The Big Q: Apocalypt Now?

Here's something fun. Each week I'm going to put up a question for you to discuss. Love to hear what you think! Here's the first one....

On a global scale, it's been a devastating start to the year. We've had earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, bush fires, terrible political unrest.. To name a few. A couple of weeks ago the Sunday Mail published an article which stated that churches and ministers are saying these are all signs that the world is going to end soon.

Q. What are your thoughts? Are we in the last days?

(If you're a Christian, don't feel you have to give the stock answer. There are theologians on both sides of it!)

Outlive Your Life

I love the idea behind this book, that we can live our lives in such a way to make a difference beyond our years on earth. "What if we rocked the world with hope?" Max Lucado asks. "Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life?"


I love this perspective, and I think it's a much more worthy way to live than the usual selfish, get-more style chosen by many people (and shouted at us by the advertisers - "Go on. You deserve it...").

Having said this though, something about this book didn't really win me over. I'm not sure exactly how, but the writing seemed somehow a little fake. It's probably just me. I don't usually go for these inspirational types of books.

I know Max Lucado is certainly living what he preaches. He's living his own life to make a difference, especially through his partnership with World Vision.

I'd be interested to hear what other people thought of the book, if you've read it...?

Things I've Learned About Community from Postman Pat

1. Get outside
2. Every problem is everybody's problem - everybody gets involved to help
3. Everyone has different skills - Oh no! Pat's slid down a hill! We need farmer Bob and his tractor! (and the Policeman comes too of course)
4. Children are just as important and needed - "Quick Lucy! Ride to the post office and get farmer Bob! Well done Lucy"
5. Once you've fixed the problem, celebrate together too!
6. Small communities grow better community
7. It takes a village to raise a child - all the adults look after all the kids
8. Enjoy your work, enjoy your community - "Pat thinks he's a really lucky man..."
9. Smile and be friendly to people - "Everybody smiles when he calls to greet them"
10. Deliver things personally - Pat doesn't have to knock on the door or ring the bell, but he does. You get the feeling email doesn't play a huge part in this community

Your Money God's Way

This is the best book on money I've read. Admittedly, that doesn't say a lot, seeing as I've only read probably one other book on the topic. Still, if you're interested in seeing what a Godly, spiritual way of dealing with money might be, Your Money God's Way would be a great place to start.

What I liked about it most was the way it used the Bible. The other book on money that I've read stole quotes from the Bible to back up the author's points (e.g. "You need to tithe, because as it says in Deuteronomy chapter 11 verse..."), but the author of this book, Amie Streater, has got a much better handle on the big ideas that the Bible - and Jesus - are trying to get across. This one has a more practical, real-life feel to it, which I loved.

God cares about real people, and how real people live through the everyday challenges and celebrations of their lives, and this come across wonderfully in the way Amie writes. She's a pastor herself, and you can tell she's spent many hours, days, years, praying and crying with people as they work through these challenges and come out the other end more content and more generous - more like God.

Couple of other things that I found helpful...

At the start of the book, Amie goes through some of the myths about money that have sadly been preached many times in churches. If you've ever been to church, you've probably heard some of these myths, and they're really quite damaging, and not at all what God has in mind.

Also, there are some very helpful chapters on different money "personalities." Everybody deals with money in a different way, and Amie goes through each style, celebrates the positive points, but also
points out some possible pitfalls in each way of living. I found these chapters helped me to understand myself and the other people around me a lot better.

It's well worth a read, for anyone who has a wallet or bank account (whether they have money in them or not). Everybody deals with money, and it's my belief that the way you use money in your life is one of the best signs of what kind of person you are.

Leaving the Church

Just read a great article written by Micah Smith for Relevant Magazine, commenting on the many many young people who are walking away from church. Read the whole article here if you want to. Here are some of his thoughts...

"There is no shortage of examples in which relationships are critical to the way of Jesus. What happens though, is that when we’re burned by the Church, or when we get exhausted or bored, we flip through scripture and determine that God never endorses a Sunday morning worship service, anyway. “Great,” we think. “I’m off the hook. I can quit this thing and not technically be in any trouble.”

"The problem comes when walking away from the Sunday morning service means walking away from people. From God’s people. From the endless beauty of a common knowledge of a greater good. From people who will serve with you, pray with you, believe in you and fight for you. At the end of the day, the mystery of the Church isn’t a worship song or a sermon. If it is, then sure, walk out of the building, load up your iPod with church podcasts and worship bands, and never look back. But the reality is that sermons and songs aren’t all that you give up when you walk away. You also sacrifice a community of believers.

Work & Grace

"It is the nature of work to provide a material form for the invisibilities of grace."

- Eugene H. Peterson, from his book, Practise Resurrection: A Conversation in Growing Up in Christ