Sunday, 22. November 2009, 07:39:58
The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”
- Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (Phillipsburg, NJ; P & R Publishing, 2002), 16.
Sunday, 22. November 2009, 06:26:12
weather, climate, science
OK so it's the weekend and we have serious bushfires burning and a "record" heatwave.
But you would have thought that the media which is normally so quick to jump on any angle of "the most important issue facing our planet ever" (which depending on the day would be either climate change or the fate of some footballer's knee), you would have thought that someone in the media might have picked up the fact that one of the two top most prestigious climate research institutions in the world has been caught making up data and bullying scientific journal publishers to ensure that they toe the party line.
And with the Liberal Party undergoing frantic discussions about whether to support the Government's Emissions Trading Scheme even as we speak you would think somebody other than bloggers might be putting this little titbit to air.
And given the way the ABC especially runs with every crazy little story about the doom of climate change-- my personal favourite one was the Melbourne vet who claimed that climate change was making stray cats breed more often and that Melbourne would soon be overrun by moggies, oblivious to the fact that Sydney and Brisbane which are already much warmer than Melbourne don't seem to have that problem-- you would expect that somebody might be starting to ask some searching questions about the whole deal.
No... the carbon heating must go on. After all the science is settled, and even if it's all been a total fabrication nothing will get in the way. Journalists will continue to resist the publishing of genuine information if it runs against the established ideology.
Maybe, just maybe, somebody later in the week will tell the Liberals it's time to act like an Opposition and actually oppose something on the basis of principle.
And maybe somebody will whisper in Penny Wong's ear "the emperor has no clothes."
Then possibly we might wake up to the fact that Australia has always been mostly hot and dry with extremes of weather, that England has always been a tad damp and America prone to hurricanes--long before climate change and global warming were invented.
Sunday, 22. November 2009, 01:47:25
sermon, mp3
The sermon for November 22nd 2009 is now available on the New Life web-site.
This is an interactive sermon and is about the difference between Empire and Kingdom.
Because of the nature of the presentation, it may be hard to listen to as participation by congregation members will not be heard.
Click here to download.
Saturday, 21. November 2009, 03:32:08
climate, science
There has been some concern lately that the British Government-run climate change research centre The Hadley Climate Centre has been hiding its scientific data from the public and evading freedom of information laws. While they have been happy to publish their findings they have refused to release raw data to confirm or refute their findings. This is contrary to normal scientific procedure, leading sceptics to smell a proverbial rat.
It seems the deception has been far more sinister than even the most cynical had suspected.
The Hadley's computer system has been "hacked" and hundreds of emails and memos have been released to investigative journalists. Some of these emails are just dismissive of sceptics, but some suggest systemic fudging of data to make it more conforming to the theory.
I've seen some comments on this, including people whose own emails to the centre and the centre's responses have been leaked, and these people confirm that the information leaked is genuine.
Is it possible that we will see an unwinding of the bureaucracy, the expensive carbon taxes, the academic sinecures, the scare-mongering industry-- or are there too many vested interests including powerful banks who stand to make trillions from carbon permit trading?
This article from Australian climate scientist Joanne Nova summarises the leaks.
Thursday, 19. November 2009, 00:06:19
reflection, bible
Scripture
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Observation
To be a self-titled king in Roman times meant a swift and painful execution. Many Messiahs, would-be kings and revolutionaries were crucified under the Roman occupation of Israel.
The Jewish leaders have framed Jesus on charged of claiming to be a king. Rather than going through the routine process of authorising another crucifixion, Pilate seems determined to get Jesus off the hook.
It is as if Jesus' true authority is plain to see and Pilate is afraid to pit himself against him.
Application
Jesus says, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is out of this world.”
The values of the Kingdom are diametrically opposed to the values of the world, the values of Empire. That means that christians should be motivated by values that are very different from those of the world.
It also means that our methods of achieving our goals must be very different to those of the world.
Unfortunately many, if not most, christians have values and aspirations very similar to those of their unsaved neighbours. Many churches use similar methods and models to business enterprises in order to be successful.
I need to look at all that I hold dear and see if it really is God who motivates me, or if I am more motivated by worldly or selfish goals dressed up in religious language.
