Resource Review: The Trouble with Paris

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What if you're living in the wrong reality?

Doesn't everyone want the good life these days? Our shopping mall world offers us a never-ending array of pleasures to explore. Consumerism promises us a vision of heaven on earth - a reality that's "hyper"-real. We've all experienced hyper-reality: a candy so 'grape-ey' it doesn't taste like grapes anymore; a model's photo so manipulated that it doesn't even look like her; a theme park version of life that tells us we can have something better than the real thing. But what if this reality is not all that it's cracked up to be? Admit it, we've been ripped off by our culture and its version of reality that leaves us lonely, bored, and trapped. But what's the alternative?

In The Trouble With Paris, pastor Mark Sayers shows us how the lifestyles of most young adults (19-35) actually work "against" a life of meaning and happiness to sabotage their faith. Sayers shows how a fresh understanding of God's intention for our world is the true path to happiness, fulfillment, and meaning.

Post links:

• Stuff! Are you all about it?
• Life (9): Mountains, mirrors and glory

Paperback Book, 224 pages

Price: Approx. $13.95 (Koorong)

Price: Approx. $11 (Amazon)

Resource Review: Desiring God

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Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Readers will embark on a dramatically different and joyful experience of their faith

The pursuit of pleasure is not optional. It is essential. 

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering work, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life-impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.

Paperback, Multnomah Books, 320 pages

Price: Approx. $14.95 (Koorong)

Price: Approx. $10 (Amazon)

Life (8): Anxiety, separation and the merry-go-round

Parking in the city (Sydney) can be rough. I can clearly remember the time when I parked my car on a busy and notoriously rough  street in the city, thinking that it would be safe. I was very naive and stupid, as I had left a bag sitting on the back seat and a boot full of cricket gear and fishing tackle. The day was a Friday, the day before the big cricket match on Saturday and fishing trip on Sunday.

Saturday morning arrived. I left the place where I was staying, and as I walked to my car, which I could see in the distance, I noticed that the boot was wide open! I freaked out!! All my cricket gear and fishing tackle had been stolen. I was dead – anxiety filled me! All kinds of thoughts raced through my mind, “I have no gear for cricket – all my fishing gear is gone – what do I do”.

Life and anxiety

Life is full of these unexpected twists and turns. One minute we seem on top of the world and then the next, we hit rock bottom. We live in such a fast paced kind of world. We move from dead line to dead line, to event to event. It can all seem like a great big blur really.

Today, I want to tackle the issue of anxiety. According to Wikipedia, about 5 to 7% of the adult population in the Western World suffer from clinical anxiety. This statistic does not include the general worry and anxiety of everyday life (non-clinical). According to one site I visited, at some point in our lives, we are all bound to have a some form of a panic attack. So, why are we so worried and is this natural?

Are you in this category? Let’s do a little exercise. Write down the five things that cause you to worry. Now, think about how many of the things you listed are necessities? Now on a score from 1 to 5, 1 being not at all and 5 extreme, rate the listed items in how much worry or anxiety they cause you? It is interesting to see how the findings vary between ages but most people generally identify the gaining of possessions or work as the greatest cause of anxiety. Does this apply to you?

I want to state that there are clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. However, for the bulk of the general public to be constantly struggling with anxiety, then you have to ask the question “What’s going on”? Let’s delve deeper then shall we?

What is the point?

Let’s change angles to a philosophical discussion. Firstly, what do you consider to be the purpose of your life? Do you consider it merely the pursuit of capital (buying more stuff and making more money) and the conquest of relationships? Are you a materialist – this life is it and therefore, eat, drink and be merry (1 Corinthians 15:32). Or do you sense that there something more to life? Do you sense that there is a purpose and meaning to your life?

At this point, you need to ask yourself the question ‘do you believe that there is a God who transcends our existence?’ The evidence for God scientifically, philosophically and historically is overwhelming. For more on this topic, check out the series on Science and Jesus (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7). At this point, you might be wondering, what does God have to do with anxiety? Let us proceed.

Okay, if there is a God, who created everything and who is involved in the world, we then have to ask, ‘how can all powerful God understand how I feel?’ See, the bible teaches that Jesus is God, who became a man (John 1:1-3; 14; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-3). He experienced everything that we experience and he knows exactly how you feel. Jesus is upmost sympathetic to our needs and he calls on us to lay our burdens and anxieties at his feet for he loves us and cares for us.

The core of our anxieties

Anxiety stems from the disconnectedness and brokenness in our world. We were created by God to be in a relationship with him. We were created to know him, and for him to know us, but sadly we reject him and are separated from him by this rebellion. If you don’t live your life knowing Jesus, then you have been separated from your creator. It’s like trying to operate a computer that’s not plugged in. That is us, unplugged from God and living an unguided purposeless life. This leads to anxiety and ultimately, death. You will live for what ever you set your heart to rather then living for the one who made you, and truly loves you.

