YGS 20181010

Everytime I sit in the dentist chair I always enjoy looking up at the TV in each room, which without fail, has the channel eScapes on. I have always loved travelling, and this channel shows scenes from various places around the world, some I have been to, others I’d love to visit someday. On the side of the screen there is always a small bar, for advertising and facts. I personally never care for the adverts, but I do enjoy reading the facts. Silly things like, “the plastic on the end of shoe laces are called aglets.” One thing I saw this morning, which I hadn’t heard of before was that the oldest record of ICE CREAM dates back to the Persians in about 400 BC. The Romans, invented the roads and sidewalks as we know them today around 2000 BC in Anatolia (now Turkey). There are many, many other inventions that we use a version of that were all created in the era we call BC; some include: the wheel, sewing needles, basket weaving, boats, twisted rope, and more. This might not interest you as much as it does me, but I always find this sort of information fun because I believe it can bring us a little closer to knowing what parts of life for Jesus was like. We are about 2000 years since Christ lived as one of us, we are so far removed from Him, we can often struggle to think about what a normal day could be like for the average person. Today we have Wi-Fi, cell phones, electricity, AC, cars, and so many more things that Jesus and the people of that time never had. It can be hard to think about life for them. As often as life brings new things from so many brilliant minds from all around the world, God remains the same, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8. This week I encourage you to take a step back from the hectic-ness of life, to stop and breathe for just a few minutes and reflect on how much God has done for you, for your family, and for your friends. So often, we come before God with prayer requests and they are in some form of a ‘to-do’ list for Him, but when you stop, think about all that He has done for you. Some inventions are created and then over time improved; I believe personal improvement happens when we stop and think about what changes can be made in our individual lives. I believe God remains faithful in working on us to improve our lives and who we are. Things may not be what they used to be, but that doesn’t mean we can’t relate to God in the same ways. So, sit back with a bowl of (ancient) ice cream, and thank God for being forever patient, forever faithful, and forever the same. Peter Hunt

Read more...

YGS 20181003

Throwback Thursday, 80’s party, and more suggest we look back with fond memories or for those not born during that time, perhaps more of nostalgia of what the “good ol’ days” were like. It’s funny to me how often we do like to look back at the past to see how good things were, many people of my age and older, look back because we miss the simple life. The truth is, we love technology, but only when it works… or at least when there’s WIFI. In a conversation I had with my mum this past week, I told her that I had very few memories of my childhood, but when someone mentions the odd thing here or there it would trigger memories. My mum explained that she knew my childhood wasn’t easy, there was arguing going on frequently, my dad would be gone often, school and church life was even hard. I am not here for a pity party, but I have thought about this a little since the conversation. Last week, this community lost the life of a student, Ravenne Dodge. She was a friend to many in the community including some of our Youth Group. After incidents like this one, it becomes common to hear the phrase, “you never know what someone is really going through” or something similar. As Christ-followers, even when life gets us down or when we become older the mind has blessed you by allowing you to forget the dark times in your life as a coping mechanism, we stand up to the darkness, the fear, and doubt; we stand up and as Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian Church, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul is writing about the confidence he could have in the flesh; even in the complete opposite end of the spectrum that we’ve been talking about, Paul says that what has been doesn’t matter, what we’re facing now WILL PASS. What is important is to keep pressing on toward the goal, the prize of being called heavenward. Christ never promises when you put Him on in baptism, life will get easier. He never said you will become untouchable by the Devil. Jesus does promise, however, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:28- 30). Let’s turn to Jesus and press on heavenward. Jesus has given us the church to give us strength and support. Let’s never lose that thought. Peter Hunt

Read more...

