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Saturday 23 November 2013

Thankful

5 areas to be thankful in this year. What's yours?

1. Relationship with God -
this year i have known His loving presence in so many ways. My dependency upon Him has grown. I increasingly learn that as much as I love other people in my life, they cannot and should not be depended upon to be to me all that God is. I've learned more about God through personal Bible study, church sermons and some teaching series that I've attended, as well as a weekly Bible study group. I've drawn close to Him through prayer. I enjoy reading books on Christian topics, especially counselling, and watch Christian DVDs and internet teaching resources. I love to connect with other Christians through church and in other areas. His Holy Spirit ministers to me, often through the written word and through nature, music and worship.

2. The people in my life who bless me in so many ways:
My husband
My children
Special friends
My church family
My connect group


3. My employment
and a special group of people - the clients that I work with in my job in community health and connect with on a daily basis. Working now in acute care, I visit each for a period of two weeks and sometimes a further two weeks if they return to hospital, so generally my time with each is short. I hear so much oral history and learn much about people.

4. Times of relaxation and renewal
- this year the highlight was an unexpected trip to Adelaide for my son to participate in "True Colours" Asia-Pacific Autism Conference.
I thank God for the beauty of nature that refreshes the soul and the plants and animals that He provides for our delight. My two dogs and two cats and fishpond in the garden are great blessings.

5. God's presence in difficult times
 - when loved ones are touched by illness, or uncertainty and for me personally this year when my former work ceased due to a massive restructuring of the public community health programs. Praise God, He provided opportunities for me to remain in community health, which I love, and to remain in the public health system, which I feel a strong commitment to.






Tuesday 19 November 2013

Overcomers


Overcome. What does the word mean? It can be an adjective or a verb.

I’m overcome (or sad, or overwhelmed, or swamped or blue) with my circumstances – triggers of which may include grief, disappointment, anxiety, frustration, uncertainty, or a host of other feelings.

Or

I have overcome (or triumphed or beaten or dealt with) some difficult experiences in the past- health problems, changing employment, family concerns; and there is no reason to think that future problems cannot be overcome also.

Jesus told us:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33”

One of Satan’s tactics is to encourage us to focus on self- our troubles and inability to escape from them, and the inadequacy at times of our own solutions to overcome them. We are tempted to forget the amazing power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to take control of our lives.
When we belong to Christ, His Holy Spirit is at work, both within us and within the spheres of life that we inhabit. He’s at work in the world around us, leading, guiding, counselling and orchestrating circumstances. Despite what is happening in our lives at any given time, we need to frequently remind ourselves that God loves us and wants to encourage us.
It’s a well-known scripture, but it helps to remember the words of God in the book of Jeremiah:

" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)


When we pray, God hears. He knows we are seeking His will. Sometimes we get the very answer we have been praying for. At other times the circumstances of our lives can still be extremely unsure and difficult. Yet they are never unchanged when we bring God into the picture. We have the assurance that

He will go before us and make a way, even if there seems to be no way.

He will walk beside us every step of the way.

He will attend to all that we leave behind us.


God tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5). We have the assurance that He is with us in good times and bad, and that we can overcome trials and temptations through trusting in His loving care.

“Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) (New International Version)

“'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21) (New American Standard Version)



Wednesday 13 November 2013

A Couple of Old Sayings

"When you drink the water, don't forget who dug the well."

Be thankful for those who've gone before. Appreciate the sacrifices and toil of those who contributed to the lifestyles we enjoy today. This week we especially remember with grateful thanks the ones who fought in armed conflicts in the past and more recently, to protect the freedom we should never take for granted, including a free press, the right to assemble, democratic elections, freedom of speech, equal opportunities and freedom to worship in safety.


"Before you tear down a fence, ask why it was put there."

Boundaries, both physical and metaphysical exist for a reason. A mature society is one in which its members can challenge the status quo. Physical fences provide protection and privacy and direction. Laws, traditions and practices need not always be static things, but they were the product of our forebear's wisdom and we should change with care.






