Gone Baby, Gone.

I watched this movie the other night . For those who haven’t seen it let me give you a brief synopsis.  A mother reports her daughter missing, presumed kidnapped. Her parents turn to a private investigator to aid the police investigation. As the story progresses it turns out the mother is actually a drug addict who was stole money from a drug dealer, and neglected the child in a very bad way. In the end the kidnapping was an elaborate plot by a policeman who had lost a child, and did not want to see this one die because of neglect and involvement in the drug world. The policeman loved, and cared for the girl very deeply. But those who found out the truth found themselves in a rock and hard place. On the one hand the girl was in a good place, and well cared for, away from the drug scene, and potential future problems. But on the other hand, the policeman had broken the law, and stolen this girl from her mother, her rightful and legal guardian.

I would not wish the situation on anyone but it did get me thinking. What would you do in this situation? Would you let the girl stay and live a good life with her new parents, or would you take her back to her mother? Does the greater good make something right? Does the end justify the means?

In the end the girl was taken back to her mother.  But what do you think should have happened?

Melancholy

I have melancholic leanings. Some people call it happily sad. I call it a longing. You see I realised something this morning as I was walking to work from the bus stop. I’ve got a wife, a good job with respect from senior leadership, I’m recording with a band and I’ve got a great overseas holiday coming up later in the year. I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. I’ve had lots of friends and times of few. I’ve done well and done poorly at times. I am a saint who sins. Yet I’ve come to one stark realisation.

Nothing I ever do of my own will ever satisfies. I long for something more than I can accomplish. What I want from life is something it cannot give me. The only thing that has ever satisfied me and given any meaning to my life is my saviour Jesus Christ. Everything I’ve had in life is a gift, and I can enjoy it with the proper perspective. But these things are the end, they are not even a means to an end. They are gifts.

My prayer today is that you enjoy your life, because you only get one and that you would come to know my saviour Jesus Christ who is Lord of all the earth. In him is all the wisdom of God.

Paramore

Ok so last night I spent some time listening to band from Tennesee called Paramore. They did a song for the movie “Twilight”. Really like their style. They’re a punk/emo band with substance. Good hooks and good lyrics.
Last night I found out some of the members are Christian. Which made me like them more. Glad to see that there are Christian bands out there who are still good musicians writing good songs. Anyways check them out, they have some cool videos on their website, and I really dig their songs.

http://www.paramore.net

The Flame of Love – Clark Pinnock

 My New Testament tutor gave me some great advice. Always read widely even if you’re just reading to better understand why you disagree with some people. This is how I feel about Pinnocks award winning book. He is clearly well researched but I disagree with a number of his conclusions.
This book helped me better understand where I disagree with Him and why. But like it or not, Pinnock is still a brother in the Lord and if he calls Jesus Lord, I will follow Pauls advice to Timothy. Avoid Godless chatter and pointless arguments. They only hurt those who listen.

Christianity in Crisis – Hank Hanegraaff

 I tire of books that talk of christianity in peril. Unfortunately with the advent of post modernity these books have come out in force and it saddens me that they are still neccessary. Hanegraaff covers the “Word of Faith” movement otherwise known as the health, wealth and prosperity Gospel.

Having been part of a church that was heavily influenced by this wind of doctrine, it strikes a little close to home. However having been away from those churches for so long gives this book a greater impact.
I was puzzled by some of the downright heretical teachings espoused by those in this “movement”. In fact it some caused me to laugh out loud.

Wright on Justification – God’s plan Paul’s Vision

There is a fantastic IVP Author interview with N.T. Wright on his new book “Justification – God’s plan and Paul’s vision”. You can read it here.
Well worth reading. I’m currently reading his “For Everyone” commentary on Acts.

Suffering of the Early Church & Christians today

In my New Testament class forum I read one of the clearest expositions of the persecution of the early church & being a Christian today. I thought this post was excellent!

What did they do that caused them suffering? They proclaimed another King- Jesus – and that got right up the nose of the Roman Empire as it put them out of a job and also hurt their pride, not because the believers were bad citizens or refused to pay taxes but because they were great citizens. What annoyed the Romans was that Christians weren’t intimidated by them. They tried it and it didn’t work.

The Jewish religious establishment also persecuted the Christians for a similar reason – they wouldn’t play the religious power games any more. They didn’t oppose Judaism or Rome, they just got on and did what Christians are supposed to do – love and serve others and march to the beat of a different drum.

I don’t actually see the early church doing street protests. Their statement was their lifestyle and the way they did power – from a Kingdom not of this world. I don’t want to be persecuted because I’m arrogant and annoying, but I don’t mind if it’s because they can’t stand that my love that speaks so strongly of Jesus they have to cover their ears and throw stones.

So this is what burn-out feels like….

I’ll get right to the point. I’m burnt out. I can’t think straight and I’m exhausted. It’s been a long time coming. Right now I don’t want to see anyone or talk at all. I’m happy to sit and strum my guitarwhile I’m alone. I’m not alone though. My wife has been an incredible support for me thorugh this tough time. It’s all kinda come to a head today.

This is where I’m at

Last night my wife was out at a tupperware party. I don’t know why they call them parties, I suppose you could say it was a gathering to get you to buy more stuff. Anyway I had most of the night to myself and spent most of my time reading Romans. It used to be my favourite book of the Bible. I must have read it through at least 50 times when I was a teenager. But lately I’ve spent so much time in the Gospels that I’ve come to appreciate the narratives of Jesus’ life a lot more. Guys like N.T. Wright and Craig Blomberg have given me so many great insights into the Gospels. You need to read their books. But reading Romans last night was a breath of Fresh air.

Are Spiritual Gifts For Today? (Part 3)

Continuing on today with a look 1 Corinthians 12 and the question of Spiritual gifts. Are they for today? So far we’ve seen nothing in 1 Corinthians 12 that would tell us otherwise. But Paul has definately put a lot more effort into explaining what the gifts are and how they are to be used. I’ll continue with verses 12-31.

¹²The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.