tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59964862011-07-08T21:53:01.047+10:00Reflections on the Living WordGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-72591475420214279102010-01-03T22:53:00.000+11:002010-01-03T22:54:10.446+11:00Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-29546455031364937392009-04-07T01:13:00.001+10:002009-04-07T01:14:45.778+10:00Keep Things in Perspective.When I first came to South Korea last year in May, I quickly learned how differently Koreans think to foreigners and react, often with intense emotion, to things that are seemingly of minor significance. I witnessed this in a variety of situations, including work, home (I’m married to a Korean woman), and in the media. News outlets here have a tendency to saturate the Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-9056467370151379722009-03-19T22:12:00.000+11:002009-03-19T22:13:27.155+11:00I wrote an article for my church in Seoul, Jubilee 교회, for this month's edition of their newsletter. It's not my best writing, but here it is. It contains concepts that I want to elaborate tomorrow about the "Gay Christian". Enjoy!Never Changing by Haydn Sennitt.When I was growing up in Australia it was hard at times to understand my father, given the inconsistencies in the way he related to my Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-83542520983319511032007-01-30T10:05:00.000+11:002007-01-30T18:10:05.655+11:00Reflection on Micah (미가) 6:8 - The Three of the Free8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does Yahweh require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah (미가) 6:8, New King James Version (1982). On January 15 2007, the 7:30 Report aired a story about the town of Tamworth in country New South Wales. The story told of how the town was placed, at the Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-62563472140878000392007-01-23T11:51:00.001+11:002007-01-23T11:51:52.972+11:00Over the next few months, as part of my writing my Bible reflections, I'm going to be taking a look at the issue of the world as it is now and how it is trying to subvert Christianity by opposing it. I'm also going to examine how the world is trying to destroy Christianity by imitating it and claiming to have spiritual authority.In doing so, I'm going to see how this is being played out in the Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-15690026597429609602007-01-22T11:34:00.000+11:002007-01-22T11:35:26.261+11:00Today, I had a book review published on the Sydney Anglican website, about a collection of poems by a Catholic nun.The review is located at http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/culture/reading/speaking_to_the_heart/Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-69697259238493115252007-01-15T13:31:00.000+11:002007-01-15T13:51:35.386+11:00Reflection On Luke 12:34-36 (누가복음12:34-36)- Cutting Loose, Counted Worthy34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-50471380251091831412007-01-01T01:07:00.000+11:002007-01-01T21:05:10.096+11:00Reflection On Psalm 1:1-3 (시편 1:1-3)- To Psalm It All Up1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be planted like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-79964741706900175002006-12-20T14:21:00.000+11:002006-12-20T15:06:02.316+11:00Returning to ReflectionsLast year in October, I said that I would no longer write my Bible reflections, as I changed my mind about doing them. However, I've changed my mind since then, as:a) I love the art of writing;b) I love writing about the Bible;c) I love encouraging Christians and non-Christians in writing about the Bible and;d) I want to make the time to write about the Bible.So, I will Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-20667489058140341002006-11-28T10:00:00.000+11:002006-12-20T15:04:13.312+11:00I had a book review published today- it's a review on a book about Richard Nixon, reflecting on its contents from a Christian angle.P34Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1129170729457244562005-10-13T12:30:00.000+10:002006-12-20T14:21:41.797+11:00Bible Reflections No LongerSince August 2003 (albeit with a brief rest from the exercise last year) I’ve been writing reflections on the Bible, which usually get emailed to yourself and around 70 other people, after which they are then posted on this website. Although the process of writing some reflections has clashed with time pressures of differing sorts, the creation of each and every one hasGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1128227033737580142005-10-02T14:17:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:19:06.709+11:00Reflection On Proverbs 13, 15, 16, & 22- Good Correction & the Sufferance of Fools13:18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction. But he who regards a rebuke will be honoured ... 15:10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die ... 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul ... 22:Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1127103274639033592005-09-19T14:13:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:19:24.590+11:00Reflection On Psalm 139:23-24- The Interview With the Shrink23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; 24 and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24, New King James Version (1982). There you patiently sit in the waiting room of the counsellor’s office, picking up a Leunig book that lies perched on the coffee table. You Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1125389050211036472005-08-30T17:50:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:19:37.898+11:00Reflection On Lamentations 3:22-27- Finding Jesus in the War of the Worlds25 Yahweh is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of Yahweh. