Paradox.

In church every weekend we are told to bring people to the cross.  We're not here to point out sin, we're here to point out Jesus.  Having said this I have a quick story to go along with it.

One day this week I was starring at my large map of Sydney like I often do just for fun (I could look at maps all day), and my eyes rolled across one of the suburbs nearby called Kings Cross.  I've never been to Kings Cross simply because there is no good reason to spend a valuable bus swipe to travel there.  This suburb is known for it's clubs, pubs, and bar life.  A lot of the friends who live on my street go there often on weekends.

So have you ever heard of the filter theory of attention?  It's when your brain subconsciously brings your attention to a word or sound you hear.  Even though you're not listening to a conversation, certain words or sounds of importance will spark your attention.  This typically refers to sound but I think it can work visually too.  Because when I saw Kings Cross my eyes were drawn to the word 'Cross' obviously because that word is significant to me.  My mind immediately thought Jesus, but this cross is a different kind of cross.  Then it struck me.  My friends always say the phrase 'Let's go to the cross.' How paradoxical is that statement?  I've been asked by friends 'come to the cross with us.'

This made me think, I can't wait for the time in their lives when they wake up on a Sunday and say 'let's go to the cross.' Only this time, it will be to worship their savior.  And they'll go to their lost friends and say 'come to the cross with us.'  Only this time, they will be leading the way to Jesus.

Best Day.

This may seem glum.  But a friend and I were recently discussing funerals and how they made us feel.  I have a hard time handling funerals and try to avoid them at all cost.  But my friend said he actually enjoys them, because everyone seems to show their pleasant side at funerals.  Friends and family have big full hearts and bring love and compassion to funerals.  The person who has passed on is celebrated for the life they lived.

I understand his logic, but I am still very emotional with funerals.  I realized, it isn't because the person is no longer living among us.  My empathy streams to those affected by his or her death.  These loved ones are left with only memories.  And memories, good or bad, always seem to hurt.  It hurts because it's in the past.  Those good things will never reoccur.  Death is painful.  But actually...it's ok.

My family and I just finished reading the book of John together.  I was looking through my notes and saw where I wrote 'John 17:24- Jesus longs to be with us.'  If that fact doesn't make you feel good, I don't know what can.  That verse comes from a section of scripture where Jesus is praying to God for all believers.  Right before being crucified He's praying for each of us.  Telling God, 'I want them with me where ever I go.'  So it hit me...Jesus is sitting in Heaven, at the right hand of God, continually praying for us.  But I wonder if He's sitting there kind of squirmy.  Just waiting so eagerly to bear hug us when we finally get promoted to Heaven to be with Him.  Funerals don't have to be sad.  So now I add this to my notes....

'The day we get to Heaven, is the best day of our lives.'

Star Struck.

(First off, just letting everyone know our day light savings ended yesterday.)

So for those of you who don't know...I sort of get star struck REALLY easily.  I mean, SUPER star struck.  Also I am a HUGE fan of the band Hillsong United.  I cannot express to you how much of a fan I am.  For some people it's the Beatles or U2 or Lady Gaga.  For me, Hillsong United all the way.  Like, I want to be friends with these talented people.   Everyone can have their opinion, but I believe they started a revolution in worship music.

 

 

A little background: Their band was birthed out of Hillsong Church, which I've been following for the past 3 years now.  One of the main reasons I chose to study in Sydney, Australia is because this church was planted there.  Hillsong Church actually began in 1977, though it was then named Christian Life Centre.  It wasn't until it expanded into the Hills district of Sydney that the church was given the name 'Hillsong'.  Now in 2012, Australia alone has: 3 main campuses and 12 extension sites in Sydney, 1 in Brisbane, and 1 in Melbourne.  Other country locations include London UK, Kiev Ukraine, Cape Town South Africa, Stockholm Sweden, Paris France, Moscow Russia, New York City, and Konstanz Germany.  Just recently started were Hillsong Copenhagen Denmark and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.  I attend Hillsong's city campus and we are over capacity even with 7 services over the weekend.  By the promise of God we've been approved another building nearby, which will open this year. 

I wrote this blog not only to give you a small background of the awesome-ness I get to be a part of here in Sydney. But also because I had what Aunt Chabrella and I would call a 'George Clooney' moment.  When the service started tonight, to my surprise, Jad Gillies from Hillsong United was leading in worship. I had a freak out moment, but then realized my cousin Lara wasn't with me to join my freak out moment, so I regained composure.  After the service somehow I reached down deep to gather up my boldness and decided I should meet the guy.  I mean come on!  How often do you see your favorite musician or actor?  So I met Jad, we shook hands twice, I thanked him for everything and made sure he knows America appreciates them.  He was a super nice guy and I'm pleased with the words I managed to form during the conversation.

Here's Jad leading Forever Reign...