Everything Must Change

a Jesus thought...
Truly this was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39)

a Godly thought...
For Wesley the conception of God as Creator and Governor needs to be integrated with the concept of God as Parent, Provider and Physician. (p155 Webb)

a leading thought...
Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways. (Jackson Brown Jr.)

a Dave thought...

This is a review of McLaren's latest book, anyone read it?

In Brian McLaren's newest book, Everything Must Change, Brian connects the dots of the days' largest global crisis and shifts in global thinking with the heart of the message of Christianity. Brian's careful weaving of story and reality happens in such a way that it will make everyone from his friends to his greatest critics pause and reflect. In what maybe his most accessibly comprehensive work yet, Brian tells his story of wrestling with the nature Christianity as we have it today, and why it must not merely change, but learn to confront the 'suicidal framing stories of our day.' Whether you are new to Brian, read every one of his works, or a staunch critic...READ THIS BOOK! Theologically, politically, spiritually, and economically this book might just be the straw that breaks the back of the camel of colonial, modern, daulistic thinking in every religion. Many who have left the church will read this book and again experience a revolution of hope welling up inside of them. The message of Jesus as explored in Everything Must Change is good news for all who have the capacity to read and who choose to understand it. But maybe more importantly, it is GREAT NEWS for those who will experience this compassionate, loving, truth-telling, non-violent shift in their communities, in their families, and in their nations. In the end, its simple: if what Brian puts forth is true, not only can everything change, but everything must change because of Jesus!

Just a thought.

Generational Voting

a Jesus thought...
He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. (Mark 14:35)

a Godly thought...
Ours is not a static faith but a faith that enters into a divine conversation; engaging with Scripture and experience that broadens and deepens that which already exists. (p144 Webb)

a leading thought...
Whatever negative baggage you have in life only gets more difficult to bear when you're trying to lead others. (p121 Maxwell)

a Dave thought...
As most of you know we are currently in the midst of an election in Australia with Howard - Liberal aged 68 v Rudd - Labour aged 50.

And while Mr Rudd remains ahead as preferred prime minister for the 10th poll in a row, he has taken a five-point dive to 47 per cent, while Mr Howard is up four points to 43 per cent. The four-point gap is the closest Mr Howard has come to Mr Rudd since he became Labor leader.

What I find fascinating about this election is peoples views are very much determined by the generation they fit into:
Busters born up to 1945, Boomers born 1946 - 1964, Gen Xers born 1965 - 1980, Gen Ys 1981 onwards.
I read the other day in the latest poll that 75% of Gen Ys would vote Kevin07 with his green policy being the area that matters most, and although not as high I would be certain that Gen Xers would also lean towards Rudd as his views on Iraq are a lot more palatable for my generation. But as Boomers generally are into economics and Busters into security they will more likely vote for Johnny as he is seen as wise and reliable.
I do like to box people so why not for the election? So for me it looks like it is the Busters & the Boomers V the Xers & the Ys. My predicted result for an aging Australian population that values security & economics over war & the environment will be Johnny08 but he will then retire, ironic really.

Just a thought.

First Steps

a Jesus thought...
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Mark 13:31)

a Godly thought...
While Rees recognises that doubt may on one hand appear to be the absence or negation of faith, doubt can also 'indicate genuine engagement with God... the divine conversation.' (p143 Webb)

a leading thought...
Good leaders never embrace a victim mentality. They recognise that who and where they are remain their responsibility. (p114 Maxwell)
a Dave thought...
Here we are last Sunday at Box Hill in primary for the first steps (formerly cradle roll) ceremony of Josiah...

The name of a baby may be entered on the Army's cradle roll, if the parents wish. A certificate recording membership is given to the baby. This does not indicate that either the child of the parents are members of The Salvation Army. A person called the cradle roll sergeant takes a special interest in the baby and its family.

I believe our church is great at valuing children and the support, attention and opportunities that are given to Noah & Josiah is something Kylie and I will always be thankful for. Sonia preached on Sunday that "no one enters the Kingdom as an adult, we all enter as children". Jesus valued children immensely and the Salvos with first steps, dedication ceremonies, and primary are all set up to do likewise so lets step up our love for children as Jesus set the example, so we must follow.

Just a thought.

