Light

I apologise for being away for so long. A lot has been happening which I am lookinng forward to sharing some of with you. The following blog post I 'posted' in December however apparently it never actually posted so now, here it is.

Well last time was the last of a six part series in Jude. I hope you all found it as helpful going through it as I did writing it. Quite encouraging and confronting at the same time.

Apologies that I haven't posted anything for a little while. It seems that as much as we try to not let it, sometimes life does just get on top of us. At the moment I am on a Christian Conference in Canberra, our nations capital. The theme for the week has been In Christ and has been very challenging, encouraging, instructional, and everything else you can probably think of along those lines too.

I hope to post again soon, both to tell you more about all the things I have been learning here and to continue with the series I was planning on beginning next - Shine. Originally I was just going to do one blog on this until I realised that there is no way I am going to fit everything there is to say about light into one blog - without it becoming an essay of sorts.

What have you been learning about recently?

God Bless

Praise To God (Jude, Part 6)

So, last time in Take Action, we looked at what our response is to look like, just how we are to take action against these people, these frauds. This action is both within ourselves and our relationship with our Father as well as our response towards them. So, it now seems that Jude has said all that there is to say on this topic – he’s raised the issue, presented the history, given examples, explained why it’s an issue, and instructed on how to respond – what is there left to say, you might wonder. Well, there is one thing left, and it is the most important, and that is praise to God.

Praise to God is an honest acknowledgement of who he is, what he has done. The following verses I think can speak for themselves. Think about each line and just how it is true of God. And then think about it all together – just what kind of picture does this paint of God?

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Saviour,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.

- Jude 24-25

When you pray, how do you praise God – or do you just get caught up in requests?

Coming Up: Shine

God Bless

Take Action (Jude, Part 5)

We ended last time with the question of what divisions within Christian community are a result of the mindset which leads to jealousy, greed, and pride. This question many are afraid to answer in case somebody’s toes are tread on. But remember what we are to do in response to those who are causing such divisions, in response to these divisions which are occurring... we are not to run scared – why do we insist on continuing to do just what we have been told not to do?!
 

Jude continues in instructing us on just how we should be responding. We have already been told to remember what we have been taught – what the apostles spoke, for us this is the New Testament of the Bible. But to remember on its own is not enough.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. - Jude 20-21

Build yourselves up, pray, keep yourselves in, look for – these are all actions which follow from remembering what we have been taught, and believing what has been revealed to us. This is our response, but is also how we are to guard ourselves against such people.

Build yourselves up on your most holy faith – continue to learn and question and understand more and more about the faith which you have, meeting with others of like mind and being an encouragement to one another.

Pray in the Holy Spirit – come to know your God and share your life with Him, develop that personal relationship which we each have with our Father in Heaven.

Keep yourselves in the love of God – do not turn away from what you know or willingly succumb to sinful deeds but strive to be like God, like Jesus, to the best of your ability.

Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ – as mercy has been shown on us, so show it on others, and look for it in others, sharing what you know with others that you might be able to better find it.

Unto eternal life – do this for always thinking of not your life here now, but the promise of what is to come.

This is how we are to respond and guard ourselves against these divisions and people causing such, but how are we to respond or act towards the people whom are the frauds, committing these acts. Jude does not leave us without guidance in this matter but continues...

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. - Jude 22-23

We are to be discerning in how we act and treat others depending on where their motivation comes from. Different people require different approaches however we are not to get caught up in this but the most important thing is that they are not left without opportunity to hear the true gospel, to see the error of their ways and repent for it, turning to the true God and finding forgiveness for their sins there.

We have heard again and again over the past few weeks in the previous verses of Jude just what is waiting for those who are not in Christ – just what is waiting for these men. So on some we are to have compassion, showing them the error of their ways, on others we are to save with fear – hating even what they touch as it has been ruined by their sinful flesh. We all are sinners and have been found guilty however for those who are in Christ, our sentence has already been paid. Don’t be gentle about it but stop them in their tracks and show them just what they are doing and just how it is wrong. Do not worry about saving a relationship with them or how they might feel but risk these things in the hope that they may come to Christ and so save their very soul – not saving things in this world but looking to save them for much longer – into eternal life with the Father.

It is a hard thing to do, to discern. Whom do you approach with compassion, and whom do you approach with fear – but in all cases approach with an unbending will, that you will not compromise the true gospel, a willingness to help lead them in the right direction in their new found life as given by His gospel, and a readiness to accept criticism and rebuke if you are in the wrong.

My question to you this time is how often do you think about the eternal fate of others whom you know and meet – your family, friends, acquaintances, or even the stranger walking down the street?

Coming up: Jude, Part 6

God Bless

Choose Your Mindset (Jude, Part 4)

Sorry I missed posting this last week. However, I will do three posts over the next week to keep on track with Jude (this one plus two more to finish!). I do not know about you but I was getting quite intrigued as reading through Jude to hear just what he would say next. It has been challenging.

Last time we started to hear just how relevant Jude’s words are to us today, and just why we should listen to them. God is speaking to us through them, and particularly into our society. There are those among us who live by jealousy, greed, and pride. We know what is marked out from them as has been revealed – and that is not eternity with Christ, which is our hope.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." - Jude 14-15

Judgement is coming! And it is going to be a time of much devastation – and much rejoicing. For everything which is done – so shall judgement come. While all are sinners, we who call ourselves Christians are born again of the Spirit in Jesus Christ – that we may know forgiveness of sins. Our God is a just and holy God; therefore judgement must come. But he is also a God of love, and by His grace he has saved a remnant.


