A Time For Games [11/8/2008]

Every four years we all are able to enjoy watching the most able young men and women from around the world compete in the Olympics.  The exceptional abilities and strength of the athletes is an example of the wonder of God’s creation.  God really has made humans amazing.  Sports, parties and fun are an essential and positive part of life’s experiences.  It’s strange though, each Olympics the idea is presented that the Games demonstrate the unity, peace and glory of humans progressing towards utopia. But salvation does not come through human effort, athletic or otherwise.  Even at the Games there are the drug tests to prevent cheating, the conflicts and off-field scandals which demonstrate how divided we are rather than united.  God has provided a better way for humans to achieve perfection.  That way is the way of faith in his Son Jesus and it’s available to all who believe…

The Price of Petrol! [5/8/2008]

Filling up the car these days is becoming a greater and greater concern.  With prices hovering around the $1.50 per litre mark, even my little four cylinder is getting expensive to run.  In small talk with others I’ve noticed how often the topic of fuel prices is on the radar.  And no doubt the increased prices are putting real stress on households and families. But as I thought about it a little further I couldn’t help feeling thankful.  Thankful that in comparison with what other countries are facing our petrol price issue is relatively minor.  We live in a country where we have great freedoms, we enjoy peace and security others only dream of.  Oddly enough, the fact we need petrol is actually evidence of how well off we are in Australia. 

So next time the price of petrol makes the conversation table try making a positive comment such as, “Isn’t it great that fuel prices is as bad as it gets in Australia?”   My guess is you’ll have quite a lot of explaining to do.  Who knows where the conversation could lead…