Miles in Front: Christian Discipling

Continuing the sentimental reminiscing of below, I also have been fondly recollecting the weekly meetings with the bloke above. Each week we would meet in a coffee shop and discuss God together, how I was going in my faith, my highs and lows, how church was going, and many different ministry things (eg prayer, a theology of church, strategy, praying for those under our care, discussing books and other things). God got a lot bigger for me over those two years through our meetings and discussing the Bible. I am more committed to sharing and teaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus than ever before, thanks to his generosity in taking the time to meet with me each week where I was (50 minutes from him!) and encourage me in my Christian faith.

It was a fantastic time, and I am really looking forward to mentoring people from church one-on-one this year in the same way, if they let me, to share this great gift of encouragement and growth!

Thanks David Miles.

God Provides

Psalm 68:4-6

Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds--his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing...

I was just now reflecting on the tremendous provision of the Lord. He has given me himself and the gift of salvation and reconciliation through Jesus, and his Spirit to keep me on the right path; great Christian mentors who have taught me and trained me in His way; great friends; and, of course, an incredible, wise, godly wife (she didn't pay me to say that) and three delightful kiddies.

Thank You Lord. Life with you is true life.

Lois

'I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.'

2 Timothy 1:5

My wife's grandmother, Mary Rowland, died today at 83. She was the youngest of 9 children. She had a Christian faith that seemed unshakeable. God blessed her life richly. She mothered a family dynasty, with her children and grandchildren all followers of Jesus.

I rang her only this morning. I was speaking to her husband Stan about some health problems with our 3 year old son and some of my own personal anxieties when she entered the conversation on another handset. She reassured me that God was sovereign and in control and I need not fear. I thanked her for her timely reassurance.

It was a privilege to have spoken to her in such a great way on the day she went to be with her Lord and Saviour.

Don't Laugh - Here Comes Chuck Norris

On the lighter side, click here for a taste of Chuck Norris humour from a good friend of mine.

A sample:

Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Uncle Andy

In the midst of taking my first baptism, preparing and kicking off FEAST (our junior high youth group), picking up four Capernwray Bible college students from Moss Vale who will be at Mittagong for 6 months, leading a 6pm service, dropping the students back to Moss Vale then attending their own service (incuding watching the Covenant Players) at Capernwray, then returning for Bible Study leaders' meeting...

my sister had her first baby - a healthy, as yet unnamed boy.

Congratulations sis.

Immediately

I've been reading through the Gospel of Mark of late. In Mark 5 is the story of Legion, the multi-possessed naked man who no-one was stong enough to subdue.

I noticed this time around this verse:

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. Mark 5:6

There's an immediacy to Legion's reaction to the one person - Jesus - with the power to defeat him.

Not only does Legion recognize Jesus' power - from a distance - but Legion also immediately runs up to him in dramatic submission. It's a powerful recognition of Jesus' authority.

So - for those who would challenge Jesus' authority...as the picture above shows...

DUCK!

Latest News in Laundry List Format

• Our third bub has started taking his first steps (the magic of that never fades, even after three)


• Now over a month into being an assistant minister


• Have made a few gaffes already - my boss is patient and kind!


• Got ordained as a deacon at St Andrews Cathedral Sat Feb 3rd


• My first baptism is on Sunday - pray I remember the name of the bub (it is an exquisite African name...which I have already forgotten!)


• Have driven over 2000km already from Sydney to Mittagong and back


• Was given a car by a member of my church - such incredible generosity!

There's probably more but that's enough for now!

To Quench The Thirst of A UK Reader

Over a month ago an interested reader requested my thoughts on P T Forsyth's 'The Soul of Prayer'. Well, perhaps I can begin with a short quote from the book, with thoughts to come down the track.

Prayer is the highest use to which speech can be put. It is the highest meaning that can be put into words. Indeed, it breaks through language and escapes into action. We could never be told of what passed in Christ's mountain midnights.