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke in His youth.Lamentations 3: 25-27, New King James Version (1982).Imagine what it would be like if the aliens from the movie War ofGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1124153770653416932005-08-16T10:55:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:19:52.974+11:00Reflection On Mark 8:34-37 – Considering the Servant Religion…34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s sake will save it. 36 For what does is profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1122618816337024242005-07-29T16:33:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:20:14.449+11:00Reflection On Psalms 37, 38, & 39– Paper Tiger, Stable RockPsalm 37:1-2 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb … Psalm 38:21 Do not forsake me, O Yahweh; O my God, be not far from me! … Psalm 39:4 Yahweh, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know howGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1121054282749469902005-07-11T13:56:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:20:34.804+11:00Reflection On 1 Peter 1:13-16 –Radar and the Pure Life 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it isGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1119510196975454922005-06-23T16:57:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:20:51.948+11:00Reflection On Job 19:25-27 – A Heart Churning and Yearning25 For I know my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold and not another. My heart years within me!Job 19:25-27, New King James Version (1982).Being a keen observer of world affairs by Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1117969896721665202005-06-05T21:03:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:21:23.692+11:00Reflection On Philippians 3:8-11 – More Wealth Than You Can Poke A Resurrection At8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1116310994370424072005-05-17T16:15:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:21:59.423+11:00Reflection On Matthew 18: 21-35- Forgiveness x 539 = ?32 "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And [the king] was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, fromGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1114759628887243792005-04-29T17:16:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:22:14.192+11:00Reflection On Luke 16:19-31 – The Gatekeepers, the Proof, and the Life24 Then [the rich man] cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he isGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1113111149515028582005-04-10T15:26:00.000+10:002007-01-16T17:22:31.988+11:00Reflection On Exodus 4:10-12 – Yakkedy Yak, Talking Right Back10 Then Moses said to Yahweh, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant, but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue". 11 So Yahweh said to him, "Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, Yahweh? 12 Now, therefore, go, and I will be withGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1112358694373895632005-04-01T22:17:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:37:40.406+11:00Meditation On Revelation 3:7-13 – A Future For The Church of Brotherly Love11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1112503736663044652005-03-03T14:41:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:38:00.568+11:00Reflection on Zechariah 8:16-17 – The Community of God’s Meshiacha16 “These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbour; give judgement in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; 17 Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbour; and do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate”, says Yahweh.Zechariah 8:16-17, New King James Version Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1108447551183910462005-02-15T17:00:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:38:26.775+11:00Meditation On Romans 6:5-6 – Crazy Little Thing Called Liberty5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of [Jesus'] death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.Romans 6:5-6, New King James Version (1982).Martin Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1107499470731005592005-02-04T17:27:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:38:59.796+11:00Meditation On Psalm 103: 1-5 – The Perfect Six1 Bless Yahweh, O my soul and all that is within me, His holy name! 2 Bless Yahweh, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:3 Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases,4 Who redeems your life from destruction,Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,5 Who satisfies your mouth with good,So that your youth is renewed Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1106889914021292172005-01-28T16:24:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:39:19.572+11:00Meditation On Amos 8:11-12 – Donning the Dust and Ashes of Repentance11 "Behold, the days are coming", says Yahweh God, "That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the words of Yahweh. 12 [The Israelites] shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of Yahweh, but shall not find it."Amos Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1106287614863226702005-01-21T16:58:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:39:49.913+11:00Meditation On Matthew 11:28-30 – Beyond The Here and Now28 "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."Matthew 11:28-30, New King James Version (1982).About three years ago my paternal grandmother died Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1104905596979121992005-01-05T16:59:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:40:40.336+11:00Meditation On Seeing God Through the RubbleLess than a week ago the world celebrated the ushering in of 2005 while simultaneously seeing off the 366 days that were 2004. Despite the excitement of the New Year, the celebrations were, understandably, subdued given the disaster that was the tsunami that tore through Asian and east African coastlines last December. Instead of the usual carefree Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1104286705522711302004-12-29T13:11:00.000+11:002007-01-18T00:41:26.339+11:00Meditation On Proverbs 4: 25-27 – How To Walk The Talk25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil.