Reflections over Christmas

by Nathan Gardner

Dear everyone at FORM,

I send you all my greetings from snow-covered Germany. It has now been two months since my last moving day, but I remember the day very well as it was also my final day with Man With A Van. Working with you all (as well as MWAV’s master-and-commander, Tim Bishop) and partaking in your enthusiasm and friendship (and KFC) made for an extraordinary ‘last shift’. Thank you all for this wonderful last day, but also for a year filled with powerful meaning and memories.

Christmas has just passed and I hope it was filled with much love and merriment. For me it is celebrating the importance of family, friends and love. Spending this time separated from my immediate friends and family in Australia, though reunited with relatives in Germany, made for a beautifully bittersweet occasion. One thing I would like to share with you all was an experience I had reading Luke 2:1-14 with my Aunt and Uncle in Germany.

Though some of you may already know, I feel I should state that I am non-theistic and that one thing I found great about FORM was that I felt welcomed into your group regardless of this. Your sincerity to help others reaches through the differences of faith--not just to me but the people FORM helps--and I admire this.

Spending Christmas with my Aunt and Uncle in Germany, I learned that reading these passages before dinner on Christmas Eve was a family tradition. As a long lost nephew, I was invited to read it aloud (in German of course!). When I finished reading, I looked up and saw that my Aunt, Uncle and cousin had a twinkling of tears in their eyes. At this sight, I too was quite struck by emotion. As a part of their family that had long been separated by time and space, I understood the significance of participating in this family tradition had for them and it was quite overwhelming. I could read their love and acceptance of me in their faces. But my feelings were also entwined with what I had just read. I, like those two travellers in the story, was seeking shelter in the land of my ancestors and the significance reverberated through the sentiment felt in the room. I kept thinking of how grateful Mary and Joseph must have been, even for a manger and before long my thoughts turned to others who for one reason or another were seeking shelter in strange lands.

With these thoughts still fresh in my mind, Han’s reflection on FORM’s recent Christmas hamper delivery arrived in my inbox the next morning. Through her words I remembered my own similar feelings and experiences. I am so happy that she enjoyed her time as much as she did. I only wish that I was there alongside her and everyone else on that day. It sounded so wonderful. But it also looked so wonderful! In the photos I saw the enthusiasm of my friends at FORM and the faces of the families that I had helped before on previous moving days. I saw some of the parents I spoke to and the kids I played with. I even saw one particular couch that I still remember being quite difficult to get in! Who double bolts feet into couches?! And at odd angles?! (removalists’ anguish)

But to return to the themes of that passage and Christmas; of shelter, family and love for all (even those born humbly deserve to be received by kings) are themes that I think everyone at FORM is quite familiar with. Moreover they are expressed through the helpful and important work done for these new and vulnerable members of our community. Indeed anyone can express these themes simply by recognising refugees as new and vulnerable members of our community, rather than some abstract, political issue.

It therefore pains me to learn that in Germany, refugees are also politicised into an abstract issue. This year Germany has received some 200,000 refugees mostly from the conflict in Syria. This number of refugees is higher than any other Western nation has accepted or processed. In response refugees in Germany have become entwined with fears of loss of national identity and danger (similar to some sections of Australia). Many people have taken to the streets to protest the loss of “their land”, though ironically most often in parts of Germany with a low number of immigrants. It is tragic that in these parts there seems little acknowledgment of the real loss the asylum seekers bear.

However, like in Australia, many groups in Germany of varying size and scope are lending a hand. It reminds me that the need to help people in need is global in scale and common the world over--but we each can play our part. FORM should be congratulated for creating a grassroots community that has enriched the lives of everyone involved and should take great solace in knowing that throughout the world there are others bringing help and comfort to those who ask for it. It is in these binding qualities of humanity that I place my faith for a safer and more prosperous future. 

Next year I hope you continue to meet great people; people who beneath their tragedies remain interesting, funny and inspiring and others who are strong enough to help, compassionate enough to care and thoughtful enough to listen. Next year I hope you keep doing what you’ve all been doing; seeing not an anonymous, abstract issue, but people. Real people.

All of you guys should be proud about what you do! You are (sometimes too humbly) doing some incredible work! Jack, Nicole, Jess and everyone, take a bow!

I miss your fun and enthusiasm but am so glad to have known it. As I travel through these strange lands, receiving shelter in the humanity of others, please know that the memories that I’ve formed with you are also keeping me warm against all this snow on the other side of the world.

