A Christmas Poem 2010

Hans Gruener

Could it ever be like that again
God entering the world he made?
So unannounced, so ordinary
Born like us but poorly laid.

Could angels come alive with song
For any other promised birth?
Could Heaven once again resound
For such unworldly worth?

Perhaps if we would open up
Our hearts to him in prayer
A fleshly stable can be filled
New music in the air.

And as we grow in following
His star will guide our days
And God will change his world again
Through vessels born of clay.

Can I ever be sure that I'm saved?

Sometimes people who have been Christians for twenty or thirty years admit to me that they still don't know for sure if they're really saved.  The doubt may arise because they are so conscious of the sinful tendencies that still seem so entrenched in their lives.  Or, putting 'works' to one side, they're not sure if their faith is truly a saving faith.

The issue of ASSURANCE has bothered Christians ever since the earliest church.  Modern evangelicalism tends to downplay the issue by telling new converts that they are truly saved, just on the basis of a single prayer prompted by a counsellor.  Some church systems have virtually guaranteed salvation to their followers on the basis of attendance at services and performance of certain sacraments. 
But many others, including those in the Puritan and mystical traditions, have kept assurance separate from saving faith. 

The apostle John obviously wrote his first epistle to bring assurance to believers.  But the assurance comes across with a number of 'ifs'!  If we keep His commandments (2:3), if what we heard from the beginning abides in us (2:24), if we practice righteousness (3:10), if we love the brethren (3:14), if our heart doesn't condemn us (3:21). 

If we're worried about our walk with God, John's assurance may well make us even more unsettled!
There are also verses where Jesus Himself seems to make salvation conditional on enduring (Matt 24:13) or obedience (Matt 7:21).  The promises to believers are clear enough (John 3:16, 6:37, etc) but the assumption is that those who believe will go on to follow Jesus and do good stuff in His name.

For me, assurance of salvation is primarily about faith in the Gospel promise, God's Word.  But it's also about the knowledge that God's mercy and forgiveness are bigger than all my sins and failures.  When I see changes in me that can only be the work of God's Spirit, I am convincced that God will bring me through to full salvation.  After all, why would He bring me this far, only to abandon me in the end?

Finally, some professing Christians have no assurance of salvation because they are, in fact, not saved.  Perhaps they are trusting in themselves, or someone other than Christ.  Perhaps they have not truly repented or turned away from their ungodly lifestyle.

Let's keep things in their correct order.  There is no assurance without true repentance and faith!

Frustration with Islam

I'm writing this on September 11th, nine years since the terrorist attacks that changed the world.  A Florida pastor has been very much in the news this week because his church was planning to stage a koran-burning event. 

My understanding is that the church was protesting against plans for an Islamic mosque to be built near "ground zero" where the twin towers had stood. 
Hatred against Islam is not the answer but the frustration is understandable because Western governments continue to display an appalling ignorance of the danger that Islam poses to Western society.
Why should it be, in nations known for their Christian heritage, that it has suddenly become unacceptable to speak out against a religion that denies every foundational Christian teaching?  Many Christians are frustrated that Islam seems to receive official protection while Christian values are freely and openly denigrated and ridiculed.
I would never suggest a koran-burning protest at New Life Church but I would say that building a mosque near Ground Zero would be far more offensive.  The New York authorities should find a way to prevent this mosque from going ahead.
Meanwhile, here in Australia, we need politicians who will refuse to be intimidated by Islam, men and women who will risk public outcry to say what needs to be said.

Not by Myself - Book Review

For people living in Warrnambool, the name Fletcher Jones is legendary. From humble beginnings in a hawker's wagon, travelling around Western Victoria, to a trousers factory that employed more than a thousand people, his story is quite amazing. In this autobiography, written when Fletcher Jones was in his very late seventies, the reader meets a long line of fascinating characters who helped the author carve out an extraordinary chapter in Australian retailing. The title points modestly to the fact that he could never have achieved what he did without these people.