(New King James Version, 1982.)In December 2002 my father, sister, and I flew to Tasmania and trekked some 70 kilometres of Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1093420246261512612004-08-25T17:38:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:41:49.809+11:00Meditation On Romans 5:18-19– The Re-Born Identity18 Therefore, as through one man’s offence judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.(New King James Version, Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1092727195651518212004-08-17T17:14:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:42:16.497+11:00Meditation On Job 42:1-6 – Where We Find Ourselves1 Then Job answered Yahweh and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything and that no purpose can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1092138807103075062004-08-10T21:45:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:44:24.969+11:00Meditation on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The Seed Of The Fruity Tree16 All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteous, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17, New King James Version (1982).So crucial to the Christian life is its article of faith, the Bible, thatGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1091602422230991702004-08-04T16:47:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:44:46.295+11:00Meditation On James 5:19-20 – More Precious Than Fluctuation19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.James 5:19-20, New King James Version (1982).Financial currency is an item that seldom has a fixed worth with its value Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1090915749577291962004-07-27T17:50:00.000+10:002007-01-18T00:45:13.877+11:00Meditation On 2 Samuel 9 – Mercy For A Dead Dog7 So David said to [Mephibosheth], "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathon your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." 8 Then [Mephibosheth] bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?"9 Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1090308827737422242004-07-13T17:25:00.000+10:002004-07-21T20:23:59.846+10:00MEDITATION ON EPHESIANS 6:10-20 – PICKING THE TARGET, DEFEATING THE ENEMY
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1089099214135181732004-07-06T17:26:00.000+10:002004-07-06T17:35:37.423+10:00MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 3:12-13 – NUTSHELL CHRISTIANITY
12 Therefore, as of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Colossians 3:12-13, New King James Version (1982).
Love is what makes the world go Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1088646220011356882004-06-29T14:05:00.000+10:002004-07-01T17:09:42.060+10:00MEDITATION ON ECCLESIASTES 7:1-4 – THE THEATRE OF REALITY
1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth; 2 better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; 3 sorrow is better than laughter; for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of the Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1087975720653978682004-06-22T17:16:00.000+10:002004-06-23T17:43:31.210+10:00MEDITATION ON PSALM 119: 105-112 (Nun) – THE SWEET, SWEET TORAH
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path ... 109 My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget your law ... 111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.
Psalm 119:105, 109Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1087355715483044702004-06-15T13:07:00.000+10:002004-06-17T17:32:02.903+10:00MEDITATION ON ISAIAH 55:11 – WORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11, New King James Version (1982.)
Last Tuesday I was surprised to hear of the death of former American president Ronald Reagan. His was the face of Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1086679788097939052004-06-08T17:28:00.001+10:002004-06-08T17:35:36.220+10:00MEDITATION ON ROMANS 13:12-14 - A BRIGHTER LIGHT
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to lusts.
Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1085894177795043862004-05-30T15:06:00.000+10:002004-05-30T15:16:17.796+10:00MEDITATION ON EZEKIEL 34: 20-31 - MAGNIFICENCE IN BENEVOLENCE
23 "I will establish one shepherd over [the Israelites], and he shall feed them - My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken."
(New King James Version, 1982.)
The recent public relations nightmare for the BushGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1085124145687966812004-05-21T17:12:00.000+10:002004-05-21T17:29:24.890+10:00MEDITATION ON JAMES 1:12 - THE ONLY BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING
[12] Blessed the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
(New King James Version, 1982.)
When I was the young and brash kid of the '80s and '90s that I once was, daily fights between my sister and I were something of a regular Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1084888565157448722004-05-14T17:00:00.000+10:002004-05-18T23:56:05.156+10:00MEDITATION ON JEREMIAH 8:6 - OUT OF OUR CONTROL
[6] "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says Yahweh. "Look, as the city is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!"
New King James Version, 1982.
I've always been interested in watching other people attempt to control things that are beyond their control. On television there are an endless Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1083913841538038252004-05-06T17:10:00.000+10:002004-05-07T17:18:40.170+10:00MEDITATION ON JOHN 8:1-12 - LIVING IN DENIAL?
[10] "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" [11] She said, "No one, Lord". And Jesus said to her "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more". [12] Then Jesus spoke again (to the Pharisees), saying "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life".
New King Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1083038230033294232004-04-27T13:49:00.000+10:002004-05-02T12:00:55.966+10:00MEDITATION ON JAMES 4:7-8 - WHO'S BEEN INVITED?
