Launderer's Soap

Launderer's soap

2010-09-17T10:27:00.002+08:00

Haven't blogged in so lone and my life has changed so much, but now that I am a Bible college student I have decided that I need to air my views on a few things so I am back blogging again. Thought I would start by reblogging an early post.

Have you ever looked at the prophetic verse that talks about Jesus in Malachi 3:2

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap” (NIV).

Funny you never hear anyone talking about Christ as Launderer’s soap. Or for that matter writing songs with that theme. Try this (to tune of Refiner’s Fire):

Launderer’s soap

I’ve been such a dope

I need to Be-e scrubbed

Hung out to dry for you Lord …

Hum…maybe not!

We readily understand the concept of Refiner’s fire. The idea of refining a metal is that you heat it right up until all the impurities are ‘cooked’ out of it and only a pure metal is left. We need to understand that this is a tough process on the metal. And if that picture is us then we will need to go through a little fire in order to be refined.

But then think about the concept of Launderer’s soap. This is particularly tough and heavy soap, used for getting out the toughest grime and stains.The idea is that we may need to be scrubbed somewhat in order to be ready for service. Sometimes it may leave us red raw.

We understand that when Jesus died he paid the price for our sin. We became completely clean, when we have faith in him. What we are discussing here is the process of the ‘work in progress’ we remain until we are made complete on that day.

What is Journey really about?

2008-07-22T11:45:00.002+08:00

I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Like Pilgrims Progress we begin to understand that it is as much about the journey as the destination.
But what if?.....
The easy ending? What do you think?

From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

2007-12-31T11:32:00.000+08:00

Having come under some Justified criticism for failing to blog much lately, I resolve to mend my ways as part of my new year's resolution. Its not that I do not mean to, I have come up with a lot things to blog about, so I will stick with my travel demands as an excuse and ask your forgiveness.
So back on the path with a book review. If you have not read Jonathon Aitken's new book "From Grace to Amazing Grace" then put it at the top of your list.
My daughter sent it to me for Christmas and once started, could not put it down. Jonathon, writes from the heart. As man who has seen a fall from the heights as a cabinet minister in the UK to prison where he found the Lord, he writes as one who knows Grace.
I had heard various versions of John Newton's testimony but discovered they were mostly romanticised and designed to make a point. However I found the real story so much more challenging and encouraging.
Newton's mother was a believer and a member of the dissenting church and taught Newton to memorise scripture, she died while he was still a small but and the book takes you though his life going to sea while still only 11 years old. Then forced into the Royal Navy where he was a problem sailor. Eventually ending up a slaver then a slave. He was converted during a wild storm while returning to England, but he still continued to work in the slave trader as the captain of a slaver.
As he grew in the faith and came under the influence of people like Wesley he became a great teacher and preacher. Called to the Ministry (in itself a long and difficult process) he was for several decades a leading light in the Evangelical movement in England and the Church of England having a profound influence in the setting up of the Bible Society and CMS.
He was also a mentor and guide to William Wilberforce and worked with him in the abolitionist movement. It is important to say here that while I love the movie "Amazing Grace" Newton was nothing like the character in the movie.
Probably Newton is best remembered for the most sung hymn of all time "Amazing Grace"
It was first sung on New Years day in 1734, for his friend William Cowper (the poet) but did not become famous in his life time. In fact it was one of his lesser known Hymns (of which he wrote many). His hymns were distributed world wide through the Onley Hymn book which is a collection of Hymns by Newton and Cowper (you can download it from the Amazing Grace movie educational resource page )
It was in America that the Hymn became popular with the current tune added some 60 years after it was written. In fact the last verse (When we've been there 10,000 years.....) was first seen in print in Hariet Beecher Stowe's Anti slavery book "Uncle Tom's cabin" in 1852.
So needless to say this book in a must read.

The Father loves Justice

2007-11-07T15:30:00.000+08:00

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice: upright men will see his face. Psalm 12.7 NIV

After more than a month away in England (one reason I haven't blogged for a while), speaking to a lot of groups, I needed to be constantly reminded of why I do what I do. I read this verse right at the beginning of my journey and it inspired me. How many sermons could you preach on this one verse.
I understand the Hebrew words for justice and righteousness are pretty much the same. As Evangelicals we so often think of righteousness as good living. earnest prayer, bible study etc. Justice does not seem to get a look in. Yet the Bible is very clear on this. We are to be servants. People who reach out to the poor and downtrodden. Jesus speaking in Matthew 25 (sheep and goats) makes it clear how He feels about justice.
I do believe that when Gods love is in us, Justice is a natural outcome. (1 John 3:17). Compassion is part of us and unavoidable.

