Great voice, great video

Matthew 9 - What about those people that are really out to cause us hassle.

Matthew 9:35-38

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

As I read to the end of chapter 9 it becomes apparent that the passage shows compassion in its truest form. It was interesting to read Spurgeon’s thoughts on the original Greek word that was used to refer to the compassion that Jesus showed to those around him. Spurgeon writes that “The original word is a very remarkable one. It is not found in classic Greek. It is not found in the Septuagint. The fact is, it was a word coined by the evangelists themselves. They did not find one in the whole Greek language that suited their purpose, and therefore they had to make one.” The compassion Jesus had for those around him couldn’t be described by any available language so they made a word up. This is pastoral care to its extreme, what a lesson for me as I try to follow in the footsteps of a Saviour who lived out love beyond all measure.

The practical implications of this lesson become even more of a challenge when you take this passage in its context. Jesus knew what was coming next, he knew that the religious leaders he would come into contact with would put him to death, Jesus had also been living and journeying through a land that was filled with people who treated him unfairly, criticizing both his person and his work, yet he never stops following the plan his Father has for him, quite the opposite actually, he shows so much love that his disciples have to come up with a new word to express the strength of his actions.

It makes me think of my reaction when people get on my back, sometimes I think some people are just out to cause us hassle and harm, but no matter what their intentions, our intentions must shadow and show the example we have been left by Jesus.

A great man once said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

What’s more we have just witnessed, that, not only did Jesus say it, he lived it. I pray that today I can live this teaching out in my life, I pray for lots of grace because, especially when it comes to showing this type of compassion I will need it.

What is it that defines you?

What is it that defines you?

Possibly a question that makes you think, perhaps a question that is a little intrusive? I was introduced to Scotty Smith’s blog by a friend the other week and he say’s this as he prays, “Our organization doesn’t define us. Our work doesn’t define us. Our ministries don’t define us. Your (Jesus) relationship with us and your love for us are our defining realities. May we never forget.”

Id love to be able to say with confidence, that, it is my relationship with Jesus that defines me, I wish it was and have a great hope that it can be. I pray that today my hope can be strengthened with positive action rather than thought.

Regarding believing and seeing.......

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

It’s true that my hope is Jesus. It’s also true that Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith. Therefore I can deduce that for my hope to increase it would be sensible for my faith to also increase. As Jesus is a constant in this equation, the buck stops with me! My faith doesn’t increase because of Jesus, it increases as I hand more of my life over to him and believe he has the power to make a difference.

Just like the guys in Matthew 9, Jesus was interested in their state of mind and heart and the strength of their belief. There is never any question regarding the power that Jesus has, the question was whether the blind men had the belief that Jesus could make a difference. Thinking that Jesus might have been able to make a difference wasn’t going to cut it. Belief must be stronger than that. I pray that I can believe like these two blind men, without any doubt.

Great music

I was round at my mate Stu's for dinner on Saturday evening and he gave me an introduction to these guys. Its brilliant. The aim of the project was to bring to fruition the idea of making hymns accessible and known again.

I love how they came up with their name, they state - the name comes from a reference to page 116 in our copy of the magicians nephew. by C.S. Lewis. It is a poignant passage where Aslan begins to sing Narnia into creation out of a black void.

It starts, “In the darkness something was happening at last. A voice had begun to sing. It was very far away and Digory found it hard to decide from what direction is was coming. Sometimes it seemed to come from all directions at once. Sometimes he almost thought it was coming out of the earth beneath them. Its lower notes were deep enough to be the voice of the earth herself. There were no words. There was hardly even a tune. But it was, beyond comparison, the most beautiful noise he had ever heard. It was so beautiful he could hardly bear it.”
~ C.S. Lewis

Brilliant, check out their website here

Hoo-rrrraaaayyyy, the Foos return!

Brilliant, finally got to listen to the album last night. Whats even better if you go to their youtube channel you can listen them play the album live (how exciting). It is pretty heavy, here is a lighter offering....

Matthew 9 - More faith

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.


I have been reading Matthews account of Jairus’ daughter for a few days now, and it has taught me so much. Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum, a position that would have undoubtedly brought much regard in the community, so to see someone of this status kneel humbly at Jesus feet shows the effect that Jesus was having on the people of this region. Jarius believed that Jesus had the power to heal his daughter, although some in their interpretation of the passage might question whether Jarius’ faith was as strong as the Roman centurions’ in chapter 8. He in turn believed that rather than touch, the mere command of restoration from Jesus was enough.


The personal application resounding throughout has to be that when you compare and contrast the two incidents, you can find yourself being critical of Jarius’. In retrospect of chapter 8 I found myself saying - Jarius, all you have to do is ask, Jesus doesn’t even need to see your daughter to restore her, his power is far greater than you can ever imagine. Then I compare and contrast this to me, I think of the many times where I have questioned, not either the power or authority of Jesus but rather if my asking for intervention in a situation through the power of prayer can have the impact I hope for. Oh me of little faith, I have already learned that Jesus has the power to do so much more than I can ever imagine, so why even bother to doubt. I think I need to pray for my faith to grow with much strength.

old school 90's flashbacks

I was sitting listening to some old school Newsboys and it reminded me of my love for contemporary Christian music during the 90’s. So I decided I would define a top 10 from the 90's, here they are.....the memories are priceless, the songs are possibly a little bit cheddareee but priceless none the less.


D.C Talk – In the light/Day by day
Audio Adrenaline – hands and feet/It’s over
Newsboys – Take me to your leader
Third Day – I’ve always loved you
Jars of Clay – Love song for a Savior
Delirious – Deeper
Steven Curtis Chapman – Lord of the dance
Caedmon’s Call – There you go
Bebo Norman – Walk down this mountain
Sonicflood – I want to know you


Here is a little Audio Adrenaline that just crept in, released in '99