This Is The End Beautiful Friends The End

I started this blog a confused gen exer trying to find a place in the Xn church. I'm still a confused gen exer but I feel like I've found my place. In many ways I suspect I've just become more comfortable about being on the edge of church and, care of the good folks who make up the church I currently call home, that edge feels very comfortable. This comfort is reflected in my lack of posts in recent times. So for the foreseeable future I'm going to call it a day. Thanks to everyone who has read any of the posts and to anyone who I've disagreed with or has disagreed with me just remember "heresy is just truth overstated".

God bless.

Podcasts

Sometime ago I started doing 101 things to do as a churchless Xn. One of the most consistently important things for me has been listening to Podcasts. These are my favourites...

• Homebrewed Christianity
• Nick and Josh
• Father Bob
• Sunday night Safran
• Praxis
• Iconocast
• Emergent Village
• Tom Wright page (not a podcast but links to loads of Tom Wright talks)
• CCDA

You should be able to find them straight through iTunes too.

Apologies

Apologies for the lack of posts. I'm working on a talk for church. "Messiah: Justice and Friend of Sinners" is the title I've been given. So it'll be a long post / mp3 on August 22nd but not much up till then.

Refugees

I've written to both Liberal and Labor candidates in my electorate telling them I'm disappointed with their policies on refugees and I haven't heard a thing back from either of them. Frustrating. I could post statistics about the issue but two funny guys works just as well.

Valley Songs - All Of Them

One of the more popular things I have done on this blog has been the Valley Songs. I've posted Now that blogger offers a page function I've added a whole page of my Valley Songs. At the moment it's just chords lyrics and some tab. I'll try and add videos to each songs eventually too. There's a link on the pages section of the side bar.

Atonement Alternative

I've often written critically about atonement illustrations like Nicky Gumbell's Nazi camp story. So I thought it was time to write an alternative illustration. Of course like other illustrations it doesn't capture the entire gospel it just captures one aspect.

The hike started to take a turn for the worse. We had reached the summit of the mountain and we were on our way back when we discovered an avalanche had cut off the path home. The sun was starting to set and jack, our guide, confirmed our fears that the moans in the distance were indeed bears. Jack lead us to the opening of an abandoned mine. "this is going to be our only way out" he suggested "I've never been down inside but it might lead out somewhere pass the bears". A few decided to stay at the mouth of the mine most of us followed jack. The mine shafts got narrower and narrower. Some of the lager and more claustrophobic in the group stopped to see if we would come back after hitting a dead end. The rest of use winded our way single file through the mine until we came to a small hole where we could hear running water below. The opening was big enough for one and the ledge below was big enough for just two. The stream was going to go somewhere and it was big enough to for someone to swim in you just needed gills to breath until you found air somewhere. Jack turned to the hiker who had gone down with him and said he was going to swim. Through and see where it went. A while went by went by until jack resurfaced "it gets us out just take a deep breath and follow me. Don't try and come back though you'll probably drown and block the path for everyone else." So jack left then a second hiker got down on the ledge with the first hiker. By the time I got there this story had been relayed to me by at least a dozen people. As it was my time to relay the story back to the person behind me. I wondered why I was believing it could everyone be just going to there death? I held my breath but my faith in jack and swam believing life would greet me on the other side.

Flim Review - Away We Go

Freakin’ amazing. A sensuously paced journey with beautiful characters I could not only identify with, I could imagine having in my circle friends. The film has a beautiful balance of humour and pain and has marriage advice that isn't sappy or trite. The central couple grow throughout the film in a the way that real people do, no Hollywood moment or realisation they can do anything. They embrace the life they find themselves with, including all it's short comings and embrace the loves that they find themselves with. Highly recommended.

Back

I'm back to blogging. As much as a I did watch a bit of the world cup and I did run a tipping competition for my extended family it was a great time to not think about writing theologically for a month or so. None the less I've got a few ideas for posts brewing.

