourselves ordering "entree" serves whenever we could.
3. The lack of thought given to what one eats.
We are a nation that in may ways is eating itself to death.
Jesus speaks about "loving your nieghbour as you love yourself"; part of "loving one self" is bound up in caring for our physical health - this involves such things as thinking about what we eat and what exercise we do. And as parents helping our children making good choices in these areas as well.
It seems so simple, it is at one level; but when confronted with advertising, the size of meals venues serve and so on; it all becomes that much more difficult. We each need to take a greater responsibility for our own well being - learning what it is to "love oneself" in a "Godly" way.
1. The number of people who are seriously overwieght.
2. The size of meals people eat - that is of course facilitated by the size of serves the venues give the customer.
We found ourselves ordering "entree" serves whenever we could.
3. The lack of thought given to what one eats.
We are a nation that in may ways is eating itself to death.
Jesus speaks about "loving your nieghbour as you love yourself"; part of "loving one self" is bound up in caring for our physical health - this involves such things as thinking about what we eat and what exercise we do. And as parents helping our children making good choices in these areas as well.
It seems so simple, it is at one level; but when confronted with advertising, the size of meals venues serve and so on; it all becomes that much more difficult. We each need to take a greater responsibility for our own well being - learning what it is to "love oneself" in a "Godly" way.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Community of Faith.
Over the past month or so I have been heavily involved with some terminally ill people who have subsequently died. They were people of great faith, and the remarkeable thing was their lack of any anxiety or fear. And during their illness and dying they ministered to their families and helped them as they made their journey.
Having faith does make a difference.
And the faith of these people has been nurtured and strengthened through their participation in the life of the community of faith, where Sunday by Sunday they received the Sacrament of Holy Communuion. This together with their reading of the Scriptures and their prayer life has been the source of their life in Christ.
Being an active participant in the Community of faith is such a vital part of it all.
If you are reading this and don't belong to, or are not a very active member consider the infinite worth of being a part odf the Church - the community of faith - the body of Christ
Having faith does make a difference.
And the faith of these people has been nurtured and strengthened through their participation in the life of the community of faith, where Sunday by Sunday they received the Sacrament of Holy Communuion. This together with their reading of the Scriptures and their prayer life has been the source of their life in Christ.
Being an active participant in the Community of faith is such a vital part of it all.
If you are reading this and don't belong to, or are not a very active member consider the infinite worth of being a part odf the Church - the community of faith - the body of Christ
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Money
I am sorry - I am not a good blogger - but here I am back again.
What do you make of the current world Financial crisis?
It has certainly exposed the folly of rampart greed and the way in which the market so often acts like a "gaming table"rather than as a well ordered business activity.
At the bottom of it all is greed.
Money, in itself, is fine. St paul aware of the dangers of money, or the desire for it wrote: "the love of money is the root of all evil"
Jesus saw the dangers too: "You cannot serve God and wealth" - going on to say how you would end up loving one and despising the other.
We all need a good understanding of what is enough. What is a fair share, and how we can make sure that everyone has sufficient.
In the end we will only do that as we put God as our first priority and help others do the same.
It is when we love God first - that everything else falls into its proper place.
What do you make of the current world Financial crisis?
It has certainly exposed the folly of rampart greed and the way in which the market so often acts like a "gaming table"rather than as a well ordered business activity.
At the bottom of it all is greed.
Money, in itself, is fine. St paul aware of the dangers of money, or the desire for it wrote: "the love of money is the root of all evil"
Jesus saw the dangers too: "You cannot serve God and wealth" - going on to say how you would end up loving one and despising the other.
We all need a good understanding of what is enough. What is a fair share, and how we can make sure that everyone has sufficient.
In the end we will only do that as we put God as our first priority and help others do the same.
It is when we love God first - that everything else falls into its proper place.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Olympics
The Olympics are dominating the media at the moment. It is inspirring to watch the brilliance of so many athletes. For the victors there is the crowning glory of the Gold Medal - the reward of often a lifetime of training.
For others, despite such stirling achievement, there is only the rewrad of having competed.
St Paul talks about trining up for running our race. All of life is a "race" of one sort or another. We need to train for it.
As Christians we are challenged to learn to be Christ like. We do this through the discipline of Prayer, study of the Scriptures and our sharing in the Christian fellowship.
The more Christ like we are, the more we can reflect his light and truth into the world about us.
