Monday, October 25, 2010

last stand

Charles Haddon from "Ou Est Le Swimming Pool" took his own life in August 2010. I don't know what else was going on in his life but the news stories tell us that the 'trigger' was when he accidently seriously hurt a fan in a stage dive....

...this week I was 'giving an ear' to a friend who was dealing with someone she cared for who attempted suicide...let me tell you this as clearly as I can: do -not-attempt- to kill-yourself...there is always a way out of your problems no matter how messy and bad they are, it may take time and it may take work but there will be a way out. If you need immediate and information about suicide prevention can contact

Lifeline on 13 11 14

SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263)

"Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? ...I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! " (Romans 8)

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm 23)

So hang in there, be patient, get help - there is light on the other side of the tunnel

You won't know if you are not here. Our thoughts go out to Charlies family, friends and fans.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Mary Mackillop


Australia has it's first 'Saint' and I think it's a great thing because Mary Mackillop is such a great example of a Christian lady who showed incredible bravery, compassion and dedication. Virtues that are a possibly little thin at the moment in many quarters of our land. I think she deserves out due respect.
If you want to know more about her great life read here:
Without raining on her truly justified parade - I just want to point out a few things that to me are not based in the New Testament about this 'Saint' stuff...
*We can pray directly to God and don't need to pray through 'Saints' (it's all through the New Testament - but read Hebrews 10 for starters) In fact it's probably NOT a good idea to pray through a Saint, when Jesus has already opened the door for you to God.
* ALL Christians are declared 'Saints' in the New Testament - often the letters to the churches (in the Bible) open with 'to the saints' (eg When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus he started out "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithfulin Christ Jesus...")
Having clarified that - Mary Mackillop, though human - is a great example to follow in many ways.
Martin Luther said this about 'Church declared Saints', that they can be honored in three ways:
1.By thanking God for examples of His mercy
2. By using the saints as examples for strengthening our faith
3. By imitating their faith and other virtues
Having Mary Mackillop as an example is a fresh change from the many tinsel town heroes that are shoved down our throats with sugar coating and little substance. Congratualtions, Mary of the Cross : )

Will the real Jesus stand up?



"The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes"

Ah, excuse me? "No crying he makes?" no crying? A baby? I don't think so.

This is a great example of the New Testament Jesus being covered up with (Christian) religious sentimentality. "Away in a Manager" is a great Christmas Carol but like many portryals of Jesus, it is just plain untrue. The Bible has always portrayed Jesus as someone who suffered like we have even though he was God on earth.

So not only would he have cried like any other baby, he also would have added to the stable stench with his own nappy /diaper filling. Try singing that in a carol this Christmas.

Later in life he hurt and ached and suffered like the rest of us. Here are a few words directly from the Bible:

"He had to be one of us...Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted." (Hebrews 2:17 -18)

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. " (Hebrews 4)

"...and asked, "Where have you put his body?"
They replied, "Lord, come and you will see."
Jesus started crying, and the people said, "See how much he loved Lazarus." (John 11)

"When Jesus came closer and could see Jerusalem, he cried ..." (Luke 19)

and so on...

The thing that really bothers me about the 'sanitising' of Jesus Christ is that I suspect people who have not read the New Testament for themsleves get this namby pamby picture of Jesus who has been basically 'photoshopped' & 'airbrushed' into a gentle distant religious figure that has no relation to our everyday life.

I dare anyone who has that view of Jesus to read through any of the Gospels - in one sitting, like you would read a short book. Also, use a current translation in a a language you speak at home.

Take your pick - pick up a Bible and read one of the Gospel books in the Bible (you can read them in a couple of hours) either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John and ask yourself honestly if this is the Jesus that is often presented as "little Lord Jesus No crying He makes"

Let me know what you discover!

LSF National Conference "Who Me?"


LSF National Conference 2010

Theme: Who, Me? -Conference gets personal
"This year’s conference theme will help us examine and unfold our identity,
relationships, and purpose. Through excellent guest speakers, small group
studies, personal prayer, fun and relationships, conference will help us get
personal with Jesus, with peers, and with the world."

When: 28/12/2010 to 02/01/2011

Venue: Crystal Creek Christian Camp
43 Murrays Rd Alexandra VIC 3714

Cost: Fees: $265 (workers)
$250 (students)
$200 (year 12)
$130 (weekenders)

Any enquiries, please contact Steph Juers at stephi_pedda@hotmail.com,
0422175434.

You can register online here:
http://www.lsf.org.au/conference/