We read in Philippians 2:9-11 -

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Where will you be and in what mind when every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord? Will it be in the light of forgiveness – of having been saved from the judgement deserved purely by grace, or in the light of condemnation – knowing the reality of the penalty you will suffer for eternity under right judgement?

Jude now continues in describing these men, these frauds, so that they might be recognised from among the flock of his people – this is how that jealousy, greed, and pride is shown in them, that we may recognise it. In so describing, Jude also describes how one would look who is walking in the Spirit – that is, the opposite to those who are not.

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. - Jude 16-19

Not all have the Spirit, and it is these men whom do not that threaten to turn others astray. And what are we to do? Jude tells us quite clearly that we are not to run scared but remember what has been spoken already. In the last time there will be mockers who follow their own lusts, just as these frauds also do. We are in the last times, being after Jesus Christ has come and before his return. And so, here we can see one example of just how this is so. However, in remembering the words which were ‘spoken to us’, what we need to also do is remember the other words which were spoken, the words which hold the truth – the gospel. In remembering this and holding to this you will also be less likely to be swayed by persuasive words, but keep to the one true gospel.

Now my question to you – we hear in Jude 19 how these people without the Spirit cause divisions amongst us – what divisions can you see within ‘Christian’ communities (or community) which may have been caused by such mindsets?

Coming up: Jude Part 5

God Bless

Open Your Eyes (Jude, Part 3)

So, last week Judes letter started to get a bit more interesting, a bit more confronting. We now know why he is writing this letter - his concern for their salvation given their current situation. Judes letter, although written almost two thousand years ago, is relevant to us today. We are not informed of his specific audience from the letter and so all we know is that is written to a group of christians to address a particular issue which has arisen. This same issue is seen in our society and amongst our churches - just look at all the different denominations. Jude could easily have been writing this letter with us in mind looking at it now. Look at it, as such.

Jude, having told us now what to look out for, tells us more of how to recognise these people amongst our number. And not only this, but shows how what they are doing is contrary to what God has said.

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. - Jude 8-11

Even Michael where he had reason to do these things, did not, but instead said, "The Lord rebuke you!". This is the kind of response which we need to have, even when we see that we have reason to. Know that it is not our place to do such things, but it is for the Lord to do. If we follow in these ways we are following in the ways of Cain (who murdered his brother for pleasing God more - and was sent away), brute beasts (who know only how to satisfy the physical - they are not in the image of God), Balaam (who cursed 'Israel' to better things for himself - and he was left worse and curses became good for 'Israel'), and Korah (who rebels against what God has said to Israel through Moses - and all are swallowed up and perish in fire). All of these things are the result of jealousy, greed, and pride.

Jude continues by giving some images to help us see just what it is that they are. Open your eyes, he says, and see what it is that they are doing... nothing of benefit to anyone - not even themselves in the long run.

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. - Jude 12-13

Love feasts where reguarly held with the Lords supper in the early church. These are a time to 'feed the flock' but instead at these times they serve only themselves!

What is the point of such clouds which have no water in them, and are moved so easily by the winds so as not to provide shade.

Trees which are twice dead - without fruit (autumn) and pulled up by the roots - have failed at what you are here for - useless.

Raging waves of the sea - they look big and make lots of noise, but what do they leave? - nothing but some scum and rubbish on the shore.

And wandering stars... stars are there to guide, what use are they if they continually wander or move? The blackness of darkness is reserved for them - not only in the sky but this is also talking of that eternal separation from God, for God is light, so to be in the blackness of darkness forever... is terrible!

Take heed to Jude's words. They are not just his own but inspired by God. Let us learn from them and learn how to distinguish these people from amongst us. Have a go at answering the question below, it's a good one to get you thinking for next week.

Question: What might this jealousy, greed, and pride look like today? Jealousy, greed, and pride of what?

Coming Up: Jude, Part 4


God Bless

Remember (Jude, Part 2)

So, what an amazingly encouraging start to a letter we heard last week. Now we can hear just what it was that Jude wished to write about. We do not know to whom he was writing but as it is not addressed it is often assumed that it is to a group of Christians that it might be handed around for many to read.

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3

Jude obviously feels very strongly about this. He loves them. He want to write to them about our Lord Jesus Christ, about the wonderful things which He has done for us, about such joy, about God and the time to come when we might see Him face to face. Such a wonderful letter that would be and easy to write. But no, Jude instead says, I wish I could write to you about these things but this is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT! Jude exhorts them, appeals to them, urges them, that they might earnestly contend for the faith which we have. Earnestly contend also translates as vigorous defense. Continue in your vigorous defense! Why is Jude so concerned and particular on this matter? We hear why in the following verse.

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. - Jude 4

Look among you, says he. Do you  not see these impostors who are calling you astray and leading you asunder?? They are among you, and yet you do not see them. Be wary and listen with wisdom and discernment that you might not find yourself amongst them also, but keep your faith. Not only keep it, but defend it, and contend for it, that they also might see that they do not belong where they have placed themselves. As Jesus said 'whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.' - Matthew 10:33 They turn the grace of God on its head and make it look like a joke and add our own works into the equation, even though we know we can never be enough. But no, keep the truth.

