Posts Tagged With: God

Christians – Have You Said Thank You?

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Have you ever said thank you; thank you to all those involved in your salvation – your membership of the Kingdom of Christ?

For those of us who have been around Jesus for a long time there have been many who either led us to, or helped us remain faithful, to the name of Jesus.

Naturally, the abundance of our thanks and praise must go to God who through Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Our thanks to the Father who sent the son, the son who died in our place and the Spirit who applies that faith to our lives, can know no bounds. However, there are many other who have faithfully laboured as instruments of God’s love and grace in our lives.

There have been parents, even though struggling with their own imperfection, who have

Stained Glass Window Cologne Cathedral

taught and shown what the gospel means. Then their are grandparents and other family members, friends and church members who have done the same. Think of the pastors who have faithfully taught God’s word and prayed for you. If you are a reader, Christian books will have led you you and challenged you on your journey and opened up previously unconsidered vistas.

For those who have come from a non-Christian background, who did God use to reveal life to you? Who assisted in you in those first baby steps? Who has continued to encourage you?

Providence (which we often call chance or accidents) has meant there have been unknown people and events who have made an indelible mark on your life due to a, seemingly, chance meeting. They may have given you a sense of direction or calling, picked you up at a low moment, challenged or chastised you.

So, have you said, “Thank you”; first of all a life of praise to God for what he has done and the people and events he has placed in your path? And, have you said thank you personally to the parents, friends, pastors and others who have confirmed you as a child of God’s? If you are like me you tend to take these people and events for granted and need to be reminded of how profound this cloud of earthly angels really is. They are all signs of God’s love for you.

Have you said thank you? If not, now is a good time. For those we need to thank who have passed on, send up a prayer of thanks. They’ll get the message.

Categories: Devotional, Faith, Jesus, Life | Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, God, Thankfulness | 1 Comment

Dwarfs on Giants’ Shoulders

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Pieter Stok

John of Salisbury quoted Bernard of Chartres (circa 1100 AD) who said, “We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size.”

What a profound thought! As C21st people there is an arrogance in our spirit that we know it all or can know it all. In science, technology, medicine and a whole host of other areas we puff out our chest. We even decry the feebleness and simplicity of earlier generations. We fail to understand what Bernard did. Our understanding, education or knowledge only came about because of the mighty works of others. In fact, we are the dwarfs and they are the giants.

It hearkens back to an earlier time that is found in Genesis 11. Then, as now, there was a supreme arrogance in humankind. They thought they could do anything, including, building a tower to the heavens so that “we may make a name for ourselves.” Pride wasn’t in short supply.

God thwarts their plan by confusing their language.

My question is this? How do we maintain a proper and healthy perspective today? How do we actively place ourselves in a continuum of history rather than seeing ourselves as some sort of apex of it?

The Bible has some handy reminders. First of all we are created beings. We are beholden to a supreme God for our existence. Our gifts and talents come from Him. Secondly, we have rebelled and sinned. Our understanding is not as perfect and sharp as it should be or could be. We are constantly in need of grace. We see that in our failures; in the evil that many of our clever creations engender. We made computers but there are those engineering viruses. We made the internet but pornographers run rampant with it. We made penicillin but super bugs have developed.

Modern humanity should learn from the giants on whose shoulder we stand. We only need to think of examples such as Galileo and Copernicus for whom their research was an extension of their faith and acknowledgement of God. Much of maths, philosophy, science and medicine was driven because of faith, not despite it.

We think we are so big but we have jettisoned a Biblical concept of family, life and morality. Socially today, we are disfigured and ugly. Just look at the murders that occur within broken families, riots, corrupt politicians and myriad other example that slap us in the face every day.

The people of Babel were humbled by God. They became confused and spread throughout the earth. We too need to be humbled. We are created creatures. We were created to worship God – not ourselves. Self worship has got us into the moral morass we see today. For the Christian, humility starts at the cross. The journey commences before a Saviour who came to give us life to its greatest extent – eternal life in an eternal kingdom. With this fresh set of eyes we reflect on science, medicine, family, society and the multitude of other areas that make up what we call “life” and ask: How does my Creator want me to use, utilise and serve Him and my neighbour with the gifts he has give me?

