transpacificism

brisbane

2009-11-17T02:42:00.003+13:00

Sunday I flew into Brisbane, Australia to attend a church planting conference with several other folks from our denomination.

The first day of the conference went well. Nothing really new content wise, but some very encouraging reminders as well as some confirmation regarding a few decisions I've made and need to make. The best part has just been meeting and talking with guys who are in the same position as me and, more importantly, guys who are veteran church planters. Some challenging, humbling, and encouraging conversations.

On the negative side, this is my first time to Australia and I haven't really seen much more than the airport and the inside of a few buildings. Nor will I have any time to see more than that before I head directly from the conference back to the airport to fly home tomorrow. I'm looking forward to heading back to Auckland though, it's way too hot and muggy for me here.

week 50

2009-11-14T00:08:00.007+13:00

Here are some pics of playtime with Daddy. I'm really enjoying having my girls back.

ex libris

2009-11-11T21:27:00.006+13:00

"We can easily see how restless people are who follow their own mind, how many tricks they try and how they tire themselves out in their efforts to obtain the objects of their ambition and avarice, and then again to avoid poverty and humility. If godfearing people do not want to be caught in such snares they must pursue another course: they should not hope, or desire, or even think of prosperity without God's blessing. We may believe and trust that everything depends on divine blessing alone. It may look to us that we can easily attain honor and riches through our own industry, or strenuous exertion, or through the favor of others; yet, it is certain that all these things are nothing in themselves, and that we shall not make any headway by our insight or by our labors, but in so far as the Lord shall prosper both.

"On the other hand, his blessing will find a way to make us happy and prosperous, whatever adversities may come. And though we may be able to obtain a certain measure of wealth and fame without divine blessing, as we may daily observe in godless people who acquire great honors and enormous riches, yet we shall see that those who are under the curse of God have not the smallest particle of happiness. Therefore, we cannot gain anything without divine blessing; and if we do, it will prove a calamity to us. Let us then not be foolish and wish for things that will make us more miserable." - John Calvin, Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life, 38-39.

I've recently been re-reading this little booklet in preparation for a discussion on it with the students in my Spiritual Development course. Originally written about 450 years ago Calvin's words here stand out as remarkably applicable to our day and age. Those of us in Western societies tend to be especially susceptible to this idea that "just a little more" will make me happy. Sadly this is a deception many people fall for, myself included. A little more cash, a little more status, a little more sex, a little more entertainment, a little more... whatever. However, a little more is never enough. It always makes us want more. If our hearts were made for God then nothing short of God can truly fill the void in our hearts that always make us want more. Calvin's direct words get straight to the point that my heart often forgets.

week 49

2009-11-07T14:34:00.005+13:00

My plan to put up new pics of Sophia every week for the first year of her life met a little road block for the past (almost) three weeks since she and Brooke were in the States for Brooke's sister's wedding. This has been a difficult couple of weeks for me. While Brooke and I have been apart for this long before I still don't like it, and up until now I hadn't even spent a night away from Sophia. Needless to say I'm very happy to have both of my ladies back in Auckland.

This was Sophia playing yesterday. Even after a two hour nap the jet lag made her look pretty dazed and droopy.

Her solution to that problem has been to take some extra naps and sleep very heavily. She usually wakes up as soon as any light enters her room, but today she didn't even flinch when I opened her curtains. Poor girl.

literal version

2009-11-04T17:33:00.002+13:00

While I was in Dunedin last weekend some friends turned me onto the "literal versions" of music videos. How have I not heard of this until now? Basically a literal version is when someone re-records the lyrics of a popular music video and changes the words to match whatever is literally happening in the video. Most of the ones I saw weren't that great but this one taking on the RHCP made me laugh pretty good the first time I saw it.

yeah... uh.. nix that last post

2009-10-28T14:48:00.003+13:00

So after a week of being back on the ol' FB, I've decided that all of my reasons for quitting a year ago outweigh the reasons for returning. Yes, that means the account has been deactivated yet again, and I'm pretty sure for good this time.

Does this make me fickle or unstable? I don't really care.