Words fail us in prayer oftener than anywhere else; and the Spirit must come in aid of our infirmity, set out our case to God, and give to us an unspoken freedom in prayer, the possession of our central soul, the reality of our inmost personality in organic contact with His.

At Last! Back Again!

Can't believe it has been so long since my last blog! Dear readers, it is not that I was neglecting you! Our computer had a major virus issue and was summarily cleansed of its disease by the sweat and tears of my local Mittagong computer shop. A MAJOR blogging fest coming right up...

Firstly 'though, the photo above is my dedication (and clue) to a fellow blogger who has regularly contributed to this page. Your guesses?

Hint: double click on the picture...

A Child's Imagination

I've started walking around Mittagong with JJP after dinner...yesterday we walked around Lake Alexandra. We brought the camera down for fun - I can see how authors like Beatrix Potter got inspiration for their stories. JJ was telling me all sorts of imaginary stories based on just a few ducks, a lake and some trees.

Ministry Begins

Well, began first day of being a full-time Christian minister yesterday. Had a lengthy staff meeting in the morning, followed by lunch together (still talking through ministry things) then back to the meeting. There's certainly a lot to get up to speed on, but I really enjoyed being with the team at last. I feel very green but hopefully over time (not much!) that will dissipate.

In the evening I sat in on the first session of an 'Introducing God' course being run at St Stephens. It was great and it reminded me of why I wanted to become a minister - to see people introduced to God and understand who he is and what he has done for us - sensational!

I'm reading a book 'The Soul of Prayer' by P T Forsyth. It's a small book (only 92 pages) and cost me $AUD4 from Moore Books in Sydney. What a bargain! He has a way of writing that hits your senses. I can 'see and taste' the importance of prayer through his illustrations and language. Haven't finished it yet....will tell you what I learn soon.

Some Things I'm Reading/Listening To

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey - Simply put, it proposes that the truth of Christ deeply affect our public and private lives (hence the title). It gives a history of how Christianity in the west has moved largely into the private sphere of life alone, and how this has shaped western Christianity as a result. Nancy Pearcey is a student of Francis Schaeffer. Definitely worth reading so far and very helpful in thinking through a Christian worldview and responses to culture, science and our work.

Genesis (Iain Provan) - an MP3 lecture series I downloaded from Regent College Vancouver. I've listened to one lecture so far. One thing he proposes is that the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis 1:2 implies God's authority over chaos (in contrast to Ancient Near Eastern creation stories).

The Black Echo (Michael Connelly) - every year at Christmas I am given a crime/mystery novel (last year was the Da Vinci Code). This year's one was great! Go Detective Harry Bosch! Can't wait 'til next year.

Effective Youth Ministry (Ken Moser) - I'll be involved in youth ministry next year so am re-reading this. Having experienced four years of youth ministry I think Ken Moser has the right idea. Youth group is about growing Christian disciples.

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Packer) - an oldie but a goodie.

Pastoral Leadership (Rod Wilson) - another MP3 series from Regent (its principal). I thought it was interesting and it is from an experienced Christian leader. He is surprisingly and refreshingly self-deprecating.

Relationship Development Intervention Parents' Objectives - reading this every night together with Cecily to help rehabilitate our middle child who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Future Reads/Listens:

Admin/whatever church or the ministry team is reading

The Soul of Prayer (P T Forsythe)

More Michael Connelly!

Apologetics in a Postmodern World (Alister McGrath MP3 series)

Exclusion and Embrace/Free of Charge (Miroslav Volf)

The online papers and kids books galore!

