Bowling Fun

It was a fun night bowling last night. The bowling alley was full when we got in, but we managed to take the rest available. Well, we took out 5 lanes and there were a few of us who preferred watching than playing.

Some of us were really good and some just got lucky. Someone who couldn't get over 60 points in the 1st game got 3 strikes in a row at the start of the 2nd game, and ended up getting over 100 points before even half way through the game! There were also hilarious moments such as when someone decided to roll down the lane with the ball; and another landed on top of another.

Powerful Worship Experiences

It was a powerful experience for me attending Easter and church services over the Easter weekend. It was also a different kind of experience because both services taking place at different churches included a lot of hymns, which hasn’t been a normal occurrence.

Whether hymns, chorus or modern day songs, they all try to praise God and speak of His wonderful acts. But after singing hillsong style songs for years during our church service, it was both a refreshing and really challenging moment when faced with the intensity and richness of what the words of hymns present.  

At the end of the service, a hymn with the words asking if you’re there when they crucified the Lord moved me to tears with unspeakable gratitude and shame at the same time. I could see the cross, I could feel His pain, I couldn’t understand why He loves me to such an extent, and I was ashamed at the gravity of my own sinfulness that nailed Him to the cross. It was a really soul searching moment that demands my mind, my soul and my all in response to His great love and unselfish act.

Couple Sundays ago, I put curious to put on a CD by a band that I haven't listened to before.  They were singing hymns with their own modern arrangement. I remembered the hymn book that’s been gathering dust on the shelf for years, so I took it out to follow the singing. It turned out to be such a wonderful experience that called me into deeper worship and reverence to God. The lyrics really convey the greatness, wonder and awesome power of God as well as the different aspects of God’s character. It has such depth and richness that our modern day songs suddenly fades in comparison. God asked us to worship Him not just with our heart and strength, but with our mind also. And it’s through understanding of who He is that we could respond in kind. Beautiful music can arouse emotions that draw us to God, but it’s a deep knowledge of God and His truths that keeps us close to Him in all circumstance.

I like the melodies of a lot of the modern day songs, but the lyrics of some of the hymns won me over. I thought it’d be such a blessing if we could combine the rhythm and sound of today to the powerful lyrics of yesterday. Or having a balance of both hymns and modern day songs in our worship service. Wouldn’t that be great? In a way, it’s happening with some Christian singers already producing albums of traditional songs with new sound and arrangements.  

Easterfest's Here!

Only 1 week to Easterfest!

It's on again at Toowoomba next weekend from April 10 -12. Headline artists include Rebecca St James, Paul Colman Trio, Audio Adrenaline as well as international artists from America.

Tim Costello and a strong lineup of speakers will discuss hot and popular topics. Also celebrity cricket, illusion spectacular and many more activities for everyone. Check out www.easterfest.com.au for event details.

Someone who moved up there last year offered us free accommodation. We can also book as a group and pay less if we get 10 or more people, so contact us if you're interested in going.

Cash Handout the Right Approach to Financial Crisis?

In our small group a few weeks ago, we had quite a discussion on work/labour after watching a lesson of the Truth Project, a worldview study by Focus on the Family. The subject of labour/work reminded us that work is good and is part of God’s design. He worked (Genesis 2:2) and He put Adam to work in the Garden before the Fall (Genesis 2:15). In the 4th commandment, we’re to work 6 days (Exodus 20:9-11).

Work is closely tie to the economy and thus inevitably led to our discussion of our Government’s stimulus packages in response to the current economic crisis. The government has been swift in passing out cash to individuals to stimulate the economy. The idea is to encourage people to spend, and when they consume, the money will flow through to businesses to keep the jobs going. It sounds reasonable on the outset and people are more than happy to receive a cash bonus.

The 1st stimulus package of $10 billion was before Christmas, giving cash out to the selected groups of carers, pensioners, students and mothers with young children. The 2nd package is happening right now where a one off payment of up to $900 is given to everyone living here or overseas, dead or alive.