Over the vast tracts of time there have been a vast multitude of love songs written, particularly about finding the right person to marry, snatching that perfect match, drawing near to one's lover/s and discovering one's so-called 'soul mate'. In the Bee Gee's song Run To Me the British brothers sing:
Run to me whenever you're lonely
Run to me ifGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1082531236625749032004-04-21T16:59:00.000+10:002005-06-10T13:59:54.843+10:00MEDITATION ON JOB 9:32-35 – GOING FOR A GO-BETWEENEaster this year has been an interesting time to reflect upon the message of Christianity and to consider what a huge impact the coming of the man Jesus of Nazareth 2000 years ago had on humanity. As Mel Gibson's movie The Passion makes obvious, the Passover Lamb of Jeshua Meschiacha, Jesus the Messiah, came to be bruised for the sins of humanity Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1081661920947523292004-04-11T15:33:00.000+10:002004-04-11T16:03:53.403+10:00MEDITATION ON REVELATION 3:14-22 - STIRRED, NOT SHAKEN
It has been interesting of late to be attending two distinct Christian fellowships during the week, each with unique strengths, emphases, and weaknesses. Generally and crudely speaking, my home church (St Alban's in Lindfield) belongs to the Anglican church, an institution that emphasises literal teaching of the Bible, involvement in Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1080544380798543092004-03-29T17:08:00.000+10:002004-03-29T17:17:40.390+10:00MEDITATION ON ISAIAH 58:6-8 – FUDGING, FLUFF, & FASTING
Before giving my life to Christ, I used to be an active Catholic who did all the things that good practising Catholics do, like going to mass, confessing sin to the padre, spinning off rosary cycles, and observing all the holy festivals officiated by the church. I tried to be as good a Catholic as the classic Reformer, Martin Luther (an Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1080022294970381572004-03-23T17:06:00.000+11:002004-03-23T17:16:03.983+11:00MEDITATION ON PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21 – CALL US TRAITORS, IF YOU MAY
From what I have often heard, one of the best aspects of Australia is that its people are so laid back, relaxed, and easy going. Despite never being given any concrete definitions of what laid back and easy going actually mean, such aspects of Australian culture are tied in with the perception that it is open and tolerant. The Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1079313998369200962004-03-15T12:17:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:21:17.810+11:00MEDITATION ON MARK 14:32-42– UNSWERVING SURRENDER
Before she moved from her first apartment to another approximately 8 years ago my paternal grandmother was an avid collector of anything and everything that passed through her life. At the time my mother, father, sister, and I helped my grandmother to move out but before we could proceed, we had to dispose many of the 'goodies' that Grandma Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1079313067398534092004-03-15T12:07:00.000+11:002004-03-18T17:56:22.623+11:00St Albans Bible Verse Email Meditation on John 11:25
Over the past week- during which time I was confronted with the anniversary of my mother's death- I immersed in reading much of God's word. When I read John 11, the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus' friend Lazarus, it was interesting to see Jesus confronting grief on Earth (John 11:33, 38) as He wept at the funeral (11:35). His Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1078713894618438372004-03-08T13:33:00.000+11:002004-03-18T17:58:41.936+11:00REFLECTION ON PSALMS 25 & 91 – BRAVING DESPONDENCY'S QUAGMIRE
Tomorrow, the 9th of March, is a date that is quite hard for my family: it is the anniversary of my mother's death in 2001. It's a difficult day of the year as it brings with it a gambit of intense emotions- mostly associated with grief and sadness- and a sense of nostalgic reminiscence of when my mother was alive. Despite having Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1078122556563350702004-03-01T17:00:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:02:15.500+11:00REFLECTION ON 1 SAMUEL 12:20-22- NEVER SAY 'DIE'
As a huge fan of the tv show Seinfeld, I would have to say that the character George is my favourite among all of the ones in the series. The short, stocky, slow-witted bald man just always seems to get himself in trouble by dumping girlfriends for the most inane reasons, living with his horrible parents, saying and doing inappropriate things, Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1077603583928395562004-02-23T17:00:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:04:01.060+11:00REFLECTION ON LUKE 9:62– ALL THAT YOU MUST LEAVE BEHIND
For some unknown reason, network television stations seem to enjoy screening the move Death Becomes Her. The comedy flick portrays the story of Madeline Ashton (performed by Meryl Streep) and Helen Sharp (performed by Goldie Hawn), two women who have undergone years of plastic surgery to look younger and more beautiful. The two manage toGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1076812874220411312004-02-15T13:38:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:06:16.436+11:00REFLECTION ON LEVITICUS 16:20-22– BLAMING GOATS AND MOVING FORWARD
When Aaron has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all of the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1075879061417995592004-02-04T17:00:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:08:19.123+11:00REFLECTION ON PROVERBS 30:7-9- PERFECT PROPORTIONS
It has to be said that symmetry is one of the most desired and sought-after things on this God-given planet. Symmetry in things such as art, facial features, and nature is highly revered and when it comes to creating symmetry (or 'perfect balance' as one car television advertisement put it) expertise, an eye for detail, years of training, a goodGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1075183619446870252004-01-23T17:01:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:23:21.483+11:00REFLECTION ON PSALM 42 - EL-E-VA-TION!
