A Real Sticky mess

Although there's a massive game of rugby ahead this weekend, with the Rugby World Cup semi-final against Australia at Eden Park, there's really only one story that dominates the news in NZ - that of the Rena disaster off the shores of the Bay of Plenty.

We don't really know all the circumstances that led to a 47000 tonne contatiner ship with a full load of cargo ending up grounded on the Astrolabe reef on the coastline by Tauranga, but suffice to say, we know that it is a disaster of potentially enormous proportions with unimaginable consequences.

Over the years, Christians have not really been known for the environmental care and enthusiasm. However, right from the outset in the Bible, from the first book of Genesis and its first chapters, God leaves humans with the responsibility of looking after His creation.

Here's how Genesis 1:27-28 puts it:

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

So, how we respond when accidents or disasters happen?

1 - Recognise it's part of the widespread devastation and corruption that sin has caused.
2 - Realise that this doesn't negate our responsibility or duties.
3 - React accordingly & do whatever is within our powers/abilities to prevent God's creation from being harmed or damaged any further.
4 - Resist the temptation to build heaven on earth, being aware that only when God restores and finishes His new creation will things be made perfect again.

Of course, all the above applies to any part of God's creation, whether in a disaster situation or elsewhere. We must look after it, as best as we can, but be realistic and not fatalistic, knowing that until God reveals His new creation, that we will continue to face these challenges, disasters and opportunities

The Pain & The Glory - Dan Carter & RWC 2011

Bill Shankly, the former Liverpool Football Club manager allegedly once said

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death...I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Shankly's quote suggests the importance many people place on sport. Here in NZ, there is no doubting that. Each night, our 6pm TV news has 10 minutes of sporting news, and one of the consistent comments visitors to these shores make is about our obsession with sport.

Writing about this weekend's news of Dan Carter's groin injury and the impact it has on him & the All Blacks' squad & our whole nation, Brian Moore, the former England hooker said "It is a remarkable experience to be in a country where the entire mood is genuinely swayed by this type of sports news; you cannot grasp it and probably will not believe it unless you are actually in New Zealand." DC is a legend, and obviously, the team will miss his presence, experience, all round play & specifically, his kicking abilities.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending time close up with two well-known players for teams in the Rugby World Cup. Both played a significant part in their team's efforts, both have had the unfortunate experience of not making it beyond pool play. Having chatted with both, prior to matches and then after the big matches, it has been a unique insight for me into the pain and the glory that professional sport brings.

Of course, we all know that sport has highs and lows - that's part of its attraction. If it were not for the victories and the glory, would we take part? But along with these comes the possibility of defeat and maybe even shame or pain.

As I watched and listened to these two top pros talk about and live out their Rugby World Cup experience and their professional careers, both exemplified a balanced perspective on the place of sport in their lives. Sure, both would have loved to have been there on October 23rd at Eden Park - neither will be. Without doubt, both felt real pain, sadness and disappointment (one describing it as "gut-wrenching"), but both were aware life is much more than a game (or 48 games) of rugby.

Jesus once said to a person wanting his brother to give him a portion of the inheritance to "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Whilst he was talking specifically about material possessions, there is a danger that the immaterial possessions - the fame, the glory, the power, the honour, which all could come with a RWC win become our be all and end all. Jesus says "Watch out!"

The stand-out difference with the two players was their perspective that whatever the outcome, in victory or defeat, glory or shame, that their life was about much more than this. Both players exemplified a life where a relationship with Jesus is more important than anything else.

How then do I react when Dan Carter injures his groin and thus ends his Rugby World Cup? With the disappointment and sadness the rest of the country shares. With real empathy for him, as I can't imagine how he'll really be feeling. But also with a sense of balance...it is only a game. In life, there are things far more important than this. Even Bill Shankly would have to admit that - events like the Hillsborough disaster, the Pike River tragedy, Christchurch & Japan 2011 show there are more important things in life than just sport. Don't get me wrong, I love sport and will be cheering the ABs all the way, but if they lose, if they fail, or even if they win, there is a more important relationship I have and treasure.

Making Life Work - it's not brain surgery

Over the past 2 months, I've been caught up in the busyness of life. The pressures of balancing work, family, travel, leisure etc have meant I've failed to update this blog as regularly as I'd hoped or I would like. For this, I can only apologise and endeavour for the same to not happen again in the coming months.

Earlier this week, I managed to make time to watch the first episode of Prime's new medical drama, Monroe. Featuring James Nesbitt as Monroe, a brilliant and unusual neuro-surgeon, it chronicles his life at hospital and at home as he seeks to deal with life or death situations and the entanglement brain injury and illness brings for all those involved.

