Christmas 2023

 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

 

The greatest miracle that the world has ever known was when God became a human and lived amongst us. He taught great truths. He performed wonderful miracles. He demonstrated amazing love. He bore the sin of mankind on himself so that we could be reconciled to God. We can boldly approach God’s throne of grace because Jesus is our intermediary.

For centuries the world waited expectantly for a Saviour. Prophets foretold His coming. In the words of Isaiah, He would be

Wonderful Counsellor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

Jesus came as a baby, growing in His mother Mary’s womb. God’s grace was sent in vulnerable and dependent child. Should we not then honour and respect and care for most of all those who are dependent and needy and vulnerable? Every life from conception onwards is a marvel of God’s creation. Every child deserves to be nurtured, protected, educated and loved.

Children are not a mistake to be ruthlessly disposed of. They’re not a commodity to be bought and sold. They should not be abused or used for sexual gratification. They deserve truth, beauty, innocent fun. We live in a world which has failed to protect its children in so many ways.

Jesus loved children. When His disciples tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing, He told them “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14).

Jesus also issued a warning to anyone who would intentionally harm a child. “If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in Me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

This Christmas, as we once more thank God for His perfect gift, that baby lying in a manger; as we enjoy time spent with family and friends and enjoy the innocence of children enjoying Christmas, let us pledge anew to help and support the families in our communities and to especially help and protect children, to pray for them and encourage them.

So this is Christmas

 

Christmas- the name means Christ worship. It records the baby born in Bethlehem, God’s promised Messiah, God’s gift to humankind, born to save the world from the curse of sin and death. He was Jesus, Immanuel – God with us.

Prophets foretold His birth. Angels announced His birth by appearing in the night sky above the ground where shepherds were watching over their sheep. Some would say that that was symbolic of the birth of our Good Shepherd, He who watches and tends over His flock. All of Heaven rejoiced.

Scholars in other countries who studied the night sky saw unusual signs in the heavens, including an unusual star which led them to where Jesus was. They brought precious gifts to present to Him, beginning a tradition of giving gifts to others to show the love of God to one another. In later centuries good men of faith such as St Nicholas and King Wenceslas gave gifts to the poor and needy and later came to be personified in the form of “Sinterklaas” or Santa Claus.

In later centuries beautiful carols honouring God were written and sung at Christmastime, telling the story of Christ’s birth- “Silent Night”, “Away in a Manger”, “Angels we have heard on high”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and others.

There is no Christmas without Christ. Christ came as a baby in Bethlehem, to minister to the world and to die outside of the walls of Jerusalem, taking upon Himself the sin of mankind. He defeated death and hell and rose from the dead, to ascend to Heaven. He will come again in final judgement. He knows and loves those who are His and blesses their lives with His goodness. This is the gospel, the good news that Christians throughout the world celebrate at Christmas.

Like the shepherds, let's wonder in the glory of God’s gift to us.

Like the angels, let's sing for joy songs of praise to God our Heavenly Father for His goodness.

Like the wise men, let's dedicate our time and resources to God, and give to others, especially those who are in need.

As we share food and presents and time with family and friends, let's do so to share the love of Jesus.

Remembrance Day

 

They left the farm and country store

Left the weeping wife beside a cradle

Left a girlfriend waving to a train

 

Strong of limb with heads held high

They marched and sang and laughed their way

Across the seas, mates together

 

Somewhere amid the night watches

Dreams fought with fears. They contemplated

What a man was made for

 

And so they went

Innocence shattered, bodies broken, lives given.

Faced the unspeakable, then and forever.

 

No glad hurrahs on victory day.

Only a quiet presence in the homeland

Men forever changed, silently grieving.

 

The wheat grew high with no hands to reap it

The babe grew strong with no arms to hold it.

The girl stood waiting on an empty platform.

 

Lest we forget.

 

©Josephine Collett 11/11/23

 

Forgiveness is a path - A meditation.

 

Forgiveness is a path and it begins in a cage. The cage that you are in. The cage that maybe somebody put you in against your will. A cage of extreme pain, lined with hurt, anger, depression, fear, inability to trust and memories that are so all consuming that they fill up all of the present.

There is a door to the cage and that door is not locked. It may appear so, but that is only your perception telling you that there’s no way out. There is a way out and it begins with a step. Your step. Having the courage to step through that door and onto the path of forgiveness.

The door is open. The steps are yours to take. It may begin with a deep breath or a prayer.

Step on to the path and see what is ahead. It may be indistinct, a mere blur on a faraway horizon, but it’s there. A land of peace. A place of freedom. A place where you can smile.

First steps. You are moving. You are reclaiming yourself.

Look around you. There is beauty. There is goodness. There is hope.