In U2's ill-fated U2 Pop album, the last song is a sombre piece called Wake Up Dead Man. The dark words of the song capture the depressing mindset of a person who feels that Jesus is absent and uncaring, as though He has somehow nodded off at the wheel and has sent the world spinning into a ditch. It's not entirely clear if Bono is singing with respect toGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1074307250055809332004-01-17T13:32:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:12:31.950+11:00REFLECTION ON COLOSSIANS 3:1-2– KEEPING IT REAL
I found the controversy last week surrounding croc hunter Steve Irwin's baby dangling exercise to be a source of silent amusement. My appreciation of this 'spilt milk' issue derived not so much from Irwin's behaviour in trundling of his baby near a crocodile, and nor did it come from his poorly worded defence, but spawned from the fact that thereGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1073283864125400492004-01-05T17:19:00.000+11:002004-03-18T18:16:49.013+11:00REFLECTION ON JOHN 13:34-35 – FEELING & SPREADING THE LOVE
When my mother died almost three years ago, it was interesting to see who provided comfort in the aftermath, as well as the different types of comfort that people offered. Many well intentioned people said things such as 'Surely your mum is now in a happy place' and 'Jill was a lovely woman who had so much to give in life', and so on. Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1070680170502629452003-12-06T14:08:00.000+11:002004-03-19T12:49:17.076+11:00REFLECTION ON PROVERBS 24:1 – GREEN WITH ENVY
Envy and jealousy are forces that can be sufficient enough to drive people mad. Envy is a trait that tarnishes human behaviour because so many people desire what others have. Individuals have been known to relentlessly covet what others have, often because they feel insecure in themselves and feel empty if they don’t have what someone else has gotGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1069913570061839342003-11-27T17:00:00.000+11:002003-11-27T17:12:58.990+11:00REFLECTION ON GALATIANS 6:8-9 – HORTICULTURE AT ITS FINEST.
Back in 1994/95 one of Australia’s most popular movies, Muriel’s Wedding, emerged on Australian cinemas and went on to take Hollywood by storm. It aided the resurrection of the ‘70’s band ABBA back into pop culture and it kick started the careers of actresses Rachel Griffiths and Toni Collette.
MW was both a comedy and a tragedy Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1068868576777183802003-11-15T17:00:00.000+11:002003-11-16T13:01:44.270+11:00REFLECTION ON PSALM 51 – OPEN SLATHER.
Former US president Bill Clinton was a man who had many aces up his sleeves. He was a charismatic, young and handsome leader who was politically astute and highly regarded by many as being forward-thinking and progressive. His academic prowess was even admired by his opponents and his handling of policy was often enviable.
But, like many worldly leadersGiraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1068533858827328062003-11-11T17:00:00.000+11:002003-11-14T15:35:16.896+11:00REFLECTION ON 1 CORINTHIANS 2:16 – WHO ARE WE TO PRESUME?
When I started working full time I had to learn the skill of listening carefully to the instructions that my managers gave about completing specific tasks. Listening with extreme care to what they said was extremely important, because if the listening wasn’t done I would need to go back and re-do all the work.
At first the job of Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1068019344524308002003-11-05T17:00:00.000+11:002003-11-05T19:07:08.590+11:00REFLECTION ON 2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 - BEYOND THE LONG BLONDE HAIR & EYES OF BLUE
Recently I have been listening to David Bowie's greatest hits album. As some of you may know I am quite a retro fan and Bowie is one of the many 1980's musicians that I have come to appreciate. His song Sorrow is quite well known; if you heard it on the radio you would know which song it is. In Sorrow Bowie sings Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067495425793110692003-10-30T17:00:00.000+11:002003-11-09T15:12:47.536+11:00REFLECTION ON JOHN 16:33 – JESUS CHRIST IST DER SIEG!
