GUARDING THE FUTURE

Over the past decade I have sat in rooms, week after week, month after month, year after year, listening to women tell their stories.
At a rough count I have sat with at least 500 women, and a huge portion of that number have told stories of sexual molestation, rape, abuse, all in their childhood or early teens.
These are courageous women who are telling the truth,  They are brave mothers fighting for their children.  They have climbed over terrible odds to get to this place and find a space to tell their story and their truth.

My heart is bleeding for our nation and for it's children.

Our children are our treasure. Our children should grow up safe and secure.  Our children need to be nurtured and protected so that they grow to their full stature as adults, parents, leaders in our nation.

No one has the right to rob our treasure of their treasure.

We have an opportunity as a nation to find the courage to build into our future.  We claim ancient treasures back from overseas because they belong to this land and this people.  How much more should we be claiming responsibility for the living treasures who dwell in the midst of us.

This robbery of innocence needs to stop.

 Would we allow the thief to walk into our home and take our valued possessions away without endeavouring to recover them, would we say nothing as these things were taken away?  How much more should we protect the living treasure that is being robbed of innocence and future?

If each of us were to pick up our responsibility to guard the children and young people who are our future how much brighter and clearer our future would look.  The statistics that are like a great shadow over our nation would fall, and we would lead others in producing leaders, parents, adults who would protect what has been protected in them.

This is a challenge New Zealand.  Who will step up to the mark and begin to speak positively about our need to guard our future?  Legislation has not worked, why?  Because legislation has no heart.  It is possible that picking up our individual and national responsibility can bring monumental change if we can find the courage to do so.

Do you hear the challenge, will you pick it up? Can we grow up, stand up, and protect our future?

BROKEN WINGS

When a tree grows slightly crooked do we instantly chop it down?

It is God's creation and we generally tie it to a strong support and give it a chance to straighten up.

When we find a bird with a broken wing, or an animal with a broken leg, do we cast it out to look after itself?

It is God's creation and usually we are moved with compassion to get help so that it can mend.

Why then, when we see evidence of brokenness in a human being - a wrong action, a mistake or a failure - do we tend to dismiss them as bad, unacceptable, unsuitable, unable to change?

Have we never failed, or made a mistake? 

What gives us, therefore, the right and authority to judge?

Surely, if we follow the example of Jesus, our approach will be creative and not destructive or judgemental.

If God has created all that is created, then He is the strong support that will enable healing, change, new life.

Discernment is given so that we can pray and invite Him into a situation, so that we can co-operate with Him in seeking wholeness and fullness of life for each and every individual.

Discernment is not an invitation to judge or criticise, it is an invitation to PRAY and follow up with whatever action we are led to take.

Is it just and right that we who are so imperfect demand perfection from those around us?

THE HEART OF THE NATION

In these last few weeks I've found myself really exercised over what is true and just, in the face of popular opinion and normalised behaviour!

It began with the photographic exhibition of gang members in an Auckland Gallery.  There is no faulting the artistic ability of the photographer or the amazing clarity of what he is portraying, and it has most certainly aroused controversy and conversation which creative things should do.

The ensuing arguments suggested that everything is right in the light of artistic freedom, and it is fine to exhibit photos of a genuine section of our community.  It is not deemed correct to censor artistic works.

Alongside all of this, we have a family grieving over the loss of their son, and one of the men in the photographs is about to stand trial for his killing.

At the same time the trial for the murder of Mallory Manning was taking place, with gang members accused of being responsible for her death.

There is also much discussion about the effect of drugs in our society, and the increase of manufacture and supply of illegal substances, alongside the discussion over removing legal highs.  Almost every report of a large drug bust implicates gang members.

It is very foolish to generalise, but overall the image of people who have chosen to deliberately flout the law and moral rules of our society is not a healthy one.

If the photographs were pornographic, or had been taken of children by someone with questionable motive, would the same artistic licence and lack of censorship apply?

In comments to the Court in the Mallory Manning case one woman was quoted as saying that she had some sympathy at first for the accused.  However, her final question was to ask why there was not one man in the room who offered help to a girl crawling away to escape from them and their brutality. 