Jude does not leave it there, with a strict warning, but gives the people examples of stories which they themselves know (from Israel's history and can be found in the Old Testament). Stories which confirm this of God, and affirm that what they are doing now is wrong. Be rebuked!

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. - Jude 5-7

The shape of this letter has changed somewhat from what we read last week. But while it is quite scary to read and think about it can be seen that it comes from genuine love and concern. Not only do we know what Jude is concerned about, he has also shown just what motivates his concern. His concern is that they are drifting from their faith, the one true gospel which has been revealed to us, as these other men have crept in and are spreading lies. The motivation behind this is that without having faith in the one true gospel, all are condemned to eternal damnation. So, Keep Strong.

The God we serve is a god of love, but He is also a Just and Holy God. God cannot be just and holy if he does not destroy and condemn those who do not believe. But we see also that He is a God of love, as he has made a way that we might live eternal with Him, by believing the one true gospel and living in such a way which reflects this.

Question: What is one thing which 'strikes' you from this passage?

Coming up: Jude, Part 3

God Bless

Be Encouraged (Jude, Part 1)

My favourite book to read - ever - is the Bible, and I find myself 'in' it often. Jude is a one chapter letter found in the New Testament, just before Revelation. It begins...

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified (beloved) by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love by multiplied to you. - Jude 1-2

Who is Jude? Well, he tells us that he is a brother of James. The next question then, I suppose, is who is James? James also wrote a letter which can be found in the New Testament. He begins...

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve trives which are scattered abroad: Greetings. - James 1:1

We first hear of James in Matthew 13 when Jesus returns to his own country and teaches in their synagogue - all were astonished and responded 'Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?'

James is the brother of Jesus. Jude, we conclude, is a younger brother of Jesus. We hear reference made to them also in 1 Corinthians 9 by another apostle - 'Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?'

While they are both brothers of Jesus, they do not claim this, but claim to be bondservants of Jesus who is Christ. Next question: what does Christ mean? It is derived from the greek word khristos which means 'the anointed' referring to the promised Messiah of the Old Testament (the term messiah is derived from the Hebrew). These two brothers both recognised that their 'big brother' was not just like them, but the promised from the Old Testament - Christ.

As Jesus is Christ, they have chosen to be bondservants of Him. That is give up whatever is required in order to follow Him - to spread the Truth. This is what made them true brothers of Jesus Christ - as it does with us also.

The middle part of this opening to Jude's letter is a brilliant reminder of just where we are - what is true for us, as Christians, followers of Jesus. We are called. We are sanctified (beloved). We are preserved.

Called? God is sovereign - from eternity to eternity - and he has chosen us, called us, away from the sinful life which we would choose of our own free will to instead follow Him.

Sanctified? Beloved? God loves us. Even in our sinfulness - He still loves us. And because He loves us He has set us aside - consecrated us - made us Holy. He made this possible for us and accomplished it completely.

Preserved? Death isn't the end. Through Jesus Christ we are able to live eternally to worship our God, our Lord. We are kept, not just thrown away and disposed of.

The latter part of the opening to Jude's letter is not completely uncommon. It was common to have some kind of greeting similar at the beginning of a letter - ours today would probably be something along the lines of 'How are you? I hope you are well.' Kind of dull in comparison, is it not? This particular greeting however is not common and it is linked to what we have just heard. God shows these things to us through those things. Mercy, peace, and love. But also, these qualities can be attributed to the three persons of the trinity, Father brings Mercy, Son effects Peace, and Spirit gives Love - although all are true of each as well.

And so I say, be encouraged! May Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Question: what kind of greeting would you like to receive - would be good to have as a common greeting?

Coming up: Jude, Part 2

God Bless

Unpacking Personal Symbolism

As promised in last weeks blog, this week I am unpacking what the symbolism behind my tattoo is. There is a bit too it, so don't think that it will just be a short one to read.

The idea behind it is that it acts as a prompt for a synopsis of the Bible from beginning to end.

STAR

The first thing the star reminds us of is creation. In the beginning God created everything! He even made the stars. This phrase is kind of thrown in there as a side not within the creation story as in ancient times the stars were seen as some kind of God, people would look to the stars for answers which we still see today with daily horoscopes. God is greater even than them; He created them! 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters... Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. - Genesis 1:1-2, 16

Moving along in the creation story we remember that God also created man in his image and gave us the mandate to fill the earth, and subdue it.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." - Genesis 1:27-28

God is a loving God who wants us to have choices and options. He does not want to limit us by giving us orders on what we can and cannot do but to live as He created us to live, in His image, in relationship with Him. In order to do this there was one thing which we were not to do, and even this we could not obey and so man was put out of the garden to keep him from accessing the tree of life (as if he did we would be bound to living eternally separated from God). 

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden... Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" - therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. - Genesis 3:8, 22-23

So now sin has entered the world. We are no longer dwelling with God, but God does not just disappear, he still continues to associate with us. It is only because He loves us that He allowed for us to be put out and made subject to our sin.

CROSS

The cross is a reminder that God keeps his promises. And so the first step of this is that it reminds us of what Gods promises to us are.

