Bananas

There is a question that I have found perpelxing recently, so I conducted some research so you don't have to have restless nights pondering the same thing. The question - 'How do bananas reproduce?'

I know the answer to this will not chnage my world - I just wanted to know.

Anyway, my study has led me into a complex and sometimes contradictory web of half answers. I will attempt to give hyou the best explanation about our friend the banana.

There are close to 1,000 species of banana today. Most of them are inedible - they carry hard pea-sized seeds, and have only a small amount of bad-tasting flesh. Botanists think that 1000's of years ago, probably in South-East Asia, a random mutation produced a sterile banana with no seeds and lots of flesh that could be eaten uncooked. The internal dark lines and spots inside today's banana are the vestigial remnant of these seeds.

But the edible farmed banana has no seeds. So how do we get new bananas? They are grown from the cuttings of an existing banana plant. New banana "trees" are "born" in a new location when the shoots of cuttings are planted in the ground, and take root successfully.

Bananas are definitely a fruit, even though the fruit is sterile and has no seeds. And the banana does not grow on a tree. It grows on a plant. But it's not a tree, because it's made from leaves, not true woody tissue. So our poor banana is a sterile and mutant fruit that has not had sex for 1000's of years.

Check out Great Moments in Science for more info.

Yeah

I drove past this amended Tui billboard yesterday on the Southern motorway.

Charity:Water

More than 1 billion people living in the world are without something as basic as clean drinking water. Scott Harrison decided to do something about it and founded Charity:Water. Have a look at what they do, particularly the videos.

Justice (cont.)

Here are a couple of quotes from Relevant Magazine on this issue:

Brian McLaren: I believe these days it’s the economy, not the nation-state, that is driving the world. It would be good for people to consider the ways capitalism can become a form of idolatry, where markets are given godlike powers and people have an unwritten creed of salvation by consumption alone.One of the most powerful things the next generation of emerging Christians can do is be at the heart of a new global movement for ethical buying and fair trade. We can use the power of markets for good, just as they have been used for evil in so many ways—environmentally, socially and politically. It’s a question of the Kingdom of God—how would we expect economics to work in the Kingdom of God, as opposed to the systems of this world?



Cindy Jacobs: God has worked in this generation a desire to make the world a better place for all. This means grappling with issues of eliminating systemic poverty, taking care of the environment and living with each other in a kinder, more relational way.For this reason, I believe the question is, How much is enough? We need to make wealth to steward it to create jobs, help single moms, the elderly and find ways to deal with the AIDS crisis. Our lifestyle should not be “me” centric, but “Kingdom of God” centric.

Justice cont.

What is justice?

Justice concerns the proper ordering of things and persons within a society.

We are to bring this proper order.We are to be bringers of justice

This is active!

It is possible that we are unjust without realising it.

I have just watched a movie called “Black Gold”. It is a documentary that explores the injustice created by the coffee industry. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world behind oil. Despite the demand for coffee, the large coffee corporations ensure they pay as little as possible to coffee growers. They do this generally by keeping knowledge of trading practices from the growers and giving them no options but to sell at a price that keeps farmers in poverty.
Black Gold looks closely at the coffee industry in Ethiopia, and is well worth you watching (or even buying and giving to friends to watch). It chronicles the stories of farmers who are in generational poverty – poverty that could be reversed if the coffee cartels offered a fair price for the coffee. I think I worked out that it would cost us about an extra 50 cents a cup (at a cafe) to enable these farmers to have a reasonable level of income that enabled them to give an education to their children and sufficient food to eat. However, in order to maximise profits, these cartels keep many of these farmers in poverty.

This is where fair trade coffee comes in. Fair trade coffee is bought at a fair price that enables farmers to attain a reasonable standard of living. I have notice that generally it is no more expensive than coffee that is purchased at a price that literally destroys lives.

What can we do? Buy fair trade coffee. Ask your local cafe to stock fair trade coffee.

For all those smug non-coffee drinkers, this concept of fair trade does not just apply to coffee. Chocolate as well as many other products we buy can create injustice. The challenge to me and perhaps for you as well is to become aware of where what I buy comes from and who it affects.

But will it affect our wallet? Maybe.
Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

Justice

I have been pondering on concepts of Justice lately. One catalyst for this has been a movie called Black Gold about the injustice we can be part of unkowlingly through the coffee we buy. More about that later. Here are some thoughts from the Bible:

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.

Caring for the poor, the weak and the marginalized is central to the life of the Scriptures and its prophets.