Debt
Most of the debate have been around whether the stimulus packages are effective. But to me, this is more than just a question of economics, it’s an issue of a moral nature.

Our society has enjoyed such wealth and affluence in the last decades. We are used to the comfort and indulgence that we expect the good times to continue. Recent statistics shows that our debt to earnings ratio has tripled since the 1990s to 160%. We’re spending way beyond our means and we’re willing to rack up huge debts to fund our lifestyle. In view of this, the government’s stimulus packages are counter productive and the encouragement to spend and get into more debt is against the Bible’s view on debt (Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8).

Irresponsible Spending
It may not appear so for a start, but what many don’t think about is that there are follow on costs with what they’ve purchased. It’s not just a one off purchase in many cases. I personally know someone who are unemployed but went to buy a motorcycle with the cash bonus. While money can be put to good use, they can also be misused. I know about students who planned to spend the money on alcohol. Someone also witnessed a group recently spent their cash bonus on drugs and had a week long party.

This too violates God’s principle of how to be a responsible manager of His resources. It’s more pressing and wise for the government in my view to use this opportunity to help people develop their skill in money management and learn to be responsible with what they have. And if the government wants to encourage responsible spending, they could have restrict the money to be only spent on certain things that benefit the country and others. Unsanctioned and undirected, the money can be used in myriads of ways that does more harm than good.

Biblical Responsibility
You see, we’re called to be God’s steward of all that He entrusted to us. With which the government is entrusted with a bigger share of the country’s resources to manage and look after. Getting into a big hole of debt to provide cash handouts isn’t a wise manager of His resources.

What’s more? Our responsibility is for the poor, but not in the form of a cash handout, we’re to create opportunities for them to work. In the OT, farmers were asked not to gather the leftovers but leave it to the poor to pick (Leviticus 19:10) and Elisha didn’t just give money to the widow, but helped her by giving her the resources to work and pay off her debt (2 Kings 4:1-7).

A Fun Filled Night

It was a great time at the small groups get together. There were a lot of us there, and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with one another and meeting those who we don't know in other small groups. The pizzas came after a while and not to mention, they were all snapped up within minutes.

We had a few games on the night to help us remember people’s names and a few of us ended up eating chillies for not getting it. It was meant to be a joke, but people took the opportunity to display some bravado.:-) It certainly cracked us all up. There was so much laughter there. It was a fun filled night and we're all touched by the joy of being able to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ this way.

Small Groups Dinner Social

We did it last year and enjoyed it, so we're doing it again!

Small groups, cell groups, home groups, growth groups...however you want to call it, and in whatever size and shape they come, are all part of the body of Christ. They're about real relationships and real people who have much to offer.

How can you miss the opportunity to get to know people in other groups, meet new friends, and catch up with old ones, within our church family? I know I won't. So lets come together and encourage each other in love, sharing a little of ourselves and our lives with brothers and sisters in Christ while having fun eating pizzas and playing games.

Bring yourself, your group and your friends! You don't have to belong to a small group to come along. Everyone's welcome, and maybe you'll find a group to fit in to!

What: Pizzas and games
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 7PM
Place: 1 Lacerta Ave, Robina
Contact: Your small group leader or Mable at 0413 248 321

Is Women Elders/Deacons Biblical?

Women in ministry, women leadership, female ministers/pastors, women elders and deacons. These are not exactly the simplest topic of conversation to many. And certainly in the environment and culture that we’re in today. You can’t seem to talk about this issue without some controversy or disagreements.

Many like myself grow up under the influence of postmodernism, feminism, individualism. And in seeking gender equality, we are told that we have many abilities and skills and can do what men can do. We can climb the corporate ladder and be company executives. We are encouraged to be independent and take on the role of men in many ways. Even as a Christian, I struggled with the notion of submission and women’s role in the Bible. It just seems so unfair to not be given the same opportunities to use our God given abilities and somehow feel restricted or feel like 2nd class citizens so to speak.

