No Guarantees

Another Gem From David Timms

2008-05-13T08:53:00.003+08:00

Our group (The Joondalup Thing) has many ongoing conversations. In fact one thing I love about our group is the ongoing nature and feel of the group between our more formal (?) gatherings. I would be a rich man if I got a dollar for every email sent during the week between our small group of friends. This week 2 themes have been thrown around at least by a small handful of us.
1. Is God a sexist? (Gender struggles)
2. Do we 'bring people' to something, an event a meeting to hear a preacher to meet the pastor? (Is our event any more or less sacred than when I go to my neighbours for coffee?)

David Timms who speaks into our group often via his weekly writings speaks well into some of the issues in this weeks thoughts.

“The Reformation principle of ‘the priesthood of all believers’ … teaches us that ‘the plow boy and the milk maid’ can do priestly work.
But even more profoundly it teaches us that the plow boy in his plowing and the milk maid in her milking are in fact doing priestly work.”
~ Richard Foster, Streams of Living Water, p.266.

Our Priestly Calling

The debate over women in ministry, the practice of only clergy baptizing converts, and the inordinate reverence attributed to the ordained, generally ignores the priesthood of all believers. Gender struggles, class distinctions, and specialist ministries create strange complications for this simple kingdom truth.

More than that, misunderstanding our vocation—our calling—robs us of the rich life Christ intended. Whoever submits to the Lordship of Christ and commits themself by faith to Him has a priestly calling.

The folk who officiate at our worship services and read Scripture at weddings and funerals play a valuable role among us. But if we insist that they alone are “ministers” or “priests” we deny our privilege and neglect our responsibility.

The implications reach far beyond this short reflection, but I suggest at least the following few points to consider.

First, the priesthood of all believers—biblically speaking—has no hierarchy among the believers and no distinctions between young and old, male and female, race, class, or heritage.

Second, the world is our sanctuary for ministry—not a building on Third and Main Streets that we open on Sunday mornings.

Third, it’s not that we sometimes do priestly things (pray, preach, or pastor) but everything we do becomes sacred. Whether we’re balancing budgets for large corporations or babysitting the neighbor’s kids, cooking meals or manufacturing ball-bearings—whatever we do in word or deed is now done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 3:17)

Fourth, every one of us, at all times, in all places, with all people, function as priests. This is the dream of God. “And I shall make them a kingdom of priests.” (Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6; 5:10) That means we constantly highlight the Presence of Christ among us, our hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) Just as the ancient Jewish priests gathered around the Holy of Holies and helped the people connect with God, so do we, whether we’re driving trucks, tutoring school children, or selling insurance.

We are priests in our work and as we work. If we can grasp the glorious significance of this truth, it will dramatically change our view of ourselves and those around us. The Lord has not called us to occasional sacred tasks. Instead, He desires to sanctify every task in our lives, from writing to wood-working, from plumbing to praying.

The artificial barriers between paid and unpaid kingdom-servants hinders our appropriation of this truth. Every follower of Christ brings the holy place to the world. May we do so more this week and grow in this grace.

In HOPE –
David

Off

2008-05-04T15:46:00.001+08:00

I am off for this week at a Scriture Union Camp in the South West. Carey Baptist College I think.

See ya.

Interesting Comment on Evangelism

2008-05-02T09:49:00.002+08:00

"[...they] do not believe in evangelistic strategies, other than the pursuit to be like Jesus in his interactions with others. They do not target people or have an agenda but rather seek to love all those whom God brings to them. They do not hope for a belief change for their conversation partners as much as a life change. Because of their high level of engagement with other cultures, the sacred/secular split is overcome as they practice the kingdom in their midst, in community."

Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger cited in Scot McKnights, A community called atonement (Abingdon Press, 2007).

I wonder who "they" are? I wonder if "they" look like your/my church, your community group whatever.
I wonder if "just living it out" is just an excuse for not proclaiming their faith, or if in fact their faith is so 'present' in their lives that it is open and lived as a natural part of their lives"
Challenging hey, how different is your lifestyle? Enough to make people think, wonder, ask questions, consider their own lives?

Hot Topic

2008-05-02T09:27:00.004+08:00

I had one of those conversations you have that you reflect on later and think, "I never thought those people actually existed who believe that". It just goes to show how ignorant I am!
A pastor at the COCWA/Baptist ministers retreat this week made the comment over dinner, "I can't believe there are God loving Christians out there that believe in the global warming conspiracy!"
I was dumbfounded, this guy is an awesome guy, down to earth, fun to be with - but ... woooo!
I could only respond with, "Well I can't believe there are Christ following people out there that don't believe in global warming and wont act on any kind of creation care and responsibility for the planet God gave us stewardship over!"

Well that made for a quiet moment in what had been a great dinner conversation to that point :)

Well we both put out our case strongly and went our separate ways in good relationship, but I continue to be alarmed!
Of all the people in the world that should be at the forfront of environmental action and concern it should be God fearing bible believing Christ followers!
Maybe you agree, maybe you don't, but either way why not join a TEAR open forum and discussion panel on the 29th May.

