| Monday, October 29, 2007 |
| Question time |
Hey pplz, I've got some difficulty understanding God's rationale in this week's SOAP, it'll be much appreciated if anyone can offer me their thoughts on the issue...
2 Samuel 21: 5-6 'They (ie. the Gibeonites) answered the king, "As for the man (ie. Saul) who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one."' So David followed the Gibeonites' instructions to appease them and as a result, we read in 2 Samuel 21: 14 ' After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.'
2 Samuel 24: 17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people (70,000 of them), he said to the LORD, "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family."
The same theme ran through these 2 scriptures: why does God punish innocent people for wrongs commited by others? |
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| Turning dancing into mourning |
Scripture
2 Samuel 19: 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, "The king is grieving for his son."
Observation
King David's troops had triumphantly returned to the city from a victory over the Israelites. But rather than celebrating the joyous occasion, King David started mourning over the death of his son, Absalom.
Application
I feel like giving King David a good shake: "What are you doing mate?!?! You have finally delivered your ENTIRE nation from the hands of your enemies, but yet you are now mourning over the death of ONE person."
But how often am I not like David, counting my sufferings more than my blessings? Turning dancing into mourning? All of us have a great victory to proclaim. And we don't even need to go to war like David and his men, but victory was freely served to us on a plate. By putting Himself on the cross in our place, His blood re-establish us all legitimate children to our Father, gives us the key to eternal life with Him and frees us from the wages of sin. Or how about His gifts of faith, hope and love, His gifts of grace and mercy and so much more?
Yet rather than to behold the beauty of the vast blue sky, I often find myself focusing and dwelling on the few dark patches of clouds... problems at work, problems in relationships, problems in spiritual life etc etc.
What does the Bible have to say about my type of response? 2 Samuel 19: 5 "Today you have HUMILIATED all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines."
The Bible speaks of one other occasion where Jesus was humiliated in return for saving us. In focusing on my sufferings more than my blessings, I, like the soldiers did before crucifying Jesus, have effectively chewed up all His gifts to me and spit them back in His face.
Prayer
Dear Lord, sorry for being ungrateful with your gifts. Please remind me that although You never promised anyone a life on bed of roses, that you have nonetheless given us many more reasons to celebrate than to grieve in life.
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| Saturday, October 27, 2007 |
| med students read this! :P |
hey guys,
just thought that this was really funny!
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When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on adding a new wing to their hospital, the Allergists voted to scratch it and the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought theadministration had a lot of nerve, and the Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body', while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!'
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the Radiologists could see right through
it, and the Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, 'This puts a
whole new face on the matter.'
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the Proctologists left the decision up to some asshole in administration. |
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| Friday, October 26, 2007 |
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| HI!!!!!!!! |
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| Tuesday, October 23, 2007 |
| Girls' SOAP this Fri |
Exams are around the corner and assignment due dates are looming. But it's possible that even the most hardworking, inspired/stressed person might be in want of some dinner and a quick time-out on Friday evening! And what's more, we'll be refreshed by prayer and the powerful Word of God. And so-
Girls' SOAP over dinner
Friday 26th
Rice Bar on Swanston St (ground floor Seasons)
6pm sharp start
7pm end
I'll be sharing my SOAP so just come along and have some dinner and relax. Text me on the day, if you are coming. Look forward to seeing you all,
Pheebs
xo |
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| Monday, October 22, 2007 |
| a first. |
i've been trying to win tickets to see JT from FoxFM. but i guess i'm giving up :P
anwyays, my SOAP for last week before i got an awful sore throat.
:: S ::
Luke 24:32
they said to each other ,"didn't our hearts feels strangely warm as He talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?"
:: O ::
the spirit always knows instinctively when something gives them peace. whenever we hear different schools of teaching the Word, our spirit is able to discern whether something is of God or not.
:: A ::
there are so many different ways of portraying christ, and sometimes christianity has been misrepresented in so many ways, causing people to refuse to believe in God.
God touches every person in a different way, and each of us have our own stories to tell, and these experiences bring about diveristy in thoughts, hence the diversity in schools of teaching.
just because an idea/teaching has been around for a longer time, we think that that dogma is the way and tend to brush newer ideas aside.
so instead of discerning with our spirit, we use our knowledge of good and evil (KOGAE) and critique someone else's teaching, even though it might bring life to others.
so i guess the application is to learn how to depend on our spirit to do the work of discernment, instead of using our rationality all the time.
