The promise of eternal life

Yesterday at the cathedral Rob Smith finished off the summer series on John 3:16: 'Does God really love the world?'. I only heard the last two in the series, but they were fantastic. They haven't yet been uploaded onto the website, but should be available soon here

The contrasts seem to be really hitting me at the moment - last night I was really struck by the contrasting futures facing those who believe in the Son and those who reject him. For one, the promise is of eternal life - not just life that goes on and on, but transformed life with a transformed relationship with our creator at the centre. For the other, condemnation. They are perishing because the wrath of God remains upon them.

In John 14:6 Jesus tells us that he is the only way to the Father, the only possible way of salvation: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." My prayer is that many will join with me in believing in the Son.

Contrasts

On my walk to work this morning I was confronted by a contrast. Walking through the QVB I was struck by its opulence and how busy it was, even at 9 in the morning, with people walking out of stores clutching their bag of goodies, purchased on sale. Then I entered Sydney Square, just outside the cathedral, and saw others clutching their bags. But these bags were full not of the latest special, but of all the worldly possessions of someone who lives on the street.

It was humbling. The contrast reminded me that I have much to be thankful to our gracious heavenly Father, not least for the salvation won on the cross by Jesus, and the provision of a great job and a home to live in. It brought me to my knees in prayer.

A question about female missionaries

I spent last week at CMS Summer School in the beautiful Blue Mountains. It was a fantastic, if challenging week, but more to come on that later.

The question I wanted to ask is: Why do we think it is OK to send out female missionaries, especially to Africa, to do things on the field like theological education that we do not let them do in Sydney? I heard greatly encouraging tales of women teaching in bible colleges, training the future leaders of the church and people growing in their love and knowledge of our heavenly Father.

But it did raise for me the question: why is it appropriate to go overseas and do these things if it is not appropriate in Sydney?

Is it that gender roles are a second-order issue, so the important thing is getting people out on the field and teaching and training others? Is it that we are wrong not to have more women in theological education in Sydney? Is there something else I am missing?

Migration complete

I'm a bit slower than others, so I've only just managed the migration over to Blogger Beta. Hoping that it has worked OK - I'm not sure I will bother to go back and label all my old posts, but you never know, in this last week before I start work I might feel compelled to!

Holiday's with Mum & Dad

I had a lovely time in Qld with Mum & Dad. Beautiful Qld didn't quite live up to the reputation of 'beautiful one day, perfect the next' but we did have some lovely sunny days.

I really enjoyed not having to do much of anything - I read lots of airport novels, went for a swim a couple of times, chatted with Mum & Dad lots and ate lots of good food. It was great to visit Stu and Cathy at church in Brisbane the first Sunday. A real highlight was getting back into running. The first day I struggled to run 3.2kms, but by the end of the 2 weeks I was running 6kms, getting faster each time. I love running along the broadwater, with water on one side, skyscrapers on the other, with the path marked every 50metres so you can tell how far you have run and what your pace is like. The little things keep me amused.

Christmas day was lovely, if quiet with just the 3 of us, although it was fun (if a bit strange) listening to Kevin open his presents over the phone. One last thing we did was go up to the viewing platform of Q1, the tallest residential tower in the world (80 stories). Here's my favourite picture of the view:

Welcome to 2007!

Well, the New Year has begun.

2007 will be full of lots of new things for me.

New apartment - still in the process of moving, but spent my first night there on NYE, on an airmattress in the spare room. So far, so good. Furniture arrives from Canberra on Friday.

New job - begins 21st of January. Truth be told, I'm scared. But also excited about the possibility of serving our great God amongst the people at The Bible Talks and the Cathedral, meeting with women to read the bible and pray as well as having opportunities to talk to people about Jesus.

Living alone. No more college. Being 'on staff' at church.

Grateful that the one constant is our loving heavenly Father, his Son Jesus and the life giving Spirit.

Below are some photos from NYE at Polly's taken by Brad Pasley. I object to the $4mil spent, but did really enjoy them!