The giants of the past weren’t perfect either but what set the true giants apart from the rest was that they knew and depended on their God. If there was ever a moment in history where that realignment with God was needed, especially for us in the West, it is now.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith | Tags: Bernard of Chartres, Christian, Devotion, Faith, God | Leave a comment

Consequences – the Sapling on the Grave

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Pieter Stok

In my devotions at present I am being reminded of sin; the original sin, my sin, even your sin and the consequences.

The photo (left) reminded me of consequences. I imagine that many, many years ago an enterprising person went around this cemetery planting cypress pines with the aim of beautifying the place. Little did he or she realise that in 120 years, the cute little sapling would dominate the grave.

Little did Adam and Eve realise … little do we realise the lie, the cheat, the disobedience, the selfishness, the arrogance, in fact, any of the sins we tend to call “little” or “white”, have an impact on ourselves, others and our relationship with God. We just let them shoot, grow and develop. Sometimes the consequences are not there for us to see immediately. Sometimes, like the cypress tree, it will only be evident in the distant future. That is when the full impact is revealed.

For the Christian, forgiveness is always at hand. We are usually not slow at appropriating it. I must add, I’m all for it. However, we often forget about confession, reconciliation and restoration. There are consequences to deal with. The hurt, the anger and the disappointment, often weighing on people who are close to us, still needs healing. Bridges need to be built. We still need to ask, “Will you please forgive me.” Sometimes the answer might be,”No. I’m not ready yet.” That is a consequence we need to live with.

Yes, God forgives, and He looks at His children through Christ coloured glasses. He sees us as guiltless and innocent through his son but that mustn’t stop us from taking steps to stop the cypress trees from growing in places where they can do great damage.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Jesus | Tags: Christian, confession, Devotion, Faith, forgiveness, God, restoration, sin | Leave a comment

Blues Brothers Christianity

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Pieter Stok

The other evening, in a weaker moment, (my wife says I am lying – I had been wanting to rewatch it for a while) I watched the Blues Brothers again. The unbelievable mayhem and pandemonium was still as funny as it was all those years ago. It was their tag line that got me thinking, “We’re on a mission from God.”

Once Elwood and Jake understood their task, nothing would stop them. The Illinois police, Nazis, a maniacal ex girl friend, The Chicago police and the army all failed to halt their progress. They were single minded and did not count the cost, to themselves (or anybody else for that matter).

The thought crossed my mind, “What if Christians were like that?” How would the world look? If we go back to the apostle Paul: imprisonment, beatings and riots did not thwart his real “mission from God.” William Wilberforce, William Booth, Loren Cunningham (YWAM) are just three amongst a myriad of examples who were on their “mission from God”. There are the many unkown (to us) in Asian, African, South American and Chinese Churches who are quietly (and sometimes not so quietly!) carrying out their missions.

In Australia there were the Dutch migrants who revitalised Christian education in the 1960s and 70s with the Christian Parent Controlled School movement which has since morphed into Christian Education National. Their impact went far beyond their numbers and nationality. The idea of unschooled Dutch migrants setting up and running schools was considered laughable by many. Fifty years later thousands have flocked to these and similar schools around Australia.

The fact remains though, that in western countries, like Australia, we need spiritual Elwoods and Jakes, or should I say, Pauls and Williams and Lorens to halt the slide into godlessness; a godlessness and spiritual paucity that that is feeding the hopelessness that so many feel today. What is required is a vision of what God’s Word calls for, and a passion and zeal to see it carried out. It requires people who know and understand to the core of their being that they are “on a mission from God”.

