A thought

Some studies have been done and they reckon they have found out that many of the disciples in Jesus day were young. Most of them, would’ve been what we call today teenagers (they weren’t called that back them). Kind of gives a new ring to the verse in 1 Tim 4:12 which says “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity”.
Never underestimate the power of young people. The Church needs young people that are serious about their faith and working the kingdom of God out in this world. However, there is a danger to all of us that by and large a lot of older people have fallen into. This danger has the power to also severely limit the effectiveness of young people today. The danger is “consumerism”. I’ve not talking about buying heaps of stuff etc - what I’m talking about is having an attitude of ‘here I am, feed and entertain me’. Now, there is nothing wrong with entertainment and fun, and of course we all need to be feed so we grow in God and as community. However, the real danger behind this is that it can limit our involvement and our leadership. Sometimes, (and only sometimes) it can lead to young people who God has called to lead and change ‘their’ world settling instead for entertainment. I suppose what I’m trying to say is best summed up by a slogan that went around during the war - I think. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. What if we substituted the word country in there for the word family, school, youth group, Church, etc. If some change, new ideas and new leaders are going to come to the Church, it is going to require that some people raise above the consumerism attitude and lead.

Some Questions

Here's some questions I've been thinking about recently...

1/ Does hearing George Bush go on about how bad Russia is for attacking another Sovereign nation sound really hypocritical to you? Ohhh - remember Iraq George.
2/ Is Phelps the greatest freak of nature ever seen in sport or is he simply the best cheat? I really hope in 10 years time he is still seen as clean.
3/ A question for Australians - you can take the win but it will cost you your first two kids and we rip out all your fingernails? I seriously think the Aussies would still take the win.
4/ Is TVOne seeking to break its own Olympic world record - for the most ads?
5/ Does anyone else agree that it will be really interesting to see the medals/population winner at the end of these Olympics? My bet on a winner - Jamaica.
6/ Is this the wettest winter ever?
7/ Is anyone else excited about the amount of snow on the mountain at the mo?

Til next time
D