some thoughts

So, it's been a while.
A lot has happened.
My baby son was born, Nathan, a joy close to my heart.
He turned 10 weeks old today, and in some ways, it feels like he is growing up so quickly! And yet, he is only 10 weeks old! So much to look forward to.

Currently I am musing on the difficulties of God's sovereignty and suffering. Can God be good and yet cause us to suffer?
After spending time reading some books, and studying the book of Job, I think the answer to that question is yes.
But our culture around us tends to do three things, as far as I have observed.
Deny God
Defy God
Depend on God

It has been interesting to explore these different options, and think through the implications of each position. But there is more work to be done.
Cathy just called, I get to bath Nathan tonight! Looking forward to that.
(From deep to shallow, my thoughts are just like a bath really!)

Like a circling plane

That's how I would describe these last few days: Like a plane in a holding patter, circling an airport before being given permission to land.

With around 5 days to go before the due date, both Cathy and I are anticipating the arrival of our baby - any day now - any time now!
It really is a nice time.
It will be so nice to put a baby into all the clothes we have, and put him in the car seat ...

Not long now.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 9, Losses 1, Draws 1)

Strikers 6 - Harbord 1

We played well on the weekend to defeat a competent Harbord team. With several of our players back, we were able to put together a good passing game, and used the width well, whilst controlling the centre and back line.

Although we dropped an early goal, we fought back well to be ahead 2-1 at the break, before the floodgates opened in the second half.

Particularly impressive was our finishing and build up play. Just a few short weeks ago we struggled to win 2-1 against the same team.

A great 4-0 result for the 1pm team as well. Leading by 8 points now...

Euro 2008 Update

I'm still sad and frustrated about the Netherlands early exit - they are a little bit like the surf at Wetherill st - looks promising but fails to deliver...

Striker No. 7 (Wins 8, Losses 1, Draws 1)

Strikers 4 - Wakehurst 1

A cold, windy and sunny day brought another win for the Strikers over a solid Wakehurst outfit. Missing a number of key players (again), we nonetheless outplayed the opposition, and were 2-0 ahead by half time, and controlled the second half, with a few more goals.

The competition is closing up, however, we are cementing our first place with regular, consistent wins. With just under half a season to go, we are looking good for the title, however if we wish to control the outcomes of the game, an improved passing game, and a more consistent game in spite of opposition tactics, would be helpful.

For me, the game was a bit tough, as I didn't feel I saw much of the ball on the wing, and the muddy pitch, and the cricket pitch did not help much.

Euro 2008 - Holland!

I have VERY much enjoyed watching the Euro championships the last week and a half. Great to see the Dutch team performing extremely well, and beyond expectations to take all nine points from the "group of death". They outclassed Italy, France and Romania, and have firmed as favourites for the title.

The only sad thing is that SBS don't have coverage of the quarters and semis! I'll have to find another way to watch the Hollanders dominate the competition!

Lot's to look forward to.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 7, Losses 1, Draws 1)

A solid win

It really was a great effort from the boys on Saturday, we were down several players yet still managed to come away with the three points, and further extending our lead (to six points) at the top of the table.

Strikers 2 - Harbord 1

So, the scoreline was unflattering, and there were a few tense moments, but overall, our team deserved the three points. I came off with a minor injury about 70minutes into the game.

The Harbord time showed that they were worthy competition, with good skill and technique, and they were good sports as well, which made for a good game in the driving rain!

Striker No. 7 (Wins 6, Losses 1, Draws 1)

Strikers 2 - Forest Killarney 1

Saturday saw a return to form for our team. The 3pm team picked up an important victory against Forest Killarney, despite missing a regular goal keeper (Rod did a good job filling in), and other key defenders. In doing so we cemented top spot in the competition, and incidentally dented the morale of a good rival.

The victory required good team work, and we excelled in our passing in mid field, and in our defensive efforts in the air.

The only lapse in concentration resulted in a goal against us, but ultimately, it did not alter the result.

I managed to get my first goal for the 3pm team for the year, it went in, which was nice.

In other news, it was excellent to see the 1pm team pick up a huge win against a weaker opponent (5-0).

