Retreat Reflections

I really appreciated the opportunity to get away for some much-needed personal time out during a relaxing few days away in Torquay last week.

I walked, explored, took photos, prayed and read a few books. Each one contained some timely gems of wisdom and relatively fresh revelation used by God to speak directly into my own faith and ministry journey.

I enjoyed journalling, drinking coffee and reflecting upon these wise words...

I thought I'd highlight just a few key sentences from each book here in this post - I might expand on some ideas and personal applications later.

YOUR MINISTRY'S NEXT CHAPTER - Gary Fenton

"The stages of life require me to change my approach to ministry but not why I do ministry."

"In our youth we see what we are doing for God; but as we grow older we see what God is doing through us."

"Somewhere along the line...we have to own responsibility for the state of our soul - or we run the risk of one day looking into it and finding it empty."

 

LEADING CHARACTER - Dan Allender

"We are to be a character who offers our unique story as a lens for others to better see the life of Jesus."

"Most people will not follow a leader whose life is disconnected from their own story."

"Be prepared to tell the truth about yourself - appropriately, winsomely, age-appropriately, within a context...be prepared to share failures."

MAKING VISION STICK - Andy Stanley

"Stating the vision...people don't remember or embrace paragraphs. They remember and embrace sentences."

"You need to find ways to build vision casting into the rhythm of your organisation."

"Vision drift is slow...leaders must keep their antennae up for new things that have the potential to distract from the main thing."

OVERCOMING YOUR SHADOW MISSION - John Ortberg

"You and I were created to have a mission in life. We were made to make a difference. But if we do not pursue the mission for which God designed and gifted us, we will find a substitute."

"We cannot live in the absence of purpose. Without an authentic mission, we will be tempted to drift on autopilot, to let our lives centre around something that is unworthy, something selfish, something dark - a shadow mission."

GOD'S BOOK - ECCLESIASTES 3:15

"Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past into account."

 

Plenty of food for thought...

Juggling

Definition of 'juggle' (Encarta Dictionary): 

to try to make something fit into a satisfactory pattern or schedule      by careful arranging;

to keep adjusting your grip or stance in order to balance objects       being held;

to keep several objects in motion in the air at the same time by throwing them and catching them in quick succession.

When I was in primary school we had someone come in to try and teach us how to juggle. I can vaguely remember some kind of class instruction session taking place out on the school oval with a group of us being shown how to start juggling using just one ball in one hand (go figure!). We were told to keep our eyes on the ball whilst it was in the air. After a while we progressed to juggling two balls (still using only the one hand) and then some time later we attempted to introduce a third ball into the mix, using both hands.

We had a lot of fun as we attempted to master the art of juggling. For a while there were probably more balls hitting the ground than staying in the air, but eventually, with some practice I can recall that I actually started to get the hang of it…finding some rhythm…keeping my eyes on the balls in the air…not dropping too many, too often.

I think the novelty of trying to perfect this new technique lasted me a few weeks at best. Around home I had a go at juggling three balls and sometimes more, but I soon lost interest – maybe it was because my hands weren’t large enough to hold all the balls properly or that I just couldn’t be bothered practising. Maybe it was simply because I found something more exciting for me to get into.

From time-to-time, I’m reminded of my early attempts of learning how to juggle. I’ve occasionally seen someone performing on one of those TV talent shows, managing to keep a number of balls or bowling pins or flaming torches in the air without dropping any, even as additional items are introduced to the performance. I once watched a guy at a Sydney railway station juggling with working chainsaws whilst perched high on a modified uni-cycle – pretty risky business, but he seemed to know what he was doing and he still had all his limbs!!

In recent months the term ‘juggling’ has become a regular part of my vocabulary; specifically relating to the multiple ministry balls (roles, tasks and people) I’m needing to manage at the moment.