Most of all, on the path you’re on, there is time. Time will be a healer and a friend.

There are other friends who will walk alongside, some for a short time, some for as long as it takes.  Counsellors, friends, pastors and those who have experienced other cages.

Rediscover your faith. The One who asks you to walk this path of forgiveness is the One who will never leave you.

You may feel at times that you are right back in that cage. The memories crowd in. The anger and shame and pain resurface. You may have stepped back towards that cage and those things are real again. But you’re not back there. You have moved forward. They don’t own you as much as they did. You have claimed what you’ve discovered along the way- strength, hope, love. They are drawing you onwards.

You are fighting back. Not with the evils that put you in that place but with stronger weapons- faith, love, hope, beauty, persistence, honesty, grace.

Step by step and as time passes, as you move along that path you will be able to look back differently. Nothing in the cage has changed, but you have. You are farther away. You have discarded old shoes and put on new ones.

Your thoughts have changed.  The thought that you would never be able to move past the words and experiences that played over and over in your head was one big lie. The God of truth fights for you like a lion. He carries you  away from death-like clutches.

You can remember dispassionately. You may always remember, but memories no longer have any control over you. Forgiveness is letting go of your right for recompense. It is letting go of any expectation of rectification from the one/s who hurt you. It is leaving them where they always have been- in the hands of a just God.

You are entering a place of rest and freedom, a place where you can be the person that you were created to be, where you can be loving, kind, creative, intelligent, happy, faithful and filled with the love of your Creator. The name of this place is The Rest of Your Life.

Sometimes in the rest of your life you will see another path with a lone person struggling to find their way forward. This is an opportunity to take their hand and walk with them awhile. 

 

 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!…  Matthew 18:21,22

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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

Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

 

Reading the Bible

 

How does one read the Bible? There is no long or short answer, however, I would like to suggest a few principles.

The Bible is not just another book. It was written by human hands but through the divine inspiration of God. It's the Logos a "living word" alive through the spirit of God, giving life through His Holy Spirit to those who read it.  It imparts wisdom, knowledge, relationship, comfort, guidance and so much more to those who through faith read it, believing every word to be true. 

In the Bible we read the story of God, of His creation of the earth and all in it. In Genesis and the Old Testament we learn of the fall of God's created humans, Adam and Eve and the coming of evil into this world. We learn of the generations of God's people who successively drew near to God and were blessed, and who fell away from God into sin and destruction. We learn of the prophets who foretold of a Saviour who would redeem fallen humanity.

In the New Testament we learn of the fulfilment of prophecy- the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospels outline His life, teachings and death on the cross. He has paid the ransom forever so that all who believe in Him and commit their lives to God are free to live an eternal life with Him. Christ's resurrection is recorded, that we might rejoice in His victory over sin and death. The coming of the Holy Spirit to be with believers is described in the book of Acts and precepts for life in the early church and in the lives of believers are written down in the epistles to the churches. Finally, God's plans to overcome an increasingly wicked world and establish righteousness in Heaven and on Earth through the second coming of Jesus are outlined in the last book of the Bible, Revelation. 

That's the short version. Sixty-six books, all of them inspirational. Where does one start? 

If you are a new Christian, I would start with Genesis and one of the gospels. Thankfully in this age of technology there are visual aids and lots of online programs and ministries which assist in understanding the basics of Christian belief. The Jesus film and visual gospels enact the gospel well. Websites such as bible.org and BibleGateway have Bible versions and resources to help you study. Also the Psalms and Proverbs are useful for a new Christian as they are easily readable. Bible reading should be accompanied by two other fundamentals of Christian living- prayer and fellowship with other Christians in a church community.

Mature Christians may have read the Bible many times in their lifetimes and may follow many different ways of Bible reading. There are various reading programs available. I know people who read every book sequentially from Genesis to Revelation and then begin again. Some choose a particular book or series of books of the Bible. Some use a study guide on a particular topic and read various sections of the Bible in relation to this topic. It’s an individual choice. At the moment I am reading a book of the Old Testament followed by a book of the New Testament.

How often should you read the Bible? One of the pastors at my church has a slogan he uses about prayer- "Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power." I think the same thing applies to Bible reading. If you don't read the Bible at all, you are missing out on one of the key ways to grow in faith and spiritual maturity. If you read it frequently you will be blessed. 

Bible reading can be a joy. It should be a discipline. It should never be a chore. 

With considered words, let me say that a daily devotional where one reads a few verses of the Bible and a supporting homily is a pleasant adjunct, not a substitute for reading the Bible, straight from the Bible. Nor should you read a chapter a day in order to tick that off your mental "must do" list.  So, what are some guiding principles?