The stories from Fletcher's early life prov-ide fascinating glimpses into a world that has now virtually disappeared. This alone would make this book a worthy read but there's another story here, a story about determ-ination, imagination and innovation in business and commerce. The author skilfully explains the influences and thought processes behind the decisions that gave his clothing business a unique and unsurpassed reputation throughout Australia. His five basic objectives can be summarised as: 1) lifting the general quality of Australian made clothing, 2) developing a scientific range of fractional fittings, 3) developing a more efficient means of distribution - cutting out the middle man, thus making the clothing more affordable, 4) manage-ment by consultation, and 5) staff co-operative ownership. A sixth was added later, namely, a non-profit basis after-sales service.
Fletcher Jones was ahead of his time in many regards. He understood industrial and staff relations better than many even today. But there is a sad postnote to the book for Warrnambool residents who, in recent years, have witnessed the gradual decline and eventual closure of the FJ factory. The beautiful gardens remain and the site is still a hub of community activity, so one can only hope that the legacy of this fine Christian man will not be dimmed with the passing of time.

Although this book is more about his clothing business than his Christianity, FJ's faith in God shows through in many ways, including his involvement with TocH, an international Christian movement for soldiers.
One interesting quote: "Every man has two birthdays. One is the day he is born into the world and the other is the day he wakes up in it. This complicated world of isms is a baffling place to live in. Unless we can help a man express his spiritual growth through his job, we fail him."
A delightful book, written with refreshing humility and gratitude.

Together again - for half an hour

Still working on my photography skills.  But it was great to have Joel, Joanna, Simon and Ami (left to right) together - for half an hour.  Joel got home from work around 5.10 pm and Ami had to leae for work at 5.40.  But we had a lovely dinner together.

As families grow and new people enter the family, your heart finds room to love the new members.  What will our family look like in another 10 years?  Only God knows.  But it's always a treat to have the original family together.

Some Thoughts on Marriage

(This was an article submitted to the Reflections column in the Warrnambool Extra)
After more than 30 years of marriage, it’s great that I can honestly say my wife and I still love each other.
Not that it’s always been easy. Sometimes it was Heaven and sometimes it was more like… well, you know.
Our wedding vows were all about a commitment before God to follow His ways and to love each other, no matter what. This commitment has forced both of us, over the years, to deal with deep personality issues like pride, selfishness, insecurity, and low self-esteem. We started out “in love” but learning to love each other turned out to be something very different, something that was only possible as we allowed God to work massive changes in us.
Here’s a little insight for all those who think that marriage should change with the times. You’ve got it back to front. Marriage is meant to change you! Your attempts to redefine marriage to suit your lifestyle choices will inevitably undermine the power of marriage to do what it’s supposed to do in you.
These days, many people reject God and many others have rejected marriage. I suspect this is mainly from a desire for life to line up with their personal preferences. But we don’t grow as human beings by getting everything our own way. We don’t learn the true meaning of love by getting our own needs met.
Marriage is about a man and a woman, annoyingly different but wonderfully complementary, growing together in a giving relationship because their commitment of love will not allow the easy way out.
Marriage is God’s invitation to grow.

The Day Jesus Got What He Deserved

This was the title of my Palm Sunday message.

When Jesus rode a donkey colt into Jerusalem, He was hailed as the Jews' Messiah, their king. A great multitude came out to honour Jesus and cheer for Him. Hosannah means “Save now!” The crowds were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. Most of Jesus’ life was spent in quiet anonymity. Even when He healed people, He usually told them to keep it quiet. He avoided scenes like this.

But this was the day He would get what He deserved.

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” is a quote from Ps 118:26. Hosannah, meaning "save now", comes from the previous verse, Ps 118:25. It was specifically announcing and celebrating the coming of the Messiah.

People went crazy. They laid their (excess) clothes down on the road, in the dirt and filth, because even the donkey colt that carried the King was not going to have to walk through anything dirty. The people didn’t even want Jesus to have to sit directly on the donkey so they put some of their clothes down for Him to sit on.

John is the only gospel that specifically mentions palm branches (fronds actually). Mark says that the people cut down leafy branches (11:8). Matthew just says they cut down branches from the trees. Luke doesn’t mention any branches at all. I always pictured the crowds waving these leafy branches (or palm fronds) as Jesus was riding into town but Matthew and Mark both say that they spread the branches on the road. Maybe they did both.

The point is: Jesus deserves our acclamation, our loud joyful praise. He got what He deserved on the day he rode a donkey colt into Jerusalem, but later in that week, He got what we deserved, when He gave His life on the cross.

Prayers of a child

I was blown away recently to hear that the little girl in this picture, Esther Wakim, has been praying for me every night before she goes to bed. The amazing thing is that she is only a year and a half old!

I'm not sure how I should feel about that. Honoured? Blessed? Humbled? Probably all of the above.

This is a picture of Esther, with her Dad, Marko. Mum Anne didn't quite make this picture.