Living The Good Life

2008-04-27T10:41:00.004+08:00

Some of you may remember Linda Cockburn's book I referred to last year. One of the greatest inspirations to my lifestyle for a long long time.
Our little garden is ever growing, in fact I must post some of our latest photos. We have dug even more grass out of our back yard and adding more structured beds. We have started more serious planning for the front garden, mainly fruit trees. In fact the front olive tree yielded its first 20 or so olives this year. They are marinating in the cupboard as we speak. The chickens remain a happy little family of 3 supplying us with a never ending steam of eggs...and a few mice mice, that we could do without :) The compost heaps (3) need some work, I think I am doing something wrong as I get little heat from them and for not long enough to kill seed, so I am learning, this is mainly my area, Chris is the main veggie girl, I am her labour. We occasionally come to heads about exactly what should happen in the garden and yesterday it was a decent fight over raised beds, how high, what materials, design etc. So I went and sulked at a mates house and played on our Apple Macs and made videos of our Tassie kayak trip and Chris did the garden - it looked great by the way - aghhh.
Christine made a wonderful basil pesto with bits from the garden the other day. I can't wait for a day when the olive oil might come from the garden too. So it is all going well, just keeping the balance between places where kids can play on lawn and places mum and dad want to rip up and garden...heck they have parks!

Have a look at the Today Tonight episode of our heroes Linda and Trevor.

Mini (40 Second) Ad for OnEARTH

2008-04-22T14:15:00.001+08:00

New Car...but not!

2008-04-22T13:32:00.002+08:00

I came so close to buying a Holden Jackaroo 2000 3.0L Turbo Diesel today. I drove it Sunday. Sweet car. Everyone says they are one of the best value cars around as they never were a massive popular 4WD for no reason, bit ugly I guess.
I offered our best pending mechanic assessment, he took the offer.
My mechanic, an awesome guy who has looked after us and a few others in our community for years says..."Hmmm - Jackaroo, brilliant car, very underrated. But that engine (post 98) no end of issues, if it breaks you better own the bank!" Buy an older one pre '98.

So if you have a pre 98 post 95 Jackaroo you want to sell me 3.1L Td let me know.

Aghhhhhh - I hate car shopping.

Why I Will Only Use Used Veggie Oil

2008-04-20T06:19:00.003+08:00

I found this cartoon and comment on a site I view from time to time called Transition Culture.

It feels appropriate that I should mark the day when the UK government makes it law that all petrol and diesel must contain at least 2.5% of biofuel in some way. In his usual frank and thorough way, George Monbiot tells it like it is in today’s Guardian; “In the midst of a global humanitarian crisis, we have just become legally obliged to use food as fuel. It is a crime against humanity, in which every driver in this country has been forced to participate”. The most appropriate way I can mark this day of momentous stupidity is with the above powerful and to the point cartoon which Richard Heinberg used in his presentation at Findhorn recently.

Forge Conference Thoughts

2008-04-19T16:58:00.003+08:00

I have been reading (and commenting) over at Allelon on a post by Andrew M about conferences. Specifically triggered by last weekends Forge festival. I though t I would post some of my thoughts here too.

I said that "I have to confess something…I came away [from the festival/conference] feeling a bit like Andrew M. I know all the cliches about getting out what you put in etc. I was feeling a bit off on the Friday before it all started, but went Friday night and loved it, Mike frost was great [a message worth getting a hold of] , catching up with some old friends was a blast!
I loved the conference being in the heart of Melbourne.
The venue was brilliant.
The electives all looked great (although not explained in much detail on the handbook. In fact this is a personal issue but I hate so many choices, I end up not choosing and going out for coffee somewhere.)
I felt the conference, (any conference for that matter) missed the point of what an organic movement is all about - organic, grass roots(y). As soon as a movement such as Forge begin to gather in a “Forgesong” style gathering (ok cynic is me) I feel we lose something of our unique underground subversive identity. I have nothing to back this up other than a feeling I had the first night I walked into conference #1 in 2006 and saw T-shirts and stick pins for sale.

So why have I continued to return after 3 years?
Same as what Hamo said - I love gathering with people of like mind and hearing stories, coffee shop stories more than up front preachy stories. Over 3 years of attending - this has been almost addictive for me, the stories. The word ‘Tribe’ is used a fair bit about these gatherings. I like that, only that it does not feel like a tribe when we assemble in the big auditorium. It feels like a church meeting, or just like a conference of the type that I used to attend almost religiously up to 8 or 9 times a year in my old mega church life."

Sold The Car

2008-04-17T16:44:00.002+08:00

Well after 4 years of joy in our Mazda 626 7 seater we just sold it. Funny, no matter how unattached you might feel to a car, when you see it drive off down the street for the last time something in you feels sad... Christine is not sure she shares this feeling, maybe its a guy thing.
We are now a one scooter family !

Pondering BioDiesel

2008-04-11T06:00:00.002+08:00

Yes, I know, Scott is on another full blown obsession, so get me a counselor!! Sitting here in Melbourne airport at 5am in the morning surfing Biodiesel sites sipping Gloria Jeans Long Macs.
But I thought I would confess to you my readers that I have bought a profession biodiesel production plant. I went pro so I could register it and do it legal like as well as the safety factor combined with the greater chance of not stuffing up my cars!!

The company that sold the plant to me has some great sites, an extract from one of the is below.

What could go wrong at this point?

