Weathering the (Melbourne) Weather

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

I don’t like being cold.

So when we went to Mt. Buller a few weeks ago on a mini-getaway, while Roy taught Micah how to ski I was pretty miserable.

The wind blew the snow into our faces and Joshua and I decided to find shelter indoors.

Even though it’s September the weather in Melbourne is still dismally cold and rainy.  It’s enough to make optimists wonder, “Will spring come again?”

We Melbournians like to joke that there are four seasons in one day in Melbourne – but as far as I can tell these days, it’s just winter.

It’s amazing to me that someone looked at all the snow and cold and thought, “Hey, let’s make a game out of this!” and invented skis … and ice skates … and snowboards … and toboggans (my new favourite word – so much cooler than “sled”) – so that they could stay out in the cold even longer and enjoy the frigid temperatures.

I guess when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, and when life gives you winter, you make … winter sports.

It reminds me of a children’s rhyme:

Whether the weather be cold,

Or whether the weather be hot.

We’ll weather the weather,

Whatever the weather,

We’ll weather it,

Like it or not!

It also reminds me of Paul, the convert to Christianity who became its greatest advocate – he truly received every circumstance and made the most of it; he sang when he was imprisoned (Acts 16:25) and he gave thanks when he was weak, sick, insulted, distressed (2 Corinthians 12:10).

He said, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Not all of us are like Paul – some of us don’t want to speed downhill on treacherously slippery snow to our deaths strapped onto what look like torture devices and actually pay someone a lot of money to do so.  Some of us don’t want to praise when we’re sick or hurting.

But perhaps we can toboggan on a gentle slope and actually enjoy it.  Or pray through the difficulty and find peace.  Or cry with a friend and actually feel better through the shared vulnerability and rawness.  

So while I’d still like the weather to be continuously fine, at least there are ways to weather the seasons of life – through connecting with God and others, we may even learn to be content.

Encountering Satan

in Thoughts  by Bronwyn 0 comments

Does it scare you to think about demons roaming around and controlling people? What do you think of hexes and spells and spiritualism? Even when we know it is all around us, we can become complacent and ignore it. But if anyone, even the greatest skeptic, saw Satan laid bare in front of us and the work he was doing, we would be spurred on to really find our salvation and rest in Christ.

When I hear about demon possession, I get pretty scared. Satan and his demons should most definitely never be underestimated. They are a fearsome thing. In our own power, we are no match for them. But recently when it came close to me and my family, it really sobered me.

What sobered me was my ignorance, oblivious to all the signs and how I had been affected by it. I had not comprehended how real and near it was to me. I was not prepared for what impact it might have on me or my family by knowing and being near someone who was possessed. Most importantly I was in no way equipped to deal with it. This experience totally brought me to my knees.

‘Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’ James 4:7

And yet so often we give the devil a foothold in our minds – a way in to our psyche. It may be hatefulness. It may be unforgiveness, jealousy, pride. It may even be games.

When we recognise these workings around us and we see how we can become entangled in the lies and deception that Satan and his demons want us to believe, we see how damaging it can be. People are hurt, relationships are tainted or broken and the effects can go on long past us.

‘Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.’ Ephesians 4:11

But thank our good Lord for His mercy and grace to protect us. We can’t do this alone. On our own, we are no match for a demon. This has helped me find prayer partners. The Bible says:

‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I [Jesus] am among them.’ Matthew 18:20

We are stronger together with others and with Jesus – that’s why we have church.

Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

in Thoughts  by Shane 0 comments

The last time I wrote for the blog, I reviewed the documentary “Is Genesis History?” which solidified my faith in Genesis’ account of creation through various scientific evidences. This time round, I would like to recommend another documentary that looks at the next book of the Bible, Exodus, from an archaeological point of view.

I came across “Patterns of Evidence: Exodus” on RightNow Media, thanks to the Melbourne City Adventist Church for providing access to this excellent website which has such abundance of good Christian material. My friend Shaun dubs it the “Christian Netflix” and I must agree with the comparison.

