Priorities

Today was a really good day.

The not so good bit was being woken up at 4:15.... I was having a dream about a phone ringing. Then my answering machine woke me up! I dosed off to sleep when 2 minutes later my phone was ringing again. I went to answer it after my machine cut in, and there was nobody there, it was just dead. It must have been an annoying overseas tellymarketer. Im sure if anyone desperately needed to get hold of me at that time they would have called my mobile.

Anyway, after much decision making, Mish came up here this morning. I picked him up from the train station in my pyjamas and slippers, and then took a detour up to the One Tree Hill lookout near uni.

Something I mentioned to Mish today is that not many churches say the Lords prayer any more. I wonder why it is, and why it has been phased out.


Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[c]

Anyway, onto the subject of Short Street. Its a nice place. Tonight I listened to Karen speak about drugs and alcohol.

So, as always here is her three points:

1. Know your limitations BEFORE you get there. 1 John 4:4 says, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
2. Make choices to honour God. 1 corinthians 6:19-20 says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
3. Run! When things get bad, run, get outta there! Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Karen made me think about my own priorities when it comes to drinking tonight. For me, smoking/drugs is not an issue. Alcohol really isnt either. When I was in high school, I took a huge stand against it, and now Im glad. Living on res, seeing the effects, I never want to fall that far. I dont mind having a small drink now and then, but I think that I really need to assess why it is I really do this.

The Edmund in all of us

“I can resist everything but temptation.”

- Oscar Wilde

Scene from the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia, where Edmund is treated nicely by the White Witch.

James 1:13-15

3When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

^^ That’s pretty self explanatory, I've learnt something new. Temptation does not come from God, but from the devil/within ourselves. Temptation is seductive. Reason must always control passion.

10 Truths about sin

1. Sin is most appealing when we are weak.

2. Sin clouds how evil sin actually is.

3. Sin appears as what you want.

4. Sin clouds your judgement.

5. Sins pleasures don’t last long.

6. Sin will eventually kill you.

7. Sin promises better down ahead, but doesn’t deliver such a promise.

8. Sin lies about your importance.

9. Sin betrays others.

10. Sin spoils good things.

Ø Don’t be discouraged when (not if, when) you are tempted: “Temptations are sure to ring your doorbell, but you don’t have to invite them in for dinner.”

Ø Don’t be drawn away when you’re tempted, and never forget that there is always forgiveness.

Ø Don’t be deceived when you are tempted.

Application

1. Pray – Matthew 6:13
2. Devour the scriptures – 2 Tim 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

3. Avoid compromising situations: Proverbs 4:14-15: “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. “

4. Get enough rest – Proverbs 24:33

5. Seek accountability from others – 1 cor 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

There’s a bit of Edmund in us all, but more of the Holy Spirit.

building a people with purpose

I thought everything was going well getting to church this morning. I ended up allowing 10 minutes to get across to Short Street. Didnt even get past the units on Sharon St and realised I left my USB stick and my present for Steff, so I turned back and parked in the bins bay, and then sped to Short Street with the song "Live out Loud" blarring through my speakers.

This morning I had to live without Steff (kids ministry) and Stoz (Melbourne). I managed to find some kids I met on friday night.

This song really said what was on my heart today:

Lord, Reign in Me

Over all the earth
You reign on high
Every mountain stream
Every sunset sky
But my one request
Lord my only aim
Is that You’d reign in me again

Lord reign in me
Reign in Your power
Over all my dreams
In my darkest hour
You are the Lord
Of all I am
So won’t You reign in me again

Over every thought
Over every word
May my life reflect
The beauty of my Lord
‘Cause you mean more to me
Than any earthly thing
So won’t You reign in me again

We also sung a song that brings back heaps of memories. Some good, some bad. Reminds me a lot of when I first became a christian.

You are Near

In awe of You we worship
And stand amazed at Your great love
We're changed from glory to glory
We set our hearts on You our God

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

In awe of You we worship
And stand amazed at Your great love
We're changed from glory to glory
We set our hearts on You our God

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Now Your presence fills this place
Be exalted in our praise
As we worship I believe
You are near

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

Blessings and honour
And glory and power
Forever, forever

In awe of You we worship

and also this one for the same reasons:

Eagles Wings
Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing
For You
Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus
More and more

Come live in me
All my life
Take over
Come breathe in me
I will rise
On eagles wings