:: P ::
Father, teach me how to recognize you with my spirit. teach me not to point fingers so quick and rationalize things too much instead of relying on your spirit for guidance. Amen. |
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| Wednesday, October 17, 2007 |
| Orchestre Nouveau |
Beautiful music for a Sunday afternoon
Debut Concert
3-4pm Sunday 21st Oct
Newman College Chapel
$8 adult/$4 concession
http://www.orchestrenouveau.org.au/ |
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| get up and walk. |
thanks to my sister, i've been on the mailing list for the daily devotionals from New Creation Church in Suntec City, Spore since a while ago. i found it to be really encouraging in terms of building faith in God, and would like to share it with you all. so if you find it good, do subscribe to it.
this saturday besides celebrating the birthday of the october babies, we will be taking a group photo for our blog!! Aun has agreed to bring his awesome camera along and utilize his skills to take an impressive group photo of us! so come in whatever you wear, look fresh and handsome/pretty, so that your face can be on the face of our blog! going to get things up and running guys :)
i'm hoping that a picture of us on the blog would make everyone feel that they belong here, and take ownership of this space to share life. all of us are co-owners of this site, so i really want to encourage you to post up your SOAPs, or even your thoughts on certain issues that interest you, e.g. what you took away from the relationship seminar, maybe?
anyways, here's the reading for today from the NCC devotional :) and if it strikes a chord with you, then cool bananas!
Steadfast In The Faith
1 Peter 5:8–9
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith…
When I was a teenager, I was taught that if I wanted to resist the devil, I must rebuke him. So whenever an evil thought came to my mind or I was tempted, I found myself saying, “I resist you, devil, in Jesus’ name! I bind you, devil! Go away from me, devil! I rebuke you in Jesus’ name!”
This went on until God showed me one day that though I had “resisted” the devil, I had spent more time talking to him than to God! I was more conscious of the devil than of God throughout the day.
I checked the Word of God and realised that we resist the devil not by focusing on resisting him, but by being established in the faith that we are made right with God through Jesus’ blood, and that we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Yes, the devil will continue to remind you of your mistakes, failures and sins. And he will tell you that because of these things, you cannot receive your healing, that something will happen to your family and that you will have to pay for your mistakes. He will accuse you, condemn you and try to persuade your heart to believe that he can do bad things to you.
But the truth is that the devil cannot enforce anything in your life if he cannot persuade your heart. And your heart cannot be persuaded if it is “steadfast in the faith” — established in righteousness. God says that once you are established in righteousness, “you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you”. (Isaiah 54:14)
So now that my heart is established in righteousness, I can tell the devil, “Yes, I have all these problems in my life but I’m not guilty in God’s eyes. I’m justified in God’s eyes by faith because of what Christ has done. I’m righteous by Jesus’ blood!” My friend, that’s how you resist the devil and become undevourable! |
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| Blessed 26th Leanne! |
Pretty flowers for our dear Miss Scoresby!!
She was more embarrassed than surprised!! Be blessed as you start a new year of your life! Happy happy Birthday! :D |
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| Tuesday, October 16, 2007 |
| Girls' SOAP |
Hi girls,
Details of SOAP this fri:
Koko Black on Bourke St Mall
5.45-6pm start
End by 7
Light dinner after for anyone still hungry, otherwise let chocolate be dinner enough!
We'll have two girls share their SOAP and munch and chat after.
If you're planning on coming along, let me know by Fri. 0416 726 596
Hope you're all holding up well under exam pressure. Don't stress too much =)
Lots of love
Pheebs. |
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| meaninglessness |
S Luke 23:34 Father forgive them for they do not know what they're doing Luke 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus O As Jesus was nailed to the cross, he said this. After Jesus' burial, the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went to see the tomb where his body lay. After that, they went home and prepared spices and perfumes as a sign of respect to Jesus' tomb. Interesting how the women had prepared all their offerings for Jesus' tomb and found him not there to offer it to. A How i think of my life and those around me, commodifying 'worship' and placing value upon things that don't even matter to God. Yes, there are tools around us that will guide and build structure for our journey but what actually matters? I see myself sometimes walking around probably a headless chook to things that don't matter whether it be for mere temporal satisfaction or relief. Meaninglessness. So what actually matters? P Holy Father, Your Name is good. You are worthy. God, that nothing else really matters to You but a heart that is chasing after You who Is Love, who IS Peace, who Is Kind, who IS Righteous. God, may you continue to show me Your Ways, Your truths. Open the eyes of my heart to know what matters to you. May i be teacheable and mouldable in your sight for who You are Today in my life. |
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| Monday, October 15, 2007 |
| Pride and judging |
Scripture (Luke 18:11)
"The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: "God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector".