AS we run our race the reward is the " unfading crown of eternal life"
For others, despite such stirling achievement, there is only the rewrad of having competed.
St Paul talks about trining up for running our race. All of life is a "race" of one sort or another. We need to train for it.
As Christians we are challenged to learn to be Christ like. We do this through the discipline of Prayer, study of the Scriptures and our sharing in the Christian fellowship.
The more Christ like we are, the more we can reflect his light and truth into the world about us.
AS we run our race the reward is the " unfading crown of eternal life"
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Slavery
Today, July 30th, the Church remembers William Wilberforce (died 1833); he was the great social reformer who worked tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. He led a group of campaigners who worked selflessly for many years to bring this evil trade to an end: often at great personal cost.
They had to fight powerful vested interests - like so many things that are wrong - the lure of wealth blinded many to the evil, and as St paul reminds us: "the love of money is the root of all evil".
And, sadly, today the slave trade is still alive and well in all sorts of places around the world - even in Australia. There are "sex slaves" in the sex industry. Young women lured by deceit, sold by impoverished families or kidnapped, are brought to Australia to work in the sex industry and they may eventually work their way out of it - usually with nothing more than the clothes that they stand in.
In many third world countries children are forced into work - just to survive - receiving nothing more than scraps of food for long days of hard physical labour.
In areas of civil war, prisoners are sold into slavery.
This evil is a blight on humanity - we must as we best can support all efforts to abolish slavery - it can be as simple as buying "free trade" products - e.g. coffee and chocolate, supporting organisations like Anglicord and World Vision, who work to eridicate slavery in third world countries through their community support programmes etc.
Do not bury your head in the sand - look to what you can do - a little "googling" will open up all sorts of possibilities.
They had to fight powerful vested interests - like so many things that are wrong - the lure of wealth blinded many to the evil, and as St paul reminds us: "the love of money is the root of all evil".
And, sadly, today the slave trade is still alive and well in all sorts of places around the world - even in Australia. There are "sex slaves" in the sex industry. Young women lured by deceit, sold by impoverished families or kidnapped, are brought to Australia to work in the sex industry and they may eventually work their way out of it - usually with nothing more than the clothes that they stand in.
In many third world countries children are forced into work - just to survive - receiving nothing more than scraps of food for long days of hard physical labour.
In areas of civil war, prisoners are sold into slavery.
This evil is a blight on humanity - we must as we best can support all efforts to abolish slavery - it can be as simple as buying "free trade" products - e.g. coffee and chocolate, supporting organisations like Anglicord and World Vision, who work to eridicate slavery in third world countries through their community support programmes etc.
Do not bury your head in the sand - look to what you can do - a little "googling" will open up all sorts of possibilities.
Monday, July 14, 2008
W.F.D.
Well, World Youth day is here, and what a celebration it is for our friends in the R.C. Church.
It gets the Church in the news in a positive light - that's a change!
It provides all Christian communities with opportunities to share their faith.
It is encouraging to see so many young people passionate about their faith.
As we wrestle with the issues of Climate Change, rising oil prices, housing affordibility, food shortages and so on - as a community the Church has some very positive things to say.
Jesus challenges us all to be truly loving - i.e. to be compassionate, selfless, generous, just and peace makers.
These things are not easy to live, but as the Christian community we can, and with the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling we can, together fulfill God's will, and purpose.
So let us take the opportunities W.Y.D. brings.
It gets the Church in the news in a positive light - that's a change!
It provides all Christian communities with opportunities to share their faith.
It is encouraging to see so many young people passionate about their faith.
As we wrestle with the issues of Climate Change, rising oil prices, housing affordibility, food shortages and so on - as a community the Church has some very positive things to say.
Jesus challenges us all to be truly loving - i.e. to be compassionate, selfless, generous, just and peace makers.
These things are not easy to live, but as the Christian community we can, and with the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling we can, together fulfill God's will, and purpose.
So let us take the opportunities W.Y.D. brings.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Dying well - Euthanasia
I have just read the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008. I was very impressed with it. It certainly does not open the floodgates for Euthanasia, but it does allow Doctor assisted dying in particular circumstances. The Title for the Bill is: :"A Bill for an Act to enable a mentally competent adult person suffering intolerably from a terminal or advanced incurable illness to exercise their right to end their life by requesting medical assistance from their doctors, to protect doctors who assist, to prevent misuse of their ability to assist, and for other purposes."