Tuesday 12 November 2013

Words



 
Only words
Moth words
Wheeling, fluttering in the air between us
Filling the silences
With their own music
Words dancing, alighting on your hair
To touch when hands are stilled
Across the distances they fly
Sombre and small, night seekers
Messengers
Alone in the darkness
Finding their own direction
From the scent of distant breezes
The light of faithful stars
Only words
To grasp a thought in time
Moth words
No longer
Pinned to a page
But rising
Floating free.

©Jo Collett 2013


Sunday 10 November 2013

Faced with temptation


As humans we inherit a fallen nature and live in a fallen world. When we commit our lives in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and become Christians, the Bible states that Christ is “faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Christ forgives our sins and indwells in us, imparting His Holy Spirit, but we are by no means now immune from sinning.
Whilst we live in this earthly, human existence we will always be tempted to sin and have to battle between our corrupt nature and our Christ-like nature. As we mature in Christ, we gain wisdom and experience in fighting these battles, but temptation is something we will always face.
A former pastor of mine used to talk about temptations falling into three categories: “the gals, the gold and the glory.” I recently viewed a video of well-known Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, who echoed these sentiments, describing three areas of temptation which commonly cause the Christian to move away from God: sensuality, power, and materialism.
Sensuality tells us “If it feels good, do it. Everyone else is doing it, so why not?
Materialism tells us “If you really want it, have it.”
Power tells us “You get to call the shots. You’re number one. You beat everyone else.”

The commonality with all these things is focus on self. We indulge ourselves with pride, food, sex, accolades, status symbols and so much more. Even something negative like self-pity or hypochondria can take on a life of its own and become a little god in the life of a person. And without Christ as the focus of our lives, any other fulfilment will be only temporary.

It’s not a sin to be tempted. The Bible tells us;
“No temptation has seized you that isn't common for people. But God is faithful. He won't allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Sin lies not in being tempted but in giving in to temptation and acting upon it. A common sequence of occurrence is thought becoming word becoming action. Therefore I have a few suggestions to consider in relation to temptation:

A) Think about what you are thinking about. You can walk the walk and talk the talk, but do you thought the thought? Is your mind right with God? Do you smile outwardly but criticize and nag inwardly? What is your internal voice saying?

Try to think of your thoughts as a constant prayer to God. Is He hearing you praise Him inwardly? Are you counting your blessings? Think too about the conversations you have. Do they tend to become negative? Get into the habit of “pulling yourself up.” Think about Paul’s directive to the church in Philippi:
 “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8).”

B) Work out for yourself the areas in which you struggle with temptation. Be honest with yourself. Then decide beforehand ahead of time that you are going to do the right thing by God. When you are tempted, remember your resolve and stick to it.

C) Remove yourself if necessary from the situation which is offering temptation. If you are recovering from alcoholism, it wouldn’t be a very good idea to walk past a hotel on your way to work every day. In the same way, if you know you have a difficult time avoiding getting onto certain internet sites, put filters on your computer and leave them on. If you have a legitimate need to use a computer, have a bookmark menu with the necessary sites and stick to them. If necessary, turn off the computer and walk away. 
If you are married and find that you are strongly attracted to someone else, keep contact to a minimum. Don’t be alone together. If necessary move completely away. Far better to change jobs or churches or neighbourhoods than to destroy lives through an affair.

D) Every choice has consequences. Consider the long and short-term effects of your decisions and what the consequences will be. Remember that God’s goal is to bless you and give you hope and purpose for your life. Satan’s goal is the reverse- to destroy and enslave you. Many sins have a flow-on effect to others, and often it’s our beloved children and even their children who suffer as a consequence.
Not only are relationships destroyed but our witness as Christians suffers when a Christian sins. Ministry opportunities are destroyed and Christ’s church is held up to ridicule.
However, when a Christian resists temptation, this can be a powerful testimony for Christ. The Christian who is honest in his business dealings in the face of bribery and corruption; or the Christian who refuses to join in the office gossip may well be sowing seeds of the gospel into the lives of his or her associates.