The director, Tim Mahoney, shares how he grew up learning about the Bible stories including the amazing account of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. Almost every aspect of the Exodus seemed extraordinary so he wanted to see if there are any evidences to back up the whole account. The journey takes him different places across the world to interview many archaeology and Egyptology experts. Tim came across both discouraging and reassuring interviews and evidences in his journey. But ultimately, it was astounding to see that items dug up from thousands of years ago could reveal so many mysteries and be in such sync with the Biblical accounts.

God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). I find this text very true spiritually, morally, and other areas in my own life. But the Word of God is also used as a trustworthy history book for even self-proclaimed agnostic David Rohl, who is extensively interviewed during this documentary. New evidences continue to reinforce the Bible’s accuracy and reliability.

I hope that you will have some time to check this excellent documentary out. You will definitely be blessed from viewing it just like I was. If you do get a chance to watch it, let me know what you think about it and which part had the biggest impact on you.

Journeys Great and Small

in Thoughts  by Ben 1 comments

This week I have been thinking about journeys. Not least of all because I am preparing for an overseas trip to a family wedding but also, more broadly, life’s journey and the trials and tribulations it can bring. Even the very small troubles such as the irritating cold and flu going around this season. Life provides us with ups and downs, rough patches and smooth, straight and winding, and whatever other over-used analogies you can come up with – but whenever I think of life’s journey and the tests it brings I am reminded of a piece poetry I would like to share.

It was written by my uncle who has written articles, short stories and many poems but this is one of my favourites:

 BECAUSE YOU SHARE THE JOURNEY

Written for Robyn Stanley

“In gratitude to God for the ministry of your life to mine;

a most fragrant and precious gift.”

You make the road easier for me because you share the journey

Simply caring

Quietly listening

Understanding the silence

I don’t have to run to catch up because you are walking beside me

My strength is renewed

And my spirit is blessed

When words are hard to say

We celebrate God’s presence

Together we enjoy the fragrance of His Peace

Gently you hold the bruised reed

And I can rest knowing you will not break it

You have seen a broken reed before

And know The Healer

Gently you apply His healing balm

His Divine Gift to you

Suddenly I feel whole

Again I have heard His Invitation and felt His Touch …

Through you

Together we embrace Wholeness

And I thank God again; 

Because you share the journey.

Geoff Panckhurst

March 31 2003

I hope that you can find as much comfort in these words as I have.

The Busy Life

in Thoughts  by Ruth 0 comments

 

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates

Modern life seems synonymous with a busy life. We are geared to be busy. After all, busyness is big business. From perfectly portioned boxed meals at our doorstep, childcare, to cleaning services, we are encouraged to outsource the basic necessities of our lives so we can keep up with the momentum of our busy lives.

Gone is the utopian vision of the 1950s, where they theorised that machines would give us more leisure time. Instead, machines are simply aides to make us even more productive.

Now, we do derive some pleasure from our toil (Ecclesiastes 2:24) but to have a life consumed with busyness is not the abundant life Jesus spoke about (John 10:10). Instead, a busy life although having the buzz of productivity lacks the zest of vitality that comes from the source of life itself, God.

The story of the two sisters, Martha and Mary, is a short poignant lesson on being preoccupied with busyness.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)

Martha is ‘distracted’ with serving. If the word busy was used it would be a fairly banal description. The word also begs the question, “What was Martha distracted from?” Could we propose that modern life is not so busy as it is distracted?

Jesus ignores Martha’s request but goes to the source of the issue by commenting on her state of mind. She is ‘anxious’ and ‘troubled’ over ‘many things’.  That probably indicates it is not merely the serving of guests but her life in general. Her life is concerned with so much except with the ONE thing it should be focused on.

Martha had invited Jesus to her house but she was distracted from him by the cares and toils present in her life.  Here the source of life was in her home yet she remained anxious and troubled.  How could she possibly be anxious when the maker of all things is in her home?

It is easy for us to invite Christ in our lives through prayer or thought but our minds are preoccupied with many things leaving us anxious.

Our busy lives leave us distracted from the one thing that is necessary for a good life.

If we could only choose the ‘one’ thing to be concerned about, the many things we worry about will fade. To lead a life free from anxiety and trouble is a true blessing. May we be able to describe our lives as abundant instead of busy.

