Aptiva

The follower of the carpenter needs to see themselves as distinct and peculiar. We need to come to a place in our existence that we simply accept that as a people of God, we will do things, and hold to values that the rest of the world will find odd. Their reaction to us can be from mild amusements, through to amazement, often with a dose of hostility thrown into the mix. IT will happen, get used to it! When we join in a community of faith, we should be noticed as different. It doesn't matter if in that community of faith we are gathered (as in worship time), or dispersed (jobs and family), the same peculiarity should pervade us. We might not always seem different, but whether recognised by others of not, we should be different. This is the effect of being led by another being. As an example, a child will see lego blocks on the floor, not as something to be tripped over, but as a potential boat, or house or robot. We can watch them, as they build, and they work happily crea...

The Bible makes it clear that two types of people step outside the creators view of work.  The first is the sluggard. Lazy people sleep soundly,  but idleness leaves them hungry.- Proverbs 19:15 Those too lazy to plow in the right season  will have no food at the harvest. - Proverbs 20:4 This type of person is typified by being lazy, by doing the minimum to survive, if that. They are a burden to others and themselves. Yet this is not how God would have followers of him behave. It is clear that from the beginning, God reveals himself as a creator, and one who works. He also makes it clear that Humanity were created to work, to tend and oversee the other parts of the creation. Genesis 2:15  The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it God has built humanity to work, yet the sluggard spurns this calling of the image of God in their life. By taking no initiative and never completing any work they sta...

In Proverbs 1:8-33 we read of a warning from Solomon to his son, to avoid joining in with people who would entice him to violence. Violence in today's world comes in many formats, from physical to emotional, intellectual to spiritual. Solomon is warning of throwing one's lot in with those who do harm to others for their own gain. Yet this is easy to do, and easier to justify. From the obvious, direct stealing, and physical attacks, to the more recent cyber bullying and identity theft, all bring violence upon a victim. Yet we can fool ourselves,  "it's ok to download from a torrent site, the companies make too much money anyway." "He should have made his password stronger, the site deserved to be hacked" "They were dressed in a certain way and were asking for trouble" The list is endless, yet all are abdicating the perpetrator from responsibility for their actions. God has another plan entirely. Where the world proposes violen...

We read in the start of the Bible, about how the first two humans Adam and Eve,  chose to reach out for wisdom without reference to God. The account tells us that these first two humans did this action in direct conflict and contradiction to God's words. The book of Proverbs tells us that "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom",  in this opening axiom of the book, God reveals various things to us, all of which must be applicable for wisdom to be acquired. One must have knowledge from God,-  that is you must know what to do One must put that knowledge into practice,-  that is you must do it. One must do so within the context of a covenant relationship with God, -  that is you must understand the reason, you are surrendering to Him, allowing God to be God. Wisdom is not about just getting ahead in life, although that may happen, it's about understanding what God sees in life in the first place. It is not a coincidence that Jesus is known as wisdo...

The sign is from a shop in Amsterdam, a city which often proclaims freedom. However, Dear Reader, there is a misnomer in the world. Freedom in today's parlance has become synonymous with "lack of boundaries".We falsely believe that to experience true freedom, then nothing must be around to prevent us from expressing our desires. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sadly, for many, freedom is an illusion, which is used to describe a hidden bondage, to that of sex, drugs and the like. Claiming to be free, they find themselves more trapped in their present existence than the one they desired to leave behind. The fact Dear Reader is that freedom can only be experienced, when boundaries DO exists. A person is "free" to drive, when they show they understand the rules of the road. They are "free" to enjoy a sport, when they acknowledge the parameters for winning. We are free to live life, when we acknowledge where and why this life came from! ...

We forget Dear Reader, the absurdity of the carpenters actions. In an occupied land, He decided the best way of demonstrating forgiveness, was not to oppose the oppressor, but to allow himself to be crucified by them. To highlight the lostness of the Roman way of life, he proved it by dying! Yet in this action, his crucifixion, which was initiated by his own people, the carpenter revealed a bigger truth. The Roman empire, and all it represented, was not as many thought, the ultimate enemy. This may seem easy to see from histories point of view, for this empire no longer exists. Yet through the past century, we have (depending on our viewpoint), been fearful, of Communism and Capitalism, Russia and North America, Islam and Judaism. This is not an exhaustive list, but should suffice to highlight, that it is in fact easy to fall into fear of one thing or another (often of our own making), and be completely incorrect about the true bondage that awaits. The Carpenter knew that bon...

In a certain city, there exists a place of hope. It was Dear Reader, a piece of land abandoned, forgotten, unused. Yet, with co-operation, vision and fortitude, local people redeemed this land. Changing it from being unwanted, to being part of their community. From having no purpose to becoming a playground of enjoyment for their kids. If this piece of land can become so central to a community after years of being abandoned, how much more can we be assured that our lives can experience the same. The Carpenter came to restore that which was abandoned, forgotten and unused, his desire is to redeem not just land, but people. Such that we can also live a life not just for ourselves, but as part of a community. Make no mistake, this playground is not conventional, filled with odd shapes and strange designs, but it is unique, and precious, just like you are Dear Reader, in the Carpenters eyes.