Blog On Hold

World cup on, blog o hold. :)

Three More Road Tested Valley Songs

Here are the final three songs that I've played with a congregation. Two old classics and One great unknown. The two classics ("swing low sweet chariot" and "in the sweet by and by") are of the "can't wait for God to whisk me up to heaven" variety if like me your theologically NT Wrightish on these issues I've written a post on why I still sing these songs even though they may not perfectly fit my theology. When I play these songs I like to play a song like "I will be your friend" I came across it on a kids CD to me it sounded like a song written right after reading Matthew 25. I wrote to Guy Davis's management to get permission to play it in church.

Swing low, Sweet Chariot

I (G)looked over Jordan and (C)what did I (G)see?
(G)Commin' for to carry me (D)home
(G)There was a band of angels, a-(C)commin' after (G)me
(G)Commin' for to (D)carry me (G)home

CHORUS
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home

I'm sometimes up, and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But but I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home

CHORUS

If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all my friends that I'm a-comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Commin' for to carry me home
And now they're commin' for to carry me home

© Traditional – Johnny Cash arrangement

In the Sweet By and By

(G)There's a land that is (C)fairer than (G)day
And by faith we can see it a(D7)far
For the (G)Father waits (C)over the (G)way
To prepare us a (D7)dwelling place (G)there

CHORUS
In the (D7)sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful (G)shore
In the (G7)sweet by and (C)by
We shall (G)meet on that (D7)beautiful (G)shore

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
the melodious songs of the blest
And our spirits shall sorrow no more
not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

CHORUS

To our bountiful Father above
We will offer the tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
and the blessings that hallow our days.


© Traditional – arrangement Mars Hill Band

I Will Be Your Friend — Guy Davis

(C)If you’ve got troubles And you need a helpin’ hand,
(F)If you’ve got troubles And you need a helpin’ (C)hand,
(Am7)If you’ve got (G7)troubles And you (C)need a helpin’ (F)hand,
Come to (C)me, I will (G)be your (C)friend.

CHORUS
(G)I will be your (C)friend,(C7) (F)I will be your (C)friend.
(Am7)If you’ve got (G7)troubles, And you (C)need a helpin’ (F)hand,
Come to (C)me, I will (G)be your (C)friend.

If you are hungry And you’ve got no place to stay,
If you are hungry And you’ve got no place to stay,
If you are hungry And you’ve got no place to stay,
Come to me, I will be your friend.

I will be your friend (oh Lordy!), I will be your friend.
If you are hungry And you’ve got no place to stay,
Come to me, I will be your friend.

If you are lonely And you’ve got nobody to love(have mercy!),
If you are lonely And you’ve got no one to love,
If you are lonely And you’ve got nobody to love,
Come to me, I will be your friend.

I will be your friend, I will be your friend.
If you are lonely And you need somebody to love,
Come to me, I will be your friend.

"I Will Be Your Friend"
Words & Music by Guy Davis

I play this in E. Most congregations can't sing as low as Guy.

The Joy of Gioia - Valley Songs

10 years ago I would have told you that congregational singing is a complete waste of time. Paul Gioia is the man who single handedly changed my mind about this. I've deliberately not included all of the song in the posts because Paul is a friend and it'd be great if he received some album and sheet music sales from this.

Why Do You Love Me?
Psalm 116

CHORUS
(F)Why do you love me (Bb)Even when I (C)hurt you?
(F)Why do you hold me (Bb)When I (C)cry?
(F)Why will you love me (Bb)Until the (C)end of (F)time? (Bb) (C)

(F)I… (Bb)love the (F)Lord… (Bb)for (F)he… has (Bb)heard my (C)voice
(Dm)I will (C7sus4)call on (F)him (Bb)as (F)long as (C)I (Dm)live (C7)
(F)Cords (Bb)of (F)death (Bb)en(F)tan…(Bb)gled (C)me
(Dm)I… (C7sus4)called on the (F)Lord: (Bb)Oh (F)Lord (C)save (F)me! (C7)

CHORUS

God has saved my soul from death
My feet from stumbling, my eyes from tears
That I may walk before the Lord
In the land of the living

CHORUS

How can I repay the Lord?
For all his goodness to me, to me.
I will honour my promise to God
Freed from my chains I’ll praise the Lord!

