Death at Christmas

The last week or so has seen tragedy come to our beautiful Australian shores- we've turned on the news and seen the Lindt cafe siege, where two were killed, 8 children murdered in sunny Cairns and then on a global scale, we've seen 132 children in Pakistan slaughtered. It causes us to hug our babies tighter and question- how could these things happen, particularly at this time of year?

Often when we look at beautiful Christmas cards and nativity scenes, we think Christmas is meant to be peaceful- after all isn't it about Peace, Love, Hope and all things good? We forget. Jesus came with pain and heartache and turbulence filled the Jewish world sometime during the first 2 years of Jesus' life. Over 2000 years ago, a similar slaughter of innocent children took place. Herod, in his fear for loss of power, commanded the annihilation of thousands of Hebrew baby boys. Fear and wailing would have resounded across the land. 

Yet I find comfort. As I read John 1:1-5, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." What a beautiful hope! Despite death and turmoil crowding onto the pages of history surrounding that first Christmas, we see that in Jesus was LIFE and it is this LIFE that is our LIGHT. We see in Jesus a light that cannot be quenched- the dark things of this world can not overcome it.

As our world sometimes seems to be a very dark place, we can stand firm and find strength and comfort in Jesus: the Light he is and the Life he brings. 

Let me leave you with the beautiful words penned by Martin Luther's, "A Mighty Fortress is our God"

1	A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing;  (Bulwark- defensive wall) Our Helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
2	Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name,  (Sabaoth- Lord of Heaven and Hosts) From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
3	And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
4	That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.

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New Book Review: The Measure of Success by McCulley and Shank

So, I've started working through my Christmas holiday reading list. Hoping to have some reviews coming up on the site soon. The first book I've just finished reading is "The Measure of Success" by Carolyn McCulley and Nora Shank. I found it very helpful. Check the review out here.

What is on your Christmas reading list?

What Christmas Means to Me

Our family love music. It has been a bit of a heritage really- growing up my family and that of my wider family- my cousins, aunties and uncles could often be found around my grandmother's piano and my uncles' guitars singing. When I became part of Dave's family, I quickly realised music was a big part of their life too. Dave's dad quickly educated me on music such as Ray Charles and now with my mothering meaning I am a little removed from current music charts, a visit to Dave's dad will often rectify this as he shares the music he is currently listening to.  

We have continued to enjoy music in our little family. Before bed our children are often found crowded on Dave's lap, listening and watching music clips on YouTube. This tradition makes our Miss 3 want to eat her whole dinner (most of the time) as she wants to watch YouTube with Daddy and our little man (10 months today) has also just started bopping along and clapping to the music. 

One of our latest favourites is the acapella group Pentatonix. Here is "What Christmas Means to Me," a song we have enjoyed watching that helps us get excited about Christmas. 

One evening, as we were listening along, I started to think though- at our heart what does Christmas really mean to us? Here, the song and group reinforce the message that Christmas is about enjoying family and presents. We too perpetuate this message- we shop for pressies, we learn new recipes for our family to enjoy eating, we decorate the house to help us get excited and make things look festive and pretty. Like any girl, I love pretty and glittering things. But is there anything wrong with this? I think celebrating family and enjoying giving is a great thing to do: I love it! But if our celebration of Christmas becomes more about celebrating family and gifts, haven't we missed the point?

Why Do We Give?

In the article, "Christmas Spending is a Test of Your Treasure" by David Mathis on DesiringGod, Mathis prompts us to look at our heart motives as we spend money this Christmas. Mathis reminds us that just as our Heavenly Father is generous in giving us the gift of his Son, it is important that we too are generous. At the core of Mathis' article is a reminder to question our hearts when we give- are we giving sacrificially? Are we giving to bless others? Are we giving because we know it is expected? Are we giving to show others how clever we are at finding the right gift, or to show our financial status? Are we giving because we are trying to fill a void in our lives? or are we giving to glorify God and celebrate his blessings firstly in his Son and then in the provisions he showers upon us? As Mathis says: 

"God made us for rhythms and cadences, for feasting and fasting, for noise and crowds and silence and solitude. There is some help, even if minimal, in identifying and naming the extremes of sustained opulence and austerity. We need a place for both financial feasting and fasting. We should abhor the prosperity gospel, and not be snookered by stinginess masquerading as Christian stewardship, and beware that running up large credit-card debt is likely giving beyond our means."

