Selling Yourself

So far it has been 9 weeks of job hunting...

Agents tell me I've been lucky enough to actually be interviewed with many candidates not reaching interview stage.

There have been some jobs where I'm missing a skill, a few where it goes to an internal candidate and a few where they retract the role due to budget or role revisions. But for each the feedback is always that I interview well and they like me....and in a few instances they try to find me roles elsewhere in the company.

What amazes me is that we are accepted and enter into jobs based on words - what we write (in our resume) and what we say (in the interview). I can't get over this. Pessimistic I know but I can't help but wonder how many people 'stretch the truth' or sell themselves well despite their actual skills or experience. Part of me feels uncomfortable about that being a christian and the other part feels like I am at a distinct disadvantage.

This morning I was thinking I'm glad I don't need to sell myself to get into Heaven, to have eternal life with the Father. But in a way it's harder - harder to have faith and be obedient to Christ.


'...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus...' (Romans 3"23-24)

Caring

This week is a busy week in terms of anniversaries of marriages & deaths and birthdays.

It strikes me that the ups and downs of joy and sorrow will be experienced by loved ones as they both grieve and celebrate people and relationships.

People often say I'm good at caring for others but lately I've questioned that. At my minister's suggestion I started writing a study on how to care for others several years ago but I never finished it because I am unsure whether it can be that prescriptive because it has to come from within. How do you express something that comes naturally to you to someone else who says they are not good at caring for others?

Romans 12:15 says 'Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.' But how does one do this?

How do you show care without being trite but not too over the top?

How do you show care to someone when you are not sure if they want to be reminded of a passing?

Perhaps the question is - how does one discern how to care in such situations? I don't believe caring is prescriptive and varies in each circumstance but I do believe there are integral elements.

Gordon T Smith writes in his book on 'Spiritual Discernment' (Chapter 10) the following:

'As a friend, we have the opportunity to be the presence and voice of Jesus to others, enabling them to know they are loved, because we demonstrate it and free them to experience the inner assurance of God's love....'

'....we cannot discern well unless we come to terms with what is happening to us emotionally, one of our gifts to each other is to establish an environment in which it is safe to speak of what is happening in our own hearts.'

In light of what I've experienced over the years and what I've learnt since my time at Regent Bible College last May, I think some key things that enable one to care are:

1. To know God and His love for us. To be attentive to his His presence and His Spirit in our hearts.

2. To know ourselves, really know ourselves in mind and heart - strengths and weaknesses. In honesty. I believe you need to be open to yourself before others can be open with you and to understand others.

3. Encourage our friends to be attentive to the presence of God in their lives and the Spirit in their hearts, whether in joy or sorrow.

4. Create a safe environment and trusting relationship free from judgment and pretense.

Further to point 3 - I'm thinking how do we 'free them to experience the inner assurance of God's love...'

At the moment I wander for myself how do I free myself to experience the inner assurance of God's love??

I believe it's by helping to remove the boundaries or obstacles or things that we hold onto that hold us back. We can help reveal those barriers but only the person can clearly define them and let them go.

Listening to people's outpouring of thoughts and feelings and sometimes silence has been key in caring for others. But the challenge for me is to be in the presence of the Almighty and listen more attentively to His Word and His Spirit. And consciously bring that into the times when I am present with each friend....whether I am with them physically or present in mind/heart.

Your thoughts?

Furious love

A friend posted part of the lyrics to this song on his Facebook status. The line 'And it's waking hearts to life' struck me. I've struggled the past few years to feel the depth and width of God's love. I've always been more feeling than thought in my relationship with Him. But I believe this is a season where He wants me to realise this in my head. Re-focus my mind on things above and what that means to my vertical relationship with Him and horizontal relationships here.

I believe the challenge is to realise the Father's love in my head so that it can then help wake my heart back to a life of fullness in my relationship with God.

'Furious' by Jeremy Riddle

Nothing can tear us from
The grip of His mighty love
We’ve only glimpsed, His vast affection
Heard whispers of, His heart and passion
It’s pouring down…

His love is deep, His love is wide
And it covers us
His love is fierce, His love is strong
It is furious
His love is sweet, His love is wild
And its waking hearts to life

The Father loves and sends His son
The Son lays down His life for all
He lavishes His love upon us
He calls us now, His sons and daughters
He’s reaching out…

… and its waking hearts to life
He is waking hearts to life
He is waking hearts to life

A tiny bit of Psalm 102

It has been a while between posts. I have to say I haven't felt like writing. Well I haven't 'felt'.

