Have you ever heard of the song Cannibalism, by the Christian artists, The Lads?

Most of my friends hate this song.  They see no true meaning behind the lyrics whatsoever.  But I believe that that’s a lie.

For five years I have just faved the lyrics, the beat and the tempo.  But the day after getting back from a mission trip to Cambodia and travelling for an hour to Church, this song came on and I was struck with the hidden meaning of the song (as well as others).  Now, sadly I’ve forgotten the meaning that I had discovered behind the lyrics then, but I had a listen to it again today and realised the following things… (listed below, after the lyrics)

If you don’t know the song, the lyrics go as follows:

“V1
If you are looking at your boyfriend
thinking he’s so yummy
If you are looking at your girlfriend
thinking she’s good enough to eat
Well think on this don’t think too long
Well think on this…

CH1
Cannibalism’s wrong
Cannibalism’s wrong
you have to be strong

V2
If you are starving on an air-plane
‘cos you’re in economy
And if you have crashed down in the ocean
and you’re allergic to sea food
By eating me you could stay strong
And I could learn to hop along
Apart from this

CH2
Cannibalism’s wrong
You must fight it don’t deny
Cannibalism’s wrong
Come on people, can’t you see
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t be tempted, you have to be strong

BR
We all know someone, who has had a bite
Taken out of them by, somebody else’s spite
It happens every day, but does that make it right
They want their lives to be prolonged
And not be carved up by your tongue
So listen up…

CH3
Cannibalism’s wrong
You must fight, it don’t deny
Cannibalism’s wrong
Come on people, can’t you see
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t be tempted, to eat them
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t deny it you must fight
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t eat your best friend’s thigh you know why
Cannibalism’s wrong
Even if they deserve it, you can’t eat them ‘cos it’s wrong

OUTRO QUATRO
If you do don’t eat the skin, it’s fattening”
(http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Cannibalism-lyrics-The-Lads/072C48F7880578AA482571F7001117F8) 

Traditionally cannibalism means eating someone, but if you’re obsessed with your boyfriend/girlfriend or just a friend then you are eating them theoretically.  You are spending all of your time (and maybe their’s) obsessing over them.

This is often unhealthy as we sometimes forget about what really matters in life…

One main (and often forgotten point) is God. God wants our time.  He wants to spend time with us.  But sometimes we put friends before God.  Or socialising. Or television, music, sleep, assignments, homework etc.  And it isn’t always easy to remember to put God first, but we MUST.  He loves us and cares for us and wants to get to know us better, and for us to get to know Him! 

Cannibalism’s Wrong!

(There’s a lot more to add (e.g. words, devotion, worldy values, etc.) and if I remember/discover more I’ll add them up (when I have the time, and the patience), but for the moment, I think this will do). Goodnight, sweet beautiful World!

I was going through some books I wrote in awhile ago, and came across a book I took to Cambodia on a Teen Missions’ Trip (www.teenmissions.com.au) in 2006/2007 (so 3 years ago).  I then started flicking through this book and came across one section of notes that I had prepared for leading at night devotions…

I still find it funny reading back on these things, because I often go “I wish I had the faith now, as I did then” but it’s in the past and you can only really look towards the future!  And I surprisingly struggle with this a lot more now than I did then… but I thought I might share it with you…

Why do we care so much on appearances?  Who says what the best appearance is, or isn’t?

God chose our specific body parts that would be perfect for us.  Like the people, who have dug and filled the trenches and posts, look for that perfect flat rock for the trench, or the suitable small wedge rock for the post hole, to securely support the post.

As in Psalms 139:13 - 16 (one of my favourite verses)

(NLT) “13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thankyou for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it.  15 You watched me as I was being in the utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  16 You saw me before I was born.  Everyday of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

Again, and I need to apply this to myself, as well; why do we, especially females, care so much on what our appearances are like? Why do so many women wear foundation and makeup, etc. on our faces each day, hiding the natural beauty God individually gave us?

I have a friend, who works at my school, and if she’s running late, she says to me when I say hello to her in the morning, “that she’s sorry she hasn’t got her mask on yet.”  But who says we need a mask? 

God created us uniquely and specifically for who we are;  He doesn’t care if we got pimples, a physical or speech problem (like Moses).  He doesn’t care if we have different coloured skin, from the majority of people that reside in our community.  For He created us to be set apart from others.