Jesus, who is God, came to earth and lived the life we were supposed to live (trusting in and in perfect relationship with God) and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our rejection, so that we can be brought back into relationship with him! See, God loves you so much that he would die for you! Wow!

Okay, so if I turn and live for Jesus, will all my anxieties vanish? Yes and no. We still live in a broken world. Life is hard, and it will be hard until Jesus comes back to completely fix up the mess. However, you can know your creator. You can understand the purpose of life, relationships, work, sex, marriage, money and so on. God created these for us and only through Jesus can we experience the fullness of these things.

Get to know him

God is working to get to know you. See, Jesus is speaking to us today through his bible so we can know him. I want to share a verse with you from this library of books called the bible:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Let’s conclude that only through Jesus can we know God our creator, which is the purpose of our lives! Our anxieties are the result of living in a world that is separated from God. In Philippians passage, it explains that we can talk to Jesus (prayer) and lay all requests and burdens at his feet. Are you anxious? Then why not give it a crack and talk to Jesus about it. Why not ask him for help?

Resource Review: Death by Love

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Most men don’t like to talk about, but really need it. Women watch TV series and movies about it, but can’t define it. What is love? The bible tells us that God demonstrated his love for us by dying on the cross to rescue you and I from our rebellion and death (see Life Part 5).

This gospel (good news) has implications for our lives today and in this book, Mark Driscoll expertly discusses how Jesus death in our place transforms lives. Death by Love is a great read, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend – plus it is a real eye opener! The book is a bunch of letters Driscoll sent to members of his congregation, who were struggling with:
* Porn additions,
* Adultery,
* Self righteousness,
* The memory of terrible actions of the past (rape etc),
* Death and cancer,
* Hate,
* How to know God,
* Hell,
* Demonic attack.

Real people. Real sin. Transformed lives. A compilation of heartfelt letters written from a pastor to his people that explains Jesus' work on the cross.

Death by Love is a unique book on the cross of Jesus Christ. While many books debate the finer points of the doctrine of the atonement, what is often lost are the real-life implications of Jesus' death on the cross for those who have sinned and have been sinned against. Written in the form of pastoral letters, Death by Love outlines the twelve primary effects of Jesus' death on the cross and connects each to the life of a different individual.

Driscoll, one of America's most influential pastors, and Breshears, a respected theologian, help readers understand, appreciate, and trust in Jesus' work on the cross in a way that will transform their lives. Both deeply theological and intensely practical, this book shows how everyone can find hope through the death of Jesus Christ.

Hardback, 256 pages
Price: Approx. $22.95

Life (3): You are worth more than a Trillion Dollars!

The previous articles on ‘Life’ (Part 1 and Part 2), alongside the ‘Owned’ series (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3) have been very popular! I want to continue delving into the human psyche by examining - how having a relationship with God can be fulfilling, even in times of challenge and hard ship. However, before we engage with this topic, I would like to talk about the notion of ‘significance’. As an adult living in a major city, it can be hard to see yourself as a significant human, don’t you think? I am one of millions of people roaming around the busy streets of Sydney. It sometimes feels like I am a little insignificant ant serving the queen. Can you identify with me?

There is a growing epidemic of depression, suicide and self medication (alcohol, drugs etc). As I stated in my previous post (Part 2), the emotional wellbeing of Australians and Americans is under the hammer. I stated that we need to make Jesus the ultimate person in our lives and not other things. Today, I would like to explore a second facet to why we are so down in the dumps - why do we feel like little fish in a great big pond full of whales (significant people).

The source of significance

Let me begin by posing you a question – what makes you a significant human being? In the Western world, capitalism reigns (which I am not against). Our worth is measured by our bank accounts, where we live, what kind of job we have, who our friends are and so on. We conform to these measures by setting up frameworks for building significance in our lives. This is then fed by the media, who preaches to us daily on how we can attain significance and be like the stars. It is one gigantic system that either feeds our pride or leads us into depression.

So what if you fail to meet up to the criteria of significance? This may lead to us questioning our identity and our worth. We are led into a spiral of depression and ultimately, if fully generated, a destructive lifestyle. Not everyone meets this down fall but, according to the statistics (see McGraw-Hill, 2004) we all face emotional turmoil at some point in our lives. Please note, there are obviously more causes of depression then the two that I have covered in my last two posts, but these two causes (possessions and significance) are very significant in most people’s lives.

How can anyone love me, including God?

I want to delve a little deeper now into this notion of significance. Life can feel like a roller coaster ride at times as we work to build significance. According the bible, God created the entire human race in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). Additionally, scripture claims that God has carefully and lovingly knitted you together while you were in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-17; Job 10:11). He loves us above all things that he created. We have all been created to reflect God in his world, which he did because he loves us. God looks down from heaven and counts us all as significant and important. In God’s eyes you are worth more than you can imagine!

