So last week I started sharing a bit about how God is our Burden Bearer. I still love it!
But you know what? There is more. There is always more with God.
Matthew 11:28-30 reads "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Here Jesus is telling us to come to him with our burdens. So not only is He keen to take our burdens, He is going to exchange them for something better. But I guess it is more like a parent with a child who has something that they shouldn't have. The parent has something good in their hands, but won't give it to them until the child surrenders what they have.
It is an exchange that takes place, a marvellous, marvellous exchange.
So I encourage you, take your burdens to God, tell Him all about it. And then, just rest in the notion that God will only give you as much as you can handle, and that He really is just doing the best for you.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Whose Burdens are You Carrying?
So a while ago I was attending a Preaching 101 thing at church, and it was really cool.
The thing was was that at the end of the time, we all got a chance to get up in front of 'rent-a-crowd' and preach for 5mins.
For me this was kinda awesome, I like getting the chance to get up and talk to people, tell my story a little bit, and talk about what God has been talking to me about. I guess that is also why I like to blog. So here goes:
Psalm 68:19 reads "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens."
This verse has been just circling around my head the last few weeks, and when I stumbled upon it, I was just like WOW. When I found it, I found it to be so revelatory in that that was what I was experiencing in my life - A God who bears my burdens.
While on practicum there were a number of times when it just seemed like there was so much to do, and so little time to do it. But it always got done, with me remaining sane, and not being really really freaked out about it.
Burdens can just seem to overwhelm us, to try to overtake us, so that we can't think or do anything else but look at it - we stand there dumbstruck. Whether they are in our homelife, our work, our family, in making ends meet, all these parts of the puzzle can build and build until they become an overwhelming force to knock us off our feet.
But that isn't what the Psalmist is saying here - He is saying that God, who saved us, God, who is Lord, is always here to carry our burdens for us. Not just today, not just tomorrow, but daily.
Thank you God for being amazing!
The thing was was that at the end of the time, we all got a chance to get up in front of 'rent-a-crowd' and preach for 5mins.
For me this was kinda awesome, I like getting the chance to get up and talk to people, tell my story a little bit, and talk about what God has been talking to me about. I guess that is also why I like to blog. So here goes:
Psalm 68:19 reads "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens."
This verse has been just circling around my head the last few weeks, and when I stumbled upon it, I was just like WOW. When I found it, I found it to be so revelatory in that that was what I was experiencing in my life - A God who bears my burdens.
While on practicum there were a number of times when it just seemed like there was so much to do, and so little time to do it. But it always got done, with me remaining sane, and not being really really freaked out about it.
Burdens can just seem to overwhelm us, to try to overtake us, so that we can't think or do anything else but look at it - we stand there dumbstruck. Whether they are in our homelife, our work, our family, in making ends meet, all these parts of the puzzle can build and build until they become an overwhelming force to knock us off our feet.
But that isn't what the Psalmist is saying here - He is saying that God, who saved us, God, who is Lord, is always here to carry our burdens for us. Not just today, not just tomorrow, but daily.
Thank you God for being amazing!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Languages and Risks
Kia Ora!
For those of you from around the globe, that last thing is Maori for hello. Presumably (or maybe not so presumably) you know that I come from New Zealand. And one of the official languages in New Zealand is Maori. The Maori are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand, and I think they are pretty cool.
But one of the other official languages of New Zealand is New Zealand Sign Language, or NZSL. With Maori, most people make some sort of effort to be able to pronounce Maori names and to understand Maori customs. But very few of us actually acknowledge that sign language is just that - a language. It has its own intricacies and idioms, but very few of us in the hearing world ever bother to learn it.
I know, I know, I haven't learnt it either (even though I want to). I have't even made the effort to go looking for where I could learn it and also to engage with non-hearers.
But don't we all do that? Don't we, who fit into the 'norm', just ignore all else who do not fit into the same category? Ever wanted to break free of the restraints of the norm? I know I have. And sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't.
But it is only ever ourselves who hold us back. It is only our minds that persuade us to do it, or to not do it. We cannot blame busyness, or our parents, or anyone.
Today I started at my new school for practicum. It was a good day, and I can see that I will be stretched and taken to the limit at times. But you know what? I am ready. Let's take a leap, do something different. This time around I can take risks, when it is my class, will I be so willing? I don't know.
But this is my challenge to you: Take a risk, get out of the norm. Wear odd socks! Be a bit of a rebel.
Then:
Tell me about it. I'd love to hear your stories!
For those of you from around the globe, that last thing is Maori for hello. Presumably (or maybe not so presumably) you know that I come from New Zealand. And one of the official languages in New Zealand is Maori. The Maori are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand, and I think they are pretty cool.
But one of the other official languages of New Zealand is New Zealand Sign Language, or NZSL. With Maori, most people make some sort of effort to be able to pronounce Maori names and to understand Maori customs. But very few of us actually acknowledge that sign language is just that - a language. It has its own intricacies and idioms, but very few of us in the hearing world ever bother to learn it.
I know, I know, I haven't learnt it either (even though I want to). I have't even made the effort to go looking for where I could learn it and also to engage with non-hearers.