The family who are still in pain over the loss of their son were shouting their dissent, but it was politely dismissed in the face of artistic licence.

What unjust licence do we give in our nation?

What questions do we ask about what is right and wrong?

Why are the voices of the victims and the weak unheard and their cries ignored?

There is a deep sickness in our society.  It is not apparent to those who are buffered by wealth and comfort and therefore is deemed unimportant by them, in fact it is fearful to acknowledge these things.  However, it exists and down at the bottom of the barrel are those who are fighting to be heard, fighting to get one foot on the ladder of life and hope, growing weary and giving up in the face of this unfeeling, uninformed, uncaring society. 

I know that is generalising, and there are wonderful hard-working people labouring to help and bring change, but the attitudes that came to the surface in this recent event are of great concern.

As we head towards elections all I hear are politicians criticising and finding fault with the opposition, or trying to discredit them in some way.

What I would like to hear is what they actually plan to do for this country,

I would like to know if they look at the shaky bottom of our society and seriously discuss what they will do to make it more equitable.

I would like to know if there is anyone in power who is willing to put their name and reputation on the line in the face of our sickness to do whatever is necessary to inject some health.

Removing the legal highs is great, but what about the pain and dysfunction that pushes people towards drugs (at any level of society).  What about the heart of a nation that needs a little attention right now.

Time to have a good look at who and what we are in 2014, compare it to the values the nation was founded on, to revisit democracy, and to endeavour to move forward into health and strength.

How do all these things line up with truth and justice, freedom for all?

APOSTOLIC CONVERSATION

Galatians 2:6-10 is a wonderful account of a meeting and conversation been Peter, James, John and Paul.  What a privilege to read about a conversation between the men who had walked and talked with Jesus, and Paul who had had a personal encounter with Him and was working out the call on his life that came with that.

Paul comments that these men, considered to be pillars of the early church, did not add anything to his message which was the Gospel.

However, in the meeting they did agree with his call to preach to the Gentiles as Peter was called to preach to the Jews.  They offered fellowship and agreed with the work Paul was doing.

Finally, they made one request that Paul was happy to comply with, and because it was the final comment on the conversation I believe we should see it as worth our serious consideration.

Galatians 2:10 reads:

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

If this was so important to the pillars of the early church, and to the apostles chosen by Jesus Himself, surely this should remain of great importance to us today.

Does the church today hold this request to be equally important, and do we who call ourselves Christians as these men also did, consider that the one thing we should continue to do is remember the poor?

If this was important in the very foundations of Christianity and the church, surely it should remain as fundamentally important in our function today?

Is this a plumbline for us in this day and age, and if so, what are we doing about it, individually and corporately?

NEW THINGS

This year has begun with two new things on my horizon.  In the next two weeks I will roll out two new programmes in addition to the current New Beginnings.

The step up from the Personal Development stage into support in the Community is a big one as it involves training mentors as well.

I am SO grateful to God that He knows where this is headed and how to put it together, without Him this current task would be utterly impossible.

Maybe that sounds a big statement, I hope it doesn't sound trite, as I mean it with all my heart and mind.

I sat down and prayed and the first programme was written, and the process has had to be the same for the two new ones as well.

It would be so easy to just copy something that has already been done, there is plenty available online, but what use would that be?  When we begin something new we can learn much from others' experience, but ultimately if it is not completely fresh and new it is unlikely to bring any kind of new result.

This season is reminding me over and over again that the ultimate Creator is our God, and if we are willing He will pour in and release that creativity in our lives. 

He alone knows the people He wants to reach, understands their minds and situations, knows how to touch their hearts.

Again I think of the need to find my whole identity in Him, otherwise it will be a confused thing made up of lots of bits and pieces of various men and women.  I love to learn from others, but I want to be found and seen to be in the One who made me for a specific purpose that I will only fulfil with His help.

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Version) tells us the truth:

For we are God's (own) handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time) that we should walk in them (living the good life which he prearranged and made ready for us to live).

So, these programmes are not just about my destiny, but also the responsibility of working with God to connect others with the amazing plans He has for them.  This can only happen if I am completely the self He intended and created.  This applies to each and every one of us. What an exciting and challenging thought!