Forgive like we have been forgiven

2007-07-31T10:26:00.000+08:00

Our Series on the Lord's prayer is continuing. And Sunday Pastor Bob was right on form. He tied in Daily Bread and forgiveness and it gave me new insight into this very idea. You see to in Eastern culture to share Bread with someone is to accept them, to be right with them. And it says "Give us this day OUR daily Bread. Not MY. That means all of us ... in this together. Including the hungry, including the brother with whom fellowship has been broken all of us.
I was also stuck by A quote Bob used from Dietrich Bonhoffer. from Life together "The pious fellowship permits no one to be a sinner. So everybody must conceal his sin from himself and from the fellowship. We dare not be sinners. Many Christians are unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered among the righteous. So we remain alone with our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy. The fact is that we ARE sinners!
How right Bonhoffer gets it so often.
I think one thing that can really bog us down in our walk is when we harbour unforgiveness in our heart. We are so offended when others sin against us and become self righteous and judgmental, yet we are also sinners, who sin against God often. And against others. We should not be surprised at how others sin when we consider our own.
I feel very challenged about this especially when I consider how judgmental we become when some well know Christian person has sinned and it becomes public knowledge.

Our Father

2007-07-10T11:08:00.000+08:00

Was really blessed by Pastor Bob's first sermon back as our full time Pastor on Sunday. He is doing 5 weeks on the Lord's Prayer and just did the first line "Our Father Who Art in Heaven"
When the disciples said to Jesus, "teach us to pray." He could have said My Father, but he choose to say "Our Father". He is my Father but he is also yours.
Wow isn't that awesome? I have been meditating on that these last few days. After 40+ years a believer I am still overwhelmed that I get to call him Father.
If you want to hear this sermon, it should appear on the ECC (HK) web site in the next few days, I will publish the link when it is put on.

Who is our God?

2007-06-29T07:47:00.000+08:00

I am sorry its been so long so long since my last post. I have been traveling & speaking in Australia & New Zealand for about a month and have had plenty of things I wanted to post just not the time to sit at a computer and do it. So Panda I promise that I will try and post more often.

So if you want more information on the trip have a look at the adventure Blog.

During my trip I had plenty of opportunity to marvel at creation and His amazing handiwork. But I also had plenty of evidence of people choosing other gods.

It seems to me that in Western society at least, man's god has become more and more himself. The thirst for 'things', the desire for self gratification.

Even Christians. We so often think make our "christianess" our god. "Look at me, see how spiritual I am" our desire to play the part rather than live it can so often take the place of God in our lives and we become our own god, deciding for ourselves how we should live and what we should do. It sometimes hard to convince Christians that we are called to a life of serving him, which is the same as saying serving others. When Jesus said deny yourself and take up your cross, he basically said you no longer live for yourself. Please note that his does not mean "stop having a good time" or "stop enjoying life" But it does change our choices.

Then he (Jesus) told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who comes with me has to let me lead. Your not in the drivers seat - I am" Luke 9:23 msg

Brother David has gone home

2007-05-16T14:47:00.000+08:00

The man known as "God's Smuggler to China " has gone to home.

He was an amazing and visionary man, who like Brother Andrew, believed that we all have a responsibility toward the suffering church. He instigated 'Project Pearl", which saw one million Bibles delivered to China on a barge in a single night!

He had a profound influence on my life. Even before I met him, simply by reading his book. I got to travel with him to China and around Australia when he spoke.

I know this much that in heaven he will rejoice with many Chinese believers who came to faith because he was faithful in bringing them the word of God

For the whole story click here

Working Together

2007-05-03T16:11:00.000+08:00

Ephesians 4

Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing believers who can't get on, who cannot be reconciled to one another and cannot find it in their hearts to forgive.

Sometimes I think that the only Army that likes to kick their comrades when they fall is the Christian one.

This is what Paul says (Message):

To Be Mature In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, .......

I Like that bit "pouring yourselves out for each other in Acts of Love. It goes on .....

.... alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. 

Are you getting this we are all one in Christ. But we do have different gifts

But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. ................... He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. 