Nathan

Man With(out) A Van

Daily Reflection, 29 December 2014 - Sufferings

by Jean Nathalia

1 John 2:3-11

We can be sure that we know God

only by keeping his commandments.

Anyone who says, ‘I know him’,

and does not keep his commandments,

is a liar,

refusing to admit the truth.

But when anyone does obey what he has said,

God’s love comes to perfection in him.

We can be sure that we are in God

only when the one who claims to be living in him

is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.

My dear people,

this is not a new commandment that I am writing to tell you,

but an old commandment

that you were given from the beginning,

the original commandment which was the message brought to you.

Yet in another way, what I am writing to you,

and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his,

is a new commandment;

because the night is over

and the real light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light

but hates his brother

is still in the dark.

But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light

and need not be afraid of stumbling;

unlike the man who hates his brother and is in the darkness,

not knowing where he is going,

because it is too dark to see.

____________________

Luke 2:22-35

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

___________________

A sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare

I recently met an old friend and when I started talking about my worries, he smiled. In his smile, it was like he was saying, “What’s new? You will always find something new to worry about”. I smiled sheepishly and stopped.

Why do worries constantly fill my mind and consume my energies? I know that whenever I worry, I become more self-focused, and unable to be present to the needs of others. When I worry, I am unable to be enjoy life for the many quiet gifts it presents. When I worry, I become more impatient, angry, and I frown. When I worry, I even look uglier – more haggard, less welcoming, less warm, and very tired looking.

What am I actually afraid of?

I think I’ve gotten some clues from reading today’s Gospel. I can never comprehend how Mary accepted her “fate” that a sword would pierce her soul (i.e., she would suffer great pain for the sake of others’ reunion with God). How could she go on in life knowing that she would have to suffer greatly? Was she not fearful? Was she not angry at the “fate” of her call in life?

If I was told that I would suffer greatly in future, I would live in a constant state of fear and desolation. What a miserable life! I do not like to suffer! This may explain why I am always worrying, for I am constantly thinking of ways to prevent future suffering – by hoarding, by calculating, by driving myself to work harder and learn faster so that I will not lose any competitive edge, and so on.

Unlike me, Mary accepted her call in life to suffer in order that great fruits will be born. Maybe she was fearful. Maybe she was afraid that she would not be able to withstand such suffering. But she accepted her cross in hope that her God would carry her through it. Unlike me, she realized that everything was connected – suffering is connected to great fruits, and such great fruits are worth bearing in this world.

Indeed, her suffering has led to a profound change for more than 2000 years. Because she suffered in order to bring Jesus into this world and support Him in His passion and mission, we are now able to speak directly to God as sinners, rather than need to rely on the holiest people to intercede for us. Mary’s suffering has made a profound impact in my life. I am able to have a personal and intimate relationship with God, and not merely look to Him from a distance.

This gives me hope that whatever sufferings life gives me will never be in vain. They will be opportunities for me to have a profound life-changing impact on mine and others’ lives. Though painful, God will never abandon me and will carry me through it.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jean Nathalia)

__________________

Prayer: Jesus, I do not want to suffer in life. But by avoiding it, I am already suffering a life plagued by worries. I want to embrace my life with grace and dignity. I pray for the grace to accept all future sufferings that will come my way. Give me acceptance and hope in the fruits that will be born from these sufferings.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Mother Mary for considering me worthy for you to suffer for me.

Daily Reflection, 28 December 2014 - Family Heaven and Hell

by Jean Nathalia

28 Dec – Feast of the Holy Family

The Holy Family

We celebrate that Holy Family of Nazareth which is the model for all who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

- Sunday Missal

______________

Ecclesiasticus 3:3-7,14-17

The Lord honours the father in his children,
and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins,
he who honours his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own,
he shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honours his father,
he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
My son, support your father in his old age,
do not grieve him during his life.
Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy,
do not despise him in your health and strength;
for kindness to a father shall not be forgotten
but will serve as reparation for your sins.

________________

Colossians 3:12-21

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, give way to your husbands, as you should in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and treat them with gentleness. Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord. Parents, never drive your children to resentment or you will make them feel frustrated.

________________

Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’

As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

_________________

Forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins

Family is one of the most difficult topics to write about because of how private it is. It is easy for me to speak of my family to others when things are going well. I readily share the positive attributes of my family with others. However, when it comes to more challenging struggles, it is not easy for me to share this with others because I fear that others will judge my family members. Only I can think poorly of them, no one else is allowed to.

