Youth Group names?

We're trying to rename or at least re-logo our youth group at the moment. Thinking up names is really hard. I googled it (as you do) and found this website. But 12,371 is too many to browse through!

I'm leaning towards 'Mirror' (or something like it), as in; We reflect Christ to the world (or similar). There's then possibility for someone more artistic to do a cool logo.

Hopefully someone creative has a stroke of genius.

Seriousness of Sin

Look on him whom you have pierced, and let it trouble you. Say to your soul, 'What have I done? What love, what mercy, what blood, what grace have I despised and trampled on! Is this how I pay back the Father for his love? Is this how I thank the Son for his blood? Is this how I respond to the Holy Spirit for his grace? Have I defiled the heart that Christ died to wash, and the Holy Spirit has chosen to dwell in? HOw can I keep myself out of the dust? What can I say to the dear Lord Jesus? How shall I hold up my head with any boldness before him? Do I count fellowship with him of so little value that, for this vile lust's sake, I have hardly left him any room in my heart? How shall I escape if I neglect so great salvation?
What shall I say to the Lord? His love, mercy, grace, goodness, peace, joy, consolation - I have despised all of them! I have considered them as nothing, that I might harbour lust in my heart. Have I seen God as my Father, that I might provoke him to his face? Was my soul washed that there might be room for new defilements? Shall I seek to disappoint the purpose of the death of Christ? Shall I grieve the Holy Spirit, who sealed me unto the day of redemption?
Allow your conscience to consider these things every day.

- John Owen (in 'You Can Change' - Tim Chester (p.137-138))

Review: Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God

Apart from having a really long title, this book by Gordon D. Fee had some really excellent things to say.

I'm not going to say that it was the easiest book to read. At times it was a little dense and dry, but not enough to stop me from recommending it.

Fee basically attempts to cover all aspects of Paul's Spirit theology throughout his letters. Discussions range from the nature of the Spirit, to the work of the Spirit both at conversion and ongoing in the life of a believer, to some of the controversies surrounding the gifts.

Fee writes from the viewpoint of a Pentecostal, which he makes clear in the book. However he does write from a fairly objective point of view and there was little that I would disagree with (at least from memory).

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to find out more about the nature and work of the Holy Spirit.

Review: Culture Making

Well I've finally finished this book. I'd have to say that on the whole it was a good and interesting read.

I think the strong points of this book are in it's discussions of culture and how culture is made and by who, including the first problem of what culture is.

However, I was a little disappointed by the lack of practical suggestions or applications that were made at the end of the book. There were some, and I appreciate the fact that since culture is such a huge thing and so hard to influence that it is hard to nail down, but it is hard not to be a little disappointed.

I think I would recommend this book. Certainly the discussions on culture are very interesting and thought provoking. I wouldn't make this book though a highest priority on your reading list, unless you are particularly intersted in the area.

Pentecost Sunday

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and I have the privilege of being allowed to preach.

In preparation I've been studying the day of Pentecost in some depth and trying to work out what its all about. It's struck me now that there is so much more going on here than I've ever thought.

We have fulfilment in the promises of the prophets regarding the coming of the Spirit, restoration in the removal or reversal of the curse of Babel in the sign of tongues (or languages).

We have promises and potential as the tongues illustrate the global mission of the church. There is the gift of the Spirit given to the disciples, allowing them to preach with power, and then given to the converts, bringing them together as the community of believers. We have the beginning of the church.

So its a huge occasion, full of meaning and significance. The only question is how to fit it all into a sermon, or at least do it justice, in less than 25 minutes!

My first bluefin.

My first bluefin tuna. Not big as far as bluefin go, only 20-25kg but lots of fun. A great weekend down at Port Arthur. Can't wait to cook him up!

Old Hymns Remixed

Justin Taylor posted these remixes of Old Hymns on his blog.

I'm a real fan of the How Great Thou Art remix (maybe because I already love this hymn). Normally I'm not too into remixed hymns, but these are really good.

Missional Community

Just a couple of good articles from Tim Chester about being missional, and being a missional community.

Loving your neighbourhood

Missional through community

Great articles that help us think seriously about how we as a community can love those around us.

Long-term efforts

In the chapter of Culture Making (Andy Crouch) today that I was reading, Crouch makes some interesting points.

The one that stuck out to me was his point that it takes a long time and a lot of work to effect a lasting change. Spectacular events and short term programs have little long term effect, whereas persistent, patient, long term work results in long term good or change.

It struck me, because I think we need to work like this within the church and as Christians. Instead of putting all our effort into short term programs or once-off events, we should think long term - building relationships, working towards larger goals etc. This is not to say that once-off events are bad things, but we can surely increase their impact if we use them as culminations of long term processes.

For example, later this year we have a chance to hold a evangelistic jazz concert. Now according to Crouch, this is likely to effect little long term change. What if though, we were to make this event a culmination of a long term process? To start making non-Christian contacts now, to start having these discussions about Christianity now and over the next few months. Perhaps this way we can effect longer lasting change?

It is worth noting however, the flip-side of this rule: that is, it takes a long time to effect positive change (ie. create something good), but a negative change (ie. destroying something) can happen very quickly.

So we should be careful to not effect negative change, even through our smallest actions, and we should think long term when it comes to effecting long term positive change.

By the way, I'm really enjoying this book. I recommend it.