But don't we all do that? Don't we, who fit into the 'norm', just ignore all else who do not fit into the same category? Ever wanted to break free of the restraints of the norm? I know I have. And sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't.
But it is only ever ourselves who hold us back. It is only our minds that persuade us to do it, or to not do it. We cannot blame busyness, or our parents, or anyone.
Today I started at my new school for practicum. It was a good day, and I can see that I will be stretched and taken to the limit at times. But you know what? I am ready. Let's take a leap, do something different. This time around I can take risks, when it is my class, will I be so willing? I don't know.
But this is my challenge to you: Take a risk, get out of the norm. Wear odd socks! Be a bit of a rebel.
Then:
Tell me about it. I'd love to hear your stories!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Disney and Spirituality
So, where I am at the moment there has been a flurry of snow!
Therefore, me and my flatmates have decided to just have a movie day :D
We have watched Mulan, Wolverine, and Anastasia so far.
Since watching these things, I have come to note a common theme among Disney animated movies... There always seems to be some kind of magic, or spiritual thing that happens in the movie.
Take Mulan, for example. Mulan is helped by a magical dragon who was sent by her ancestors.
Anastasia was running away from a curse made by a (really creepy) dead guy.
Lion King, Simba talks to his dad in the sky.
Beauty and the Beast - creepy curse again.
Cinderella - Fairy Godmothers.
Aladdin - Genie
And the list goes on!
I'm not necessarily saying that this is a bad thing. It is just interesting to see how spirituality seems to be a common theme in Disney's movies, whether it takes the form of local beliefs (as in Mulan), or magic in numerous of their other movies.
I think it would be rather interesting to see how Disney's movies have impacted on a generation in regards to their spiritual lives.
So, let's take a straw poll:
Do you think Disney's movies have impacted upon your spiritual life? If so, how? If not, why don't you think so?
Therefore, me and my flatmates have decided to just have a movie day :D
We have watched Mulan, Wolverine, and Anastasia so far.
Since watching these things, I have come to note a common theme among Disney animated movies... There always seems to be some kind of magic, or spiritual thing that happens in the movie.
Take Mulan, for example. Mulan is helped by a magical dragon who was sent by her ancestors.
Anastasia was running away from a curse made by a (really creepy) dead guy.
Lion King, Simba talks to his dad in the sky.
Beauty and the Beast - creepy curse again.
Cinderella - Fairy Godmothers.
Aladdin - Genie
And the list goes on!
I'm not necessarily saying that this is a bad thing. It is just interesting to see how spirituality seems to be a common theme in Disney's movies, whether it takes the form of local beliefs (as in Mulan), or magic in numerous of their other movies.
I think it would be rather interesting to see how Disney's movies have impacted on a generation in regards to their spiritual lives.
So, let's take a straw poll:
Do you think Disney's movies have impacted upon your spiritual life? If so, how? If not, why don't you think so?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Reversing
Gah! I hate reversing!!
In a car that is. It is one of the things that I can do if I have to, but if I don't, I will just avoid it. *sigh*
I was reminded of this just tonight as I was at my grandparents house dropping off something for my Dad who is staying there tonight. Anyway, they have a reasonably long driveway, so I went all the way down it and then had to reverse back out of it (of course!).
Anyway, I probably would've put some lovely paint on the corrugated iron fence if it hadn't been for Mum and Dad, but I was frustrated that Mum was talking to Dad, and Dad was talking to Mum, but it felt like no-one was talking to me and telling me what was happening! Plus, it was dark, and that wasn't making it easier.
And so I have been thinking tonight that sometimes (though we don't like it!) we actually need to reflect, and 'reverse' as it were into our own lives in order to be able to move forward again. I know it is not a novel idea, but it is still a good one none the less.
Recently, I was talking to a pastoral friend of mine, and he was asking me about Vanuatu, and what the main thing was that impacted me about the trip.
You know what? I don't know what it is! I know that it was a God thing, and that He was very faithful in it, but I didn't know what to tell this person when the question was asked.
For me, Vanuatu was a long time ago, even though it was only at the start of this year!
Sometimes we really do need to take time to reflect, and to remind ourselves of the past - even the recent past! - to give us direction for the future.
That one lunch with my pastoral friends was really good for me - God timing - to remind me that what I was doing was the right thing to do to honour the dream that I have.
So reflect, look for the God timing and:
HAVE FUN!
In a car that is. It is one of the things that I can do if I have to, but if I don't, I will just avoid it. *sigh*
I was reminded of this just tonight as I was at my grandparents house dropping off something for my Dad who is staying there tonight. Anyway, they have a reasonably long driveway, so I went all the way down it and then had to reverse back out of it (of course!).
Anyway, I probably would've put some lovely paint on the corrugated iron fence if it hadn't been for Mum and Dad, but I was frustrated that Mum was talking to Dad, and Dad was talking to Mum, but it felt like no-one was talking to me and telling me what was happening! Plus, it was dark, and that wasn't making it easier.
