Have you ever noticed that its the little things in life that end up making a big difference. I recently ran my first marathon with the goal of trying to run it in under 4 hours. My end time was 4.00.03. It was great to achieve the goal of finishing but it's hard not to think that having to go to the loo because I drank too much or the few seconds I lost when I dropped my ipod as the reason why I just missed out. Oh well, in this case it doesn't really matter, but I wonder how often we miss out on the important things of life, like great relationships with God, Self and Others, because we've neglected the little things like helping, caring, speaking kindly, remembering birthdays, saying thanks, doing the dishes, etc.
An old saying says, 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.' So I encourage you today to think about the little things that end up making a big difference.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
In My View by Pastor Pete (9 April 09)
In My View by Pastor Pete (9 April 09)
One of the things I love about the message of Jesus is that it is a practical, it works, it makes sense, it transforms.
Frankly, I find it surprising that (a) so many people want solutions to the problems and struggles in their life, and (b) they also acknowledge that Jesus is either the wisest or one of the wisest men who has ever lived, BUT THEN they ignore what he has to say about the way to live life.
I challenge you this Easter to check out what Jesus actually taught about how to live life. You may not yet agree that his claim to being the God is true, you may not yet agree that he rose physically from death and is alive today, but before you worry about those things check out what he taught because confident that that once you experience the reality of his advice that you will find it easier to believe that this incredibly wise and practical man must really have been a gift of God.
My advice is check out his life story in the gospel of Mark (the shortest of the gospel stories). If you don’t have a modern bible please let a leader know as we have free bibles that we’d be more than pleased to give you.
May you have an awesome and life transforming Easter.
One of the things I love about the message of Jesus is that it is a practical, it works, it makes sense, it transforms.
Frankly, I find it surprising that (a) so many people want solutions to the problems and struggles in their life, and (b) they also acknowledge that Jesus is either the wisest or one of the wisest men who has ever lived, BUT THEN they ignore what he has to say about the way to live life.
I challenge you this Easter to check out what Jesus actually taught about how to live life. You may not yet agree that his claim to being the God is true, you may not yet agree that he rose physically from death and is alive today, but before you worry about those things check out what he taught because confident that that once you experience the reality of his advice that you will find it easier to believe that this incredibly wise and practical man must really have been a gift of God.
My advice is check out his life story in the gospel of Mark (the shortest of the gospel stories). If you don’t have a modern bible please let a leader know as we have free bibles that we’d be more than pleased to give you.
May you have an awesome and life transforming Easter.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Financial Test
Here are 23 questions to assess how you are going financially. Give yourself 1 point for every YES answer.
1) Do you give away at less than 10% of what you earn?
2) Are your debts bigger than your assets?
3) Do you owe more than seven creditors?
4) Are you an impulsive or compulsive shopper?
5) Are you and your spouse dishonest about what you spend?
6) Are you unaware of exactly what you owe?
7) Have you already spent income you are expecting like bonuses, government payments, etc.?
8) Do you depend on extra income such as a second job to survive?
9) Do you have less than 3 months income where you can get it easily and quickly in an emergency?
10) Do you pay more than 15% of your income to pay off debt other than your mortgage?
11) Do you get behind in paying utilities such as power, phone, etc?
12) Do you need to consolidate loans so you can make payments?
13) Do you get creditors sending you overdue notices?
14) Are your debts rising?
15) Do you need to borrow money to pay for things you used to pay cash for?
16) Are you normally late paying bills?
17) Do you have to borrow money to pay other debt?
18) Do you need to borrow money to pay normal bills such as food, clothing, rent, etc.?
19) Are you unable to pay off your entire credit card limit each month?
20) You do not know how much you spend on non-essential items each month?
21) You don’t contribute to savings any more, or have no savings at all?
22) You use cash advances from one credit card to pay the balance on another?
23) You’ve applied for another credit card because you reached the credit limit on another card?
0-1 then you are doing well with your finances.
2-3 then you need to think about your finances.
4-5 then strife is just around the corner, be wish and get help before it gets worse.
6+ then you have some serious financial issues that need dealing with immediately.
1) Do you give away at less than 10% of what you earn?
2) Are your debts bigger than your assets?