God loves justice!

Psalms 33:5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Psalms 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy:
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Micah 6:8 8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Jesus was focussed on Justice

Matt 12:18-21
Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.

Jesus also taught on it.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

We are charged to be justice-fighters for those who are unable to set things right on their own. Do we believe in these verses, not simply as words but rather a way of life?

My Girl

Pick up Lines

From Sideswipe, in the NZ Herald:

Organisers asked churchgoers for chat up lines that they had used, or that had been used on them, in a story about Christian dating workshops. Examples included:
"Now I know why Solomon had 700 wives. He never met you."
"Is this pew taken?"
"I just don't feel called to celibacy."
"You float my ark."
"I didn't believe in predestination until tonight."
"Is that a thinline, duo-tone, compact, ESV travel Bible in your pocket?"
"How many times do I have to walk around you before you fall for me?"
"The name is Will. God's Will.'

(source: Telegraph.co.uk)

Kaira

Oour litlle girl is now 4 weeks old!!

Nick Willis

What an outstanding result for Nick Willis and New Zealand at the Olympics! I set my alarm and got up to watch the race. So glad I did! I thought he was going to be pipped at the post by the Frech guy but he pushed on when it counted and got the bronze. Come on!!

Last year Promise Keepers interviewed Nick about his career and his faith. Here is an extract:

How did Nick become a Christian? He says that it started when he went to the USA - he was impacted by senior students who were excellent role models of what it meant to be godly men. It inspired him to seek out God for himself.

Then he met Bruce Dishnow from Athletes in Action. “After six weeks I became a Christian. Since then Bruce has been a great mentor to me. He and his family have opened their home to me, so much so that I was best man at a family wedding - it was a real honour. Bruce has been a source of stability. He is slightly removed from the sport and College scene so he can offer an unbiased opinion to me.”

On the subject of accountability in his life, Nick feels that this is very important and he meets once or twice a week for Bible studies with Bruce. He also formed an accountability group with five guys that he met through Campus Crusade for Christ and they got together every Sunday night for a year. He believes that they grew as brothers. They agreed on a mission statement that would encompass time in the Word, their physical purity and also their emotional purity. These guys became Nick’s 3:00 am friends – he could call them at any time if he felt tempted or was facing issues. They were all at similar stages, ending college, thinking about employment, as well as girlfriends and marriage.

Olympics

How good are the Olympics!! Saturday had to be one of our greatest sports days ever. Medals galore, a decisive All Black victory in the Republic and a Warriors win!. It doesn't get much better than that!

American Presidential Race

I am finding the American Presidential race fascinating. The following are excepts from an email I receive form Relevant Magazine.

Rick Warren’s Southern California mega-church, Saddleback Church, hosted the two presumptive Presidential nominees to answer questions about faith and morality.

Questions centered on moral issues such as poverty and climate change, issues that didn’t seem to create much distance between the candidates. But things changed when Warren pressed them on the “big two”: abortion and same sex marriage.

When asked to define marriage, Obama appeared centrist. “It’s a union between a man and a woman,” he said. “For me as a Christian, it is a sacred union. God is in the mix.” Obama added that he does support civil unions for gay couples because civil rights should be afforded to others even if he doesn’t share their view. McCain played it safe and said that he would leave the decision up to individual States.

When asked when the candidates believed life began, McCain blurted out “conception” without hesitation. Obama seemed to spin things a little bit. While he said he supports Roe vs. Wade and has always been pro-choice, the goal should be to reduce the number of abortions in America.
“What I can do is say, are there ways we can work together to reduce unwanted pregnancies,” he said. Obama never answered the question.

The Saddleback Civil Forum did Obama no favors. Several pundits commented that Obama looked uncomfortable, and more than a few noted that he had trouble offering straight answers to straight questions. The reaction from many people of faith was mixed if not uninspired.
McCain occasionally rushed Warren’s questions to offer tightrope responses. His comments regarding abortion, same sex unions, and court appointees made him look like a traditional, Reaganesque Republican, something of which he is not often accused. Perhaps his true colors surfaced that night or maybe it was the typical, posturing rhetoric employed by politicians running for the land’s highest office.

Jonathan Merritt Jonathan.

Merritt is a faith and culture writer whose political thoughts have appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and The Washington Post. He is a regular contributor to RELEVANT publications and would love to connect with you at jonathanmerritt.com.

Kaira Grace

We had a bit of a surprise last week. Our baby girl came 6 weeks earlier than we expected. She is so beautiful and both her and mum are doing great.

The Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect can be observed when a stone or a droplet of water is dropped into a still
pool of water. Long after the stone or droplet is no longer visible, we can see its effect on the
surface in the expanding ripples. This same ripple effect can be seen when someone
touches their finger to the water’s surface.

Our lives cause a rippple effect. The question is wheter our actionas and comments casue a positive or a negatice ripple.

In 1855, A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist.

In England in 1879, Dwight L. Moody awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Fredrick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church.

F.B. Meyer, preaching to an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman.

J. Wilbur Chapman, engaged in YMCA work, employed a former baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.

Bill Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, N.C. A group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another evangelistic campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach.

During Mordecai Hamm's revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard the Gospel and yielded his life to Christ.

Only Eternity will reveal the tremendous impact of that one Sunday School teacher, Mr. Kimball, who invested his life in the lives of others.

Everything we do in the name of Jesus Christ has an effect which will be viewed through Eternity. We may not even know he impact of our "ripples" this side of eternity.

The Butterfly Effect

The butterfly effect is a the theory that small variations of the initial condition of a system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of that system. For example, a ball placed at the crest of a hill might roll into any of several valleys depending on slight differences in initial position.

Term "butterfly effect" was coined by Edward Lorenz who refferred to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events. Had the butterfly not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the system might have been vastly different.

In arguably the earliest illustration of the butterfly effect in a story on film, an angel in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) shows George Bailey how rewriting history so that George was never born would detrimentally affect the lives of everyone in his hometown. In a subtle butterfly effect, snow is falling in one version of reality but not the other.

The 1998 British movie 'Sliding Doors' runs two parallel stories of the same woman, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow). In one universe, Helen manages to catch a London Underground train home on time, and in the other she misses it. This small event influenced her life dramatically.
In many cases, minor and seemingly inconsequential actions in the past are extrapolated over time and can have radical effects on the present time of the main characters.

The second episode in the "Back to the Future" trilogy also vividly illustrates the cascading and broad effects of what seemed a minor change in the course of events: because the loathsome Biff Tannen accidentally gets his hands on a record book from 2015, he is able to grow rich and corrupt Marty Mcfly's home town. When McFly returns to 1985, he finds it utterly degraded from what had used to be.

The lesson for us from the butterfly effect is that small events can trigger significant consequences. A small act can disturb the status quo and bring significant change.

If we make minor adjustments to our everday living, there can be signifcant effects further down the track. What can you do today to that could have a major effect later on?

It's our daily decisions that determines our destiny, and potentially the destiny of others as well.

Trust, Hope, love

1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Message)

Trust steadily in God,
Hope unswervingly,
Love extravagantly.

Backbiting

From Mark Batterson

Way too much sideways energy in the kingdom!

I think there are basically two kinds of people. People who are doing things and people who aren't doing things but they need something to do so they take potshots at people who are doing things.

There. I said it.

Come on, folks. Let's be about the Father's business.

In the words of Michelangelo: criticize by creating!

Can I be brutally honest?

The psychological tendency to try to feel better about ourselves by pointing out what's wrong with someone else is immaturity at its worst. And no where is it more prevalent than the church.

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Self-Control Part 4

How to exercise Self Control:



1. Have an open life.Sin, like bacteria, multiplies in dark places. It is good to be accountable to trustworthy people for those areas of your life where you tend to stray. Be accountable.


2. Flee from temptation.God’s word is plain about this. 1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality


Run for your life!” Yes, sometimes self-control requires physically leaving the scene of temptation, or avoiding such spots to begin with.



Our moral freedom, like other mental powers, is strengthened by exercise. The practice of yielding to impulse results in enfeebling self-control.


3. Flee angerSometimes self control requires shutting a heated moment down, in order to return to the topic later with a plan. We need to treat other people as something of value. Such self-control helps find resolution without harming the other person, whom God loves.

4. Build up your own spirit.If your Bible is only for Sundays or for a quick rushed “have to do this” kind of look into the Book; then you are starving yourself spiritually. Malnourished people can never be strong and resilient and exercise self-control.

Psalm 119:11 “I have treasured your word in my Heart, so that I may not sin against you.”
If the Bible is not powerfully in your life, don’t expect the fruit of the Spirit to thrive in you.

We also build our spirit and strengthen our self-control by speaking in tongues.5. Serve
As we surrender our will and serve we start to practice self-control.