E) Get help if you need it. Acknowledging a problem and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are many associations which specialise in treating particular disorders and addictions, or behaviours such as aggression and anger. Help and support can be sought online, or your pastor may be able to advise of Christian counselling in your area which could be beneficial.

F) Get close to God. I’ve left the best till last. Get to know God through prayer and meditation on Godly things, reading His word, the Bible and through connection with other Christians in a church community. The more you know God, the more there is to know, and the more you discover just how wonderful He is. It becomes a joy and blessing to serve Him and do His will.
When we are familiar with the Bible, there may be verses that speak to us in connection with areas of our lives where we are tempted. The psalmist tells “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
When we love God, the love He imparts changes our hearts and gives us a heart for others, as well as ourselves. We serve others and sacrifice for them. We want the best for them.

God is not a harsh dictator who is waiting to punish us if we do wrong. He’s a loving Father, the best of Fathers, who wants to bless us and delight in us. When we sin and come to Jesus in repentance and confession, He will forgive us. But He doesn’t want us to keep repeating that sin. He wants us to progressively grow in maturity and to strive to obey His word. When we seek to do His will, He pours out the joy of relationship with Him.




Tuesday 5 November 2013

Two Women, Two Wells.

This is a devotional I wrote several years ago in response to time spent with a group of ladies who were  discussing sexuality issues. As it has blessed and encouraged some, I repeat it on this blog periodically, praising God for the words He gives to show His love.

Sex, Wells and Redemption 

 

Two women, two wells

Wells gush forth throughout the pages of the bible. Like many natural features, they are both functional, providing people with water to drink, utilize, claim and fight over; and symbolic. Wells signify God’s provision, life, health, prosperity and cleansing.  In passages dripping with a prophetic signature, Jacob rolls a stone away from a well’s mouth to water the sheep (Genesis chapter 29); and David thirsts for water from the well at Bethlehem (2 Samuel 23). Biblically speaking, wells also have a lot to do with women.
Examine the wells in the bible and there will often be a woman nearby. Women would congregate daily in the cool of early morning or evening at the local well. There they would collect water and  (in the days before Facebook and RSVP) socialise, keeping an eye out for anybody new in town. Wells seemingly provided an acceptable place for young men and women to meet and greet one another.
Consider Rebekah in Genesis 24. An opulent- looking emissary and his entourage arrives in town. Rebekah comes to the well with her water jar, generously volunteering to draw water for him and his ten camels, no slight task. This offer is the specific answer to the prayers of Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, sent to find a wife for Abrahams's son, Isaac. Rebekah is of the correct kin group, pretty, kind, hard-working, adventurous, and a virgin - a desirable wife to be sure.
Rebekah happily received the gifts of jewelry presented to her and eagerly set forth to marry an unknown stranger. God led Eliezer to the place where Rebekah was waiting, and guided Rebekah into His plan for her life, as she was to play an important role in the foundation of the nation of Israel.
Wells can symbolise sexuality in the bible. It’s been suggested that the enclosed spring and sealed fountain (fountains and wells being sometimes used interchangeably) described in Song of Songs chapter 4 refer to the anatomy of a virgin. Married couples are advised to drink water from their own well (Proverbs 5) and for those contemplating adultery, Proverbs 23 reminds us that “a wayward wife is a narrow well,” not likely to be a source of delight for very long.
In John’s gospel, chapter 4, we discover another well, one of only a few references to wells and springs in the New Testament, and another woman, the celebrated “Woman at the Well.” This unnamed Samaritan is a very different lady to Rebekah. She too approaches a compelling stranger. His friends have left and he's alone and tired.
The place may be of significance also, for Jacob’s well, back in Genesis 33, refers to a site where Jacob took an easy option and camped near to the Canaanite city of Shechem, resulting in the subsequent rape of his daughter Dinah by the son of a Shechemite ruler, the first rape mentioned in the bible.
The Samaritan woman at the well is no innocent virgin. She sounds intelligent. She discusses spiritual concepts. She was probably beautiful – she certainly had no trouble attracting men. But she’s been around. She wouldn’t ever be seen as a desirable wife. No social life for her. She’s an outcast, gossiped about, likely as not to seduce a husband. She makes the trek for water alone in the afternoon sun.

