I have been reading and praying through the booklet “Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent” published by Barnabas Fund and found it very helpful for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it informs me of what is going on in regard to Christian persecution in various countries of the world.

Secondly, it helps me to realise just how fortunate we are living in Australia with the spiritual freedoms we enjoy.

Thirdly, it distracts me from ‘my world’ and allows me to enter the world of others.

The busyness of life, the pressures of responsibility and the luxuries we enjoy all contribute to us becoming consumed by ‘our world’. We think, breathe, live and inhabit a zone of space and time that can become all-consuming as our employment, families, leisure activities, and ministries absorb every spare moment of our waking.

It’s refreshing therefore to step outside that zone, albeit briefly, to contemplate the lives of others, to consider for a moment what their time and space might be like. I think it’s incredibly healthy for us to do that from time to time because of the real possibility that we might become self-absorbed. Once we become self-absorbed we are in danger of our attitude changing from one of gratitude to one of expectation. “The world and everyone in it owes me!” This typifies an attitude where I become deceived and begin to think that I am the centre of the universe therefore my needs and wants are the most important.

I know it sounds kind of unreal that we as believers would begin to think this way but pause for a moment and ask yourself the following questions: Am I more concerned about others or myself? How much of my free time do I spend on helping others? What do I spend my money on, self or others? When did I last give my time, money or thoughts to benefit someone else? How often do I complain about something that I feel I am entitled to but not receiving?

These questions can be a checklist to gauge our hearts to determine whether we are in danger of becoming self-absorbed. Purposefully pursuing the needs of others can be a great antidote to counter this ever-present danger, and in doing so we follow the example of our Lord Jesus and obey the commands of the Apostle Paul in verses that sum it all up, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”  Phil 2:4-5

Considering others.

The Winter Olympics are under way in Canada and it’s great to see the amazing, physical feats of the worlds best winter sports athletes. I can’t help but praise God for the way He has made us as human beings, as physical strength, agility, coordination and courage is demonstrated and applauded. I’m noticing though that all the athletes are ‘younger’ people, where are all the 50 year old grandfathers? I think I’ll write and complain to the IOC that there is not enough representation of older people – becoming a grumpy old man is starting to feel really comfortable! I just need a bit more free time to think about things I can complain about.

Vancouver is not the only city sporting champions; we have some of our own right here at EBC but they are champions in a different field of endeavour. Recently Dave Vaughan received a prestigious award from CAMS, the Confederation of Australian Motorsport – the governing body of motorsport in Australia. Dave received the award, usually reserved for senior age people with a lifetime of service, for dedicated service to motor sport as a CAMS Accredited Official. Here is what they wrote about him at the recent ceremony. David has been a motor sport official in a number of capacities for over 30 years, but is best known for being the Chaplain for the Australian Rally Championship over the last 9 years. Whenever there is a serious motor sport incident, the services of David come to the fore as a counsellor where he provides comfort and support to anyone affected by such an incident.

Through his demonstrated diligent service and high level of dedication to the sport over a long period of time, David is a highly respected member of the South Australian motor sport community and a very worthy recipient of the CAMS Service Award.

Congratulations Dave and thanks for being an example to us in the church family. Congratulations to all our people who are champions of service to this church and the wider community. We mightn’t see you on TV and most will probably not be acknowledged in any public way or receive a gold medal and media interviews but you are champions in our sight and in the sight of Him who really counts.

Celebrating champions of service

This Sunday Valentines Day and Chinese New Year will be celebrated so whichever day you recognize happy Valentines Day or Happy Chinese New Year! Valentines Day has rather obscure origins but it is said to have originated as recognition of a Christian martyr. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned because he was caught marrying Christian couples as well as supporting Christians at a time when Christians were being actively persecuted by the Emperor Claudius Gothicus.

Claudius actually took a liking to his prisoner until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor which led to his being condemned to death. His was a horrible end when he was beaten with clubs and stoned, but this didn’t kill him so they finally beheaded Valentinus in about 270 AD. Not much to celebrate really is it? The day itself was recognized as a holy day by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD but was later developed into a romantic holiday by Geoffrey Chaucer during the Middle Ages when “the tradition of courtly love flourished.”

Strange how things get twisted and turned to suit our circumstances and culture. Many now call it Hallmark Day because of all the Valentines Day cards that are sold, not to mention the florists. Thinking about Valentinus made me wonder about living as a Christian in an anti Christian society. I think many would agree that our society is growing increasingly pagan and as someone mentioned to me on Sunday, persecution of Christians can’t be far away. 

I’m encouraged to think of Valentinus’ testimony as he supported Christians and even sort to convert the Emperor. How much more should we as Christians in a ‘pre-persecution era’ seek to encourage one another and share our faith at every opportunity? Times change and the door of freedom to so easily speak for Christ may eventually close. Let’s make the most of it while we can.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

This Sunday morning I will be speaking while Don is speaking in the evening. We have begun our journey through the gospels as we seek to identify Jesus methods of witness.

Maranatha!