'We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.' ~Teresa of Calcutta
Ken is one of our elders and he was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He and his wife and kids have lived in Oz for several years now, but his dad is still in Zim.
Ken hasn't been able to contact his dad for about six weeks now. Please, pray.
I will pray for him, Ed. Our church is having a meeting on the situation in Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Do you know the best way to help? I do know that the package we sent a family finally arrived, though it took a full 2 months to get there. I think money doesn't help, if I am interpreting things correctly. If you have any insight to give me to take to this meeting, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
So sorry to hear this. My elementary school bible class is currently selling things on ebay to donate proceeds to Open Hearts Helping Hands. They hare so excited to help. We will pray for this, too.
yeah -- As it stands right now (not counting the $ which I don't have right now), if I have my way, I'll come sometime in the fall (our fall). However, if Mom and Dad have their way, I will come back to FC for another year to finish my degree.
I think when y'all are up here we will want to sit down with y'all and chat about it.
Early Saturday morning a man was killed by a Great White here in Perth. It's been five years since someone was killed by a shark here.
The man was 51 and was snorkeling for crabs with his 24yo son in about 8' of water. They were out fairly early, which is considered a riskier time. I tend to stick to the rule: 'no swimming between 7pm and 7am'.
The man and his family are really into fishing and water sports, like many people here. His family has already told the government that they don't want the shark killed. Many Aussies have the attitude that by entering the water, you are entering the territory of sea creatures that can hurt you....so if something happens it's not their fault. I tend to agree. I love fishing/swimming/snorkeling in the ocean here. When snorkeling, for some reason I'm always nervous in the first couple of minutes, then I'm fine.
It's weird how our brains work. People are universally terrified of being killed by a shark. But when I think about it logically, I'd rather go like that then to slowly waste away as cancer consumes me. As much as I know in my head which I would prefer, it doesn't change the fact that I'm scared of swimming with sharks!
Yesterday, three Perth beaches were closed due to shark sitings by spotter aircraft. At the same time, temps are predicted to be 95F or higher every day this week. Not a good combination. It's also interesting to me to see Australians' reactions to shark sitings. When the siren goes off and they close a beach, people aren't racing out of the water screaming. They just sort of slowly come out; very relaxed and even somewhat annoyed that their swim has been disturbed.
Another weird thing is how Australians talk about shark attacks. They typically say either 'he was EATEN by a shark' or 'he was TAKEN by a shark'. I find both of these unpleasant. The first was a bit too visual, and the second is too casual.
yeah, i think we'll be sticking to the swimming pool this week! Thought you might enjoy a quick slice of life from Australia during the holidays. Hope you have a happy new year!
Eddie - I never liked the "Jaws" movie. I saw it when I finished college with a friend and had nightmares for a long time. But I think you should spell "sitings" as "sightings."
Tomorrow is a day when all over the world, even the most casual of believers pauses to consider that Christ came to the Earth. It is the worthwhile thought and one that we should encourage others to dwell on.
What type of God is this that He would seek to come down to dwell with His people? If you have read your Bible, it is little surprise, though it may still be a wonder to you! The Bible teaches us that, even though our sins have separated us from God and doomed this world to a broken, dead-end future, God has always desired a relationship with mankind. Desire might not be a strong enough word. God has demonstrated that He will go to great lengths to bring His people back to Him.
Christ’s descent to the Earth is the ultimate example of this redeeming love that God possesses! I’m always drawn to the lyrics of the beautiful hymn ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’:
'Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel!'
How amazing is that!? The name Emmanuel means ‘God with us’. I can’t think of anything more that God could do to demonstrate how much He cares for us!
Our society has certainly distorted the message of Christ’s birth for it’s own purposes. As a result, some choose not to ‘celebrate Christmas’, but instead celebrate Christ every day….that’s fine. Others use it as an opportunity to spend time with family and focus on togetherness. Again, I think this is fine, certainly this theme fits into the message of Christ coming to Earth.
But at it’s heart, Christ’s birth is about ‘peace on Earth’. What did God mean by that? It clearly doesn’t mean that people will be at peace with each other as there have been no end to wars almost since the beginning of time.
Christ is the Prince of Peace, because He brings peace between God and men. God has given His best to give us the chance to live eternally in relationship with Him. This is a message the world needs. So whatever you are doing this weekend, it is worthwhile for you to spend some time considering the great lengths our God will go to, to reach out to you.
It’s equally worthwhile for you to consider what you are willing to do to follow Christ in faith. Peace to you all!
Thank you for not "shying away" from that topic at Christmas time. Or, worse yet, devoting a post to all of the reasons why we DON'T want to think about Christ coming to earth during this time of year.
This weekend was almost a perfect microcosm of life I think....where to begin?
~ It was busy.