There’s a man who wants a drink. What thoughts might have run through her mind? Maybe, like Rebekah, she was looking for a different life. What could he offer her? What could she offer him? He will even drink from her cup, Samaritan pariah that she is. What does he really want?

Was this a chance encounter? I believe not. He was waiting for her. She was looking for someone to satisfy the deep, lonely, heartbroken emptiness inside her. Like many of our "chance encounters" with someone we know, in stores, out walking, wherever;  God is waiting to reveal Himself.
Go and get your husband, says Jesus.
 I don’t have one.
 No, you’ve had five.
I see you’re a prophet.
It’s an interesting exchange. Why did she call him a prophet after he stated the number of “husbands” she’d had?  He knew all about her. What’s more, she knew he knew.  He knew how many sexual partners, when, who. Some could have been legitimate husbands. It was easy enough for men to gain a bill of divorcement in that time. Some could have been lovers. Some could have been abusers. In a culture where virginity was prized, what was the future for a woman who had suffered from incest or rape? Who knows what this woman's past history had been? Jesus did.
Jesus proclaims himself the Messiah to this hurting individual, offering her “living water”. She is offered a way to heal from the pain of emotional and sexual abuse. An amazing transformation occurs. For the first time she’s invited to feel clean on the inside, freed from a life of bondage and sin, and in an everlasting relationship with someone who loves her unconditionally, faithfully and respectfully.
The outcast is changed into an evangelist who witnesses to her neighbours. She becomes one of the most well-known characters of the Bible, her story ministering through the centuries.
In any given group of men and women there will be those whose sexual history is uncomplicated and joyful. For others there may be great sadness over a record of wrong choices, or no choice at all. Rebekah and the unnamed Samaritan women may seem worlds apart. Yet they are united in demonstrating that in all circumstances God loves and esteems his created people and is in the business of redeeming their fallen lives.
God has a plan for every person who desires in repentance and faith to be in relationship with Him. As we seek to know Him through reading the Bible, prayer and Christian fellowship in a caring church, He will lead each one into the life that He has planned. He is the true lover of our souls, our Creator, Saviour, Counsellor, and so much more. Praise Him.
"To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." Rev 21:6

Does the Bible support slavery?


I do not agree that the Bible supports slavery. Slavery existed in the Ancient cultures of the time and still exists today as a result of economic imperialism. In the New Testament writings of the early church the apostle Paul declared that all people were considered of equal value whether they were male or female, of different nationalities or slave or free. (Galatians 3:28) In the book of Philemon Paul sends a runaway slave home with an offer to pay for any loss the owner might have incurred and a request that he now be treated as a family member, not a slave. The system of the time allowed slaves to earn or buy their freedom or be released after a period of seven years.( This was known as the "Jubilee principle", a form of which was advocated by Christian and other humanitarian groups as the twenty-first century dawned, to enable economically enslaved nations to have their debts relieved or cancelled.)

One example of a changed life is that of John Newton, who after a career as a slave-trader converted to Christianity and became an Anglican minister. The shame and regret for his former life and gratitude for his salvation was described in his hymn “Amazing Grace”, beloved of Idol auditionees. He also mentored William Wilberforce, who was instrumental in abolishing the British slave trade. Throughout the world today there are Christian groups involved in advocacy and rescue from various forms of slavery.  

Throughout his earthly ministry, Christ demonstrated a deep compassion for suffering humanity. The first recorded message he preached was to reiterate the words of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61):

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me
because he has annointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."  (Luke 4:18,19, )

Through the Sermon on the Mount, Christ explained principles of living which were radically different to the culture of the day. The gospels record many instances of Him reaching out to those who were marginalised. The values He set to live by are those of love, grace, justice and equality. They are not the principles on which slavery is based.

In a broader sense, without Christ we are all slaves - to sin. We live in a fallen world where the results of human sin are very apparent, both on a global scale and in individual lives.  Christ's message was one of personal transformation of each individual who committed his or her life to Him, and through them, the transformation of the cultures around them.