Both teams are now in good shape for the rest of the season, with the 3pm team looking like the favourites in the competition, and the 1pm team a good chance to make the finals.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 5, Losses 1, Draws 1)

Strikers 1 - Dee Why 3

A disappointing game. I could blame the pitch, but I won't. We did not play our best, and in fact, nowhere near it. To their credit, Dee Why played a good game, defending their territory well, keeping us pressed in our own half, and clamping down quickly in the centre of the pitch.

Their were a few glimpses of good play: Macca's goal, Trent's penalty save, and I did a good throw in. But we failed to defend cleanly and consistently, we were weak in mid-field, and we didn't put away our few changes up front.

So what to do next?

We need to steel ourselves for the remainder of the season, and remember to work hard in every game, now that the competition is closing in.

I am certain that we can bounce back for our next game against Forest Killarney on Saturday.

P.S. Great to see our reserves pick up a second win on the trot!

God wants to cramp my style?

Mythbusters Week 3

This week at Mythbusters (ISCF@ Manly High) we are tackling the myth - "Does God want to cramp my style."

A good question, really coming to the heart of the conversion experience, and our understanding of who God is.

Popular opinion

I have had few people say to me in recent months that they don't want to become a Christian, or even consider Christianity at all, because they don't want to change their lifestyle. Essentially they don't want God to cramp their style. I think that is a view that resonates deep within our society. People consider that it is OK for people to be Christian, so long as they want to be a Christian - for it is through the freedom of being what or who we want that we have a fulfilling life. But is this true?

A fulfilling life

And so with the freedom we have, particularly in Australia, to be whoever we want, to do what we want, when we want, we often tend to pursue our life fulfilment in many varied ways. For example, through the pursuit of family, or wealth, career, fame, influence, possessions, friends, love, etc etc. Seeing those different pursuits, as the path to a fulfilling life. But, time after time, those things let us down. Our parents get divorced, that relationship you are in breaks down, the stock market falls, your friends move on, the baby cries constantly, your possessions are robbed from you and so on. And so when these things happen, if it is aligned with your pursuit of happiness in life, the whole thing can come crashing down around you, leaving you wondering is that really what life is all about?

The happy Christian

This may be difficult for people who aren't Christian, to believe - but Christians want to be happy too, it is just they pursue happiness in a different way, and they trust God to give it to them. Jesus said in Jn 10:10 that he had come to give life to the full to those that follow him. And when we take his claims seriously, and his promises seriously, it makes sense that he can deliver. If God made the world, and he made us (2 presuppositions), then surely he would know best both how the world should be run, and how we can life most satisfyingly within the confines of that world? And so Christians pursue God, trusting that he will provide purpose and fulfilment to life now, and into eternity. Your TV can't promise that, your Spouse can't promise that, your Plane ticket can't promise that - so don't be fooled.

Ecclesiastes

There was a man once, the Bible reports who tried to achieve satisfaction in life in many different things, wealth, possessions, women, fame, he was the most powerful man in his time, and one of the wealthiest people in history, and he wrote one of the most depressing books in the Bible - Ecclesiastes, a treatise investigating the worthy-ness of the pursuit of these different goals. He concluded that having had all of these things, that they were meaningless on their own, that they were hollow, and did not bring about any fulfilment to life. He went on to say that it was through God alone that life had any meaning.

So, where is all this going?

The myth that God wants to cramp our style is PLAUSIBLE. In becoming a Christian God may want to do radical surgery on your life, but this is not to make your life worse, harder, or less fulfilling, he actually wants to prepare you for a life of satisfaction, as he gives you the thing that you were made for - himself. We were made for God, and it is through Jesus that we receive the object for which we have been made, and our reason for existence. And once we replace God as the object of our affections, then we can enjoy the good things in life, the way they were meant to be enjoyed, and without the danger of turning them into idols. God redeems all of us, our personalities, our likes and dislikes when we become a Christian, so that we can do a better job of honouring, loving and serving him, and achieve more fulfilment in life, both now, and later.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 5, Losses 0, Draws 1)

A great weekend Strikers 7 - Beacon Hill 0

Yesterday's game had much to applaud. We were up against 2nd place Beacon Hill, and we were missing several key players, and yet came away with a sweeping victory. We took control with 3 early goals, and didn't drop the ball for the remainder of the game.

There were many good performances, we passed the ball around very well, finished attacking moves with precision, and defended with intent. The Beacon Hill side were a tad unlucky, hitting the posts on a number of occasions, however, considering the score line, it would not have made any significant difference.

