I can hardly imagine a better way to spend the last few days.

Sunday we had a soccer game at 9:30am (it’s been a long time since those days), and we won 11-0. I did get one goal thankfully, and it is strangely enjoyable to thrash a team that severely.

Monday I went to the movies with my best mate and saw Kung Fu Panda. Yes. (maybe movie review coming soon, we’ll see) then to the zoo then had 2 more precious friends over for dinner and fun times.

Tuesday got to hang with some awesome friends all day, went bushwalking, only bum is Sare hurt her wrist walking over some rocks. Still a beautiful day.

Then tomorrow, back to work…

For most of the last 3 months either one or both of my loved ones have been sick with something or another. Sare and Xavie weren’t able to come to Soul in the City with me coz Xavier was sick, then Sare got tonsillitis (again), then it has been chest infections, throat problems, different sicknesses for either or both of them virtually non stop. You start to feel like maybe you have done something wrong (even though I know that’s not the way God works), or that maybe there’s some deeper sickness which just surfaces in different ways. I hope not though. Just sick of sickness. And you know what’s kinda worse? I have been perfectly well the whole time. I didn’t even get Central Asia belly when I went to Kazakhstan. So I sometimes feel a little guilty for being so well. Not much, just a little.

Could you write your life memoir in 6 words? These guys have.

Live, laugh, love- free in Jesus

that’s about as good as I can do.

A lady at church gave Sare and me $$ and said to go out somewhere nice together. I’m trying to think of a place we can go and enjoy her gift. They have done it before too, i love when people just decide to bless you. I’d say that qualifies as creative. I’ll post a comment after we have gone out.

This same person said they had listened to my podcast talk on anger while they were at the gym, and said some really encouraging things. I love nice people in my life.

I also decided I like rabbits today, they are nice-ness-ity.

There’s a song which many of you have heard on the radio or itunes recently, it’s called “No Air”, by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. Now I know that a lot of people don’t listen to the lyrics of songs, otherwise how could a song like “love in this club” ever be so popular. But this one has the main lyrics in the chorus, and I wonder what it says about us and our view of love and relationships. Here is the chorus:

Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That´s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
that’s no air, no air

What is that?
Except for when I have done heaps of exercise or something, breathing is not something I even think about. I just do it. In-out-in-out…it’s so simple chris! So on one level this sort of stuff is harmless, so irrational you just kinda give them poetic licence, it doesn’t mean that they can’t breathe literally, it just means they so love this person that their world is not complete without them.

I think it’s at this level it is actually even more dangerous. And I see that a lot of the youth in our area are buying into this. Not into the literal breathing thing, but into the idea that a person can be as valuable as breath to you. Other people, and dating (however far that goes) gets elevated to the highest place. And I see people getting hurt, getting manipulated, worshipping an idea or a person. I see youth turning something which could be fun and good into something deep and needy and dangerous. And so many songs are tapping into this, making stacks of dollars from it, and making the idea even more acceptable.

OK, before it appears that I am joining the picket brigade, i’m not at all suggesting banning the song or anything like that. I don’t mind if people enjoy it. I just want us to open our brain when we hear this stuff. I think it is dangerous at a slightly deeper level, because it tells us that a person can fulfil our deepest needs, our need to breathe. it is part of this idea which you will hear a lot if you’re listening, that a relationship with a guy/girl, your life is complete. And if they go, your life is over, you can’t breathe. In the world of psychology they call this codependency, and it is uncool. Coz people will always let you down, or let down what you expect of them or hope for them. I believe God’s heart for us is not to be codependent on anyone. Not even Him. he wants us to be in healthy relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. I know this is not an easy step, especially if you really have never seen that from people in your world. But I do think it’s a journey worth taking, and that it’s worth leaving “No Air” songs in the place of good tunes but rubbish messages.