The Bible says that self control is a “fruit of the Spirit,” that is, a result of surrendering our character and behaviour to God’s Spirit to influence us. As we submit to Holy Spirit He empowers us to exercise self-control.

Self-Control Part 3

Let’s look at some scenarios and questions concerning the presence of self-control in your life.

1.How are you as a finisher of responsible actions? When it is your turn to do the dishes for instance, and you look over at the overflowing countertop, do you go to it and complete the task in a reliable manner, or are you more likely to end up being a slothful couch potato for the evening, or to go do something fun, and simply fail to do your fair part?

2. Do you control your temper? Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things”

3. When pornography pops up on the computer screen do you delete it every time, or do you tend to get drawn away by the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh?

4. Are you careful to not say negative things about people with whom you are upset, to third parties who are not involved in the situation?

5. When it is getting late, and you know that you need to be at your best at school or work early the next morning, do you shut off the TV, or put away the hobby and get the sleep God designed you to need, in order to be sharp.

6. When you need to finish your homework and also study for the quiz that’s coming at school tomorrow, do you shut of the video game and just do it, even though its no fun?

7. When you walk into the mall, and you have a pocket full of credit cards, what is likely to happen? Is your spending in control?

8. Is your eating in control? Do you take that extra biscuit?

There could be hundreds of scenarios suggested, and some of them are more drastic than these, but all self-control questions are important.

Self-Control Part 2

2 Timothy 3:2-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Why is self-control so important?

1 Cor 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training (self-control). They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

A self-controlled life demands focus. They have a heavenly prize. There must be purpose in every step. No distraction… No detours.


Self-control is using our freedom for Gods purposes. Using our freedom to bring blessing and impact others.
In proportion as a man habitually yields to intemperance or some other vice, his freedom diminishes and he does in a true sense sink into slavery.

Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control

“I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.”
Pietro Aretino

“Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.”
Seneca

“The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Emoo

CV Blunders

From Sideswipe in today's Herald.

Funniest CV blunders:

Candidate included a letter from his mother.

Candidate included family medical history.

Candidate's previous job: "Service for old man to check they are still alive or not."

Candidate wrote: "Time is very valuable and it should be always used to achieve optimum results and I believe it should not be played around with."

Candidate used coloured paper and drew glitter designs around the border.

Candidate wrote: "I am a wedge with a sponge taped to it. My purpose is to wedge myself into someone's door to absorb as much as possible."

Candidate wrote: "Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave."

Candidate wrote: "I'm a hard worker, etc."

Candidate outlined their language skills as "Speak English and Spinach".

Candidate overdoes it: "I have technical skills that will take your breath away."

Candidate wrote: "28 dog years of experience in sales (four human)."

(Source: jobmob.co.il)

Self-Control Part 1

2 Peter 1:3-9

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

The text tells Christians to diligently add to there faith several things. Why? So you can be fruitful and functional.

He wants us to be fruitful. Not fruity!

You and I already know too many dysfunctional Christians! There are people who will not come to Christ because they know too many dysfunctional Christians.

Too often the church is like muesli – lots of nuts, flakes and fruits!

Salvation is a free gift! However we then become involved in the process of sanctification. We grow in Christ and reach New levels of living. It begins with faith ends with love.
From faith will grow virtue or holy living. We want to please God; he is our number one motivation for all we do.

Out of virtue we add knowledge. Knowledge of God is not by 2nd teaching but 1st hand experiences. Revelation – encounter Him.

From knowledge we will grow in self-control. Because the more we experience God the more of His grace we will experience to instil holy habits in following after Him.

DEFINITION: Self Control =Temperance is the KJV word from 2 Greek words. “en” = fixed position, in place and “kratos” = power or strength. “The strength to stay in place.”

Gal 5

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Fruit is cultivated. Cultivation requires our involvement.

Prohibition

Prohibition poster from 1919

Now that will stop you drinking!!

Russian Breakdance

Here is a video showing the Russion roots of breakdance!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoQb8vb4blA

How to Stunt Growth

I was challenged by Pastor Paul de Jong's message at Life 08:

How to Stunt Growth

1. Have a diminished expectation
I need to increase my level of faith for everything I am involved in.

2.Give token appreciation
I need to actively honour others.

3. Have an absence of communication
I need to be concise in my communication.

4. Don't focus on replenishment
I need to explore how I am replenishing myself - emotionally and physically.

5. No longer prospect (i.e. explore, create)
I need to ensure I don't settle for the status quo.

6. Undervalue the small
I need to ensure I approach everything I do with a spirit of excellence.

7. Don't process the challenges
I need to make sure there are no issues bothering me, I have to deal with them.

8. Don't minister out of fresh revelation
I need to spend more in the word and listening to the holy Spirit for personal revelation.