I need a source of used oil. Yes, I know I should have got it before I paid out the cash (Matt!!), but I have faith...and a few good leads. There is lots of oil out there, I just need to convince the people to give it to me rather than the company that has the contract to take it now.
And secondly...I don't have a diesel car ...yet.
It's all about timing, so the other thing on my mind is the whole balance thing (no not in my mind and life). But things like, what if I get a source of used oil, a big one, and all of a sudden, before I even know how to make it, I have drums of oil lining my drive before my license kicks in or before I even know how to make the stuff. (I am doing a course). What if I do all of the above, start making it, but don't get the car for 4 months. I then have drums of biodiesel lining the driveway, not used veggie oil!!! Anyway, all about timing.

Useful WA sites - http://www.bioworks.com.au/index.shtml
- http://ww.biodieselwarehouse.com.au/
- UWA

Main attributes of biodiesel

Renewable resource - Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oil, used cooking oils and animal tallow. These feedstocks can be produced indefinitely, using sustainable farming techniques to provide an environmentally friendly, sustainable fuel.

Widely used and accepted - Biodiesel is a proven fuel with an extensive history in the US and wide usage in Europe.

Carbon neutrality – Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store the carbon primarily in the form of carbohydrates and oils. By using vegetable oils as a raw material, biodiesel recycles carbon through the biosphere, allowing a significant reduction in carbon emissions when compared to traditional sources of energy.

What is biodiesel
Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fats. It can be used in modern compression-ignition (diesel) engines without requiring any engine modifications. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, carbon neutral and is essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

How is it produced
Vegetable oils and animal fats consist of a glycerine molecule, with three ‘fatty acid’ molecules attached to it. Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification whereby the glycerine is separated from the fatty acids. The process leaves behind two products - biodiesel (Mono-alkyl ester) and glycerine (a by-product used in soaps and other products).

The process of manufacturing biodiesel is relatively simple. The feedstock oil is mixed with methanol and a catalyst (NaOH or KOH) to produce a reaction that creates biodiesel and glycerine. Applying heat and pressure to the reaction decreases the processing time. The Glycerine fraction is heavier than the biodiesel, allowing it to separate out naturally after the reaction. Ethanol can be used instead of methanol for biodiesel production, however the reaction is less predictable.

Advantages of biodiesel

Renewable - vegetable oil derived fuel
Potential for Carbon Neutral lifecycle
Simple to make
Non-toxic
Biodiesel is free from sulphur (<>
The only alternative fuel that does not require engine modification or retuning
Safer for storage and handling than petroleum diesel
Can be used neat or blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel
Biodegradable
Higher Lubricity - can prolong engine life
Dramatically reduced emissions
High flashpoint

This Look HOT!

2008-04-10T08:48:00.003+08:00

This awesome professional development offer closes soon. If you would like to come along and be built in your leadership and ministry, then this is an opportunity not to be missed.

The course starts Monday at the Vose Leadership Centre in Bentley. Audit students can choose which day/s they would like to attend.

So, What Would You Do?

2008-04-06T20:35:00.002+08:00

I have a Mazda 626 7 seater wagon 1990, It blew a gear box (Auto) 2 months ago, I put another one it, it blew last week and I got another one (free). It needs new exhaust, and the list goes on.
I need to lose it!

I would like;
- Another 7 or 8 seater.
- A diesel (obviously so I can make my own)
- One that fits under my 1900mm garage.
- I don't have to have a 4wd.
- I don't have to have a van.
- I have $15000 max

Any clues?

I hate cars!

To Pay or Not to Pay #2

2008-04-04T19:23:00.003+08:00

Our government seems to be pro-environment, well they do have Pete on board, remember Mr Garrett?
So one would think that they would support people wanting to get a hold of a product that was destined to be poured into a landful and turn it into a non-poluting fuel for a car. You would think hey?

Well lets just see what I need to do to abide by the rules of our government if I want to produce biodiesel.
I need to apply for the privilage to produce my own car fuel.
In order to do this I need to prove that my set up is appropriate (like I would spend $5000 setting it all up only to be told, "nope you don't get approval on that set up" - I am told only the top line off the factory floor set ups get looked at)
Once I get my production and storage licence I can begin.
Oh wait - I need to pay the ATO money, more than 40 cents for every litre I produce (or that I record that I have produced ...settle boy!!).

No problems, they are kind enough to have a grant system.
The system is great, it's 100% rebate. (why charge the tax in the first place?)

Who is eligable for the grant?
Anyone with a 4 tonne or more vehical (counts me out!)

But lets say I had the vehicle, a small truck.
I would need to proove that my fuel is good enough to qualify for a government rebate, only the highest quality gets the grant :)

So they ask for a sample, I give away some of my fuel and they give me in return a $1500 invoice for my trouble! (This has to happen once a year)

So really they don't want people producing their own fuel, not the little guy at least.

What has been the result?

Many many people here in Perth are blackmarketing their fuel, bootleg fuel!

Funny thing is, that the petrol companies are quiet. They are happy that people are being taxed and discouraged in making their own enviro-fuel - of course they are!
Just like the liquore industry would be mad if home brew was not taxed... wait a minute, home brew isn't taxed, and the idustry was upset with that decision, but the government went ahead and let people make their own brew - tax free.

So why not let us make environmentally friendly fuel at home?

