Matthew 13:53-58 (NLT)
When Jesus had finished telling these stories, he left that part of the country. [54] He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was astonished and said, "Where does he get his wisdom and his miracles? [55] He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. [56] All his sisters live right here among us. What makes him so great?" [57] And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family." [58] And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Jesus couldn't do miracles in his hometown simply because people didn’t perceive him as anyone different to the young man that they watched grow up.
Jesus is out on a preaching tour and the most unfruitful stop for him was his home town.
Nothing had changed about Jesus from the previous months where he healed lepers, fed thousands, healed blind people he was still the same Jesus. But compared to the young carpenter that was a familiar figure in his home town he was a different man.
Have you ever gone back to your home town and driven past the primary school that you attended? Doesn't it seem so small? Yet when you were there as a 7 year old everything was huge. Everything changes!

The only thing that hadn’t changed was their perception.

The question is not what you look at but what you see.

Growing familar with aspects of our relationships, our health, our family and especially our faith is walking on dangerous ground. This Christmas keep fresh eyes that continually look for the new thngs that God is wanting to do through and in you this 2009.

Why do you like me?

Zech. 8:23 (NLT) "This is what the Lord Almighty says: In those days ten people from nations and languages around the world will clutch at the hem of one Jew's robe. And they will say, 'Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' "

I read this during my daily TXT reading today and I thought what a great prayer for us to pray. That people would want to be close to us because we are close to God! How long since someone has wanted to be close to me not for what I can do for them, not for what they can get from me in a physical way but simply because they know and they can see that God is with me?
I read this and it reinforces yet again that as Christians we must have a life that leans towards Christ because after its all said and done, that's what they want the most. To know and be known by a mighty God.

Life has left me thirsty

Its 6.30am on my first Sunday back from a short holiday and I am sitting in my office going over and over my message for the first of our 2 morning services. We are doing a series called "defining moments" which is all about moments in the NT where Jesus crossed people's lives and they were never the same. Today's is found in John 4 and its the story about the woman at the well, who had been married 5 times and now living in a defacto relationship and Jesus positions himself so that she has an opportunity to hear the message of hope.
This was a woman who had a past not just a past but a public past. She lived in a small town where everyone new each others news.
This is uncommon even today unless you are Liz Taylor who has been married 8 times, but back in this time it was extremely unusual.
· We don’t know why she had 5 husbands maybe they had died
· Maybe they left her for other woman which would had left some scaring on her self esteem
· Maybe she couldn't have children which was an embarrassment in those days.
· We don’t know if she went through 5 husbands because of her decisions or other people’s decisions.
One thing we do know and that is that life has left her thirsty.
I am thirsty because of decisions that I have made
I am thirsty because of decisions others have made.
She was about to have a one on one encounter with the Saviour of the world.
I don’t know what you believe about God but if you will listen to this story you will get a clue on how God views thirsty people.
If we were real honest many of us would say this morning, “I am thirsty, life has left me thirsty and I have been unable to satisfy that thirst”. Christmas is all about understanding and embracing that Jesus came as a thirst crusher. So where are you thirsty?

Tis the season of vision

"Don't be afraid of small beginnings, remember this whole thing started with a mouse."- Walt Disney

Jesus lived out of vision everyday. He spoke it, role modelled it and set a plan into action so that he could see it fulfilled. I was talking to one of the personal trainers at the gym today and he said at this time of year numbers attending the gym drop off but they will pick up again with lots of new people in late January because they all have a vision to get fit. But many will give up within the month.
I find that everything in life wants to work against your vision. There are a few things that will want to kill your dream.
Failure will knock a hole in your vision, if you let it.
When a plan or strategy fails, people are tempted to assume it was the wrong vision. Plans and strategies can always be changed and improved. But vision doesn't change.
Visions are simply refined with time.
We don't have to change the vision because a plan doesn't work out.
Another one I find is simply life, it works against the vision. Vision is about what could be and should be; life is about right-this-minute. Life is about the kids and the laundry and the doctor and the house payment.
The third is a “She’ll be right” attitude. But if that were the case we would all be skinny, rich and happy.
What would happen if pilots or doctors had that attitude?

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect it’s successful outcome.”–William James

Lastly there is tiredness. I have found that when I get tired it’s much easier to lift up your feet and go with the flow then to stand against the current.

Matthew 26:41 (NLT)
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!"

Jesus simply said when we are tired then find a place, get away from the distractions and pray. Doesn't have to be for long, doesn't have to have fancy words just stay connected to the source of our strength.

We have just had a week of holidays with friends that we have known for many years. What a blast! There isn't much that can better sitting around and doing life with people who you have walked a long journey with. Every year seeing how much all of our kids have changed, some now married or on their way to being, others with their voices that have now suddenly become deeper and then there is those that are just starting the family pathway.

Proverbs 18:1 (NASB)

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

There is a part of my nature that likes being alone. Although solitude is healthy to much and you can get a little weird.

I am not the best when left to my own musings, I need others who will keep me having fun and help me to keep a healthy perspective on life and ministry.