I. AM. A. CHRISTIAN

Kel says that the four words "I am a Christian" can lead to so much misunderstanding. "For many people today it has negative connotations and conjures up images of Bible bashing, self righteous indignation and other unChristlike characteristics." She also quoted the following explanations of what Maya Angelou means with those four words. As a Christian I can really identify with them :

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin.
"I'm whispering "I was lost," Now I'm found and forgiven.
When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need HIS strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say.. "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.
When I say.... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow.

Are you a Christian? If you are not, how do you see Christians? If you are, how do you see yourself as a Christian? Do you agree with Maya Angelou's quotes here? What ideas of Christianity do you have personally?

Love

Love does not envy!
Love does not get jealous when someone is better than you!
Love is being happy for other's achievements!
Love is letting others be the best they can be!
Love is not showing off your strengths!
Love is not egoistic and wanting others to praise you!
Love does not want to get compliements!
Love is humble!
"LOVE IS AN INTERNET PROVIDER THAT NEVER DROPS OUT!"

The Heart of the Artist

I've been reading the book "The Heart of the Artist", which is basically about character-building for Christian people involved with arts ministry. This is a great book written for artists by an aritist. So far it's been quite insightful and challenging. Rory Noland addresses topics such as "Servanthood Versus Stardom", "The Artist in Community", "Excellence Verses Perfectionism", "Jealousy and Envy", "Managing Your Emotions", and "The Spritual Disciplines of the Artist."

There is a quote in the book that I can really relate to as an artist..." But then, no artist is normal, if he were, he wouldn't be an artist. Normal men don't create works of art. They eat, sleep, hold down routine jobs, and die. You are hypersensitive to life and nature; that's why you are able to interpret for the rest of us. But if you are not careful, that very hypersensitiveness will lead you to your destruction. The strain of it breaks every artist in time." (Irving Stone, Lust for Life)

What do you think of that quote?

Bible Focus Night

It was a stimulating night tonight at LivingRoom. We had a Bible Focus where one of our community's members read out a piece that he wrote about Jesus and Pilate. We went into "Pilate's mind". In the past, I didn't really relate to Pilate that much, but after tonight, having explored the dynamic between Jesus and Pilate, I feel that I can empathise with him.

Some of the thoughts that came up during the discussion:

• Pilate's question: "what is truth?"
• Pilate only had the power to give Jesus over to death because he was given the power...
• Pilate was so weak and powerless....he was trying to find a way out, but he couldn't...
• Pilate is the icon of the age...the 'whatever' mentality...being pushed around by others...
• Pilate lacked conviction, he had no sense of what is right...
• Pilate was not bold enough to stand up...
• "If enough people say it's right, then it must be right"???

Journalling

Journalling is an important part of my life, I enjoy doing it every day because there are many benefits:

1. Catch my deep inner-self
2. Expression of all I am
3. Heartbeat on paper (and computer)
4. Pause in life
5. Healthy way of expressing feelings
6. Healthy way of forgiving
7. Brings inner harmony
8. Receive guidance from the Lord

Would love to hear about your journalling experiences too.

Anzac Day Reflection

I believe that ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Today is ANZAC Day - in fact 90 years after the orginal ANZAC Day. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war. I must confess that I haven't taken this day seriously during the 17 years of living in Australia. I have always thought of the day as a public holiday. But today I was deeply moved as I watched the news that showed the ANZAC Cove in Gallepoli in Turkey. War is terrible, we all know that, but this should not stop us from remembering those who made the sacrifice. Today as I thought of the sacrifice of the Aussie soldiers, I was also reminded once again of the ONE who made the ultimate sacrifice who died for the sins of the world - my Lord Jesus Christ. I am eternally thankful for what He has done!



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Transformed Lives

“God is More Than Adequate!”

As I speak with young people from various parts of Melbourne, I find lots of heartache, loneliness, insecurity, broken relationships, and feelings of inadequacy -- symptoms all too common in today's troubled society. What can I possibly say to them who also experiences these symptoms in my life. Just this: God is more than adequate for whatever He asks us to do! I find that today's young men and women -- as in every generation -- relate enthusiastically to someone who has 'been there!' and 'done that!' All the more when they understand that we, too, have limitations.

My life had been transformed by the Lord. When I was at my dark ages, chaos was everywhere and my heart was shattered. It was only then that I realized, when I asked God to use me as His instrument, all things that occurred, no matter how bad they turned out to be, were all permissible under His will. In the Old Testiment in the Bible, Jeremiah 10:13 declares : “I know, Oh LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps”--- I am thankful that my Lord Jesus Christ is directing my steps as I remain in HIM.