I'm a fan of Nesbitt and his work. I like that he hasn't sought to reinvent himself, or move from his Northern Irish roots to make himself more mainstream. The fact he is currently living in Wellington for the year, whilst filming of 'The Hobbit' takes place endears me to him even more.

I enjoyed Monroe. Again, personal reasons helped me feel this. It's filmed in Leeds, the city in which I grew up, with the hospital being set in the former Leeds Girls' High School, which was linked with the all boys' school I attended. The corridors are familiar and the surrounds are 'home'. But it was more than familiarity and sentiment that made me enjoy Monroe.

The first episode introduced Monroe, his colleagues and family - his wife, teenaged son headed away to University and his 13 year old daughter (who we don't see). Only after the plot unravels, do we discover Monroe's daughter died on the operating table whilst having a brain tumour removed. As Monroe prepares a young married woman and her husband for her brain tumour to be removed, we get a sense of the importance and value of life, and the pain of suffering. The drama's makers, ITV, clearly convey the agony and difficulty that illness, uncertainty and death bring into our lives.

After Monroe's teenaged son, Nick has left home and gone to University, he arrives home to be told by his wife Anna that she is leaving him. The decision isn't rushed, but has been considered and contemplated for six years.

As I watched Monroe, I was enveloped in the drama understanding and appreciating the dilemmas of his daily work, recognising the pressures of 21st century life, as career and family choices need to be made with implications that affect a whole raft of people.

Life today is busy. We live in a world that demands our time, energies and input. For many, we fail in different areas as the pressure of life takes it toll. For the likes of Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Anthony Wiener, the failings are very public and humiliating. For most of us, our failings are much more private and personal - the kind of things that will never hit the headlines, the things that no-one may ever or need know.

Some years ago, I read a helpful book called "Making Life Work". Using the Bible book of Proverbs, the author Bill Hybels takes the reader through the Biblical wisdom contained in that book. Today, the Bible is much maligned and mocked. However, I believe it contains much practical and sensible advice as to how to live life. Contrary to the way many view it's main character, Jesus, He was One who came to "lighten our load". He is the One who says "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

As Blaise Pascal said "There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus”. Whilst we may fill our lives with all sorts of other things, only when we allow God to fill our lives will we find the rest and fulfillment our lives long for. I'm thankful to Monroe for reminding me that in the busyness of life, we need to return to the One who brings rest.

Losing My Religion

Over the past week, there's been a flurry of newspaper print dedicated to reports that the numbers of Kiwis identifying themselves as having no religion is on the increase. The Dominion Post's cover story in last weekend's 'Your Weekend' magazine was entitled "For God's Sake", examining what a selection of Kiwis really believe. Following Anzac Day, the same newspaper contained a letter strongly complaining that the Dawn Service in Wellington was "tainted significantly by the declaration that 'our Lord and Saviour' is Jesus Christ." Then today, I discover Stuff.co.nz has a piece on the actual reasons for the decline in religion (increased life expectancy meaning people think that matters of eternity can wait till nearer the grave, apparently).

Since moving to NZ, and becoming a self-proclaimed Yorkshire Kiwi, I have generally found there to be a polite respect of religion and all things spiritual. However, in this, it's seemed that for many this is a hotchpotch of religions and beliefs, if you like, a spiritual pick and mix. Take for instance Bob Parker, Mayor of Christchurch, and a man who has remained remarkably steady in the face of tremendous adversity in that city. In the Dom Post cover story he says "I replace the word God with "good". I think there's good in everyone. That's how I think about it."

Mayor Parker's thoughts are not unique. Wellington's Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown expresses similar sentiments. "I realised that I didn't have a belief in a major supreme being but I believed in some of the tenets of major religions...they're excellent guiding principles of life." Both Mayors demonstrate that far from 'losing our religion', many New Zealanders today are 'choosing our religion'. Picking and choosing the bits we want to believe, making the truths we want for ourselves and discarding those we don't want.

As a Christian, I believe in truth. I believe in its importance and relevance to everyone. As the familiar expression says, truth does (sometimes) hurt. However, truth can also be very liberating.

I believe there is a God and that He has made Himself known. No matter how highly I think of myself, I am not and must not be the arbiter of who or what is God. If something is true, then it is true whether I believe it or not. You cannot choose who God really is or what God is like. At best (or worst), you can choose what will be god of your life and god of you, but this is simply filling your life with a false substitute for 'the real thing'.

Two of the most important questions of truth that must be considered are "Is there are a God?" and "What sort of God is there?"