The Lord has been stretching my capacity to serve beyond one or two specified (and familiar) areas of responsibility - He’s introduced a few new ‘balls’. Whilst I’m certainly up for the challenge, I’m becoming ever so conscious of having to concentrate intently just to keep my eyes on the (right) balls; not wanting to drop any.

The challenge not to drop the ball extends beyond my vocational commitments. There are other people in my life I care deeply for – they also deserve my focused attention. There’s my immediate family and my extended family. There are those ministry partners who faithfully support me in my calling. There’s my local church involvement. And, of course, there’s my relationship with Jesus.  

Consequently I’m finding the need to make some adjustments to help maintain focus and balance.

One such adjustment has been to lower my own expectations of myself. I find this difficult as by nature I’m a perfectionist -  I’m into doing things right and I like to be well organised!  I need to accept the reality that there is a limit to what I can achieve (even in God’s strength) each day.

The words of Moses (he was a juggler!) found in Psalm 90 speak to me in this regard;

 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  Ps 90:12

Another adjustment I’ve been learning to make has been about what I say ‘yes’ to, when I have the opportunity to make a choice.

And yet another adjustment has to do with maintaining a reasonable degree of margin in my schedule, even when life is hectic.

With this in mind, I've intentionally carved out some personal retreat time for these next few days.

I’ll be heading down the coast, alone. I need to set aside my regular juggling routine to simply ‘be’.  

I’m desperate for some uninterrupted, unhurried time with God. I want to wait on Him. I’m asking Him to restore my soul. I’m hopeful that through this time I will gain some fresh perspective - maybe even some fresh revelation.

No doubt, my juggling ‘act of service’ will continue once I return from my retreat; but at least for a few days I can appreciate the opportunity of not having to worry too much about dropping any balls.

I will close this post with a few questions to ponder;

1. How many 'balls' are you presently juggling - can you name them?

2. What can you do to ensure you keep your eyes on each ball?

3. Can you identify any adjustments required to maintain balance? 

"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15,16

blank canvas

"Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”    James 4;13-15 NLT

As part of my recent 50th birthday celebrations my wife Judy designed a creative visual display entitled; ‘Five decades of life.’ She obtained five large blank canvas frames and on each one she attached a variety of photos and statements that highlighted  some key personal memories from each of the decades I have been alive.

The display came up really well and proved an interesting talking point at my birthday party - it even generated a few laughs!

After the party one of our children, Tim, said something interesting – I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Tim said; “If someone had a canvas for each decade of their life, I wonder if they’d be willing to leave the next canvas blank before God, not knowing what would happen?”

Quite profound, don’t you think?

Tim’s question brings to mind the theme of consecration.

From a biblical perspective, when used in the Old Testament, to consecrate a specific person or item meant to devote, separate, set apart or make that person or item  holy (ie for God and His purposes). In the New Testamant, consecrate means to make perfect, to make new.

I am incredibly challenged by M.H. Miller’s brilliant definition of consecration;

“Consecration is handing God a blank sheet to fill in with your name signed at the bottom.”

That’s a lot like giving God a blank canvas; allowing Him to cover it with whatever He so chooses…

In reality, none of us knows what’s ahead. With spiritual hindsight, I can certainly testify to the very tangible evidence of God having been working in my life; across the years; across the decades.

As a person of faith, and based on my own experience of God to date, I am certain that He is still working – he hasn’t finished with me just yet. My life is in His hands. He is faithful. He has a plan. He knows what’s ahead. He can be trusted.

As I begin to contemplate the next decade of my life I guess the main question for me at the moment is; “Will I continue to trust Him?” Am I prepared to ‘sign off’ on the blank canvas that is my life moving forward, allowing God to fill it in as He so chooses, when He so chooses..?

Today I reflected and prayed about this using the words of Frances Havergal’s wonderful old hymn, Take my life and let it be.

Perhaps this will be your prayer as well…

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use

every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Chris Tomlin performs a great version of this song

Turning 50.