One of these is that after the flood God makes a covenant with Noah, his sons, their descendants, and every living creature, (so, all of us) that the earth will never again be flooded completely to destroy everything, and as a reminder He gave us the rainbow. The mandate given to Adam and Eve is also re-iterated. [Genesis 9:1]

"It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." - Genesis 9:14-16

Number 4

As a quick side note as am trying to do this in some kind of chronological order there are a few things within the Bible which lasted for a numerical value of 40 which we are reminded of by the 4 here. The first time we encounter this value is at the flood as it continued to flood for 40 days before it stopped. It then took a lot longer for the waters to go down. [Genesis 7:17f.]

CROSS

Back to the promises. Abram, who became Abraham, was a descendant of Noah and it was promised to him, a God fearing man, that through him a great nation will be born and everyone would be blessed. Part of this promise we are also reminded of by the STAR.

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." ... Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. - Genesis 12:1-3, 15:5-6

It is from these promises that the rest continue to flow. That it would be through their descendants that all would be made right once more, that blessings would outflow. Jacob whom is a descendant of Abraham is the one who becomes Israel.

[Isaac, Jacob's father, speaking to Jacob, his son] "May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples; And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a stranger, Which God gave to Abraham." - Genesis 28:3-4 

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram,  and blessed him. And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. - Genesis 35:9-13

It is these promises, and many more that follow which build upon these first ones, that we see fulfilled in Jesus. The cross is a symbol of Jesus and so this is why it reminds us of these first promises.

STAR and CROSS

Continuing along with the story we are now reminded that there are 12 tribes of Israel (6 points on the star by the 2 beams of the cross - which where everything points towards) These 12 tribes of Israel come from the 12 sons of Israel, whom was Jacob.

This in turn reminds us of the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery, and he then in turn ended up working for the Pharaoh in Egypt due to his gift in interpreting dreams as God revealed their interpretation to him. As was pleasing to Pharaoh and Joseph during the time of the seven bad years that all of Joseph's family came to move to Egypt and occupy much land.

M41

One of the things which this reminds us of is Moses who led Israel out of captivity from Egypt where they then spent 40 years journeying in the desert. During this time, God provided them with all that they needed until they were able to enter the promised land. In the first year of that journeying is when they received the law and built the tabernacle, tent, lamp stands, clothing, and everything else as directed to them by God. The law as it was given was to highlight sin. That they may know what is not in accordance with God's will that they might know what is required of them if they are to live a holy life. The passover is remembered each year (that is, the final plague which was sent upon Egypt where the angel of death passed over the Israelites.)

The other thing which this stands for is Malachi 4:1-3. We will look at this passage in a little bit but for now will just focus on the Malachi part of it. Malachi was a prophet whom God spoke to his people through. There were many other prophets whom God spoke to his people through, some of which we are able to read about in the  Old Testament (Isaiah is a well known prophet from the Old Testament). To tell them when they were turning from Him, to direct their paths because He cared for the, to tell them what He was going to do so that they would have warning and know why different things were happening when they did. God is a loving God who cares a lot for us but He is also a jealous and holy God.

CROSS and STAR

Jesus. The fulfillment of promises made in the Old Testament and the only way we are saved. The Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. We are reminded of his miraculous birth, the journey for the census by Mary and Joseph, his birth in a stable, and the jealous king. The star reminds of his birth as we hear from the three magi of this king.

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship him." - Matthew 2:2

Number 4

There are 4 main key aspects to Jesus Ministry. These are his life, death, resurrection, and reign. We can read of Jesus Ministry while he was on earth in the 4 gospels found at the beginning of the New Testament. The relationship he had with his Father in Heaven. His baptism, and then 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil. The many miracles performed, demons driven out, claims made, teachings given. The things that made Jesus stand out from others claiming similar things is that everything he said and claimed, happened. He suffered and so can understand what we are going through, he is not unsympathetic. He died to take the punishment for our sin, and then rose again which means that death does not have to be the end. It has been conquered. And now rules alongside his Father (and through Christ, we too can share in His glory) - and one day, he will return.

Much of the explanations behind just how Jesus fulfills the promises and prophecies given in the Old Testament is given to us in letters written by the apostles to the early church, as found in the New Testament. None of these are contradictory but support one another even when written by different authors. These letters talk of how we are to live out our faith also - what that will look like, and what we will look like to others who do not understand.

STAR

In some translations one such letter tells us to shine like stars. As Christians we are held to a higher calling and conduct which we know we can never meet but by grace we are made acceptable through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our attitude should than be one of thankfulness and grace and mercy towards others. As such we will stand out amongst our peers by our behaviour.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. - Philippians 2:14-16

M41

The passage from Malachi is another promise given, which points towards the last day - a promise which we are still waiting to be fulfilled. It is in this which we find our hope.

"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 4:1-3

We hear more about the last day and just what it means, just what is promised, just what our hope is in, from John in Revelation. That all that which is marred by sin will be gone and there will be instead a new heaven and a new earth where we will once again be dwelling with our Father, as he created us to be in the beginning. We will be the bride of Christ, saved and healed by the Sun of Righteousness, able to abide with our Father, worshipping him, eternally. 

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:1-4 

And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. - Revelation 22:12-17

 LAYOUT

There is one more aspect of my tattoo which I have not yet spoken on and explained, and that is the layout.

There is 3 images in this 1 tattoo. This is a reminder of the trinity. Three persons, one God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is in this way that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. It is also why Jesus was able to pray to His Father in heaven. And it is also how he is able to be with us now while reigning with his Father in heaven. This is a very important point.