Bless you guys! I'm praying for you too, Esther!

Bashing Christian Culture

Book Review: The Christian Culture Survival Guide by Matthew Paul Turner.
Matthew Paul Turner is, among other things, a former editor of CCM magazine, which deals with American entertainment media from a Christian perspective. This book is a humorous look at American fundamentalist Christianity from one who considers himself an "outsider on the inside". With bullet-point lists such as "Six signs your pastor might have an ego problem", "Five questions you never want a pastor to ask on the first Sunday" and "Eight types of girls (for guys to choose from) in Christian culture", the author tackles subjects as diverse as the worship service, sex and dating, and Christian boycotts.
It's true that Christian culture, especially as practised in evangelical churches, can be strange and even funny. And it's true that this author is only trying to point the way to a more authentic relationship with Christ, one where the famous "cringe factor" has been minimised, if not extinguished completely. But this book epitomises everything that I have come to hate about the Christianity-in-culture debate. It's one thing for Christians to have a bit of a laugh at their own expense but it's quite another thing to mock the goings-on in churches where people are genuinely trying to live in holiness. Christians are engaged in some very serious moral battles these days. It really doesn't help to ridicule their good intentions. The problem is not that Christians have culture, but that their culture is not always as Bible-based, Christ-centred and Spirit empowered as it should be.
If the author of this book was setting out to be irreverent, he has certainly succeeded. At one point, he suggests spitting into your hands and wiping your eyes as a remedy for falling asleep during the sermon. He describes in some detail a large woman inadvertently displaying most of her backside to a stunned congregation. I could give many other examples. More importantly, he fails to adequately balance his cynicism about church life. He actually recommends "multi-churching", whereby people have several churches that they attend according to what might be happening there. And maybe I'm a sourpuss but I thought his stereotypes of various church characters were more ridiculous than funny.
The Christian Church is an easy target for books like this one. Instead of pulling down evangelical Christianity, we need more books that will respect God's Church and constructively point the way to legitimte Christian culture.

Classics on prayer and devotion to God

Lately, a lot of my reading has been done on iPhone. You can download pretty much anything but being the cheapskate that I am, I've been reading several old Christian classics that you can get for free.
Things like "How to Pray" by Torrey, "A Serious Call..." by William Law, and "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" by John Wesley.
Various biographies of early church characters as well.
Sound boring?
Maybe for some but these old classics are stirring my spirit afresh to seek God for revival - in me, in my church in my city and in my nation.
How easy it is to become desensitised. We don't realise how bad things are getting because it happens slowly.
Some of these old classics can help us gain a more godly perspective on our general spiritual wellbeing

Bob & Dave and the very first Christmas

New Life Church has a small but growing Youth Music Team. On 20th December, they presented an original Christmas play called Bob & Dave and the very first Christmas. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. It was funny and entertaining, well acted and sung, but the overall impact was a clear message of God's love and grace.

I also loved it because it demonstrated what Christian culture can be - creative, imaginative, fun, but still very much glorifying to God.

Well done guys! Here is an iPhone picture of some of the young people involved.

What is the point for all our learning?

Christian culture should be instructive. That is, our art, music, literature and teaching ministry should help people to grow in their knowledge of God and their service to Him. It should also confront an unconvinced world with the claims of the Gospel.

I am currently reading an excellent book called "Culture Matters", by T.M. Moore (Brazos Press, 2007). In one of the chapters, Moore discusses John Calvin's efforts at cultural renewal through systematic education. He writes:

"Christian education today is largely regarded as an exercise in information transfer. Asked what they have been learning lately, most adult Christians will answer with some variation of a content response: "We've been studying the Book of Romans." "I've just finished a seminar on managing my money." "I'm working through a video series on the Psalms." Calvin defined true learning in terms of a growing relationship with God, expressed in growth in holiness and fulfillment of a life's calling to the praise of God and his glory."

"Until we begin educating the whole person - soul and practices - for living out all the requirements of God's kingdom - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit - in every area of life and culture, we will continue to drift towards the margins of society, our fervent educational activities notwithstanding."

As learners, or as teachers and trainers, Moore urges us to a new vision of learning.

"We must challenge learners to new heights of personal holiness, greater humility in loving and serving others, improvements in excellence in their vocations, and a vision for church, society, and culture that takes seriously the promise of God's power being able to do far beyond all that we could ever ask or think (Eph 3:20).

This year, at New Life Christian Church, we will be focusing much more on instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).