As we shop this year, gathering our gifts from near and far, as Mathis suggests, I will take a moment to ask "What desire am I trying to fulfill? Is this for private comfort, or gospel advance, or expressing love to a friend or family member?" (Mathis)

Treasuring God in Our Traditions

Noel Piper, the wife of John Piper, has written a book that is available for free download here, titled "Treasuring God in Our Traditions" (2003, Crossway). In this book, Noel Piper shares the importance of creating traditions that honour and glorify God. She writes how important it is for us to plan our "celebrations of a world-shaking event like God being born a baby so that we can be reborn as his children." (2003, p.76).  This year, with our Miss 3 able to understand more of what is going on, I really want to be intentional about honouring God and his gift of Jesus. Noel Piper encourages us to recognise the importance of this gift, "We are a people of promise. For centuries God prepared people for the coming of his Son, our only hope for life. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfilment of the promises God made—that he would make a way to draw near to him." (2003, p.76).  As we have tried to be intentional in this nativity period, we have been reading the Nativity Story from a children's Bible each evening and opening an advent calendar square (with accompanying chocolate). Noel Piper also suggests traditions could include advent candles, an advent calendar that tells the Nativity story and nativity crèches that children can play with and that can decorate the home. Picture books focused on Jesus' birth could also be a good addition to family traditions. I'd be interested to hear how you celebrate Jesus in your home! As we get closer to Christmas, may we take the time to look at what Christmas really means to us and make a conscious effort to focus on Jesus. 

 

 

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Nothing in My Hand I Bring

Today my day has been spent in the throws of motherhood. It has been one of those days that leaves you bone-weary from mothering two littlies- ever have those? Yet now, as I take a moment to think back over the day, I see the little snippets as well that pointed me to God and showed me his grace is sufficient for the day. My heart too is full as I am reminded of his amazing grace that sees me and loves me when I am reading the Bible before bed with my kiddies or when I am changing a nappy. It has been one of those unglamorous days really when I am so thankful that as the hymn says, 'nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling' (Toplady, 1776, "Rock of Ages") because frankly, I don't feel like I have much to bring to his feet tonight. But isn't this exactly what the Christian life is about? Recognising it is his grace that washes our feet and as Peter would have it (John 13:6-9), our whole bodies: we are clean, fresh, new and nothing of it is to do with who we are or what we have done.

I often think about those two sisters who pursued God: Mary and Martha. In these two faithful women, Jesus showed his love and grace. I always have identified more with Martha, partly because listening is something I have to work at and also because I am a list-girl. I love fluttering about behind the scenes doing. Yet tonight, when I listen again to Jesus' words that Mary has chosen the better part (Luke 10:42), I am reminded that sitting at his feet is exactly where we should start and finish our day. In Jesus' admonition of Martha's bitterness and frustration at her sister Mary, he tenderly reminds her that his kingdom is about relationship. 

In their recent book, "The Measure of Success", Carolyn McCulley and Nora Shank (2014, B & H Publishing Group) tell us that in this story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), we are reminded that our identity should not be in the jobs we have or the lists we tick off, our identity needs to be found at the feet of Jesus and IN Jesus. 

"Unlike most rabbis of His time, Jesus not only allowed a woman to learn the Scriptures, He also told everyone present that this was the wisest thing Mary could do... No husbands were mentioned for either of these women. No children were mentioned, either. Perhaps they had them once. Perhaps they would have them in the future. No mention was made of their social status, either by wealth or social connections or job skills. But their one identity that was most important was the one that would exist forever: a follower of Christ. This is the identity we need to affirm among ourselves..."(McCulley and Shank, 2014, p.80-81).

At the end of a long day, my identity in Christ is who I am. It is who I should be first and foremost to my family and in my circles of influence. It is where I should place my identity. It is a humble recognition that my life is about Christ and glorifying him. May we remember, as we go about ticking off our lists tomorrow, that we need to be sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to him through his Word and allowing his amazing grace to infiltrate every aspect of our lives.