On Friday the 1st of July I will turn 50…I have to say that it’s quite sobering to accept that I have been alive for five decades or half a century…the “seniors” jokes have already begun!!

For some time now my family and I have been considering how to best celebrate this milestone. Having lived in various Australian cities (Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and currently Melbourne) has meant that I have been blessed to know so many people from a variety of backgrounds - people I count as genuine friends - people whom God has used to shape, speak into and enrich my life in so many ways.

To help mark the occasion, Judy and I have decided to return with our children to my family roots, in South Australia, where we will be hosting a celebration afternoon tea in a little seaside town called Port Elliot, about an hour South of Adelaide. This is a place rich with memories from annual Summer holiday adventures during my childhood & teenage years. At this stage it looks like 50-60 adults and children will be joining us for the day – looking forward to it!

Whilst preparing for the upcoming Port Elliot celebration I have been looking over some old photos – I’ve really enjoyed doing this and have found it a helpful memory-jogger, bringing to mind a diverse collection of people, places and experiences that have served as markers in my life-journey thus far. I’ve appreciated re-visiting memories including my childhood birthdays (and cakes!), my first car, the development of my relationship with Judy, our wedding day, our first home, our travels around Australia together with the safe arrival of each of our four children into the world.

I’ve also had fun compiling a collection of my all-time favourite songs and artists from years gone by – not a bad soundtrack at all!

In thinking back over the years (and as I prepare to give the obligatory birthday speech) I can readily identify a few key themes, life-lessons and scriptures that have been significant and formational.

Here’s what I’ve been gleaning;

HERITAGE

“Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance - all who seek the LORD. Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined.” Isaiah 59:1

“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

Put simply, family matters! Our Family of Origin matters – we can’t live in the past, but the past lives on - we ignore it and it’s significance at our peril. Our Godly, Christian heritage also matters – it needs to be appreciated, embraced and perpetuated through the present day and into the future.

COUNT

"Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.” Psalm 90:12

It’s important to retain a sober judgement concerning the brevity of life – aiming to walk in thankfulness, living in such a way as to count every day and make every day count – not wasting time, opportunities or experiences.

PURPOSE

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1

God wants my heart and therefore my life to be aligned with His heart and His Kingdom purposes and assignments. I need to guard against drift and be careful not to be so easily distracted from who and what really matters in life – living intently with God-given, God-honouring purpose.

INVEST

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done…so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”      Psalm 78; 4&6

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2

Don’t live only for the moment and what is seen today. Be a good and wise steward of all that is placed in my hands. Be prepared to count the cost of sowing into and helping to shape what is yet to come, especially through the people entrusted to me.

A.S.K.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

I want to demonstrate a growing child-like (as opposed to a child-ish) faith – even at 50 years of age! I need to continue to learn that it’s okay to ask others and God for help as needed. When it comes to prayer, I need to demonstrate a willingness to persist over time until an answer is received.

REMAIN

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

One final recurring theme for my life has been the importance of remaining (abiding) in Jesus. I need to be prepared to do whatever it takes to stay intimately connected to Jesus, THE Source of life, hope and peace. Meaningful and consistent practices of faith need to be…practiced. I need to be careful not to strive in my own strength or ability. I need to trust God’s pruning in my life.

I will close this post with some words I recently came across from Corrie Ten Boom - they really resonate with me, especially after 50 years of life. She said; “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration but its donation." Reminds me of something Jesus once said about losing your life to find it.

Nurture AND Mission

"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come."  Matthew 24:14

Our local church has been working through a Sunday morning sermon series about the Practices of Faith. In recent months we’ve considered practices such as prayer, bible-reading, fasting, communion, study, testimony and more. This week I had the opportunity to speak about the topic of Mission as another essential faith-practice of God’s people.

The term missio Dei informs me that mission is God’s idea, first. The Designer of the universe is a missionary God – mission is an essential part of His character and purposes. It is God’s intention that mankind (as a vital part of his entire creation) be lovingly restored to a place of wholeness, of renewed identity, of meaning and hope and fullness of life; all within the context of relationship to God and one another.

