Reflections

"As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man."

~ Proverbs 27:19 ~

Sick of SMUT!!!!

I’m sick of pathetic, uncreative, sad excuse for a laugh, smut jokes. I think that it has to be just about the lowest form of wit. I may even go so far as to say that it is even lower than sarcasm, which is generally regarded as the lowest form of wit.

Wit in smut? What wit?? Oh wow… you’re so witty… you can use smutty innuendo to create a double meaning to that comment… oh ha ha ha… that’s so funny and witty… there’s no wit there… it’s only “witty” because your mind is so polluted with such smut filled thoughts that you automatically think of some sexually orientated allusion and connotation to the comment… That’s not wit! That’s sad, pathetic and disgusting!! And what’s more, it doesn’t help the others around you who haven’t got their head in the gutter like you do! It only serves to drag them down there with you!!!

I respect someone who has a quick mind and who can conjure up a witty remark or comment, one that helps shed a different light on a subject… helping to expand one’s mind… even if it’s a lame joke…

“Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'” – Mark 7:15

But smutty comments… how are they supposed to benefit me?

I’m also quite perturbed and disgusted by the kind of competitions that they’ve been running on radio most recently. In particular Nova 96.9 with “phone sex” and the driving home nude thing…

Phone sex as a radio game is such a simple concept… just call up and guess the gender of the next 3 callers… 50-50 odds… and a very entertaining game to listen to… but do they have to call it “phone sex”???!!!

With a name like “phone sex”, of course they have to ham it up and exploit all the sexual innuendo and connotations associated with the phrase… you get the DJ’s making comments like “call me now, if you want to have phone sex with me…” etc etc… *CRINGE FACTOR!!!!!*

I find it most pathetic they people lack the creative juices to come up with something more wholesome, and have to resort to such smutty “jokes” to entertain their audience. What I’m also most annoyed and disgusted by is that this radio “game” is played throughout the day, from morning till late arvo… while innocent kids are listening!!! This only serves to corrupt and degrade their minds, and worse still cheapen their image and perspective on sex!

The other “game” I find most disgusting is this new one, where they get someone to drive home from work naked for a measly $200!!! As a society have we become so obsessed with the pursuit of money, that we’re willing to take our clothes off just for a couple of hundred bucks??!! Have people got no self-respect???

Just because it’s in the privacy of their own cars??? What bull! Besides isn’t it supposed to be illegal??? ie. Indecent exposure??? Hello???!!!!

Over the last 12 months, I’ve been increasingly disturbed at how our society is becoming more and more “tolerant” of such smut, and degrading and defiling things. It’s not like it’s happened over night. Of course not… It’s all a slow and progressive process of pulling the wool over our eyes… If things like this had happened overnight, there would’ve been an outcry! But slowly over time, society and media have been slowly making us more and more unjaded and unfazed by such things by the slow, gradual progression of introducing such smut into our homes via TV, movie and print media.

We’re like frogs in a pot of boiling water. Put a frog into a pot of boiling water and it will jump out immediately to get away from the heat. But put it in a pot of tap water and slowly turn the heat up, and you can boil a frog to death. This is exactly what our society and we are like! We’re so immersed in this pot of filth that we are oblivious to the fact that its getting filthier and filthier and hotter and hotter… so much so that we don’t even batter our eyes at such suggestive issues and things screened on shows like “The OC”, “Sex and the City” and the like… and songs like “Nasty Girl” by Nitty and “Candy Shop” by 50 cent, don’t even make us cringe and recoil in distaste anymore…

“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts… Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” – Romans 1:24-26 & 28

This is the world we live in, and I should not be surprised by how our society is descending into the doldrums of scum and crap. But it is a massive challenge to avoid and keep one’s mind from falling and descending with the rest of society.