(P.S. Kitty, I hope this brings some more laughter to your day.)

a somewhat reluctant return

2009-10-19T20:23:00.002+13:00

After a year long hiatus, I have reluctantly rejoined the dreaded Facebook. None of my reasons for quitting last year have really changed. However, I had been reconsidering the networking aspect of the site and recently two high school classmates tried to reconnect with me and were only able to do so through a mutual friend they were communicating with on FB. So, in full anticipation of the chiding and abuse I'm about to take... I've reconnected.

week 46

2009-10-17T00:45:00.009+13:00

Here are some new pics of Sophia. The first is her famous tiger pose. Okay, I don't know what the pose is but it's pretty funny to watch her do it.

The other pics are some eating shots. Eating blueberries (a new favorite), eating... well, I'm not quite sure what, and eating her washcloth.

Unfortunately this will be the last Sophia post for a few weeks. She and Brooke head to the States on Monday for two and a half weeks. :-(

week 45

2009-10-08T23:12:00.001+13:00

ex libris

2009-10-06T11:19:00.003+13:00

"Jesus never begged anyone to follow Him. He never waited for anyone, never sang one more verse while people decided whether to follow. He barked, 'Follow Me!' and kept going. Those who immediately dropped everything became His disciples; those who hesitated were left behind.

"Yet week after week, especially in evangelical churches, we beg men to be saved. Problem is, the call to be saved is so familiar, men see no value in it. Don't misunderstand me: it's vitally important that we call men to follow Jesus. Men need salvation. But instead of pleading, what if our approach was: 'Do you have what it takes to follow Christ? Many say they do, but fewer than one in four will remain loyal. Are you one of the few, or when trials come, will you crumble?' What if we stopped begging men to be saved and started challenging them to follow Jesus Christ?"

"Christ plows through the Gospels like a wrecking ball, smashing tables, driving people with a whip, devastating the Pharisees with a word, taming the winds with an uplifted hand, toppling a detachment of armed soldiers simply by speaking His name. He never cajoles; He commands! Christ is powerful, dangerous, and un-predictable. Teachers, present Christ the man. Men will follow."

- David Murrow, Why Men Hate Going to Church, 163-164, 183.

week 44

2009-10-03T12:26:00.007+13:00

So I had a really cute video I had planned on posting. However, on Thursday when I went to put it up the video had mysteriously disappeared. Since I didn't have any other photos to put up then I had to delay this week's post. Anyway, here are some photos for this week and hopefully next week I'll have a new video for the grandmothers.

Sophia is learning how to drink water from her sippy cup. She's been a bit slow on this but she's finally getting the hang of it.

Sophia had her first taste of a Mandarin Orange this morning. We think she liked it.

Brooke bought this new toy off of Trade Me for Sophia. She's pretty into the rings.

Sophia also loves to pull all her spare burp cloths off the shelf and roll around in them when she's playing on her floor. And she still loves playing with her feet.

a prayer for my ministry

2009-09-30T23:57:00.003+13:00

Unchangeable Lord,

When I am discouraged in my ministry

and full of doubts of my self,

fasten me upon the rock of your eternal election,

then my hands will not hang down,

and I shall have hope for myself and others.

You know your people by name,

and will at the appointed season

lead them out of a natural to a gracious state

by your effectual calling.

This is the ground of my salvation,

the object of my desire,

the motive of my ministry.

Keep me from high thoughts of myself or my work,

for I am nothing but sin and weakness;

in me no good dwells,

and my best works are but sin.

Humble me to the dust before you.

Root and tear out the poisonous weed of self-righteousness,

and show me my utter nothingness;

Keep me sensible of my sinful heart;

Sink me deep into penitence and self-abhorrence;

Break the idol of pride in pieces before the glory of your presence;

Demolish the tower of self-opinion, and scatter it to the wind;

Level to the ground the stronghold of my rebellious heart;

Then grace, grace, will be my experience and my cry.

I am a poor, feeble creature when faith is not in exercise,

like an eagle with pinioned wings;

Grant me to rest on your power and faithfulness,

and to know that there are two things worth living for:

to further your cause in the world,

and to do good to the souls and bodies of men;

This is my ministry, my life, my prayer, my end.

Grant me grace that I shall not fail.