I commend the Bill to your reading - it is easy to find - just Google the title as italisised above.
I don't think we can be black and white on this issue. There are just too many shades of grey. We do need to move very carefully. As Christians our consideration should be done with a good theological undergirding of our responses.
I would be interested in your comments
I commend the Bill to your reading - it is easy to find - just Google the title as italisised above.
I don't think we can be black and white on this issue. There are just too many shades of grey. We do need to move very carefully. As Christians our consideration should be done with a good theological undergirding of our responses.
I would be interested in your comments
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Love one another.
There is a lot of talk in the press amd elsewhere about the Anglican Communion and a split - that being between the Conservatives and Liberals - what ever those distinctions finally mean. Me, I am happy to be called a Prayer Book Anglican and hope that we can all live with a sense of harmony and accept the differences we have with both grace and humour. It worries me when anyone claims to posses the "truth" and then tag everyone else as wrong. The variations and even contradictions of the scriptures show that even those authors understood what is "true" in different ways. Let's face it, there are 2 distinct Creation narratives within the first 2 chapters of Genesis.
We do well to have a true humility. We should read the Scriptures carefully, look carefully to our traditions, and use common sense and work prayerfully, seeking a consensus.
We should look at Jesus: listening to his words, and also observing how he acted in relationship to others.
And then, we should take to heart Jesus' words: "love one another, even as I have loved you."
We do well to have a true humility. We should read the Scriptures carefully, look carefully to our traditions, and use common sense and work prayerfully, seeking a consensus.
We should look at Jesus: listening to his words, and also observing how he acted in relationship to others.
And then, we should take to heart Jesus' words: "love one another, even as I have loved you."
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I was fascinated to read in the paper today oif the discovery of what is believed to be the oldest Christian church - dating back to the time of the First generatyion of Christians. It has been discovered in northern Jordan where early Christians fled to escape persecutions in Jerusalem - possibly those referred to by the Acts of the Apostles and led by Saul who was to become the great Missionary Apostle of the Church.
These discoveries are historically interesting because they point to the fact that the Christian faith is a faith bound up in human history. It is not a faith based on myth or legend - buty in the very reakl encounter with the divine - in the person of Jesus.
"and the Word became Flesh and dwelt amonst us - full fo grace and truth."
These discoveries are historically interesting because they point to the fact that the Christian faith is a faith bound up in human history. It is not a faith based on myth or legend - buty in the very reakl encounter with the divine - in the person of Jesus.
"and the Word became Flesh and dwelt amonst us - full fo grace and truth."
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Various
There are two things i would like to blog on about:
1. The Sudan. Again we are seeing acts of genocide against the Southern Sudanese - apparently with the support of the Sudanese military. Towns are being decimated, people are being murdered or driven off their land to a very uncertain future - at best finding safety in a refugee camp. How often will the world stand by and watch? We all need to urge our government to speak out - especially in the U.N. to get some real action to save these people.
2. Art or prornography?
The current debate over Bill Henson's photo's highlights the tension between art and pornography which comes up whenever provocative 'works' are displayed. Are far should artistic freedom go? It is a debate that will always be very lively. My view is that when it involves children/adolescents we must always take a conservative view, protecting the innocence of the young. Any freedom has to be balanced against responsibility. In this case art should recognise its responsibility to protect the innocent. What does the display of Henson's photos do in terms of giving permission to others to do in terms of photos?
1. The Sudan. Again we are seeing acts of genocide against the Southern Sudanese - apparently with the support of the Sudanese military. Towns are being decimated, people are being murdered or driven off their land to a very uncertain future - at best finding safety in a refugee camp. How often will the world stand by and watch? We all need to urge our government to speak out - especially in the U.N. to get some real action to save these people.
2. Art or prornography?
The current debate over Bill Henson's photo's highlights the tension between art and pornography which comes up whenever provocative 'works' are displayed. Are far should artistic freedom go? It is a debate that will always be very lively. My view is that when it involves children/adolescents we must always take a conservative view, protecting the innocence of the young. Any freedom has to be balanced against responsibility. In this case art should recognise its responsibility to protect the innocent. What does the display of Henson's photos do in terms of giving permission to others to do in terms of photos?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Bits and Pieces
Well dear readers I am back!
It has been quite a time over the past few months.
A period of being off on sick leave, Easter and a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
My illness revolves around "burnout" - a severe reminder of the balance we all need in our lives. The importance of proper rest and recreation.