Prayer
Jesus you died as a king saving your kingdom. You laid down your life at the hands of a human empire. Show me areas of my life that are more attuned to Empire than Kingdom and give me grace to repent. Amen.
Wednesday, 18. November 2009, 23:31:48
humour, music
Andrew Bolt reproduces this interesting comparison of Quality Rock Music (as measured by Rolling Stoens Top 500 hits of all time) against the output of US oil.
The message is obvious- to avoid peak oil we need more high quality rock music.
Wednesday, 18. November 2009, 03:02:07
reflection, bible
Scripture
“I am the Alpha and the Omega- the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was and who is still to come- the Almighty One.”
Observation
God is the never-changing one. He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega. He is unchanging and ever-faithful.
Despite all appearances to the contrary, Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He has freed us from our sin and established us as a Kingdom of priests.
Application
The whole of creation , including me, is ultimately about God. He is the one who is there from the beginning to the end, He is the one who brings all things into being.
Salvation isn't just about ensuring my survival into eternity. It's about me taking my right position in creation and reorienting my focus from myself to God.
Jesus has made us into a Kingdom of priests. We are to attend to God by living holy lives and glorifying Him in all we do.
Jesus is coming with the clouds of heaven. He is coming for a pure and spotless Bride. I need to be ready for that day.
Prayer
Lord help me to see the centrality of living my life entirely for you. You are the beginning and the end, the First and the Last- give me grace to live with that focus. Amen.
Tuesday, 17. November 2009, 22:36:51
humour, church, technology
From ASBO Jesus:
Tuesday, 17. November 2009, 00:29:38
reflection, bible
Scripture
The God of Israel chose David and made him a great king. The mighty God of Israel loved him.
Observation
The heart of David was to live for God in whatever place he found himself- shepherd, fugitive, king. God told him what to do and he did it- that is why God blessed his reign,
Because of this, David was given a promise that flowed for generations, namely that someone from hid family would always be ruler over Israel.
Application
It's no good waiting until you are successful or old to live for God.
Righteousness and integrity start as heart-values from an early age.
If we truly love God, we will want to live a life that pleases Him, in every part of our life.
Prayer
Father may my life honour you always. I'm not perfect and, like David, I can sin badly. But my heart is for you Lord. Let my words and deeds reflect your holiness today and every day. Amen.
Monday, 16. November 2009, 10:47:03
I was reading 1 Thessalonians 5 this evening and I decided to pray it for my own life:
1 Thessalonians 5:23: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes Lord, sanctify me through and through. I will pay the price, I will make the changes, I will go through the fire.
It's a dangerous prayer because it invites God to make us holy, to purge from us all that is unholy. But in my heart, I want to be like Him.
And here's the promise:
1 Thessalonians 5:24: The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Praise be to God!
Sunday, 15. November 2009, 06:41:21
sermon, mp3
The sermon for Sunday November 15th is now available for download from the New Life web-site.
In this sermon, Margaret Bates talks about Elijah's fierce commitment to the one true God.
Click here to listen
Friday, 13. November 2009, 22:33:10
statistics, economics, climate
An excellent analysis of statistical adjustments in economics and climat from climate scientist Joanne Nova.
The Future Of Climate Alarmism Is Bogus Statistics
Dr David Evans and Joanne Nova
The temptation is all too strong. How many bureaucrats would work just as hard to show that their department was less important, less necessary, and less deserving of funding? It’s the fatal trap of socialist management. The incentives are wrong.
When governments are faced with poor reports, but they write their own report cards, they have many options to upgrade their “score”. It’s insane to think that people might not take every opportunity they can to improve their mark. They are human.
Big problems like inflation, unemployment, national growth, or global temperatures can be “improved” two ways –one way takes tough decisions and years of work, and the other way takes a quiet statistical summit, a white paper and an in-house training weekend. It’s easier to “solve” big problems by changing the way you measure them. By changing definitions, methods of interpreting the data, or through sheer statistical chicanery it’s possible to issue press releases with the words “improvement”, “better than expected” or at least “figures have plateaued”.