He uses people who are different, to the full.  He has a plan for everyone, and the ones who aren’t seen as the “perfect” person are usually His most useful.  It is because these people haven’t closed themselves so much, that He can mould them and make them.  He can transform them into His image and help them to reach out to others, as they are happy with who they are, and are focused on Him (God) and not on their own selves.

There is no one person exactly alike, not even twins or clones.  For each person looks internally and externally different, acts differently, and has their own unique personality.

So lets all try just to be who we are, and accept who we are, what we look like, and how God created us uniquely, for a reason!  Maybe this will save some time for others in the bathroom, in the mornings as well.

So I just want to overall say, well sum up my devotions, by saying… Don’t worry what your appearance is and let’s get DIRTY for God!

Proverbs 31:31
I Peter 3:3-4
I Samuel 16:7

Ok so this is another one from my devotional book I wrote in in Cambodia…  I still am desperate to return from Cambodia… I think I left my heart there… but know God has me here for a reason!

Saturday 20th of January 2007

Dear God,

Thankyou so much for this opportunity you have given us, in coming to this orphanage and seeing how, with so little, you can have so much.

You don’t need beds, mirrors, and electricity, to be happy, and alive (as you know, and we have discovered in these past 3 weeks) Lord.

For we have seen these children, who have so little, and sleep on straw mat beds, don’t use electricity and pump all their water, live sufficiently in You.

They worship You like I have never seen anyone worship You before - praying for 1/2 to 3/4 of their church services.

God please help me just to have the heart these Cambodians have.  Help me just to have courage in my heart, and want to constantly yearn and seek for You.  You have shown us so many of your miracles Lord, and I don’t know if what I’ve heard is from You or myself?  But I want to have courage in my heart and I want to be strong in You. 

This is the closest I’ve ever felt to You, God, and I don’t want to minimise, or go away from that.  I’m scared Lord, that when I go home, I won’t feel Your presence and I don’t want to resort back to my old ways.  Lord, help me to not worry or be scared, for You are God and as You said in Matthew 6:19-34, Don’t store up treasures here on Earth, where they diminish.  Your heart will be where your treasure is.  Your eye is a LAMP for your body.  A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye plunges you into darkness.  You cannot serve both God and master (money, tv, world, popularity, etc.)

25”So I tell you, don’t worry about every day life - whether you have enough food, or drink, or clothing…  31 Why be like the pagans, who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your Heavenly Father already KNOWS ALL YOUR NEEDS and He will give you and make you the Kingdom of God your primary concern.  So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

So God, when I get back home, please help me to remain and grow spiritually strong in You.  Keep me patient and trusting and not be selfish. For I want to remain strong in You.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

I love when there are God moments… take the following for example!

(Thursday, 24th of January, 2008)

God show me where to go.  I understand Brazil wasn’t on the list.  I am praying that this means I get a break this year?… but part of me want to go on team again.  God I’d like to volunteer at Boot Camp at least!  Cambodia’s going again Lord - please help me.  I am so desperate to return! 

Open my eyes, so I may see.  Open my ears, so I can hear.  Open my mouth so I may taste.  Open my hands, so I may feel.  Open my nose, so I may smell.  Open my heart, so I may do!  Am I to serve You long term?  In missions?  Please, as I open my Bible to a random page (for a first) show me a verse which is significant!

pg 460
Psalm 18 (Immediately looking at verse 6)
“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help.  He heard me from His santuary; my cry reached his ears.”

The wind then blew to Psalm 20:1
“In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.”

I still felt God-less however, and was doubting God a fair bit… I started reading Psalm 22:1
“My God, my God!  Why have you forsaken me?  Why do you remain so distan?  Why do you ignore my cries for help?

In which the wind blew to Psalm 33 & 34 (on consecutive pages):
Psalm 33:1
“Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise Him.

Psalm 34:1,2
“I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak His praises,  I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

I love these times.  They are hugely encouraging.  They create a peace rarely man-made.  It’s not a peace of man, but a peace of the Holy Spirit and it is beautiful!

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but for the interests of others.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

Simply for me, God does not want us to be selfish, but to help others up when they fall down.  To not bring others up to expect self-gratification either, but to do it out of love.  I suppose also you could even go along the lines of saying, watch what you wear… if you wear something suggestive, provocative, or simply body-hugging, so that it can make someone else stumble, then you’re not keeping an eye out for others… 

THE POEM
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease…..
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They’d laugh at me I’d fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God! held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
‘Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down…
But never found the time’

Now do you have the time
to pass it on?