There have been a few challenges (but normal ones for me!) to get through and I'm feeling a bit numb of late.

I was reading part of this psalm this morning (attempt to do some form of a devotional!) - I don't know why I chose it, quite random really. Verses 3-4 struck me - not in such a depressing way as what the psalmist is crying out:

'For my days vanish like smoke;

my bones burn like glowing embers.

My heart is blighted and

withered like grass;

I forget to eat my food.'

Looking for a job my days do feel like they vanish with nothing to show for them. My bones and body feel like they are burning with stiffness (induced from sitting looking for jobs on-line and also from personal training : )). My heart feels numb...I don't think that is the same as withered. And I have no appetite to eat. I'm not like this due to job hunting...there are a number of reasons why which I won't go into.

What initially struck me was the 'bones burn like glowing embers'...I just like the way it has been written - succinct but descriptive. It's amazing how expressive they were back then. I think these days we can often struggle with expressing ourselves at such a level, not necessarily poetically! And as I read on I can really identify with the psalmist. Whilst I am a bit numb, perhaps I can take comfort in knowing that what I am thinking/feeling is normal. What I should be doing is crying out to God like the psalmist.

And not hide from him as opposed to God hiding from me (v2)....and remember His presence, His Spirit and Word is with me (we are studying Galatians at church and bible study) if I just seek and turn to Him.

Encouragement for the discouraged

But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God" Isaiah 49:4

A good friend sent me this promise after I shared with her that I felt like everything I do is fruitless or turned into a disaster of late....this Word from God through my friend induced tears of comfort.

The perfect gift

A dear friend recently gave me a gift for no reason, well maybe it wasn't for no reason...but because she cares for me.

The gift was a framed photo of the lifebuoy - I wasn't quite sure what to make of it but a mutual friend suggested 'Don't you feel like you've had a bit of an emergency lately and needed rescuing?'....

A thoughtful, funny gift. And perhaps also tongue in cheek as we both know who I should really be looking to for help.

It reminds me that Jesus gave us the perfect gift of salvation - we are rescued from our sins. Rescued because He loves us.

'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.'

James 1:17-18

Congregational Commission

Following on from the individual's commission, the congregation were asked to respond:

• Are you persuaded that xxx is the person who God has brought at this time and into this place to be a pastor among you and a leader in your ministry?
• Will you seek to make her work a joy and not a burden?
• Will you be sensitive to her needs and the needs of her family?
• Will you seek to minister to her as well as with her?
• Will you assure her of your confidence, your encouragement, and patience?
• And will you commit yourselves to pray regularly for her?

....Since none of us are sufficient for the commitments that have been made today let us call upon the Lord God in prayer.

I was struck by the questions and the sensitivity in which the questions were written. Often, I think we can take those working in the church for granted - just as the individuals are expected to make commitments, so we as congregational members are also called to be committed to the individuals in thought, word and deed.

Individual Commission

One of the churches I visited in Vancouver was First Baptist Church. They were commissioning a new pastoral minister and I was really struck by the induction service - the questions that were asked of both the person being inducted and also the congregation. Challenging call I believe we each are called to in one form or another - here are the questions.

• Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this particular ministry, according to the will of Christ and the custom of this church?
• Are you motivated for ministry by a deep desire to walk with God, a love for Jesus Christ, and a passionate concern for the lost and hurting people of God's creation?
• Are you committed to the mission goals of First Baptist Church and are you prepared to give your support to the ministries in which it is engaged?
• Will you be faithful in caring for this congregation, for giving leadership to the ministries of this church, in proclaiming the Word of God, in discipling Christ's people, and in reaching out to the larger community? (Note response to this is 'I will, with God's help')
• Will you pledge to live a life that models the kind of personal morality, spiritual vitality, and gracious joy that will contribute to the building up of the body of Christ? (Note response is 'I will, with Christ as my strength and guide')
• You will only be able to maintain this response by an ever-deepening practice of prayer, enriched by daily readings of Holy Scripture. You will depend, not on your own strength, but on the Holy Spirit of God and his grace. You are called to make disciples, to lead the people in prayer, faithfully to read the Scriptures and proclaim the Word of God; to baptize and to preside at the Lord's Table with reverence and wonder. Like Aaron, you will bear the names of your people in intercession before the Lord. You will teach and encourage them form the Scriptures and bless them in the name of God. You will help God's people to discover, and use to his glory, the gifts he has given them. Like Moses, you will gladly receive counsel and share the burden of leadership with others. In love and mercy, remembering your own frailty, you will correct, rebuke and encourage, with great patience and careful instruction. Following the Good Shepherd, you will care for the sick, bring back those who have strayed, guide his people through this life, and prepare them for death and life to come. This ministry will be your great joy and privilege. It is also a weighty responsibility which none should dare to undertake except for the call of God. To you, whom he calls, he will always give his strength.