IDENTITY & CONFIDENCE

IDENTITY

2013 ended with someone stealing my identity on facebook!  It was slightly alarming but eventually I came to the realisation that the only identity that counts is in the One who made me and will always know me, nothing else is as important as that.  I feel protected and safe in that knowledge.

It seemed the Lord was highlighting this fact for a good reason, and there is a strong sense that in 2014 it is going to be most important for us to find our strong place of being aligned and identified with Jesus Christ, it will be a strength that will carry us through many tests and trials.

CONFIDENCE

Just as with our identity, our confidence must be in the One who truly sees and knows everything that concerns us.  All our trust and hope is safe in Him regardless of what this world throws at us.  This confidence will enable us to walk and complete the race we are in.

I felt the Lord was encouraging us

"Don't give up now!  Many have been sorely tested in the past year, but continue to press forward and do not drop out of the race, being CONFIDENT that He who began this work in you will bring it to completion." 

Philippians 3:15 states that "all of us who are mature should take such a view of things."  What view and what things?

Phil. 3:12-14  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of this so that we may indeed know the Lord as He knows us, in both our joys and suffering.  He is forming and claiming a people after His own heart.  He is building His church and each stone will be perfectly shaped and formed for its place.

Phil. 4:12-13 ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

YOKED

The general understanding of being unequally yoked has been related to marriage partners, but it seems in this season the Lord would have us think more widely and understand the effect of this yoking.

Matthew 11:28-30 is Jesus' call to us:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It is His presence and His Spirit that break the heaviness and burdens of connections that are not to Jesus Himself.  When the weight becomes unbearably heavy He calls us to make a choice.  He has already dealt with those heavy things and attachments at the cross, and now simply asks that we come and choose Him and His way. Connected to Him we can confidently run the race He has set for us. He asks that we know our identity in Him, that we be yoked and joined completely to Him, and move with confidence towards His goal and prize in His strength, rest and peace.

Join us Lord to Yourself.  Let us be found in You and You in us in this season.  Release to us again Your peace to guard our hearts and minds.  Strengthen our weak knees and lift up our hands and heads.  Build Your temple, live with us and walk among us.  Be our God and we will be Your people.  Amen.

 

ENDLESS CHRISTMAS

We separate everything so we can manage and understand.  God combines and unites everything without spaces, molding and combining into the divinely seamless, both managing and understanding it all...always.

We must so immerse ourselves in Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that we become part of His seamless life as a part of all creation - we are separated 'unto'/into Him in order that we will never be apart again.

ALL creation sings His praise and our life and voice take their place in an eternal song.

So, at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ, the One who is our way into this seamless and everlasting life.  There is no price that can be put on this gift that opened a heavenly door for us to walk through.

At Christmas we unwrap this gift and gaze on it with wonder once again, remembering what LOVE Himself has done for us and joining the great song of praise for His love and kindness.

May we each be blessed to be woven into this seamless expression of God's greatness and love in this Christmas season, and constantly throughout the coming year.

REMEMBERING ELIJAH

One of my favourite, and I believe a pivotally important story, is that of Elijah and Elisha.  The young Elisha really burnt his bridges to go and follow the older prophet, to walk alongside him, to learn all that he could from him.  When the time came for Elijah to depart the young prophet was ready for his task, and to carry the great anointing and call on his life.

If I had to give advice to anyone wanting to move ahead in their spiritual journey I would say look for your Elijah and don't leave his side until God decides it's time.

Recently I led a contemplative retreat that spread over several days.  Of all the people there, the one I was most drawn to was a gracious woman of 84 years.  When I wasn't speaking I would sit beside her, enjoying the presence of God around her life.

This dear lady had come with new hearing aids and they were just too hard to manage, so she took them out and decided that she would just sit with God and enjoy His presence in the time we met together and glean the little snippets she heard of the rest.  When it came time to talk about what we were seeing and hearing, she was the one who had the key that tied it all together!

At the end of our last meeting, she took a younger woman's hand, prayed for her, and walked on.  The younger woman was left unable to stand under the weight of God's presence that touched her life.