Oil companies, I tell you, I am hearing consipracy theories!

So, apart from the fact that I have told the whole world on this blog (including the tax department) of my ethical dilemma, I will ask the question -

To Pay (the tax) or not to pay?

To Pay or Not To Pay (post #1)

2008-04-04T08:58:00.004+08:00

I have 2 posts in my head, both are completely different topics, but interestingly enough they are titled the same "To Pay or Not to Pay".

Post #1

I have read posts about this in the past, even chapters in books about this, but now it's my issue, so I share it with you.

I have a deep down discomfort with local church pastors being paid! I know that sounds like some off the shelf crazy man statement but every time I sit and ponder the issues surrounding pastors being paid I struggle with something inside.

Every time we pay for anything we have raised expectation of that person product or experience. If I don't pay and I don't get, I shrug and walk away. If I pay and I don't get I have something to say about it. Or if I get less than what I desired or expected I am disappointed and go 'pay' elsewhere to get a better 'product'.

Now before you bight my head off and quote scripture at me, I am aware of people being paid for ministry services in the bible. Paul often talked about receiving gifts and offerings. Interestingly enough though, Paul never received money from the people he ministered to WHILE he was ministering to them, and Paul was not a paid local church pastor. (not sure I see many of them in the bible!)
Paul was a missionary, a church planter, in the bible sense of church planting, not our modern style of planting pastors and congregations etc. (Not making comments/judgments here, just observation).

So, let me personalize this.
I have had this idea of a community chaplain, run under the auspices of Scripture Union. It's like a school chaplain but the boundaries are just a bit wider, suburban if you like.
The idea is like a missionary to the suburb, but the job description looks like what any Christ follower could/should do - just on steroids, that is - committing more time and under a more formal set up...rewind the conversation back to the paragraphs above... could not the same be said of a local church pastor? This role is just what any member of the church should/could do depending on gifting etc only a paid church pastor/minister just commits more of his/her time to the role.

So the ideal - we all minister together not needing to pay someone (and getting all those nasty expectation issues listed above!).
In the organised church, we keep it smaller and more personable, easily accountable and lean on one another for the sharing of gifts and resources, natural leaders will gently lead guide, facilitate, gifted carers will care, teachers will teach and so on. No need to PAY someone, no need to PAY rent, mortgage and so on. Just put money where it's most needed.

In the community, no need to pay chaplains, just make sure there are committed missionary people in the right places. discipled in such a way (little ad there) that they know what it means to live a missional existence in their place of residence. Believing teachers in schools would be the Christ light in those places, no need for chaplains being paid, all because we are missional disciples where we are at, in schools, work places - everywhere. (my brother was a good example of this is his job at Challenge Stadium. No doubt he is still now, but we chatted lots about his role as a kind of chaplain to the staff even though he was the HR guy.

So - All too ideal hey!! Sure I admit it. In fact I am guessing that most people in ministry reading the above would say, "I agree mostly. The picture you painted is the ideal and if that happened it would be great, only it does not happen, so paid workers are needed or nothing would happen"

Maybe the reason it does not happen is BECAUSE of the paid workers. The very people we pay to make disciples, to run the church could be the very reason we never get close to the ideal.

China, and early church are examples in which we have never seen such rapid growth iinthe church and in both examples paid workers were not to be seen, at least not to the scale we see it in the west.

So, with a passion to work a day or 2 a week as a community chaplain or even for some great branch of a group like Scripture Union doing, whatever how do I justify asking people to help me raise money to get paid to do the very things I was people I am working with to do for nothing?
Wont they think, "You do it, why should I? I go to work at the school, I'm not going to reach out to my street, I pay you to do that!"
Or they might think, "Are you standing here having a beer with me, or a BBQ or helping me with my garden because you are paid or because that's just what we do as community?"

In the mean time I have to get back to my paid ministry job :) Aghh I have to eat.

PS -
I found one persons take on it on You Tube

BioDiesel Video

2008-04-02T08:19:00.002+08:00

Something for all you curious rev heads out there. This guy makes his biodiesel on the video clip. From what I read he makes it sound a little more simple than it is, he makes it seem quicker too, by hey, that TV for you!
You can make your own kit, no need to purchase one like his, but OHHHHH boy it's temptimg, that kits is shweeet!

Make your own Diesel

2008-04-01T09:17:00.006+08:00

What about this hey -

"We turned our kitchen into a sort of illicit still and made a hell of a mess in there brewing biodiesel fuel out of about 60 litres of yukky waste cooking oil we got from behind McDonald's one night (they were happy to give it to us once we told them we didn't want to eat it). We were sure it would work, but we had to make it ourselves first -- we're not chemists, and if we can make it anyone can."

I don't own a diesel, but I am in the market for a new car, so imagine saving $50 a week on fuel!
It's not a 10 minute process, it takes a bit to get going but hey, a few early mornings out in the shed never hurt anyone!

I found some info in case you were wondering -

Biodiesel facts

The raw material -- used cooking oil.

Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel ("dinodiesel"). It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product -- used cooking oil.

Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing and other means
Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!)
Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board)
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine
Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel
Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life -- a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine
Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel
Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive.
Even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.

Have a listen to this radio interview.

