We may not all be mothers, but we’ve all had mothers. Whether they were inspirational, infuriating, or insignificant, mothers have played a crucial role in shaping who we are. How can we mould their impact positively so that we can truly be grateful on Mother’s Day? What did Jesus say about mothers?
Have you ever wondered, why is our church in the city?
After all, parking is a hassle.
Getting in is also a challenge if someone isn’t in the lobby letting you in & swiping you to the 10th floor.
Why do we have worship at 10:15 am instead of 11 am?
We could have slept in another 45 minutes.
Everyone else has their service starting at 11 – 11:15 am.
Why do we have to do so much for church?
We’re tired from a busy week of work.
The pastors are paid to run church; we’re not.
We have other engagements: friends to see, errands to run.
Why do we have a church service in the city every Saturday at 10:15 am, which requires so much effort and participation?
Because there are 135,959 people living in the City of Melbourne (as of 2016, a 45% population increase from 2011, with a forecast to go up to 175,000 by 2020) and most of them have no idea who Jesus really is – or what He offers: an abundant life of meaningful relationships that last into eternity. Freedom from guilt, stress, anxiety, addictions, and monotony. Truth that helps us live for what matters.
So we meet every Saturday to create a safe place where people can explore a Christ-centred worldview. People who may be walking by Collins Street and see our signs. People who feel the Holy Spirit prompting them to seek something more and google a church in the City. People who used to go to church as children but haven’t been for years but are interested in giving it another go. People who are turned off by church customs for tradition’s sake and want to experience a simple service that is just about God. People who want a community that is open to individuals of all backgrounds and faith journeys. People who may have been going to church for years but don’t really know what it’s like to experience God.
We are a small church, but we have a big dream: not to just be a church in the City, but to be a church for the City – meeting the needs of those who live here, ministering to them, helping them know and love Jesus … to be a church of the City, made up of those individuals who then decide to join our community… to be a church where faith in and knowledge of Jesus can grow in a safe environment, nurtured by genuine friendships, spiritual conversations, and Biblical exploration.
That is why we have the service starting at 10:15 am, with topics ranging from Taming your Temper to Dealing with Suffering: Why so much evil in the world? That is why we have the Exchange at 11:30 am where we can discuss questions that challenge us to apply the topic to our everyday life, no matter what our previous exposure to the Bible may have been. That is why we have greeters at the door, AV team setting up, music teams practising, and children’s class. That is why we bring nibbles every week, drive into the City, and give our tithes and offerings.
What are you giving your life to? What’s truly important to you?
Jesus once told a story:
A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, ‘My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. (Luke 12:16-21 NLT)
What are you giving your life to? What’s truly important to you?
We pray that you commit to joining us in fulfilling a mission that has everlasting impact: building Melbourne City Adventist Church, a community where Jesus is shared, loved, and reflected to a City in need of Him.
What causes anger? How can we keep our anger from getting out of control? Explore a Christ-centred worldview of how to tame our temper.
For the past few weeks the Box Hill Care Group (perhaps better know as a Bible study group) has been studying the book of Ephesians each Friday night.
I have shared in this blog before my complete astonishment with regards to the depths the books of the Bible can be studied and Ephesians was no disappointment! It may not have gripped me in the same way as the Gospel of John but it employed plenty of poetry, prayer and metaphor (which I always particularly enjoy). It always amazes me that such ancient texts can hold wisdom that is still relevant today.
I won’t go into an in-depth study here – but I wanted to share some of the things that spoke to me from the book of Ephesians:
First, Paul talks a lot about the Spirit and Signs of the Spirit throughout Ephesians and, for that matter, all of his writings. This passage, towards the end of Chapter 5, blew me away, so to speak: Ephesians 5:18 – 21.
It is a simple passage but as I read it, it felt strangely familiar. It begins by suggesting that being ‘filled with the Spirit’ entails, I paraphrase, ‘singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord’, ‘giving thanks for all things’, and ‘submitting to one another’. Why would this ‘blow me away’?
I looked around as I read it (or rather, in between verses, because I only have two eyes). We, as a group, had just finished singing and making melodies to the Lord (in my case, in my heart as the verse suggests), we had given thanks to the Lord in our prayers that evening and were spending the evening in fellowship, or, submitting to one another.