These are two verses that I need to keep reflecting and meditating on.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Phil 4:8

Beautiful Soul

I'm usually not a fan of boy pop stars like aaron carter, Hanson and the like... Cos their songs though boppy, are usually quite shallow and unsubstantial who remembers Candy by Aaron Carter??

But this song by Jesse McCartney for some strange reason quite impresses me with it's substance and seems to strike a chord in my heart.

Hmmm... I wonder why....

Beautiful Soul

I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste 
I want you and your beautiful soul
You're the one I wanna chase 
You're the one I wanna hold
I wont let another minute go to waste 
I want you and your beautiful soul

I know that you are something special 
To you I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed 
Then I hope you'll see the heart in me 

Your beautiful soul, yeah
You might need time to think it over
But im just fine moving forward
I'll ease your mind 
If you give me the chance
I will never make you cry c`mon lets try

Am I crazy for wanting you
Baby do you think you could want me too 
I don't wanna waste your time
Do you see things the way I do 
I just wanna know if you feel it too
There is nothing left to hide

Hell No! We won’t Go!!!

Industrial actions, strikes, sit ins, blockades, pickets… all part of our legal right and freedom of speech...

Unions and people regularly stage industrial action and strike when negotiations break down to create maximum disturbance, disruption, inconvenience, noise and cost to make a show of their stubbornness, and unwillingness to be pushed around, taken for granted and taken for a ride, and most of all to show their steadfastness towards their cause.

Industrial action is staged for any number of causes, ranging from abortion to refugee detention, pay rises to unfair dismissals, company restructures to worker’s entitlements and conditions, and the list goes on and on…

On the most part, most actions of industrial action are staged for the greater good of the people involved, though occasionally they may be for selfish gain. At other times, when the issue at stake is an ethical one, it is very hard to draw a line in the sand as to which side to support.

What is a Christian’s response to industrial action? How are we to approach it?

Why am I blogging about this subject????

I’m trying work through this issue, and am using this post as a medium for working through my thoughts to hopefully come to a conclusion… so please bear with me while I ramble around a bit…

My work is facing the threat of potential industrial action in Victoria tomorrow. We were warned about this yesterday, and more details were communicated to us this afternoon. The reason for the potential action is regarding their Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and Workplace Arrangements. Nothing sinister, selfish, ethically or morally wrong. Indeed in fact it is a cause that I do support, as it will have future ramifications for my workplace here in NSW.

However, the issue becomes complicated because the workload from Victoria will have to be forwarded to us here to ensure minimal loss of product. This is understandable being the nature of the work and industry that I’m in. However, because we here in NSW do support the cause that the Victorian’s are fighting for, people here are considering boycotting Victoria’s workload in a stand of support and solidarity for our counterparts. For if we were to comply and take on their workload for the day, it would not be sending a message to the powers that be of strength, solidarity, and support for their cause and a desire to ensure that the same does not happen to us. And the Victorians will not achieve their desire to cause the most disruption and chaos to make their point clear.

My dilemma is that I know that if we don’t take on Victoria’s workload, that we will lose a substantial amount of product that may potentially save many lives. However, I also know that if I do volunteer to continue working, that in the future it may viewed as me being impartial to the EBA issues, potentially making myself an easy target to be shafted. And finally my Christian mindset is telling me that I should respect the authorities placed over me.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” – Romans 13:1-7

I don’t know what to do. I want to show support for my counterparts in Victoria, but to do that is to boycott their workload and go against managerial directives, which is itself a direct rebellion to the above passage. Lastly, I know that to boycott the workload is to place potentially hundreds of lives at risk.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” – Philippians 1:27

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

Then the other question is in either decision how do I conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel?

If I support my Victorian counterparts and boycott the workload, it will be viewed as a direct rebellion against my managers. Not a good Christian witness. If I am the only one to volunteer to do the work, it will be viewed as selfish, heartless and uncaring for my counterparts. Again, not necessarily a good Christian witness either.