Even though the cross is technically not the centre of the image, it is the cross which was centred on my wrist, and it is around the cross that the other images find their place and position. In the same way we learn that Jesus is the rock and anchor point to which we must set ourselves. Everything else in our lives should fit around this. If it doesn't fit somehow, than it does not belong.

And finally, most people who have tattoos in places like this have them so that they are facing themselves, so that they are able to clearly see it for themselves. Mine is facing away from me which is a reminder that it is to be shared with others. When I reach out, I am constantly reminded to reach out with the gospel.

WHY

Hopefully, understanding the symbolism behind my tattoo you might start to understand why I chose to follow this path and get it. It is also a personal statement that this is what is important to me, and for me it is a visible representation of a lifelong commitment which I have made.

Aside from these on a practical approach, it is a conversation setter - making it easy to change any conversation around to the gospel, and matters of faith. And also when I got it I was able to take my brother along with me and was encouraged to see that he was much more keen to get any future tattoos of his own done professionally instead of in his lounge room by a friend.

So... a fairly long one this week it would seem.

Coming up.. I think I shall take a look at Jude (we will see how many blogs it takes)

My question for you this week is more of a reflection point. Do you think there is any key points which I have missed (remember, it is just a little image) and do you think there is anything else that you could get out of it?

God Bless

Personal Symbolism

So, I suppose the first question is what do I mean by personal symbolism? I think I can safely say that the universal symbol for Christians or Christianity is 'the cross'. Many take that one step further and take the crucifix but that too is the cross, just with Jesus still on it.

We, each of us, have things - images, symbols, objects - which remind us of something else. This is symbolism. Within the church we use a lot of symbolism - more so I think, or perhaps just different, in traditional services. The cross up the front to remind us of what Jesus has done for us. Holy Communion is also symbolism - the bread, his body; the wine, his blood. In traditional services, the incence and ringing of bells as a symbol (what the symbolism is here can differ between denominations).

The thing with symbolism is that care always needs to take place that it does not become idolatry (particuarly in regards to the church and matters of faith), that is putting all your care and praise towards the image rather than what the image is representing. The purpose of symbols is to remind us of something more, not just get caught up in it.

Now to address the 'personal' part of this blog. We choose our own symbols to remind us of different things. You may have 10 people with 10 different symbols all representing or reminding them of the same thing. Or similarly have 10 people all with the same symbol reminding them of 10 different things.

One way in which people show symbols is through body art, or tattoo's. Initials of a person you love, a flower to remind you of the field where you were engaged, southern cross because you are australian, a snake or tiger because that's the year you were born in (chinese calendar), or perhaps a word like destiny because that's what you believe in. There are many, but when it comes down to it, it is only things which people see as important to them which they get tattooed on them. Sometimes, this might just be because it looks cool and that is what is importat to them but more often than not, it is a symbol, and what is behind the symbol is why they have it.

This is a picture of my tattoo and next week I will tell you the symbolism behind it. Take a guess at it if you like in the comments - see if you can cover everything.

In this blog we've looked at different kinds of things which people have for personal symbols to represent different things, my question for you is what do you have a symbol for?

Coming up: 'Unpacking Personal Symbolism'

God Bless

'God's Will'

A little while ago at church we went through a series on Divine Guidance looking at What is 'God's Will'?, Why is Decision Making so Hard?!?, and A Guide to Godly Decision Making. I was reflecting on what was spoken about during this time and a previous blog and thought that I should clarify or correct something which I had said in case it is taken the wrong way.

On June 14 of this year in Gods Guidance I wrote the following in the last paragraph.

'Who better to turn to when we have questions, are in grief, or are so relieved, happy, or joyful about something? I know God has something planned for me to do and in His time this will be revealed to me but for now it is best to do what you can while that time is still on its way. I'm waiting for that time but in this waiting, it is a preparation time and God is teaching me many things.'

God's will for us is quite simple and is given to us in the bible. That we live godly lives. This first means that we know Him and are in Christ.

'And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.' (John 6:40)

Then the question beckons, what does it mean to live a godly life? Is a missionary more godly than the old lady cleaning up after church, or a pastor more godly than those they serve? Based on their positions, the answer is no. Godliness as we read in the bible does not depend on what you do, but how you act. It is to do with our character, the motives behind what we do.

Paul tells the Colossians to

'put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another... but above all these things put on love' -3:12-14

And in his second letter to Timothy to

'Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.' -2:22

This is not to say that God does not also have a personal plan for each of our lives, he does! We read in Psalm 139 (1-4, 16)

'O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether...  

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was  none of them.'

God knows us personally, intimately, even before we ever know ourselves! And he has a plan for us but the wonderful thing is that we don't need to know what it is, and we can't stuff it up, no matter what! Even if we knew it, we couldln't stuff it up. When making decisions don't assume that one path is the one that God wants you to go on and the other is against God. Most of the decisions we agonise over are those where both paths are for God.. just choose one!

This brings me to the other point I wanted to make in response to what I wrote. God reveals things to us over time but everything we need to know he reveals to us through His word, the Bible. In the Old Testament we read of how God appeared to Noah, Moses and Abraham and told them what to do, and in the New Testament how he appeared to Saul. We read this and ask for the same thing, 'God, tell us what to do?' If we really read these stories though we will notice that these are the exceptions, not the norm. And they were not asking God to tell them what to do, in fact, most of the time it was quite unwelcome - they didn't want it, although they followed once it was given.