Observation
Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest peace advocates and humanitarians of the last century, was a Hindu. Yet he had such love for OUR GOD, that in his room you could not find a picture of his Hindu Gods, but a drawing of Jesus, right in the center of his room. When once questioned why he never converted to Christianity, he answered: "Oh, I don't reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ". Tragic. The true story was when Gandhi was a young man practising law in S. Africa, he seriously contemplated becoming a Christian and one day decided to attend a church service. But before he could enter the church, a church elder stood at the entrace in his way and turned him away saying: "there's no room for kaffirs in this church!" Outside the church, how often do we find ourselves judging and looking down upon others with different beliefs? "Oh, can't believe the guy did this, this and that..." Or worse still we show our ugly sides even within the church, "Oh (shakes their head) he is just being himself, such a ......" If us Christians can't even see eye to eye with one another, what hope is there for light to shine to the rest of the world? A writer once likened all human beings to pigs in a sty. One pig is contented to compare itself with the other pig and say "oh, ur so dirty with mud all over your body", but it did not realise that before its master, the pig itself has a lot of cleaning up to do as well. At the foot of the cross is a level ground. No one is any better than the other, we are ALL sinners before God. So on pride, we who have built for ourselves a throne and make ourselves comfortable there looking down upon others, God himself will bring us down because there is only one throne and it does not belong to us. On judgment, we who judge others will be judged by God himself for only He can judge.
Application + Prayer
Lord, I ask for your forgiveness, I have been called to be your image bearer to the world yet I have failed miserably. Whenever pride and judgment creeps up on me, please remind me of the image of Christ washing His disciples feet. The One who is seated on the right hand side of God, humbling Himself to the extent of kneeling before us human, non judgmentally washing the feet of ALL his disciples regardless of their sins. _________________________________________________________________ |
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| Wednesday, October 10, 2007 |
| the mind of a cynic |
S:
2Sam 10:8 'The Ammonite nobles said to Hanun their Lord, do you think David is honouring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy?'
2Sam 10:12 'Be strong..The Lord will do what is good in His sight.'
O:
Hanun hastily got ready for war as the Ammonites came. Hanun suspected David's motive and was completely wrong! When David heart this, he got ready for battle.
As Joab was sent out by David to fight the thousands of men, he understood that with what they had, they could do, ending his command saying that the Lord will do what is good in his sight.
A:
How many conversations i've had that i jump the gun and get defensive! Joab had a certainty knowing how they could fight the battle bravely but at the same time knowing that ultimately God was in control of the battle's outcome. Am i frustrated because of what i don't have? Am i cynical because i look at the surface of the matter. What has God given me now in my hands? What next step am i willing to take on?
P:
Frustrated, dismayed, unpatient i lay it all before You. Peace God. I ask for Your peace that surpasses my human comprehension. When all the worldly desires around me starve me of You, i come back to drink from Your promises and plans over my life. Teach me to give beforehand. Its so hard to say the word 'Sorry' and admint fault. Holy Father i want to live a new day with a renewed hope, a renewed trust in You believing that You will do what is good in your sight even when my physical eye cannot see beyond the surface of the 'now'. |
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| what's up doc. |
hey HHC,
Upcoming events.
Baptism
Next one's in Nov. Please ask around people in your house church who's not been baptised.
Do lmk soonest (ie. by 14th Oct) so we can arrange the classes and other logistics. Just forward me their names & contacts and I'll do the rest! :D
Relationship seminar
Latest, please confirm names with Krystal by tomorrow evening (ie. Wed 10th Oct) as we have to commit to catering. you can reach Krystal at 04 0182 6666.
Fri night only: $7
Saturday full day only: $13
*The cost is fully for catering. Please note that Krystal will still collect money from those who put down their names but don't turn up. It's not good stewardship of church funds if we had to pay up for people who committed but don't turn up. |
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| Tuesday, October 9, 2007 |
| Stupid |
How stupid is hope?
It spins you around,
lifts you up into the clouds,
turn the pidgeons pink,
breaks your heart.
How much more the fool who hopes?
Call me then a fool. Call us then all fools. |
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| Will You? |
S
57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."
"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!"
O
In fear, Peter resorted to the only position his faith allowed him, a position of the " I don't ". Fear does this to all of us, we retract automatically, cowering in self- defense in hope that somehow by hiding, we elude the moment of danger, disappointment, or failure. This poise, in its taking, is immediately one that by default sets us on a back foot, compromised. Just imagine if the stance taken by Peter was one of confidence, a stance founded on his trust and relationship with Christ (for goodness sake, he journeyed alongside Jesus, watching and performing miracles, eat the bread Jesus multiplied from the five loaves), how much would this story be told as one that ends in glory rather than cowardice.
A
I know. I do know. We do know, the faithfulness of God. We have seen his goodness, we have born witness to the grace that He has bestowed on our lives. Our very lives, the very fact that we can speak of this God, is evidence that He has predestined, is working, will fulfill the promises. What is the stance I am going to take when Monday comes when the world picks a fight?