Laine and I made a trip down south this weekend. The plan was to go to Bunbury on Friday, spend the night with one of the coolest families ever, the Harrises. Then get up on Saturday and head to Bridgetown to study the Bible with a friend who is having some serious struggles right now and doesn't know Christ, then back to Bunbury Sat. night. Get up Sunday and preach at the church in Bunbury, have lunch, and head back to Perth so that I could lead singing at our evening devotional and then over to Alan and Jeanie's for a Mexican fiesta with my brothers and sisters!! WHEW!
~ It was unpredictable.
My mate that I was supposed to meet on Saturday had a bit of a breakdown and called us as we were driving down on Saturday morning to tell us not to come. I talked to him later and told him I hope to see him in few weeks when he comes to Perth. I pray that God will give him some peace and the chance to consider the love and comfort that Christ has for him.
~ It was full of pain and mourning.
Hannah is the 12yo granddaughter of one of our members. She was diagnosed about a year ago with an inoperable brain tumor. Hannah passed from this life on Thursday night. Tomorrow a group of us will be driving south to Busselton for her funeral.
A friend of mine and co-worker of Paul's lost his son this weekend. The boy was born very premature and with many health problems. He had multiple surgeries and they had many sleepless nights in the hospital. Finally, they brought him home and thought things were improving when he died on Sunday morning. I can hardly imagine their pain.
Truly, we live in a broken world of suffering, pain, and injustice.
~ It was full of inexpressible joy.
On Sunday morning, Steve was baptized into Christ! Steve is a guy that Alan and I have been studying with for a few months now. His wife and inlaws are members at Malaga. Steve has been coming along to worship for awhile and has really gotten into our Bible Basics class. I knew he was close, but I was still breathless and overjoyed when I read the text message from Paul on Sunday afternoon! Just wish we coulda been there!!!
As certain as the brokenness of this world, we can be certain of rescue from the Son of God!!
~ It was full of mixed emotions
Last night's time at A&J's was strange but wonderful. It was time to comfort each other, a time to rejoice with our new brother, for me it was a time to revel in the joys of having a spiritual family that loves me and allows me to love them!
One thing that times like these teach us is that not only do we need our Christ, but we need each other! Take some time during the busy holiday season to hug those that you care about and let them know how much they mean to you.
I would love to hug each of you now, but we will have to wait a bit for that. Just know that each of you have lifted me up and helped me through the last two years of my life! Love to you all!
Oh, Eddie, bless you for recognizing your microcosm. That blend of pain and joy that is this life is such an enigma. I sometimes think I grasp it and then -- pow -- another lesson comes along.
As I read this, I see how God is our anchor that lifts us up during the hard times, and helps us to soar on wings like eagles in the good.
and so we see how true it is...
in ALL things, God works for the good of those who love him.
Ed, I was in Memphis last weekend and ran into a friend of yours, Brent Moody. He was doing some good preaching. My daughter Susan is going to be worshiping there
Tonight a group of us from the congregation spent some time together in prayer to our Father. The focus of our prayer was the plight of the people in Zimbabwe.
I was once again humbled by power of this simple act. We sat holding hands; black and white, men and women and children, just praying....and yet, is there anything more that we could do!? Not to say that we shouldn't do other things, but the greatest thing we have to offer in aid is our prayers.
I sat and listened to Takesure, one of my brothers, praying for his family back home in Zim, and as I prayed with him I looked at my daughter...I imagined what it would be like to hold her as she cried until she was too weak to cry. To hold her and know that I had no food for her or her mother. It is nearly beyond my ability to comprehend, and yet I'm thankful for this time to dwell on such thoughts.
These thoughts put many things in my frivolous life into perspective. Me....a person who considers driving a car without air conditioning as 'hardship'....a person who has the audacity to stand in line at a restaurant and complain about 'starving' bc I've gone a whole 3-4hours without eating....a person who complains about the taste of the perfectly clean and abundant tapwater in my house.
Why do I have so much, while others have so little? It is undeniable that our global system of economics has a part to play in this. It is equally undeniable that I have played my part.
I pray to God that I will have the will to live more simply in a society obsessed with material things so that I may have more to share with those who have nothing.
I pray that I will be able to teach my daughter about gratitude and the sacrificial love that Christ has taught me.
I pray that we all will meditate on the depths and implications of Christ's call to 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Such a thought provoking post. We are all so blessed with so much more that we need and I pray that the people in Zim will soon have the material things that they need.
This is a great message to consider anytime, but especially at the time of year that glorifies consumption in the name of sharing. While sharing is one of the best opportunities we have, using it as an excuse to fall in love with tangibles...definitely missing the point in my opinion. Thanks for your thoughts and love to you three!
Thanks for the thoughts, Eddie. Our congregation has been sending food to the Christians in Zim for the last several months. It's nice to be able to do something, although it isn't enough, I'm afraid. I love the things you are praying for... may we all pray for gratitude! Such a tough thing to teach our children...
We've been praying for them, too. We know one family personally now and it's amazing how much this one aquaintance has changed my perspective. Thanks for this blog.