Vine & Branch

These few days had been times of feeling and realizing God's Presence. As the branch doesn't continually ask the Vine to supply it with sap, I don't keep asking God to show me in what direction to go / grow anymore! Does that make sense?

World Team Focus MissioNight

For those of you who are in Melbourne / Victoria / Australia, you are invited to World Team Australia's Short Term Mission Awareness night

6:45 for 7:00 pm start - Thursday May 5

Sharing and beautiful photos from:

Angela Billing & Allison McGowan: mission awareness trip to Chile & Peru

Nicole Hepworth: mission awareness trip to Papua Indonesia (Irian Jaya)

Address: 36 Barton St, Hawthorn Victoria

(at the venue of Hawthorn West Baptist Church)

You are very welcome to bring others along. Short term trip opportunities will be shared as well!

For further info, please leave a comment here or email me on kitping@optusnet.com.au

Rrefreshment (yummy maxim cakes, coffee and tea) will be provided, so let us know if you're coming so we can prepare :)

We look forward to welcoming you along with others with a similar passion to yourself. Hope you can make it along!

Bouldering or Belaying?

I learned these two new words today. They are indoor rock-climbing terms.

"Bouldering" is climbing rocks freestyle - without a rope to stop you if you fall.
"Belaying" means that you are climbing with the help of a rope, and a companion is holding the rope for your safety.

One is solo; the other is done with assistance.

It seems to me that this is a good way to examine our lives. Are we using the bouldering or the belaying method? Are we trying to make it by ourselves, or are we seeking the help of others?

These two terms really got me thinking!

Rushing Rushing Rushing.....

It's LATE and I'm still on the go!
Had been chatting with a few friends online for hours.
I can't seem to be able to stop tonight.
I had a great time at work with my workmates having giggles here and there.

My mum hurt her back last Wednesday. She couldn't move. I was worried to death!
Took her to the doctor and spent time with her for the past few days.
This slowing down process was really benefical for me - even a blessing!
In our world we hurry all the time don't we?

Often we have so much to do and not enough time to do it.
The results are our goals, and we seldom take time to enjoy the process.
Makes me wonder how much we miss everyday.
Perhaps we should slow down and enjoy the journey rather than just heading to the destination.

What do you reckon?

A Perfect Gymnast

I want to be a perfect gymnast! To be a perfect gymnast one must learn balance. It is balance and poise, perfect balance and poise in fact!

I wonder how I can become a perfect gymnast?

William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

During Ignition last weekend, one of the workshop facilitators (who used to be my lecturer when I was at Tabor) gave me two tickets to see the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which was a production that he was involved with. So I went along with a friend who is a Shakespeare's fan last night. This was the first time I'd ever seen Shakespeare's play live, and it was certainly an interesting experience. The "play-within-a-play", the fairies' magic, the characters Bottom, Puck, Oberon, Duke of Athens, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and especially the classical poetic way of performance were all quite refreshing (yet I must admit at times confusing).

Before the play, my friend suggested for me to focus on the theme of how emotions (including the beautiful poetic language) color perception. Shakespeare is writing about how fantasy and imagination influence how we see the world, and how we see and behave toward each other. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream", imagination makes impossible things into reality.

Apparently the key passage in the play is "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet" (or as the promotional material put it "love, power, bottoms". It's been said that "Shakespeare's works are larger than anyone individual's ideas or knowledge. You'll need to bring your own experience -- especially of being in love -- to help you decide what it all means for you." Well I kind of experienced that last night. I am sure though that what the play means for me is very different from what it means for anyone else.

So what are your experiences of reading / watching Shakespeare's work?

2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Australia's premier live comedy event and one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world. WOW!!

Last night I went to see the competition screening of the comedy channel short film festival at Federation Square - the centre of Melbourne. Celebrating the art on film, the festival spotlights the work of the best funny filmakers from all over Australia and overseas. The whole BMW Edge at Federation Square was packed with audience. I was glad that I went in early, cos many people didn't even have a seat. Some people actually brought their beanbags along to the event. How impressive!

I was amazed and amused by all the film makers (comedians) who contributed to this competition. I was almost laughing non-stop the whole time! It was also such a cultural and artistic event which showcasted the best comic talent. I really enjoyed it. Apparently there are more than 1000 comedians in more than 100 shows performing stand-up, theatre, cabaret and music plus visual arts and street entertainment in this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

For those of you who are overseas, I highly recommend that you come to visit Melbourne - one of the most livable, artistic, culturally diversed and beautiful cities in the world. If you are already living here, enjoy this lovely city and all that it offers culturally and artistically! Perhaps we can even go to Federations Square together one day! Let me know if you want to do that :)

Creative & Deep Thoughts From Kids

I discovered a site with some very creative thoughs from kids, which put a smile on my face :)

"I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don't have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?" -- Age 15

more here

which one do you like most?

