Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Perfect Timing?

There once was a girl called Mary...

She was engaged and has been keeping herself for her husband.
Angel turns up. Tells her she is going to be pregnant.
Bad timing?
Why not wait until after she is married?
Would be more convenient. Would cause less of a stir.

Then Mary finds out that while she is very heavily pregnant she has to travel.  Joseph has to report in at the 'family town' as part of a government census.
Not in luxury, but on a donkey.
Not for a few hours, but a few days.
Bad timing?
Why not wait until after she has given birth?
Would be more convenient. Would cause less of a problem.

Mary's experiences remind me of this...

God's timing is not about convenience and comfort.
God's timing is about His grace, favour and a demonstration of His power.
If God's timing is all about our timing, there is less need of His grace, favour and a demonstration of His power...

What are you facing that seems a bit weird in regards to God's timing?
Stay faithful.
Do your best to trust Him.
Wait and see what God does!

Something to think about...
&
Merry Christmas my friends!

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Rocket Man

“If there is one thing I’ve learned in my years on this planet, it’s that the happiest and most fulfilled people I’ve known are those who devoted themselves to something bigger and more profound than merely their own self interest,”  John Glenn

I read this quote the other day as news of this mans passing spread around the world.
A man who had been around the world unlike many others, as the first american to orbit the earth!

He was one of my early childhood heroes.
As a kid fascinated with the 'space race' and digging through my uncles National Geographics for anything relating to it - John Glenn was up there with the biggies...

Jesus famously said that "to truly live life you must give up your life".
We rightly tend to focus on the sacrifice part of these words. But can I also get you to consider another component to this equation?
Jesus was I think telling us as well that life is truly lived when it is not the average life.
When life becomes predictable. When life is lived to merely survive. When it is devoid of faith, mystery and adventure it isn't truly living the life God has planned for any of us.

As you close out the year and for many look forward to resting, can I ask you to consider what you would like your life to be like in a new year?
Do you want to look for ways of getting by, surviving, avoiding challenge and making too many mistakes?
Or do you want to push towards living it beyond all those things?
Living for something bigger.
Living to honour Christ with your faith filled choices and exploits?

I think you should do the second option! Become a John Glenn of your faith. Maybe take some time over this Christmas to ask God what 2017 could be like for you?

Something to think about...

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Sheep

I know a little about sheep as I grew up on a farm with them...
Even dabbled in raising my own pet versions ironically all called "racer". I mean, when you of sheep you think of speed and agility don't you....not!

So when I look at the mention of sheep in scripture it generally makes me smile. Why did Jesus use them as an object of our faith, something He used to help us understand the kingdom?

If you want a list here is a link.
Here are a sample of the many options.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 niv

Jesus is not an average shepherd or one learning the ropes and making mistakes along the way.
He is the good shepherd. He has shepherding skills.
He knows exactly who you are and where you are currently at, and where you are heading on your faith journey.
And check this out - He would lay down His life if needed to protect or rescue His sheep. Spoiler alert - He has already done just that :)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 niv

Shepherds in Jesus time were a little different to now. The sheep back then used to follow the shepherd as opposed to now, where the modern shepherd pushes sheep from paddock to paddock.
Sheep back then listened for the shepherds voice and were ready to move when he moved.
They trusted his voice and leading because he never let them down. They understand that if he spoke it was for their benefit. Interesting when you see the parallels for us today!

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:26 niv

If you are reading this and have left the flock - just come back :)
Let Jesus be the shepherd and overseer of your soul once again.
I think He knows what He is doing...

Something to think about...