In Jesus Christ, we have the answers to those questions - in John's account of Jesus' life, he writes "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Later, we are told "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John1:14)

The classic Kiwi pragmatism that makes our country such a likeable and positive place means we have a "Do It Myself" attitude to heaven. To be told you can't make it yourself goes against the grain. And yet, this is exactly what Jesus says when He claims "I am the Way...noone comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) 

Put simply, there is no other way to God except through Jesus.

And Jesus' claim to be "the Life" sits uneasily for many. For many here in NZ, we have the good life. Life here for many is great - we have the beautiful scenery, good people, whanau and friends, and yet, Jesus says "I am...the Life." (John 14:6)

In light of His life, His teachings and claims, and His death and resurrection, I am convinced that New Zealanders today need to seriously consider "Who is Jesus?" and "How do I respond to Him?" Far from being irrelevant to NZ society, or a character who (according to Jason Manford in his Dom Post letter) "has no place, or right to be revered, at any state event", He is absolutely relevant, completely interested and vitally important in New Zealand and New Zealanders' lives today.

It's Friday, Friday...

Today, Facebook reminded me that it is officially "Earth Day", a day devoted to environmental care and concern. However, in my diary and mind, it is Friday - and one that is set aside as "Good Friday". It's the Easter weekend, and here in NZ, a time for a long holiday weekend.

Watching the news, reading comments in the papers and gauging public reaction, it seems many feel this day is no different to any other Friday. Sure, it's enjoyable to have the day off as a holiday, but as one person said on the news tonight "I'm not a Christian, so I should get to do what I like, which is shopping and gardening."

I'm not here to argue about the rights or otherwise of people to enjoy leisure activities like shopping and gardening on Easter weekend. But, I do want to take issue that it's just another Friday.

Just a few weeks ago, an unknown girl called Rebecca Black trended globally on Twitter, her YouTube clip went viral, such that today when I viewed her world-famous song "Friday" over 114 million others had viewed it, with over 300,000 liking it and almost 2.3 million disliking it!

It can hardly be described as lyrical genius with lines such as

"Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday, Today is Friday, Friday..."

"Tomorrow is Saturday,And Sunday comes afterwardsI Don’t want this weekend to end..."

If you've not seen it, you can watch it here.

I think for many people, their attitude towards Good Friday is that its just another Friday, a Good one as it leads to a long weekend. As a Christian, it is so much more than that.

Good Friday remembers the darkest day in history. The day when the God of this Universe, the God who had become one of us, who had lived among us and known the experiences, the highs, the lows, that we face, the day that He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. It remembers the day when the God who made us, the God who loves us, showed us how much He loves us by sacrificing His only Son to take the punishment for our wrong-doing so that we could go free.

For me, Good Friday is anything but just another ordinary day. It is one of true horror, sacrifices, agony, torment and pain. Consider these words that were said around that darkest day, that awful Friday which we know as Good Friday:

“You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” (Pontius Pilate to the Chief Priests & Officials"

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Jesus, speaking of those crucifying Him)

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Jesus)

"It is finished" (Jesus)

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Jesus)

In these simple words, we have a profundity that has lasted through the years. These are words of truth and life, words which show great sadness, but words which offer great hope.

You may ask "Why is Friday so good if it's focused on Jesus' death & His punishment for our sin?"

Last week, in our church, we had a reputable visiting speaker, Dr Tony Campolo. One of the sermons he's best known for is entitled "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!" which is pretty remarkable, given that he didn't even preach that sermon himself but tells the story of someone else preaching it! Dr Campolo tells the story of being involved in a service where he was speaking, along with several others, and after he had spoken, the African American Pastor of the church stood to speak and his whole sermon was built around the phrase "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!"

For the Christian, the horrors of Good Friday are exactly that - they are horrible. The awfulness and seriousness of Jesus' death and all it was about can never fully be grasped, but they are all part of the Biblical story, which we know has Easter Sunday coming. As awful as Good Friday is, Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead is remarkable and joyful. In Jesus' resurrection, we have the promise and certainty that death has been beaten, that Jesus really is who He says He is, that sin has been defeated and that Jesus is alive and we have a living hope, a certainty of life beyond the grave.  

Today, we remember that Jesus came, lived, and died so as to be the Saviour of the world. As one poet put it

"It is a thing most wonderful, almost too wonderful to be,
That God's own Son should come from heaven, and died to save a child like me."

Today is "Earth Day", "it's Friday, Friday" - today, is Good Friday, when we remember God coming to earth. It is a remarkable, wonderful day, but only because it's Friday and Sunday's coming!