About gO! mission eXplo 2005

If you are from Melbourne / Victoria / Australia and are interested in what God's doing around the world through mission, YOU ARE INVITED!!! gO! mission eXplo 2005 is a weekend of fellowship with mission-hearted friends, dynamic speakers, practical workshops and inspirational stories.

when: 13-15 May (second weekend in May)
where: Philip Island Adventure Resort
what is its purpose: connecting young people with God's global purpose.
theme: gO2Xtremes

participate... morph... pray... experience... worship... connect... play... chat...

Thinking about mission?
World Browsing will be back in 2005! Stalls from many different mission organisations (including World Team of course) and Bible colleges giving you the chance to reflect on the many different ways you can gO!

Cost: the whole weekend $145, $115 for group of more than 10 people
Friday night $20
Saturday $35
Sunday $35

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!! http://www.hesaidgo.info/
please let me know if you’re planning to go to gO! (hehe), and I can send you a brochure or three :)
Hey come and join me, it's gonna be awesome!!!

The Pleasure Of Meeting Fellow Bloggers

Wow these past few days saw me meeting with a number of fellow bloggers in person. During Ignition last weekend, I got to meet with christop, the rev, and nick. And today I had the privilege of meeting umm yasmin. It's just great to be able to connect with new friends and get to know them online as well as in person, especially when you know that these are authentic and real people! Praise God for the blogosphere!

Ignition Photos

Please go to the following link to some of the photos that I took @ Ignition, enjoy.....

http://public.fotki.com/kitping/

Reflection on Ignition

Ignition was such an enjoyable, refreshing yet challenging experience for me personally! I was involved with the committee team helping out with the volunteer coordination. Seeing how awesome the actual four day gathering was, I feel that all the hardwork was worth it!

There were a number of artists and art expressions being shared and used as forms of worship during Ignition: dance, drama, music, story telling, poetry, visual arts, multi-media, stand-up comedy & anime etc. The professional standard productions on Friday and Saturday nights were really interesting and thought-provoking too!

During the 'Interactive Worship Experience' in the mornings, I really encountered God and experienced an awesome rhythm of worshiping together with other Christian artists corporately. The main idea through the book of Jeremiah 'I have chosen you, and before I formed you I knew you. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations' was very powerful. We were told to be alert to the other pictures God gave us in our lives.

And then there were times of fantastic worship through singing, dancing, flag & banner waving, painting, even a 'foot painting' experience, moving of 'rocks' to the foot of the 'cross' as a symbol of letting go and communion lunch. It was a great time of linking up with like-minded and like-hearted people in a safe place, networking, healing and sharing. My relationship with God was deepened and I believe a great sence of unity to engage the Australian community in a contemporary and relevant manner was achieved.

I've also learned about the importance of "Space". Each day throughout this gathering, I've had space with God, space with other artists, space to reflect on essential issues, space to move and to be still, space to heal, and space to get some learning - which I am very thankful for.

I attended the biblical story-telling and poetry worshops, and found that being a story-teller and a poet both require one important quality - 'being able to SEE and let the audience / reader SEE as well.' I learned that artists are servants of the audience, and story-teller should not be the focus, but the STORY itself. I was very touched by the concept! I also discovered that 'capturing' a moment is significant in poetry as in other art forms. Speaking of capturing moments, I've taken heaps of photos during the event, and felt like the photo taking was a way of me worshiping the Almighty God, the most incredible spring of living water.

Like nick said so beautifully, "I'm still buzzing from this weekend - the manifest presense of God the entire weekend was amazing. I spent most of the worship session yesterday in tears - but that's a good thing! eep. *buzz* " Good on ya Nick :)

Ignition

Ignition is in the here and now.... in fact, 3/4 of the gathering has passed and I have opportunities to connect with other artists, worship together interactively and whole-heartedly, encourage and be encouraged, be inspired to engage more with the artists in my neighbourhood, to slow down and take some time and space out to see, observe, learn, listen, share, communicate, feel, think and visualise. More later....

Goodnight Prayer

I really like the following goodnight prayer from an unknown author....

"Dear God... I called tonight to talk a little while, I need a friend who'll listen to my anxiety and trial...
You see, I can't quite make it through a day just on my own.
I need your love to guide me, so I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep me and my family safe and sound.
Come and fill our lives with confidence for whatever fate we are bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face each hour throughout the day,
and not to worry over things I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home and listening to my call.
For giving me such good advice When I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one that answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening to my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night God, I love You too,and I'll call again tomorrow!"

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Life is full of decisions, many of them can be overwhelming! How can we have the confidence to make the right decisions?

