4Ü #204
Without wax
6 October 2005
- WASSUP - Get your head out of the sand
- INSIGHT OUT - A solitary place
- OUTSIGHT IN - Without wax
- SEE YA SUNDAY - But wait, there's more
- LAST WORD - Wearing masks
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WASSUP - Get your head out of the sand
In one of those mindless moments in a dentist waiting room, I picked up an magazine and started reading. Within a few minutes I was caught and secretly wished that the next appointment would be late so I could get as much reading done as possible and avoid having to rip out the article or buy the magazine.
I read Darwin's Rogue Monkey, by Ian Wishart.
This is shocking stuff. He exposes the character of a man who has literally turned this world upside down. Alfred Kinsey, he was the man that caused the modern day sexual revolution and still informs social and political policy today. Homo Sexual Law Reform Bill, the HELP Foundation, The Aids Foundation, Keeping Ourselves Safe and the book Mothers and Sons: Raising Boys to be Men, just to mention a few. The life of Kinsey has just been released on DVD, but viewer beware! It's not quite as it seems.
You need to get your head out of the sand and understand the character and motivation of the man behind the research.
I then flipped the pages and started reading the next article that caught my attention - Why intelligent design is replacing the theory of evolution.
Did you know that scientists are now talking about a cosmological constant, dark energy, mystery force or even the possibility of the hand of God behind creation?
The appointment was up. My time in the waiting room was over. You'll be pleased to know that I didn't rip the article out. I've got my own copy so I can finish reading the article. You might like to have a look also. Investigate October 2005. www.investigatemagazine.com NZ edition
Do you believe everything you read?
I hope not.
But at the very least read, for ignorance is not bliss.
Andrew
INSIGHT OUT - A solitary place
At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place
Luke 4:42
This was not just a case of Jesus taking some time out before the pressing issues of the new days crowd
The solitary place was a desolate and lonely place
A place where voices deep from within the soul could be heard
Where fears and faith wrestle in the dark
Where questions torment and answers evade
It wasn't just being alone, it was experiencing loneliness
It was from this place of solitude that conviction was formed
"I must..."
OUTSIGHT IN - Without wax
Just imagine being a sculptor and working for the past twelve months on your latest master piece only at the last minute to make a small chip. Bugger!
Never mind, there is a back up plan.
Fill it with wax and no one will notice the difference.
Buyer beware!
While wax is undetectable in the studio, just wait until you bring it home and place it in your garden.
At the first sign of the sun you'll see the wax.
For the true professional this practice was not good enough and so they sold their sculptures "without wax" - sine sera.
Now isn't that interesting, the word from which we get sincere means without wax.
Is there a chip or flaw in your character that has been covered up by wax?
Do you look perfect in the studio but start to melt in the sun?
The sincerity test is very simple - turn up the heat.
Please note, sincere does not mean perfect.
I'd rather be seen with my chips and flaws than to cover up.
What you see is what you get.
Sine sera.
SEE YA SUNDAY - But wait, there's more ...
This Sunday morning - 8.30am & 10.30am: But wait, there's more
Part two in a series on 1 John - Real life / Real faith
Can I ask you a straight question?
Thanks, I will anyway.
Is your life and faith really working for you?
Over the next few weeks we will be exploring that question in a series of messages based on the book of 1 John.
You'll learn ...
- How to spot a phoney
- How to walk the talk
- How to win in the midst of a battle
- How to really love
Bread & Wine - 9.45am - Weekly Communion
The Ride - 5.30pm - It's a post-modern world - Finding your style of worship
Sunday @ 7.00 pm - Are you thirsty for more of God?
Thanks for this time to chat.
Andrew
St Columba
Where Life and Faith Meet
andrew.norton@stcolumba.org.nz
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LAST WORD - Wearing masks
The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered, is being insincere. That is why so much social life is exhausting; one is wearing a mask.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh