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Pilgrims in a Foreign Land
Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Photo, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Faith, Photo
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My Friend Johan
When I was regularly writing for a church newsletter I had a “friend” whom I used to illustrate points – usually negative ones. “Johan vander Bakslijder” was my fictional creation who was involved in things that one hoped that the congregation wasn’t – even though I knew that some were. It was a way of raising issues without accusing people directly and without making the climate too uncomfortable.
But if the truth be known, often Johan’s struggles mirrored mine. In fact there is a bit of Johan or his wife Johanna in each one of us.
We Christians are a fragile lot. I am fragile. How often I am disappointed with a sharp undisciplined word that comes from my mouth, or a sudden rise in temperature when my toes are trodden on … or an improper thought inveigles itself into my mind. Daily through my foolishness I am reminded that God’s grace needs to be my constant companion. He needs to look at me through His “Christ coloured glasses” or else I would be in deep trouble.
But not only do I need that grace but also the people around me – people whom too often I am tempted to judge. People who have not encountered Jesus. People who also need to know that their brokenness can be forgiven and dealt with. Who is going to tell them or show them unless it is “Johan” or “Johanna” who can attest to the joy of having been forgiven and who continue to be forgiven daily despite their failings.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Faith, forgiveness
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Children’s Talks in Church
Here is another post by my wife whose passion is worship that involves all ages – especially children
Why is it that preachers look elsewhere when they speak with children about the things of God? Elsewhere than the Word of God?
They spend a great deal of time conjuring “likes” out of their box of tricks. The church is like…. being a Christian is like…. forgiveness is like….
And there are a lots of objects in their magician’s kit as well. Namely objects for object lessons. Unfortunately this sleight of hand only confuses the children who are before them.
Today we had a real magic trick performed for the kids. Three pieces of string of varying lengths were produced for the audience of a dozen preschoolers up to first graders. We heard about the tall people (longest string), the middle sized people (medium string), and … “babies” one child suggested for the shortest string, and we all laughed. More examples of varying things were suggested by the pastor, before he brought all six string ends together in one hand and said “watch this”. (I thought the correct word was abracadabra.)
Sure enough, he turned them into three pieces of equal length. Amazing!
Photo: Courtesy Domino the Jester
Then he did another trick.
He turned the trick into an object lesson.
“We all look different, but Jesus has made us all the same.”
Maybe I think too deeply, or too literally about these things. I suspect some children do too. Perhaps they’re thinking, “I don’t want Jesus to make me look like my brother. I don’t want my Mum and Dad or my baby sister to all be ‘middle sized'”. And that’s if they’ve managed to draw the connection between the strings and ‘us’.
Whichever way you choose to tackle this concept of Colossians 3:11, one thing’s for certain. Little children aged less than eight years old will probably not understand the abstractness of it.
This is when parents need to grow these concepts into their children as they walk along the road together, when they lie down and get up, when they eat and play together. This will be when the abstract becomes concrete for them.
And the pastors who are sitting with the church’s little ones at their feet?
Perhaps they should tell a story. A Bible story.
Categories: Child Theology, Children, christian, Church, Faith, Family
Tags: children, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, family
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The Lure of the Occult
St Michael’s Victory over the Devil, by Sir Jacob Epstein
I remember back in my high school days, last century, that every now and then an occultic fad would pass by: Ouija boards, seances and even palm and tea leaf reading. People have this “spiritual” itch that they want to scratch with these practices.
There is an excitement about dabbling covertly in these unknown realms. Many people have done it from Arthur Conan Doyle (who seemed so logical in his Sherlock Holmes stories!) through to the notorious Rasputin plus many, many more. Every age seems to have its own versions and own followers. The latest incarnation is a game called Charlie Charlie. The interweb has made the progress of this and other modern fads more immediate. A few days ago the SMH reflected on the speed at which Charlie Charlie had progressed.
Now it is easy to say that most people who engage in these facile games are not impacted for the long term. But why does Scripture exhort us to steer clear of these activities? In Ephesians 6: 11 & 12 Paul reminds us to equip ourselves with the full armour of God: “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In other words, there is a realm of existence about which we not only need to be very wary but we also need to consciously protect ourselves. And if we don’t dabble in it we don’t have to be fearful either and the child of God will be protected. Second Thessalonians 2 reminds us of the “lawless one” whose aim it is to encourage us to serve the lie – that is Satan.
When we read the Old Testament we also find many frightening passages which literally damn these practices as they are in direct contravention of the first four commandments. God doesn’t mince His words when He speaks of divination, sorcery and its practitioners.
As parents and teachers we need to be sensitive and aware of this discussion. Some young people may be just playing a foolish game, for others however, there may be a real spiritual longing – one that we could tap into and nurture in healthy directions. An added concern is the alarming prospect that there may be those for whom these games act like a gateway drug and introduce them to more worrying and even more sinister activities.
Whatever the situation, this latest fad is a clear reminder to be vigilant and to protect, educate and nurture those in our care or sphere of influence in ways that enhance and protect their spiritual and eternal welfare.