But as I grew in my knowledge of God and His word, I came to understand His design and plan for males and females, their roles to compliment and complete one another. A lot of the discussion on women in leadership today that surrounds cultures and practices are somewhat different if not distorted interpretations of the scriptures in my opinion.

To me, the instruction for women not to be ministers, elders and deacons is quite clear in 1 Tim 3 and Titus. Not only were the criteria for elders and deacons specific to include those who are the husband of one wife (1 Tim 3:2, 12). But in earlier verses, Paul said that he doesn’t allow women to teach or to have authority over a man. And all these clearly apply in the church context, if not in other settings. The reasons Paul given are historic rather than cultural. It’s because Adam was created first (1 Tim 2:13) and Eve was the one who was deceived (1 Tim 2:14). Whether we’re more talented or gifted isn’t quite the issue here, and it doesn’t mean that gifts and talents can’t be used other than in church governance.  One important fact that I tend to overlook at times is that the woman in Genesis 1 was created for the man and as his helper.

In response to this issue, some people point to the mention of a deaconess in the bible and the fact that there are females residing in those offices in our churches today. This could be a sticky point for many, but thinking about it a little more, I realized that what was stated as a fact doesn’t necessarily in any way support the case. There’s a mention of a deaconess, but we don’t know the circumstance surrounding it. It’s simply describing what is or what happened. But the instructions in 1 Timothy are very clear and not circumstantial. The language used is plain and direct and it applies to those who’s seeking such positions. Also, what has been done before, in other words traditions or practices don’t naturally make something right or biblical.  

When I was thinking about this, the example of David and Bathsheba came to mind. In the bible, adultery is a sin and we’re asked not to commit adultery. So if we were only told the fact that David and Bathsheba committed adultery but not any information surrounding it. It’d be like the case of the deaconess. But could we then say that it’s ok to commit adultery because David and Bathsheba did and they were ok. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if 2 options were given, clear instructions and a circumstantial description, which one has more authority and which one’s more likely to be right.

I don’t know a lot and I wanted to make sure that my understanding is correct, so I was doing a bit of research and discovered that the Greek word for deaconess is actually a word meaning servant and used in the New Testament in a variety of ways. Paul used the same word to describe himself as the servant of God.  A detailed explanation can be found at http://www.carm.org/womeninministry/deaconess.htm.  I also found a lot of useful resources on this subject at http://www.carm.org/womeninministry.htm.

At this point, I’m satisfy that my understanding of the passages isn’t mistaken, and that the positions for elders/ministers and deacons are reserved for men and not women.

How Christmas Has Changed

Only 1 week to Christmas!

Everywhere’s bustling in the Christmas atmosphere. Packed shopping centres, busy crowds, mailbox full of enticing junk mails, pretty lights, gift cards, decorations, Christmas carols, parties, travels, presents, food...We are all so busy buying gifts, preparing for family get togethers or enjoying the holidays that Christmas has become a festive season. Its original meaning has shifted from Christ's sacrifice to human generosity, from gratefulness to indulgence.

We’ve seen Christmas being gradually stripped of its meaning over the years. Happy holidays has become the preferred Christmas greeting to avoid any religious connotation; carols depicting the birth of Jesus are slowly replaced by the almighty Rudolph the reindeer and the ever popular jingle bells. Kids are taught anything about Christmas but the story of Jesus’ birth.

In the midst of all the frantic activities and busyness, are we forgetting what Christmas is about? Are we taking the opportunity to tell others about the birth of Jesus and what that means to us? Have you entered a church building this Christmas and the only things you see are Christmas trees, flowers, presents and all sorts of decoration, except the very signs that remind us of the object of celebration? Have you wondered where the cross, (baby) Jesus, wise men, manger, angels, Mary or Joseph's gone? I have and for a moment I wondered if someone new who came into buildings like that would be inspired to think about God or know that it's a place of worship?