3) Do you owe more than seven creditors?
4) Are you an impulsive or compulsive shopper?
5) Are you and your spouse dishonest about what you spend?
6) Are you unaware of exactly what you owe?
7) Have you already spent income you are expecting like bonuses, government payments, etc.?
8) Do you depend on extra income such as a second job to survive?
9) Do you have less than 3 months income where you can get it easily and quickly in an emergency?
10) Do you pay more than 15% of your income to pay off debt other than your mortgage?
11) Do you get behind in paying utilities such as power, phone, etc?
12) Do you need to consolidate loans so you can make payments?
13) Do you get creditors sending you overdue notices?
14) Are your debts rising?
15) Do you need to borrow money to pay for things you used to pay cash for?
16) Are you normally late paying bills?
17) Do you have to borrow money to pay other debt?
18) Do you need to borrow money to pay normal bills such as food, clothing, rent, etc.?
19) Are you unable to pay off your entire credit card limit each month?
20) You do not know how much you spend on non-essential items each month?
21) You don’t contribute to savings any more, or have no savings at all?
22) You use cash advances from one credit card to pay the balance on another?
23) You’ve applied for another credit card because you reached the credit limit on another card?
0-1 then you are doing well with your finances.
2-3 then you need to think about your finances.
4-5 then strife is just around the corner, be wish and get help before it gets worse.
6+ then you have some serious financial issues that need dealing with immediately.
Statistics made REALLY interesting
If you have any concern about the poor of the world, this presentation by Hans Rosling is astounding, its one of the best and I mean best TED talks ever. Check it our at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html
Monday, March 09, 2009
money
In our church we seldom talk about money, but that's probably a mistake as so much of Jesus teaching refers to money and/or our other resources as reflectors of the state of our heart.
It seems that Jesus is not so much interested in what we give, or keep for that matter, but that state of our heart in terms of giving Him the highest place.
Over the next month we're going to be looking at a topic called stewardship which looks at how we can use our resources in ways that love God, love self and love others.
I'm sure this series will be challenging, but also I hope it will be encouraging and practical, and help you experience a freedom and joy in your life that is only possible for those that hold lightly to the things of this world.
It seems that Jesus is not so much interested in what we give, or keep for that matter, but that state of our heart in terms of giving Him the highest place.
Over the next month we're going to be looking at a topic called stewardship which looks at how we can use our resources in ways that love God, love self and love others.
I'm sure this series will be challenging, but also I hope it will be encouraging and practical, and help you experience a freedom and joy in your life that is only possible for those that hold lightly to the things of this world.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
freedom from addiction
If I had to give a descriptor to our society I reckon near the top of my list would be 'the addictive society'. It seems like addiction is everywhere. If you have addiction issues then I suggest you check out the resources at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/ for help from sexual, food, gambling or substance abuse addictions.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
lives not bums
One of the great challenges of pastoring a church is not getting more bums on seats, that's relatively simple, but changing lives.
More people sitting in rows of seats and then going home unchanged doesn't make the world a better place. What makes a difference is transformed lives, transformed because someone has discovered the awesome love that God has for them and how when we begin to live our lives as learners (disciples) of Jesus that our lives change and begin to impact those around us.
Are you warming a seat, or is your life being transformed? Here's a few questions to check how you are going.
More people sitting in rows of seats and then going home unchanged doesn't make the world a better place. What makes a difference is transformed lives, transformed because someone has discovered the awesome love that God has for them and how when we begin to live our lives as learners (disciples) of Jesus that our lives change and begin to impact those around us.
Are you warming a seat, or is your life being transformed? Here's a few questions to check how you are going.
- Are you more loving towards people than you used to be? How?
- Are you contributing resources to help the poor and less fortunate? How?
- Are you growing in your joy of spending time with God? How?
- Are you more honest and transparent with those around you? How?
- Are you using your skills and gifts to serve the needs of others? How?
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Zeitgeist: The Movie
Have you watched Zeitgeist: The Movie? Part 1, the first 45 minutes, is a diatribe against the Christian faith. It's powerfully put together piece of propoganda, the only problem is its full of easily discovered historical inaccuracies. I encourage you to check out http://www.alwaysbeready.com and see their response to the Movie which gives a very good response.