Furlough

a Jesus thought...
For they gave out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood. (Mark 12:44)

a Godly thought...
Now with Wesley fully convinced of the inspiration of Scripture, he considered that "divine power, understanding, goodness, and holiness were the four grand pillars for God. (p141 Webb)

a leading thought...
You cannot be a truly effective leader, the kind that people want to follow, unless you love people. (p108 Maxwell)

a Dave thought...
Well on Monday I began a fortnights furlough, many ask what this is, well for the first 8 years of my working life I had holidays but now I am a lieutenant it is called furlough...
A furlough (IPA: [fʌɹloʊ]) is temporary leave of absence, especially from duty in the armed services or from a prison term. In these cases, a furlough is a vacation.
So I am currently in Sydney staying with my parents-in-law (Lt-Cols Ian & Marilyn Hamilton) and had quite a trip up with Josiah our 6 month old vomiting on my laptop on a very turbulent flight. Anyway I will continue to blog but in case I am not on line by 6am every morning it maybe because there is regurgitated carrot jamming the keys on my computer.

Just a thought.

More Soldiers

a Jesus thought...
Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24)

a Godly thought...
There is no disputing the importance of Scripture as the primary source of theology for Wesley but he also recognised that tradition, reason and experience all have a voice within the theological dialogue. (p139 Webb)

a leading thought...
Since problems are inevitable, good leaders anticipate them but still always find a way to success. (p98 Maxwell)

Dave thought...
On Sunday evening it was great to be a part of another 3 enrollments at Box Hill with Amanda, Jess & Dustin all signing the covenant as a Senior Soldiers of The Salvation Army. These guys have been great during our classes together as they really wrestled with the doctrines and "I will" statements before making this commitment. It is really encouraging to be in places where young people are asking the hard and deep questions before making major decisions. I know many of my generation just signed up to soldiership without giving it much thought but rather it was just an expectation we agreed to. The result of that is many ex-soldiers who aren't sure why they committed back 10 or 15 years ago.

I pray that as this generation signs up to be part of a radical call that this will be just the start of a commitment that will grow and become even more meaningful over time as they shape the future of the Salvos together.

Just a thought.

Fusion

a Jesus thought...
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

a Godly thought...
Sanctification is not a static state but a dynamic growing process anchored within life in the Spirit, with perfect love as its aim. (p127 Webb)

a leading thought...
Having a positive attitude is essential, it not only determines your level of contentment as person, but it also has an impact on how others interact with you. (p90 Maxwell)

a Dave thought...
Last night it was my privilege to share with the Waverley youth at Fusion. As we looked at Micah 6:8 and the command to Act Justly there was an amazing spirit of openness and a real desire to live a Just lifestyle that brings honour to God. During our reflection time many signed the Stop the Traffik petition and read up on the chocolate campaign, with a group of teenage girls making a pact to only eat fairtrade chocolate from this day on!
It has been organisations such as Make Poverty History and the Oaktree Foundation that have promoted Justice in recent years and the Church has somewhat been late to the party. But seeing the young Salvos from Waverley passionate about Justice and being willing to share & educate their friends & family about issues I'm sure is making God proud. So with Danielle Strickland (justsalvos.com) and heaps of young salvos fighting against injustice we may become a real army once again.

Just a thought.

Armour

a Jesus thought...
Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me. (Mark 9:37)

a Godly thought...
Growth in holiness involves willing and active cooperation with God in the process of becoming more like Christ. (p118 Webb)

a leading thought...
A leader with great passion and few skills always outperforms a leader with great skills and no passion. (p85 Maxwell)

a Dave thought...
Yesterday I attended the Go for Souls conference at Plenty Valley where James Thompson did a great job getting some passionate speakers together to talk about how we can reach out to others and share the message of Jesus. My son, Noah who is 5 absolutley loves the song "Armour" (Boundless Vol 2 track 3) so as Nath Casey, Rowan & Anthony Castle were leading the worship I took my son along to experience the song live!












He loved it and sang with more passion than ever before, but after talking to him in the car as we he have been listening to it many times about what the song is trying to say he told me it is about ''robbers'' (he thinks the last word of the first line is robbers)! So although I am pleased with his passion and choice of music I still need to continue my discipleship journey with him as with many people we think just because they turn up and sing the right songs they have it all together.


Just a thought.