My hope then would be that the youth I’m chatting with can move from a “No Air” view of relationship to a “Learning to Breathe” style. That we are able to relearn how to relate, how to love without becoming codependent, and learn that God is the best place to learn about how to love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. (1 John 3:16)

I talked tonight at youth about creativity, and the idea that creativity doesn’t mean being artistic. it just means being human, because as people made in God’s image we are inherently creative (Gen 1:26; Eph 2:10). but it is bigger than “can you draw a bowl of fruit?” sort of gear. Not dissing the artistic among us, I love that stuff, I do that stuff. But they don’t have the market cornered on creativity. God has allowed so many creative expressions of worship and service, and if you have any thoughts, I’d love you to share them. Here are some of mine

I probably have more, but I think you do too. Please share

Thrusday is often a strange day for me, it;s kinda a half working day coz I work three days a week and at least half a day is on Sunday. So Thursday is a random one. Today was very random. I went out in the morning to buy a coffee coz Sare and I always try to do brekkie thurs morning as a date (yes it is tops, yes do it if you are married). After our brekkie hang time I went to the dentist in Gladesville, which I’ll admit is fairly random. But I like going to out of the way places for stuff like dentists, coz it is a simple way to make sure you leave your comfortable zone at least once in a while. I had a filling filled in, which I am glad is now done. The dentist has a massage chair in his waiting room, so i was glad he wasn’t on time.

Then I came home to have lunch and a catch up with my beautiful friends the Finnies. It is great to be able to share a really hard season of life with them, I thank God that we have them in our lives and that he has allowed us to walk with them.

The Nadine came over, but not for long. But her and Mal are coming back later on tonight to have dinner. So a working-ish day has been something of a strange one. I have chatted with some people and we have 2 more leaders for TreeChange Camp, which is now very exciting and close. But I had no office time, and I guess I just need to find other ways to do work things, which I will do now-ish.

There is a guided tour through my day today.

It has been a long while since I’ve done a movie review, but I always love it when people do thoughtful and helpful reviews for me (check out thesource4ym or my friend tom french for some examples) so I hope this is one too.

I started reading the Narnia books as an adult, unlike many people I know who had these as bedtime stories as children. I think that has meant i have read them more with a theological bent than a narrative bent. And while I do love the writing, it is the themes and the way Lewis captures theology so powerfully in story that really moves me. I read them all most years, and have read them in 2008 already, yes I am a fan. And those of you who saw my facebook comment yesterday know I also have a literary crush on Lucy Pevensie, which Sare knows all about. it is her soft heart and love for Aslan which I love so much. And I thought the first adaptation of The Lion… was a good movie, heaps better than those crusty BBC ones. Not awesome, but really good. And I was looking forward to this new one.

I was surprised that it had been given an M rating, which would really annoy me if I had kids who were into Narnia. Kinda like the last Harry Potter movies, though they are slightly more intense than Narnia. The rating is because of the violence, and there is a lot of fighting graphically portrayed. There are also some dark scenes, stuff about the witch and dark magic, which would scare kiddies, so it is worth at least seeing it before showing your kids if you want them to see it. There is no language or sexual content, the closest it gets is the fluttering of eyes between Susan and Caspian.

And as a visual piece, Prince Caspian is sooooo much better than the first movie. The camera angles chosen in certain scenes are amazing, and the landscapes are amazing (mostly shot in NZ and Poland from what I could gather). The animation particularly shines in this movie, and the ways the trees are animated is incredible. Really as a movie, it is wonderful. But as an adaptation of the book, it is a bit of a stretch.

Did any of you get annoyed when you watch The Two Towers for the first time? I had similar issues with Prince Caspian, though maybe not as strongly. There were some major plot changes, almost from the start. Things from later in the movie, such as the blowing of the horn, came very early on, and it seemed a lot of scenes were added coz they made good looking cinema. Now I know movies can’t follow the book laboriously, so I’m pretty fluid with it most times. But when characters are changed it starts to make me unhappy Ty. I think they did that with Peter’s character, and with Caspian’s character, and even in the interaction between these two. I did love how they remade Edmund into the redeemed man, he kinda shone for me. And, praise be, Lucy still had it. Then there were some bits which could have been lighter than they were made, and then whole scenes missing because whole scenes which didn’t even exist in the book were there. So, really, I am undecided. I think I need to see it again.

