Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep is a gorgeous little show on ABC kids at the moment. Shaun is a cut above the rest – proactive and a leader with some silly antics.

Unfortunately we are referred to as sheep by our maker. We all like sheep have gone astray.

In a way it’s comforting to know from Psalm 23 that the Lord is our shepherd and he understands our waywardness and frailty. He makes us to lie in green pastures. He restores our soul… His rod and staff comfort us. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. ‘My cup runs over’… God is a good shepherd.

I think of a lamb when I read that the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour. When a sheep is all alone, or on the outer, the lion or the enemy can attack with little resistance. There’s protection in staying in the flock.

I’m happy with the sheep thing.

Who do you Trust?

I remember it was a very quick work the day my father and my brother fell off their pedestals in my life. They were no longer the gods I made them to be. It was not so much by their action or my attitude but just a dawning that, yes, they were indeed human with some failings and the only one to be worshipped is God. Other various family members were also up there and had to be brought down. God is a ‘jealous God’ by his own admission.

Jeremiah 17 has a wonderful key to life. Here goes..

‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man…
he will be like a bush in the wastelands…
…dwell in the parched places of the desert

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
Whose confidence is in Him
He will be like a tree planted by the water…
It does not fear when heat comes
Its leaves are always green
It has no worries in a year of drought
And never fails to bear fruit.’

What's happening in France

The 700 Club from the ACC channel last night tells us France has set up a new law recently which could affect evangelism in that country. In an effort to crack down on cults it has brought in stiff new legislation and as much as a five year jail sentence to deal with those who try to force or coerce people into their beliefs. As a result one of the biggest churches of believers in the South are under surveillance. An Australian missionary over there has changed the name of his church from Christian Life Centre. Many churches are changing their names eg. Evangelical. Even the Catholic charismatics are under suspicion. It looks like the gospel message may have to go as it did in the days of early Apostles, underground. (See Foxes Book of Martyrs).

On another note, The 700 Club went onto show the amazing conversion of a top male model from Belgium. Jules was a young man when he went to France. He began modeling and was the face of many products and on the front of vogue and so on. In his loneliness however Jules began to drink and then got onto cocaine, then prostitutes. He really came to the end of himself far from home in every way. A woman in France gave him a book by Billy Graham. While on a plane ride he read just a few lines and then something bizarre happened thousands of feet up. The presence of God enveloped him. He responded to a question he heard while in this euphoric state. The trip was a blurr as he encountered God for the first time. His life was totally transformed. He ended up marrying the girl who led him to Christ and they have a beautiful son. It was lovely to hear him tell his sincere and open story.

Who is the One Person who Christians Rely on for Their Journey

No it’s not Jesus.

No, the one person Christians rely on for decision making, counsel, comfort and advocacy is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He was promised by Jesus before Jesus was about to ascend into heaven. ‘If I go away…I will send the Comforter… etc. He will remind you of everything I’ve said…’

The Holy Spirit was sent as a deposit for things to come. He is gentle. He convicts of sin. Without Him nothing could be changed in a person’s life because when he puts his finger on an area of your life which needs changing all you want to do is yield… it’s easier than a merry-go-round of conviction.

We can grieve Him with wrong attitudes, wrong behaviour etc. We don’t want to do that because like a dove he may take leave. We can quench him by not obeying his wooing for certain action. Every born again Spirit filled Christian loves the precious Holy Spirit.

It's my Party

Nellie Furtado writes a great song, 'why must all good things come to an end' - for me it's the forties... and then she says 'I'm whistling a new tune.' This is what I want for the start of my jubilee year today 7th 7th 2007. In the Bible, the 50th year meant freedom from all debt - wow what a grace concept. I want this vision for my year ahead. Build the Kingdom of God, seek him first and all things will be added to me - freedom from debt too would be a nice side product. I thank God today for restoring to me everything that was lost, (through dysfunction to stupidity), when I invited him to take me under His wing.