CHORUS

© Paul Gioia, 1986

Guitar Riff At The Start

F Bb C
----------15-13-------------------|-----------
-------13-------15-13-15-13-------|-15---17---
----14----------------------14----|-15---17---
-15----------------------------15-|-15---17---
----------------------------------|-13---15---
----------------------------------|-----------

No Turning Back

I have (C)decided to (F)follow (C)Jesus;
I have (F)decided to follow (C)Jesus;
I have (C)decided to (F)follow (Am)Jesus; (F)
No turning (C)back, (G)no turning (C)back.

Though I may stumble, I still will follow;
Though I may stumble, I still will follow;
Though I may stumble, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

© Traditional – Paul Gioia arrangement

Other Songs of Paul's I've already posted are Face Of The Humbled Poor and Some Great Day.

Dreaming Of Singing These One Day - Valley Songs

As requested here are three more Valley Songs. These are all songs I've never tried with a congregation but would love to one day. "Hard Times" doesn't mention God as such but to my mind beautifully captures what it would be like for God's Kingdom to break out on Earth. I love playing "Get Right With God" on a slide and it's not to hard work out. The Church I'm at has a Sun rise Easter service and I always wanted to start it with the song "I'm Free".

Hard Times Come Again No More

Verse 1:
Let us [F]pause in life's pleasures
And [Bb]count its many [F]tears
[Bb]While we [F]all sup [C]sorrow [C7]with the [F]poor
There's a [F]song that will linger
For[Bb]ever [C]in our [Dm]ears;
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come a[C7]gain no [F]more

Chorus:
'Tis the [F]song, the sigh of the [Bb]wea[F]ry
[F]Hard times, [Bb]hard [F]times,
[G9]Come a[G7]gain no [C]more
[C7]Many [F]days you have [C7]ling[Cm]ered
[Bb]around my [C]cabin [Dm]door
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come [C7]again no [F]more

Verse 2:
While we [F]seek mirth and beauty
And [Bb]music light and [F]gay,
[Bb]There are [F]frail forms [C]fainting [C7]at the [F]door
Though their [F]voices are silent,
Their [Bb]pleading [C]looks will [Dm]say
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come a[C7]gain no [F]more

Verse 3:
There's [F]pale drooping maiden
Who [Bb]toils her life [F]away,
[Bb]With a [F]worn heart, whose [C]better [C7]days are [F]o'er
Though her [F]voice would be merry,
'tis [Bb]sighing [C]all the [Dm]day,
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come a[C7]gain no [F]more

Verse 4:
'Tis a [F]sigh that is wafted
A[Bb]cross the troubled [F]wave
[Bb]Tis a [F]wail that is [C]heard up[C7]on the [F]shore
Tis a [F]dirge that is murmured
A[Bb]round the [C]lowly [Dm]grave
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come [C7]again no [F]more

Ending:
'Tis the [F]song, the sigh of the [Bb]wea[F]ry
[F]Hard times, [Bb]hard [F]times,
[G9]Come a[G7]gain no [C]more
[C7]Many [F]days you have [C7]ling[Cm]ered
[Bb]around my [C]cabin [Dm]door
[Bb]Oh, [F]hard times, [C]come [C7]again no [Bb]more [F]

© Stepehen Foster

Get Right With God

G
I would risk the serpent's bite
I would dance around with seven
I would kiss the diamond back
If I knew it would get me to heaven

CHORUS
'Cause I (C)want to get right with (G)God
Yes, you (C)know you got to get right with (G)God

I would burn the soles of my feet
Burn the palms of both my hands
If I could learn and be complete
If I could walk righteously again

I would sleep on a bed of nails
'Till my back was torn and bleeding
In the deep darkness of Hell
The Damascus of my meeting

I asked God about his plan
To save us all from Satan's slaughter
If I give up one of my lambs
Will you take me as one of your daughters?

