“Strange when tears come. In worship during a hymn noticing flower blossoms blooming from the thorns woven around the cross.”
— John Piper
Stopping For The One
Experiencing how God's love transforms us to love others
Page 5 of 6
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”
— Acts 2:32
Waiting on God.
It’s a very Christian sounding expression. I wonder what it means? I’ve been in Christian leadership for thirty years, have studied theology, Christian history, ministry and Biblical languages. And yet, it’s perhaps the most fundamental aspects of the Christian life that remain shrouded in jargon and spiritual language. Like “waiting on God”.
I met Colin a few years ago when I was working in the Sydney CBD. He was one of the local homeless guys that would set up at lunchtime in their favourite spot near work.
Every homeless person has a story to tell, and Colin was no different. Life had been going along fairly normally, when he injured his back and spent months in hospital with surgeries and recuperation. By the time he left hospital, his employer had fired him and withheld all his back pay and entitlements. This left Colin without job or money or the ability to pay rent, and the promise of a difficult legal battle to claim his wages. Without any significant people around him to help out, he ended up on the streets until he could find a way to get back to work.
Breathe
Breathe on us now
Open your mouth
And speak the word that heals this broken groundSay
Say what you will
As we are still
And we breathe in the very breath of God.
When I changed workplace at the end of 2014, my commute changed from sitting in seemingly-endless Sydney traffic (or standing on a train) to a pleasant drive through mostly rural areas. I was initially struck with how my daily travel changed from looking at cars and breathing in fumes to fresh air and enjoying views over green hills, cows, sheep, goats and horses (and the odd alpaca). As I drove this new route, I noticed a stretch of bush where many bellbirds were calling.
I love bellbirds. While being a little unremarkable to look at, they have a beautiful, crystalline bell-like call that carries clearly over the air. The sound of many bellbirds in the bush calling out on a clear day is something that resonates within me and reminds me of home.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
— Psalm 51:10-12
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