Such is the strong unexplainable bond that we have with our family members. A bond that goes into the core of our being, giving them the power to be the ones who can make us feel the deepest joys and the deepest sorrows. When things go wrong in my life, comforting words of encouragement from my family member will go deeper into my heart than any form of encouragement that I can find elsewhere. But when there is disharmony within my family, the pain cuts deep and takes me into a fury that no one else has the ability to take me to.

Somehow, family has such power to take us to heaven and to hell in a way that nothing else in the world can. It is scary – such power they have over us, particularly for those of us who have been and/or remain in abusive families (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional abuse). When our family hurts us, ongoing healing is necessary in order to nurse these deep-seated wounds.

Just as they have such power over us, you and I also have the power to take our family members to heaven and hell. Very often, I am sure we start off with the best of intentions, wanting to bless our family members. But a little impatience from them, a sign of being taken for granted, a careless comment, and we find our old wounds pressed on, leading to us condemning them either aloud or in our hearts. With our wounds so easily reopened, how will we ever succeed in taking our family to heaven?

Perhaps the answer really is the most simple: forgive first, before all else. Forgiveness is not saying that people can freely hurt and wrong me. Forgiveness is saying, “I choose our peace first”. If needed, I can and must dialogue about certain issues at a later time. But for now, I choose our peace.

If I want to build heaven in my families, I must build my muscle of forgiveness. It is not an option, it is a necessity for it is impossible to live with people without stepping on each other’s toes. I live in a real world where wrong will be done and hurts will happen. On my own, I will never be able to forgive for this muscle of mine is underdeveloped. I can only pray that God will give me the grace to build this muscle. The more I exercise it, the stronger my muscle will be. May God encourage me on this journey, showing me that all things are possible for those who believe in Him, and that heaven is the greatest reward for choosing to put on the cloak of love.

“Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got” (Author unknown).

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jean Nathalia)

_______________

Prayer: Jesus, encourage me to be a woman who builds heaven in my families. Encourage me to never stop building the muscle of forgiveness.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks to family members who constantly bring heaven to us by looking beyond our bad behaviours and choosing to live in peace with us. We give thanks for those who have helped us to build heaven within our families. 

6 Christmas Bears & 100 Stockings - Reflection for FORM

by Han Nguyen

On the 21^st of December, I had the honour and privilege of being invited to distribute Christmas hampers across the northern suburbs of Melbourne with Friends of Refugees Melbourne (FORM). I honestly didn’t know what to expect but couldn’t resist the opportunity to engage directly with refugees in Melbourne. Nathan had worked alongside FORM on several occasions moving furniture for Man with a Van and had visited detention centres on other occasions. Having heard so much about this group and having been so kindly invited by Nicole to join them was all that I needed to rid of any initial apprehension.

So holding onto my six Christmas bears I had collected over the years, I got off the train at Southern Cross Station and walked into the chaotic office of FORM where organisation, excitement, commitment were mixed amongst the friendly people, all of whom introduced themselves to me, an obvious new face to a cohesive yet welcoming cohort. Instead feeling out of place, I tried my hardest to remember all the names that were thrown at me, attempting to place invisible nametags on everyone’s shirts. I eased into my new role as a newbie by asking if I could be of any assistance. Nicole suggested that I talk to another organiser, Andrea, about my bears so that they could be included in the wrapped up Christmas presents for children.

Amongst all the enthusiasm and last minute organisation, I was unable to get hold of Andrea. I set down my bears in a corner near the food hampers, Christmas stockings and wrapped up boxes and toys. Groups composed of a leader, a driver and fellow volunteers were encouraged to get together and collect the appropriate items for their visits. Before we were to disperse, Jack kindly gathered the volunteers for a prayer; primarily to wish the families we were visiting a safe and joyous time during this festive season. Despite my limited religious beliefs, it felt like an appropriate way to begin our journey to spread as much love as humanly possible; after all, isn’t any kind of well-wishes and hope a variation of a prayer? Regardless of who we believe will listen to our hopes or grant our wishes, the sincerity of these sentiments is the underlying message.

