Coffee Break Lane: February 2007

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Forgiveness.

Such a beautiful thing.
Though its beauty perhaps isnt always recognised in its entirety.

As a Christain, this word is epitomised in the love and grace shown to us by Jesus on the cross. Yes, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Continually attempting to run life our own way we deserve nothing. God pushes aside what we deserve however and instead offers us new life with Him.
This is forgiveness at its greatest! Amazing and beautiful. Pure and true.

As people who follow the Lord, then, we are called to walk as Jesus did, and as part of that, forgive as the Lord forgave us. Only fair I should think?! Yet why do we struggle with it so much?

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:13-14
and
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Col 3:15

Love others. Forgive, because we have no right to hold grudges or judge if God has forgiven us! And let peace, not hate or anger or bitterness, rule your hearts.

Big call? Perhaps. Yet entirely justified when we understand the fullness of what God has done for us.

The widows as their story is told in Through Gates of Splendor demonstrate this love and forgiveness at a time when so many of us would struggle to do so.

While the prayers for many were for these women who had lost their husbands, these women prayed for those who killed them that they may come to know the Lord! - “The prayers of the widows themselves are for the Aucas. We look forward to the day when these savages will join us in Christian praise.” (p.189)

While many would not only understand if the women chose to return to the States after this, let alone expect it, the women desired nothing but these people to know God and therefore stayed to continue the work their husbands started - “Plans were promptly formulated for continuing the work of the martyrs…. Revenge? The thought never crossed the mind of one of wives or other missionaries.” (p.189-190)

The sight when bodies of the five men were found would have been devastating. Each speared to death.
But the hope of these women was that just as their husbands were struck with the lances, those who killed them would be struck with His Word. - “give the Aucas, instead of fierce hearts, soft hearts. Stick their hearts, Lord, as with a lance. They stuck our friends, but You can stick them with Your Word, so that they will listen, and believe.” (p.191)

What a beautiful example of forgiving as the Lord forgave us!

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Power of Scripture

When Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matt 4:1-11) He faithfully responded each time by quoting words from the Old Testament scriptures. Every time the Devil had a question or a challenge for Him, He brought to mind words that kept him alert and focused; words that reminded him how to live for God wholeheartedly rather than give in to the temptation brought before him.

It seems though that we forget this technique is not just reserved for the Son of God! We too can - and should - memorise, quote, and dwell on the Word of God, not just in fighting temptation, but in living out the everyday!
How many times a day does something arise that would be much easier faced if we just remembered and trusted His word!?! Countless!!

This is something we see Jesus doing and we should not hesitate to follow his example!

As the widows of the five missionaries killed in Equador were learning of the murder of their husbands Olive Fleming definately didnt hesitate to follow Jesus' example!

"Olive Fleming recalled the verses that God had impressed on her mind that mroning: 'For we know tht if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' He who has prepared us for this very thing is God... 'Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.'" (p.185)

Flying over the site where her husband was buried in the jungle by the river, a women who would have every reason to feel anger, felt comfort in her pain as she turned to the Words of the Lord knowing they were faithful and true.
And as that Word is living and active, what strength this gave her and the other women!

I personally was greatly encouraged to read this is Through Gates of Splendor.

Why do I not do the same more regularly?! Thats gotta change!

afterall, this would help greatly with 'setting minds on things above, not on earthly things', would it not!?!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Having Perspective

Continuing the journey of 'Through Gates of Splendour'

It took a couple of days to confirm the death of the 5 missionaries. But their wives suspected it from the minute they failed to radio in on time.

Just imagine it. Waiting by that radio wishing, praying, that the voice of the man you loved would soon be heard, laughing off the fact that he and the others lost track of time as they got to know their new neighbours better.
But of course eventually realising this was never going to be the case.

As the mens bodies were found one by one, the women waited. And were eventually met with the news that all 5 men had been killed by the Auca people who just two days before had spent all day socialising with them at their camp site.

I dont know about you, but I think that wait would have been painful. Of course the women knew the risk involved in their husbands' mission, and they knew and supported their purpose, but what really prepares you for news like this?!

Well, I was amazed reading the account of these last few days in the pages of 'Through Gates of Splendour'. Such faith and trust in their Lord at such an uncertain and scary time.

Here are some of the things recorded in those pages:

"As I came face to face with the news of Roj's death, my heart was filled with praise. He was worthy of his home-going." (p.180) - Knowing and trusting these men had faith in Jesus and that their work for Him had not been in vain, these women saw no other solution but to praise God for the opportunities the men had faced and be thankful that no doubt their Father would welcome home His good and faithful servants.

"To the world at large this was a sad waste of five young lives. But God has His plan and purpose in all things. There were those whose lives were cahnged by what happened on Palm Beach." (p.188) - What amazing perspective these women had! Something we should all aspire to!
They knew the work their husbands had done was for a good cause, was the most important thing they could ever do with their lives, and that all was in the hands of the one they were working for, so why not trust Him?!

There is more to be said about the response of these women to the death of their husbands. But for now, I will leave you with those words which I found greatly encouraging.