Tough choices… It’s hard because it’s such a grey issue. If it were a situation where I worked for a financial institution, or construction company or something where the lives of patients and customers weren’t at risk, I’d probably have an easier decision to make whether or not to support the industrial action. But as it is, I don’t, and so I’m thinking that I will submit to my superiors.

My job is to test the work that I am given. I’m not paid to worry about EBA in other states. My first priority is to ensure that my company is able to produce sufficient products each day to provide the service to the patients and community that we are obligated to provide. And so because of this, I am going to continue my work, to ensure that lives are not put at risk.

But I’m still not sure how best to approach the situation. Not sure how to best conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel. This will require much godly guidance and wisdom. If you are reading this today, please pray for me and this situation. That whatever happens, that I may conduct myself in a godly manner, and not bring the name of God into disrepute, but that rather somehow, His name may be glorified and exalted.

I’m praying and hoping that this strike will be averted. Will make my life sooo much easier and help me avoid making a tough decision!!!

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

Oh it’s tough to live as a Christian!!!

But this verse I will meditate on all day today…

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Detur Gloria Soli Deo
(Glory be to God alone)

Influence

What is influence? Is it the ability to sway people? Is it your powers of persuasion? Your ability to con people? The impact you have on others?

Dictionary.com refers to it as:

1. A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort: relaxed under the influence of the music; the influence of television on modern life.
2. Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position: used her parent's influence to get the job.
3. 
   
1. A person who exerts influence: My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
2. An effect or change produced by influence.
4. 
   
1. A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
2. Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.

How does one attain influence? How do you measure influence? Against what or who do you judge it?

We can go to many conferences and seminars, training sessions and courses to learn more about leadership… Team leader trainings, team building, management, delegation, mediation, etc… the list goes on… but where does one go to better equip and skill themselves in influence? Are some people just born with it? Is it the haves versus the haves not?

What does it mean when someone says that so and so is an influential person? Is that a reflection of their powers of persuasion? Or is it just a reflection of how gullible the receiver is?

TIME Magazine released TIME 100 this week… their list of the world’s 100 most influential people. “TIME’s list of the men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world.”

The list is divided into several categories…

Leaders and Revolutionaries – Warriors and peacemakers, dictators and democrats, terrorists and holy men – these are the men and women with the clout and power to change our world.

Artists and Entertainers – Whether inspired by boxing or Bush, comedy or kung fu, this diverse group of stars has won fans and spawned imitators around the world.

Builders and Titans – Hot gadgets, cool sales techniques and sheer brashness (welcome back Martha!) make these business brains the world’s most influential.

Scientists and Thinkers – Whether to conquer space or remake the political world, they have come up with the big ideas of our time.

Heroes and Idols – They righted the wrongs, played through the pain, offered spiritual solace or simply inspired us with their remarkable talents.

It seems that influence is differentiated between neither good nor bad…

Generally, whenever we talk about someone else having some kind of influence on our lives, we generally talk about it in a positive light. We prefer to focus on the positive influences on our lives and that makes sense. We might often refer to a dearly loved grandparent or uncle or aunty whom we were really close to while growing up, who were really influential in how our simple minds and attitudes developed.

Very rarely do we dwell on the negative influences in our lives. Usually as kids our parents may have said that we’re not to play with so and so…

Also, it seems that the discernment of influence is very much retrospective. We don’t recognise or acknowledge that someone, something, or some event having had some form of influence on our lives till we look back and reflect on it... Very very very rarely do we consider powers of influence in the future… We usually consider how someone “had” an influential hand in our lives at a certain point in time… very rarely do we consider that someone “will” have an influential role in our lives in the future… of course, we’ll consider our partners and families as always having an influential role in our lives for times to come… but outside our immediate surroundings, there’s no one else really who we may point to as an influential character for the future.