Our Bible study group is important to me both socially and spiritually and studying this passage was one of those occasions when you read something in the Bible, see it enacted and understand why attention is brought to it. Such a simple observation, but such a powerful reminder of how God provides for all our needs: spiritual, social and physical (I may have neglected to mention that we also share a meal together each week).
Paul then promptly jumps into what could be considered a controversial subject. He uses the example of marriage in a Christian household. I say controversial because at a superficial level the relationship described may seem unequal but with further thought and careful reading it reveals a foundation of respect and love that mirrors the relationship of Christ with the His people (or the Church).
The book of Ephesians is then rounded out with one of those metaphors I love so much – The Armour of God. This armour is to protect us against ‘the wiles of the devil’ but, as it’s a metaphor, I think it is describing the attributes that a Christ-follower should develop along their spiritual journey. I encourage everyone to ponder this armour that is available to us all, not only as protection but as growth and establishment of a Christlike character.
Whether it’s our addictions to bad thoughts, food, or TV, how can we learn to have better self-control?
During my current visit to Thailand with brother Tshepo, we’ve had the chance to have brief devotionals together each morning. The topic of Naaman, commander of the Syrian king’s army, found in 2 Kings 5 came up one morning. We were discussing how he had to really humble himself and dip into the not-so-appealing Jordan River seven times to receive healing. We reflected on how hard it would have been for a person with such high position to tame their pride and go through with the instructions he received.
I then remembered a sermon I had heard previously which focused on how a lowly Jewish servant girl played quite a role in directing Naaman to the prophet of God, Elisha. Not much was said about this young girl apart from the fact that she was a captive and served Naaman’s wife. When she made her suggestion, her words were not taken lightly; her master took her seriously. It shows what sort of character and integrity the girl was known for in that household.
Throughout the Bible, it is evident that the way God’s people lived their lives and interacted with others really ministered to those who had limited knowledge of the living God. From Joseph in Egypt to Daniel in Babylon, their lifestyle and integrity made it possible to reach those who would have been very hard to get through to.
Christ also showed us through His life how to reach out to others in whichever sphere of influence we are placed. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”” (Ministry of Healing, p 143).
May we, like the young Israelite girl, fulfil our purpose even when we are placed in unfavorable situations in our life and bring glory to God above.
What does it mean to live a life of service? Hear the story of an amazing couple in France who lived extraordinary lives and impacted thousands of people.
I had finished reading a particularly riveting book and was looking for my next literary escape. Darrell was keen to visit Koorong which suited my son well as there is a play area there. While browsing the shelves for a Mark Sayers book, my eyes happened on this book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. The cover was not so eye-catching with a picture of an iceberg, but I had bought the book before when it was recommended to me and never got around to reading it properly. I had been looking for it a few weeks before and did not find it at home. Here it was!
So here are my thoughts on this insightful tome.
This has answered in part, some of my questions about Christianity and the church. These questions that I have raised are not original but probably asked by many people at almost every point in church history.
- Why are Christians just as annoying as non-Christians? Sometimes worse?
- Why are Christian marriages just as likely to fail as non-Christian marriages?
- How come I read the Bible, pray, evangelise and attend church weekly but still have problems beating those bad habits and overcoming addictions?
- Why are so many God-fearing, passionate Christians who read the Bible and pray so frequently and know the Bible so well, still such awful people to be around?
- Why do some people just push my buttons and I just hate them so much?
Indeed this book even gives more food for thought:
- Church members beat their wives as often as their neighbors
- Church members’ giving patterns indicate they are almost as materialistic as non-Christians
- White evangelicals are the most likely people to object to neighbors of another race
(taken directly from p. 30)
And it quotes Ron Sider’s The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience:
“Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centred and sexually immoral as the world in general.”
Pretty hard-hitting facts which shows there must be something wrong when Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 emphasis supplied)
But rather than a call to a stricter Christian life and a berating of oneself for all the misdemeanours committed this week, this book calls us to look deeper into our feelings, our past, our hurt, our grievances, our unspoken beliefs. So much of our lives are pretend, a mask we wear. We are not used to showing our true feelings or even seeing others’ true feelings. Often we are not even aware of our feelings or unspoken beliefs.
Sometimes we reject our past thinking, “What good will it do to bring that up?” not realising that it has already done damage to our psyche and relationships.
But the exploration is not to leave us in the despair of our deepest thoughts but to invite us to enjoy the gift of God’s all-encompassing love that is given to us and that He wants us to simply be with Him. Not to do anything for Him. Not to give Him anything. (but what could we give God anyway?)
