I live in Melbourne Australia. One of the coolest and urban focussed churches in my city is Planetshakers. Be sure to check out this cool “duet” of drumming:
“After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that. We’ve really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don’t think so. I believe God is saying, ‘I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world.” Steven Curtis Chapman via his website.
On Wednesday, 21 May, the Chapman’s lost their adopted child in a tragic family accident. One of their teenage sons struck little Maria – aged 5 – in the family driveway. She was rushed to hospital but passed away from her injuries.
Maria was one of three girls the Chapman’s adopted from China. Steven and his wife, Mary Beth, founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world.
As a father of a four and a half year old girl, my heart goes out to Steven and his family – especially the brother who struck Maria. The grief he, along with the rest of the family, are dealing with must seem overwhelming.
This may be amplified by the song Chapman wrote titled, “Cinderella”. As any father, and mother, can relate, sometimes the pressures and demands of life get in our way when it comes to our children. And they are the ones to suffer when all they want is to play with their daddies and mummies.
Steven Curtis Chapman felt this the night he wrote the song Cinderella. Have a listen to the story behind the song:
And here is the music video:
“Cause all too soon, the clock will strike midnight, and she’ll be gone”
In light of what’s happened, that line strikes me to the core of my being and brings a tear to my eye for the Chapman’s and for every parent that’s lost a child.
Despite the obvious heartache the Chapman’s are facing right now, I hope this story is a wake up call to all the daddies and mummies out there who have little Cinderella’s and little Romeo’s – to stop, look down and gaze upon the faces of their kids who simply want to be kids and play with their parents. And then realise that most of what happens in life can simply wait for a while.
My second hope is that this accident raises the awareness of The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry the Chapman’s have founded. There are many Maria’s out there who need our help and this ministry can be used by God to bring hope to this kids while easing the financial strain on parents.
Meanwhile little Maria, I hope you are enjoying the presence of the Prince of Peace and the greatest lover of children. You are finally home.
Meet Maria Chapman via this video blog posted by Steven at the start of April. Rest in peace sweetheart.
I was checking out the Mars Hill website tonight and came across their vital links section on Jesus. Even though Mars Hill cops a lot of crap form both liberals and conservatives, the one thing I hold them in high esteem is their undiluted surrender to the authority of Scripture.
As a “moderate” Christian, I can relate to this take. I have reservations to Christian tradition and liberalism – choosing instead to remain relevant to modern society while grounded in ancient doctrine.
But one thing that struck me tonight as I checked out their Jesus section was the following passage:
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” 2 Cor 11:3-4
Apparently it’s totally possible to be a follower of Jesus and still be susceptible to “receiving a different spirit” from the one we receive when we accept Christ. This sends shivers up my spine – the fact that although we are “sealed by the Spirit” we can still be influenced by an outside influence in the following manner:
When we read the Genesis account, internally we may think, “Eve – why were you so dumb?” We do this not realising that we do the same thing ourselves when we accept as “truth” things which border on truth but which have been slightly skewed.
I know I may come across all “fundie” with this post, but I strongly believe that some of what the Emergent church promotes comes from this “different spirit.” As I’ve said before, I think it’s great to question fundamentalism and traditions, but there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed when you start questioning doctrine.
The above verse has brought this reality to my mind even more and that’s why I appreciate even more Mars Hill attempt at presenting Jesus from Scripture. Be sure to check out their section here.
This video comes courtesy of the Collide Magazine and their snazzy new website. I get a lot out of mulitmedia and appreciate really good work. And this is good:
As it was succintly put on the Collide website, the video would be even better if there was a point to it all. Fair comment. But great video nonetheless.
If you’re at least half human, you’ll get this post. You will understand where I am coming from and will appreciate the honesty and the lack of cliche.
Sometimes God “feels” so distant.
Be it through your own actions, thoughts and world view or by being hurt by others, sometimes the whole notion of God as a loving and caring Father seems ridiculous. And when you are in sin, this is especially true.
To all you non-believers in Jesus who subscribe to this blog, this is “family talk” and you undoubtedly have no idea what I am on about so have the decency to understand that I am waffling about things as foreign to you as understanding the reasons why the Burmese Government won’t allow foreign aid to come into the country.
Although I am “sold out to God” (whatever that means) I still question the method and means of God’s reality and communication with us. The silence when you seek assurance and the no response when you desire to be embraced as a hurting child. And when you sit back and think about the “foolishness” of what is preached, you realise that the Gospel makes no sense whatsoever in the world of modern, Western society.
But that’s all cool. The NT says that what is preached is foolishness anyway and those wanting to poke and prod will find ample material. Let it go I say.
But I love this passage from Isaiah:
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.
Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.” Isa 57:15-19
I love my Father. I love the fact that although He dwells in brilliance, He is closest to those going through hell in their lives. The broken and outcast are the ones He walks with most closely – even though they don’t know this – and He understands that the course of their lives results from the sin inside of them.
Although he sees my ways, and pathetic ways they are, He says that “he will heal me”. I know that this passage of scripture has it’s context set in other ways, but it also reveals my Father’s heart to those who are broken. It shows His righteousness, His justice and His overwhelming compassion.
So if God is distant to you. Pursue Him nonetheless cause it’s at these moments, in the time of your brokenness that He is closer then you ever think. Pursue Him cause His heart is set on healing you – albeit after He allows you to be broken.