For example, the inflation of the 1970s was partly “cured” by defining inflation as the consumer price index (CPI), then changing the way that CPI is measured in ways that lower the CPI. Today, the US CPI is about 3 percentage points lower than it would be if the method of 1980 was used. Another example is unemployment, where governments continually refine what counts as “unemployed” so as to lower the unemployment number.
There doesn’t need to be a conspiracy. There is constant pressure and rewards in one direction and very little incentive to “find” or “discover” errors that increase the CPI. It’s a ratchet effect. Dozens of incremental changes slowly ratchet the CPI figure endlessly downwards.
It’s hard to measure prices. There is a lot of room for tweaking. You’d think arithmetic addition would be enough, but apparently it’s better to do it geometrically. Did you know? It doesn’t work like that for us at the checkout. And the quality of goods is improving, true, but how do you compare a modern personal computer with one from 1990? Someone has to decide just how much better the new computer is. That’s open to interpretation, and that interpretation affects welfare payments. Seriously, if someone decides a modern PC is worth, say, ten old ones, then their price effectively “falls” tenfold; the CPI “falls”, and so do future social security cheques. It’s sophisticated theft.
Full article here
Friday, 13. November 2009, 11:55:04
reflection, bible
Scripture
My friends the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place by a new way that leads to life. And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
Observation
The sacrifices of the old covenant could never completely take away sins, but Christ is the sacrifice that is truly effective for ever. This is a one-off sacrifice that is good forever, not like the futile old covenant animal sacrifices.
When sins are forgiven there is no more need of sacrifices.
Because we have been given such a wonderful blessing we have a responsibility to encourage one another, to help one another and to meet together so that all of God's people are helped to remain faithful to Him.
Application
This passage really makes clear how weak the Old Covenant sacrifices are. They don't really take away sin- at best they just cover it over. Through Christ we have a perfect sacrifice who takes away the power of sin for the whole world for ever. He has brought to us the promise of forgiveness. This is not just a legalistic exchange of one sacrifice for another, but a shift in the way we experience God- true forgiveness is poured out to us.
Because of this, we can all do at any time what only the High Priest could do one day of the year- enter fully into the presence of God in the most holy place.
Some christians want to take up parts of the Jewish religious system But why would you take up something that is limited and ineffective and pass up on God's perfect sacrifice?
Prayer
Thank you Father for the perfect sacrifice of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for allowing me complete access to your presence, any time and any place. Amen.
Friday, 13. November 2009, 06:50:50
Narrabri, life
I've just finished 4 weeks of exam supervision. It's been pretty well full-time (averaging about 35 hours per week), on top of my normal pastoral duties.
I have enjoyed watching the students go through the process of initial nervousness giving way to a relaxed sense of "just got to get through this." It's also been good near the end to talk to them about their future plans.
There has been a long tradition of christian supervisors at Narrabri High School, so before each session we pray for the students- for their exams, their future, any needs we know of and of course for salvation.
The peace in the hall has been almost palpable- even to the point this afternoon when there was a torrential downpour which caused a waterfall down the front of the stage and the girls hardly blinked an eye.
That was the Higher School Certificate which is the final High School exam for Year 12 students in NSW.
Earlier this week we had the School Certificate exams which are for Year 10. This can be a really difficult time as there are over 100 children stuck in the hall for most of two days straight. The less academic ones really get edgy towards the end of the second day. But we really hit them with some serious prayer and they were the best Year 10 group I've had in over 10 years of doing this. They were getting fidgety towards the end of the time, but they behaved themselves really well. I've been praising them to anyone who will listen because they were so good.
So now it's back to normal, and a few weeks of wondering what we will do with the extra income which will find its way into our account just before Christmas. 
Thursday, 12. November 2009, 22:36:28
faith, salvation
The Holy Spirit is the living guide to Jesus.
It is He who says, with power, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
It is He who convinces of sin, who wounds, and probes the wound, and lays open the evil of our nature—causing us to know that we are corrupt within and without.
But He not only thus discovers the malady—He also applies the remedy. He abases the sinner; and exalts the Saviour. He gives the deep sense of sin–that the great salvation may be more appreciated and enjoyed.”
—Ruth Bryan, “The Living Guide to Jesus”
Article
Wednesday, 11. November 2009, 05:14:44
reflection, bible
Scripture
Jesus replied, “Do you see these huge buildings? They will certainly be torn down. Not one stone will be left in place.”
Observation
The temple in all of its magnificence would soon be destroyed. The disciples ask for signs and times, but Jesus tells them merely to be ready for trouble.
There will be deceivers. There will be beatings and suffering. There will be opportunities to speak to rulers and kings.
But in all of the suffering, God will be with them. The Holy Spirit will speak through them. And those who endure will be saved.
Application
This passage, like all prophecies, speaks at several time scales.
Firstly there s the immediate situation. The physical temple was destroyed in 70 AD when the Roman army came into Jerusalem to quash an insurrection. The christians in Jerusalem at the time remembered the words of Jesus and fled to safety while most of those who remained in the city were brutally killed.
Jesus also speaks of the end times and the great tribulation when christians will suffer greatly before “the end comes.” The good news is that the tribulation is a part of the process of world evangelisation and so the suffering is not meaningless.
Since the death of Jesus actually brought in the end times, the passage also speaks of christians in all ages suffering for their faith. There are earthquakes and famines, war and distress, but the Spirit of God is still active and working even in the midst of the suffering.
Prayer
Father, thank you for this wonderful promise. Even when we are suffering for serving you, you are with us. Amen.
Monday, 9. November 2009, 10:28:13
reflection, bible
Hallelujah!
Sing praise to our God!
Come on church-
christians of every age-
join me in singing
Hallelujah to our Lord.
Twenty-four seven
dawn to dusk
and beyond.
Let the praises rise.
Look at the stars,
too many to number,
impossible to scan
God's glory is above all that
All the nations praise Him
He lifts up the poor,
heals the sick
rescues the nobodies
gives babies to the childless.
Hallelujah
Our God is wonderful.
Monday, 9. November 2009, 10:27:04
reflection, bible
Scripture
Eli replied, “You may go home now and I' sure the God of Israel will answer your prayer.”
Observation
This story starts in a place of sadness. Elkanah, a godly man has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. While Peninnah has children, Hannah has none. Peninnah often reminds her of this shame, although Elkanah loves her and tries to console her.
On one occasion in the house of the Lord, Hannah prays fervently for a son, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. Eli the priest, after first thinking she is drunk, assures her that God has heard her prayer.
Some time later she has a son whom she names Samuel.
Application
Eli is a very ungodly man for a priest- a sign of how corrupt the religion was even in the early days. Eli is unable to tell the difference between fervent prayer and drunken mumblings. Perhaps he had never seen anyone pray emotionally before.
Yet the Spirit of God is able to use him to prophesy- reminding us that God's grace is much bigger than human sinfulness.
Prayer
Thank you Lord that your Spirit is more powerful than human sinfulness. In your compassion you hear the prayers of lowly people and speak even through the most corrupt of your servants. Thank you for this assurance of your power and greatness. Amen.
Sunday, 8. November 2009, 06:16:38
church, ministry, men, prayer
Our church has just completed, as a part of its 13th birthday celebrations, a weekend of prayer. The idea is that for a 36 hour period from 9 pm Friday to 9 am Sunday we have the church open and we ask people to sign up for an hour or more to come to the church and pray.
I was really blessed when it turned out that we were able to cover every hour of that period in prayer. With a few people away, I knew that it might be a challenge, but we got there.
I was really blown away when I discovered that nearly two thirds of the prayer coverage was by men. I often hear pastors say that it's hard to get men's ministry going in a church. Well my answer to that is get the men to do the ministry. Give them a challenge, an important- even heroic - role and they will rise to it. Get them to commit to coming to church at 3 am just to pray alone and you will have a men's ministry happening right there!
Part of the challenge of this weekend was to bind the spirit of lawlessness that is being manifest in our community in dozens of ways at the moment. I believe that we did that by taking on a challenging discipline and being victorious in it.
We've often said, as have dozens of visitors, that there is an anointing of peace on our building. I experienced that powerfully this morning as I was praying. At one stage as I was praying with Troy, we suddenly both became silent and sat down and we felt this wonderful blanket of peace descend. The presence of God deeply restored our spirits as we sat there and received from Him.
It's been a great weekend. There have been many prophecies, drawings and a song written over this time.
God is good!
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