I had a better game this week, made a few passes, a few runs, and ran around a bit.

In other news, it was AWESOME to have the 1pm team win as well 4-2! Their first win of the season, and I got to play for some of their game too. A few more wins and their season will be back on track.

Looking forward to next Saturday!

Striker No. 7 (Wins 4, Losses 0, Draws 1)

Strikers 3 - Manly Allambie 0

So, we had another nice win on the weekend. 3 goals, clean sheet, sounds good? Well sort of. The first two goals came from penalties, (well awarded and taken), and one goal came from open play. However, we probably could have done a bit more to score a few extra goals.

Trent played in goals and had a quiet game, without any key saves to his name (didn't need to do more than collect the balls that went out). Our defence did a good job, as always, but there was an injury to Matt P, sadly, could be out for a couple of weeks.

For me, I had an average game, not too sure why really, partly because the Manly Allambie midfielders did a good job of putting pressure on us (and me), making it difficult to play my normal game, and also partly because I made a few mistakes. I know, I should have put that one away.

Still, there is always next week, we are doing well, but I think we need to kick it up another notch if we are to win the season.

SO, is being good, good enough?

Next Tuesday is week 2 in our Myth buster Series at the local high school lunch time christian group - and we are investigating the popular myth that "Being good is good enough to get to heaven". I'm looking forward to chatting to the students about this stuff over some pizza!

I think that although this is a popular opinion, less people these days are buying into it, being more interested in spirituality in general, and sure about heaven or God in specificity.

Anyway, my argument is based around two points.

1. We are not good enough at being good

It doesn't seem to matter how hard we try to do the right thing, our past, and our thoughts and actions today all count against us. It's not about how much sin there is in our lives, but rather that there is sin. If sin is present, past or present, that's it we've struck out. Jesus himself teaches us to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. I am nowhere near that, which of course leaves me with the age-old problem about what to do with the sin that stands between myself and God.

2. Sometimes, when we think we're good, we miss the point completely.

I really like the story that Jesus says about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It's basically a story about a religious good guy, and a sinful bad guy. The religious guy thinks he's the bees knees, top bloke, kind, caring and generous, and so he prays and thanks God that he is one of the good guys, and not like this tax collector-bad guy standing nearby. The tax-collector guy (I think), agrees with the religious good guy, and readily admits that he has been pretty bad, and cheated people etc etc, but it's what he does with that understanding that makes all the difference. The sinful bad guy, throws himself at the mercy of God, realising his desperate situation, whereas the religious guys never even realises how desperate his own situation is. And so, The sinful guy goes home at peace with God, justified, while the religious guy remains as self-deluded as ever.

And so the desperate place that we all find ourself in is needing God's forgiveness, which he so readily gives to everyone who would ask for it, which of course accurately reflects his character of love, kindness and justice.

Oh, and don't forget the cost at which that forgiveness came.

The cross of Christ.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 3, Losses 0, Draws 1)

Yesterday was a very difficult game for us, we were pretty well dominated and outplayed for much of the game, and yet we were well ahead on the scoreboard for most of the game.
The game finished: Strikers 4 - BTH Raiders 3

So, we won, and Gravy got on the scoreboard! I was pretty tired during the game, not sure why, more tired than normal, although, I had played a fair chunk of the previous game.

There are a few things to work on at training, we need to look to dominate more in posession and territory by being first to the ball more, and working on positioning ourselves better to receive the ball from team mates.

This win should put us top of the table, nice.

Ruth's redemption and the people of Israel

I have been reading through the book of Ruth the last few days as part of the Bible Reading Plan I have been doing and I was struck by a couple of things.

1. Humanity

There is real warmth to the story of the book of Ruth. It begins with a horriffic tragedy, Naomi losing her husband and two sons, making her a widow and putting her in desparate circumstances. Ruth, (A Moabitess, not a Jew), is her daughter -in-law, and makes a decision to stick with her motheri-in-law, even though it severely reduces her opportunity of gaining a new husband. Ruth's care and concern for another in a hopeless situation, to the point of such personal sacrifice, is a poignant aspect of the first few chapters. Ruth becomes a follower of Yahweh, the God of the Jews, and works hard to put food on the table. The story ends well as she captures the heart of Boaz, who redeems her, becoming her new husband.