Although I was invited to lead the retreat, I was also happy to walk alongside a woman who had more years in prayer than I have yet enjoyed, and I have to say I am so much richer for the experience.

Although I am no longer young myself, there is always someone walking ahead that I can glean from and grow.  There have always been those I have 'esteemed more highly than myself' and known could enrich my life in some way.

If you want to go on and grow, ask God to lead you to your Elijah, it is so much better than walking the journey alone, and builds such strength.  The retreat reminded me that there will always be an Elijah somewhere from whom I can learn.  I never turn away a younger person who wants to sit and talk, open up ideas and share in my life, for exactly the same reason.

Let's remember the amazing example God gives us in the story of Elijah and Elisha, read it again and draw from it's wisdom.

DESERT CHURCHES

These were the thoughts that emerged yesterday when I was thinking about the place of prayer/contemplation/meditation in the midst of what I see as an urban desert.  A place that is becoming so devoid of God, peace, love, hope, that there needs to be something that quietly percolates in the midst of it to release those things again.

It seems to me that in the area of silent contemplative prayer we move away from the noise, distractions, and props of the world we live in.
We walk alone into the desert, as Jesus and many others have done before us, and take time alone to find and re-engage our Creator.
We are made in His image and the more of Him we discover and learn, the more whole we become.
The more functional we become.
We have a hope of finding our true self in His reflection, rather than a ‘self’ that revolves around our needs, thoughts and desires.
We come to the place of BEING, PEACE and REST, removed from the ceaseless, restless search that much of humanity are consumed with.

The ‘Desert Church’ is linked by contemplative prayers over the whole earth, always awake and alive at any given moment.  Always bringing a spring of hope into the arid places.

Is it possible that as we enter a place of contemplation, we become the stones He is using to build His Church?  Possibly His Church will never actually be seen in this realm but fills an entirely spiritual and heavenly place and is constantly becoming more and more established?  Crazy thought, but it lines up with Isaiah 56:7 These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for MY HOUSE will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
I find that quite a comforting thought.

All this began as I read Thomas Merton's “Contemplative Prayer” – he is speaking to the monastic orders because he wants to see reform, but says the layman who prays can apply it to himself.

“The option of absolute despair is turned into perfect hope by the pure and humble application of monastic prayer.
The monk faces the worst, and discovers in it the hope of the best.
From the darkness comes light.
From death, life.
From the abyss there comes unaccountably, the mysterious gift of the Spirit sent by God to make all things new, to transform the created and redeemed world, and to re-establish all things in Christ.
This is the creative and healing work of the monk, accomplished in silence, in nakedness of spirit, in emptiness, in humility.
It is a participation in the saving death and resurrection of Christ.
Therefore, every Christian may, if he so desires, enter into communion with this silence of the praying and meditating church, which is the Church of the Desert."

THREADS

What an amazing, colourful, fabric God is weaving from all the lives He has placed in this world.  We may not even recognise some of the colours, the thickness of the thread may be so different in each case, but each has a valid place, something that needs to be held on to, worked out, because that life is living, breathing, moving in this world!

Today I feel like a very thin thread, and have recently felt as if I am fighting for breath between heavier and more colourful ones.  They seem so vibrant, so exciting, seem to be flowing forward at a rapid rate, their progress exciting and evident.

This thread feels fragile right now, but the one thing I know for sure is that it is my own.  I cannot run here and there trying to strengthen it myself, but have to hold course, slowly - almost imperceptibly, moving towards the One who threaded me through the needle and draws the fabric together in His great loom.

It feels that this thread is ill-fitted for the fabric.  It has no colour that shouts success or thickness that shows achievement.  In fact it is so insignificant that if it were to disappear altogether no-one would notice or grieve over its loss, except that One who designed it to be so, and never looks away.

His great hand draws me on, re-weaves the frayed edges, and eases me through the tight uncomfortable places.

When finally the finished fabric is seen, the colour and weight of the thread will not matter, for all will be blinded by the beauty of the finished fabric and His handiwork will be praised. It will explode with life and vibrant colour, just as He always intended it should.

I will sing for the one I love

a song about His vineyard.

Isaiah 5:1