© Lucinda Williams

I'm Free

I'm (A)free
Praise the (D)Lord I'm (A)free
No longer (E)bound
No more (A)chains hol(D)ding (A)me
My soul is (D)resting
It's such a (A)blessing (D)I (A)see
Praise the Lord Halle(E)lujah I'm (A)free

© Traditional – arrangement Psalters

More Valley Songs

After Nathan Colquhoun's positive comments about my Valley Song collection I've been inspired to post some more songs. These are all road tested so enjoy.

Ain’t No Grave

CHORUS
There Ain’t no (G 8 bars)grave gonna hold my body down
There ain’t no (C 8 bars)grave gonna hold my body down (G)
When I hear the trumpet sound
Get up outa the ground
There ain’t no (D 8 bars)grave gonna hold my body down (G)

VERSE (G)
The Lord Himself from heaven
Descending with a shout
O glory Hallelujah
From the grave He'll call me out
Meet me Jesus meet me
Meet me in the middle of the air
When I go I'll sing and shout
For I'll be welcome there

© Traditional – arrangement Fret Not

I Saw The Light

I (A)wandered so aimless my heart filled with sin
(D)I wouldn't let my (A)dear Saviour in
(D)Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
(A)Praise the Lord (E)I saw the (A)light

CHORUS
(A)I saw the light I saw the light
(D)No more darkness (A)no more night
(D)Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
(A)Praise the Lord (E)I saw the (A)light

Just like a blind man I wandered alone
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

I was a fool to wander and astray
Straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the lord I saw the light

© Hank Williams – arrangement Dave Crowder

I want Jesus to walk with me

I want (Dm)Jesus to (A7)walk with (Dm)me
I want (F)Jesus to walk with (A7)me
All (Dm)along my pilgrim journey
I want (Dm)Jesus to (A7)walk with (Dm)me

In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

© Traditional – arrangement Mars Hill Band

Conservative Theology Or Conservative Liturgy

So which one do you have? If you are honest with yourself it's probably one or the other. This is often what anchors us in the faith. Radical ideas about liturgy (or Xn practices in general) are usually found in more theologically conservative churches and radical ideas about theology are usually found in more liturgically conservative churches. I grew up theologically conservative and liturgically liberal. As I age I'm becoming more theologically liberal, not for the sake of it I think that many of my ideas are just less orthodox than they used to be. Certainly not unusual for someone my age. But, as this happens I'm increasingly looking for patterns of life and liturgy (Xn practices) that I can use to help anchor me. I suspect that somewhere between practice and belief God hangs out. God's a pretty slippery sucker. As I try letting go of some theology in order to get a better hold of God I find myself needing some practice to hang on to. Maybe belief and practice are like the two side rails on a pathway. God is in the middle and if we just hang on to one we'll completely miss God we have to let go but we need the other rail for when we fall off the path again.

I'm Sorry I'm A Christian

Some great slam poetry.

The God Who Was Sorry

For me one of the most fascinating parts of the bible is when God repents of making humanity in the story of Noah (Genesis 6:6). Fast forward to Jesus and you've got Jesus being the Passover lamb. The Passover lamb is the object that takes the blame. Put the two together and you've got a God who is sorry and takes the blame for sin.

If we were to ask Is God responsible for the mess we find ourselves in? Before we can even ask the question or try make a judgement about what proportion (if any) we want to blame god. God has already said sorry for the mess and taken the blame. That's powerful. Particularly in an age when no one wants to admit they are sorry or take any portion of blame for fear of the consequences. Rather they would wait for a court or other higher power to prove their guilt.