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The Fullness of Time

As I sit here tonight, looking at the twinkling lights on our Christmas tree, I think of the wonder and fascination of all things Christmas that I had growing up, and let's be honest, still have today. For the first time I shared the excitement of decorating our tree with my 3 year old, as she is now old enough to help and to know that putting the decorations on the tree means Christmas is coming. But as I truly reflect on what Christmas means, and that first Christmas over 2000 years ago, I imagine what it would have been like to peep through the stable cladding. In my mind, I see a young teenager cradling a fresh baby in her arms, a new husband by her side. As she breathes in deeply, relief fills her that labour is finished with and the scent of animals greet her. As she looks at the precious bundle, I am sure in her heart she would be marvelling at the wonder of God who gave his Son as a precious gift to the world. 

In Galatians 4:4-7, we are told: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Since the beginning of time, God had planned for His Son to come forth from this teenage mother and then for centuries had been waiting for the "fullness of time" to arrive. As Justo L. Gonzalez says, "The early Christians did not believe that the time and place of the birth of Jesus has been left to chance.  On the contrary, they saw the hand of God preparing the advent of Jesus in all events prior to the birth, and in all the historical circumstances around it." (The Story of Christianity Vol. 1, 2010, p. 13).

Gonzalez (2010) then goes on to point out that this 'fullness of time' also applied to the spread of Jesus' message- the Gospel. The birth of Jesus would eventually lead to the birth of the Church, and so the conditions needed to be just right for Jesus' message of Salvation to spread and flourish. As we look at history, even just a brief glance, we can see God's clever design in orchestrating all events surrounding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the birth and growth of his church.

Below, I will summarise a few of the points of history that Gonzalez (2010) writes about, that can add to our wonder of just what this 'fullness of time' meant to Christianity. Hold on to your hats as we take a quick whirlwind tour of some of history....

• Alexander the Great (4th Century BCE) brought unity to the Eastern Mediterranean basin that allowed for Greek culture or Hellenism to spread. From this point, there was a tension between the polytheism (worship of many gods) of the Greeks and Jewish monotheism (worship of one God). 
• When the Romans conquered this area, they saw the struggle of religion between the Jews and Greeks and after protests and uprisings, Rome intervened and gave the descendants of the Maccabees family (Jewish family who led the rebellions) some authority, setting them up as governors with titles, one of which was 'high priest' (Herod had some family ties with the Maccabees family). 
• The governing Jews, in order to honour the particular Roman emperor of the day, went about trying to encourage the Jews to immigrate with the Gentiles. As the Jews suffered under often harsh measures to encourage assimilation, the group of Pharisees emerged. The Pharisees emphasised a faithfulness to Jewish Law, studying it, debating it and applying it to Jewish everyday life. The Pharisees were 'of the people' and developed the synagogue where Jewish tradition and Law could be studied outside of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Sadducees (another group we read about in the Bible) were mostly Jewish aristocracy who were focused on the Temple and had more conservative religious and political leanings.
• By the birth of Jesus, there were Jews living throughout the Roman Empire. This meant that most Jews spoke Greek, the common language of people in the Mediterranean at this time. These Jews living outside of Jerusalem, translated the Scriptures into Greek and so it was accessible and ready to be used by the early Christians as they spread the Gospel and spoke of how Jesus was the Messiah of the Old Testament they had been waiting for. 
• The Roman Empire had also brought about a relative measure of political unity, and so travel was fairly safe. In the early church, the New Testament points to the major threat for missionaries, such as Paul, being bad weather. If Jesus had come a couple of decades earlier, pirates would have been a severe threat to travel. Due to ease of travel, trade was also flourishing, meaning much of the Gospel was spread by traders and slaves moving throughout the Empire. 

As we see, God in his Sovereignty, allowed the Apostles and early Christians to travel with relative ease, visit Jews already living and planted in almost every major city of the time, meet at synagogues that had been set up around the Empire, communicate with anyone in a common language and discuss and debate Greek translations of the Old Testament. A case of good luck? More like Divine Planning! 

When looking at our respective Christmas trees this year, let us go further than imagining the beautiful baby Jesus in his mama's arms. Let us wonder at his message and the Salvation he brings. Let us also delight in the careful orchestration of events that under God's sovereign planning, allowed the Gospel message of Salvation to spread throughout the world and end up taking root in our hearts and minds. 

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Heaven- is it for Real? Part 2

I love seeing people's homes. There is something about seeing how a person lives that can really give you a glimpse into their character, their interests, and what makes them 'tick'. It gets me thinking about the wonder and beauty of seeing our heavenly home for the first time- it will amaze us and cause us to glorify even more our Saviour who prepared it for us (John 14:3). 