Pray before reading. Ask God to reveal to you what He would have you learn and understand.

Try to have a quiet space, free from distractions. This will help you to concentrate on the word. In addition, choose a time when you will not be rushed. Some people like to get up early and have time with God at the beginning of each day.

Choose your version- there are many versions of the Bible available and different formats. Some people like to have a physical copy, others use online versions or audio Bibles. It’s down to personal preference. Some Bible websites enable the user to compare verses in different versions which can be useful. I would suggest that you use an internationally recognised version that has been translated by a team of Bible scholars e.g., the New International Version (NIV) or New King James Version, which seek to be true to the original languages of Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. There are a few versions of single-authored books that seek to transcribe the language into modern idiom, seeking to be a version of the Bible but not necessarily true to the original, and I would avoid these.

Avoid prescribed amounts. This is my personal opinion only, but I think you should read as much or as little daily as is meaningful to you. I have nothing against daily reading plans per se. as long as one feels free to read beyond the daily reading plan. If you finish the “entire Bible in a year” program in eight months, nine days, so be it. Conversely, if you read a few lines and feel the need to meditate deeply on those few lines then that is surely more meaningful on that day than ticking off several chapters on the list.

Meditate on what you have read. Meditation is not emptying the mind. It’s thinking deeply and there is no greater subject one can think about than the things of God. One could read the Bible for a hundred years and still be given fresh and new insights into His character, His wisdom, His ways, His divine love and His power that passes all human understanding. If you are a Christian God’s Holy Spirit will speak to you through the words of the Bible.  

Refer to associated materials. Sometimes it helps to read a bible commentary or view an online series in conjunction with your personal bible reading. Some people like to journal or make notes as they read.

Pray and Apply Thank God for His word. Ask Him to help you not just read it, but to believe it, to remember it and to live it. May it help to change your heart and help you to be the man or woman of God that He created you to be. May it help you to show God’s love to the world around you, in every sphere of your life.

 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

22Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25

 

 

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Beneath the trees

 

Beneath the trees they lie

Unmarked, unnamed

Unknown strangers

Glance in passing

Would that you heard

Their shattered cry

 

From east and north and south they came

Despised and bound

Across the sea to Rottnest

Heartsick, alone

Never to return

Their fate unfound

 

Beyond the hill, the tourists

Posture and pose

Enjoy the view

Buy souvenirs and lunches

But those who visit here

So few.

 

Windsong and wavesong

Wash over them

Crow and gull and wren

Sing your soothing songs of love

Sheltering trees

Spread arms above

And gentle nightfall cover them.

🅒 Jo Collett 2023

Aboriginal burial ground at Rottnest Island/ Wadjemup  Western Australia, 2023

What defines you?

 

What defines you?

What is your identity?

What would you include in your own eulogy?

 

When you meet a stranger for the first time, what do you talk about in the first five minutes of meeting them?

What are the things about yourself that you hope will make a good impression with others? Much may depend on where and why, but here are a few examples:

Career

Family

Relationships

Social networks

Awards

Wealth

Type of accommodation

Travel experiences

Vehicle

Clothing

Physical fitness and beauty

Sporting prowess

Use of technology and social media.

For some people it might be more personal characteristics. They might want to be known for their compassion, or sense of humour or generosity to others.

These may all be very good things to have or achieve and they reflect the unique person that God has created each of us to be. Yet these things come and go. Relationships crumble. Careers face setbacks. The latest clothes and cars and phones wear out and are superseded.

Only one thing never changes. That is the love of God shown to us through His Son Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit was given to us to guide and inspire and protect throughout our lives. His living Word was given to us so that we could know God- His love, His promises that never fail, His forgiveness, His redeeming grace. We can hardly imagine the greatness of all God is and has for us.

If we are to be defined by any one thing, let it be the loving relationship we have with our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus and His precious Holy Spirit. If everything else in our lives revolves around this central core, we will indeed know His joy and peace through all circumstances. Let everything else- career, finances, friendships etc. be the outworking of God’s love for us. A touch of God’s Holy Spirit is what will minister to others and draw them to Him.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18,19

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” Philippians 3:7-9

 

Church online.

Do you ever feel like  you would like to visit a church service  without physically stepping in the door of a church building? My church at Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane, Queensland Australia offers online services. This is not just seen as a frilly extra, but is viewed as an important ministry to those who for whatever reason are unable to attend in person or wish to view the services in a more private setting. If watching live one can interact with others online if you wish to do so, and the church always provides a facilitator who can answer questions and generally make each viewer feel welcome. If you prefer you can watch a recording of a service after it has been broadcast live. I know of people who have joined services from interstate and overseas. Details about service times can be found at the Bridgeman Baptist Community Church :

www.bridgeman.org.au

The one

 

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:4

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, told this story to illustrate His concern for each and every person in His care. He knows that the ninety-nine are safe. He knows one is lost, strayed, alone, in need of rescue and return to the fold. He goes out of His way to find that one and save it.