Starting An Unintentional Community

Last year I got to meet with someone doing a church plant in my area. He's a paid worker leading a small group of people from the same church that's moved into the area to do a church plant. An intentional community of sorts. I always get excited about this kind of thing so I organised to meet with him and hear what they were doing. After being asked a few questions about how evangelical I was I got the feeling that I was not the kind of person they are looking for to be part of their community. Although I expressed interest to meet with other people who are part of the plant, I was told just to look at their infrequently updated website.

The conversation felt very much like my initial church surfing in the area. The underlying message from each church was always the same. "this is the way we do things here... Join in and do it our way or don't"

It's frustrating but nothing out of the ordinary. Turn up to a liberal church and tell them you believe in 7 day creation, or turn up to a conservative church and tell them you think the first 11 chapters of genesis are myth and you'll get the same awkward treatment. It's because you're the kind of person that they never intended to have in their community.

As Xn communities we're comfortable with people who believe the same as us and we're comfortable with people who might journey with us until they end up believing the same as us. Basically church is open to anyone on the line between unbelief and belief just like us. It's the way that we as church communities keep control of what we believe. For as much as Xns talk about going on a journey with people we always want that person to end up believing the same things we do and usually learning those beliefs from us or in the same way we did. If you've found yourself believing something other than what the orthodox for that church is they don't know what to do with you. Apart from maybe hope you go away.

This is perhaps one of the reasons I get so irritated when I sense someone trying to sniff out if I'm evangelical or liberal. They want to know if I fit on their line between unbelief and what they believe. If I fit we can work together if not then we'll usually talk platitudes about all believing the same gospel but then work completely independently of each other.

I'd like to propose an unintentional community? One where a group of Xns with wildly diverse beliefs and ideas work, live and play together.

Jesus Death And Resurrection: Exodus 2.0

At the edge of the river a tribe asks where are we going? The answer is "in to the dessert", in to certain death. In to a place where they would barely have the resources to survive long enough to work out what to do next let alone live there. Taking justice into their own hands they ran away in to the dessert, in to death, at least this way they would die of their own causing and not at the hand of a tyrant. The miracle of the exodus is that they survived. set free into a new world.

This Easter as I look into the cross a place more certain to kill even than the desert. I cannot help but think of that first exodus. Jesus walks straight into death at the hands of unjust political and religious systems. But like the first exodus survives and paves the way for a new way of living. a New way of living where it is ok to pursue a life of justice and righteousness above all else because the unjust even those with the power to kill will not triumph. Even if we die death will not be the end.

Where Was God At Easter?

Having pondered about the inadequateness of the penal substitution metaphor for some time. Every so often I'll come across yet another part of the bible where the penal substitution metaphor justice doesn't cut it. This Easter was no different. The question I wondered was who was God with at the crucifixion Jesus or the Romans. If you believe in the trinity then god is with Jesus on the cross, if you believe in penal substitution then god is with the Romans sending Jesus to die on the cross. Penal substitution can be a helpful metaphor but only when it is a metaphor among many and not the only metaphor.

Period Of Deferment

Having stuck my hand up for the Uniting Church Minister factory last year I had planned to do the same this year. However, I've done some detailed analysis of the financials and I can't live on them. So I will differ candidating until 2012 to start in 2013. This would also be dependent on not having any more kids too. It took some time to get all the details and last year I ploughed on having been assured by few people that the money available was enough to live on. I'm still doing a period of discernment but I'll also be re thinking everything... as per usual.

Popularity Has Become The Substitute For Community

It's pretty easy to level this kind of criticism at younger people who have hundreds of friends on Facebook but aren't meeting up with the all and playing cricket in the street. The reality is we do not have a community any more. Not in the nostalgic 1950s sense or the "Desperate Housewives" sense where everyone's friends and workmates all live on the same street.