I would love to hear from you what you believe the “missions from God” are for Australia and Australians today.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional | Tags: Christian, Devotion, Faith, Future, God | Leave a comment

15 Reasons Why Christian Education is Important

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Sound Christian Education takes the Bible seriously.
Truth is seen as absolute.
Christian Education believes a Christian worldview can make a positive difference.
It gives students a strong foundation in a world of shifting values and morals.
Christian Education recognizes God’s sovereignty and Christ’s Kingship, and …
therefore God’s claims over all of creation are taken seriously.
No subject or curriculum is outside the orbit of God.
Students are recognised for who they are: sinners in need of God’s grace in Christ.
Also students are given a vision of God’s Kingdom and their place in it.
Good Christian education recognises the unique, God given gifts and talents of the students and
challenges them to achieve their amazing potential.
It assists parents in their God given mandate.
Sound Christian Education treats the student as a whole person whose aim is to grow in Christ-likeness..
A foundation in God and His world prepares the student for tomorrow.
Healthy Christian Education develops critical thinking by having the courage to explore other world views from the perspective of its own worldview.

What reasons can you add?

As this post proves to be regularly accessed I have included some other sites:

Australia

http://www.cen.edu.au/ Christian Education National

http://csa.edu.au/ Christian Schools Australia

A wonderfully informative website:

http://www.whychristianschools.com.au/wcs/index.html

USA/Canada

http://www.csionline.org/ Christian Schools Internation

http://aacs.org/ American Association of Christian Schools

http://www.christianschoolstrust.co.uk/find_a_school Christian Schools Trust UK

Categories: christian, Education, Faith, Family, Future, Jesus, Teaching | Tags: Christian, Christian Education, Education, Faith, God, Jesus | 22 Comments

Known Only to Him

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Pieter Stok

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

We fear the unknown. I remember when I purchased my first computer, an Apple 2C, for wordprocessing in 1984. One ministerial colleague told me that the Holy Spirit only worked through a pen. Socrates, I believe, feared writing, as he saw it as a threat to learning and memory.

Today we have much more to fear. The future races upon us daily with an amazing rapidity. Pundits tell us that many of the jobs our young people will have in the future, haven’t been invented yet.

Matt 6:25 ff. reminds us where our trust should lie – whatever happens in the future. Or in the words of the hymn, “Known Only to Him” written by Stuart Hamblen and sung by Elvis, we hear the line:

I know not what the future holds
But I know who holds the future

This is the core of Matt 6:25ff. The Christian knows that the future is in God’s hands and not that of the scientist, politician or media star. There is no excuse for passivity or complacency here. We still need to be Kingdom workers. There is however, every reason for joy and comfort, knowing who holds the future.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Jesus | Tags: Christian, Devotion, Faith, Future, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, Trust | Leave a comment

God’s Audit

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Pieter Stok

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1&2

There is a natural, or we may call it, human leaning towards complacency. We take people and things for granted. For Christians, sadly, this even includes their relationship with God.

In my own life I find that God confronts that smug self absorption with the passage above. For me it is an auditor’s check-list; a reminder of a higher purpose and direction. It is a means to refocus my life.

The check-list is simple, but the challenge profound:

The Challenge: Am I striving to be a living sacrifice? In other words, am I living a life of gratitude to the glory of God, or is it focused on my own wants?

The Warning: Where is my life being shaped by the values and attitudes of the world – those insidious ideas we take on without realising their implications?

The Command: To be transformed. Are my heart and mind open to the restorative and life changing work of the Holy Spirit?

The Reason and Result: Paul reminds me that when the person of faith, lives before God with an openness to His divine hand, then we will be integrated/enveloped by God’s perfect will for His Kingdom and our place in it.

Is this easy? Not in any way as we are often fighting our own perverse wills. Is it important? Certainly! It is about being who God calls you and me to be.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Romans | Tags: Christian, Devotion, Faith, God, Romans, St Paul | Leave a comment

The Craftsman

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Pieter Stok

St. Cuthbert, Lindisfarne

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10

Lovingly planned,

Gently formed.

Carved and shaped by sublime hands.

Sanded and smoothed,

Rubbed and polished.