Food For Thought

2008-04-01T08:46:00.005+08:00

You may have seen this on the net/email, but it's worth a look -

A weeks worth of food!

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States : The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope mostAmerican
families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)
Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Italy : The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Mexico : The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt : The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Speaking of Farming...

2008-03-31T08:58:00.002+08:00

We spent Easter up at our friends place, a massive farm inland from Badgingarra, half way to Geraldton, WA.
It was classic country weekend with Go Karting Saturday and Mora speedway, sprint car championships Sunday night.
Sunday morning I was the 'guest preacher' at the little local church. We did a sunrise service and I was to see up a stations of the cross, but it was s wind we almost ran through the stations...so much for suffering for Jesus!! :)

For the Farmers Amongst Us

2008-03-31T08:53:00.002+08:00

Check out this method of farming. My mate Stuart sent it through yesterday, he owns property near Northam, WA.
If you are into land/soil growing etc or if you have a bit of a heart for the farmers, check out this Ray Martin story...

Hot Gospel For A Warming Planet

2008-03-25T10:06:00.002+08:00

I am involved with a TEAR group that spends it's time considering the Kingdom issues around global warming and creation care. We desire to educate and inform believers of the importance of creation care and the ramification on our planet if something is not done at many levels (personal, community and political) about our warming planet.
This is our first open gathering;

Happy Easter

2008-03-20T12:17:00.002+08:00

As usual my friend David Timms brings out a pearler!
A fitting way to break my fast from blogging.

Here he is -

“We renounce war and violent self-defense, tear up the just-war theory, and embrace gospel non-violence. We not only put back any swords we have, but we beat them into plowshares. The unarmed Christ disarms us, Christ’s community, the Church, is a community of non-violence.”
~ John Dear

No More Swords

The violence of Easter beckons us to embrace non-violence. The cruelty and barbarism of the Cross calls us into a Kingdom of compassion and forgiveness. The hostility on Golgotha, which summoned forth all the demons and darkest forces of the cosmos, wilted in the face of love. It still does, though few of us believe it.

Consider a largely overlooked “turning point” in that week’s drama—the arrest in Gethsemane. Lit only by the full moon and the flickering flames of the hostile crowd, the garden provides a profound Kingdom moment.

In the chaos and adrenaline, Peter whips out a sword and slashes wildly at the nearest person. Malchus, the unfortunate bystander, ducks his head just in time to save his scalp but lose an ear. Then Matthew records Jesus’ strategic response.

"Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

Only Luke, the doctor, mentions that Jesus healed the ear. But this moment in Gethsemane represented the final opportunity for Jesus to resist the looming crucifixion. He could run, fight, or surrender. He chooses the latter. And in that choice, He teaches a powerful Kingdom truth.

“Put your sword into its place.”

The Kingdom of God will not be saved, served, or assisted by violence. The Crusades of the middle ages and the abortion clinic bombers of our own day both serve as blights on the Christian historical record. The way of Christ is not the way of aggression.

Surely that first Easter, properly understood, proclaims the senselessness, futility, and godlessness of violence. Yet, as western believers we support and feed our “right” to aggression. We tolerate and even encourage macho bravado—“You touch my family and I’ll kill you!”—as though it demonstrates “real love.” We spend hundreds of millions of dollars and countless hours on violent video games, and call it social networking. We patronize R-rated movies that dish up gratuitous violence and excuse it as entertainment. Yet, all the while these choices and habits contradict the essence of Christ’s Kingdom.

As followers of Christ, we have not yet learned the way of Christ.

When Jesus refused to fight the blood-seekers, when He submitted to the crazed crowd, He showed a strength and faith that has stymied the world ever since. He did not battle to the death, as all our usual heroic figures do. Instead, He poured out compassion and trusted in the resurrection. And death did not stop Him. Nor will it stop us.

May this Easter reinforce for us that power and force are no match for compassion and faith.

In HOPE –
David

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You can find back issues of "In HOPE" (2005-2008) at http://www.hiu.edu/inhope/.

David Timms serves in the Graduate Ministry Department at Hope International University in Fullerton, California. "In HOPE", however, is not an official publication of the University and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Administrators or Board. "In HOPE" has been a regular e-publication since January, 2001.

Blog Fast

2008-02-11T16:41:00.000+08:00

Blog fasting for Lent...apart from this one :)

The Tasmania Diary

2008-02-07T11:56:00.001+08:00

All photos found here
(partial) Entry One
Boxing Day 2007 -

The Tassie Diaries. In about a month, 7 guys, not all known to one another will begin a 10 day adventure.
On Australia Day 2008 these men from Perth and Mebourne will depart Strahan, Tasmania and paddle south, then connect with the mouth of the Gordon River and aim to make it to the junction of the Franklin River before returning and paddling back to Strahan via the east coast of Maquarie Harbour...

This is their story...

Day One 26 Jan 2008
Writing from - Liberty Point, West side of Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania.
Distance Paddled to date - 17km

Sitting here on Australia day 2008 with 6 other guys overlooking Macquarie Harbour, can it get better than this?
It's 9pm, still quite light. We paddled the 17km from 4pm to 7.30pm, my shoulders are in pain. We are perched on a slightly raised bank on the east side of the harbour just south of Liberty point. Nice green grass of sorts. The tide is encroaching a little :)
Dinner is done, and bed is a welcome sight. Stunning weather, not a breeze, few small clouds, rain is forecast for tomorrow. On to Sarah Island and Birch point.