9 Do it alone.
I need to ensure I am connecting with people who can encourage me in the journey

Creativity

I love creativity in ministry. I was at our Voltage meeting on Friday (for Years 7 to 8) where they are doing a Myth Busters theme.

Coffee Designs

I like good coffee. Even better is when good coffe is presented well, like this one.

Here are some more for you to have a look at..http://www.weirdomatic.com/coffee-art.html... you can almost taste them...

Lessons from the Land of Smiles

Lessons from the Land of Smiles







Here are some thoughts based on five key areas of Thai culture.



1. Sabai – Relax (Everything is ok!)



The concept of sabai probably comes from the Buddhist idea of fatalism. It is reflected in their driving! Everyone pulls in front of each other, but it is all sabai. Nothing seems to phase them! If anything goes wrong it is fate.

We can learn something form this. Everything is sabai. When we trust in God we can relax.

Trusting in God’s sovereignty is not fatalism. We still have to make wise choices. However when circumstances are outside of our control we can relax and trust in God.

Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’



What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3)



Job faced all sorts of trials but never drifted in his faith.



Job 1:21 “I came naked from my mothers womb and I will be stripped of everything when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord.”



Give your worries to God for He cares about you - 1 Peter 5:2.


2. Sanook – Fun


One thing the Thais love is fun. Everything they do must have an element of fun involved or it is just not Thai! We can learn something form that as well. Enjoy the journey!

Live in the present

The bible abounds with the promises of God for our futures. For example:

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’


However we can’t just focus on the future, we msut live in the present. William Booth said “To change the future you must disturb the present”.

Our daily decisions determine our destiny.

We must have a vision for the future, but look at it through the lenses of today.

Be In The Present
Learn From The Past
Plan For The Future

3. Mai ben rai – It’s nothing (literally – nevermind)

Mai ben rai is used in situations such as when someone has given you something they and you say “Thanks” they often reply “Mai ben rai” or “Its nothing”. It reflects a willingness to serve and put others first.

Here are some thoughts on serving.

To get ahead, put others first.

Mark 9:35 ‘Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’

We were put on earth to make a contribution. To add life, not just take it.

We serve God by serving others.
‘Whatever you do for the lest of these you do for me.’



4. Puapar -Generosity

I am always blown away by the generosity of people I meet in Thailand. Often they have very little themselves yet they give so much. I wonder if their generosity is a result of them having a simplicity of life which rejects a materialistic way of thinking.

We need to battle daily against materialism.

Here are some thoughts on generosity.

Your candle loses nothing when it lights another.

Proverbs 11:26 ‘A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.’
True generosity isn’t an occasional event.

Be grateful for whatever you have. Generosity rises out of contentment, and that doesn’t come with acquiring more. Millionaire John D. Rockefeller admitted, “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” If you’re not content with little, you won’t be content with a lot. And if you’re not generous with little, you won’t suddenly change if you become wealthy.


Don’t allow the desire for possessions to control you.
Richard Foster writes, “Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion.” If you want to be in charge of your heart, don’t allow possessions to take charge of you.

Regard money as a resource
As E. Stanley Jones said, “Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If it gets on top and you get under it, you will become its slave.”

Develop the habit of giving
Richard Foster advises, “Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed.” If you are enslaved by greed, you cannot lead.



5. Hi Giat - Honouring


The Thais are an incredibly honouring people. This is reflected in their greeting, the Wai, where they put their hands together as if they are prating and give a slight bow.

Eph 5:21 reminds us that we are to treat each other with respect and honour.


Honour is: The OPPOSITE Of Judging; Loving UNCONDITIONALLY; having FAITH In Someone; listening; and enlargening others.

Just a few things we can learn from Thailand

Thailand

One of the things I try and make sure of when I take a team to Thailand is they enjoy the cultural side of things. We focus on the ministry when it is time for that, but I fill any down time with a memorable experience.


This year we visited tigers




Feed wild monkeys

Held snakes

Rode elephants (it's alright, the one I rode was bigger- this little fella is 4 and a half months old!!)




We also got to the Bridge over the river Kwai and went to the Chiang Mai night Safari.

