4Ü #247
Into the Abyss
10 August 2006
- WASSUP - Open home for thinkers
- INSIGHT OUT - Farewell
- OUTSIGHT IN - Volunteer myth
- SEE YA SUNDAY - Hope in Hard Times: Part 1 - Death
- LAST WORD - Into the abyss
WASSUP - Open home for thinkers
You are welcome to visit me on http://anorton.voxtropolis.com (I moved from blogspot)
Voxtropolis is a city of voices. It's a place where we can have a conversation any hour of the day or night (24/7/365)
Each week I'm posting a short section from 4U on my vox and giving you the opportunity to engage in further conversation.
To comment you may need to become part of the vox community. It's easy and it is free.
Two phone calls
Had to share this with you.
In the past week we sent out 13,000 post cards to our community advertising our next series Hope in Hard Times. One caller was very abusive that we would upset people by talking about topics such as death. Another caller asked if she could come to church with her suicidal son. This Sunday should be quite interesting don't you think? I do hope both callers come.
INSIGHT OUT - Farewell
This week I visited a friend who is ready to die.
It's as though she has her ticket and passport all ready to go but does not know the day of her departure. Waiting can be so hard.
It makes the good-bye at the end of our conversation very significant because it could also be farewell.
I found this quote that sums it up.
Dear Fox, old friend, thus we have come to the end of the road that we were to go together . and so farewell.
But before I go, I have just one more thing to tell you:
Something has spoken to me in the night, burning the tapers of the waning year, and told me I shall die, I know not where. Saying:
"To lose the earth you know, for greater knowing; to lose the life you have, for greater life; to leave friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more larger than earth. Whereon the pillars of this earth are founded, toward which the conscience of the world is tending - a wind is rising, and the rivers flow."
Thomas Wolfe
Godspeed, Leslie on your journey.
OUTSIGHT IN - Volunteer myth
Myth: Volunteers are a thing of the past.
I want to challenge that as a myth!
Yes, times have changed and people don't have as much discretionary time to volunteer. But that does not mean that the age of the volunteer is over? No, it just means it is different.
Last night we celebrated the gift of volunteers. At St Columba we have some 290 volunteers who make this church happen!
People want to give themselves to a cause greater than themselves.
People want to give in such a way that they are making a difference.
Love is only love when it is voluntary.
Jesus was a volunteer.
It is the only cure of consumerism that I know.
SEE YA SUNDAY - Hope in Hard Times: Part 1 - Death
Starting this Sunday morning
A new series: Hope in Hard Times
This series will explore some tough issues that in one way or another touch all our lives; death, disaster, depression and divorce. While the topics in themselves look a bit depressing, the messages will be informative, provocative, practical and inspirational. If you know anyone one who needs some hope in the midst of hard times, invite then to come along.
Bread & Wine - 9.45am (directly after the conclusion of the 8.30am service) - Weekly Communion
This Sunday evening
The St Columba Institute of Life and Faith
Recovery from Spiritual Abuse - this is a short three week course that looks at the cause and cure of spiritual abuse.
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- Into the Abyss
It is by going into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. The cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the source of what you are looking for. The damned thing in the cave that was so dreaded has become the centre. You find the jewel and it draws you off.
Joseph Campbell