I think I could spend many months contemplating these questions - it's a high calling.

(Congregational response in the next post)

What brings you to your knees?

I've returned home to an unexpected trial. Reading back on an entry I wrote in Vancouver it reminded me of something I wrote when I opened up my heart to God:

Breaking me in every part where you know I may hear You

So that I may surrender to You & seek You, willingly or not.

You long for me to realise your fullness of grace &

accept my weaknesses & failings, but know that I am loved.

Down to the bareness of my bones, chipping at the hardness of my heart

Gently but persistently asking me to relent & let go, so that my life is caught up in You & not life's worries.

Calling me to turn to you here and now, instead of longing for the 'to be' with you in Heaven....

There was more to what I wrote, almost like a psalm.

'Down to the bareness of my bones'....It's funny how sometimes you think there is nothing left to give, then something else comes along.

I've felt like I'm going insane at times and then feel guilty that I've not been more in control of my mind and emotions. A reminder that we are not perfect - we are in fact human.

Trying to hold onto God's sovereignty & that He is in control - there is freedom and peace in that.

'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:...' (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Gentle reminders

As I prepare to return home to 'life', some dear friends have sent me gentle reminders from God's Word. Prayer and thinking about good things needs to be a priority for me.

Philippians 4:6-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

And it's always good to re-visit a key verse from times past. I know for me it's easy for my thoughts to run away with me and I forget that my thoughts need to be 'obedient to Christ' just as much as my actions are too.

2 Corinthians 10:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Noah's Ark

...in Hong Kong?!

Some crazy dude rebuilt the ark supposedly to specifications complete with sculptures of pairs of animals! Their vision statement is interesting. They don't outrightly talk about God but it seems to be built out of love in action?

Part of me wants to go see it, the other part is not so sure. It would be pretty amazing if the animals were real. I wander if there is a sculpture of Noah too...

http://www.noahsark.com.hk/eng/index.php

Rest

I wish I could be as succinct as Nicola - I was introduced to her blog yesterday and how appropriate this entry is.

http://ohmywordy.blogspot.com/2011/06/rest.html

Sameness and goodness

During my time in Vancouver one of the most obvious ways I saw & heard God was in creation - in the BIGness of the mountains and the trees. And more directly in my time at Regent as I was there to learn more about Him and just be in concentrated community of believers.

I was struggling yesterday with being unwell, worrying about going home and generally thinking too much....not thingking (I'm suppose to write more on this!). I hope I'm using 'thingking' properly! A friend wrote to me and reminded me that God is wherever I am - whether that is at home in Sydney, in Canada or here in HK. I guess her point was - whether I decide to stay here longer or come home God is there and still the same, that He can work in my life wherever I am.

For me I think I worry that I will go back to being the same. I've been worrying that when I get home somehow I will feel far from God, that I will be distracted from Him and that I will lose whatever I have learnt from my time at Regent - so I will be the same as when I left. If I am not still I will be distracted. But my time at Regent has reminded me that there are disciplines involved - there is a relationship there that I have not been working on daily or treating as a priority. Trials are not so much a problem for me (I say that now!) as I know they are opportunities for growth. A big weakness of mine is my own self esteem and realisation of my identity in Christ. So in some ways I am my own worst enemy.

I was beginning to focus more on unknowns and negatives than on the blessings that exist and are yet to come.

I was thinking yesterday that it's alot harder for me to see God here in Hong Kong amidst the concrete jungle and the mass consumerism of crowds of people wandering the streets to purely shop and eat. I mean, it's not that people don't do that elsewhere, but that's what people come to Hong Kong to do - shop and eat.

CP helped me realise that I definitely see and hear God more when I'm still and amidst nature - whether it's staring at massive mountains & trees, walking to Balmoral or loving dogs (& now maybe sea otters). Which is kind of funny & ironic given I'm more of a city chic. Whilst doing not much in Vancouver worked for me, I don't think it's working for me here in HK - I think it's because the mountains and trees are missing and it's not exactly the best city to be still in the way that best works for me. But perhaps it's good preparation to find ways to seek God again in different and even the smallest of things.