Crafted with pride and purpose.

Breathed into miraculous life.

Accompanied by the maker’s instructions;

To serve,

Be,

Do,

To the glory of the

The Master Craftsman.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Poem, Uncategorized | Tags: Christian, Faith, God, Poem, Poem on Sunday, Prayer | Leave a comment

Even Roman Centurions Need a Break

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Pieter Stok

One of my favourite photos from Rome is a picture I took of a Roman Centurion, near the Colosseum, reading a newspaper. Adding to the relaxed atmosphere was a Gelati van in the background.

Reflecting on this photo it reminded me that some of us, either because of our background or natural disposition frown on relaxation. It is not productive, there are things to be done and we shouldn’t waste time. Some of us, especially those of us brought up under the spectre of the “Calvinist work ethic”, see relaxation as sinful, or if not sinful, certainly heading in that direction.

Is this driven lifestyle something that God wants? Is it healthy?

When reading the Psalms it strikes me that Psalmist, stopped, stood down from his business and basked in the beauty of the creation around him

“You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1b)

“The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1a)

“Sing to him a new song; play skilfully and shout for joy” (Psalm 33:3)

There are many, many more examples.

What they reveal is a person delighting in his relationship with God and rejoicing in the beauty and majesty of his God’s creation.

For the hard nosed, star gazing and lyre plucking are not productive activities. However, for the delighter in God, they are worship. There is a joy and celebration knowing that God has surrounded me with His creation – a creation not simply there to be productive and mined, but a creation that reveals God, His majesty and beauty.

So in your busy-ness stop and smell the flowers, or if you like, have a gelati and a read a paper. Even centurions need a break.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Creation, Devotional | Tags: Christian, Devotion, Faith, God, Rest | 1 Comment

Two Images – One Story

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Pieter Stok

On a cold but sunny December day in 2005 I stood in the old ruined Cathedral in Coventry, UK.

I have two photos taken that day; one in the ruins of the old Cathedral and another outside the new. In their contrast and contradiction, they tell one unified story.

The first, is the altar in the old bombed out Cathedral. On the 14th of November 1940 the Luftwaffe blitzed Coventry. One of the victims was its 800 year old Cathedral. Today, where the altar once stood, is a plaque that simply says, “Father Forgive”. Above this is a simple wooden cross made from charred beams which survived the conflagration. In front of this stands a board with a simple Litany of Reconciliation, the refrain to which is, “Father Forgive”, as well as a small bunch of flowers.

The other image is on the outside wall of the new Cathedral consecrated in 1962. It is of St Michael’s victory over Satan by Jacob Epstein. This dramatic sculpture represents St. Michael (meaning “who is like God”) a Biblical figure. We see references in Daniel 10:13,21 and possibly Joshua 5:13-15, Jude and Revelation. In Scripture St. Michael is presented as a protector of God’s people.

The obvious question is, where was St. Michael on the night the Cathedral was bombed? There is an irony in these two images.

The answer lies at the altar of the old cathedral. The cross revealing Christ’s sacrifice for all God’s people – both the bomber and the bombed. This is reinforced with the words, “Father Forgive”. Brokenness lies at the heart of all of us. It is not the exclusive domain of a culture or nation. George Bush’s “axis of evil” comment in 2002, forgets that evil or sin isn’t exclusive. It encompasses us all. It is a curse from which we all need to be relieved.

That a cultured country such as Germany could blitz Britain or a civilised community such as the UK be complicit in the razing of Dresden is a reminder that evil is not far off. We see it in Abu Ghraib, in Libya and in our own hearts.

Yes, God does protect His people. For all those who come to faith in Christ there is protection. Not just for a moment or a life time – but eternity. There is a payment for our brokenness and a reconciliation with God.

What sign should we look for that this truth is also ours. I think one sign must be our ability to say, like our Saviour, “Father Forgive”.

Categories: Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tags: Altar, Cathedral, Christian, Coventry, Devotion, God | Leave a comment