He knows all that stuff about us but we don’t need to deal with it before coming to Him. We are enough for Him. And God is all that we could ever need, want, dream.
So when we learn about our true selves, we are not overwhelmed by how inadequate we are (although it can be rather overwhelming), but are empowered by God’s greatness to heal those hurts, fill those inadequacies and replace those false beliefs with truth.
Apologies if this is sounding airy-fairy and like spiritual, psychological mumbo-jumbo but seriously, we all have crazy ideas that we don’t even realise. But for a period of my life, I was bullied at church. I didn’t realise it at the time. I thought I deserved it because I wasn’t good enough. I thought that if I were better, I wouldn’t get treated that way. And then I thought that the bullying was a good thing and it made me a better person. So then when others went through a rough time, I thought the best thing to do was to make them push through it because it made them stronger in the end. Isn’t this how the bullying cycle works? What kind of crazy “sanctification by works” was this doctrine I was teaching? Not that I ever said it like that. But that was how I lived and it was the unspoken belief I held.
And unfortunately I don’t think that my experience of crazy theology is unusual.
I don’t have all the answers and neither does this book, but it has definitely helped me with my internal discovery and inner peace.
What makes us afraid to share our faith with others? How can we tell people about Jesus without burning bridges?
We aren’t always going to feel like God is right there with is. There will be times when it seems God is far away. But the Bible reminds us how God is constantly wanting to reach out to us. He also promises that even when we are poor in spirit, we still have a part in His kingdom (Matt 5:3).
1/ Go to church – Although it may feel counter-intuitive, it is where your faith family is. It’s where people are worshipping God and allowing God to speak through them. It’s a place that is tuned in to hear God. God could have a message waiting for you in this week’s sermon!
- Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1
- Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb 10:25
2/ Read the Bible – If you like poetry, try a Psalm. If you need some invigorating instructions, try James. Or if the Bible itself is not speaking to you easily, try something short and focussed like a devotional. My go-to daily spiritual snack is the Our Daily Bread devotional app. There is a Bible passage, a spiritual thought and a reflection. It will even read it out for you so you can hear the message in the car!
- “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Heb 4:12
- “His delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law he meditates day and night… and in whatever he does he prospers.” Ps 1:2-3
3/ Pray with a trusted friend – Praying is one of the hardest things to do when you are feeling spiritually disinterested. But that is why we don’t have to do it alone but with a good friend. Of course when you catch up with a friend it will be chat and prayer but that is an absolutely integral part of it. Be open and honest about where you are spiritually. Be committed to really praying honestly for help even though you feel distant. Tell God exactly what you feel. Ask your friend to pray for you right there and regularly afterwards as well.
- “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” Matt 18:20
- “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” James 5:16
4/ Listen to spiritual songs – This is not just limited to listening but also playing, singing, dancing, meditating… Make a playlist of inspirational songs that uplift your mind to God now. It can help you get out of that spiritual funk at a later time.
- “…but be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” Eph 5:18-19
5/ Switch off to recharge – Switch off all your devices for an hour or two so you can recharge with God. Get out into the wilderness and away from worldly distractions. Go camping or hiking. Really take the time to be quiet, focus inwardly and listen to what God is putting in your heart. It takes time to calibrate and tune in to God’s wavelength when we have been swept up on social media and wired into the daily rat race.
- ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body… Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…’ Matt 6:21,22,33
6/ Read inspirational spiritual books – Sometimes gaining the insights of other Christians can help our situation and alter our perceptions. Biographies are also a great read. These days you don’t even have to go to the shop to buy a book. You can find readings online. For some good reads, I like Ty Gibson and lightbearers.org. I also like some books by Chuck Swindoll, Philip Yancey, Elisabeth Elliot and Max Lucado. Post some other suggestions below!
- “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.’ Is 26:3
7/ Mind, body, spirit health – Look after your physical and mental health as well as your spirit. These parts of you are all connected and can affect each other. Getting physically active can improve your mental health. This can improve the receptiveness of your mind which God is trying to reach.
- “Love the Lord your God with all your soul, with all your strength and spirit.” Mark 12:30
8/ Do something nice for someone – Extend mercy to others. Give without expecting something back. By being God’s hands and feet we can experience God’s character for ourselves. We have God’s blessings and when we pass a bit on, it comes back in more ways more than we can imagine.
- “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7