When I scan down the list of people, there are some names that I can definitely agree with having had some sort of influence on my life either directly or indirectly... Admittedly, they tend mostly to be politicians or world leaders… People like George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Ariel Sharon etc… I can’t say that these people have had a positive influence on my life, however, nonetheless, and influence they have been, more so in shaping the political landscape of the world in which we live in.

As I scan the other categories I can’t help but scratch my head at some of these names, not just because I don’t know who half of them are, but also at the bemusement to think if they actually have had any influence on my life! Names like Martha Stewart?? I don’t think so… not me… Oprah Winfrey? Umm… again probably not… Jay-Z?? *shrugs* Zhang Ziyi? I’ve been moved and entertained by her performances on screen, but influenced? Dun think so… haven’t been inspired to take up marital arts… :P

However, there are definitely names on the list with which I can say have definitely been a direct influence on my life.

The Halo Trinity! Halo 2 has changed my life!! I’ve spent hours of my life fixated to my xbox and tv battling as Master Chief against the alien Covenant forces! My life is now complete!!! :PPP

The Google guys! Whose life has not been changed and influenced by Google???? These guys changed and revolutionised the way we access information! They’re also beginning to revolutionise web based email with Gmail too! So great is their influence that we no longer say “look it up, or do a search…” rather we say.. “Google this, or Google that...” It has become part of our vocabulary!!!

Lee Kuan Yew… This guy definitely had an influence on my life as I grew up in Singapore… LKY described in TIME as “The Philosopher King” shaped and moulded Singapore’s political, geographic and economic landscape… His influence over the people reached right into your living room as he socially engineered Singapore and instilled in it’s people his ethos and outlook for life. He is someone I still greatly respect and look up to as a man with great foresight, leadership, passion, influence and determination…

I am most pleased to see that two prolific Christian writers made it onto the top 100 list… John Stott and Rick Warren. Rick Warren is the author of “The purpose driven life”, and John Stott is the author of numerous books and commentaries such as “The Cross of Christ”. I haven’t yet read “The Purpose Driven Life” or “The Cross of Christ” though they are both books on my to read list. I have however, used a couple of John Stott’s commentaries. These are both men who I expect will be influential in developing my biblical understanding and application for many years to come… It’s wonderful to see that they have been recognised as influential men this year, and we can only pray that more and more Christians will be stand up and be counted and exert their God gifted influence on our world.

I return to my original question… What is influence? How do you attain it? How do you measure influence? Against what or who do you judge it?

I think we all possess powers of influence. It is inherent in all of us… We are all able to have an impact on the lives of others in both small and big ways. Often the influence we have on someone’s life may not be seen for many years. And often the impact we have on someone’s life may go unnoticed or uninformed until they share it with us.

A simple smile, or a shoulder to cry on, can have an untold impact and influence on someone’s life. Sharing a verse of scripture, or word of advice, rebuke, encouragement or love can have untold impact on someone’s life. Our influence on others is as simple as sharing our lives with them… the extent and degree to which we influence others lives I believe will depend on how open and honest we are in sharing our lives with others. And I believe that if we go out with the intent to share our lives with others and seek to encourage and build others up that we cannot but succeed in being a positive influence on the lives of others.

Most of all, the biggest influence that anyone can have on anyone else can only come by sharing the Gospel with them. I believe that the Gospel of Christ is the single biggest influence on anyone’s life, whether Christian or not. And thus living as a Christian is also therefore the next biggest influence on anyone’s life.

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” – 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The Gospel of Christ is salvation to some, and judgement and condemnation to others. To those who accept and receive it, it is life eternal, to those that don’t, it is death. Jesus Christ came not only to save but to separate. He will return again not only save but to separate.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left… Then they (sic the goats) will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” – Matthew 25:31-33, 46

There can be no greater influence than this.

Hollywood on York

I got to walk on a movie set this morning!!!!!

Went in to work this morning at 7:30am! (i know... that's crazy on a saturday!!) But at Wynyard station, they were filming scenes for the upcoming Superman prequel!