As a movie, I’d give it 4 Hi-Fives (out of a possible 5)
As an adaptation of the book, I’d give it a generous 2 and a half Hi-Fives

This morning on the radio I heard PM Kev use the phrase “riding the porcelain bus.” Not only do we have a Prime Minister whose name is Kevin (tick box a- dreams are made of this stuff) but he talks normal and stuff (tick box b- if you’re not normal you’re fooling us well)

Makes me proud to be an Australian.

Mel and Gareth on getting engaged

Jenny and Howie on getting pregnant

Barack Obama on being potentially the first black US president

Elise for being outstanding achiever in her Tafe crew

Nth Turra Soccer club for being top of the table after round 1- legends

Please feel free to add your own congratulations as a comment to anyone you wish

Dear Friends

Many of you already know that Phil was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm last year and that after further investigations the decision has been made to have the aneurysm surgically clipped on the 14th of July.

As a family we would like to thank you for your prayers and amazing support we have already received. Being a part of a faith family that is connected by heart and Holy Spirit prayers across the oceans and continents is a wonderful privilege.

A friend from Germany pointed out to me that because of the different time zones our friends are in, we will be covered in prayer 24hrs a day.

We have also been moved by those of you who are yourselves in the middle of your own painful situations and would take time to contact us and pray for us. We have a friend, in China searching for family members in the camps, after the recent earth quake. Another friend has had to escape from her home with her husband and boys, as bullets were fired in their street during civil unrest. Friends who are in the middle of ill health or personal crisis and yet have room in their hearts to pray for us! Please know we are also on our knees for you and those you love.

There is never a good time for hard things to happen. However, in our case we are so aware of Gods mercy that the aneurysm was found [before it ruptured] and that surgery can be done. The alternative doesn?t bear thinking about!

It is a new place to be waiting and faced with a reasonable amount of uncertainty. It is amazing how times like this can make the simple things sweeter: things like hugs and saying ?I love you?. Taking time to lift your gaze and notice how blue the sky is and how comforting the warmth of the sun can be! Our waiting is turning to abiding, leaning on the everlasting arms. Trust is something you find when there is no point to being anxious ?well that is how it has been for me these past few weeks anyway.

We want to thank you for your support and prayers. We plan to put updates on this blog after Phil?s surgery so you can know how he is recovery and how to pray.

Psalm 9: 9-10 ?Those who know your name will trust in you , for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you?

Hi all,

Today we settled on the church house sale. This morning before I signed the transfer, I prayed and thanked God for all that He has done in this building. It has been filled with the Spirit’s presence and used for so many different activites of Northridge that have blessed and encouraged so many people. I cried as I realised just how much of a gift the property has been to us. I’m thankful for: how we had mangaed to pay off the loan, how we were able to renovate it, for all the fun and laughter that has occurred, for the people set free, for special conversations and prayers, and the list could go on.

As our attention turns to a new facility, I pray for all the same and even more. May God bring the provision so that we can continue to join Him in his work amongst our community. God is good.

Hi There all Pastor Blog readers.

April 15-19 saw almost 30 of the young people (from year 7 upwards) to Canberra. There they camped while attending Soul In The City.

This was a different “Soul Survivor” week. This week was to assist the local churches of Canberra go out into the community and serve the people. Their were Kids Clubs, Skate parks, Tree planting, gardening, painting, packing food hampers … 30 different projects to do over 3 days.

On the Saturday afternoon, Soul In The Park happened at a park in the city, where bands played, a free BBQ for all, jumping castle, a number of Aid organisations set up tents to display and talk to people about social justice issues. It was a great day for all.

I hope to find some good photos of some of the events to bring to you soon.

On Tuesday, a group of people packed a 3 tonne truck with furniture and blankets donated by lots of people from NVCF and beyond. Rich Bonser co-ordinated the event and with our resident packing expert (Phil) we filled the truck.

This is the start of the packing

here is what we had to pack

there was lots of food to pack

here is the finish.

Dear God, please bless those that will receive these gifts. May those people see You and Your love.

