When is a present not a present

Well it is that time of the year when we are madly selecting gifts and preparing to give and receive same from family and friends. A recent trend and marketing ploy by many charitable groups involves giving a gift that is actually a gift to someone else. (A water well in a village, a goat, a water pump, a sponsored dolphin, etc the creativity goes on)

I have been party to such "gift" giving on many occasions both giving and receiving a "gift" for some other cause...... Very admirable and self-effacing. But let's stop and think about what is actually going on in the process of making a decision to give such a "gift"

1. There is the assumption that the recipient of the "gift" has all they need and could not possibly need a gift as much as a poor person in another part of the world. Factually this may be true. But since when did a gift giving by a Christian ever have anything to do with being in need of receiving it. Honoring is not means tested is it..... Giving a gift to someone else on your behalf is not really giving you a gift at all. No gift, no honor.
2. The person giving the gift becomes the focus of attention: At first glance this "gift" appears well thought out and considered, but it reflects the values of the person giving it, not necessarily your values. The "gift" may bear no resemblence to issues or projects you are passionate about, you get no choice about the recipient. This type of "gift" is more focused on the giver than either of the receivers.....
3. The giver is in danger of deluding themselves that such a choice is somehow removing them from the excesses, decadence and manipulative marketing of Christmas in a wealthy western country. A clear conscience, not like the rest of the greedy west. Since when did giving gifts to your friends and family become an issue of condemnation.
   

Enough already. Not sure this marketing ploy will go away anytime soon, especially whist there is a ready made pool of informed benevolent people who are able to be shamed into caring for others less fortunate when they are considering giving a gift to someone they love.........

Very clever, very effective, but maybe very wrong........

Hey Dad....

Some of you may be old enough to remember the Australian TV sitcom 'Hey Dad'.... (Check it out on youtube if you don't know what I'm talking about. It is pretty average 80's TV) The phrase came to mind whilst praying this week for Fathers Day services on Sunday. It is one thing to ask questions it quite another to listen to the answers given, especially by your Dad. (Natural, Spiritual, or Heavenly)
What answers have my 'Dads' given me that I have ignored, not heard clearly, or rebelled against? What questions have they answered that I haven't even asked? I am a dad what have I been like as an answerer of questions? What important questions have my kids asked me that I didn't answer well or at all? So many variables in life..... except one, God. The Bible tells us He doesn't change. Heb 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." We can count on a consistent, love filled response from God no matter what..... How come things don't work out and I get hurt, disappointed, and even betrayed when I put my trust in Him? I don't think His answers change, so if i am not satisfied with the answer, even to this question, maybe I am, asking the wrong question!!!!!!!

1 John 4:16 says "God is Love" He cannot respond to you or be involved in your circumstances with anything esle. He has no other agenda. So is it time to ask Him "Hey Dad...?" and listen for and expect only one answer..... wrapped in unconditional love. Try seeing your problems from that perspective..... You'll find yourself with a peace beyond understanding...

Jesus is the Real Deal

Reading an interesting book: "The Case for the Real Jesus" by Lee Strobel. Takes me back to Uni days and mixing it with the liberal theologians and thinkers in the church. My view, what a sad lot.... My explanation..... it all started in the Garden of Eden.
Adam and Eve had the choice to eat of every tree in the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen 2:9 tells us that the Tree of Life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil were in the centre of the garden. Adam and Eve were free to eat from the tree of life, but choose to eat from the other tree..... Nothing has changed...... The liberal academic world would rather eat from the tree of knowledge than from the tree of life. In fact they openly reject, with their proudly displayed knowledge, the true tree of life (the cross) as a myth and the resurrection as a theological construct of the early church. The penalty for that choice is still the same. These people are dead to God. The sad thing (that Strobel highlights) alongside this trend in universities across America, is that there appear to be many disillusioned "Christians" in the western world who are buying into the argument that Jesus and Christianity are indeed a fraud. (This may be more pronounced and obvious in the American Church)

So i have mixed feelings as i read..... sadness that there are such misguided "academics" who are determined to cast doubt on the gospel and gladness that from that sadness I have a strengthened belief that Jesus is who he said he is, (Son of God) and did rise from the dead, and did send the Holy Spirit to give us power to be His witnesses.

What an awesome God we love and worship. He is still giving men and women the total freedom to choose Him or reject Him. Gotta love that.

Come on let's turn to the tree of life and by faith eat it's fruit..... eternal life....
Jesus is the real deal

It Must Be Love

It Must Be Love. Our church theme for 2009

On iTunes a search for this song title comes up with over 150 artists and versions.

The popular version of the song is really making a statement and asking a rhetorical question - The way i am feeling, it must be love? right?.....

We could certainly pick up that theme in the context of our relationship with God, but it is not the only way to understand the phrase. I would suggest there is a more fruitful way to express the phrase. "It Must Be Love" as an imperative. In other words my response to whatever is happening in my world MUST BE LOVE.....

God does not give those of us who claim to know Him any space to respond any other way than with love. wow what a challenge that is...... Try reading 1 John 3 & 4 without being challenged about the way you live out a life of love.

When i am hurting ...... It MUST be love
When i am angry .......It MUST be love
When i am happy....... It MUST be love
When i am feeling selfish .... it MUST be love
When i am being strong..... it MUST be love
When i an being a wimp ..... it MUST be love
When i am being spiritual..... it MUST be love
When i am preaching..... it MUST be love
When i am speaking..... it MUST be love
When i am listening..... it MUST be love
When i am being corrected or chastised..... it MUST be love
When i am being a jerk..... it MUST be love
When i am caring..... it MUST be love
When i couldn't care less.....it MUST be love
When i am over it...... it MUST be love.
When i am being the best i can be.... it MUST be love

The challenge for 09 will be to not only talk love but to act love, be love, promote love, think and breath love.... Lord help us and be with us as we give it our best shot.....

Happy New Year
Bruce & Julie