We all do well to heed the commandment "6 days shall you labour....." Sadly, so many people are under so much pressure from work, family needs etc that we sometimes lose sight of the need for rest and re-creation: we all need time "to smell the roses".
Our Easter celebrations were a time of spiritual enrichment: the great drama that unfolds from Passion [Palm] Sunday through to Easter Day calls us back to what is most important in our life: a living relationship with God - Creator of heaven and earth. Jesus' death on the cross reminds us of how far God will go to draw us into that relationship.
After Easter Judy and I led a group of parishioners and others to the Middle East.
It was an amazing experience. Walking where Jesus walked, reading the stories of Elijah on Mt Carmel, the place where he defeated the priests of Baal, and being in Jerusalem and experiencing all its holy and historical sites brings the Scriptures alive in a new and exciting way.
One also gets a strong sense of the tensions and conflict that is part of the Middle East. We felt quite safe all of the time - but you wonder if peace is ever possible in that part of the world. I am becoming more convinced that "fundamentalism" be it Jewish, Islamic, Christian or Athiest is a dangerous form of belief - it leads to intolerance and often accepts violence as a means of achieving its ends.
We all need to join in the Psalmist's longing: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and may all who love her prosper"
In the end we must take Jesus' words to heart:"love one another, even as I have loved you."
It has been quite a time over the past few months.
A period of being off on sick leave, Easter and a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
My illness revolves around "burnout" - a severe reminder of the balance we all need in our lives. The importance of proper rest and recreation.
We all do well to heed the commandment "6 days shall you labour....." Sadly, so many people are under so much pressure from work, family needs etc that we sometimes lose sight of the need for rest and re-creation: we all need time "to smell the roses".
Our Easter celebrations were a time of spiritual enrichment: the great drama that unfolds from Passion [Palm] Sunday through to Easter Day calls us back to what is most important in our life: a living relationship with God - Creator of heaven and earth. Jesus' death on the cross reminds us of how far God will go to draw us into that relationship.
After Easter Judy and I led a group of parishioners and others to the Middle East.
It was an amazing experience. Walking where Jesus walked, reading the stories of Elijah on Mt Carmel, the place where he defeated the priests of Baal, and being in Jerusalem and experiencing all its holy and historical sites brings the Scriptures alive in a new and exciting way.
One also gets a strong sense of the tensions and conflict that is part of the Middle East. We felt quite safe all of the time - but you wonder if peace is ever possible in that part of the world. I am becoming more convinced that "fundamentalism" be it Jewish, Islamic, Christian or Athiest is a dangerous form of belief - it leads to intolerance and often accepts violence as a means of achieving its ends.
We all need to join in the Psalmist's longing: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and may all who love her prosper"
In the end we must take Jesus' words to heart:"love one another, even as I have loved you."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
free speech
What did you think of all the furore after the Archbishop of Canterbury's speech last Thursday? As a result of a carefully crafted speech about the practice of faith and the rule of law in a multi faith society he has been condemned by many fo9r comments about using some aspects of sharia law in relation to marriage and divorce matters. What he was proposing was in a sense quite inocuous, but the reaction has been amazing. Largely because the "tabloid" media have made sensational headlines and run articles that bear little resemblence to anything the A/Bp actually said. Also, they have played on the latent fears the general British public has of anything Islamic.
The greater tragedy is the assault on free speech. The reaction would cause any leader a pause, will I speak about this or that issue or not?
Civil society is based in part upon the freedom of its members to express their point of view.
If the reaction to the A/Bp's speech is anything to go by, we are at risk of being ruled by the mob!
We need to value free speech, and honour it. We need to encourage our thinkers and leaders to express a wide variety of views, we need to have our minds stretched so that we can have genuine progress and a richer and more harmonious society; built on respect for the other and tolerance for a variety of points of view.
The greater tragedy is the assault on free speech. The reaction would cause any leader a pause, will I speak about this or that issue or not?
Civil society is based in part upon the freedom of its members to express their point of view.
If the reaction to the A/Bp's speech is anything to go by, we are at risk of being ruled by the mob!
We need to value free speech, and honour it. We need to encourage our thinkers and leaders to express a wide variety of views, we need to have our minds stretched so that we can have genuine progress and a richer and more harmonious society; built on respect for the other and tolerance for a variety of points of view.
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