I don't know whether existed but it certainly doesn't now. Most people don't exist in a communities in that sense but a series of networks. A network of social friends, church, work, sport, hobbies and neighbours. Each are different and it's rare that these networks intersect. And it's usually expected that they won't, most people moving into a new suburb will not be expecting to find some new friends in the area, they'll be busy hanging out with the friends they already have.

Popularity has not replaced this idea of community networks have. Every time I see the words "community church" as much as I heartily support the sentiment, I bet there are few people in the local community who feel some kind of affinity with the church.

The church I am at is much the same a great outward focus with the motto "promoting life in our community" I personally find that task overwhelming I wonder if it is was changed to "promoting life in our networks" whether it would seem less daunting.

Can You Be Rich And A Christian?

Most Xns I know are not prosperity gospel devotees. But, they will say things like "there's nothing in the bible that says you can't be rich and a Xn". I got to thinking recently is that true?

Firstly what is rich? Most people I know wouldn't consider me rich. Mainly because they live in a better suburb have higher incomes and drive nicer cars than me. But compared to people through out time I am friggin’ loaded and compared to people round the world I am also friggin’ loaded. Purely by having running water a flushing toilets more clothing than I can wear in a week, a perfectly functioning mode of transport that will get anywhere around the city I live, a telephone, Internet connection, food that is so cheap and plentiful it only takes up 20% of the family budget and stable housing that I will one day own outright... means I am extremely rich. This is far far more than almost anyone in the world past or present could even imagine being possible.

None the less most people I know would not consider me rich. So one of the problems is that the average westerner understands rich as simply having more than most of those around you. So for someone with more than average in a poor suburb might feel richer than someone less than average in a rich suburb even though the first person might have less than the second person.

None the less lets look at some of the texts...

Mathew 19:21 The Rich Young Man

Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

Proverbs 23:4

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist.

Luke 16:13

No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." God The Pharisees, who were lovers of money , heard all this, and they ridiculed him.

Acts 5:1-5

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife's knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet. "Ananias," Peter asked, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!" Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it.

The first Xns to be chucked out of church is a couple who die because they sold their own property and didn't share all proceeds with everyone. Can you imagine a church visitors card with...

[] I would like to find out more about becoming a member if this Church (N.B this will involve selling all you own and contributing that to a common pool)

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Here Jesus is comparing the biggest known object with smallest known hole. Although I've often heard people say this just means it's harder not impossible. I don't think could be right. Surely the point is that this is something that is physically impossible.

Psalm 49:1-9

Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly, no ransom avails for one's life, there is no price one can give to God for it. For the ransom of life is costly, and can never suffice, that one should live on forever and never see the grave.
rich to grave rest of us restored

1 Timothy 6:10

Money is the root of all evil

The list goes on and on... Especially from Jesus. Here are some of Jesus sayings about money. (Care of www.pcusa.org/stewardship/bigtent/jesusmary.pdf)

Money and Possessions

• The Rich Fool—Luke 12:16-21
• The Shrewd Manager 16:1-8
• The Talents—Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27

God’s Ownership

• The Cost of Discipleship—Luke 14:28-33
• The Faithful and Wise Servant—Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48
• The Great Banquet—Luke 14:16-24
• The Master and his Servant—Luke 17:7-10
• The Shepherd and his Flock—John 10:1-18
• The Tenants—Matthew 21:33-44; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18
• The Thief—Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40
• The Two Sons—Matthew 21:28-32
• The Unfruitful Fig Tree—Luke 13:6-9
• The Unmerciful Servant—Matthew 18:23-35
• The Watchful Servants—Mark 13:34-37; Luke 12:35-40
• The Wedding Banquet—Matthew 22:2-14
• Human Prosperity and Poverty
• The Lost Sheep—Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7
• The Rich Man and Lazarus—Luke 16:19-31
• The Widow’s Mite—Mark 12:43-44
• Bigger Barns—Luke 12:16-21