God initiates mission, seen ultimately through the sending of His Son Jesus to dwell amongst people on earth. Whilst mission is God’s idea, first, God wants the church to join Him on mission. God includes His people in His missionary assignments, all across the world.

The place of nurture in mission.

It is my observation and strong conviction that seated in our regular Sunday church services are essentially TWO types of people - there are people who predominantly have a heart for nurture, and, there are those who predominantly have a heart for mission.

Christians with a heart for nurture want to shepherd, teach and support those people of faith in their midst – they are burdened to play their part in contributing to the maturing process of God’s people, seeing them raised up in the ways of Jesus.

People with a heart for mission are compelled to do whatever it takes to take and tell the good news of Jesus to those people who are yet to hear the message and know Jesus personally, beyond the ‘walls’ of the established church. 

Nurture and Mission - I think each of us as Christians tend to lean more towards one more than the other. I wonder which expression best describes your own heart, experience and passion?         

It is also my conviction that for any local church or ministry environment to be healthy and well integrated (alignment with God’s heart, God’s purposes, God’s rhythm of life) then it is important to explore and practice meaningful and active expressions of both types of ministry. I don't think it's a choice between nurture or mission, but rather, it's about persuing nurture and mission, together.

So, something that could be helpful for a local faith community to do sometime would be to firstly identify where people are individually at (heart for nurture?, heart for mission?), and secondly, identify where any existing expressions of ministry are at. Then, next, the church/ministry can determine to align the right people with the right ministry pursuits, including any new initiatives.

Wouldn't it be great if those Christians with a heart for nurture were empowered to be proactive in nurturing those directly involved in the hands-on expression of mission? In other words, people who love to nurture others can actively support those on-mission (locally or cross-culturally) through prayer, finances, encouragement and advocacy.

Furthermore, people with a heart for nurture could then be further championed to provide support, encouragement, modelling and instructiion for any new or young believers in the practises of faith, including those people introduced into the Family of God through any missional initiatives.

The bible tells me that our God is indeed a missionary God and that He has commissioned His people to be a blessing to all peoples, across His world. May God help us and our churches to be wise and creative in how we go about practising nurture and mission, together.

"Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”  Revelation 15:4

Sacred seasons, symbols & significance

As you may be aware, I’ve recently returned home from Youth Ministries Australia’s Immerse Thailand Mission Project, based in and around Korat in Northeast Thailand.

Our team concluded our Thailand adventures by participating in the first day of the Songkran new year water festival – it’s certainly a unique and colourful event, running from 13-15 April during the Summer (hot-dry) holiday season right across the Country.

Songkran appears (at least from my perspective) to be one crazy, all-in, non-stop National water fight – people of all ages seem to get involved; they use buckets, hoses and super-soakers to saturate anyone and everyone. People parade the streets by foot, ute, truck, bus and motorbike and there are definitely no water restrictions!!

Songkran raises a few questions for me and I’m interested to understand more about the symbolism and background of this festival.

The use of water in Songkran is indeed symbolic – it represents the process of purification and cleansing through the washing away of any misfortunes and evils from the past year, welcoming in the new year with a fresh, clean start.

Thanksgiving is also a central cultural value of Songkran. This is demonstrated in ceremonies such as the bathing of Buddha statues and the pouring of perfumed water over the hands of elders and respected individuals. I personally experienced this hand-watering custom following a local church service during our time in Korat.

During Songkran there is a traditional custom of ‘spring cleaning’ in temples and some family homes. Also included is merit-making and offering food and alms to monks. People wear brightly coloured floral shirts and there is the hands-on application of white floury paste/powder across people’s faces as a sign of protection, warding off evil.