I am wondering if the season of the SONset shared blog is coming to an end.

The initial idea was to have an online community where we could share thoughts and ideas, and maybe that’s happened. I have loved the posts from different people, and I know there are people who read this blog each day or week.

But maybe now that I have hit the world of facebook, and realised that everyone else in the world is already there, maybe that is a better forum. I am not so precious about this one that it has to be the way. I still want to go after the heart of the SONset shared blog, even if it is in a different form.

So if you have any thoughts or reflections, I’d love to hear them.

Hi All Pastor Bloggers

We have posted a PDF of the 2008 NVCF Calandar on the Resources page (under the ‘other’ section) for you to
- look at
- download
- memorise
- ignore
- or anything else you can think of

Use this as an indication of the life of our church and the minitries that occur each month.

Bless you all in 2008.

Hope you enjoy, it’s deeper than it may seem. Thanks Nic
——————————————

Let’s start with the Belly Button Song from Veggie Tales to set the mood………

Mr. Lunt: Baby I know your eyes see right through my disguise
Boyz: (Larry, Jimmy, Junior): And no one can deny
Mr. Lunt: Baby that I?m the one whose love is no surprise
Boyz: And he can?t tell you no lie
Mr. Lunt: But there?s a secret I?ve been hidin? I can?t keep it no more
Boyz: There?s this thing about himself he?s never told you before
Lunt: Baby!

Chorus:
Boyz: He needs to tell you something
Mr. Lunt: I don?t got a bellybutton
Oh I need to tell you something
Boyz: Have you figure it out
He don?t got a bellybutton
Boyz: Bellybutton no, oh no no

I was thinking about what to write for this blog tag post, and I’ve had a lot of time to think about it! Sorry, being sick for however long has delayed the next post in our blog tag, but I have something to say now.

Belly buttons are something that I really love. I guess I don’t find them especially sexy or anything like that, but it’s what they mean to me that I really love. If you travel around the world, you see many different people, different races, looks, clothing styles, attitudes, beliefs, and colours. There are a few things that are common with every human being (ok, let’s not bring up the question of whether or not Adam had a belly button, that’s outside the scope of my poor little blog post!) and having a belly button is one of them.

Yes, we each have a nose, ears, hands, etc, etc, but each person has a belly button cause each person was once a small insignificant little baby (ok, don’t tell the parents that their baby is insignificant, but in the grand scheme of things, a little baby is fairly insignificant!). They are helpless, defenseless, unable to do anything for themselves (well, ask Ty and Sare as to what exactly a baby can do when it’s under a week old!) and only survive because of others completely caring for them.

Each human being was once like that. They started that way.

By looking at how a precious life starts, we can see how fragile it is. And yet so many people around the world don’t value human life the same as we do. I look at a person’s belly button and remember how they started, as a little baby, and remember how valuable and delicate their life is.

Of course, we know that each person is valuable simply cause they are made in God’s image, and we should treasure each individual due to that! He is our author and creator, and the one who made us in such a way that we end up having a belly button — he put it there, and I use it as a reminder of how he did all that, too.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings about weird and funny body parts (have you ever seen what a belly button does when a woman is extremely pregnant — it pops out!) . . . I pass the baton on to someone who is renowned for following me, so she can follow me in the blog tag — Katy!

Have fun!
nic…

Matt Sherlock gave us a powerfull message on Sunday 20th Jan. He spoke about Who are we in Christ, or Who is Christ in us?

Many people came forward for prayer after the message. My twins asked me “why are so many mummy’s crying daddy?” which tells me that God was at work with many people.

During the message, Matt presented a collection of 23 verses of the bible. A number of people commented how powerful and compelling those verses were. For those of you who missed those verses, or for those of you who want to see them again (without the music though), you can download them from the Sunday Messages section on the Resources page or by clicking here.

Also in the Sunday Messages section, you can download the recorded meassage to hear what Matt had to say.

While we are in process (and prob in a lull period given that SONset is on break til the 13th) of Nic’s post, I wanted to fill in with this question which I posed at the Christmas Eve service.