In Part 1 of 'Heaven- is it for Real?', I was writing about how easy it is for us to think about heaven according to how it is shown in Hollywood. Instead of reading the Bible and finding out what the Home Owner has to say, we are taken by visual depictions and claims of people who have been there (for an interesting article on the danger of these claims, read this). 

The other danger when it comes to thinking about heaven, is thinking too much about heaven as being a place of constant singing, rather than dwelling on the fact that it is part of God's ultimate plan to have a New Heaven and New Earth. For those who don't enjoy singing all that much, let this help you realise 'heaven' encompasses a lot more than just the heavenly choirs (amazing as they may be!) 

A New Heaven and New Earth

• Isaiah 65:17 tells us there will be a new heaven and new earth. 

• Psalm 102:10 reinforces this, telling us that while God is eternal and will never change, heaven and earth will. 

• Revelation describes this new heaven and new earth being created after the end of the world as we know it. 

• In Revelation 21:1-3, we read "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."

• Tim Keller, in his sermon "The New Heaven and New Earth" (available itunes), points out that this is what makes Christianity so different to other religions. God recreates a perfect world, with heaven and God coming down to earth. Our goal is not about us escaping this world (though we will be set free from sin and the effects of sin), it is about the recreation of a perfect world. Like the Garden of Eden, God will dwell with man. But this time, it will be permanent. 

So What Will It Be Like?

• Perfect! No sin nor defilement- ever. No effects of sin. (Revelation 21:27)

• Beautiful (Revelation 21:15-21).

• It will have a River of Life and fruit trees (Revelation 22:1-3)

• There will be no night as the Lord God will be so radiant he will be all the light that is needed (Revelation 22:4-5)

• We will see God face to face and have full knowledge of Him (Revelation 22:4, 1 Corinthians 13:12). 

What Will We Be Like?

• Perfect! (bring it on- can't wait for this)

• New bodies will be given (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

• We will work. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-29 highlights that we will be given different responsibilities depending on how we use our time and giftings on earth. 

• Our work will be enjoyable. While we do not know what work we will do, we know that Adam was given work to do (Genesis 2:15). This work will not be tainted with sin so we will glorify God in and through it and enjoy it, being completely satisfied with our work.

As I think about my home and then think about the new home that awaits me, I know which one will be the more impressive. In it there will be no sin nor hardships nor toil. Pain and grief will not pass through its doors. I will be able to glorify God completely and serve him in enjoyment and satisfaction. In the mundane moments, may I echo Jonathan Edwards' prayer, "Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs" for when I consider eternity, my daily life gets a little more perspective. 

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Wisdom- when to talk, when not to.

Over the past few years, I have often been faced with the decision of when to speak and when not to. Prior to mothering, I worked in a Christian School, where teachers gathered each morning, shared a devotion and prayed together. It was a thing of beauty. But it was also a time where doctrinal differences often surfaced. For the sake of love and unity, we tried not to major on the minors, and instead focused on Jesus and our ministry of training children to love and serve Jesus. Recently though, listening to "Word-Based Ministry" by Nancy Guthrie, I was challenged that sometimes true love is talking to a friend or questioning their interpretation of the Bible. After all, we are called to encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) and have the Word of God dwelling in us to encourage, teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16).

This morning, in James, I read "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13). So what is wisdom? How is a person wise? The Bible tells us that wisdom is firstly fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and then it is knowing and doing God's Word (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). We are told that a wise man builds his house on the Word of the Lord (Matthew 7:24). We are also told that God's Word makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7). So if we are to be wise, we fear the Lord and we read, hear and do His Word. 

Proverbs 3:13-24 (beautiful and well worth the read!) tells us wisdom and understanding are beautiful things we are to pursue. It is more precious that rubies and brings peace, blessing, safety and security. When we are reading, meditating, trusting in God and His Word, we are secure in our knowledge and understanding of Him and have a firm foundation for our lives. 

So then, in James 3:13, how do we show meekness? Often I hear this word and in the English dictionary it refers to humility but there is also a sense of weakness about it. In the Bible, according to the Strongs Concordance, it says "Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness." In James 3:13, the Greek word used for 'meekness' is a derivative of this original form. It also means a a gentle strength brought about by reliance on God's Word and direction:  "For the believer, meekness (4240 /praýtēs, "gentle-force") begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes by His direction and empowerment. It is a divinely-balanced virtue that can only operate through faith (cf. 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22-25) (Strongs Concordance). 