Day Two (no entry) 27 Jan
Distance traveled to date 34.4km

Day Three 28th Jan
Writing from - Eagle Creek, Gordon River
Total Distance to date - 60.4km
Missed writing last night. It was raining and we were all wet and miserable. There were pockets of sun that made it feel like paradise.
Wind back to yesterday morning - We left the campsite at Liberty point with a fair gale blowing down the harbour from the north. We were heading for Sarah Island. We paddled through the middle of the big Salmon farm ponds. No one threw in a line, but we had to hold Andrew back :)

One of the reasons we did not stop long or take photos was that it was wild out there, big waves. You could be paddling behind someone and their head would disappear under a swell. You could not hear people scream out to you it was so wild. Everyone was wearing their cags (wet weather gear). Keeping the boats straight was a nightmare, rudders on full lock, boats still turning. All of a sudden I turned to look for Andrew and at that moment my pedal slipped of the runners leaving me with no steering, I looked for help only to see Jason had capsized and there was a rescue operation going on with the Vic crew, so Stu and I headed for the nearest cove, it was here that Andrew caught up with us, he had skimmed the coast as the swell was just too crazy.
Nestled in a small attractive bay we all met up and chatted about the adventure. We had about an hour more before we would reach Sarah Island, the sight of the famous book "For the Term of His Natural Life".
We made a dash across to Sarah Is, waves smashing across our decks, people screaming and letting out adrenaline "Whooo hooo"s.
We could see the big Castle like structure on the north end of the island, the WA guys cut through a channel there, Stu got wedged between some rocks, Andrew and I were almost swamped by massive waves in this channel.
We arrived in the sheltered harbour at Sarah Is in time to catch the tour of the island with a group arrived on a big boat. It was raining still.
Nice hot lunch after the tour (beef) and the ranger came by and chatted with us about good campsites and kind of put us off going into Birches Inlet.
We headed back to the mainland, just 800m south west from Sarah Is to Davey Bay/Murderers Beach. It was a squishy camp tucked into the rain forest, but kind of fun. The rain cleared by 7pm leaving us wet and ready for bed.

awoke to the most stunning morning looking at the mist on the water around Sarah Is. But by 9am the wind was back and the harbour was again a washing machine.
We made a direct line East from the beach to the opposite side of the harbour to the mouth of the Gordon River. Big Swell, lots of waves to surf, heaps of fun. Andrew struggled a lot on this crossing, as he had the previous day also. He was wondering if the decision to come was a mistake. He was thinking about the option of taking the ferry back to Strahan the following day.
After stopping at Heritage Landing for lunch on the jetty (and some fishing) we paddled on to Eagle Creek, what would turn out to be voted our second best campsite of the trip. It had been a long day, our biggest paddle to date (26km).

The forest at Eagle Creek, the massive mountains and surrounding gorges that spilled right into the river, thick forest everywhere made this a real paradise.

I am sitting here now under our hootchie chatting with Stuart and Andrew with the sun shinning through the forest canopy.

Day Four 29th Jan
Writing from - St Johns Falls, Gordon River
Total Distance to date - 90km

I am standing on a jetty using the uprights as my desk, the sound of the stunning St Johns Falls in the grotto behind me rushes in my ears.
The last of today's sunlight is fading on the river to my left. The water is as still as a mill pond (or a milk pond if you are Neale), it is reflecting the rain forest covered gorges. The water is occasionally broken by a jumping trout.
Today began with the departure of Andrew. He paddled back to Heritage Landing to catch a boat back to Strahan. (~)
Unfortunately for Andrew we entered into the most amazing day of paddling to date. This was THE day! Weather perfect, sights breathtaking and water flat...mostly! After paddling into St Johns grotto and through the ice cold waterfall we set up camp alongside of an old jetty. (only used now by a sea plane as commercial boats are no longer allowed this far up stream). We ate lunch in the warm...hot sun then headed off with light empty boats to find 2 important sights;
1) The place of the protests in the 1980's of the Gordon Below Franklin hydo dam at Franklin rock and;
2) The junction of the Franklin and Gordon rivers.
We came to Franklin rock and walked around in the bush where the hydro crew had already started to build their work site in the 80's, there was a big store cave, solar panels etc, all 20+ years old. I can remember news reports, all these greenies in the trees and on boats and in the bush! Great to be at the place the Wilderness Society started! This is all World Heritage Listed now.
After a couple of eddies and small rapids we hit the junction of the Franklin! I was so moved to be here I had a little tear (Shhh).
It was so hot we all parked on Pyramid Rock and jumped in for a swim, it was great.

We decided to paddle up the Franklin for an hour. This was hard work as the river was flowing faster than the Gordon and we encountered a few rapids. On the last one I darted up into it only to be swung sideways and sucked under a tree and out of my Kayak. I popped out the other side. Stuart helped me with the boat only to be sucked through it all himself!

While all 6 of us were all still alive we decided to head back to our camp at St Johns Falls having MORE than achieved our dreams for this trip already.

