WA sea

So contrary to popular belief, the problem in Busselton waters is not sharks that will eat you whole... we went to the beach today and there was no mention of sharks as a problem. Also getting dunked by huge waves is also a slim possibility as the waves could not even get enough momentum to roll on the beach. The swell reached about 8 inches.

The problem though is the jelly fish, if you don't swim inside the jelly nets then there is a huge probability you will be swimming with jellies. Interestingly this news worries me more then news of sharks. Obviously I wouldn't swim if a shark has been sighted but vague rumors don't worry me, the possibility of swimming and being stung by jellies is not attractive to me at all

Confusing the bible message

There is a definite trend among youth groups to only play games that are biblically focused and, ideally, clearly demonstrating the point of the bible message taught during the evening. I admit that some people can do this and do it well, but unless we are one of these happy few I actually think this is a counter productive strategy.

The first and lesser problem of having bible related games is that instant lameness enters once we try to link it to the bible. Case in point is playing stuck in the mud and calling it stuck in sin. On mission in Maitland in the highschool program we played Stuck in the Mud every year in the Tuesday for the first 7 years. Also the kids never make the link themselves so it needs to be explained.

The second and greater problem is the slippery slope that comes from confusing games as teaching time. If the game time counts as teaching/bible time then we can have a shorter or non-existent bible study, then all we need is a 10 minute talk and the rest of the time can be games and supper. Then the games cease to be related to the bible and eventually the talk shrinks down to virtually nothing.

I think that having a good bible discussion and a deep bible study for a significant time, and THEN have games that are fun and unhindered by expectations of learning, youth group will grow both in numbers and personally. Keep games and bible time separate and have good times in both. Also keep the bible study time as the focus of the group and make it clear that this is why we are here.

Don't under estimate the power of the gospel to grow a church or a youth group or a mission or whatever. If the bible is being taught, God will bring people to learn.

Leaving Again

I usually don't mind packing and things but I am struggling to pack for Perth. This is because usually when I pack firstly the limit is car space, secondly it is only for a short time (a week or two at most), thirdly I am leaving early in the morning so everything is packed the night before, fourthly I do it a lot so I know what to pack and what to leave behind.

When packing for Perth, there is a weight limit, a "size of bag" limit, and the knowledge that if I forget something important (shoes) I can't just wait it out or come home to get it.

Today the big stressful moment was the vanishing of my sisters Christmas present. This is upsetting because I actually have one for her and was going to give it to her once I get to Perth. Now she will need to wait till she comes home for a visit to get it. When I am stressed, small things upset me and I was getting pretty cranky before conceding defeat.

Heather will not really mind and I think I will get something for her in Sydney as well.

Section wars

On Maitland and Singleton Alive, there are 3 sections, minis (K-2) KHAOS (3-5) and Rock (6-12). Since the dawn of time there has been a gentle enmity between the 3 sections. In years gone by it was MINI's and KHAOS verses ROCK. Then MINI's v KHAOS, and as many other combinations as you can think of. These "wars" usually last the week of mission and involve HUGE amounts of water and the changing of clothes.

This year, in Singleton, there was a team of 4 leading Rock and one of the Mini's leaders came and launched a one man attack on our section. This was not entirely uncalled for since when he came out to offer his assistance I "tested" a flour bomb on him. He threw it back and things quickly progressed to large buckets of water and water guns. Since it was four on one, He managed to get soaked and covered in flour and I managed to get soaked and the other Rock leaders stayed dry.

This is just one of the things leaders get up to when the kids are not around :)

Godliness

Last week I was on a church mission in Singleton, based in a bible teaching church we sought to introduce kids to Jesus and their families to the church atmosphere and people.

During the week, I had a long talk with one of the other leaders about Godliness and things. We were talking about the changes we have seen in our own lives as God works it out, also the things that we know needs prayer and work. It was observed that attitude to God, each other, and life is the key thing to work on. She said that this usually means actions need to change and we don't like that. This is right except that if our attitude is changed, we will be happier to change our unhelpful actions. Also some have, regarding their actions (not very often tongues) the outward appearance of Godliness. They serve, they pack away, they help carry things and, when I am doing these things I think "How humble am I... look at me, I am SERVING!!!" and I hope somebody will notice. Or I will get annoyed when others are standing by NOT helping. Or frustrated that people can't even offer a thank you.

In these ways I can change my actions to appear Godly in Christian, and even non Christian, circles. However until God changes my attitude to serving to glorify God and not myself, it will all be an act. Also, as God changes my attitude to serving and living, my actions and words will be more loving to others and less about self.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself NOTHING, taking the very nature of a servant. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

If our attitudes are like Christ, we will seek to serve like Christ, in humility and grace rather then to impress our fellow Christians.