Youth Camp

The youth camp we took in Thailand went great. It was at Doi Intanon National Park which has the highest point in Thailand and is a bit cooler than the 40 degree heat of Ciang Mai. The mountains are actualy the foothills to the Himilayas. About 10 youth made first time decisions and a whole lot were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the camp was the training of some of the older youth in sharing their testimonies and short messages. One of my aims is to ensure they are developed so in the future they will run the camp by themselves.

Thailand

I have just arrived in Thailand. It's hot! - 30 to 35 degrees. We just spent yesterday in Bangkok. Visited the Tiger Temple where Monks raise Tigers from Cups. We got to pat them - the cubs were very cool. Highlight of the day was probably feeding wild monkeys. we walked down the death railway that the allied POW's built during World War 2. Just relaxing in Chaing Mai now before we go to the Youth Camp tomorrow.

Leadership Questions

One of the blogs I like to follow is Craig Groeschel's at LifeChurch.tv: Swerve. recently he posed some challenging self examination questions:


Are the people closest to me in ministry lifting me higher or dragging me down?

How have I intentionally developed the leaders around me in the past week?

Am I speaking transparently with at least two other close trusted friends on a weekly basis?

Am I submitting myself to the correction and coaching of at least two mentors?

Am I holding a grudge against someone?

Am I speaking well of other ministers?

Am I falling for the temptation of comparing, complaining, criticizing or gossiping?

Are my words and relationships characterized by words of faith or negativity?

Do people enjoy being around me or am I often “down”?

Have a made at least three new ministry friends in the last year?

Some of the responses are good too.

Friendships

Friendship is a gift from God. Good friends are rare and one must nurture friendships very carefully.

Growing Healthy Friendships

Everyone understands that growing a healthy garden doesn’t happen without proper soil, sunlight, fertilizing and weeding. The same principles apply to friendships. In order to thrive, they require care and maintenance.

Find fertile soil. A friend should be someone you choose to have in your life because he or she enriches your experience. Rethink your friendships. Are you expending your energy in all the wrong places?

Add sunlight. Make your friend a priority in your life. Even with hectic schedules you can get together to exercise or meet for a quick cup of coffee. Keep in touch by phone and e-mail.
It takes time and energy.

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Plant seeds. Establish a strong foundation by indicating in word and deed that you will be there for your friend, through thick and thin. Most important, make it safe for your friend to share innermost thoughts with you by always keeping confidences.

Proverbs 17:17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Fertilize. Don’t take the individual or your friendship for granted. Friendship is something you must earn each day.

Water. Always be generous with praise and cautious with criticism. Applaud successes, and do your best to be a good listener.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Weed. When you have a disagreement, try to see things from your friend’s point of view. Choose your words carefully, as it is hard to take back things said in anger. If you are wrong, swallow your pride and apologize.

When we plant a tree, we take care of that plant from the smallest stage of growth. We not only nurture that plant with water, air and fertilizers, but also protect it from any damage. Friendship is one such plant. One has to take care of friends, as one takes care of the plants, one grows.Most of us take friendship for granted. We believe that friends are always there, whenever we need them.
Make a quick list of all your good friends.
How many of them have been friends for more than 5 years? If you don’t have many long term friends you need to question how you value your friends.
Now write the date, when you last communicated with them in anyway.
When did you last meet them?
When did last share meal with them?
When did you send them a gift?

This exercise will give you clues about anything that needs to be done by you to nurture friendship. Value your friendship by nurturing it on a regular basis. Meeting friends regularly, finding about what may be bothering them, sending them small gifts over intervals, sharing jokes with them, asking them for a movie together, and so many other things can help us make our friendship bond stronger.

Why You Need to Be Aware of Who You're Associating With
Friends should be there to support you and to enrich your life. If they’re bringing you down, it’s time to move on. The people you choose to surround yourself with should also be great spirits who inspire you to be the absolute best you can be.

Be aware of who you are associating with. If you're around negative people all the time very likely you will find that you start to think this way too. If you're with positive, excited to be alive people, that will rub off on you. It's an easy way to build confidence just by being aware of what kind of people you surround yourself with. Unhealthy friendships take a lot of energy and really just aren't worth it.


Proverbs 12:26A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Do you have unhealthy friendships? Not Sure? Ask yourself this question right after you have spent some time with someone:
"Do I feel better or worse than I did before?"


How many times have you spent time with someone only to feel completely drained afterwards? Or you find that they’re constantly putting you down even if it’s very subtle how they do it?

