A Community of Commitment
There is a simple equation that I learned a few weeks ago that is stuck in my head:
Faith = Salvation + Works.
And this reminded me of this canvas.
Each handprint is someone saying 'this is my hand, I am offering the body connected to it for the cause of the Cross'.
'I will count it all as loss compared to Christ the prize.'
'This is not a symbol; this is a start.'
For those who understand the gravity of the Great Commission, these words are not light, and neither is the task at hand.
These are hands that have outwardly demonstrated the determination emanating from an inward faith.
This is sheer Christianity, not publicly displayed by throngs of confused youths; not placed by over-enthusiastic happy-clappers; nor laid in judgemental zealotry.
These are the handprints of people committed to their church, their Saviour, and their community.
Right here, right now.
The strange summer sky
I looked up at the sky this afternoon and smiled.
Sitting down, preparing to write this blog entry, I contemplated on my past month - and the space shuttle ride that was my transition into Radiance of Jesus Christ Church, Sydney.
What can I say? We have hit the ground running. A church that is driven and determined to realise its mission, acting under guidance from the Holy Spirit - it made me realise something.
I had spent the past half-decade in what was essentially a "Safe Zone".
And I had just launched myself for what is looking to be the ride of a lifetime.
In the space of three scant weeks we have built and propagated our own social network (yes, we are counter-culture to the bone in RJC). We have launched our own locally-produced podcast. We are moving very quickly into vidcast capability and may soon even adopt live-streaming.
There's something to be said about a community that tries to emulate the 1st century church - a church whose members have dedicated their heart and minds to the cause of the Cross; whose only banner is Jesus; and whose mission statement is to spread the Gospel to their neighbours first, and then worldwide.
It's a good sign for the year ahead - that perhaps, finally, this year will be different and renewing to the soul.
The skies, my life, this year - clearly a sign God's ever at work.
G
Greetings
It's G.
Welcome to the (refurbished) blog. If you're visiting around December and are wondering why it's snowing, it's because we don't get enough snow in Australia during this time of year. Actually, I doubt we get ANY snow in summer.
This is where I will be posting my thoughts - mainly in essay form, although I will be using pictures here and there to illustrate my point. The topics will be diverse, ranging from science and philosophy to religion and morality, so bear with me.
I'm living my life.
I have always considered the written word to be a terrible weapon, to be wielded with wisdom and restraint. That said, if I see an injustice being carried out, I will talk about it - damn the consequences.
So there you have it. Stay tuned - 2010 will be an interesting year, to say the least.