A sea plane almost landed on me near the falls!
Now it is almost too dark to write any more.
Great chats with Stuart at night as we share our hootchie (We call it 'WA', and where the other guys are 'Victoria') we chat about faith, life, bible, war, family, kids everything, it's cool. (~)
Everyone is getting on well, so easy, no pressure.
Neale and Stuart are sitting next to me on the landing having a port, we are all wiped out.

Day Five 30th Jan
Writing from - Eagle Creek, Gordon River
Total Distance to date - 107km (+4km walk!)
Great day of rest today. I only woke up twice last night both to the sounds of small animals of sorts fosiking around our beds.
We slept in, we were still in bed when the sea plane landed with tourists. I had been awake for a while and gone back to bed. I was up at six and went for a walk to the nearby fishing shack and signed the book, then had a good poo, but still felt gut pains and headache for a while, went back to bed.
We messed around for ages just playing, packing and chatting in the sun. We all walked back to the hut and then up through the bush to the top of St Johns Falls, great views. We put the boats in, paddled for about a minute and stopped for lunch and a swim. It was a big day yesterday and the 15km paddle today back to Eagle Creek hurt my poor muscles! Back now at Eagle Creek, nice spot, light cloud, may see some rain tonight.

Day Six 31st Jan
Writing from - Pillinger, Kelly Basin, Macquarie Harbour
Total Distance to date - 129km
I awoke early (5am) in a dark cold morning at Eagle Creek, a light rain fell then the skies cleared a little revealing a stunning sunrise.

By 7.30am we were on the glassy water paddling toward Pine Landing fishing hut, nice spot!

We had some rain on the paddle, heavy rain but no wind and it was not too cold so it was a beautiful experience seeing all the rain droplets sitting on the water surface. Again I had a 'moment'. I had to pinch myself, was I really here? (a little tear, what a softie!)
The low clouds hung heavy in the surrounding mountains and slowly lifted as the day grew longer.

We said goodbye to the Gordon River (or Gordie) and headed north along the east coast of the harbour and into the Kelly Basin, the site of an old abandoned town called Pillinger. Apart from a light breeze the harbour was still. A different harbour to just 3 or 4 days ago! The group tucked into Kelly Basin fishing camp which had a great old hut with 4 red belly black snakes!.
I continued across to the original town site alone to check out what this abandoned town looked like. I was not disappointed. I spend an hour on foot exploring this old town.
Now I am back here at the hut in the sun (a few flies and mozzies!) I am preparing for a 4 k walk back around to the town again, this time with Stuart.

The walk to East Pillinger was fantastic. I'm glad this trip is not just about paddling everywhere. We have mixed in a good bit of 'foot work' too. The track followed the old railway line. It went through a swamp and thick overgrown rain forest that was slowly destroying all memory of a track and its town. At one stage I fell through the remains of an old bridge up to my chest...after Stu had warned me!

Day Seven 1st Feb
Writing from - Sophia Point, Macquarie Harbour
Total Distance to date - 154km
The snakes near last nights hut 'forced' me to sleep on the jetty, I hate snakes! It was a cold night, must have been down to 3 or 4 degrees.

The morning was one of the best, great sunrise, good photos. Another early 7.30am start, I think the cold made me sore and slow to get going, but 20 minutes in and I was pumping again.
Just before Braddon River we popped into Phillips Island and climbed to the top of this rain forest island...THICK rain forest!

We called into Braddon River and visited the old hut there, great beach over the sand dune behind the hut, lots of driftwood. We walked along it for an hour. Saw another snake, Yellow Belly Black...aghhhh

Back in the water and heading for Sophia Point at which we found our number one campsite with our worst case of big flies, mostly they did not bight but they were everywhere!
We set our tents up all facing into the fire and made stick damper, yum!

Day Eight 2nd Feb
Writing from - Bonnett Bay, Macquarie Heads
Total Distance to date - 185km
WHAT A DAY !
I awoke at 5am as has become my custom over this week, to a stunning sunrise at Sophia Bay. I had a great poo (always a big event whist camping!) then we were on the water by 8am.
Great weather, a few clouds and some small waves getting less all morning. We took our bearing off a big bluff towards Macquarie Heads on the west coast of the harbour.
2.5 hours later we felt the pull of the billions of gigalitres that leave this harbour every year.

The narrow entrance to Macquarie Harbour has hazardous tidal currents and is called Hell's Gates. Outside of the Harbour the entrance area is known as Macquarie Heads, and the most western point is Cape Sorell. The sheer volume of fresh water that pours into the Harbour through the rivers, combined with the narrow exit result in barometric tides a very odd phenomenon.

A massive man made wall runs for a few kilometres along 2 bays in the water. The force of the water pouring from the harbour and over this wall made for some fun rapid riding en-route to our campsite at Camp point, Bonnett Bay. Stuart and I paddled the odd rapids, we flew along!
A hole in the wall around the next bay allowed us to enter a small bay (Bonnett Bay) with spectacular views of both lighthouses and the Macquarie heads. The campsite was a bit of a dump and we needed to do some spot cleaning.
After a late morning tea we (I) suggested a 'quick paddle' out to the lighthouses, it was a nice flat day and it did not look too dangerous.
The weather and water was something of a miracle - Glass, that is with the exception of the water rushing rapid -like around the islands between the heads.