Rom 9:16-17 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
A Paris en Vélo, On Dépasse les Autos. La Vie en Rose, Part 15

“A Paris en Vélo, On Dépasse les Autos.” This famous song from French singer Joe Dassin describes how much easier it is to travel through Paris by bike instead of by car. Indeed, it is a nightmare to find a parking place in Paris, and cars often find themselves bottled-up the slow moving traffic while bikers zoom around, in front, and sometimes over them!

“Get off my car!”

Many Parisians like the fact that they can rent their own bikes at most street corners of the city. You can deposit the necessary change into a machine and you may then take one of the many city bikes and ride wherever you would like to.

This is also good for your health, and Parisians are definitively health-conscious. Along the Seine River for example, there are special designated paths for jogging and running, and surprisingly, these are well used. The same is true in Paris’s many parks, such as le Jardin du Luxembourg, where there are also many other athletic choices, such as tennis, walking, and biking. Did I already say biking???

Parisians work hard to be healthy. They also work hard to enjoy nature. Because this city is huge, and there are few who have enough land to have their own gardens, Parisians plant their gardens in pots on their apartment balconies. It is amazing how many “pot-gardens” in balconies you will notice while walking the streets of Paris!

Parisians also work hard to move up the corporate ladder and at developing a firm social base. But then, are they any different from North-Americans? And for that matter, isn’t this a worldwide phenomenon? Aren’t we constantly trying to prove ourselves in anything we do, no matter where we live?

And sadly, we’ve become so addicted to proving ourselves, that this mentality has also invaded our spiritual lives. We seem to think that the more good works we do, the better will be our chances of earning a place in heaven! But is this really God’s plan?

Why would God send His son to die on a lonely cross if we could earn Heaven by our own merits? And can we truly earn spiritual bliss? Aren’t we just making a mockery of the One who is the Lover of our soul? If Jesus paid the price of our sin by dying on a cross, then all of our efforts are for nothing. Instead of earning brownie points, when we try to work our way to Heaven we are simply displaying distrust in our Saviour Himself!

“I appreciate what you did for me Jesus, but sorry, it is not enough for me. I doubt that will give me entrance to heaven. I need to earn heaven on my own efforts. In me I can trust!”

Is this what God’s Word teaches us? Is it possible that we have it completely wrong?

Let’s check this out!

“It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (Rom 9:16-17 NIV)

“What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” (Rom 9:30-32 NIV)

“And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” (Rom 11:6 NIV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)

I guess I had better start taking my bike to work. Not because I am addicted to works, but because it will give me time to meditate on the awesome grace of God! Can you believe it: I am saved because of what Jesus did for me on the cross! I can’t do anything to earn heaven, except accept Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savour! How truly amazing He is! Thank you Jesus!

Rob Chaffart

Have been really struggling to get into the pattern of Quiet times for the past 6 months, ever since my birthday, and it has been driving me insane… I have been obsessed with Uni and doing well and focusing and well blah. yeah. you get the image.  I’ve hated that fact but I’ve also wanted to not slip behind uni, and yes the verse of (not quoted exactly) “what do I have if I gain the whole world, but lose my soul’ pops into mind.  But I also struggled to enjoy quiet times.  To find something in the Bible to feel passionate to read, addicted to read, motivated to read, after reading cover to cover (for the past 3 years). 

I’ve been trying to read Psalms for the past few months, but with Uni haven’t been doing it devotedly.  But I have given up on Uni now, and it wasn’t until new years, where I decided I’m going to try to refresh, restart, and rekindly the fire that I know God wants me ignite.  There was a few days where I was too exhausted from Uni (Semester 3, over holidays) but I’ve quit that now, and I see no reason why  I can’t do it - and T.v., exhaustion from T.V., friends, shopping, scrapbooking, journalling, packing, chores, etc. does NOT count! So I’ve been doing it a lot more lately :) YAY!

I don’t want to get into a habit where I am doing it just so that I can cross it off the calendar as another day done, and not actually be trying (or be trying too hard that I overlook the simplicity of it all) to build my relationship with God.