Monday, February 02, 2009
A simple experiment
Hi, I wonder if you would take the next 2-3 minutes to do a little experiment that just might change someone’s eternal destination. (I promise it won’t hurt.)
- Step 1: Pretend, just for a minute, that you were willing to invite an unchurched friend, work colleague or family member to church.
- Step 2: Now pretending that you were prepared to do this, list three people that you would like to discover a real relationship with God.
- Step 3: Think or list 2-3 benefits they would get by accepting your invitation. (Writing it down is more powerful, but thinking the ideas is okay as well.)
- Step 4: Take a few seconds now to pray for each of those people. Something like … “Dear God, I lift up XXX to you and ask that you would touch their life in some way this week, and if you want you can use me to do that. Thank you God.”
- Step 5: Consider committing to taking 2-3 minutes each day for the next week to doing this little experiment and see how God can use you. (If you do why not email or text me to let me know you are doing this. My contact details are Pastorpete@cmponline.net or 0407-278-175.
- Step 6: You might like to challenge someone else to trying this experiment by passing on this experiment with a note to say you’re doing it and you’d like them to join you.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
gratefulness
If you had to pick an attitude that distinguished happy people from unhappy people, what would it be? For me, gratefulness would be pretty high on the list. Grateful people are generally happy, its one of those attitudes of choice that can may a significant different in ones disposition. So I wonder what you are grateful for from the last year? Why not make a gratitude list list and check it twice and see how your disposition ends up being happier.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
wise cop
Met with the Commissioner of NSW Police Andrew Scipione on Monday. With just three of us in the room we got to spend 25 minutes talking about how the church I pastor can make an impact in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
I've got to say I was really impressed with Commissioner Scipione. He seems to be a man of great intellect, integrity and deep faith.
I encourage us all to think about and pray for all of our leaders, but in particular those leaders who live out their faith in the public arena. Pray that they may be excellent at their job and because of their excellence they will get opportunities to communicate how their faith helps them in the way they think about and serve the greater good of the community.
I've got to say I was really impressed with Commissioner Scipione. He seems to be a man of great intellect, integrity and deep faith.
I encourage us all to think about and pray for all of our leaders, but in particular those leaders who live out their faith in the public arena. Pray that they may be excellent at their job and because of their excellence they will get opportunities to communicate how their faith helps them in the way they think about and serve the greater good of the community.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Men only
Men, if you really want to grow in holiness then here is a site that you will find most helpful. It has resources to deal with FREEDOM FROM ... Alcohol & drugs, Gambling, Overeating, Overspending, Sexual Addiction, Stealing and Workaholism.
http://battlezone.echurchnetwork.net/Support/AddictiveZones/default.aspx
http://battlezone.echurchnetwork.net/Support/AddictiveZones/default.aspx
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Porn-Again Christian
It was in the late ‘80s, Christians were delighted to hear that rocker Billy Idol had become a believer after a near-fatal motorcycle accident. When asked was he “born again”, Idol replied, “No, I’m into porn again.”
Segue, segue, segue…into uber-cyber-Christian-wunderkind Mark Driscoll’s latest (e-)book “Porn-Again Christian”. Driscoll is releasing this challenging new publication in a most appropriate way for a web-based problem - serialised on the Internet. Week by week he reveals a chapter, a bit like a striptease I suppose… And the content even has a warning label on it:
“Because I am speaking to fellow men, my tone may not be well suited for some women and, therefore, I would request that they not read this booklet, unless they are a wife whose husband has read it first and he can discuss its contents with her in love.” (1st chapter, 2nd par.)
The result?
Well, let’s just say, your ears will burn and your eyes will water at the frank and direct language that Driscoll is famous for, and you’d better have an icepack or a cold shower running nearby, and at least for one chapter, a sick bucket…
He starts off promisingly enough, with the introduction and Chapter 1 addressing the need for his e-book:
“The church…largely fails to teach men masculinity in any area, particularly regarding sexuality.”
A bold claim, and one with teeth, at least in my previous church experience.