God reveals things to us through His word. The more we read, the more we spend time with God, the more we get to know Him and His character and are able to make decisions which align themselves with what we know of God. I find that most of the time I see things which have been revealed to me and the way God is helping me to make decisions and direct my life, after they have already happened. There is something to be said about looking back, and considering how God has lead you to where you are now.. just be sure not to dwell on the past.

So, this weeks question is what is something that you have learnt of God Character?

Coming up: a look at 'Personal Symbolism'

God Bless

Suffering

Sooo... I was a little pre-emptive with my last blog, it seems that I have not started back up again as soon as I thought I would. Anyhow, not to dwell on what's been.

As I mentioned in my last blog I thought I'd have a look at suffering. As it so happens I don't actually have much to say on the subject... I don't think.

We often view suffering as some kind of punishment, as though since we're suffering we must have done something wrong in order to have deserved it. This has some grounding in that if we sin and continue to turn from God than we should not be surprised if we find that we are undergoing some kind of suffering. But the assumption behind this is that you only suffer if you have done wrong and this is where it is incorrect.

Think back to when you were just a child. What made you suffer and what were the motives behind it? If you are honest with yourself it is probably your parents in rebuking and disciplining you that caused much of your 'suffering'. The motives behind this should have been out of love, to show you the error of your ways that you might learn what is right and wrong, and build good character. If our earthly parents do this how much more than will our Father in Heaven do this? That we might be built up in Him with godly character through those tests and trials.

In talking of this let us not get confused with temptation though. For to tempt us is not in line with what we know of Gods character. To tempt is to call us to sin, calling us to turn to our sinful nature and not fight against it to be as we were created to be, in Gods image. Temptation comes from the devil but there is hope against it as we hear in 1 Corinthians 10:13

'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.'

God is almighty, more powerful than the devil or any temptation.

There is but a third type of suffering. We read of Paul in Colossians 1:24

'I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church...'

 and again in 2 Timothy 1:8

'Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God...'

We are promised that as long as we are in Him and doing His work, there will be suffering. Jesus said

'If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.' (John 15:18-19)

We are no longer of the world living and revelling in our sinful ways but have turned from them, repenting, to live a life of worth. We are different, we stand out, we are not accepted.

How then, why then, do we expect to be both? To live as a child of God but also enjoy comfort on a worldly scale, free from suffering on a worldly scale. We must understand that these are different. Suffering is in the world, and everyone will suffer as we are all sinful, living in a creation which is also suffering. The real question is what are we suffering for? We can suffer as the world suffers or we can suffer for the gospel in the world.

My question to you then is.. What do you think about suffering.. and what are you suffering for?

Coming up: a look at 'God's Will'

God Bless

Coming Back Soon

To my invisible audience. As you would not have noticed I have not been blogging for a little while.. much longer than my last 'little while'. Many things have been happening. Many, many things.

Anyhow, this is just a short notice to inform those of you whom do not read this blog that I shall be returning to regular blogging in the quite near future, and I apologise for not putting up anything, with no warning, for the past six-ish weeks.

Something new to this blog. What will I be writing about next with so many different topics coming up? From now on, I shall be letting you know what my next regular blog will be on. From time to time something comes up and there may be an extra entry in but for the regular blogging, it's all there!

Coming up: a look at suffering

God Bless

Gods Guidance

So, it's been a little while since my last post. Partly that is due to the fact that I am not on the internet reguarly and partly due to my momentarily forgetting about this blog, as nobody reads it anyway. Despite this, I am determined to keep it up and I think it is a good thing coming up with things to write about, reflecting, or venting, as the case may be.

Recently during my devotion time with God, He has really got me thinking about what He has designed me to do. And at the same time not dwelling on it, the future or the past, but focussing on what you can do right now while still keeping those thoughts in the back of your head. Multi-tasking in the process of thought and reflection.

single flame god future teaching plan

God has designed each and every one of us as a unique human being, a child of God. He has given each of us different talents and passions that we might all be able to work together to help do His work. This is not because He needs it but because He chooses to use us, much like a child 'helping' their parents cook or clean. And He knows what is ahead of us, the number of our days, before we are even thought of. How Amazing is our God?!

Who better to turn to when we have questions, are in grief, or are so relieved, happy, or joyful about something? I know God has something planned for me to do and in His time this will be revealed to me but for now it is best to do what you can while that time is still on its way. I'm waiting for that time but in this waiting, it is a preparation time and God is teaching me many things.

So, there is a little of what God has been teaching me.. what is God teaching you at the moment?

Tidying Up

Do you know that point you get to sometimes when you look at something and all you can see is the mess. You just have to tidy up. Or those 'moods' when you just feel like cleaning. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the cleanest person in the world but even amongst all my mess I would like to be able to be one of those people who can just keep things tidy.

It is not just about stuff though. If that were the only thing that could get messy I think everyone should stop whatever they're doing right now just to celebrate for a moment. I mean, if everything else is so tidy and right that all we have to worry about is stuff the world would be a completely different place. Those other things which get messy though are often the messiest, messier than anything we can see.

 

What I am talking about is life, and relationships, and whatever else you might choose to add to this list. Life is messy. Relationships are messy (and they are part of life, a BIG part!). So my room is messy, so is my life. But within that mess there is an order and a way forward and for me, it is the same with my life. Sure, it is messy, but I still know what I am doing and where I am going (to some degree).