Alright, then what has gone wrong? Why are we all looking for significance elsewhere? We all, according to the bible, have chosen to worship other things rather worshipping God (Genesis 3:5-7), which was our initial design. As a result, we forget God and live for ourselves, which leads to us to be driven to find significance in things that aren’t designed to give us this need. We build frameworks to give us security, which feeds our significance:

They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass (Psalm 106:20)

I’m not saying that you have built an ox, but instead we build careers or relationships, which drive our life and give us significance rather than God. Our problem is not that we need more acknowledgements, but rather we need God.

The solution

Let me say, no matter how hard you work, you will never be satisfied with the things that you build, which are there to give you significance. Why? We aren’t programmed to find significance in these areas. Do you feel this in your life, like something is missing? We are all missing a full relationship with God, which can be mended. God who loves you demonstrates his love for you by providing a cure to this problem: God, who is perfect and all powerful, stepped off his throne in heaven and came down as the man Jesus and died on a cross to take away all of your brokenness and rebellion. Jesus came to earth to give us back our significance in this life. You and I are made significant in God, which can be found only in his Son Jesus, who is our Lord and Saviour.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17)

If this has impacted you, why not turn to Jesus right now. Acknowledge that you have found significance in things other than Jesus. Ask him to teach you how to live for him. Lay down your life in the hands of Jesus. Only there will you find significance. Life will still have troubles and hard times, but you will now the one true living God, who made you in his image.

Life (2): Where in the world can I find joy?

I have been blessed growing up in Australia. We (those who live in Australia) enjoy freedom of choice in many areas of life; these include choosing where we will work and live, we enjoy plenty of food and drink, we are able to practice public worship without severe persecution and we enjoy plenty of support from the government. We have everything at our fingertips – clothing, restaurants and recreational activities.

With all these luxuries at our doorstep, you would think that the general emotional landscape of the population would be pretty good. However, according to the statistics, depression in adults is doubling, and even more alarming is the rate of childhood depression, which has risen by 23% (statistcs provided by McGraw-Hill, 2004). We have everything, then why are we so depressed?


A culture left wanting

Built into our culture is this inherent desire to acquire more possessions. The common wisdom in our society is the belief that if we only had more stuff, then we would be happier. But is this true? Currently, the Australian economy is stronger ever, on average people are wealthier, own more property and have a greater access to the basic needs like health care, food and water, clothing and education. You must conclude that Australians are well off, yet are unhappier than ever. Statistics express that every Australian will, at some point in their life, experience depression. So, is more stuff and the pursuit of happiness the answer to our well being? I really don’t think so if you consider the statistics!

Our ultimate need

Jesus, the creator, saviour and king of the universe makes this huge call (Note: if you read this bible passage out of context, you will be really confused). Jesus in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 14:26-27) explains:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Previous to this passage in Luke 14, Jesus, after jarring the Jewish religious elite, had taught the lawyers, Pharisees and his disciples that God desires for us to show mercy, compassion and love to our fellow man. He then injects verses 26 and 27 into the equation (above passage). What is he saying? Has Jesus gone mad? One minute he says love and then the next he says hate- what’s going on? Jesus is addressing a huge issue within the human condition – the heart! Our problem is our heart – the soul.

We all have this yearning inside of us to make something ultimate in our life, or as some would say, to worship something. Some of us make sport ultimate; others make their kids or family, while others make their jobs ultimate or central to their well being. Jesus teaches that we must make him ultimate in our life. In the Luke passage (Luke 14:26-27), he is not promoting that we hate other people, but rather that we will worship him as the one true God. Doing this may be embarrassing as those around you may not agree with you belief in Jesus (Luke14:27). But, Jesus goal in life is to bring us real and fulfilling joy, which comes through a relationship with him.

Consider this

I guess what we need to ask ourselves is, firstly, do you have a relationship with Jesus? Secondly, have you laid you whole life down before him? Are there things holding you back from Jesus? The pursuit of possessions will only bring us momentary happiness, but a life fixed on and centred around Jesus, as our saviour and king, will bring us full and complete joy. Family, leisure, sport, steak and wine are all amazing gifts from God for us to enjoy. A fulfilling life and the experience of true joy will only be had if we bring our sin and rebellion before Jesus and let him take control of our lives (Luke 14:33).

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:4)

Resource Review: Vintage Church

Highly respected theologians Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears have produced a great book for those who are interested in finding out what scripture has to say about church. I have found this book quite funny as is Driscoll’s style, very informative and easy to read. Great follow on read from Christians Beleve (5).

This book from the popular Re: Lit series picks up where Vintage Jesus leaves off, beginning with a focus on the person and work of Jesus and then exploring the confessional, experiential, and missional aspects of his church. It defines a biblical church as one that properly balances the eternal truths of Scripture - church leadership, preaching, baptism, communion, and more - with timely, relevant methods designed to engage the culture, such as multi-campus churches and the latest forms of technology, to reach people with the gospel. While Vintage Church is helpful for pastors and church leaders, it is the kind of book you could hand to someone who has questions about ecclesiology but finds the very term ecclesiology intimidating. The authors put forth twelve practical questions about church doctrine and answer them in clear, biblical terms.

256 pages, from Re: Lit
Price: Approx. $24.95