And so I have been thinking tonight that sometimes (though we don't like it!) we actually need to reflect, and 'reverse' as it were into our own lives in order to be able to move forward again. I know it is not a novel idea, but it is still a good one none the less.
Recently, I was talking to a pastoral friend of mine, and he was asking me about Vanuatu, and what the main thing was that impacted me about the trip.
You know what? I don't know what it is! I know that it was a God thing, and that He was very faithful in it, but I didn't know what to tell this person when the question was asked.
For me, Vanuatu was a long time ago, even though it was only at the start of this year!
Sometimes we really do need to take time to reflect, and to remind ourselves of the past - even the recent past! - to give us direction for the future.
That one lunch with my pastoral friends was really good for me - God timing - to remind me that what I was doing was the right thing to do to honour the dream that I have.
So reflect, look for the God timing and:
HAVE FUN!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Jehovah our Concentration
Jehovah Jireh, The Lord our Provider.
My question is, does God refer to Himself as The Lord our Concentration in the Bible?
Just looking at this week I have been doing assignments and have been terribly terribly distracted by so many things (mainly internet related....) that I am wondering if I can ask God to be my concentration.
You could say that concentration is a by-product of strength, and God certainly is our strength.
So is He, or can He be, our concentration?
We live, now, in a world full of information and entertainment, and even info-tainment (!).
But we are not called to be a part of this world, we are called to be a part of God's world. Maybe that, then, is our cross to bear as westerners, the thorn in our side, the fact that we MUST get beyond ourselves, have some self-control and forcefully sit down and get concentrated on God for a bit everyday.
I, personally, find that I cannot read my Bible in the morning or pray if I turn on my computer first. My God time in the mornings needs to be before I hit electronics of almost any kind (except for microwaves and toasters, I like breakfast!).
If I don't do it before then I can't concentrate, the world is in my head (like The Doctor) and no matter how much I want to spend some quality with God I can't.
I see why King David liked to spend his mornings with God.
And also DC Talk
What do you think?
My question is, does God refer to Himself as The Lord our Concentration in the Bible?
Just looking at this week I have been doing assignments and have been terribly terribly distracted by so many things (mainly internet related....) that I am wondering if I can ask God to be my concentration.
You could say that concentration is a by-product of strength, and God certainly is our strength.
So is He, or can He be, our concentration?
We live, now, in a world full of information and entertainment, and even info-tainment (!).
But we are not called to be a part of this world, we are called to be a part of God's world. Maybe that, then, is our cross to bear as westerners, the thorn in our side, the fact that we MUST get beyond ourselves, have some self-control and forcefully sit down and get concentrated on God for a bit everyday.
I, personally, find that I cannot read my Bible in the morning or pray if I turn on my computer first. My God time in the mornings needs to be before I hit electronics of almost any kind (except for microwaves and toasters, I like breakfast!).
If I don't do it before then I can't concentrate, the world is in my head (like The Doctor) and no matter how much I want to spend some quality with God I can't.
I see why King David liked to spend his mornings with God.
And also DC Talk
What do you think?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Uncultured Project
So I'm sitting at home, chilling because I have a sore neck.... (bah!)
And I am catching up on my blog reading (so far behind!!) and I read this:
The Uncultured Project blog
The Uncultured Project is run by Shawn Ahmed who is Bangladeshi, but lives in the US. He started the project when, instead of buying an Xbox, he decided to go to Bangladesh and use the money to benefit others by buying mosquito nets, etc. I really love what Shawn has been doing, both alone and with Save the Children, and so I have subscribed to his blog.
The link above is to his latest blog post, and I thought it was a really great read.
It is really interesting to see how many aid programmes seem to miss the boat when it comes to getting local knowledge on how communities work. I was especially wowed on Shawn's look at Orphanages.
In a Muslim country, like Bangladesh, Orphanages are the best thing for those who do not have parents, as the western way of thinking does not give the child any better opportunities than the orphanage, and may in fact be treated worse than at the orphanage.
But, should Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) follow some of the customs of the country they are entering, then fantastic things may result!
So have a read (it is a LONG read, btw), and let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear them and discuss! Plus I am on holiday, so I will happily converse with you all.
And I am catching up on my blog reading (so far behind!!) and I read this:
The Uncultured Project blog
The Uncultured Project is run by Shawn Ahmed who is Bangladeshi, but lives in the US. He started the project when, instead of buying an Xbox, he decided to go to Bangladesh and use the money to benefit others by buying mosquito nets, etc. I really love what Shawn has been doing, both alone and with Save the Children, and so I have subscribed to his blog.
The link above is to his latest blog post, and I thought it was a really great read.
It is really interesting to see how many aid programmes seem to miss the boat when it comes to getting local knowledge on how communities work. I was especially wowed on Shawn's look at Orphanages.
In a Muslim country, like Bangladesh, Orphanages are the best thing for those who do not have parents, as the western way of thinking does not give the child any better opportunities than the orphanage, and may in fact be treated worse than at the orphanage.
But, should Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) follow some of the customs of the country they are entering, then fantastic things may result!
So have a read (it is a LONG read, btw), and let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear them and discuss! Plus I am on holiday, so I will happily converse with you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)