Life is not meant to be tidy and orderly. It is messy! But with the Lord by our sides it does not matter how messy it gets, it can be so messy that it's over your heads and spilling onto the streets, there is always a way forward, a way out. Recently I've noticed a correlation between what my room looks like, the progress being made, and the state of my life. The more I turn to God, and rest in his strength, and follow where He guides, the more there seems a way forwards. The mess doesn't just go away but rather you can now see through it to what it's meant to look like. And the more I turn to God and life and sort out those things, the more and more tidy my room gets. Amazing hey!

So, I'm not saying turn more to God and miraculously you will find yourself tidying up more, because that's not how it works. What I am saying is get your priorities right. My first priority is to God, and trying to live my life for him. The way others see God is quite often through me, and other Christians. So I don't want them to see the wrong image. I want them to see God shining through the mess, and the best way for that to happen is by letting his light shine and doing what you can to clear the way so the light can go further than just a little dingy corner.

If all of that is too confusing to get your head around, just ask me and I'll try my best to re-word it. Anyway, that's all for today. Oh, yes, my weekly question for thought. What do others see as your top priority? (and do you think that it is a good thing?)

God Bless

Friends

Last time I talked a little about some things we can be grateful for. Something else I am truly grateful for is friends! I still remember a time when I didn't really have any friends and now I don't know what I'd do without the group of people around me from all different walks of life whom I love and care for.

I remember when I didn't really have any friends I didn't understand what it was to have a good friend. Someone who you can talk to, about anything, for almost any length of time. Someone you like and love and care for. You put up with things from them that might normally annoy you. And you genuinely care what happens to them, and what's going on in their lives. You try to be there for them and offer guiding advice or a shoulder to cry on if it is needed.

Not only is it this giving of yourself for them but being able to graciously receive it as well. I don't know about you but I often find it difficult to receive things and really dislike being the centre of attention. Being a friend you often do things you might not like the best to spend time with them but also accept the things which they are giving to you. Whether it be advice, or time, or chocolate, or surprises.

When God created us, he created Adam, and then Eve, and they lived in a garden with God. We were created to be in relationship with others. In this way we were made for friendships and as such we often thrive much more when in the company of others.

Of my friends the thing I am most thankful for is their friendship. My question for you is what do you think makes a friend, a friend?

God Bless

Grateful

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Missed a week in there. This weekend has been great catching up a little with family I don't always spend a lot of time with.

Isn't it interesting what different things people notice about you? And how it is so often closely associated with what has changed since the last time they saw you. Now, this makes sense, but it also really highlights how infrequently you do see some people. One of my nieces whom I saw this weekend noticed my blue hair. I could have sworn that I had seen her at least once in the last nine months, but apparently, no.

 

Time really slips away from us sometimes. But at the same time I am sometimes grateful for those long absences as these people can point out things about yourself that have changed that you or others close to you might not have noticed.

We are always changing in some degree, often to our circumstances. I know at the moment I am changing in more ways than one but I cannot pin point what those changes are. Perhaps someone else I see one day might be able to point them out to me.

This is just one thing I am grateful for from those around me. What are you grateful for from those around you?

Numbed

Yesterday on the radio I was listening to a program talking about the introduction of an R18+ rating to videogames in Australia. At present, Australia is the only developed country without such a rating. In South Australia they are looking to merge the new R18+ rating with the current MA15+ rating and so scrapping it entirely in regards to videogames, so there is only M and then R18+.

Two days ago I was watching a parenting program on television looking at the affect that different videogames can have on children, 12 year old boys to be specific. It found that the majority of those who played a videogame with violence in it (World War Replica) were much less likely to be helpful, considerate, and thoughtful, in real life than those who were playing a non-violent videogame (football). It was also found that this rolled over into the way that real life violence affected them.

 

Just this morning I heard about a siege which had happened this morning near one of my family. The roads are all blocked off, a police officer was shot. Three are dead, two injured. My reaction was like ‘oh, okay’. Automatic acceptance of this violence, of the situation. It is expected.

With all the violence, all the things which should be unacceptable to us as human beings, being always in front of us, in the news, in television programs, videogames, radio, we just don’t react the same way anymore. Just how numb have we become, and how numb to such things are we making the next generation?

I am in favour of the change in ratings which is occurring with videogames in South Australia, merging the two categories. Saying this, I also understand why the R18+ category has never been in place in Australia for videogames before. The makers of such games in Australia have just had to make sure that the violence and explicit content is at a level low enough to fit the MA15+ category. We shall see how this is received. Hopefully it will give people a better idea of what they are actually purchasing as the line between M and MA15+ has been blurred for a long time.

Is a helping hand going to disappear? The friendly neighbour; the person who stops in the street to help a stranger? The results from the videogame testing may help explain where some of that culture has gone to, but also perhaps suggests that there may be a further decline in such behaviour.

So, I have two questions for you today. First in direct response is, what can we do? And second is, how do you react to violence in the world today... how numb are you?

God Bless

The Real Story

Easter is in just a couple of days, so I thought that I would share what I, and many others, consider to be the real story, the true story, the First Easter. Accounts of this can be found in the Bible.

So there's this guy whose name is Jesus. He has done many miraculous things in his life like making the blind see, healing diseases, and casting out demons. He also teaches all whom he meets with words of hope and authority. He claims to be the Christ, the Son of God. Many follow him but there are also many who are against him.