How Great Thou Art

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

pianoguysOn Saturday Sue introduced us to The Piano Guys’ mashup The Mission/How Great Thou Art featuring two of the Seven Wonders of the World: the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and the Iguana Falls in Argentina.  It’s a stunning music video not only because of the amazing videography of the 30-metre statue of Jesus overlooking a 700-meter cliff as well as the 2.7 km stretch of 275 waterfalls, but also because of the message it emotes through sound and sight.

As the harmony of the cello and piano soar through the awesome space, one cannot help but feel and think: this is worship – to lift up one’s soul to the Creator and confess, “How great thou art” – because He created such beauty in nature, and because He created us to enjoy such beauty and to respond through music and other forms of expressions that we call praise.

But true worship is inspired by more than beauty or blessings.  

Praise does not come merely from hearts full of gratitude; praise can flow from hearts full of pain and anguish.

Job was a man who lost everything in one day – all his wealth and the lives of all his children.  After hearing the terrible news, the Bible records:

“Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship  and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:20-22 NIV).

Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for preaching about Jesus; but the Bible says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25 ESV).

Jesus was crucified; yet He quoted Psalm 22, which starts with “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” but ends in “It is finished” and is full of refrains like, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22 ESV).

Praise can come from pain when we cling to God in our suffering and acknowledge that we don’t know the end from the beginning and that we still believe in God’s goodness and mercy, despite the feelings and circumstances before our eyes.

As I re-watched the music video of the Piano Guys performing “How Great Thou Art,” a comment caught my eye that led me to discover that the pianist’s 21-year-old daughter had tragically died in a hiking accident in 2016.  But Jon Schmidt, the pianist, continues to perform – no, praise: “I’m still grateful… we need to remember all the of the wonders, all the times that God did answer our prayers in the way we wanted to” (from “Frankly Faraci”).

It was an inspiring reminder that while we may be sick, broke, lonely, and hurt, we can still sing:

“And when I think of God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take way my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to thee – how great thou art… how great thou art

Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to thee – how great thou art… how great thou art!

Jesus is always the reason we can still praise – even in our pain.  For “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Safe & Secure

in Thoughts  by Naomi 0 comments

– This is an excerpt taken from the book, “Shine on, Beautiful Soul!” By Jennifer Gerelds. I hope you find it as reassuring as I do.

Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches.”

Acts 12:11

Peter saw him with his own eyes, and still didn’t understand what was happening. It wasn’t until the angel left that he realised his chains were gone. Peter was free, and all of his friends’ prayers had been answered.

You have to admit, you don’t see angels anywhere either. Okay, maybe in greeting cards or lining a shelf in a home decor store. But real, bonafides angels? The kind that destroyed entire armies in the Old Testament, and almost always invoked fear whenever they appeared? Do theyreally exist?

In Ephesians 6, God tells us that every believer is a soldier in the middle of a cosmic spiritual war. You have an enemy whose sworn purpose is to destroy you, to rob you in any way he can from the joy, purpose and hope that is yours in Jesus. But there’s also the good guys. Angels whom Jesus, your Commanding Officer, has ordered to your side for protection, to guard you in all your ways. And He has given you special, spiritual armour uniquely designed to protect your heart, mind and body. The ground on which you fight is belief.

Do you believe that you are not alone? That not only Jesus stands with you, but the myriad of angels at His disposal do, too? You have more reasons than you can see to be strong and courageous. You have an unseen world of warriors waiting to help you at your side.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11

The Hardest Act

in Thoughts  by Bronwyn 0 comments

No this is not about sticking to a diet or being faithful to a gym program or even trying to kick a bad habit. It is forgiving.

Am I the only one who finds forgiveness one of the hardest things in the world? Sure it’s easy when they come to you and ask for forgiveness. It’s easy when they are sorry and you know they won’t do it again. It’s easy when you know that you won’t get hurt again. It’s easy when they make reparations for the wrong they have done.

But what if those people don’t know that you are hurt?  Or worse, those people who don’t care that you are hurt?

How easy is it to forgive knowing that they don’t care about their forgiveness and are going to hurt you again?  What if there is nothing they can do to make it better?