P
Father, before I even think what I can do, or what I have, or how I would fight, remind me of what You can do, who You are, How you would avenge. Amen. |
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| Sunday, October 7, 2007 |
| state |
S:
2 Sam 6:16 And when she saw King David leading and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart..
2 Sam 7:28 Your Words are trustworthy and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight..
O:
So here the ark of the Lord was entering the city of David. As Michal, David's wife watched her husband from a distance, she saw King David leaping and dancing before God and she despised him in her heart. Afterwards, we read that Nathan has a word from the Lord for David. After hearing this fresh revelation from God through Nathan, David prays to God.
A:
Hmm...so i question the state of my heart..questionable. Oh gosh, you mean i'm actually jealous of those who seem more 'further ahead' in life? I didn't even realise! I guess i caught myself of hearing my mouth speak and there before me i knew where the state of my heart was. Could it simply be that Michal's disgruntled and jealous heart was due to the sheer factor that she wasn't in close relationship at that point with God that she was so bitter to the point of despising her own husband?
P:
Holy Father forgive me Lord for the jealousy within my heart for those peers that seem more successful or further ahead in life. I believe that as i learn to stay obedient to what you've placed in my hands in my life, that You have and You will grant mercy and favour to your servant, me!! Your Words are trustworthy and i can hold on to the same promises of David as i am a descendant of him. Guide my tongue and my mind to Your Ways. Your Name is my strong tower, weak i run to You and find my refuge. |
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| ooooo |
| yay!!! i'm on! talk about being so not savvy!! weavers here i come.. |
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| Saturday, October 6, 2007 |
| I Will |
S
2 Samuel 6: 22-23
I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
O
Michal, David's wife, the one who believed enough in David as God's anointed that she helped Him escape thru the window. How ironic that it is thru this same window that she sees David worshipping with all his might, ashamed, scornful. David's reply to her blows me away, in a secure stance He knows full well whose agenda it was on the table, who this God he was worshipping is, the I Am. He repeats the two words -I will- four times, the final one ending in glory.
A
I find myself so often, distracted by the Michals in my world. The expectations, the people, the benchmarks. Worship is a choice. Its is also a choice who and what we choose to worship. Who takes the place of the first love in our lives? Its time to say I will, I will worship, I will remember His goodness, I will.
P
Father, a same window, but seen thru different eyes, the stories are so vastly different. Let me see the right picture. Amidst all that calls for my attention, I will remember your faithfulness that has followed me and will continue to endure. I will worship You. I will choose to rejoice, I will be glad. Amen |
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| Friday, October 5, 2007 |
| BBQ bells are ringing |
hey guys,
more updates. it's a good day at work :) and it's a friday!
tomorrow's BBQ, everyone meet at arrow 11.15am unless you're going on your own.
the people who are driving are:
sue-lee will be going late as she has to manage some stuff at the leadershift meeting, but the people following ivy and aaron can leave on time to go to ruffey lake park. if you're banking on going late with sue-lee, please come on time to arrow as well, cos we have to work out who's following who, and you don't want to be left behind when everyone else is already at the park! can't wait for tomorrow! p/s: remember to do your SOAPs... |
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| Thursday, October 4, 2007 |
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man using gmail is SSSOOO much easier then using this blog!
but this is pretty cool.
and who is ba ba black sheep?
this sat should b cool!!! havnt been to a bbq in a while! |
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| BBQ with the Homies HC |
here are the deatils of the BBQ:
Where?
Ruffey Lake Park | | | Between King, George and Victoria Sts. Map Ref: MELWAY: 33 H10, 33 F10 |
we have to meet at the exact Melway location cos the park is gigantic, so if you don't know where we are, we wouldn't know where to find you either!
if you have not paid ivy $4, naughty naughty you! pay her asap, and don't make it hard for her to keep track of who's paid and who hasn't. sometimes a church environment allows us space to procrastinate on things...at least i sometimes think so, and it's not a very nice thing to do.
for those who need transport, please add your name in the comment box, and i'll know how many drivers we need.
RSVP to the BBQ by Thursday night so we can give ivy some time to buy the meats.
and remember to do a SOAP this week. always come back to find your center in God. life is just a subset of God's grand plan. so chill and spend time with him.
waiting for your RSVPs! :) |
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| Wednesday, October 3, 2007 |
| yay!!! HHC blog!! |
hey peeps!! wow finally we got a blog!!
by the way, who is baa baa black sheep??? i was gonna report the email i received as SPAM!!!
i guess we should all just go crazy with this space and post just about anything. i.e. what happened today?
AND possibly cut down the SPAM all of us receive all the time!! |
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| Tuesday, October 2, 2007 |
| cool bananas! |
now HHC has its own blog!
this will be a new beginning where we share a journey, compile our soaps, get into the paperless world, and stop ourselves from spamming our own inboxes ;) |
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| So who are we? |
*We're Hudson's House Church!
*based in melbourne
*looking for answers
*exploring life
*we like journeying together
*young punks :P
*who love God
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| Just Recently... |
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| our store room |
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| Our Peeps =D |
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