Thursday

The Jewish Festival called Passover was here! Everybody from surrounding towns had all traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate this Feast of Unleavened Bread together, in the holy city. Multitudes of people could be seen everywhere. Jesus celebrated this festival with twelve of those whom followed him and were good friends of his. He said some strange things at their supper. After taking the cup and giving thanks he said 'Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes' And again with the bread after giving thanks he said 'this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' And then again with the cup after supper, 'this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table.'

Like I said, he says some strange things. But there are many against him and some so much, the chief priests in fact, that they wished to kill him. The betrayer which Jesus spoke of was Judas, one of those who was indeed sitting at the table. And that night, as Jesus was at the Mount of Olives with those same twelve, Judas came up and gave him a kiss, betraying him to the chief priests who had come there also to arrest him. He was praying 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.'

And so Jesus was arrested and taken away. That night the men who were to hold and guard Him mocked and beat him severely, blindfolding him and striking his face.

Friday

Well, if the day before isn't enough, now He is taken out and led into the council of the scribes, and chief priests. Here he does not deny that He is the Son of God, but affirms this and so they take him and present him to Pilate, then the head of the Roman empire in that part, and accuse him of claiming to be the King of the Jews. Again, Jesus affirms this. Pilate couldn't see that Jesus had done anything wrong but on that day as a show of goodness for the people he would release one prisoner. Pilate said he would release Jesus, but the people, the crowds, the multitudes all cried out that they wanted another man released, Barabas, and that they wanted Jesus crucified. Pilate tried to lesser this to just having him further beaten but still they called out and so he gave in and Jesus was to be crucified.

And so Jesus was lead out with two others to be crucified, taking their crosses with them. And there they were all put up on their cross'. Some mocked him, saying if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself, but others saw what was true and said 'Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom'. Now before Jesus died there was unnatural darkness for three hours, and when he did, there was something like an earthquake at the same time and the temple curtain was ripped in two. This is a big deal for the Jews, it is the barrier between them and God, and now it is broken. A man came and claimed Jesus' body and laid it in a tomb once it was all over, some women who had also come observing where the tomb is and how his body is laid that they might come back and prepare his body properly for burial.

Saturday

Well, the day before was certainly a big day. This day is known as the sabbath. It is Jewish custom and law to rest on the sabbath and do no work. And so, everyone rested. The women prepared spices for Jesus' body just before the sabbath day began that they might complete this duty as soon as the sabbath is over.

Sunday

The day is here, the day to go the tomb and finish of what is to be done to lay Jesus to rest. Why has such an end come to such a great man? The women arrived at the tomb and found that the boulder which had been blocking the entrance had been rolled away. They hadn't thought how they were going to do it, being so overcome with grief, but it is huge, who could have rolled it away? They went inside and found no body but there were two men in shining garments who said to them 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be cruicified, and the third day rise again.'' The women remembered what Jesus had said and taught them many days ago they ran to tell Jesus' good friends the wonderful news.

Finally, the were starting to understand what Jesus had been trying to tell them. Jesus appeared to them, to the women, his friends, and many others including crowds of people over quite a few days to follow. He had his wounds from when he was crucified but he was healed. He had a new body, was different in some way, but the same man.

Later

At the end of these days Jesus said to them, a crowd of people, of friends and others, 'Thus it is written, and this it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you' but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.' And then after saying this he blessed the people and as he blessed them He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Now isn't that an amazing story! And better yet, it is all true.

My question to you is does this story change anything in your life?

God Bless.

Are Traditions Real?

It's coming up to Easter again, gee time does pass quickly sometimes. Anyway, it has got me thinking about what I do, how I spend my time and celebrate this momentous occasion. What did I do as a kid? What's changed?

Family traditions are funny things. If you join a family at such an occasion and they're trying something different that year it is quite often taken as something which they will do every year. What do we do when we find out that this is not right or when a tradition is changed. Do we buck up and want to stick with what we had or do we embrace the new ideas, the idea of new traditions?

 

When I was a kid I remember going to a Tenebrae Service on the Thursday night. Everybody would come and it was a great time. When it stopped, I didn't know what to do. Is it still Easter if we don't have the Tenebrae Service? Another thing we would do is get up at the crack of dawn to drive the 50 minutes to the nearest Dawn Service on the Sunday morning in the next town over. When I left home for the first time I remember coming back to go to that Dawn Service, as I didn't want to let it go.

Later I remember spending some of Easter time with friends instead of just family. Of going to a different dawn service where I was able to invite others along. Now, we have a new thing we do every Easter. We go camping, well in a caravan park around the place somewhere. We meet new people every year, we celebrate and remember with different people every year, but no matter where we are, we are with family. Our family in Christ.

Recently I've been thinking about what kind of new traditions I might like to start up. I don't have a family of my own or anything like that but what's to say that we cannot start up a new tradition anyway? Of maybe putting something on to invite others along to. The thing is, it doesn't really matter what we do at Easter as long as we remember what it's really about, and celebrate that, not losing it amongst everythings else.

Why do we cling to those things which we know, the false security we find in order and traditions? I would like to suggest that we remember the times which we have had with such things, the fun, the laughter, or the solemnity, that the occasion just doesn't seem quite right unless you do it that way. That is until you actually try something new! I challenge you to actually think about what you do, who you spend your time with, and where you go. Would you like to change anything?

So, anyway, amongst all that is above my question to you is what are your traditions, and why do you keep them?

God Bless.