Sunday, September 30, 2007

Stuff

Dear Sister

I am a mix of contradictions. I'm a hoarder but I hate having stuff around. I like collecting things, but I also feel a great sense of achievement when I throw out/give away a whole lot of junk that I don't need.
A while ago a friend of mine wrote about simplifying her family's unit. Paul reminds us "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

In our western culture it's so easy to get caught up in needing stuff. Life is about relationships, not accumulating things. The amount of time I have spent using my stuff when I could have been building godly relationships with people makes me cringe. How I long to have 'food and clothing' and be content. Of course having possessions in itself isn't wrong, it's the importance we put on it. Today I spent a few hours getting rid of things I don't need, I still have a awful amount of things in my room but it felt good anyway.

I'll keep working on it, and hopefully be more cautious when I'm about to bring my stuff into my room, deciding if I'd be better off without it.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

It's all about Perspective

Dear Sister

My bed room is on the second floor, and because one of my windows face west I get full on sun into my room in the afternoon. To stop this I pull my blind down, just leaving a gap that's big enough to let a little light in but not blind me.
If I'm outside and look up to my window I can see a small sliver of my room. A few centimeters of the back of my computer, a few candles, but not much more. But when I go to the door of my room I can see everything. I see my bed, desk, book, computer, wardrobe, craft stuff and more books.
I guess it's kind of like how much we can see of our life. We only see the small amount that is visible at the time, just like when I'm outside and looking into my room. Not all the bits join together to make sense. But God is in the room. He can see everything - and he knows what it's all about.

We'd do so much better to just relax and trust God has everything in our life worked out and it will all make sense, one day. He's got the big picture, we don't. Might as well accept that and go on living with what he's shown us so far. for He said "I know the plans I have for, plans to proper you and not to harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11)

Monday, September 24, 2007

Missionary?

Dear Sister

Yesterday at church I heard one of the most thought provoking and challenging/encouraging sermons in a long time.
We don't have a minister at the moment so we have had a few visiting ministers. Today was a guy who's family use to come to our church but they are now church planting in an area of Sydney where there is a large Muslim community. It's so great to hear about all that God is doing through them, but that's a story for another post :).

Anyway he was talking about how the early church had an attitude of mission. Even though they sent out 'missionaries' they were very mission minded in their own churches, communities and homes. It got me thinking. Do I act just as mission minded at home as I do on mission? Short answer; no.
I grew up in a missionary family overseas, I've been on a short term mission and I've helped out with family missions at our church. When on mission I am consciously thinking about how I can lead the conversations toward gospel things, I talk about what God has done into everything I do. I pray constantly about the people I will meet that I can share with them about God. I don't always say as much as I should, but at least I'm trying and praying and I believe God can use even a broken person like me.

But at 'home' I'm not like that. I don't even think about leading conversations I have towards the gospel, even though I pray about my non-christian friends, I don't expect things to happen. It was a huge rebuke to me.

Why don't people become Christians? Because we don't tell them how.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

When doubts creep in

Dear Sister

Today, in my devotional time I was reading Luke 7:18-35. John sent messengers to Jesus to check if Jesus was the Messiah (v 19-20). And I'm thinking 'Um, John aren't you the prophert sent to prepare people for Jesus? Didn't you just baptise Jesus? (Luke 3:21-25) Shouldn't you know who Jesus is?'
I guess it shows that everyone has doubts at times. It's not the doubts that are the problem, it's what we do with them. John took his doubts to Jesus. Jesus reminded him of who HE was.

When we have doubts (and I mean when, not if) we need to go to Jesus. We need to be remined of who He is. Read the Bible, remember times he has been faithful in your life, listen to others tell of when he was faithful to them. Then cling to the truth of who Jesus is.

Friday, September 21, 2007

get out of bed

Dear Sister

With an essay out of the way, and a night to myself things are looking good. It's nice to have a few hours every now and then to yourself, just to take a breath and get ready for the next day.

I went through a rough time last year when getting out of bed was often a major achievement. During that time I learnt a few things that help to get you up and ready to face the day.

1. Take a shower. It is amazing how much better you feel after a shower.
2. Brush your teeth. For some reason having that minty taste in your mouth makes it easier to face the day.
3. Get dressed. Even if it's just a new pair of track pants, put on something clean and crisp.
4. Plan something for the day. whether it's going for a walk around the block or cleaning out your wardrobe, plan something you will accomplish.
5. If I was one of those super-doper Christians I'd say have a quiet time. And yes, if you, can do that. But some days facing pages of tiny script was just too much. So instead I'd put on a favourite, uplifting worship CD. Good music can help lift your mood and praise music helps turn your thoughts to HIM.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

God Answers

Dear Sister

Something that has been bothering me for a while is a simple phrase, that I'm sure many people don't even think about when they say it.
You've probably heard it before 'I'm so thankful to God for answering my prayers' or someone may ask 'Has God answered any of your prayers lately?' The reason this bothers me is it makes us think that God only 'answers' our prayers when he gives us what we want.
The truth is, God always answers our prayers. But it might not be the answer we wanted or were expecting.

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed about what he knew was about to happen. He asked not to die. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:34). But we all know that wasn't in Gods plan. Does that mean God didn't hear Jesus' prayer? No. Does it mean that He didn't answer Jesus' prayer? No. God gave his answer according to his will. He said 'no' to Jesus' request because Jesus needed to die to take the punishment for our sins.

A more important question to ask is if our prayers are in accordance with God will. Ask God for what is on your heart, but also add 'May your will be done'

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Introductions

Dear Sister

How lovely it is to take time out of my day to write to you! There are times when we all get weary in this life, times when we need encouragement, which I hope this will be. I hope that through these letters "we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24) I've been through life and while I don't clain to have all the answers (far from it!!!) I do hope to share with you things I have found helpful and encouraging.
Besides that I hope we can share some fun things as well.