My thoughts on last night's election

I have never written anything related to politics before. I don't really consider myself to be overly interested in the subject, but I do feel the need to express my thoughts on what happened last night, just to get it out of my system.

The fact is I was dispointed with the election results. From my perspective it's harder to imagine things going much worse. In our local electorate, Michael Ferguson was defeated. I beleive this is a tragic and devestating loss to Northern Tasmania. Someone like Mr. Ferguson does not come along very often, and he will be sorely missed. He is a man who is vey open and un-ashamed of his Christian faith, yet expresses it with a gentleness and wisdom that earns him the respect of those who do not follow Jesus. He has strong convictions which he does not compromise. He is a compassionate man, and one who in my opinion had the leadership gifts necessary for the job of representing Bass.

On the national scene, we now have a new prime minister. I do not like the Labour Party, but if we must have a Labour government, Kevin Rudd seems to me the best leader they have had to offer, as far back as I can remember. He identifies himself as a follower of Jesus, which gives me hope and confidence. Something I noticed about him during the last few months, that I did respect was the fact that he didn't always disagree with Mr. Howard just for the sake of opposition. If there was an issue where he agreed with the government, he openly supported them. As for Mr. Howard, I hope he is remembered as a great leader who did a lot of good for Australia. I have certainly appreciated him over the years and I pay him honour.

The other thing that worries me is the apparent increase in support gained by the Greens. The more influence the Greens get, the more concerned for our country's future I become. I admire the stand they take for what they beleive in, but i find myself disagreeing with almost everything they stand for.

It's going to be a new and interesting time for Australia. What I need to do now, is give our new Prime Minister the same respect that I have always wished people would have shown to Mr. Howard.

Ultimately, the country is in the hands of God, not politicians.

Lifesong Devotional - Lifesong.

In their album Lifesong, Casting Crowns have included several Bible passages with each song, along with a challenge to further investigate what the Bible says about the themes of the various songs. I have decided to take up their challenge. I have studied the passages that they included with their title track, Lifesong [1], and included my thoughts from each.

Worship is more than music. Our life should be a song to God that glorifies His name. If our life doesn't match what we sing, then the song is meaningless.

Matthew 15:8-9
The pharisees were honouring God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him. Their worship was in vain and was not really worship at all. As Rob Bell might put it, "Their lives were not in tune with God's song". [2]

Matthew 23:25-28
The Parisees were more concerned with appearing Holy than actually being Holy. They cleaned their outside but inside were dirty. This is why Jesus called them hypocrites. Do we worship at church for appearances? Do we raise our hands so people will think we are spiritual? It's all in the motives.

Galatians 2:20
If we are saved then our life is no longer our own. Our old self has been crucified with Christ. Now it is Him who lives in us. Now if our life is Christ's and He lives in us, then by definition, our life must be lived in worship of and service to God. It is His life afterall.

Colossians 3:17
Everything we do in life - word or deed, is to be done in Jesus' name. This verse makes everything we do in life - big or small - an act of worship. Nothing is exempt. Nothing is too insignificant. God is glorified when we do the ordinary for Him. The spiritual is inseperable from the physical. We do it all for Him, thanking Him while doing it.

Lord, this life is yours. It is a gift from you. All I have I owe to you. Every good thing in my life is a gift from you. Thankyou that you value me enough to take an interest in my life. May my life - all of it - be lived as an expression of love, gratitude and worship to you.

May my lifesong sing to you.

[1] Lifesong. Written by Mark Hall. Performed by Casting Crowns. © 2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (SMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing.)

[2] In the short film NOOMA® Rhythm, Rob Bell compares God to a song, and descries how when we are living in a way that is concistent with God's teachings and honouring to Him, we are 'in tune' with the song; but when our life does not match what we believe, we are 'out of tune'.

What the Bible says about Compassion

As mentioned in a previous post, I have been planning to conduct a biblical review on the subject of Compassion. Having had a bit of a look at what the Bible says on the subject, I have come up with the following. This is by no means a complete description of compassion, but some thoughts worth pondering.

The nature of Compassion

Compassion is mindful of other's needs. It is generous.
Exodus 22:27
Compassion never abandons
Nehemiah 9:19, Psalm 103:13, Psalm 112:4, Psalm 145:9
Compassion leads to provision for physical needs
Isaiah 49:10, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 15:32
Compassion goes hand-in-hand with both mercy and grace.
Exodus 33:19, Deuteronomy 13:17, Psalm 51:1, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15

God's compassion for us:

Repentance leads to outpooring of God's compassion
Deuteronomy 30:2-4, Judges 2:18, 2 Chronicles 30:9
Compassion leads to forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32
God excercises compassion even during judgement
Deuteronomy 32:36

Our compassion for others

We are instructed to be compassionate
Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 3:8
We are instructed to "cloth ourselves" with compassion
Colossians 3:12

Of course studying what the Bible has to say about compassion, without looking for ways to put it into action in our lives is of little use. I think a characteristic like compassion should effect not only the big things such as fighting world poverty, but also the little things, such as the way we interact with people in our daily lives.

Let's try putting it into practice.

Back From NSW

I have spent the last two weeks on holiday in New South Wales, visiting family. It was a good time (apart from all four of us getting gastro. I was able to meet some new family members and visit some cool churches.

I have returned feeling refreshed an enthusiastic about life. Linda and I have some new ministry oppertunities coming up as we have been asked to be a part of the new Young Adults ministry at church, which is very exciting. We are thinking and praying through some ideas of how we can be involved.

The future looks interesting for our family.