Oops

Here's NOT how to start in a new house in a new town:

a) Don't forget your keys on Christmas day after driving an hour from Sydney to Mittagong with three young children well past their bedtime - requiring the wonderful grace of a nearby neighbour to bring his new Christmas grinder to grind the hinges off your back door at nearly 10pm (many thanks to my neighbour for that!)

b) Don't forget that you haven't fixed that gap under the side gate of your house, allowing your dog to escape and be found by a different neighbour who, with wonderful kindness, thoughtfully walks your dog to the nearest park to see if any Mittagong day tourist has lost their dog, before knocking on your door (and by the way, update your dog's tag and microchip)

Many thanks to my neighbours for their grace to us!

Back On Air

It's been a while - sorry about that. We've just moved to Mittagong, an hour south of Sydney. The picture is from our back window.

Another Thought About College...

...which I forgot before!

There are many different people at college. Some are introverts, some put themselves forward, some are amazingly brilliant, others are not and struggle all the way through college. Over half are boys from private schools with a uni education (like me). Others have no tertiary education. Most have done MTS (Ministry Training Scheme) and know each other as they enter college. Some know no-one.

Friend, work out where you sit in all this. Don't forget who YOU are in relationship with God. It is so easy to compare yourself to others at college and feel inadequate in some ways - or in every way. This is not good for you!All it does is deflate you and demonise the person or people you are comparing yourself to. Remember who you are in God's eyes, his precious child, loved by him for who you are.

Ok - sermon over! The picture is of our dog Soren.

Some Advice To Heed Before Entering College

Some advice that comes to mind for those entering any Bible College:

1) You are about to learn a new language. Remember to keep translating it to your congregation.

2) Knowing more about God does not translate to you knowing God better. Remember Matthew 23 and 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.

3) Pray pray pray and more prayer! Don't forget to speak to God as you learn. This is so vital for how you learn...

4) Your way of reading the Bible is about to be challenged. Be humble and be prepared to have your ideas and things you always assumed to be true about God and his Word to be challenged.

5) You are about to have four years of reading the Bible for information , unlike now where you read God's word for transformation. Be prepared for this!

More advice coming!! Do you have any more to add?

Two weeks left in the big smoke...

The End of College

Well College is over for this man as of yesterday. It hasn't hit yet as I am still a bit wasted from exam preparation...maybe it will seep through over the next week or so. College was an intense experience. Some spontaneous thoughts as of tonight at least...more will come upon more reflection:

Best Subject (Nominations from Each Year):

2003 - Biblical Theology/Old Testament

2004 - Church History (Reformation)

2005 - Doctrine (in particular, Union with Christ and Church and Sacraments)

2006 - Modern Trinitarian Thought

And The Winner is...

Modern Trinitarian Thought

Highly Recommended

Old Testament in any year - an excellent OT department covered basically all the parts of the OT in a brilliant way over the three years - well done all!

Studying Romans in Year 1 (thanks PWB)

Galatians in Year 3 (PHK)

Extra-Curricular Activities

'Split chapel' (ie splitting when chapel was on to go to Campos/Cafe Connection/Green Iguana - I mean, Kikis - I mean, Phuzes - I mean, what next?). Our group experienced much growth over the period!

Study group for theology (years 2-3) - I didn't understand half of what they said but hey! Got through!

Cricket - without playing at lunchtime my brain would have fried

A couple of amazing friends from college who I played golf with, prayed with, opened up to, gave support to, and loved. Thank you fellas. It meant a lot and still does.

If you went to college, what were your nominations for the above?

Check These Out


As a postscript to my 'bookplates' post below, Lew Jaffe has kindly sent a heads up to check out his bookplates blog site. You'll see all kinds of different examples, from centuries old bookplates bearing coats of arms to hippie 60s versions (see the President JFK one too!). Lew's blog is at http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com/ .

Another interesting bookplate site recommended by Lew is
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/swain/bookplates/alpha/a.html .

Blogging is fun!

When you can't decide what colour car to drive to work...

Apparently this morning is the coldest November morning in Sydney (8 degrees celsius) for 100 years. Isn't great that this is nothing to do with climate change but just one of those rare things (tongue firmly planted in cheek...)