Nicole the leader, Vincent the driver and I ventured towards the outer-Northern suburbs; our first visit was to a young Iranian man who lived with his extended family. He cradled his 9-month-old niece lovingly and told us about his wishes to find a special someone to start his own family with. It is such a universal feeling to want to love and be loved in return – a sentiment that is undeniably inherent and pronounced during the holiday season. As we listened to him talk about his life and aspirations for the future, I couldn’t help but detect faint melancholy in his voice and the way in which he looked at us. Maybe it was just me – it’s really hard to tell sometimes. Even so, it was such a privilege to listen to this man talk about his experiences and for him to open up to strangers. We took a photo with him, his beautiful nieces and mother before heading off to the next family.

Nearby, another Iranian family welcomed us to their home. A young mother and her 7-month-old baby (as of the 21^st of December, 7 months and 29 days old) sat at home as her husband and two children went shopping. Her English was very limited but we were able to talk about her children. I saw on the mantel a school photo of her eldest daughter in a school in the western-suburbs of Melbourne and asked her whether she had previously lived in Sunshine. She said they lived there around 7 months ago – I curiously asked if the baby was born at Sunshine Hospital. I felt a ridiculous and tenuous connection with the child after finding out we were born in the same hospital, 22 years apart. But then again, where is the tenuous connection between both having immigrant parents  (in this case, refugee) who spoke little English and living in a country that both celebrated and opposed multi-culturalism? Where is the tenuous connection of growing up with a dual identity and being forced to choose sides during times of social and political tension? I sympathised with these children because I foresaw future experiences that they would inevitable go through; confusion, indignation, anger, frustration, hurt, betrayal – all waiting for them to deal with as children of refugees and as first generation Australians. 

The young mother called her husband on the phone to tell him that we had come to visit. He promptly returned with his precocious seven year old daughter and shy yet cheeky five year old son. The children tore into the Christmas stocking with renewed enthusiasm and thanked us; their typical childish antics pushed back my worries and allowed me to see that although they will experience certain hardship as a result of their circumstance, they will also go through everything every other child in Australian will go through. And that a commonality between everyone – something that is universal and pure and undeniably human – can be a comforting thing. As we said goodbye yet again, the father said to us in a low voice, “I will never forget your help”. Nicole was visibly moved. After we drove away from our waving hosts, Nicole reiterated what the father had said and breathlessly squeezed out a single ‘wow’. We were left to think about that as we journeyed onto our last home.

We were expected at a house that Nicole had visited before. The family greeted her warmly as Vincent and I were introduced and welcomed into their home. Nathan had also helped out during a moving day some time ago as well and as I sat on the couch (did he move that couch?) watching the children joyfully hug my bear and open the gifts, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that both he and I had somehow contributed to this family, in our own small way. It astounds me how readily the children accepted us momentarily into our lives to forge hopefully special memories; it astounds me that I was given the opportunity to do this for free. It really is unbelievably inconceivable sometimes the situations you find yourself in during parts of your life.

I mulled over this lingering thought on the way back to the church early in the evening. As we respectively internalised the events of the day, Nicole asked me what my stance was on refugees in Australia. Not often am I asked this directly, most times this conversation is elicited through discussions on current affairs or university classrooms. Our experiences are our best arguments and those in a privileged position sometimes take on the role of representing those without a voice. I told Nicole that my parents went through a refugee experience during a time where anti-immigration sentiments were rampant with notions of a White Australia policy frighteningly at the forefront of political discussions. Therefore, I grew up with a defensive sense of activism for migrants who chose Australia – for whatever reason – to be their new home. However, regardless of one’s background, the foundation of humanity is the ability to empathise with others, especially during times of hardship and struggle. Do we need to repeatedly remind people this? How can such an integral part of our humanity be so disregarded?

This is why I felt like it was such a privilege to be a part of these home visits.  My home visits may have ended, but many people’s struggles continue to be a frighteningly constant battle. We must remind ourselves that although at times Australia champions itself as a land of opportunity, mateship, camaraderie and multiculturalism, none of these are exclusive to our country but are representative of humankind; that as a country that holds hope for those in need of help, we must to be aware of our responsibility and act accordingly.

Merry Christmas - The Year of STAY / Friends of Refugees

By Jack Chui

[This post is a bit disjoint because its just some of my raw thoughts blended into a Christmas sharing, plus my inadequate writing skills]

Its becoming tradition that I write a message/letter around this time as gift to all my friends instead of the usual Christmas gift. As a leader of church ministry (STAY and Friends of Refugees) it has a been a busy year in particular towards the end - just have to read some of the entries in the blog to see what's been going on.