The sermon started off with a video. Its a short movie about a guy who's in a hurry. He jumps in his car, begins to back out, and almost collects a kid on his scate board. Annoyingly, he drives on. He then gets to a really busy intersection. Extremely annoyed. Gets to the carpark where his park is taken by a chick who he crowns "parking princess". He gets into the coffee shop, and there's a massive line! More annoyance. 4.2 Minutes later, he gets to the counter, and a guy pushes in front of him wanting cookies. After making it obvious that he is annoyed, he orders the coffee, and the coffee maker says that it will be a few minutes. Extremely adgetated at this stage he goes and sits at one of the dining tables and waits. Next, a random guy walks up to him and gives him a glasses case. He then opens this glasses case to find what? Yep, glasses. He puts them on and suddenly he can see words in front of everybody about what struggles they are going through. Things like lost his job (about a guy who's playing with his kids), looking for purpose in life, cries herself to sleep. The guy is immediately uncomfortable and amazed. He then sees the coffee maker walking towards him, the words in front of him, fighting an addiction. He then looses it and runs out of the coffee shop. He almost bowls down a big guy who just wants a hug, and a humble lady who is a struggling mother of 3, just wants to be a good mum. He runs back to his car, on his way, sees "parking princess", who is titled, grieving for her best friend. As he drives home he sees people that left home 3 days ago, and needing a place to live. When he gets home he takes the glasses off, then sees the kid on the scate board again. He looks through the glasses a final time and sees the words, just needs somebody to care. He immediately goes over to the kid and starts to talk to him. Thats where it ends. I almost lost it.

What is our purpose? Are we loosing perspective of the Acts 2 church? What happened in Acts 2 again?

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

There was then a bit of prophesying and blessing and what-not. What defines an Acts 2 church? Does this kind of stuff happen every week at church? Should all churches be under the Acts 2 (or even 1 corinthians 14) motive? These are interesting questions that I'd like someone to comment on.

Perspective. Like in that video, things are often not what they seem. Sometimes we forget to see ourselves the way God sees uz.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:11-16
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

**points about this**

• ^ As christians this is our responsibility, and this can be used as a "blueprint".
• You can drown spiritually if you dont put the Word of God into practice.
• A spiritual gift can be defined as the God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified.
• All characters in the bible had flaws. I wanna see if I can find that list that was read out this morning.
• 1 Peter 2:4-9 suggests that we are 'spiritually equal'.
• Everybody needs to do their role in the church. If one person withdraws, it puts more weight on another.
• If you recieve and not give you get fat. If you give but do not recieve you get faint. If you give and recieve you grow faith.

Thats all for now.

What should I major in?

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

Surprise, surprise

The fog is lifting

< we have some magnificent fogs that have lasted half a day here in Bendigo. I guess this is rather relevant to what I am about to say. This picture was taken just outside my terrace.

Well, where do I start?

I havent always been the happiest person. Pretty much ever since I moved to Bendigo last year it was pretty hard for me. It was a big move, and not knowing where to go, who to turn to, what to do, I sunk into a bit of lonliness and saddness.

I tried out a few different churches, which didnt really didnt 'click'. I thought I was going to go to some kind of pentecostal, but after going to both Bendigo AOG and Victory, things still werent happening for me and suddenly I felt myself feeling lost. I even went to the baptist church for a while, but something there was still missing. I didnt feel a close sense of 'relationship' in the churches.

But I didnt realise the answer until earlier this year, and it has been sitting in front of me since the day I started uni, right there in Indonesian C.

I tried to get involved with CU and it just wasnt cutting it.

Over summer I tried to find my feet again in terms of relationship with God-wise, although I was in Pinnaroo, which made it a bit harder. This summer, despite my distance, I really got to know Steff just over msn alone.

Coming back to uni, and just hanging with my 'group' again, I have just really enjoyed the company. Steff had invited me numerous times to Short Street, but I was a bit scared at first. I went and I liked it.

Its now semester 2 of my second year here. Just last Thursday I was sitting in my lounge room, feeling 'emo', listening to Linkin Park and terrorising Ben. I put numb on repeat and just sang it and sang it because I felt in the mood. Now this friday gone, I just feel like Ive had, as much as this is a loaded word, breakthrough. I just feel, content with being in my room alone. I feel content with Bendigo. I feel really really happy with whats going on. And whats better, is Ive found someone who I consider to be my best friend (in a worldy sense). Instead of crying because Im upset or lonely, I want to cry all the time because I feel so happy right now, and how could I have a friend who appreciates me as much as Steff does. I didnt think it was actually possible.

I know that "highs" dont last forever. I dont want this to merely be a high. (Its not really a high, its more like just feeling happy). I just want to feel this content all the time.

Gah. I dont know where Im heading with this post, and its not really speaking what I want to say so I think I'll end it here. Point of the matter is. I feel so happy with whats going on in my life at the moment, and I thank God for it. The fog feels like it has lifted.

This is new

Hello World!
This is a censored version of my private blog. I've realised that there is so much stuff I want to say to the world! So here it is. My blog. Enjoy, all.

;D Sammy XD
http://notsoemobadger.deviantart.com

(PS, for those who know my other blog, just ignore this one, its just a slightly censored version to protect a bit of my identity)