It was under such commercialism of Christmas that we decided quite a few years ago to have a nativity scene rather than a Christmas tree as the centre stage at our home. It was difficult to find anything like that back then, so we made puppets of the characters, complete with stuffed animals. To gain back some perspective and to remind ourselves of what Christmas really is about, we’ve also introduced a time to reflect upon the past year, remembering the goodness of God and thanking Him for what He has done before opening the presents. 

How can you put back some of the meaning that’s been lost in your celebration of Jesus’ birth this Christmas?

Which Principles?

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8

I really like this verse in Colossians 2 from today’s devotion. It’s so true as I came to think of the issues and practices of Christians and churches today, and how many of us have given way to the ideas and practices of the world rather than based our judgements and decisions on the unchanging principles in the Bible.

Satan is very clever and in many ways have deceived us without our noticing it. A lot of times when we tackle a difficult issue or situation, we tend to base our reasoning on what the majority is doing, how it works in our culture or what we think is right. It’s not common for people to ponder upon the scriptures and seek to understand how to apply it and actually put it into action in real life. Our solutions tend to be influenced by the world around us, and they are often so different from what the Bible teaches.

I think some of the controversial issues in Christianity and in our life such as abortion, homosexuality, divorce, women leadership, church growth etc. wouldn’t be much of an issue if we truly look at those issues in light of the scriptures, and take seriously God’s principles laid out all through the bible rather than relying on the wisdom of this world.

Are we and our churches being true to what we have entrusted? Are we relying on God’s wisdom rather than men’s? Do we meditate on God’s words and careful to carry out what He has instructed us? Do we live our life based on a biblical worldview? the world’s or a mixture of both?

An Interesting Lunch

Well, well, well.  What an interesting day on Sunday!

It was our year end lunch and praise God for the good weather.  He has definitely answered our prayer considering that it has been raining for the whole of last week and has just started again yesterday.

We were going to have a picnic at Hinze Dam, but unbeknown to us, it was closed.  What's worst?  The official contact person (yes, that's me) left her mobile at home, so a new person who was going to come couldn't contact her for the new location.

After a bit of checking out Hinze Dam, deciding on new location and letting people know, we ended up at the Little Nerang Dam.  It was a quiet road into the park and we weren't expecting anyone to be around.  So it was quite a surprise to see the carpark full of cars.  It was a nice little area with bbqs and picnic tables, so it was good.  Someone bought along a bbq in a box.  Thought that was interesting.

We all had a good time.

Year End Lunch

It's almost the end of November, can you believe how quick the year has gone!

As the year is drawing to a close, lets get together and celebrate the year's passed. Invite your friends, bring your own lunch and enjoy some fun and relaxing time by the waters.

There's a kiosk if you want to get food there. Don't forget to bring a ball or frisbee along to have a kick or something after lunch.

Here's the details:
Date: Sunday, Nov 23
Time: 12pm
Location: Hinze Dam

If you need transport or need help with directions getting there, give us a yell.

Islam and the World

The world has changed forever since September 11th, 2001. Many now live in constant fear of terrorist attacks. The threat of 'radical' Islam has been brought to the forefront of people's minds. With so many other religions out there, why has Islam bred both terrorism and a hatred for the West?

Consider these statistics:

Islam is the 2nd largest religion in US.
More than 7 million Muslims live in France alone.
Today, over 2 million Muslims live in Britain (and London has been dubbed 'Londonistan').
It is predicted that by 2040, more than 55 million people in Europe will be Muslim.

Many 'moderate' Muslims live peacefully among people of different religions than their own. Others however, live with hostility towards non-muslims, whom they call 'infidels.'

So what do we really know about Islam? Does it really seek world domination? How would it affect us if Islam actually ruled the world? Are our fears justified, or are they based on misunderstanding and propaganda against a 'peaceful' religion?

We are showing an award-winning documentary called Obsession the Movie. Come watch it together and stay for a chat afterwards. Here are the details fof the event.

What: Obsession the Movie
Where: Peter & Anchalee's place, Mudgeearaba
Notes: We'll have snacks and drinks, but lunch isn't included. Feel free to bring something for lunch if you'd like.