I looked up the word forgive and its derivatives in the Bible and it is mentioned 118 times. The word mercy appears 276 times. This doesn’t include forbearing, clearing the guilty, blotting out sin etc. Peter asked Jesus how many times we should forgive someone and Jesus said 77 or 70 x 7 times (depending on translation). With seven being the number for God, perfection and completeness it begs the comparison that we should forgive like God: perfectly and completely.

To be like God?? How on earth can we achieve this impossible task? I think that change like this is gradual. We are changed from bit by bit, from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18), the more we focus on God. In fact the more we focus on God, meditate on His Word, admire the radiance of His Glory the more we will be changed. Bit by bit by bit. Focusing on God lifts us up to Him and then our perspective on ourselves, the world and the one who wronged us will change.

In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus tells us about the unforgiving servant. The servant who owed a massive, impossible debt is miraculously granted release. This same servant turns around and hits up someone who owes him a few thousand dollars (or equivalent of 3 months pay). When he asks for more time the servant throws this fellow debtor in jail.

When we see God as He truly is, we see ourselves as we truly are – totally indebted to God. We see that God loves us so unconditionally. And when we let this love totally overwhelm us and enrich us we can love more like Him and we can be truly free to forgive.

Reliability of the Bible

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

So last Saturday I presented 5 reasons for the Reliability of the Bible (you can watch it again here starting 37:40) – here are some further resources that give us reasons to believe in the reliability of the Bible:

Archeological discoveries:

Other Resources: (you need a Right Now Media account to access these videos – just email jinhakim@adventist.org if you’d like a free account!)

Chart of Ancient Writings:

Author Book Date Events Occurred Date Written Earliest Copies Time Gap # of Copies
Homer Iliad 1300-1100 BC 800 BC 400 BC 400 years

643
Herodotus History 1400-400 BC 480-425 BC AD 900 1350 years

8
Thucydides History 431-404 BC 460-400 BC AD 900 1300 years

8
Plato Dialogue 427-347 BC 427-347 BC AD 900 1300 years

7
Caesar Gallic Wars 100-44 BC 100-44 BC AD 900 1000 years

10
Livy History of Rome 800 BC – 9 BC 59 BC – AD 17 AD 4th c. (partial) AD 10th c. 400 years – 1000 years 1 partial

19 copies
Tacitus Annals AD 14 – 68 AD 100 AD 1100 1000 years

20
Pliny Secundus Natural History AD 61-113 AD 850 750 years

7
New Testament 5 BC – AD 95 AD 50-100 AD 80 (fragment)

AD 125 books

AD 325 (complete NT)

 25-50years

100 years

225 years

 24,000 mss

5366

Is Genesis History?

in Thoughts  by Shane 0 comments

Thank you, Ben, for bringing up the subject of creation for last week’s blog. While we are on the topic, I would like to briefly recommend a documentary I recently watched called “Is Genesis History?” by Thomas Purifoy.

Without too many spoilers, let me walk you through my impression of the film. To start off, I have to mention that it was visually very easy on the eye. The flow was great and the graphics were not overdone like some of the other documentaries I have previously watched.

More important than the visual appeal is the value and substance the film offered. It challenged the popular Darwinian paradigm regarding the origin of species that is widely accepted today. It also showed how the biblical account of earth’s early history made so much sense in many aspects. Leading experts in various fields ranging from geology to palaeontology present their evidences that fit together neatly like a jigsaw puzzle.

The highlight for me was when the complexity of the DNA was discussed. As someone who works in IT, it is easy to understand that complex coding is required for a sophisticated program to run. And how DNAs are designed blows my mind. The intelligence found in them is just phenomenal.

The documentary establishes some very solid points to challenge the conventional worldview of how we came about but there will be those that readily dismiss the idea of our Creator and that Genesis is factual. It reminds me of Isaiah 29:16 (NLT):

How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?

It is also an exhortation for those of us who think we are wiser than our Creator. I struggle at times and try to do things my own way. It is a great reminder for me to submit to the Master Designer and the Potter.

So, is Genesis history? You will have to get your hands on this fabulous film and conclude for yourself. You will not be disappointed. I will also be very happy to lend you my copy of the DVD.