YGS 20180919

I have been looking forward to this week for a long time. For most, it’s just another week, but for me, it is the week that some of my family will arrive in town. It was a little over five years ago when my mum and one of my brothers last came to the USA for Lisa’s and my wedding. This will be the first time they will all get to meet, hold, and love-on Zoey. To me, this is exciting and a long time anticipated. I will often joke about wanting to get away from family so much that I decided to move continents, but the truth is I love my family very much even when they might frustrate me or send me negative feelings. I genuinely don’t think we fully appreciate family until we don’t get to see them often. I remember the first time I had moved away from home and I got sick. I knew my family, my mum specifically, was too far away to look after me. I remember having a massive headache, feeling queasy, and having muscular aches all over. My housemates were playing their music as loud as they could to test out their new speakers. I remember rolling over in bed almost in tears because I just wanted “mum”. I have learned over time that no one can replace my mum. But as time goes on, you find people who you can rely on and go to in her stead. The church should be that family unit for anyone who shares the blood of Jesus in the death, burial, and resurrection of Baptism. The church is a family that I believe we should be excited about seeing at every opportunity possible. Don’t get me wrong, I know when people fall ill, have to work, or something else comes up, I know people need to be gone at times. I don’t think “forsaking the assembly” (Heb. 10:25) is the same as fulfilling other duties, but I believe the church needs to be such a place that we desire to be in each other’s lives, that we’re looking out for one another, that we know everybody’s hurts, joys, fears, weaknesses. How exciting would it be to get to meet the celebrity of your dreams or to see a long-lost friend or family member? This is the level of joy we should have about being in the family of God. To see each other, study and grow together, and to be mentored and mentors to the body we worship with. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Cor. 12:27) Peter Hunt

Read more...

YGS 20180914

I have been asking myself this question a lot recently. After hearing about a former Harding Student, 26-year-old, Botham Shem Jean, who was shot and killed in his own apartment by a Dallas Police Officer, who “mistakenly” entered the wrong apartment. Yesterday, many around the world remembered all the lives lost seventeen years ago in New York City (9/11). I doubt any of these people woke up that day thinking, “I might die today.” The lives lost left many more behind, but it is often only at a persons death, the kind remarks are made about that person. The question I have been asking this week is, “If I were to die today, what would people say about me?” Now, I understand that my life’s purpose is to draw people without a relationship with God, into a relationship with Him – I get that. But often, we all need to be built up and encouraged by the people we come into contact with on a regular basis. What would people say about you? Are you a kind person? Do you go out of your way to help others, or to be a blessing to them? Will you be remembered for the talents you have, for your voice, music, special abilities etc.? There are so many people in the world fighting depression and understanding their self-worth. What if we lived each day as if it were someone else’s last day? What would you tell them? Would you thank them for doing certain things? Would you encourage them to be strong? If we lived our life like it’s everyone else’s last day, do you think you would be a better person for it? If you lived this way, when “today” becomes your last day, what would the world say about you? I know, this can be read as a very depressing thought of the week, but I want you to think about this: If you can make a life better by simply speaking kindness – which in turn will make yours better, why would you not? Because we do not know when our time or another, may come, I challenge you to outdo each other in showing love, honor, and building each other up. ““But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 What will be your legacy?

Read more...

YGS 20180905

 
The title for Sunday’s sermon was “Identity” and we looked at the age-old questions; Who am I? Where did I come from? What is my purpose? Where do I belong? After the lesson, I have had time to sit back, reflect a little on it and what I would do differently if I were to do it again. There was a comment made to me recently, nothing I hadn’t heard before and I am sure I will hear it a hundred times more, “You must be true to yourself.” I think, this is the core of one’s true identity, to be true to yourself. God made you to be who you are. People may not like what they see, that’s ok. Sometimes you seek the approval of these people and you are willing to change who you are to be accepted by that person or group of people. There is a warning about trying to be someone/something else, you no longer will know who you truly are, then we become even more confused about where we belong. Jesus, in His ministry, could have been the coolest guy where everyone liked Him, He knew what to say at the right time etc. but this didn’t always buy Him friends. In fact, I would say He was hated by more people of His time than He was ever liked. The same goes for us, here and now. We have an abundance of opportunities to try to be someone else, we can even play “pretend” like children do when they dress up in their parents’ clothes – pretending to be mom or dad. God made YOU just the way you are. If you don’t fit in because you act differently, believe different things, sound different, it doesn’t matter. God formed you to be you, we have other personalities, we don’t need more of them, but we do need more of you. If you were an apple tree, you can only produce apples, don’t be an apple tree trying to produce something else. Be true to yourself, God will bless you in more ways than you could ever dream of. Peter Hunt

Read more...