Here are a few helpful resources on the Web:
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-occult.html
http://studentsoul.intervarsity.org/occult
This has a useful list of texts further down the page.
http://www.gospelway.com/religiousgroups/witchcraft.php
Categories: christian, christian education, Christianity
Tags: Christian, Christian Education, Christianity
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The Wesleys’ Hymns
This past weekend my wife and I attended a Wesley Hymn Fest, where, as you can imagine, we were led in the enthusiastic singing of Wesleyan hymns. Now I don’t come from the Methodist tradition but there was something very special about 250 people being led by a small group of musicians, pipe organ and choir, declaring in song messages of hope, faith and truth.
I was struck by the wonderful words of the hymns. Charles Wesley, often assisted or supported by brother John, knew his Scripture and wove this understanding into his verses. Many hymns were inspired by particular Bible passages, or were Bible passages put to music. In response to Isaiah 51:9 he penned:
Arm of the Lord, awake, awake!
Thine own immortal strength put on!
With terror clothed, hell’s kingdom shake,
And cast thy foes with fury down!
The hymns also reveal a great understanding of the human condition. In an era when many children died young one can feel the tension of faith and pain that Wesley was only too familiar with in a hymn we didn’t sing last Sunday:
Dead, dead! the child I loved so well!
Transported to the world above!
I need no more my heart conceal;
I never dared indulge my love:
But may I not indulge my grief
And seek in tears a sad relief?
The language is quaint but the messages are still intimately personal:
My God, I am Thine, what a comfort divine,
What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine!
In the heavenly Lamb thrice happy I am,
And my heart it doth dance at the sound of His name.
The image of the dancing heart is uplifting! Charles Wesley wrote nearly 6000 hymns which were often composed for special occasions. And still there were many others from the era who wrote fabulous hymns from John Newton’s Amazing Grace to Isaac Watts’ When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Watts was a comparative sluggard as he only wrote 750 hymns. And there are others: William Cowper, Frances Havergal … and all the way back to Bernard of Clairvaux to name only three.
In many churches today these hymns have disappeared under the weight of modern songs and choruses. Every era is inspired by the Spirit anew but we shouldn’t forget these incredible songs from the history of the church – a history that extends all the way to the early church. In the case of the Wesleys it was a history of renewal and revival. It would be good if we had links to these brothers and sisters from the past every time we met in worship.
Here is one of my favourite singers singing one of Charles Wesley’s songs. Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band also have a great album of Wesley’s songs called Paradise Found:
Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, hymns, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Church, Wesley
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And He Was There
Image: Courtesy, Wikipedia
What does God see when He sees us worshipping?
And He Was There
- Worshipping when I was younger – mid last century
There was a custom and tradition
that, years ago, meant
meeting twice
on the Sunday.
Morning AND evening –
starting the day and closing the day
with God.
Best suits,
hats and dresses:
“No corduroy son!
Would you meet the queen in that!”
My father barked.
The worship,
like the pews, was stern and formal.
Faces serious and
attention strict, as eyes
focussed forward.
Fidgeting children were pinched,
prodded and glared into conformity.
And God was there
in the droning, reverie inducing words,
everlasting musty organ hymns,
peppermints,
and Eau de Cologned hankies.
And He was there
when the bread was broken
and the wine sipped
during the quarterly
communion:
when I was left behind
for a moment’s freedom.
And He was there
As I counted the
Organ pipes,
Bannister rails
And made mind pictures
With the patterns of the wooden ceiling.
And later,
He was still there
when I stumblingly
declared my youthful faith.
And despite my fear induced amnesia,
He was there
when I declared my love for my bride.
And He was there when our children
received His promises
in baptism.
Yes,
He was there.
Including Children in Church Community
There is a small but growing group of Christians who are eager to see the children of the church integrated into the life of the Church body and not just pandered to by programs. Although programs, in and of themselves can be quite useful, they can also stymie the discussions that churches and families need to have about faith formation in the life of their children. Programs by themselves often focus on knowledge (cognition) and what is missed is the beautiful mystery of faith and the excitement of disciple development. I have written on previous occasions about the importance of the child’s vocation in the church. (Here is just one example).
Last night I heard David Csinos, who describes himself as an author, speaker, practical theologian, husband, researcher of children’s spirituality, and former children’s 
pastor, speak in Geelong. This was encouraging for a variety of reasons. It reminded me that there are more voices and often more articulate voices speaking out on this issue and it also caused me to reflect that this is not “rocket science” but requires families, churches and church leaders to engage in a prayerful discussion of how faith is developed in the most vulnerable and important members of our church communities.
If you wish to explore this important notion I have included some websites and books to explore:
- David’s blog: http://davecsinos.com/
- The Journal of Family and Community Ministries (which is free to subscribe to): http://www.familyandcommunityministries.org/
- A wonderful book is : Children’s Ministry in the way of Jesus by Ivy Beckwith and David Csinos. This is a good place to begin your reflections if you haven’t started already, or to continue your journey.
- Is it a Lost Cause: Having the Heart of God for the Church’s Children by Marva Dawn.
- And if you look under Child Theology you will encounter more of my thoughts/musings on the issue.
- Another worthwhile approach is taken by the Child Theology Movement.