Don't you love that ".... all moving rhythmically and easily with each other. It isn't as hard as we make it. When we see Christ in one another and so seek to serve one another.

Why don't we get it

2007-02-22T10:24:00.000+08:00

I am always amazed that whenever you start to talk about the fact the Christians are supposed to make a difference in the World to reach out to people in need and care for those who are unable to care for themselves, some start screaming he is preaching Salvation by works again.
So let me say right up front, I believe these Verses in Ephesians 2 with all my heart, and praise God that it is true:

8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9. not by works, so that no one can boast.

Then we need to read the next verse which says:

10. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We so often stop at the first 2 verses, because Grace all sufficient. But once we know him we can't just go on living the way we did. We can't just ignore the need around us. How can we see so many around the world living in poverty and just do nothing, while we waste resources as if they do not matter. Farmers in the West are paid to plough food into the ground while the billions struggle to get a bowl of rice in a day and the protest from believers to their Governments is muted.
We cannot keep living as if the poor don't exist. It is time for the Church to live as we are called. To listen to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Paul said if we say we have not love, we are as a clanging gong,... all outward show. In 1 John it says if we see need and feel no compassion, then how can God's love be in us?

FROM JAMES 2 IN THE MESSAGE

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.”
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.

The Wonder of it All

2007-01-25T11:55:00.000+08:00

Not long ago I was in the car with a Pastor friend of mine and we drove past a Theological College, with a proud history. This College is very wealthy, owns a great deal of property and has the most magnificent buildings you can imagine all built out beautifully crafted carved stone.
But they have almost no Students!
In recent times this college has taken a very liberal view of theology. My Pastor friend told me that he had heard one of their lecturers speak, a well known theologian, author of many books, but one who does not believe in God. At least not the in way we Evangelicals do.
What he said seemed plausible, very plausible. Especially to a mind that wanted to doubt.
In response, I said I feel so very sad for people who have never looked up at the stars on a clear country night with awe and wonder. It usually brings me to worship through praise, singing 'How Great Thou Art" at the top of my lungs. I cannot fathom creation without a Creator. It simple makes no sense to this simple mind.
I also feel sad for anyone who has not been brought to tears when considering the absolute wonder of God's Grace. That I should know God, that I am forgiven, that the burden of guilt and fear is lifted. How can anyone think that it is worth bothering with a God who doesn't care, who lives 'way up there'. Frankly if that's all there was, I would join those who say we are better off not believing.
But there is more ..... Praise God!

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee. HOW GREAT THOU ART

Amazing Grace

2006-11-29T10:42:00.000+08:00

For it is by Grace your are saved, through Faith ......

Someone doesn't like my blog. I have looked at it to try to work out what I might have said to offend someone. But I don't get it. Perhaps it was some atheist who wants to get all believers off the web (don't they know that you can't stop people praising God, they Bible says if you try, then the stones will cry out, Luke 19.40). Perhaps some liberal who doesn't like my Evangelical approach. Maybe I have upset someone by suggesting that Christians are supposed to live their faith as well as speak it. That we must care for people in need for instance. Or maybe it is my mistake and no one tried, and I touched the wrong button. Still reviewing your words is not a bad thing.

The Truth will set you free .....

Who will deliver me?

2006-11-24T11:27:00.000+08:00

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression Psalm 19:13

I find my self so often doing that which I do not want to do. Is it just me or does evey one have this problem? I do the wrong thing. I know I am doing the wrong thing. But I do not seem to be able to stop myself from doing it.
Recently I have spent time reading Larry J. Crabb's "Papa prayer" A good book and a great read. The thing that I find most appealing is the idea of rethinking my attitude toward prayer instead of seeing prayer as presenting a shopping list to God, wanting to spend time with him. To get to know him, to have his heart not my own heart.

When we spend time with him, we change, our heart changes and we gain a servant heart that sees things from a God perspective and not one based around world values and self interest.

I so want to live for Him, and I am changing because he is changing me. A work in progress and a grateful recipient of Amazing Grace.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19.14

For the sake of unity ......