So yeah there have been a few days where I’ve missed it, because of particular reasons, and one being last night, because I struggle to do Quiet times when I am at a friend’s house, in their room, and i don’t want to be a disturbance when they’re trying to sleep at all, so I usually just do a mental one —> but it feels a bit of a cop out to me, when I don’t open the Bible.  And I really missed not doing it properly last night. I tried this morning, or I rather had a pretty full one this morning, but it still feels like I’ve missed last night.  I was planning on doing one tonight as well, but was feeling too exhausted to do one before, but am planning on doing it again now… but yes… I just hope that I can stick with it.  That God keeps convicting me. Keeps this longing for Him burning within me.  I miss it. I love it. I strive for it.

How would you like a job where you are guaranteed in contract to have 1½ to 2 hours for lunch? In fact this offer is so popular that the whole town closes its doors at lunch time, except maybe for gas stations. There is no catch to the offer. You still get to go home at 6:30 pm. Oh, and you don’t have to be at your job until 9:00 am. Moreover on Tuesdays and Thursdays you don’t come until 1:30 pm.! Would that be all right with you?

Sundays you have off as well. After all, shouldn’t you be spending time with your family?

And shouldn’t you be able to buy fresh produce, fresh pastries and fresh bread on a daily basis? No more of that “prison bread” filled with chemicals to keep the appearance of freshness, and no more produce that has been on display for the last two weeks!

To top it off, you also receive the following order: Stop rushing around! Relax! Take it easy! Enjoy life to the fullest!

Does the job sound impossible?

Not at all! Move to Europe! In many European countries this is the norm. The French, the Austrians, the Swiss, and those in many other countries know how to relax and enjoy life. Why not add a practical joke here and there to make life even more spicy?

This is true for our spiritual life as well! Relax! Enjoy your life with Christ living in you. Stop worrying and let Him lead for once. Remember Rom 11:18 “You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (NIV)

Remember, you don’t live to work, but you work to live. Jesus truly brings real living! “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

“Let’s move to Europe!”

Deal!

Rob Chaffart

I don’t deserve this.  They don’t know me.  I’m not good enough.

God has you right where He wants you!

When we are not ‘good enough’, God can use us to show His glory!

(Thoughts derived from the article in Our Daily Journey)

From Our Journey - Sunday December 20, 2009

“Recently, I read the story of a husband and wife who walked out of a movie theater partway through the film Milk.  Both were disgusted after seeing actor Sean Penn, portraying former homosexual politician Harvey Milk, kiss another man.  So they approached the box office attendant and demanded a refund.  The attendant suggested they swap their tickets for a film that was about to start - The Changeling.  He warned them, though, that it featured scenes of a serial killer axing children to death.  The wife thought for a moment, then turned to her husband and said, “That sounds OK.” 

I don’t know if the couple were christians who felt that a public stand against homosexuality was required, or simply conservative folks who found the storyline of Milk to be distasteful.  Either way, their actions reflect the hypocrisy that too many of us live out.  Enraged by some sins, we turn a blind eye to others - a homosexual kiss onscreen is an outrage; a film enacting violence against children is “OK”. 

Unknowingly, many believers in Jesus have adopted a list of “acceptable” and “unacceptable’ sins.  We are quick to declare that homosexuals, adulterers, and idolaters will not enter the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9), but fail to see that neither will the greedy (v.10) - which probably describles many of us.  We may be prone to complaining and arguing, while not acknowledging that it’s wrong to do so (Philippians 2:14).  Few of us will talk about the sin of gluttony as we line up at the restaurant buffet bar (Provers 23:20).  And when we worry, we fail to see it as a lack of trust in God (Matthew 6:25-34).

The apostle Peter encouraged his flock to get rid of all evil behaviour, including hypocrisy (2 Peter 2:1).  May Jesus open our eyes to see the “acceptable” sins that we’re failing to see, even as we rage against the “unacceptable” sins of others. - Sheridan Voysey

I had a pretty good Quiet Time / Devotional today (28/12).  In which I didn’t get a chance to read the Bible, and didn’t feel it was long enough, as I was pushing for time, and am still trying to catch up on 4 weeks of Uni.  But I at least sat down and tried to spend time with God, instead of just leaving Him on the shelf, like I have lately.

Prayer seemed to take up most of the time I spent, and the little bit of time I did have I read the ‘Our Journey’ Daily devotional booklet, which had some anecdote - which sadly I can’t remember off of the top of my head, but the thing that stood out for me at 7am in the morning was the day’s Bible verse.

Colossians 3:23

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you are working for the Lord rather than for people”.