If we are to show true wisdom and understanding, we are to walk day-by-day with a gentle strength brought about by fearing God and loving and knowing His Word. As we rely on the Holy Spirit within us, our actions will then involve living out God's Word. Sometimes this will mean gently and loving correcting a brother or sister, recognising that we are growing together in the love and knowledge of our Saviour Jesus. For knowledge, understanding and love of God and His Word is TRUE WISDOM. 

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Heaven- Is It For Real? Part 1

Do you ever look around our world and long for heaven? I was interested in a discussion recently on heaven and there seemed to be some differing views about what it actually is, where it is and what we are told about it in the Bible. With the emergence of books and films that like to claim people have been there, it is easy to use these as a framing reference, instead of the Word of God.

To help, I've put together some information about heaven and what we are actually told about it in the Bible. I will do this in two parts- Part 1 on the basic information we know, Part 2 on the New Heaven and Earth.

Heaven is where:

• The Father is (Matthew 6:9)
• Our Saviour Jesus is (Hebrews 9:24)
• The angels are (Matthew 22:30)
• Those who have died who had faith in Jesus are (Hebrews 12:23)
• Our citizenship is (Philippians 3:20)
• Our inheritance is (1 Peter 1:3-4)
• Our rewards are (Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6:19-21)

Location, please?

• In a number of verses we are told heaven is high up (Isaiah 57:15, Psalm 102:19)
• God looks down from heaven (Isaiah 63:15)
• It is an actual place from where God looks out (Psalm 33:14)

As John MacArthur says, "Now listen, heaven is up. It’s up beyond everything that we know in the material universe. It is as big as God. It is that which engulfs within it the material universe as we know it which is billions and billions and billions of light years to its extensions. And it is that which is the heaven of God which embraces this universe in its midst. Now, you can’t keep thinking about that because what you’ve got beyond the universe that’s created, the universe of time and space as we know it, is infinity. And it is as, an infinite as God is infinite and that’s how infinite heaven is. We can’t handle that because we are captive to a time-space mentality. We cannot conceive of endless, eternal heaven. But that’s what the Bible teaches."

Does a person go straight to heaven when they die? 

Yes, immediately on death:

• Jesus tells thief on the cross "today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43)
• Paul would prefer to be away from his body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

What is Heaven Like?

Revelation Chapter 4

• There is a throne where God is (Revelation 4:1-3), where lightning, thunder, majesty, glory and colours come from (Revelation 4:5) and where the Spirit of God is (Revelation 4:5, cf Isaiah 11:2). On each side of the throne are 4 living creatures (Revelation 4:6-8).
• Around the throne are 24 thrones with 24 elders on them (Revelation 4:4).
• In front of the throne is a sea of glass (Revelation 4:6).

More information: John MacArthur has a series on Heaven that is worth a listen.

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God's Word: Living and Active

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

Lately, I have been feeling challenged about God's Word. I've been being convicted of the fact that too often, we take for granted our free access to the Bible and demote its role in our lives. In Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the Word of God is living and active. Unlike any other written words, the Bible is God's Word and so is more than just words on a page. As the passage continues, it is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through to the thoughts and intentions at the core of our being. It convicts.

This morning, I was cooking with my almost three-year old. We were baking some muffins and as cooking with a three-year-old often goes, my newly cleaned kitchen floors and my clothes ended up covered in cocoa. Instead of shrugging it off as part of the fun, I became irritated that my daughter had, in her excitement, let the measuring cup enthusiastically miss the bowl. I expressed my displeasure at her carelessness and moved her out of the mess while I cleaned it up. Quickly, I felt the Holy Spirit admonishing me that I was in the middle of a mummy-meltdown, a grown-up version of a toddler-tantrum. After apologies were made and we finished our cooking, I sat down to read my Bible. 

Currently, I am working through James and wouldn't you know it I was up to James 1:19: "Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." I shouldn't be surprised when God's Word cuts to my heart and exposes my sinfulness, for this is exactly what God uses it to do! It continues to amaze me that in God's mercy, the Holy Spirit considers my sanctification important enough to stick at it. When I come to His Word, I should expect some of this sanctification to occur and in fact welcome it. 