Gratitude

• The Workers in the Vineyard—Matthew 20:1-16
• The Pharisee and the Tax Collector—Luke 18:9-14
• Woman Anointing Jesus—Luke 7:36-49
• Following God in Finances
• Two Masters—Matthew 6:24
• Deny Self and Follow Me—Matthew 16:24-26
• Don’t Worry About Life—Luke 12:22-34
• Good Measure will be Given Back—Luke 6:37-38
• Much Given, Much Required—Luke 12:48

Eternal Reward

• The Hidden Treasure—Matthew 13:44
• The Lowest Seat at the Feast—Luke 14:7-14
• The Sheep and the Goats—Matthew 25:31-46
• The Valuable Pearl—Matthew 13:45-46
• The Wise and Foolish Builders—Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49

And, it's all through the law and the prophets too. One of the things that marks the God’s people being how they care for the poor. This was taken up by the early church who were well known for how they looked after the poor.

For most of us we don't think as ourselves as being greedy when we are accumulating wealth. We usually talk about being good stewards of our money. Saving it for a rainy day but Jesus even challenges this kind of thinking.

Luke 12:22-34

He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When it comes to stewardship I'm pretty sure that most of what is talked about as good stewardship is how we handle other peoples money not how we handle our own So it's more like how we handle the company expense account or how charities handle monies donated in grants. Not whether we buy a share portfolio or invest in property.

Obviously the prosperity gospel is about a neat a fit with the text as Satan worshipping random acts violence gospel. When it comes to the question can you be rich and a Xn. I reckon the answer just has to be no.

A few years ago I went to what I'd describe as a Xn money scam seminar. Kind of a "God wants you to get rich quick and here's how". The question was asked can you handle the responsibility of looking after huge amounts of cash for God? I could feel the whole room itching to yell out "yes!!!" In a moment of quiet introspection I thought you know what I don't think I could be appropriately generous if I had loads of cash. I'd live in a better suburb drive a better car and buy a real nice guitar. Years later I''m still living in a suburb that is synonymous with unemployment or at best blue collar but not trade qualified. So, it was quite a surprise to see one of the seminar lecturers living in the same suburb as me. I wondered did everything fall flat for him or is he earning huge dollars but choosing to slum it. I just wasn't brave enough to ask.

Daddy's Cheap Arse Recpies

As a stay at home dad I decided to make as much of my own stuff as possible. To start with that's Dishwashing powder and washing powder. It's heaps cheaper and good for the environment. I was asked by a friend "are the recipes on your blog?" well now they are...

Clothes Washing Powder

5 cups shaved soap or Lux flakes
2 cups washing soda
2 cups bicarbonate of soda
2 cups of borax

Mix & Use 2 tablespoons per wash.

Dishwashing Powder

50% Borax
50% Washing Soda

2 Table spoons per wash

White Vinegar in the rinse aid part of the machine

2 teaspoons per wash

Youth Group - Opening Night

Last night I got to run the opening night of a new church youth group. The group is for yr 11s to 1st year uni students. Opening night pizza and a slightly convoluted process of asking so "what would you like to do in this group?" I told the group I was keen to make it a place where they could wrestle with faith and life issues and a place where the honest answer is always better than the "right" answer.

Other youth groups that I've run are often full of people who've been forced to go to church for years and have gone to youth group just to shut their parents up and on the condition that if they don't like it after a couple of weeks they don't have to ever go again. This group is completely different, they are keen to wrestle with their faith and very committed to each other. So I feel a very very big level of responsibility to them.

The brain storming questions I used to get the so what do you guys want to do answers were...

• The things I love about previous youth groups at this church, Church, this other thing I’ve been to and I’d like to have in this group are…
• The things I just don’t get about church, God, The Bible are…
• The biggest issues facing my friends, my generation, the world are…
• The things (think God type things) I’d love to learn about, know or understand are…
  

We divided the group into 4 smaller groups and each one had 5 minutes to answer the questions.