Categories: Child Theology, Children, christian, Christianity, Faith, Family
Tags: children, Christian, Christianity, Church, Devotion, Faith
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Telling Bible stories to young children
Once again my wife reflects upon one of our passions – how to present gospel stories to children.
The story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. (John 13:1-17)
Traditionally, we concentrate on Jesus, the teacher, humbling himself to wash the feet of his disciples. However, to a young child, this would not seem unusual at all. Their experience is normally one of adults caring for them; teachers and childcare providers, parents, and grandparents. It would be strange to them if the disciples had washed Jesus’ feet!
So how could we tell this story?
Often Bible storytellers try to interpret the stories. We want to be sure the child understands the meaning and the lesson. In short, we tell the child what they should think.
I’m wary of this approach.
I believe that when we impart God’s Word to young people the Holy Spirit is present and active in their hearts and their heads.
We need to trust that He will guide them as they hear our stories.
Our aim should be to facilitate worship in children.
The lives of children are full of friends, family gatherings, travelling, food, and identity. This story has it all. Jesus plans a meal together with his friends. They all travel to an upstairs room in a house. They probably walked along dusty roads to get there. When they arrived there were probably hugs and kisses all around. The table had an array of food and drink, lovingly prepared by others in their circle of friends.
Most importantly, Jesus was with his friends: they identified themselves (and the community recognised them) as His followers.
So, as you tell this wonderful story, touch on these points of contact.
Children will also visualise the story as you tell it. They will “see” it using their own experiences. Therefore a table full of food will be their family’s dining table.
Enrich the story for them by telling them the colours, the smells, the icky ness of the dirty feet, the warmth of the water in the basin, the gentleness of Jesus hands, and the softness of the towel.
When we tell stories in this fashion we help a child take it into their heart. The story will resonate with them.
And finally, give the child a way to respond to what they have heard. Wonder with them, sit quietly and ponder, provide art materials, sing. Follow their lead as they follow the Holy Spirit.
Greater Love
Last night my Literature students and I went to a performance of Shakespeare’s cross dressing comedy, ‘As You Like It’. It explores love in many of its facets. How and why does it happen? What does it do to us – for good or bad? Is it different for men and women? What external influences are involved? What about our motives? … and there are more uncomfortable questions.
But underlying all of that is the idea that love, romantic and otherwise, is an essential part of the human character. We all want to love and be loved. A life without love is empty and possibly meaningless.
And then this morning at our College’s ANZAC service our Senior School Captains spoke on the verse John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This is paraphrased in the War Memorial in Melbourne – “Greater love hath no man”.
This verse must be seen in the context of Christ reflecting on his own sacrifice and then suggesting to his disciples that this sacrifice in turn become a model for their lives. Accepting Christ’s love becomes the foundation of our desire to love like he does. Love, here, is a giving of one’s self for others. It puts others first, which is no doubt the reason for its presence in the War Memorial it highlights the Aussie ideal of mateship.
There is nothing amiss with the Bard’s exploration of love. He raises excellent questions and challenges us. However, the answers are not found in his plays, but rather in the gospel. Christ’s love becomes a model for our relations – romantic and otherwise. Christ’s love doesn’t start with our own private swooning’s, or sexual desires but for the welfare and best outcomes for the other – friend and foe alike.
Shakespeare raises tough questions but Jesus gives us even tougher answers.
Categories: christian, Christianity, community, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Devotion, Marriage
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Jesus Unicorn
Today my wife, Hetty, is presenting a guest blog on the topic of children and worship.
Jesus Unicorn
Courtesy Google images
A young girl was given a notebook and some colouring pencils and pens while she sat in the pew with her family. After a few weeks, her parents suggested that she listen to the sermon while she drew. By the end of the sermon she had drawn some pictures of a unicorn with the words ‘Jesus Unicorn’ above them. Her parents were amused.
Some questions:
- What did her parents believe children should be doing in a worship service?
- Did they give her any guidance about what she could do with the writing and drawing materials?
- What was the underlying message the child got concerning how she should behave in the worship service and from her parents’ subsequent suggestion?
Some ideas:
If you were her parents, how might you encourage her to participate in the worship service?
How would you begin a discussion with this child about ‘Jesus Unicorn’ which could lead her to a fuller experience of worship?
Paper and pencils are fine to keep a child’s hands busy, to keep a child quiet, and even as a stepping stone to taking notes of the sermon but it should never stop there.
Children can draw the stories they hear (and they should be hearing God’s stories, not just theological concepts) or their feelings. There should be a clear understanding of when they can draw/write and when they should be participating in the singing, praying, etc. Parents should follow up with the child later. It may help if the parents also occasionally used paper and pencils during the sermon, and the family shared their pictures afterwards.
A warning:
Be careful not to let this become another kind of ‘school’ activity.
Help the child to use the writing and drawing, as well as the words they’re hearing and the images they’re seeing, as a way to explore their understanding of God, and the worship of Him.
Hetty Stok
Categories: Child Theology, Children, christian, christian education, Christianity, Church, Uncategorized
Tags: children, children's worship, Church, worhip
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Travels from Ur 