I long to be a doer of the word, not only a hearer (James 1:22). I am humbled that God continues to chip away piece by piece at me, refining me, purifying me, making more like my Saviour Jesus. As James continues, "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in the mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25). Woe to the one of us who reads or hears the Holy Word of God and does not come away a little more sanctified. Like the man in this passage who sees his reflection and then walks away unchanged, we too can read God's Word and not put into practise what the Holy Spirit has convicted us of. 

It is my hope that next time I cook, God may have helped me learn from this and be a little more patient. It is my hope that I will come to open God's Word and realise how precious it is. It is my hope that I will come to God's Word expecting to be convicted of my sin. It is my hope that I will be thankful that God considers my sanctification important enough to stick at it. It is my hope that I will close the Bible and be changed to be a tiny bit more like Jesus. Finally, it is my hope that in persevering, I will recognise God's blessing that is in store. 

Some Bible study resources that I've found helpful lately:

• "Women of the Word" Jen Wilkin, Crossway, 2014
• Word-Based Ministry to Women, Nancy Guthrie, Youtube Link

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Everlasting Swamp? What is in a name....

Over the past few days it has been announced that Australia has a new National Park. Everlasting Swamp is to become 1,700 hectares of conserved wetlands in Maclean on the Far North Coast of New South Wales (More info: ABC). The announcement comes just as environmentalists from around the world meet in Sydney at the IUCN World Parks Congress. Good timing, no?

As I listened to a broadcast this morning about the creation of the new National Park in my little corner of the world, I thought about the interesting name choice- 'Everlasting Swamp'. In researching, I have found little information about the choice of name, though have learnt that there is a small flower commonly known as 'Swamp Everlasting' that is found in southern areas of Australia. It makes one think- will calling this new National Park the "Everlasting Swamp" guarantee its perpetual success? What in our world really is everlasting?

Everlasting God

The Bible claims that God is Everlasting. In Isaiah 40:28-31 we read,

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

In these verses the prophet Isaiah juxtaposes God's everlasting energy and nature to that of the frailty and tiredness of man. Even youths, with what sometimes appears to be boundless energy, all get weary. But our God is truly everlasting.

God's Everlasting Word

 God's Word is also everlasting. Isaiah writes again,

The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:7-8).

Here, even the flowers fade when God's breath touches them, yet God's Word is eternal and everlasting. His Word is truth, a solid foundation to our frail life. We can be confident in  the Word of God and know that it will also remain. 

Man's Response

As we recognise that God and His Word are the only truly everlasting things, may we respond with awe and reverence. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote, "I perceived that whatever God does endures forever, nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him." (Ecclesiastes 3:14). This fear Solomon talks of is a recognition that we are but a vapour, here one day and gone the next and so our response must be to bow our knee in humility before the One who is Everlasting. 

Solomon concludes his quest for meaning, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 3:14) May we take time today to see that "like a flower we will pass away" (James 1:10). One day, everything we spend our life pursuing will be brought before the throne of the Everlasting One (Hebrews 9:27-28). Let us spend the days we have pursuing God with awe for He is everlasting and with humility for we are not. No matter what the name, our local swamp, nor any man or flower, will truly be Everlasting. 
  

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James: Slave of Jesus, Brother of Jesus

Our little man has just started commando crawling which has led to lots of excitement by our family over the last few days. With it however, has also come sibling tension. With his new-found movement, our little guy can find his big sister any time he wants to and 'disrupt' her games as he tries to participate. Sometimes this interaction is encouraged by his older sister, but often it is unwelcome, causing frustration for both of them. Seeing this sibling rivalry and interaction has caused me to pray that they would come to love each other and love spending time with each other.

It makes one think- what would Jesus have been like as an older brother? James, the author of the book of James in the Bible, was the brother of Jesus and would have known first hand what this would have been like. Matthew 13:55 shows us that James was the first brother of Jesus listed, probably indicating as Jesus' half-brother, he was the first son of Mary and Joseph. While James, along with the rest of his family, didn't always recognise Jesus for who he was (Mark 3:21, 31-35; John 7:2-5), after the resurrection they came to recognise Jesus as their Lord and Saviour (Acts 1:14). James then went on to became a leader in the church of Jerusalem (Acts 15) and as Josephus accounts, James was martyred by stoning.  