I think coming here has been a good transition - I need to start getting back into things like being in a city and in crowds. It's not that I wasn't living in reality in Vancouver - but for me being in Vancouver was almost like Heaven.

It also makes me appreciate that home for me has many privileges and blessings which I have forgotten. Whilst I may be going home to having to find a job, settling into a church & other things that are a challenge and all still there - I need to focus on what's good. Can you help keep me accountable?

by T

Check this out, I think it's deep and awesome. This is by T, the new friend I talked about in an earlier post who loves C.S. Lewis. This is a visual poem he created for his Christian Imagination class, I'll let him explain the background to it!

Let me know what you think by email or posting a comment (you can post a comment without having to log in).

http://youtu.be/kDvgavOJyUc

What can I say?

Some pics from Whistler yesterday, I like the 'cross' in the valley.

Writing this on the morning of leaving the 'Couve.

Spent the morning saying goodbye's to 3 awesome temporary housemates and praying with CP. I don't remember praying with tears before - there is a time for everything.

Went for one last walk to Jericho Beach and eating one last cinnamon bun from Grounds for Coffee (with icing!).

As I walked to the beach the words from 'The Stand' by Joel Houston came to mind:

You stood before Creation

Eternity within Your hand

You spoke all life into motion

My soul now to stand

.....

So what can I say?

What can I do?

But offer this heart oh God

Completely to You.

I couldn't remember the other verses but this first verse and the chorus really highlight that God has spoken to me through creation - through the BIG-ness of the mountains and the trees.....they were always in my face. I know why He brought me here at a very basic level and that's not including what I am yet to process!

I came with a numb heart and leaving with one that feels more, but it's not just my heart - my head and spirit feel like they have been released a bit from being captive - I've held them captive. I worry my reaction to life's routine will numb my heart and mind again, but what can I do but offer the Father my heart?

I have more to write about, so the journey is not yet over...I am looking forward to some stillness in Hong Kong. If I can't learn to be still there, I'm not going to be able to be still at home! : )

Here are the lyrics to the complete song!

You stood before creation
Eternity in Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say?
What can I do?
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I’ll walk on salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

West Side Church

I wanted to try a different church today & was aiming for one which is more charismatic or pentecostal. One of the guys downstairs M (who has an interesting American-German-Aussie accent : he spent time in all places) recommended his church to me, being West Side Church.

West Side is interesting in that it has 2 main campuses (5th Avenue & Granville Isl) and 4 services in which the head minister moves back and forth to do all 4 sermons 845am, 945am, 1045am, 1145am! Literally between each campus for each time.

I don't feel like I've reached a place of rest internally whilst I've been here. Possibly because I still haven't let go of certain worries or that I still have my wall up for some reason.

The worship this morning almost managed to bring me to tears in that I almost felt something give way inside. Given it has been many months, possibly more than a year since this has happened, perhaps a breakthrough of sorts?

The music was more rock-like, sort of like Hillsong but not. We did sing one Hillsong but that was about it. I've just emailed the church to see if they can list the songs for me. I do like a bit of pop-rock. I don't seem like it from the outside...but the first album I bought when I was young was Taylor Dayne, followed by Christina Aguilera (as opposed to my sister who loved NKOTB and Bros etc).

I digress.

So I loved the worship time if you haven't already gathered that. Maybe it awakened my soul? Or at the very least stirred. I did observe that many people around me seemed stiff or awkward. I understand this is a new branch of West Side so it sounded like there were quite a few new people there.

Before the sermon an announcement was made to reveal that the church wants to combine the 2 existing branch churches into one location and 2 services, so that they can plant another church on the north side. But this decision will be subject to 75% vote from all members. I found this really interesting but also encouraging in that they are experiencing growth and focussed on spreading God's Word. People were asked to pray and fast over the decision this Thursday which also impressed me. I've not heard of any church call people to do that.

The message by Lead Pastor Norm Funk (what a name!) was delivered well - he includes humour and brings today's culture into his sermon (eg. He said if you are playing angry birds during the sermon then that is not a great sign that you are really present listening to God's Word). But more importantly Norm unpacks the passage clearly and concisely (M described this to me the other night and he was right).