Do you have an unhealthy friendship. Ask yourself does he or she...
consistently hurt your feelings?
chip away at your self-esteem?
spoil happy times with a bad attitude?
make you feel physically or emotionally ill?
waste your time by not showing up or calling when they said they would?
consume your time and energy by sucking you into their dramas and bad habits?
demand too much of your time and or try to limit your contact with others?
offer friendship only at their convenience and express little interest in what's going on in your life?
get in the way of your personal, emotional and spiritual growth?

If your friendships are unhealthy you need to consider ending the friendship. Be honest with your friend (but compassionate) about your reasons. It could be the best thing you could do for them.

Animals in the womb

With Andrea being due it September, these photos are are of more interest than usual to me. There is one of a dolphin, a dog, and an elephant, all in the womb.

Wanganui

Andrea and I had a great time Saturday and Sunday in Wanganui. Saturday was a combined event with youth from Palmerston North, Wanganui, and New Plymouth. We started with a raft race (which was hilarious to watch) and then had a rally in the evening. There is such a great sense of unity in the West Coast region and so refreshing to see such a commitment to serving each other.

Sunday morning I had the privilege of speaking at Faith City Church led by Pastors Iliafi and Fia Esera. They have been doing such an amazing work in Wanganui for a long time now, steadily building a strong, healthy church. They are such a great example of a releasing church. Their pastors are released to help build the movement and to minister nationally and internationally, and people are released to minister such as Dennis and Caroline Isaacs being sent to pastor a church in Kaipoi. It's all about being kingdom minded.

Leading with Love

Heard from Pastor Luka Robertson last night at a New Generation Dessert night. One of the most challenging things, I thought, was the need for a fresh revelation of God's love for the people we lead. How are we treating the people God has entrusted to us? How am I loving them?

It was a great reminder of our responsibility as leaders to lead by loving and serving.

Living with Tecnology 2

Internet

For some teens hanging out with friends often means "just sitting and watching each other talk online." Sometimes they make definite plans to actually do something in person, like going to a movie. But mostly their friendships are online. Technology is so integrated into teens' lives that it's difficult to measure where their offline life begins and their online life ends. On average, teens say they spend almost three hours a day on the Internet on a typical day.For many teens, checking MySpace or Facebook is the first and last thing they do each day.

Disadvantages

Some sites are a portal into an adult world that you many not want them to have. You can be exposed to pornography, forms of sexual activity that you find abhorrent, and discussions about drug use and alcohol parties.

All too often, many teens do not set sensible limits for how much information to share. They put themselves in danger by giving out too much personal information and communicating with strangers online.

Due to the anonymity of social networking sites, you can develop a false sense of security, making them vulnerable to enticement to meet strangers in person.

Youth are more readily exposed to inappropriate content and misinformation about things in life. There can be a false validation of certain behaviour.

Some people post inappropriate content, such as pictures from a drinking party, postings about taking drugs, real or invented sexual activity, or gossip about school peers. These kinds of behaviours can have serious consequences, like expulsion from school or difficulty later in life when the sites are reviewed by prospective employers or college admission officers.
This notion of teens being in touch all the time, anytime, is striking. This constant contact can result in increased peer pressure and relational issues.

Advantages

Adolescence is a time for exploration and experimentation. Social networking sites offer a forum for teens to express themselves in creative ways, allowing them to try on different hats.

For shy teens or those who don’t have many friends, social networking sites can provide an outlet to meet other kids their own age who have similar interests.

By looking at your children’s an/or friends’ sites you can gain a sense of who they really are and how they perceive themselves.

Wise Internet use:

Limit time spent online, and put computers in a common area of the house so you can more easily monitor use.

Be clear and consistent about what is off limits — including Web sites, chat rooms, games, blogs, or certain music downloads — and how to handle information promoting drugs or sex. Discuss consequences for breaking the rules.

Become tech savvy. Teens Internet spaces are living diaries of their own an their friends, activities, and whereabouts.

Visit each others profiles and blogs - help each other out., Review your teen’s profile, pictures, video, and music uploads. Also check out the links that your teen includes on his/her page. These will give you a candid view of his/her thoughts on issues like drugs and dating as well as an inside glimpse of your teen’s friends and activities. Check out his/her “network,” as well, and what type of information is on his/her friends’ sites.

Remember that the Internet is public space and anyone, including college admissions offices, potential employers, and even predators, can see what they’re posting online. Talk to your teen about not posting personally identifiable information or regrettable pictures/videos and information.

Be wary of web information. There is a lot of misinformation on the web
Subscribe to an internet monitor such as covenant eyes.