Do we do likewise?

Are we happy little sheep, enjoying the company of each other, oblivious to those around us who are lost, alone, in need of company and care? Do we assume that someone else is doing that, being the hands and feet and eyes and ears of Jesus?

Do we see the person who sits alone in church and opt for a different pew? Do we see the person leaving afterwards who might enjoy an invitation to stop and have a coffee? These things happen in churches more often than we care to admit, let alone in the wider world. How many people would take the time to befriend an elderly person or a person with a disability? They can be some of the loneliest people around.

Or do we only have time for those who can support us in our social circles or career paths or business ventures or ministry endeavours?

Lord, Your kingdom is built one by one soul. Help us to be alert and aware of the ones who need a touch of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

Shattered pieces and God's glue.

 

Recently my husband and I have been watching a documentary series called “The Repair Shop” in which a team of expert craftspeople restore items which members of the public bring in for repair. All of these items are very valuable to their owners, not necessarily of great monetary value but for what they represent- often a relationship with a person.

I particularly enjoy watching the ceramics expert, Kirsten Ramsay, meticulously repair items. Someone will bring in e.g. a porcelain bowl shattered into pieces and she will carefully place them back together, bond them and paint over the cracks, filling in the painted design where it has been erased.

Often when the recipient views the final result there will be words to the effect of “This looks better than before!” and “I can’t tell where it was broken!” or “I never dreamed it could look this good again.”

If a human can do this with a piece of pottery, what can God do with a broken relationship? Marriages in particular can be shattered, seemingly beyond repair, especially by infidelity. Friendships can be shattered by jealousy, gossip and a host of other reasons. Families can be torn apart by infighting. Business relationships can be ruined by poor decisions. Something valuable is lost.

I’m not suggesting all relationships can be mended, indeed in some cases the appropriate action is to sever ties. However in many cases broken relationships can be repaired, and I believe it brings glory to God when we resist the devil’s attempts to break what God has instituted for good.

Take marriage for example. Marriage is the strongest human relationship, designed by God for a man and woman to become “one flesh” (Matthew 19:4-6), for mutual support and comfort and for producing Godly children. Marriage is also a reflection of the love relationship between Christ and His church.(Ephesians 5:,25-32, 2 Corinthians 11:2). A marriage ceremony is often a time when couples make promises not only to each other but to God. A Christian marriage is always a three-way relationship between God and a husband and wife both individually and as a couple. As such it can be a great witness for God. As such it is also a target for Satan to harm and destroy it.

I believe then, that even when a relationship is shattered, it can be mended. Too often we throw away what can and should be saved. Just as the owners of the articles in the Repair Shop needed an expert to repair them, so we may need the help of a qualified Christian counsellor to work in conjunction with God, the great Restorer. Never forget that God’s Holy Spirit, the “Parakletos” – the “One who comes alongside” will be with you to instruct and guide you in the way you should go.

God’s glue is amazing. His strength and power can pick up the pieces and put them together again. He can clean away the grime, leaving a true picture of what was there before. Forgiveness and mercy can fill in the cracks. He will fill with comfort and blessings where there were gaping wounds.  There will be new pieces to replace the old. He will apply His artistry to completely rejuvenate what was taken away. His work is not a patch-up. His is a divine restoration.

Yes, it would have been better if the damage had not occurred in the first place. But some things are valuable and deserve to be held on to. The end result is a credit to the One who fixes.One thing I am absolutely convinced of is that when we make a decision to try to restore a broken relationship God is pleased and it brings glory to Him.

It’s easy when we see broken relationships to take the world’s view – it doesn’t matter, toss it out, move on. Divorce, feuds, cliques and family strife surround us. They feature heavily in the media. Sadly, they can occur in churches too. To my shame in the past I have been guilty of feuding within a church instead of seeking unity. As Christians we are called to be different in outlook. We are blessed by God when we are peacemakers, when we pray for reconciliation and restoration of broken marriages, partnerships, friendships and families.

 

Isaiah 43:19

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Revelation 21:5

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

 

This antique clock was sitting on a doily on a cupboard. Our cat leapt up, missed her footing and clawed the doily, resulting in cat, doily and clock hurtling to the floor. The cat was unharmed, the clock case shattered into many pieces. My husband lovingly and painstakingly glued it together again, sealed and polished it. Now it's hard to tell that it was ever broken. The cat lived a long and happy life afterwards.