- Adapted from The Valley of Vision

you know your country's famous when it's featured on letterman

2009-09-25T14:02:00.002+12:00

I'm not sure whether to laugh, or to grimace at the awkwardness. I'm all for the "common bloke" appeal but this may be a bit beneath a current head of state. For those of you watching in the States, as well as being the Prime Minister John Key also holds the Tourism portfolio in the New Zealand Parliament. So I guess that makes this a bit more appropriate. Maybe?

week 43

2009-09-24T20:15:00.008+12:00

She's just a few days away from being 10 months old and yes, she is adorable.

promising mess

2009-09-21T11:39:00.003+12:00

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox." - Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)

"Orderliness can reach the point of sterility. This proverb is not a plea for slovenliness, physical or moral, but for the readiness to accept upheaval, and a mess to clear up, as the price for growth. It has many applications to personal, institutional and spiritual life, and could well be inscribed in the minute-books of religious bodies, to foster a farmer's outlook, rather than a curator's." - Derek Kidner, Proverbs, 106.

Anyone who's seen my desk will immediately understand why this proverb resonates with me. In all seriousness though, it's a good reminder that sometimes disorder is evidence of God at work in our lives and churches. Of course sometimes disorder is simply evidence of disorder. The key is learning to look beneath the surface to see what God is up to. Anyone who's ever been in a manger knows that the "mess" an ox leaves behind doesn't look or smell pleasant, but it is evidence that there is a strong animal plowing fields to make them fertile. May we never despise the holy mess of God in our lives.

week 42 (super belated)

2009-09-19T23:41:00.008+12:00

For those of you who can't wait for your weekly Sophia fix I apologize for being late two weeks in a row. We were out of town again this past week so I'm just getting these up now. Anyway, here are a few pics from Sophia's time in the Coromandel Peninsula.

don't call me reverend... seriously

2009-09-13T22:03:00.008+12:00

Last night we had a joint worship service with most of the congregations of of our presbytery. My ordination was a part of this service. Three years after finishing seminary I've finally taken my vows, had hands laid on me, and received the right hand of fellowship from my fellow elders. In other words, I'm all official and in good order.

A few folks have made comments about what they should call me now. A few friends have jokingly mentioned the title "reverend." Let me say here and now, for public record, in unequivocal terms; I never, ever want to be referred to as the Reverend Scott. The title, "the Reverend" literally means, "the revered one." While I do think the office of Teaching Elder is one that is worthy of respect, there is an
important difference in the nuance of "respecting" versus "revering" someone. For Christians, the Triune God is the only one who is to be revered, not his servants. There are some acceptable titles. "Pastor," which simply means "shepherd" or literally, "one who feeds," is fine. "Minister," means "servant" and is also an appropriate title for my role. Never revered one though. There are too many people in church leadership today who have set up there own little kingdoms and who've sought to be revered. That is not who I want to be and is definitely not what I'm called to do. I am to be a servant of Christ and his people, not one who serves himself. The Scriptures are filled with stern warnings about false shepherds who use their authority for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of others. My calling is to see the name of Christ
revered, to see his reputation grow, not mine.

Anyway, just don't call me reverend. In fact I'd be happiest if you just called me Travis.

week 41 (belated)

2009-09-12T22:44:00.005+12:00

Brooke's parents are in town and we were out of town with them on Thursday with no internet access. So sorry to my mom, and whoever else, that this week's Sophia installment is a few days late. I've made up for it by posting a video. Enjoy.

We also discovered on our recent trip to Rotorua that Sophia really likes animals.

ex libris

2009-09-09T22:18:00.003+12:00

"Charity means 'Love, in the Christian sense.' But love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about others.

"Natural liking or affection for people makes it easier to be 'charitable' towards them. It is, therefore, normally a duty to encourage our affections - to 'like' people as much as we can (just as it is often our duty to encourage our liking for exercise or wholesome food) - not because this liking is itself the virtue of charity, but because it is a help to it.

"But though natural likings should normally be encouraged, it would be quite wrong to think that the way to become charitable is to sit trying to manufacture affectionate feelings.

"The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbour; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.

"Consequently, though Christian charity sounds a very cold thing to people whose heads are full of sentimentality, and though it is quite distinct from affection, yet it leads to affection. The difference between the Christian and a worldly man is not that the worldly man has only affections or 'likings' and the Christian has only 'charity.' The worldly man treats certain people kindly because he 'likes' them: the Christian, trying to treat every one kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on - including people he could not even have imagined himself liking." - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity; 115, 116, 117.

It doesn't matter how many times I read the same thing by him, C.S. Lewis always moves me; always strikes me as poignant, subtly powerful, and painfully apt. I don't know how many times I've read Mere Christianity but each time I go back it's like cool water for my soul. If I could produce a book of material that has the potency of just one of his paragraphs, I'd be happy.