UPDATE:Here is the video I showed at the service. Thanks to those who gave their time and thoughts

What would your life be like if Jesus had not come?

I don’t mind if your answer is theological, personal, historical, or all of the above. mine will be personal. If Jesus had not come into my life I would be a relatively nice guy with a successful life and no hope beyond that, no purpose or meaning. Given my personality I think I would have sought meaning somewhere, coz the idea of a random universe and a random existence just doesn’t cut it for me, never has.

I would have been a much more self centred person I think, because Jesus draws my gaze past me when I let Him, and onto Him and others round me. I wouldn’t be like that if He wasn’t in my world.

I have found it so encouraging and challenging to hear people’s answers to this question, and would love you to add yours. It doesn’t matter if you are for Jesus, or against, or indifferent, you’re welcome in the pit.

Happy New Year everyone, hope to see some of you really soon
x Ty

Here is the next tag. Please feel free to comment and join the conversation

Well here is my very very short blog?I would love to throw the idea of journaling out there. I am not thinking of the ?dear diary? type of thing of recounting events ?that might work for you- but a way of making sense of thoughts and experiences, allowing you think deeply, creating another means to speak with God. It does not need to be writing in a book it can be through song, painting, dance, or drawing.

With the hectic lives that we have it is so easy to jump from one day to the next without allowing our heads to catch up. Journaling is a great way to process the happenings of life.

Through journaling in some way or another I feel it allows you to stop and reflect, to pour out thoughts and ideas, and to question. Journaling or some kind of expression can allow us to live not in the superficial experiential world but to live a life of depth, seeking to grow in our daily walk.

I found when I was travelling that by putting my jumbled thoughts on paper it helped me to see beyond the immediate and also gave me a chance to invite God into my circumstances. At the moment I am trying to work out how journaling fits in with life back home, what works best for me to express my thoughts and ideas in a more tangible way.

Nic, I do feel that it is now your turn to do a blog!

from Amanda

As we awaiting the next part of blog tag, I wanted to tell you that SONset talks are now available either at the resources page on the website, or through the podcasts page. Hope you enjoy.

Here’s my short but sweet blog entry……

I’m loving thinking about mentoring at the moment. This isn’t a new idea, or even a new name. You may have heard it called ‘discipleship’, or ‘being held accountable’ before……I’m not sure that I like any of the names, but I love the idea!

I think you can be mentored by many different people for lots of different reasons. Most of us probably have a friend who we mentor and who mentors us in some way. Someone who is in a similar stage of life to us and who doesn’t hold back from asking us hard questions. I have a few girlie friends like this and it’s been a spoken agreement that we would check up on each other regularly.

As well as this sort of mentor, I love having a mentor who is older and a life stage ahead of me. Someone who I could ask advice of and someone who has usually already walked through what I’m going through. Someone who I trust and love and who I aspire to be like (when I grow up!!!) This person I’ve had to ask to be my mentor and we meet up on purpose every month or so. I know that my mentor is always praying for me too…what a good thing that is!

I’m thinking that you may be thinking “I don’t really need that cause I have friends I can chat to if something goes wrong.” That’s great and probably true to some extent. But I guess I see a mentor, not as someone you run to if stuff is stuffed, but someone who is there in both ups and downs to keep helping you move forward in your journey with God and others. It’s a very intentional relationship. They can be relied upon to pray for you and they will hold you accountable on a regular basis for……well, anything you want them too! I reckon it’s a good thing and I think God’s into the idea too.

We have a great book on it if you are ever interested in reading more. We also have an excellent talk on it if you are not so much a reader (although I have underlined the book which means you could just read those bits!) Either that, or you could comment with your thoughts……….call me, text me, e-mail me…..but not facebook cause I don’t have a page!

OK……so that was not really short, but I’m hoping still sweet.
Sare xox

PS. I’m passing the banner to AJ (she may be or may not be aware of this yet!) The banner traditionally always gets passed to AJ first, just cause!

Hi All - Andrew here.

How do you Worship God?