They had blocked off York St from Erskine to King St... and all along York St from Margaret down, there was a whole procession of cars with "Metropolis" license plates! There were even a whole stack of yellow cabs!! I got a photo on my phone of one of them, and also a shot of some Metropolis policemen sitting at the bus stop on York St next to some police bikes!

The cars were really cool! The extras driving them looked soooo bored... they must've been sitting around there for ageeeesss just waiting to do a couple of takes driving down the street and reversing back to reset...
But what was cool was that the dash on the left side of the car (our passenger side) had steering wheels installed in them to make them look like American cars! It was weird to see cars like Saab 900s and Purgeot 307s with 2 steering wheels!

What was also cool was that they had rebadged the St George Bank on the corner of York and Barrack St (right opposite my work) to say "Bank of Metropolis". I tried to steal a photo with my camera phone, but couldn't get close enough!

They even had a telephone box installed on the opposite corner! (must be Superman's changing room)...

Alas, I didn't get to steal a glimpse of Kevin Spacey or Superman (what's his face... what happened to Dean Cain???) or any of the other stars...

But it definitely made a dull boring Saturday work day a bit more interesting!! :)

Sayings of Love

I thought I'd share the quotes about love that Dan and Nikki had printed on the bottom of their order of service.

"Marriage is not a ritual or an end.
It is a long, intricate dance together."
~ Amy Bloom ~

"Love, like a rive, will cut a new path wherever it meets an obstacle"
~ Crystal Middlemas ~

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies"
~ Aristotle ~

"Love is not blind - It sees more and not less,
but because it sees more, it is willing to see less."
~ Will Moss ~

"To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world."
~ Bill Watson ~

"Love reminds you that nothing else matters"
~ Amy Bushell ~

"Love that is true never grows old"
~ Elben Bano ~

And my favourites:

"Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind"
William Shakespeare

"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful,
but she is beautiful because you love her."
~ Anonymous ~

Wedding Bliss

Not mine! Not yet anyway...
Not for a loooonnngggg time at the rate I'm going! ;P

Just back from wonderful day's wedding...
Congratulations Dan & Nikki on your union in Christ!

It was a beautifully simple and elegant wedding...

Thanks for all the great times, and the laughs... for the time spent taking photos and hanging out in the city...
Thanks for the priviledge and honour of serving in partnership with you at mission this year... You both have been a real source of encouragement, inspiration and love.

May God richly bless your new life together as you seek to serve and glorify Him in all that you do.
Congrats and God Bless guys! :)

Looking Forward

I seem to have been attending a lot of friend’s MTS supporters’ nights lately. It’s been really really awesome being able to be in partnership with them in the Gospel both spiritually through prayer and practically like in financial support.

Seeing my friends all being so pumped and excited for the Gospel has been so encouraging and awesome! I’m so grateful that God has surrounded me with so many ministry minded people, so much so that it’s almost coming out of my ears!!! I’ve so challenged and encouraged and inspired by their willingness and desire to commit their lives towards the work of the Gospel… It’s not about doing something “noble”, or a “higher calling” per se… it’s about a change, a shift in perspective… a change in attitude to what life is about… an attitude of pursuing what is ultimately worthwhile and eternal…

I’ve also been surrounded with a number of friends who are contemplating and praying about going into full time paid ministry… This in itself has also been a huge encouragement to me… Seeing them grow in their excitement of what the future may hold, seeing them nervous and anxious of what may be, seeing them struggle with acceptance by family and friends, seeing them commit it to the Lord in prayer, seeing them being trusting and dependent on His guidance, seeing them being obedient and patient with His will, and most of all seeing their joy and zeal for serving the Lord.

You may well be thinking, “well, this is all well and good Paul, but how is this impacting on your own life?” and you’d be right in thinking this. And this is something that over this year I’ve been thinking about... How are all these models of ministries and service moulding me, and impacting my life?

