Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 5 August, 2011
For some of us it’s been part of our experience, for others perhaps a worst fear. It’s the phone call, the knock on the door or the word from the doctor, “It’s bad news, I’m afraid.”
What is our response? Whether we are the ones facing the bad news or if it’s someone we care about, how do we respond? If you listen carefully in those moments you’ll hear all sorts of messages from different people, “Just be strong,” “You’ll get through it,” “God will pull you through,” the list is almost endless.
Surely, if you're a Christian person, we should be able to speak much more helpfully into those kinds of situations. We should be able to speak to ourselves, to remind ourselves of what is true and what we know, and we should be able to speak to others who are struggling with the trials of life.
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 19 March, 2011
I’m sure we have all been shocked and saddened by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, not to mention the ongoing radiation threat from damaged nuclear power plants. Coming so soon after the Christchurch earthquake last month, it is easy at times to feel overwhelmed by the human toll, the scale of destruction and the huge cleanup and rebuilding operations required.
It is good to spend some time reflecting on the enormity of these issues and how clearly they speak of a creation groaning (as in Romans 8:22) and out of step with its creator as a result of human sin. I have been struck by the number of apparently non-Christian journalists saying how if we are to learn anything from these tragic events, it’s that we are not in control in our world and that something is not right. Surely we were not made for life like this!
Well the Bible agrees. This is not the life for which God intended us, and it’s not the life in store for those who trust in God’s provision and his solution for sin. We who place our hope in Jesus look forward to the day when God himself “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
In the meantime, we feel sad. We feel something of the weight of suffering. We may feel helpless. Probably the best thing we can do, especially at a distance, is to pray for Japan and for its people. I have some friends serving as missionaries in Tokyo; Owen and Sarah Ames have been in Japan with their family for a number of years. Earlier this week I asked them to let us know some things we can be praying for. Their suggestions are below.
Pray for a speedy resolution to the nuclear issue. Already authorities are issuing warnings about how to protect against nuclear fallout.
Pray that the ongoing aftershocks will not distress people.
Panic buying has started – no petrol, bread, candles, hardly any nappies or rice. Pray that will still be able to buy necessities.
Pray for peace of mind and that we entrust our fears to God.
Pray for protection, a sense of calm and wisdom as we hear various news reports and gain information about what essential services remain affected and what, if any, steps we need to take in every situation that arises.
Especially pray for Japan! The church is very small here, but please pray that it will demonstrate God's love as it extends helping hands to the thousands and thousands in need over these next weeks and months.
Pray for the missionaries in Japan too, that we will show God’s love and compassion to those in need and have opportunities to witness to many. Pray for those suffering the devastation and loss of life of friends and loved ones caused by both the earthquake and tsunami.
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 15 March, 2011
Service of Prayer and Remembrance - Japan & New Zealand Earthquakes
The events we have witnessed from Japan over the weekend have been sad and sobering. The nation is dealing with a tragedy of epic proportions, especially as a result of the tsunami triggered by the earthquake measuring 8.9. Nations and peoples around the world are responding generously and willingly with assistance and support in what is a massive recovery task ahead for the Pacific nation. Alongside this there have been many calls for prayer for this country: for its citizens, for the massive rescue and recovery effort that has begun, and for all who are dealing with the grief of loss of life and livelihoods.
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 12 October, 2010
This Sunday we're starting a brief teaching series from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica. Over the next three weeks Mick Hyam from Trinity City will take us through this letter, explaining Paul’s teaching on how Christians ought to live, looking forward to the return of Christ.
This morning when you got out of bed, what did you expect was going to happen today? What are you expecting to happen this week? Whatever it is that we’re expecting or looking forward to will shape our lives and decision making, won’t it? Today another tragedy unfolded on the South Eastern Freeway and some we know were mildly inconvenienced by the traffic chaos that ensued. But for those caught up in the tragedy, surely if they had expected something like this to happen, they would have made different choices and different decisions, in order that they might be spared the horror and difficulty. Conversely, when we’re expecting something good to happen, we live in the light of that expectation and make decisions accordingly.
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 30 July, 2010
There's a fascinating article over at Time regarding the decision to use a very confronting 
picture of Aisha, a young Afghan woman, on the front cover of the August 9 edition.
In the piece, The Plight of Afghan Women: A Disturbing Picture, Managing Editor Richard Stengel, describes some of the process by which he decided to use the photo of Aisha, who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws.
Since children would see the cover on news stands, child psychologists were consulted on what the possible impact might be. Aisha's safety had to be assured, and her emotional well-being had to be taken into account.
But I thought the most interesting comment from Stengel was this: "... bad things do happen to people, and it is part of our job to confront and explain them."
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 2 June, 2010
A number of people have asked for suggestions for further reading on the If I Were God... 
topics.
Here are a few books from great authors that may be helpful. I'll post some dealing with the questions surrounding pleasure next week.
Books dealing with the problem of pain and suffering:
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 27 May, 2010
I hope you're able to join us this Sunday as we consider our hurting world and our place in it. I'm confident that the things we hear and take part in will be helpful, encouraging and challenging. This topic title comes from John Dickson's book. You can buy a copy from the bookstall on Sunday or get it from Matthias Media if you want to wrestle with this issue some more.
In the first Century AD, the Apostle Paul, one of the leaders of the early church wrote these words to the church in Rome: We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