We got closer and closer to Hell's Gates, we were moving swiftly through the rushing water out towards the ocean. As we got closer to The Gates, we could see to the glassy sea beyond. We rode the current and shot through the gates. We then followed the giant rock wall out into the Southern Ocean. Our boats were cutting the glass, Bart and I were out in front, we just kept looking at each other just to see if this was real, it was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. (another little tear). Neale and Jason went a little further around the point towards Cape Sorrell, we waited for them as the breeze had turned and there was a slight westerly blowing across the water, enough to stress me!
I set up my fishing line to trawl (I don't 'do' fishing, I just put lines out, never catching anything) and we began the paddle back in as Jason and Neale caught up then took over as Stuart and I were caught in the middle of a strong outgoing current. We all realized we had almost bitten off more than we could chew, the monstrous volume of water pouring out from the harbour through these narrow gates caused a big challenge to paddle against. We paddled furiously for an hour with boats slowly creeping back into the bay, it felt dangerous, powerful!
Upon Arrival back into the safe harbour we climbed one of the lighthouses for a great view of where we had just paddled.
We pulled back into camp to be reunited with the rest of the guys at 2.30pm, so much for a short paddle!
The rest of the day was spent swimming in our little rock pool, collecting muscles for our chili muscle dinner and lazing on the beach.
The fire is soooo nice.

Day Nine 3rd Feb
Writing from - Kat Island, Macquarie Harbour
Total Distance to date - 198km
Awoke at Bonnett Bay just before 6am and walked with Jason to the top of the bluff behind our camp. We saw another amazing sunrise and some great views of yesterdays big paddle and the whole coastline.
A lazy morning spent chatting about life, God's Kingdom, the end of the world, salvation, food, beer, fire and good friends...light conversations!
We had to cut our way diagonally across the outgoing current and around a sandbar, we were paddling by 9.15am.

A short stop at a campground for some extra water and we were on our way again for an unexpected tough paddle in shallow water with a strong wind.
We rounded the final point and Neale blew up his rudder, it came clear off and trailed along in the water attached only by his rudder ropes. After group repairs with lots of help and advice from everyone we moved on to Kat Island by 12.15pm
We have found a little hut in a clearing where it's just us and the flies...big ones.
We can almost see Strahan from here, just 4 and a bit km away.
Bodies are weary by used to endless hours at the paddle.
Skin is dry and a bit burnt.

Espresso was nice though :)

No poo today - yet.
It's hot.
Our food has been good, too much beef though! It's all dehydrated stuff.
- Beef and Noodles
- Beef and Black Bean
- Beef and Green Bean
- Beef Teriyaki
- Beef and Noodles....We are seeing cows in our sleep, blond one wearing keen sandals.

Stuart has an abundance of food left, I seem to have eaten more than my fair share.

Tomorrow ends the adventure of a lifetime, a dream come true.
These guys have been fantastic - no dramas. We have all gotten on great. Sometimes we have paddled all together, mostly we paddled in pairs or threes just chatting or being silent.
Every now and then I turn and say to someone "Hey thanks for coming to my 40th birthday party paddle"

I am going for a swim.

4pm on day nine consists of Stuart sleeping in a hammock tied between the two post of the hut, Neale and Jason looking over maps under a shady tree, the Cresswells asleep in a tent and me reading The Weather Makers (Flannery). The solar powered radio in the shack plays old hits, Roy Orbison, Pat Benitar and so on.

Day Ten 4th Feb
Writing from - Plane En route to Melbourne
Total Distance Paddled - 200+km!!!
We had a good night sleep despite the rats around the hut.
We had a good fire last night, I did a solo, single circumnavigation, un-oxygenated, unassisted of Kat Island sponsored by Keen adventure footwear (I waded around the Island in my sandals) before dinner.
I came back to see the guys all lined up at the waters edge having all had a hot shower under Dean's solar shower bag and having rock throwing competitions at seagulls, ice cream containers and other rocks.

This morning's sunrise was a fitting finale, a slow pack up, no one wanted to go back to Strahan and call it 'over'.
The group had moved down the track to the beach to finish packing boats, I wandered back up to the campsite and stood there looking at our final 'resting place' feeling very melancholic. So this was it hey, the last campsite of our adventure. A voice behind me, "you feeling it too bro?"
It was one of my bestest buddies in the whole world Neale Meredith. He said, "You've done well you know, making this happen!"
The two of us old softies stood there soaking up the emotion of the moment.
We wandered to the beach, with tears in my eyes (again!) I boarded my kayak one last time and headed for Strahan.
I looked over my right shoulder down past Frenchmans Cap and the Wild Rivers National Park and to my left to our last 5 km paddle before loading cars and heading back to Devonport...tears flowed slightly embarrassingly in front of a builder, a paramedic and 2 military guys !!

With just one Km to go Jason pulled us all together and rafted up, they all sang happy birthday to me and thanked God for our great time.

We stood on the beach in Risby Cove giving out high fives and big hugs. We then began the big pack up and return to Devonport...but not before buns, beer and beef for lunch :) - not more cow!

We saw the boys off on the ferry with all our boats late that night and caught the early flight home to Perth the next morning...

What a ride!

(~) = edited diary entry

Jason

Scott

Dean

Neale

Bart

Stuart

Andrew

All photos found here