The Dark Side

Two news stories have caught my eye this week. Both reminded me that all of us have things about us that no-one else knows.

The first story came from the latest events surrounding the murder of Scott Guy in Feilding. After there being almost 9 months of no obvious suspects, the police arrested and charged the brother-in-law of Mr Guy with his murder. It must be stressed at this time, the case is before the courts, and with that in mind, a suspect is innocent until proven guilty. However, some of the comments from family members regarding Ewen MacDonald stood out for me.

One can only imagine the agony of Anna MacDonald, wife of Ewen and sister of Scott, as she wrestles with whether it was her husband took her brother's life. Talking of this agony, she said "I just can't imagine it. But I could be so wrong and I might not know the person that I thought I did. He might have a secret side to him that I didn't know about. But I don't know how you would hide it for this long. We've known each other for 15 years. We will have been married 10 years this year. I thought I knew him really well." (The original article reporting this can be found here)

Whether Mr MacDonald is guilty or not, the fact is that we all have a secret side that no-one else knows about. There are things we think, places we go, sometimes things we say, attitudes we have that no-one else knows. Who we are when no-one else is looking is the real us. And, if we're going to be honest with ourselves and to others, we all have a dark side that we'd rather no-one else knew about. For most of us, that dark side remains a secret between us and God, but sometimes, those secrets become known.

Jesus hinted at this when He said “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23) It's those secrets we hold within us that reveal the real us.

A bit later in the week, I saw a news clip which rather amusingly showed someone being found out for who they really were. The President of the Czech Republic was sharing a Press Conference with the President of Chile, when he was caught stealing a pen from the stage. Unfortunately for him, the whole Press Conference was being filmed, and the footage has since gone viral. It all takes me back to wise words from the Bible that my mum used to often say to me as a child "Be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)

Both stories were a good reminder that no matter how good people can sometimes be (& I have no doubting the potential goodness in us all), that we all have the dark side, the things we'd rather keep hidden. In front of God, however, all secrets are open.

Hot and cross about Hell (Pizza)

Whatever you think of their pizzas, you have to give it to them - Hell Pizza have done it again, sparking significant controversy and conversation over their latest advert for their 'Hell Cross Bun' product. Billboards have appeared around the Auckland CBD advertising their Hot Cross Buns with the tagline "For a limited time. A bit like Jesus."

Responding to the complaints, Hell Pizza director Warren Powell said "We expected it would spark some debate and some talking between people in the offices. Which is good. It means our marketing budget works a little bit harder. I do not see how it could possibly be disrespectful to anyone's religion. First of all, we're acknowledging that Jesus Christ may have been on Earth for a limited time. We may bring them back next year, and everyone's saying that Jesus Christ is coming back one day. Again, it's a debate. I think if people take it that way then they're being a little bit single-minded."

Rather than wading into the debate, here's my reasons Hell Pizza are right, and some reasons why they've got it wrong.

Where Hell Pizza are Right:

* As with these Hot Cross Buns, Jesus should generate conversation, debate & discussion between thinking people. Not everyone agrees as to who Jesus is, but as Warren Powell says of the ad, it is good that people are talking. I personally want people to encounter Jesus as He really is, but that has to start somewhere. I want people to consider Jesus for themselves - to think about His claims as a rational person, not on the basis of what others tell you or want you to believe, but on the basis of who He really is.

* Hell Pizza seem to admit that Jesus Christ was a real, historical person who walked the face of this earth. I note they add a caveat to this with the word "may", but there does seem to be a recognition of the reality of His existence. The credibility of the evidence for a person called Jesus Christ living 2000 years ago is sound. Most credible historians would be agreed that Jesus lived on earth - the real question is who He really was and if He was who He claimed to be.

* The quote from Warren Powell appears to accept that one day, Jesus Christ will return. Admittedly, His comments are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but again, Hell Pizza have this right. After His death & resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in front of His apostles. However, as was said immediately after His ascension, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9) Many have tried to predict when this may happen, but again, as the Bible teaches "...about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32)

* Hell Pizza suggest that their offer is available only for a limited time. They then say this is a bit like Jesus. I wouldn't want to over-state the case, but in a sense, they're right. Jesus lived on earth for a limited time, but He lives eternally today. Because of what His death on the cross for all our sins, and His resurrection from death, He is alive and we can have a living relationship with Him. He offers us not just the forgiveness for the sin that plagues our life, but the slate being wiped completely clean. However, as Hell Pizza say, this offer is available only for a limited time. It's an offer that is available to all people, everywhere. It's been available throughout history, but it's a unique offer, because "God's rescue is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven (other than Jesus) by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) It comes only through Jesus and only whilst we are here on earth before that day of appointment that all of us have with death.