Christchurch Dessert Night

Had a great time last night with Youth Leaders from the Worship Centre as well as the Fijian and Samoan churches. There was such a great sense of unity. I love it that we can get together from various churches and encourage each other. I spoke on how we can increase our influence. I have had a great few days meeting with Dave and Jackie Sampson in Nelson and Deon January in from Lower Hutt but I can't wait to get home to see Andrea and hang out with our little baby (even though it isn't born yet!)

Living with Technology 1

Mobile Phones

There are very few parents in New Zealand who are not already aware of how profound the impact of this technology is. From seeing students chatting on the phone as they stroll along to school, to having kids texting at the dinner table, the impact of mobile phones on many Kiwi families is readily apparent.

An increasing number of countries, particularly in Europe, now have more mobile phones than people. According to the figures from Eurostat, the European Union's in-house statistical office, Luxembourg had the highest mobile phone penetration rate at 158 mobile subscriptions per 100 people (158%), closely followed by Lithuania and Italy. In Hong Kong the penetration rate reached 139.8% of the population in July 2007. The U.S. currently has the mobile phone penetration rate of 81%. There are over five hundred million active mobile phone accounts in China, as of 2007, but the total penetration rate there still stands below 50%. The total number of mobile phone subscribers in the world was estimated at 2.14 billion in 2005. The subscriber count reached 2.7 billion by end of 2006 according to Informa and 3.3 billion by November, 2007, thus reaching an equivalent of over half the planet's population. Around 80% of the world's population enjoys mobile phone coverage as of 2006. This figure is expected to increase to 90% by the year 2010

A recent Telecom survey found that:
1 in 5 would prefer to lose a finger than permanently lose their mobile
More than 50% would not stop using their mobiles for less than a $1 million
One third would need $5 million to get rid of their mobile

Of 12 to 19 year olds in one survey:
73% have phones
16% have 2 phones
41 % have no idea how much they spend
39% have used a phone for a fight
23% have received offensive or pornographic material

Disadvantages
People text things they would never be comfortable saying
The evidence is still be collected on the link between cell phone use and brain tumours. There are major concerns about the effect of cell phones on developing brains (ie those under 18)
Cell phones affect sperm quality (guys, don’t keep them in your pocket!)
Text messaging allows encourages secretiveness, especially with teenagers.
Too often, cell phone use and driving are dangerously combined.

Advantages
Cell phones offer a convenient method to stay connected with friends and family
Text messaging is great for dropping quick, short notes, especially when there’s a lot of surrounding noise.


Healthy Use of phones
1. Keep phone in open area where anyone can have a look at it.
2. Have a break, turn it off for a while. Keep the message notification on silent.
3. Texting is not a substitute for conversation! If you want to talk with someone, call them or visit them. Don’t become socially disengaged!
4. Be careful who you give your number to.
5. If you get a message from an unknown number don’t reply.
6. Tell someone if you are getting unwanted texts

Virtual Rugby

My first week of picks was superb, topping the table. My second week abysmal. Oh how pride comes before a fall. So I am in the middle of the table and need a good weekend.

Revival

In a book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire Jim Cymbala writes "I despaired that my life might pass me by without seeing God move mightily on my behalf."

Great thought!

Communication Guide

This is a handy communication guide for every husband.

DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.

New Season

A new season of rugby is about to kick off. With hopes and dreams shattered last year in both the Super 14 and the World Cup, and a dismal showing by Counties Manukau in the Air Pacific Cup, this year holds new hope. My heart is already buoyed by the 7's team and I am hoping for a good show by Auckland this year. I'm going to the game Saturday night. I have my Uncle's season tickets! That's grace and favour right there!!

Worship

I was just helping Phil Maxwell, our Youth Band Leader, prepare a message on worship for our High School ministry and came across this thought which I thought was great:



St. Francis of Assisi once said: “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words”.

Evangelism is a lifestyle: it’s not a class, it’s not a program, it is not a chore or a hassle. It is an absolute discipline of devotion and love that comes from a heartfelt response to the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s a “given” for one who has been redeemed from the pit of hell. It may take many forms, but evangelism is a most natural response for the believer to tell others about what Christ has done in your life!


This idea can be extended to illustrate a very relevant principle in terms of worship:
“Worship at all times; if necessary, use music”.

Worship is not a programmme!

Worship is not a plan or a performance.

Worship is not a given set or style of music! Worship is a heart-felt response to a Saviour who has healed, delivered and forgiven us!