The sermon was on Acts 13:42-47 primarily. Acts is not the easiest of books to follow given you need to understand the history surrounding it. I liked how he gave background to the passage, highlighted key themes but also focussed on the harder to understand verses. He extracted alot from the passage, challenged people but did it in a manner that was not incoherent on any level.

What I love about the churches in Vancouver that I've been to or hear about is that holy communion is every week. I think it's a good thing to always have in our minds and hearts that Jesus' body was broken for us, His blood was shed, we are to repent and ask for forgiveness before our Lord. For me, it helps me to feel more prepared at church - it challenges me to think where I've been during the week. It's not for everyone but I think it is something churches back home could re-consider.

West side's communion is voluntary during the last worship time - you are free to approach the table if and when you are ready.

www.churchonthewestside.com

Come Away from Rush and Hurry

We sang this in chapel today. Quite a few people I have met from all around the world have come to Regent as part of their sabbatical. Appropriate words for our time here, but also as a daily practice.

Come away from rush and hurry to the stillness of God's peace;
From our vain ambition's worry come to Christ to find release.
Come away from noise and clamour, life's demands and frenzied pace;
Come to join the people gathered here to seek and find God's face.

In the pastures of God's goodness, we lie down to rest our soul;
From the waters of his mercy we drink deeply, are made whole.
At the table of his presence, all his saints are richly fed;
With the oil of his anointing into service we are led.

Come then, children, with your burdens --- life's confusions, fears and pain.
Leave them at the cross of Jesus, take instead His kingdom's reign.
Bring your thirsts, for he will quench them --- he alone will satisfy.
All our longings find attainment, when to self we gladly die.


Lyrics: Marva Dawn
Tune: Beach Spring

Tenth Church & local food market lunch

Soft mini tacos - roasted yam with black beans & pulled pork with coleslaw.

We sat on the grass pretending to watch a cricket game...

The food stalls in the background.

I was told that I really needed to try either a canadian maple donut or the boston cream. I went for the canadian maple - 99 cents plus tax! Bargain. Very sweet but good on the odd occasion.

The last 2 Sundays I've visited Tenth Church @ Kits where CP goes to worship.

The service is a branch of Tenth Church and is held in the grounds of Kitsilano Secondary School.

I helped CP 'setup' this morning. Alot of the church equipment is stored in a narrow storage cupboard in the school and it all needs to be unpacked and distributed down the main foyer and into a few rooms for the various Sunday School classes. Only to be packed up again after service. It includes large low tables and smaller chairs for the kids (which weigh a tonne), creche toys and mats, coffee and tea stuff....and also requires one to move the furniture around in the classrooms.

It makes one realise that we could take for granted actual church buildings many people meet in - there and ready to use.

I really enjoyed today's service. Kenneth Pierce (Pastor of Small Groups and Discipleship) spoke on 2 Peter 1:1-8 and the call to be living godly lives in that we should be living consistently changed lives. Each of us has our own journey and we can share in and be encouraged by God's work in eachother's lives.

'For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

http://www.tenth.ca/#/worship-services

After service we had a quick lunch in the sun (it was the perfect spring day in Vancouver - not too hot and not too cold) at the food market near the church. So lovely to spend time with CP & her friends. I think I am slowly understanding why they are all loving the sun so much, but still not fully. I know it rains here alot but I guess I haven't experienced it for months on end - but can understand it a little given Sydney had its constant rain - but constant meaning maybe 4-5 days in a row, not months!

In Loving Memory

These flowers were a gift for my close friend - in memory of his Mum's passing 2 years ago, 14th March.

The vases are pretty cool huh?

I'm only just beginning to understand the deep hurt and loss death can bring.

It only emphasises the assurance and comfort of the eternal hope I have in the Lord.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you,who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.'

1 Peter 3-5

From everlasting to everlasting...

Today I attended a family funeral.

As hymns were sung, scripture was read and God's Word preached the hope that I have in the Lord resounded within me. But I wondered who else it resounded with and whether my family understood what was being said. Despite my faith, I felt a deep sense of fear for those around me.

The message was clear - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.

I was thinking perhaps it was too much for my family to hear....but it's the truth. That's what I believe. I found myself praying 'let those who have ears listen'.

Human love can be so fickle at times. Whilst I don't wish to admit it, my love for others can waiver and be conditional. But the Lord's love is everlasting, everlasting through my life and through the generations before and those that follow. The Lord's love is what has given me a new life - one that is eternal.

This was the scripture today:

Psalm 103:11-18 (NIV)

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.