Trust in Him, as these women have before us!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Proud Citizen of Sydney!

Last night I finally got into the city with my camera. Blessed with a beautiful night and great company, I got snap happy in this very beautiful city! Here are a few of the pics, some more will be on flickr.

This one was taken at darling harbour...a rose left crushed and forgotten under the bridge...

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Motivation

Over the next few posts I plan to share with you some further quotations from the book 'Through Gates of Splendor' (which tells the story of 5 missionaries who died doing the work of their Lord in Ecuador in the 1950s).

I finished the book today and right now there are too many thoughts running through my mind to share right now. But lets just say this has been the most worthwhile read ever. It is an amazing story, encouraging, humbling, and full of words which can only spur you on in sharing the gospel.

Here are a few paragraphs where the motivation of the men to go into Auca territory is explained:

- "Each of us knew when we married our husbands that there would never be any question about who came first - God and His work held first place in each life. It was the condition of true discipleship; it became devastatingly meaningful now.
It was a time for soul-searching, a time for counting the possible cost. Was it the thrill of adventure that drew our husbands on? No. Their letters and journals make it abundantly clear that these men did not go out as some men go out to shoot a lion or climb a mountain. Their compulsion was from a different source. Each had made a personal transaction with God, recognising that he belonged to God, first of all by creation, and secondly by redemption through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This double claim on his life settled once and for all the question of allegiance. It was not a matter of striving to follow the example of a great Teacher. To conform to the perfect life of Jesus was impossible for a human being. To these men, Jesus Christ was God, and had actually taken upon Himself human form, in order that He might die, and, by His death, provide not only escape from the punishment which their sin merited, but also a new kind of life, eternal both in length and in quality. This meant simply that Christ was to be obeyed, and more than that, that He would provide the power to obey. The point of decision had been reached. God's command "Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature" was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant.

On Sunday afternoon...Nate Saintsat at his typewriter to tell the world why they were going - just in case. In speaking these words he spoke for all: 'As we weigh the future and seek the will of God, does it seem right that we should hazard our lives for just a few savages?... May we be moved with compassion as our Lord was. May we shed tears of repentance for these we have failed to bring out of darkness. ... May God give us a new vision of His will concerning the lost and our responsibility.

"If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ."

What motivated these men to enter the territory of a tribe known to the world as killers? Knowing the great risk to their lives, these men approached this act as a willing sacrifice...yet recognised it was nothing of a sacrifice compared to that given by our gracious God. They desired to serve God wholeheartedly with their lives. And they desired everyone to have the chance to know His Son...even this tribe everyone else was afraid to go near.

While not all of us will be called to such a location, I think the compassion and conviction shown by these men - men who were no different nor more perfect than any of us - is something to be encouraged by, but perhaps more importantly, something to strive for in our own lives.

Be motivated by that which motivated these men and find that desire to seek and save the lost.

Friday, February 09, 2007

'Stranger Than Fiction'

I have always thought Emma Thompson was a great actress. She can pull off anything from comedy to tragedy. Shes what I like to call a 'real actress.'

And now my opinion of her has simply skyrocketed to brilliant having just seen the new release 'Stranger Than Fiction'.

When I saw the preview for this film I was immediately hocked. Intriguing concept and impressive cast.
Well, I saw it yesterday and lets just say I was thoroughly impressed! It exceeded my expectations.

I cant put a finger on why i consider this film one of the best of the holiday season, but I believe it has something to do with the following:

The cast were brillaint. I've already mentioned Emma Thompson, who did a fantastic job as the slightly eccentric author suffering from writers block as she molds her narrative. Her protagonist is Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), who is actually a living human being, and as the story unfolds and he experiences the narration of his life by Kay, Harold finds a new lease on life, which provides us with an endearing subplot and the also well casted Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Ferrell proves to be perfect for the part of Harold Crick. Many argue no one else could play him, and I'd have to agree. While I have liked Ferrell in previous films, this performances introduces us to a fresh taste of Ferrell, with the director, Forster, recognising an element in his actor which he believed this film could bring out in a way no other could.
Furthermore, I think we see a new and impressive potential in Gyllenhaal's performance - I look forward to see what else this girl gets up to in the future.

So aside from an effective cast, elements of this film had me laughing out loud (mostly thanks to Ferrell and Thompson) and that is definately a plus - a film that can genuinely make you laugh while also exploring more intimate, emotional and meaningful parts of life - parts that many of us can relate to in some shape or form - definately earns points in my book! And this one does it all well!

Additionally of course the novel concept of our film's story is actually, well, quite strange, with several scenes leaving you questioning how this can work and how it will play out, yet, in my opinion, loving it all the while for that very reason.
And lets not forget the little love story which so nicely caters to us romantics out there (my favourite bit being the gift of 'flours' - brilliant!)

Having said all this, I do not claim this to be one of the best films of all time, dont get me wrong. Brilliant, clever and entertaining - definately. But I did, personally, have a few faults to pick out along the way... But for now, I will leave those alone, and let you decide for yourself, as I do maintain it is worth seeing!
Do please let me know your thoughts when you have made it to see this strange piece of fiction!