More importantly though, I wish the reality of Christian's interactions with others (and themselves) would come more and more to match Lewis' description of what it should be.

week 40

2009-09-03T21:01:00.008+12:00

The grandma's will be happy this week. They get a video and pictures. The first three of these are from our trip to Muriwai. The second to last is Sophia enjoying and apricot (her latest favorite food). The last one is just for fun. She seemed to really like that hairdo.

beach/pizza

2009-08-29T22:16:00.022+12:00

We shot out to the coast today and spent the afternoon enjoying the beauty and magnificence of God's creation. And yes, both those words in the title reflect that experience of beauty and magnificence.

Welcome to Muriwai.

Approaching the local Gannet colony.

Sophia was an instant fan.

Rugged beauty.

My lovely ladies.

I was attacked by a rogue wave as the tide was coming in. Sophia thought the water swirling about us was interesting... until it touched her foot.

The real reason we went to Muriwai was so that we could stop at Dante's Pizza in Huapai on the way home. I'm completely serious. We had seen them featured on a local news program and have wanted to try their pizza ever since.

Dante's is the only member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) in New Zealand. You can watch their story here.

This was seriously the best pizza I think I've ever eaten. There's something to be said for fresh, quality ingredients combined with a centuries old recipe, delivered by an excellent pizzaioli. Too often we take good food for granted. From the rugged beauty of Muriwai to the precision beauty of Kevin Morris' handiwork, both are a reflection of the grandeur of God's creation.

week 39

2009-08-27T20:52:00.008+12:00

Sophia is 9 months old today!

One of Sophia's favorite snacks lately is foot with a bit of toe jam.

This is our (up-until-very-recently) neighbour Grace. She and her parents just moved to the North Shore of Auckland which is a bit sad because Sophia and Grace really like each other ( and we like Grace's parents).

i'm finally cool

2009-08-21T22:47:00.002+12:00

According to this NY Times article I'm one of the cool kids for the first time in my life. Yes!!!

week 38

2009-08-20T20:21:00.006+12:00

Sophia loves her dummies (pacifiers). We think we may have a problem in a few months when we start to take them away.

She's not crawling yet, but she's been rolling around enough to compensate for it. She sometimes finds herself in interesting places and situations.

I figured that we needed to let everyone know that as adorable as she is, she isn't always smiles and giggles.

Don't worry, she's okay. This one was taken just a few minutes later.

ex libris

2009-08-20T14:34:00.004+12:00

"Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.'... what Paul's mysticism does is to remind us that the example of Christ is only a part, and not even the greatest part, of the redeeming Gospel. Were there no more than this, the contemplation of the perfect holiness of Jesus could breed only despair. No shining example, cold and remote as the stars, can cleanse the conscience that has been defiled, or break the octopus grip which sin gets upon the soul. The evangel of an ethical example is a devastating thing. It makes religion the most greivous of burdens. Perhaps this is the real reason why, even among professing Christians, there are so many strained faces and weary hearts and captive, unreleased spirits. They have listened to Jesus' teaching, they have meditated on Jesus' character; and then they have risen up, and tried to drive their own lives along Jesus' royal way. Disappointment heaped upon bitter disappointment has been the result. The great example has been a dead-weight beating them down, bearing them to the ground, bowing their hopeless souls in the dust.

"But ever since Isaiah, men have been aware that one of the vital distinctions between true religion and false is that, whereas the latter is a dead burden for the soul to carry, the former is a living power to carry the soul.... 'Christ in me' means something quite different from the weight of an impossible ideal, something far more glorious than the oppression of a pattern for ever beyond all imitation. 'Christ in me' means Christ bearing me along from within, Christ the motive-power that carries me on, Christ giving my whole life a wonderful poise and lift, and turning every burden into wings. All this is in it when the apostle speaks of 'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' Compared with this, the religion which bases everything on example is pitifully rudimentary. This, and this alone, is the true Christian religion. Call it mysticism or not - the name matters little: the thing, the experience, matters everything. To be 'in Christ,' to have Christ within, to realise your creed not as something you have to bear but as something by which you are bourne, this is Christianity. It is more: it is release and liberty, life with an endless song at its heart."

- James S. Stewart, A Man in Christ: The Vital Elements of St. Paul's Religion, 168-169.