Critical Child Rearing Mistake No. 13 - School

Last week at a huge 3 years of age my little girl started kindergarten. Dropping her off felt truly awful. She didn't want to do the organised activity - puzzles - she's pretty independent at the best of time and being able to do the puzzles in about the same time it took to take them apart didn't help. She wasn't keen for me to leave either but with a moment distraction, as she received a dinosaur stamp from the teacher, I left. For 2 hours I sat around feeling like I dropped my daughter off to the chimney sweep for a month in return for a shiny silver coin.

On my return she was fine but the teacher said that she had to be very "firm" with her. Which my teaching wife assures me means she wasn't doing what she was asked. My daughter is such a free spirit and I hope it is not crushed at school.

The influence of U2's The Unforgettable Fire

I was in one of Perth's mega churches day dreaming whilst everyone was singing some contemporary worship songs. As I listened to the bass playing the root note of the chord on every quarter note, the drums rhythmical pounding with a fair amount floor tom and a slightly over driven guitar repeatedly playing three notes of the chord with a long delay. I couldn't help but think U2 and in particular the album the unforgettable fire. It got me thinking does 80's Christian chorus's + U2's Unforgettable fire = contemporary worship music?

Running AMUC With Music - Valley Songs

Due to some strange lack of better judgment I was asked to lead worship this year at AMUC. It is only once I said yes I realised it's something I don't really have much experience in. So like any beginner I severely over prepared thinking 5 songs a day repeat each song that's 10 songs for the 4 sessions I originally prepared to play these songs... As the week went on I shrunk my list. After realising not everyone will be fully into singing songs they don't know after late nights of serving those in need in inner city Perth.

Be Thou My Vision (in E)

Intro\Outro: Csus4 C
(C)Be Thou my (Am)vision, O (F)Lord of (G)my (C)heart.
(G)Naught be all (C)else to me (F)save that Thou (Em)art.
(F)Thou my best (Em)thought, by (C)day or by (F)night,
(Am)waking or (Em)sleeping,
Thy (F)presence (G)my (C)light.

Be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with you and you with me, lord
You’re my great father and I’m your true son
You in me dwelling, and i with you one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou my inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High king of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, o bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, o ruler of all

Face Of The Humbled Poor
Mat. 25:31-46

Behold the (Em)Son (D)of (G)Man
With all His (Am)an(Em)gels gathered (F)‘round (C)Him
Behold the (Em)host of (D)nations (C)‘round his (D)burning (C)throne (D)
The King will (Em)reign (D)with (G)might
And He will (Am)shake their (Em)souls from (F)left to (C)right
The King will (Em)choose them (D)one by (C)one and (G)then they’ll (D)cry

(Am)When did we (C)see you a (G)broken (D)man
(Am)Lying be(C)side a cell (G)door?
When did we (Em)meet your (C)eyes
And not (G)recog(D)nise
The (Cmaj7)Saviour’s face in the (D)humbled (Em)poor? (D) (Em) (D)

I am a refugee
I am a captive child, a detainee
I pace from wall to wall with a broken heart help me.
I am the Holy One
I am the Kings of Kings, the conquering Son,
And there will come a time when my Kingdom comes to you

© Paul Gioia

Picture of Jesus

It (G)hangs above my altar
Like they (C)hung him from a (G)cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the (D)times that I feel (G)lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my (C)family kneels to (G)pray
And if you listen real close
You'll hear the (D)words he used to (G)say

(G)I've got a picture of (C)Je(G)sus
In His arms my prayers (D)rest
(G)I've got a picture of (C)Je(Eb)sus
And (G)with Him we shall (D)be for(C)ever (G)blessed

Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by gun

He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed

Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king

We long to be a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed

© Ben Harper