In the greeting of the book of James, James writes, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..." (James 1:1a). Jen Wilkin, in her Bible Study series on James , points out that this shows incredible humility. Surely, of all Jesus' followers, it would have been easy for James to want to point out that he was Jesus' brother. Exhalting himself as a little higher than the other disciples. Or even mentioning that he was a leader in the Jerusalem church. But he doesn't. James calls himself a 'servant' (Greek: doulos) otherwise translated slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John MacArthur says:

When the apostles used slave imagery, both in their preaching and in writing the New Testament, they were fully aware of what it meant in terms of both Jewish history and Roman culture. From the standpoint of Israel's history, to be a slave of God was to identify oneself with those who stood at Mount Sinai...Moreover, it was to be aligned with notable men of faith, such as Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets- spiritual leaders who exemplified wholehearted submission to the will and word of God. From the standpoint of first-century culture, slavery served as an apt picture of the believer's relationship to Christ- one of complete submission and subjugation to the master. In both cases, to be a slave was to be under the complete authority of someone else. It meant rejecting personal autonomy and embracing the will of another. The concept required no great explanation because slavery was commonplace and had been for many centuries.

(Slave, 2010, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, p.35)

James, when calling himself a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, would have known this history and understood that he was declaring that he was completely at the mercy of his master Jesus. There was nothing James was bringing of himself- he wasn't trying for notoriety, he was simply saying that all people needed to know of him was that he was a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can celebrate in this for we share a master with James, we too have a gracious and loving Master. It is through slavery to Jesus that we are adopted into his family (Romans 8:16-17). As we grow in our understanding that pursuing God means surrendering more of our life to him, may we also recognise the freedom and beauty that this slavery means. Because we have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), we can fully trust the love and security our Master provides. Like James, we do not need to fight for fame by listing our credentials, but we can stand as a slave to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, loved, accepted, forgiven and free. 

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An Aged Martyr

“86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

Polycarp’s Martyrdom (ca. 69-ca. 155)
I like to people watch when I get the chance- watching an expression cross a person's face, viewing a film that poignantly speaks of this thing we call 'life', sinking my teeth into a book with strong characters. All these opportunities give me time to pause and consider the millions of people living across this earth and the different lives they live. These days, I am usually found watching my two little children and marvelling at God's handiwork in their lives. I also wonder about who they will grow to be.  My almost 3 year old daughter is becoming more aware of the concept of 'time' in life. Her birthday is rapidly approaching and her mind is taking in what a birthday actually is and what it means to get a year older. The other day after running into an elderly friend, my little lady looked at my and stated most emphatically, "I don't think G- is a baby". I concurred with a smile: It had been 70 or so years since our dear family friend had been a baby! Age is such an interesting thing for a small child to understand. This made me think- how do I want to look back on these years I am to live? I hope that if I reach 70+ years on this earth, I may be lots wiser, more patient and more in love with our Precious Saviour Jesus!Polycarp, is one of the earliest martyrs we have documented eye-witness accounts of outside the New Testament. At 86 years of age, I would also make a guess that he is perhaps one of the oldest. He is thought of to be the last surviving Christian who learnt directly from the Apostle John and was a leader of the Church in Smyrna. In the account below, we read of his courageous martyr:

"In the popular mind, the early church was above all else a noble army of martyrs. In many ways it was, and none was more noble than Polycarp, the aged bishop of Smyrna in western Asia Minor.The authorities brought the highly respected pastor into the crowded arena, prepared to shove him to the lions- but only reluctantly. They much preferred a denial of the charge against him. He was a Christian."Simply swear by Caesar," the governor pled."I am a Christian," said Polycarp. "If you want to know what that is, set a day and listen.""Persuade the people," answered the governor. Polycarp said, "I would explain to you, but not to them""Then I'll throw you to the beasts.""Bring on your beasts," said Polycarp."If you scorn the beasts, I'll have you burned.""You try to frighten me with the fire that burns for an hour, and you forget the fire of hell that never goes out."The governor called to the people, "Polycarp says he is a Christian." Then the mob let loose. "This is the teacher of Asia," they shouted, "the father of the Christians, the destroyer of our gods."So Polycarp, praying that his death would be an acceptable sacrifice, was burned at the stake.The scene is real. It did happen."- Excerpt from B. L. Shelley¹