Where Hell Pizza aren't quite so right:

* As a former marketer myself, I appreciate Hell Pizza's strategy. They're generating attention and publicity. However, to do that, you have to have the product that backs up your claims. Hell Pizza fail spectacularly with this. For a Hot Cross Bun variant to be even compared to Jesus is a nonsense! Jesus is God Himself. Jesus is the all-powerful One, the Creator of the Universe, the all-knowing One, eternal, the Way to God, the Truth, the Life, love personified, justice demonstrated. He is one whom many have scorned and sneered at, but to even suggest a small lump of cooked dough is like Jesus misses the mark by some distance.

* Whilst it's good to have some conversation about who Jesus is, and vital to have intellectual rigour in that, there are absolute truths that aren't up for debate. If Jesus really is "the Way, the Truth and the Life", then that is true whether I believe it or not.

I want people to discuss, debate and consider who Jesus is, but at the end of the day, I want people to come face to face with the reality of who Jesus is - to meet the truth and respond accordingly. In my life, I have met many truths which I don't like, but as they are true whether I believe them or not, I must respond appropriately to them. The same is true with Jesus. I have found at times, the truth about Jesus hurts - He is God, I am not. He was completely perfect and sinless, I most definitely am not. If I neglect or reject Him, I face an eternity in the most awful place possible, hell. However, whilst the truth has 'hurt', the truth has been incredibly freeing also. Though I have sinned, God still loves me. God loves me enough to seek and to save me. God loves me so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in my place. If I trust Him, and call on Him, He will forgive me and make me clean, so that relationship with Him can be fully restored and I can enjoy eternal life with Him in heaven.

* With Hell Pizza, it appears there may be a second chance. Hell's Easter buns may make another appearance. With Jesus, we have our opportunity now - now is the time we must respond to Him. God never promises a second chance. Now, He's patient, not wishing for any to perish, but when we encounter Jesus, we must respond to Him before it is too late. You may get another chance from Hell Pizza, but there's no guarantee of another chance to respond to Jesus.

* It appears Warren Powell suggests that the reality of Jesus Christ's return is based on the fact that "everyone's saying..." (it). I believe it is based on far more credible evidence than hearsay - it's grounded in the reliability of the claims of Jesus, whose promises have never failed, who backed up His words with His actions, and who taught that "My Father’s house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Jesus promised that He would come back, but He was going to prepare a place for those who trusted in Him. One day, He will return and will take with Him those who have trusted in Him to be with Him forever.

Hell Pizza have taken a fair bit of stick for their latest billboards. Their whole brand is built on its controversial naming and association. As a brand, they reflect a light-hearted attitude to important matters. I wish they didn't, but I also appreciate their clever branding. If Jesus really is who He said He is, then it requires a much more serious look at who He is and how we should respond. If hell really is real (and I don't just mean the pizza outlet!), then again, the offer of Jesus to save us from it really requires much more serious consideration.

Welcome!

Welcome to this new blog!

For some time, I have tossed around the idea of creating some kind of webspace that connects the Good News of Jesus with the world around me.  Living in New Zealand, I am keen to see Kiwi made resources which make that connection.  I anticipate this coming from a NZ perspective.

The writer and church minister John Stott is globally respected and renowned for his thoughtful, clear and compassionate explanations of the Bible.  He became known for encouraging Christians to be "double-listeners" - those who would listen to the voice of God as shown in the Bible, but also those who listen to the voices of the world around us as shown in culture.

Culture is all around us and features at several levels.  In the 21st Century, that culture comes in numerous varied forms.  The movies, TV shows & programmes, music, the arts, the media, social media, the nation's mood, sport - all these and more demonstrate our culture.

I believe the Bible has important things to say that relate to each of these.  I also believe that Jesus Christ speaks into our lives as they are - He meets us where we are and has things to say that relate to the world around us.  He is far from some distant figurehead who has no bearing on our world today.

Francis Schaeffer was a Christian man who knew the importance of listening.  As someone who regularly interacted with people who did not believe what he believed, he used to say "If I had one hour to spend with someone, I would spend 55 minutes asking questions finding out what was troubling the individual and the last 5 minutes answering those questions."

As a Christian, like Schaeffer, I want to listen to the world around me - yes, I have things to say, but first I must listen.  As I listen to the world around me, the posts that appear here will be a response to the things I hear as I live, work and travel in NZ.  I trust the posts will be worth 'hearing'.

Until next time, keep listening!