My limited research tells me there is indeed significant spiritual meaning and tradition associated with Songkran; something I suspect that may be lost amongst the younger generations throughout Thailand who seem more intent on having some extreme fun with water-throwing, loud music, alcohol consumption, late nights and other exploits…I can’t help thinking that for so many this festival is spiritually shallow.

*     *     *      *      *      *     *

With the experience of Songkran fresh in my mind, I’m now back at home with an Australian Easter long-weekend closing in – a distinctly different season with its own sense of spiritual meaning, traditions and symbolism.

I wonder what a predominantly unchurched, non-Christian Aussie society sees as the most important symbols of Easter..?

I expect many would see a few days off work and the opportunity to get away and hang out with family and friends as sacred (well, maybe they wouldn’t use the term ‘sacred’). Many Aussie children would undoubtedly identify chocolate eggs and rabbits plus hot cross buns as being significant symbols.

I know my own family certainly appreciates the chocolate and hot cross bun treats we can enjoy at Easter – there’s always an abundance to choose from!!

But, I also know that my family appreciates the deeper spiritual significance of Easter as a time when we can especially remember and reflect upon the death and resurrection of Jesus.

On Wednesday evening we will celebrate a ‘last supper’ family communion time at home – we’ll sit around a candlelit table together. We’ll read God’s Word. We’ll say some prayers. It will be a quiet and meaningful shared experience.

There are several simple yet significant symbols featured during this sacred time; unleavened bread and cups of grape juice. Christians the world over will relate to them, as has been the case for many generations.

These symbols communicate to us the deep truths of what Easter is really about…and it’s something we can remember during any season of the year.

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” Luke 22:19

“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” Luke 22:20

Experiencing God in Thailand part 2

“I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4b                                                                                                    
What a wonder-full week we’ve shared at this year’s Immerse Thailand English Camp in Khao Yai…undeniably an inspiring and transformational experience for so many!

As has been the case in previous years, we have seen God’s hand at work. The young Thai leadership team have stepped up their involvement and are obviously maturing in their faith and their desire to serve. Around 100 or so Thai students attended camp, plus a combined team of 30+ leaders, all mostly volunteers. Approx 30% of students were Christians coming into the camp. The Family of God had welcomed more children into the fold by end of camp!

This year’s camp saw us pilot a new Immerse (Story of God) program YMA is developing, framed around the 'Presence’ story episode (life and ministry of Jesus). It has been a lot of work, seemed to flow quite well, with valuable insights gained for how to improve this, especially from a cross-cultural perspective. The Thai team did an awesome job in providing all the necessary creative resources to compliment the program.

Yesterday the YMA team shared an affirming time reflecting about the camp at a local Korat coffee shop.

One of the questions we addressed was;

“During your time at Immerse what stands out as a defining moment for your experience?”

Here’s a summary of some of the personal responses from our team;

*The Thursday evening response time – witnessing a powerful expression of both established and new Christian young people drawn together into an authentic community of faith.

*everyone’s an ‘expert’ – God uses everyone; whatever age, experience, maturity or ethnic background.

*seeing God move in the heart of our (Christian) camp translator, who was deeply impacted by the servanthood of young Thai leaders and the demonstrated commitment of a young generation rising up to make a difference for Jesus in their own country.

*”Kingdom of the forgotten” experience – Thai students testifying to how they could relate their story to the stories of broken people from within their culture. Then, observing the sensitive way the Thai leaders affirmed these students as people, lovingly bringing God’s perspective into each life narrative.

*Blessed by the spirit of love and compassion of the young Thai team, especially evident during daily team devotion times.

*To observe the obvious growth amongst the emerging Thai leaders (from last year) – many are still such young Christians yet they are being mobilised into practical service and thriving in it.

We praise God for the work He is doing here in Thailand. And, we’re thankful for the support offered from His people back in Australia - today the YMA team will share with God’s people by ‘doing church’ in several contexts…this promises to provide yet another rich taste of Christian community with God moving in our midst.

“I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed."      
Isaiah 46:13a