In another account, when Polycarp was told if he recanted he would have his life spared, he replied, "For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no evil. How could I curse my king, who saved me?"². As he was tied to the stake, we read "... he looked up and prayed out loud: "Lord Sovereign God ... I thank you that you have deemed me worthy of this moment, so that, jointly with your martyrs, I may have a share in the cup of Christ... For this... I bless and glorify you. Amen."³ 
As I imagine myself a silent "people watcher" of this man Polycarp, I am amazed at the strength his faith and God gave him. I imagine the lines of laughter etched around his mouth, the wisdom of age showing in his hair, the slight stoop signalling a long-lived life. Yet this man is not telling a story to a grandchild sitting on his knee, he is standing in front of an angry mob, who are calling for his excruciating death. Polycarp considers the opinion of his Saviour King higher than that of the people in front of him. With assurance of his salvation (1 John 5:11-13), he considers it an honour to be martyred alongside Christ. Not only does he not waver in his faith, he so greatly comprehends God's richness of grace (Ephesians 2:1-7) that Polycarp asks for an opportunity to share his faith with the governor. 
How quick I am to miss an opportunity to share my love for Jesus with a friend, fearing their response! How often I think more highly of other people's opinions over that of my Saviour! I so easily lose sight of the temporal nature of this world, getting caught up in the day to day and forget that eternity is just around the corner. In these moments, may I remember Paul's example, "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Ephesians 3:8-11.

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1 B. L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, 1995, p.37, Word Publishing^↩
2 J.L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity Vol.1, 2010, p.54, HarperOne:NY^↩
3 J.L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity Vol.1, 2010, p.54, HarperOne:NY^↩

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Fear and Faith

As a mother of two little blessings, fear for my children is one of my regular struggles. It is a battle I go through and one I am finding I need to continue to surrender to God. Unfortunately, fear rather than faith seems to often be my first reaction when I hear about a child's plight- a child gone missing or a child being given a horrible diagnosis. At these times the verse from 2 Corinthians 10:5-6a springs to mind, "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." This convicts me of the sin of fear and causes me to lift my eyes to my precious Sovereign Lord. I am reminded that these children were His first and that I need to surrender them, offering them back to God for Him to do as He wills. In gentleness I am aware of the Holy Spirit reminding me that He is at work in me, conforming me more to the image of Christ.

I am reminded of Moses. When oppression of the Israelites in Egypt caused the slaughtering of hundreds of male babies (Exodus 1:15-16), God's hand was still in control. He placed a godly and righteous fear in the Hebrew midwives, "But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." (Exodus 1:17) A humble mother Jochebed, put her faith above her fear, and placed her three month old Moses in a basket made of bulrushes and sent him off into the river (Exodus 2:3). God, in His Sovereignty, allows Pharaoh's daughter to see the basket, hear Moses' cries and take pity on him (Exodus 2:5-6). But the thing that really amazes me about this story is the way that God extends such mercy upon Jochebed, that through Moses' sister Miriam, Jochebed is reunited with her son and chosen to raise Moses for Pharaoh's daughter. 

I am reminded of Samuel. In 1 Samuel, we read of Hannah pleading with the Lord to give her a child (1 Samuel 1:10-11). God hears her prayer and in His mercy grants her request. Hannah then surrenders Samuel back to Lord, offering him up to serve in the tabernacle. Samuel goes on to hear God's voice (1 Samuel 3:10-11) and as he grows "the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet for the Lord." (1 Samuel 3:19-20).

Finally, I am reminded of Jesus. In Matthew, we see how after quite an eventful arrival (being born in a stable without a midwife no less), Mary has less than two years of delight with her newborn Jesus, before her faith is called to the fore. Joseph, in a dream, is told that Herod has ordered any male child under two be killed(Matthew 2:16-17). Sound familiar? God then sends Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt of all places, and Jesus' life is preserved. I imagine the motherly fear that would have been there for Mary, hearing her baby was at risk, yet through faith and trust, Joseph leads them to safety in Egypt. 

Of greater urgency, over that of health and protection for my children, should be that they come to know, love and pursue a living and vibrant relationship with God for themselves. In these years that I have them, my concern for their well-being should come second to my concern for their spiritual health, as this has eternal consequences. May my faith leave a greater impression on my children than my fears and may they see a mother who trusts God's Sovereignty in the joys and pains of life. 

As I was dwelling on this topic this morning, a little hymn my grandmother used to recite to us came to mind and this is what I will leave you with.

God Hath Not Promised

God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.

[ by: Annie Johnson Flint -- from Aiken Drum ]

Poem taken from: http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/poems/god_hath_not_promised.html

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