God really seems to know what I need to hear lately.  I have been struggling so much with Uni.  And have been stuck on week 3 of the only courses I am even attempting to try and pass now, for almost a week.  Week 3 seems to include all the prac information, and it’s got me thinking, am I really meant to be teaching, what am I meant to be doing - primary, secondary, or even Uni altogether… but then I’ve got Mum telling me I am not wasting myself and not doing Uni.  So I am a little bit petrified of the fact that in a month I will be going to the biggest high school in the city, and teaching some classes there with no previous experience… crazy huh?  Like I mean where’s my trust in God…

But Colossians 3:23 hit the spot for me today.  I decided to stop shying away from the fear of reading all the necessary prac information and actually get in and try to read it… it didn’t work too well all the time, but every time I look at the verse (it is written in permanent pen on my arm) it’s a little booster, that whatever I do, do it for God’s glory!

02/06/09
Dear God.
I sometimes wonder why? I often wonder why?
But commonly never take the time to stop, wait and listen for the answer.
I find it easier to assume that you’re either too busy, it’s not important, or you’re non-existent and therefore even if I pose the question, I will not hear a response.
But that’s not true.  I know.  The pain and suffering in the World is not Your doing but ours.  We often ask this question.  But never wait for a response, “if God was real, there’d be no suffering.” or “If He was a loving God, there’d be no pain.”,  ”God can’t be real, He’d stop this…” etc.  But God is real.
Do you listen with your ears, eyes and mouth?  
Have you opened up your heart to receive the answer or do you sit in the corner, assuming and jumping to conclusions?  I know the Truth… do you?

“Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:16a, 4:18a)

My newborn son was only two weeks old when suddenly one night, a horrific headache hit me and wouldn’t stop. Hubby took me to the emergency room, thinking that with the right meds he would just bring me back home.

It didn’t turn out that way. Seems the headache was the beginning of real trouble. The doctors all consulted then transferred me to a larger hospital where there were neurologists on staff. They made many more tests then determined there was an aneurysm on the brain, but too deeply embedded for it to be surgically repair it. Needless to say, for some time there afterwards, my daily activities were greatly curtailed. Little by little, day by day, I regained my strength and motor capabilities. Eventually, I returned to my former way of life; raising five kids, and serving as church secretary and pastor’s wife.

Fast forward quite a few years. The children are all grown and the last one is in High School. I begin having trouble again with headaches and with my sense of balance. Off to the doctor’s office again. After sonograms to the carotid arteries, it was determined that I needed another arteriogram. Lying there on the table while the doctor threaded the little tiny camera into my brain, I heard the nurse say quietly to the doctor, “Do you see that aneurysm?” The doctor quietly replied, “Yes, I see it.”

I began to complain to the lord (still while under the “don’t care” drugs they give you for such a procedure) “No, God, I don’t want to be paralyzed and a prisoner in my own body! I would rather just go on home to be with you!”

It seemed as if the Lord spoke to me audibly. “Audrey, haven’t I been with you during all the past difficulties?”
 
“Yes, Lord.”
 
“Well then, don’t you think I would be with you this time if I choose to let that aneurysm burst?”
 
“I know Lord.”
 
“Will you love me enough to keep right on trusting me, no matter what I do to you?”
 
Hmmm, I had to think on that one for a bit. Finally, I could say with my whole heart, “Yes, Lord, I will trust You, no matter what. Do with me what You will.”

From that minute on, I began to heal. Never did have to have the brain surgery! I am now 76 years old and that aneurysm has never caused me to be paralyzed, crippled, or mentally impaired. The scar is still there, according to my doctor, but no problem to the things my body needs to do!

You might say, “What happened?”
 
Well, I had thousands praying for me all up and down the eastern seaboard. I had one doctor tell me later after a heart cath, “Well I don’t know if I would call it a miracle, but it sure does rate up there with one!”

You just can’t beat letting God have His way in your life.

Audrey Byars Mullen in Georgia

1 Sam 12:24 Consider what great things he has done for you.

In our trek through fear, we often neglect to consider the validity of such worries. But if we really think about it, memories that testify that our God is, indeed, a caring God, will arise!

“Consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam 12:24 NIV)

While navigating through the streets of my hometown this past summer, I suddenly found myself face to face with the church from my childhood. I knew it well, but when I began talking about it, my sons and my wife looked around, puzzled:

“Where’s the church?”

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