Month: January 2010

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Does God hate Haiti?

The following is an extended extract from Al Mohler. Read the rest here.

“Does God hate Haiti? That is the conclusion reached by many, who point to the earthquake as a sign of God’s direct and observable judgment. God does judge the nations — all of them — and God will judge the nations.”

His judgment is perfect and his justice is sure. He rules over all the nations and his sovereign will is demonstrated in the rising and falling of nations and empires and peoples. Every molecule of matter obeys his command, and the earthquakes reveal his reign — as do the tides of relief and assistance flowing into Haiti right now.

A faithful Christian cannot accept the claim that God is a bystander in world events. The Bible clearly claims the sovereign rule of God over all his creation, all of the time. We have no right to claim that God was surprised by the earthquake in Haiti, or to allow that God could not have prevented it from happening.

God’s rule over creation involves both direct and indirect acts, but his rule is constant. The universe, even after the consequences of the Fall, still demonstrates the character of God in all its dimensions, objects, and occurrences. And yet, we have no right to claim that we know why a disaster like the earthquake in Haiti happened at just that place and at just that moment.

Continue reading “Does God hate Haiti?”

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Haiti Earthquake – Disaster Appeal

It’s a tragedy when one person dies in an earthquake. Hearing the extent of the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti is an incredible tragedy. There are stacks of organisations and charities that are raising money to help with relief. If you need some help finding one, check out Compassions’ Haiti Earthquake Disaster Appeal. Compassion have “…committed 100 per cent of funds raised through the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Appeal to the people of Haiti. Compassion is not withholding ANY funds for administration purposes.” Weep. Pray. Be generous. DONATE NOW.

Picture from Boston Big Picture | DONATE NOW

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15 tips to stop procrastinating

Steve Kryger has a big long list. Worth a read. Worth putting into practise.

  1. Do one thing at a time.
  2. Do important tasks first.
  3. Do unpleasant tasks first.
  4. Set short-term time goals.
  5. Turn off your email.
  6. Turn off Facebook.
  7. Tidy your workspace.
  8. Allocate times to exercise.
  9. Plan ahead.
  10. Unsubscribe or filter unnecessary email newsletters.
  11. Keep lists and check them off.
  12. Know thyself.
  13. Automate.
  14. Set longer-term goals.
  15. Stop being a perfectionist.

Read the whole article for an explanation on each.

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Lessons from the School of Prayer – DA Carson

A Call to Spiritual Reformation by DA Carson is gold. In this very practical book, Carson uses the priorities from Paul’s prayers in the New Testament as a framework for fuelling intimacy with God through prayer. Before he gets into Paul’s prayers, he spends the first chapter with some wisdom that he’s learnt over the years from the wisdom of others.

Here are his 7 lessons:

  1. Much praying is not done because we do not plan to pray
  2. Adopt practical ways to impede mental drift
  3. At various periods in your life, develop, if possible, a prayer-partner relationship
  4. Choose models – but choose them well
  5. Develop a system for your prayer lists
  6. Mingle praise, confession, and intercession; but when you intercede, try to tie as many requests as possible to Scripture
  7. If you are in any form of spiritual leadership, work at your public prayers

Get your grubby hands onto the book: Amazon | Booko

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I knew what happened at the cross

Here’s an encouraging Jesus’ Story from Kurtis. Here’s a quote “I still had questions, I didn’t know all the answers, I still had doubts. But I think ultimately I knew what happened at the cross: that Jesus lived a perfect life, that he died for me, and that he rose again, and he was God. And knowing that was all I needed to know, I could put my trust in him and all my other questions I could get answered along the way.” Check the vid:

(h/t Dan Godden)

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Scouts Need Jesus

Very impressive logistical set-up at the Scouts Jamboree. Very tough crowd. Although it’s hard work talking to lots of people not interested in Jesus, many still heard of what Jesus did on the cross so that they could “be prepared” for eternal life. Garage Hymnal played a couple of great sets and we were interviewed on their radio station (103.7 if you’re within an hour of Picton). Here’s a picture of a guy with a fat head:

Thanks to the many people who were praying for the event. Continue to pray for a Christian witness within the Scout movement, they need Jesus more than the ability to tie knots. We met some very encouraging Christians on the night. I particularly enjoyed hanging out with some beautiful people from Vanuatu.

If you’re a Scout who stumbled here via google… go check out SCOUTS.FERVR.NET

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Robert Baden-Powell is a Ninja

I’ve been reading lots of the history behind the Scouts movement. My conclusion? Robert Baden-Powell (the founder) was pretty much a ninja that trained other ninjas. Scouting. Stalking. Stealthiness. Always being prepared. That sounds like a ninja to me! To any Scouts reading this: if anyone ever tries to hassle you for being a Scout – tell them you’re training to be a ninja and that they should watch their back.

Scouts have a (Ninja) LAW they are to abide by and a (Ninja) PROMISE they are to keep. Part of the Promise is about doing “my duty to God”. And so my question is:

“What happens if you can’t fulfil your duty to God?”

Is it really that bad?? Does it mean you can’t be a Scout anymore?? Is it even possible to fulfil your duty to God??

Continue reading “Robert Baden-Powell is a Ninja”