Some people sing, some write songs, some write poetry, some pray. There can be differences from a Church situation to a personnel situation - just you sitting on a beach, walking in the bush, sitting reading something.
For me, it’s sitting with my guitar and singing.

So how do you Worship God?

We’re about to start our first game of blog tag. The way that works is that one of you will post a story/thought/message on this blog page, which we all get to be a part of.

The blog posting person will then tag someone (as it also works in our home group).

Watch this space for the first post this week.

A while ago, after reading a book called “The Irresistable Revolution” by Shane Claiborne, I was challenged about community and resource. I was challenged by a lot of things actually. The one that lead to an experiment called “The Exchangery” was from a verse where Jesus says that those with 2 coats should give to him who has none. Shane claimed that you were a thief if you had 2 coats and someone you knew had none, coz Jesus said you should give him yours. I think this is maybe going further than i would on the topic, but it did make me think: How many things do I have which I don’t need any more? Are there others who could use them? And how many things might others have which I could use, rather than buy a new one. Redistribution of resources, rather than just buying and trashing, is good for so many reasons:

And so we gave birth to our little project called “The Exchangery.” We are not the first to do this. We are not even the first in Hornsby, coz there is a group called Hornsby Freecycle who do the same thing really well. But we are attempting, in our own way, to start a positive grassroots movement towards redistribution of resources.

It may grow bigger than it is at the moment. I have dreamed of the idea of people exchanging services as well as goods. I love the idea of people exchanging their own things for the benefit of someone they know. Like someone who would bring in their shoes which they have outgrown before out-wearing them, and exchanging it for a guitar for the kid next door who wants to learn guitar but can’t afford one. There is so much potential for expansion, which may or may not happen. In the meantime, we’ll keep swapping resources with all those who opt in. If you want to be a part of the exchangery, just contact me and I’ll let you know how.

Hi all,

Welcome to the wonder of modern technology. I’m looking forward to learning more about how this stuff works, and also love that it help connect more people to our community. I’m keem to share just some of the things that are going around in my head and would welcome your feedback and comments.

So for the first thought:
Just finished a Vineyard conference with John and Elle Mumford from the UK. I so loved seeing our women blessed and encouraged by the Thursday women’s night - you deserve it. At the weekend John asked about our ability to recognise when the Holy Spirit is touching someone. “Do we/you know what that looks like?” I’m aware that often the presence of the Spirit is shown by a whole variety of manifestations like: hot flushing, shaking, eye lids fluttering, general sense of peace, heat. Have you noticed anything else?
The next question I have for myself is what to do then, if you see this stuff. That’s when we get to join in with what God is doing and I love that.

Speak soon Phil

Last night at our home group we shared some of our thoughts about what community meant to us, what specifically has been happening which has helped us build community, what we could be doing which would build community more, and what some of the challenges are to building community.

Maybe here could be a space we can share thoughts too?

Is community about a shared living space

Hanging and doing stuff together

Serving the Community

Or something else altogether?

I am increasingly coming to think that god has called us to try to understand that, and to learn what it means to live in community rather than isolation. We were made that way. Our faith journey is not supposed to be one where we search and live out the truth according to us. Other people encourage us, kick us in the butt, help us be what we hope to be, and sometimes force uncomfortable change in us just coz they are different to us and trying to love them helps us grow.

But I’m not there yet, I just want to keep it on the radar. I want to keep learning how to have a community which is committed to each other as well as inclusive. I want to learn how to encourage community which worships God passionately and honestly, and allows space for people who are learning that to still belong. I want to be a person who loves deeply and practically. And I want to see me change to be more like Christ, and see others doing the same.

We are looking loosely at a series called “Passages” in the next little while, passages in the Bible which have rocked our world, and which shape our picture of God. So far we have only looked at 2 Corinthians 1 (the comfort of God which overflows in our lives).

Now obviously coz the Bible is inspired by God all of it is full of life, and has the power to transform, meet, heal us. But for me there are still passages I would say are key to our faith walk and understanding of God. Here are some that I would class as key. I would love to hear your thoughts on this key passages idea.