2006-11-11T10:55:00.000+08:00

“I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me. JOHN 17:20-23 Msg

Of all things that cause non-believers to stumble, I can think of no greater thing than disunity. "When they learn to live like Christians then maybe I will give it a go"
Now don't get me wrong here, I am not one to say that we should accept anything for the sake of unity ...... but arguments about little things. Is it really true that churches have split because of the colour of the furniture or whether we stand or sit down at the benediction? Even issues like style of Worship through music, should not hold us apart. Do you think God really cares whether we use an organ or a band? It is our heart he looks at!
When we major on minors, the world watches shakes it head.
When C.S. Lewis was critised for spending time with Christians not part of the Evangelical "club" he replied, along the lines, that there is far more that unites us than holds us apart, and we will be spending eternity together so isn't it a good idea to start now?
Yes let us stand for the truth of Scripture. Yes let us speak the truth in love when our brothers and sisters need correction, but let us do so in a way that promotes unity, being of one heart and mind with the Father.

Peter at the Pearly Gates - a different version

2006-10-27T10:27:00.000+08:00

I have a slightly different version of Peter at the Pearly Gates.........Yes I know that the verse about Peter and the keys has been misunderstood.

Well one day the man comes to the Pearly Gates and St Peter says to him welcome. "Now you have to sit for a quiz before you can enter. The score you have to achieve is 500. The idea is I ask you to tell me about your life and you tell me how you have done and we give you a score."

The Man replies, "I am not sure about this but I will give it a go"

" Ok, tell us about the things you have done?" "Well" he said " I have loved and remained loyal to my wife for 50 years." "Well done" said St Peter, "now we are on the way, 1 point."

"Hmm, I have brought up 3 beautiful children, prayed with them every day and read the Bible to them, and I have had a quiet time almost every morning".... "Doing well, that's another half point for each of those"

"I was an elder at my church, lead a Bible study group, drove Mrs Brown to church every Sunday and took her meals when she wasn't well. I sponsored a child, I worked with prison ministries and visited the sick. I sat through some very long and boring Pastor Brown sermons!"

"Well sir, you have led an impressive life" said St Peter, "taking into account all the things you have done, even the things you haven't mentioned, there is a lot of things to count. Let me total them up and see what we get. That is amazing 15 points! One of the hightest scores ever registered!"

Then the man looked dejected. "I am still 485 points short, the only way I can get in is by an act of complete Grace."

"Grace did you say", said St Peter, "THE Act of Grace scores 500 points, come right on in!"

Only be Grace can we enter
Only by Grace can we stand
Not by our human endeavour
But by the Blood of the Lamb

Sheep & Goats

2006-10-18T22:01:00.000+08:00

Matthew 25:41-46 (The Message)

“When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
“Then he will turn to the ‘goats,’ the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—
I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.’
“Then those ‘goats’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?’
“He will answer them, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.’
“Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward.”

I have been most challenged by this passage of late. Pastor Bob has shared on it twice in recent times and it has made me think about what it means to make this work. There is no shortage of people needing to fed, given shelter etc. The fact is that 10% of the World greedly consume 90% of the World's resources (That's where I live). We sit down to a $100 steak while most of the world are glad for a piece of bread or a bowl of rice in a day.

We can start simply by ensuring our unwanted food and resources do not end up on the scrap heap. We can follow that up by ending crippling debt in the developing world. Perhaps we can start to think about micro enterprise solutions that will could end the poverty cycle for those involved.

The saying "Live simply so others can simply live" is not just a glib saying. Surely it is time to consider how the resources that God has given us can be shared more equitably. Not by impoverishing ourselves, but rather by using our wealth to care for others rather than caring for ourselves.

Jesus is talking about the outworking of our faith. By loving others we show our love for him.

I John 3: 17"Whoever has earthly possessions and notices a brother in need and yet withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, we must stop loving in word and in tongue, but instead love in action and in truth."

Let's make poverty history.

Let's Fly with Eagles

2006-10-16T13:16:00.000+08:00

Deuteronomy 32:11 (NIV)

^…like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.

I particularly like this in The Message:

He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, then spreading its wings lifting them in the air, teaching them to fly.

Don’t you love this image of our Father? He hovers over us, sometimes pushing us out of our safe, secure nest. Forcing us to flap our wings and try things we have never tried before.

Making sure he catches us just before we hit the ground.

And you know the good bit? The end result of all this trial. We will learn how to fly! How cool is that?

God never meant that our spiritual education would be an easy one. The University of Spiritual Growth has a high level of ‘on the job’ training. We find that we need to re-sit for many exams. But if we can if we accept the Father’s discipline we will experience the abundant life he promised.