Not long after my mother died in 2001 I began to worry. I was full of uncertainty, as I was less confident of the future, more pessimistic, and afraid. I felt isolated as many of my friends offered little support in my grieving process and I didn’t know if the whole event would weaken my faith in Christ. Not long after that I went Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067248317753253012003-10-24T17:00:00.000+10:002003-11-06T17:50:53.886+11:00REFLECTION ON JEREMIAH 28 – A PROPHET FALLS FOR A HANSEL & GRETEL
Hansel and Gretel is one of the world’s most well-known nursery rhymes. For those unfamiliar with the tale, it is a story about a little girl and boy whose father is a poor wood-cutter living in what appears to be a German/Scandinavian wood. Unfortunately Hansel, Gretel, their father and stepmother find themselves in dire Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067248202812288272003-10-15T17:00:00.000+10:002004-02-15T14:05:24.216+11:00REFLECTION ON DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 - THE SHEMA
Admittedly, I love the 1980’s (with the exception of the infamous mullet and other excesses) because it reminds me of when I was growing up as a child, of family holidays when my mother was still alive, and of the good life that I lived when I was young.
But now that I am an adult, living by myself and working in a full time job I find it refreshing Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067248179149789572003-10-10T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-18T17:49:20.903+11:00REFLECTION ON JOB 32:2
None of us like to explain ourselves. We don't like having to explain our deeds, especially when questioned by someone younger than us or by someone of a lesser rank, because it makes us feel threatened and vulnerable. But if we are pushed and if a particular situation demands us to give an account of our deeds (eg. in a court of law) we will give one.
For those Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067408871232321282003-09-29T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:45:46.373+11:00REFLECTION ON HEBREWS 12:14-16
Fruit is arguably one of God’s most beautiful and splendid creations. In providing us with an endless supply of delicious produce such as fruit there is always before us a constant smorgasbord of variety. Each type of fruit has a certain element of appeal. For those who want nutrients without juice running down the arms, they may prefer to eat bananas. For Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067409222257881372003-09-18T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:47:18.450+11:00REFLECTION ON PSALM 119:1-2 (ALEPH)
When I first started to working full time I had to learn how to use the company’s data mining programme, ASTEROID. The programme is quite hard to use if you’re not familiar with it or if you do not use the company's data on a regular basis. Sure enough, I found myself sitting down and read the manual that had the instructions on how to use the programme.
Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067409495256295962003-09-09T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:37:24.123+11:00REFLECTION ON 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21
Those who attended my homechurch last Sunday (after the Evening Service’s heart-pumping houseparty) would have observed that a short scene from a video was silently played at the same time as Lamentations 3:1-24 reading. The scene on the video was Jesus’ crucifixion and it poignantly worked in synchronicity with the passage that was read.
I don’t know about Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067409942060659692003-09-03T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:32:43.746+11:00REFLECTION ON ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 –
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, both good or evil.
Not long ago I was talking to a colleague at work about living as a Christian as well as the issue of moral and immoral Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067409787164145972003-08-27T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:27:50.403+11:00REFLECTION ON JONAH 3:10-4:3
Just last Saturday I met up with a church friend to read the Bible and pray. After we finished reading Jeremiah 1 Mike aptly suggested that we read chapters 3-4 of the book of Jonah and the short interlude between the chapters (3:10 - 4:3) caught my attention. In Chapter 3:4b, Jonah preached the 8-word message of salvation to the people of Ninevah, which Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067410179360800292003-08-20T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:23:36.670+11:00REFLECTION ON HOSEA 11:7-9
In June of this year I was reading the Book of Hosea, as it was one that had many insightful comments to say about man and his stand before God (though the book is mostly concerned about Israel). God was not only ticked off with Israel but was stung in a deeply personal way by the evil of His chosen ones. Up until chapter 11, God proclaimed the most horrid Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5996486.post-1067410301958696442003-08-12T17:00:00.000+10:002004-03-19T12:17:34.293+11:00REFLECTION ON JEREMIAH 2:13
When I first became a Christian I was given the usual spiel about Jesus coming to die for my sin, about a vague concept called atonement, and some mention of a resurrection. The Christianity 'package' sounded pretty kosher to me, and the idea of being in a relationship with God sounded completely awesome. The problems was, the 'formula' (as I put it) missed one Giraffe Pennoreply@blogger.com0