2. History

The final few verses of the book reminded me of the massive implications of this story for the rest of the Bible, and history itself. Ruth and Boaz have a son together, Obed, who went on to become the father of Jesse, the father of King David, who altered the course of history through his rule over Israel. How unsearchable are the plans of God, that he would use the outcasts and foreigners in the genealogy of King David, and ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ as well.

And so, Ruth is not simply a touching story, with a happy-feel-good ending, but also another key example of the love of God for the world, seen through his plan to redeem the world, and use the world, to bring about his purposes.

Striker No. 7 (Wins 2, Losses 0, Draws 0)

Game Result
Strikers v Wakerhurst 2-0

To be honest, the score could have (or should have), been higher. We ran circles around the opposition, especially in the second half, with great performances from all the players, seriously, I think everyone played well, we just needed to finish a little better.

I don't think that Wakehurst even had a shot on goal in the second half.

Anyway, I played OK, felt pretty tired towards the end of the second half, made a foul throw, and got pinged, but other than that, things are looking good on the field.

Looking forward to the next game!

Striker No. 7 (Wins 1, Losses 0, Draws 0)

So, today we are playing our second game of the season, against Wakehurst, who won their first game as well. We won our first game 6-0 in firsts, so that got us off to a good start. Hopefully we can make it two from two this afternoon.

It's fun waking up on Saturday mornings and getting ready for the game. I can never quite work out when to eat lunch on Saturday's though. Eat too early, and I won't be able to because of Breakfast, eat too late, and I'll feel sick during the game. Eat not at all, and I have no energy. What hard decisions we face!

The photo is our strikers team from 2006.

Still Waiting

Well, we are still waiting for some final results to be released from the Zimbabwean presidential election. For some reason (you can't help but suspect Mugabe), the results have not yet been released - this is against the Zimbabwean constitution. The people, and the opposition party have filed a petition to the High Court for the immediate release of the results, with the judgment scheduled for Monday.
Breathing space for Mugabe perhaps?

Update

Well, it is still not official, but things are looking more promising that Mugabe may well be standing aside as President.

Let's keep watching.

Where has Zimbabwe gone?

Last Sunday I was asked to pray at church about matters relating to our world, and so I spent a portion of it praying to God, asking for him to intercede in Zimbabwe.

For those of you who don't know, Zimbabwe is currently suffering significant economic problems, with inflation at over 100,000 % - yes you read that right. Unemployment at over 80%, and huge problems relating to food shortages. Disease ravages that land, and in particular HIV.

The place is falling apart, and in the midst of it I find two biting contrasts, and a note on our self-preoccupation.

1. The Presidential Election

This year, Zimbabwe has real hope for change in government, with Robert Mugabe (28 years of age), clinging to power by a thread, facing a real battle with Morgan Tsvangirai. However, the election has taken place, and there is real concern over whether the vote has been corrupted by the government in charge. The people want change, but many are afraid that their vote will either not count, or that they will face retribution for voting for someone other than Mugabe. Perhaps the saddest thing is that now their lives are so difficult, they would prefer to face the backlash than give in to the wishes of Mugabe.

Votes are currently being counted - fairly, I hope, but in all likelihood a second round of voting will be required.

2. The Pastor

In the midst of these awful times and conditions in Zimbabwe, many of the skilled workers such as doctors, nurses and teachers have fled the country, however I was encouraged to see footage on TV of a pastor who had stayed with his people, to encourage them with the Bible, they are clinging not just to a slim chance of government change, but of a real hope in their Lord Jesus, whom they long to meet. As I consider ministry and full time work, it has been helpful to see that God can use people in different ways, and that the difficulties that plague my life and work are really trivial when compared to what is happening in Zimbabwe. What a good work the pastors are doing in Zimbabwe, restoring hope, and providing people with the real truth about life, death and everything in between.

3. The Prime Time News

In the meantime, the prime time news bulletin in Sydney broadcast the 'catastrophic' fire in a building, and a punch up at a pub involving an Olympian was-gonna-be as the so called main stories of the day. In the Meantime where has Zimbabwe gone? And more importantly why is the rest of the world so unconcerned?

God is concerned for the oppressed, the homeless, the poor, the sick, and the needy, and so ought we.

Please pray for Zimbabwe.