Holiday Reflection ...

During my holiday, God gave me a number of chances to share the gospel with people as I travelled. During a period of 24 hours, I twice heard that "Religion was to blame for all the trouble in the world".

I had difficulty commenting on that. Upon reflection, I think that there's an element of truth to that. Religion has left a mark on the world... The cartoon from yesterday's SMH was quite confronting, in a picture titled "How to Make an Explosive Device", Phillip Moir included as ingredients; poverty, intolerance, envy, martyrdom, self righteousness, and three parts religion. So obivously to the "world" religion has a large part in creating tension, and violent conflict.

Islam has often been referred to as the "violent religion", but if you look at Christianity, we too have much to be ashamed of. Much has been done in the name of Christ that ought not to be done. The examples shamefully come too easily too mind.

Which brings me to my point ... much harm has been done in the name of religion, but is it the source of the mess the world is in?

An understanding of the "troubles" in Ireland, of the American position on the Middle East, particularly America's "blind" support for Israel is due to a Zionist theology, and elements of the Islamic population are filled with a desire to convert the world to their faith and wage a holy war. The are also Christian's examples here beginning with the Crusades, the inquistion, and the age of colonialism, when converting or shooting the noble savage was a sport.

Maybe I could have told my friends that "don't follow the followers' of Christ, follow Christ himself". But as I utter that there is the bitter taste in my mouth that we are salt and light to this world, yet, we've left a foul taste in the mouth of so many. Particular hard to swallow is the taste of pedophilia in the church that those who pastor congregations could commit such vile things to those under their care, and bitter still, that those in authority could cover it up.. as so often has been the case.

I need to stop here, as I criticise, I also need to keep my own house in order I need to look at the life I live. Realising that I am an ambassador for Christ in this world, and my life must reflect the love God showed the world he created, and will redeem. But more than that I need to pray that God will show his mercy to all. He has shown grace to all, and who knows, but for the grace of God, that could be me. No, it is me I am a sinner too.

But at the same time We are challenged on some of the commands of scripture as well, commands that leave women as “different (or unequal?), commands that condemn homosexuality.

I can tell them that I believe this is the way the God that created the universe wants us to live. But in some sense, that puts us, to many, in the category of fundamental fanatics, who care more for a old dogged book than people.

I know that I want to, and have, put my trust in the God who created the universe, the God who loved his creation so much that He sent His Son to die, for a creation that mocks, that despises, and that ignores Him, and offers us freely the chance to be His Children.

Let's pray that in God's mercy many more will bow their knee to Jesus, as His Child, not unwillingly when every knee will bow, and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD.

I'm ... [home]

Well, I'm back in Sydney, Australia. Sydney, the wind-swept, winter, wonderland. It is a beautiful sight Sydney at night, after three breakfasts, two two hour lay-overs, and one aborted landing attempt... (those reading from Sydney, would know why ... *wind*)

But it is with mixed feelings that I'm home ... yes I loved landing and knowing that I was heading to my bed, going back to my church family is also great feeling, and well there is the feeling of going back to work as well ...

I've really had a blast ... its been an eye-opening experience, and while I have a lot to share .... I'm going to leave it at this thought for the moment.

I really value the time I have with my bible study, and at church ... the encouragement, the rebukes, ad genuine love ... It's awesome. I was struck by this as it was truly difficult to get to church while I was away. In fact I actually didn't get to church while I was away. Partly because I was actually travelling on all three Sundays that I was away for... but also because I hadn't thought much about it before I left. And had I my time again thats something I would put high on my list of things to do before I left.

Anyway, Stay Safe, and I'll write more soon.

Dunc.

Holiday Update #3

Dear all,

Grace be with you, I hope that you are blessed. Well, heading in the final weel of the trip, and its been quite a blast ...

I've enjoyed experiencing a variety of different cities, and landscapes... I have to admit I was quite taken by Scotland, the Highlands, and Edinburgh ... It was a beaut city,

The festival gave the city a vibrant life. I didn't get to much of the festival, but there were some great street buskers ...

I went to the Edinburgh Tatoo while I was there... It was quite a fun day ... I qued up in the morning for the tickets ... and it was the morning of the Bledisloe Cup game between Australia and New Zealand .. I was across the road from a Cafe that was showing the game live ... I could here the cheers and shouts, but couldn't work out who the cheers were for ... in the end, I got the tickets to the Tatoo, and also found out once I had got the tickets that it was New Zealand who had won ... as I went into the cafe with my All Blacks jumper on ... It was quite an experience ...

The tatoo was amazing too, I really love the sound of the Bagpipes, and it was amzaing hearing them play some classics I could recognise, and others ... there was some amazing drumming from the Swiss as well... if you get the chance to watch it .. on TV do :)

I was sad to leave Ediinburgh, but Ireland is beaut as well ... I've been out to the giants causeway today... which if you believe the legend was built by a Gant trying to get to Scotland, and if you believe the scientists was formed 40 000 years ago (or there abouts) by cooling lava .. Don't know about you, but I would rather believe the Irish Story :)

Anyway, I am going to explore Belfast tomorrow, then on Wednesday I head to Dublin. I'm looking forward to seeing Belfast, it is a beautiful city, the people are really warm and friendly ...

I hope all is well with you all ..

God Bless and keep you all,

Love,
Dunc -

Holiday Update #2

Dear All,

I hope life is treating you well ...

Just thought that I'd take the time to drop you a line. I know that a group email is not As You Like It, but hey.

I've been having a blast, DC was awesome, it has such a rich history ... and standing on the Lincoln Memorial was amazing ... as you looked toward the Capital Building ... you could see the thousands marching to end the Vietnam War, for Civil Rights ... and the Promise Keepers...

the vietnam memorial was amazing too ...

I went and saw the Ashes while I was in London ... and am now spending my midsummer night's dream near Stratford....

The weekend I'm in London, and Cardiff before I head up to scotland...

Anyway... parrting is such sweet sorrow ...that I say good night til next time...


Duncan