I have no concrete answer or plan as yet per se… however, a part of me is certainly growing in desire to be more and more involved in ministry. Exactly what shape and form that takes is still yet to be seen, and probably won’t be for at least another year or two…

I’ve always had an inherent desire of some sort to do ministry, but it’s never really manifested itself as I’ve always had other ambitions, desires and plans… And I guess because of that, I’ve never been totally passionate yet about taking the plunge and entering FT ministry. I do have ambitions to go to Bible college and equip myself and grow in my knowledge and understanding for ministry… but whether that leads to FT ministry or not, I still do not know…

I’m also rather hesitant about MTS… A couple of years ago, I went through a whole phase where I was quite anti-MTS… I felt and still do to an extent that MTS has seemed to become the “trendy” thing to do… (call me cynical)… Don’t get me wrong, I know that there are definitely great benefits to be had in and from MTS… however, it felt for a while that it was being pushed as being the only way to enter FT ministry. That before you go to college, you need to do 2 years of MTS… I was also quite cynical, because MTS often requires you to leave your home church and go to another to be trained by someone else and supported by their church. At the time, I saw that my church was losing a lot of high calibre people to MTS, resulting in a void in leaders in several capacities at church. And because of this, I was quite disgruntled by the whole MTS system. My thinking was that “why do you have to leave your church and established ministries to be trained and equipped elsewhere FT? why can’t you do the same at your own church? Why does it have to be done on a FT basis?” questions such as these were running through my head. I really see the benefit for them in undertaking MTS, but is it necessarily for the greater good? I mean for a church to lose 2-4 leaders in one year is a big loss… and is it for the greater good of the current congregation to lose that many leaders in one hit to do MTS for them to gain valuable ministry experience elsewhere? Why can’t they gain that in their home church by involving themselves more in various ministries?

But I’m starting to digress, and that’s another story that’ll I’ll save for another blog…

Back to my thoughts about FT ministry… like I said before, I’ve always had a desire to be involved in ministry, and I am currently doing that in being involved in a couple of ministries at church, but the desire of doing FT ministry is also present in some embryonic form as well… I’m not repulsed by the notion of entering FT ministry, nor am I jumping out of my skin to do it, nor am I indifferent or nonplussed by it… rather, I’d say that I am open minded about it, and open to wherever God leads me… (which I guess is a good thing)…

But at the same time, I can’t be resting on my laurels, sitting on my butt waiting for God to give me some divine revelation and “call” me to some form of ministry… I have to be continuing to be actively serving Him in whatever capacity I am able… it’s a bit like looking for a husband or wife… u can’t just sit back and wait for God to drop someone in your lap… you have to be pro-active in, for want of a better term, engage in some active “spading” and see what prospective opportunities there are out there… :P

If I were to ask myself what’s stopping me from doing FT ministry? I’d have to honestly say nothing… at least nothing inherently… I don’t have any major stumbling blocks that may hamper or make it hard for me to commit myself to ministry… I have loving, supportive Christian parents, who are themselves involved in FT ministry… I’m not all that attached to my job… I don’t have any dependants…

However, knowing my parents (especially my mum), I know that they’d say that I’m still not responsible enough to make that kind of commitment… :P So that’s probably one reason why not to… Personally though what I really think may be stopping me is selfishness and pride…

I still want to pursue my ambitions before I consider further ministry… I want to pursue my photography business… however, I want to see how I can be using my gifts in photography and incorporate that into ministry… I’m not sure yet if that’ll work, or if that’s God’s plan… but we’ll see… if it’s not, and God wants me to go into further ministry, then I’m sure that he’ll challenge me and confront me to give away my photography ambitions…

Mebbe I can combine overseas mission work with travel/landscape photography… who knows?

But one thing is for sure… God is shaping and moulding my thinking and attitude towards ministry… where He’s going with this I have no idea yet… but looking forward I need to be ever conscious of being obedient and submissive to His good and perfect will…