Chapters 2-4 feature as warnings on how to live wisely as Christian men in a sensual world and outline his “theology of pornographic lust”. Along the way, Driscoll makes some astute observations on the difficulty of defining pornography and the increasing sexualisation of our culture:
“It has taken forty years to go from one dirty magazine under the counter at the local convenience store to today where it is expected that junior high boys have at least one nude shot of their junior high girlfriend on their cell phone.”
See, told you it was frank… His central argument is that “pornographic lust exists to elicit coveting and dissatisfaction that no woman can satisfy”.
Chapters 5-7 feature a helpful discussion on a fairly taboo subject in Christian circles (with the exception of perhaps Phillip Jensen’s “Love, Sex, & Marriage” CDs) – masturbation. He advances both practical and theological reasons for and against masturbation. A confronting Q&A follows with real “live” questions from Christian men on the issue.
Chapter 8 is a highlight / lowlight with its chilling interview of convicted US serial killer Ted Bundy by well-known Christian counsellor and author James Dobson. Bundy is frighteningly honest about the effects of pornography on his life, and how it contributed to his horrific beating, raping, and murdering of at least 30 girls and women between the ages of twelve and twenty-six. Grief gripped my heart.
An extended address to military men on prostitution and a painful analysis of the worldwide sex trade concludes the book. These chapters are graphic in their details and sickening in their brutal depiction of the treatment of many women.
“Porn-Again Christian” is more like a tour through the roughly ordered thoughts of Driscoll on the topics of sex, marriage, pornography, masturbation, prostitution, and the sex trade, than a publishable book in itself. Therefore, as an e-book, it works quite well, but do brace yourself before picking up your hard copy from the printer.
Helpful to young men at your church?
I’d recommend a PG rating (only with parental or big-brotherly guidance), some sections MA (mature adults), and a hardcore R (risky) for the remainder.
Now that you’ve read the warning, you will find that Mark Driscoll’s “Porn-Again Christian” is, like the problems it seeks to combat, freely available at this web site.
Andrew is Sydneyanglicans.net’s resident digital scholar and the pastor of the Asian Bible Church (ABC), a congregation of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, and the organiser of the Australia Day Convention.
Segue, segue, segue…into uber-cyber-Christian-wunderkind Mark Driscoll’s latest (e-)book “Porn-Again Christian”. Driscoll is releasing this challenging new publication in a most appropriate way for a web-based problem - serialised on the Internet. Week by week he reveals a chapter, a bit like a striptease I suppose… And the content even has a warning label on it:
“Because I am speaking to fellow men, my tone may not be well suited for some women and, therefore, I would request that they not read this booklet, unless they are a wife whose husband has read it first and he can discuss its contents with her in love.” (1st chapter, 2nd par.)
The result?
Well, let’s just say, your ears will burn and your eyes will water at the frank and direct language that Driscoll is famous for, and you’d better have an icepack or a cold shower running nearby, and at least for one chapter, a sick bucket…
He starts off promisingly enough, with the introduction and Chapter 1 addressing the need for his e-book:
“The church…largely fails to teach men masculinity in any area, particularly regarding sexuality.”
A bold claim, and one with teeth, at least in my previous church experience.
Chapters 2-4 feature as warnings on how to live wisely as Christian men in a sensual world and outline his “theology of pornographic lust”. Along the way, Driscoll makes some astute observations on the difficulty of defining pornography and the increasing sexualisation of our culture:
“It has taken forty years to go from one dirty magazine under the counter at the local convenience store to today where it is expected that junior high boys have at least one nude shot of their junior high girlfriend on their cell phone.”
See, told you it was frank… His central argument is that “pornographic lust exists to elicit coveting and dissatisfaction that no woman can satisfy”.
Chapters 5-7 feature a helpful discussion on a fairly taboo subject in Christian circles (with the exception of perhaps Phillip Jensen’s “Love, Sex, & Marriage” CDs) – masturbation. He advances both practical and theological reasons for and against masturbation. A confronting Q&A follows with real “live” questions from Christian men on the issue.
Chapter 8 is a highlight / lowlight with its chilling interview of convicted US serial killer Ted Bundy by well-known Christian counsellor and author James Dobson. Bundy is frighteningly honest about the effects of pornography on his life, and how it contributed to his horrific beating, raping, and murdering of at least 30 girls and women between the ages of twelve and twenty-six. Grief gripped my heart.