I'd like to know what you think about that!

In memory of the Pope

Story after story of the Pope John Paul II has been on the news for the last few days since his death. I must admit that I didn't know much about him when he was alive, all I knew was that he had gone through confronting situations in his life and ministry, and that he was a man of integrity in the eyes of many people in the world.

There’s even talk of rescheduling the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles to avoid a conflict with the pope’s funeral. Both are scheduled on the same day (Friday 8 April). A spokesman says the prince is “sensitive to events that are happening elsewhere around the world” and is “continuing to assess the situation."

There will also be up to two million pilgrims expected to converge on Rome for the service. “It will a moment without precedent,” Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said. “Rome will grind to a halt to guarantee the full development of the demonstration of love for the pontificate, guaranteeing the maximum security for all the heads of state who will arrive to pay homage to the pope,” he said.

When I reflect on all these, I can't help but think about the importance of the impact of one's life to the people around them. What is the legacy that one leaves when one connects with others. As I heard about the Pope's life story, the person that he was, the legacy that he left behind - I was moved by his love and his response to people, his gracious acts and humility, and his Christ-like character. I think that it wasn't really who he was as the Pope, but his character and his life that made the differences and won the respect of many.

Prayer and Mission (2)

Amen amen and amen to John Dekker, wilsonian and mike hall who wrote comments on my last post here

"Does prayer really make a difference in mission? Is a mission trip that centers on prayer and education of the work really worth the time, money and effort? Is prayer truly a major part of church planting? "
The answer to all of those questions is an emphatic YES!

Well that's why I will be attending the World Team Paris Prayer Conference in June, where the whole mission trip focuses on prayers. I believe that we can really be a part of God’s plan to redeem the people of France (and in fact all over the world) if all we do is pray for them.

According to Steve Miller, former World Team missionary in France, "the majority of French people would not care to talk to you about God. They are not really interested.To them, when you die, you die-that's it. Even the Catholic influence is diminishing.'What has the church done?' they ask. 'It took our money, built big places and gave us nothing in return.'That's why the French tend to have an antagonistic and humanistic outlook on life. It's very tough for the gospel to move in."

I invite you to pray with me for the people in France and Europe, so that they can get to know God and have an intimate relationship with HIM.

Prayer and Mission

Does prayer really make a difference in mission? Is a mission trip that centers on prayer and education of the work really worth the time, money and effort? Is prayer truly a major part of church planting? Can you really be a part of God’s plan to redeem the unreached people of the world if all you do is pray for them?

I'd be interested in knowing what your answers to these questions are.

IGNITION is coming to town.....

Hi guys, for those of you creatives in Australia, please don't miss out on IGNITION!

The IGNITION Creative Artists’ Gathering will be on next Thursday to Sunday (7-10 April). I am really excited about it, and want as many people as possible to link in with the community and the artists there. Can you please forward this on to anyone who you think would be interested?

You don't have to go to the whole event. You can choose only to go to the shows on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, or just go to the workshops during the day on Friday and / or Saturday, or just the Sunday interactive worship, or two of the shows, or all three shows, or the whole gathering (like I do hehe).

Where: @ THE IMAGE FACTORY Stonnington Recreation Centre61-71 McIlwrick St, Windsor, Victoria (Melway: 58F7)

What: IGNITION is a gathering of creative people from around Australia.Each day will include Space: space with God, space with each other, space to reflect, space to move, space to heal, space to get some learning.Fri and Sat night you’ll experience a professional standard production open for delegates and the general public. Thurs night will be dinner and a variety night offering tastes of what is being offered around Aust currently

What’s the Vision?To support creative people to serve in their communities and in the arts industries around Australia to a standard of excellence from a heart of worship.

Why?We hope to gather together and inspire, encourage, heal and move forward into our communities with a stronger sense of community, purpose, and passion.It is a call to creative people to deepen their relationship with God and link together in unity to engage in a contemporary and culturally relevant manner.

Check out the websites for more info and a registration form. www.candlelightproductions.org.au or www.christianartists.com.au or call Bec on (03) 9331 3006 for more information.

Our aim is to provide a safe place for creative people to be encouraged, heal and move forward into our communities with a stronger sense of community, purpose, and passion. We hope to inspire and equip you to serve your communities and the secular world at a standard of excellence, from a heart of worship. Over 4 days (7 – 10 April) you’ll have the chance to participate in interactive worship, networking and practical workshops led by 20 teachers and practitioners from some of Australia’s leading and emergent colleges and arts groups. We’ll start on Thursday night with a dinner and end on Sunday with a communal lunch. Worship will be led by Sue Rinaldi (from the UK) and a team of facilitators and musicians from Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Queensland.