An extended address to military men on prostitution and a painful analysis of the worldwide sex trade concludes the book. These chapters are graphic in their details and sickening in their brutal depiction of the treatment of many women.
“Porn-Again Christian” is more like a tour through the roughly ordered thoughts of Driscoll on the topics of sex, marriage, pornography, masturbation, prostitution, and the sex trade, than a publishable book in itself. Therefore, as an e-book, it works quite well, but do brace yourself before picking up your hard copy from the printer.
Helpful to young men at your church?
I’d recommend a PG rating (only with parental or big-brotherly guidance), some sections MA (mature adults), and a hardcore R (risky) for the remainder.
Now that you’ve read the warning, you will find that Mark Driscoll’s “Porn-Again Christian” is, like the problems it seeks to combat, freely available at this web site.
Andrew is Sydneyanglicans.net’s resident digital scholar and the pastor of the Asian Bible Church (ABC), a congregation of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, and the organiser of the Australia Day Convention.
Friday, November 21, 2008
love
A helpful concept that is floating around in my head and heart at present is that all of lifes moments are a test. Not a test designed to try and trip me up, but a test lovingly given to me by God to help me see if I believe that he truly loves me. Each opportunity that comes is an opportunity for me to believe or disbelieve God's way which is essentially an opportunity to believe that God truly only has love for me in mind. When a choice presents itself before me, I can believe God loves me and do that which he calls me to do, or I can believe that God doesn't really love me and make the choice that satisfies my short-term desire.
All of life it seems to me is an opportunity to love God, love self and to love others because Jesus said the greatest command is to love God and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself.
My prayer is this: Lord, help me today to believe you love me so much that I choose to live life your way because that ultimately is the best way to live.
All of life it seems to me is an opportunity to love God, love self and to love others because Jesus said the greatest command is to love God and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself.
My prayer is this: Lord, help me today to believe you love me so much that I choose to live life your way because that ultimately is the best way to live.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Global Warming
For a contrarian view on the 'overwhelming evidence for gloabl warming' check out this from the Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/michael-duffy/truly-inconvenient-truths-being-ignored/2008/11/07/1225561134617.html
Thursday, November 06, 2008
thinking
I think occassionally ... think of lots of things, strange things, normal things, weird things. Sometimes people think that cause I'm a Pastor I must think holy things all the time. But I reckon we're much the same, all of us seeking to make sense of the world, to love our families, to care for our friends, to leave the world a better place.
Here are some things that have flitted across my mind in the last few hours.
How awesome is my God. How much work there is to do. Concern for a friend. Laughter with a work mate. How good the chocolate was. I could kill a beer. The joy of going for a bike ride. Surprise at finding an old friend on facebook. Looking forward to a day off. How we organise our leadership better. Catching up on emails. Sex.
Yeah, just a pretty normal day of thinking ... and now my thoughts turn to lunch.
Here are some things that have flitted across my mind in the last few hours.
How awesome is my God. How much work there is to do. Concern for a friend. Laughter with a work mate. How good the chocolate was. I could kill a beer. The joy of going for a bike ride. Surprise at finding an old friend on facebook. Looking forward to a day off. How we organise our leadership better. Catching up on emails. Sex.
Yeah, just a pretty normal day of thinking ... and now my thoughts turn to lunch.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
What I supposed to be
I love the Youtube video clip called 'What I supposed by be' by Ray Bolt. A moving message about the potential of what could have been done by those lives who never made it out of the womb.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Live without it
A spiritual seeker interrupted a busy life to spend a few days in a monastery. 'I hope your stay is a blessed one,' said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell. 'If you need anything, let us know and we'll teach you how to live with it.'
P.45, Philip Yancey, 'Prayer: Does it make any difference?'
P.45, Philip Yancey, 'Prayer: Does it make any difference?'
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Forgiveness
“A human being is not someone who once in a while makes a mistake, and God is not someone who now and then forgives. No, human beings are sinners and God is love.”
Phillip Yancey, Prayer, P.27
Phillip Yancey, Prayer, P.27
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