The end of year / Christmas season is meant to be a period of wind down, but for ministry it can tend to be the wind up as Christmas is a key church season. The weekly STAY cell groups, organising outreach for Friends of Refugees, STAY retreat, socials and meet ups with other leaders has left me bit tired even weary and looking forward to a break. 

While it looks like the group does too much and has done so throughout the year, it has been a sign of a lot of activity and life (thankfully not all of it driven by me). My tiredness while concerning is a sign that I and others around me have put in a lot of work and given it to their capacity (or even beyond) to build the Kingdom of God on earth. All this was not unexpected with a growing group and it has been a privilege and honour to oversee it all and share in some of the joys that have come from it.

If I look back since the half year report card I wrote this year, I would say STAY and Friends of Refugees has gone through a time of maturity. Nothing has majorly changed in what the different ministries do since the start of the yea and everyone seems to be getting use to the pattern of activity and work that's required. Of course, there have been some changes within the ministries itself which is exciting to watch however the 'excitement' that was there at the start of the year where 'we could do anything' was a commonly used phrase has mellowed away.

Such is likely a cycle for such ministries (I've never been through such amazing growth in youth/young people's ministry before) but such growth cannot keep going forever or at least in the same way. The STAY and Friends of Refugees groups are about the same size, with newcomers replacing those who have to leave Melbourne city. While the numbers are the same, the relationship dynamics are changing as the time in the group increases and so there's a greater need for pastoral care.

The people in the ministries are no longer totally made up of people I know very well as they have gotten too large to have time to spend with each one getting to know them. I have relegated myself to the operational parts of organising (which I seem to be getting better and better at because its the primary thing I do) and getting to know the leaders so that they can go out and do the real work of bringing God to young people. It doesn't sound the most exciting life, but like a good servant, I've been trained to just keep going.

There were times when I complained about the amount of work that I needed to do, that there was no one else to do it, and if there was they were just not available to be able to help. There was pressure on other areas of my life - relationship, family and work to fit everything in and I'm blessed with their tolerance. I learned though, that I shouldn't be complaining if I'm doing this for God and His Kingdom. As St. Augustine said - Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you.

I hear people who I've encountered in ministry talk about the amazing community and family feel of STAY/Friends of Refugees and how it has welcomed people from everywhere to journey and serve together. For me, I am most happy that the ministries has helped fulfil some of my personal vision for it - and that is for 'the lost sheep'. I've talked about it from time to time and its an interesting impression which God has reminded me of very early on this year about 'the lost sheep'.

I wondered about how my personal vision of 'lost sheep' could be accommodated by STAY/Friends of Refugees and the other leaders within them. The simple vision of STAY is to bring God to young people. Jesus mission was primarily for the lost sheep - those who are lonely, outcast, sinners, the difficult... I just want to do what Jesus did and bring others to do the same.

STAY and Friends of Refugees are full of lost sheep now and the amazing thing about it is just watching them change through God's work in the ministries and through the year. There are people in STAY whom I never thought I would be able to meet or thought would come to a place like STAY, and yet, some of them end up 'staying'. The leaders have grown so much, some from next to no leadership experience into seasoned warriors. Many have shared their testimonies privately and some more publicly which is very encouraging as a sign that the ministries are bringing God to young people. I hope that the focus on 'lost sheep' will keep the heart of STAY / Friends of Refugees in the right place to be able to fulfil God's mission through the ministries.

When I look in STAY however, I don't see the lost sheep any more because they're all with the 99 (together in the group). The lost sheep are outside the group in places we haven't reached. There are many out there who are still to be reached and so I feel that is where I might go to see where this 'lost sheep' vision might take me.

STAY and Friends of Refugees are in a position where I'm not leading everything (like I just about was at the beginning of the year) and for the leaders to grow and for STAY / Friends of Refugees to grow, they will need their leaders with bigger visions and more energy to take it to where God wants it to be used for. By stepping away more, I won't be holding the ministries to what I am capable of because the ministry like all things can only grow as much as the leader. Part of this direction is due to my personal tiredness (what I'm feeling at the moment) but we'll see where God takes me next year =)

It has been a wonderful year in STAY and Friends of Refugees and I'm glad to have been a part of it with each of you. Thanks for your prayers, support and company through the year and I wish you and your families a most blessed Christmas and Joyful new year.

Sincerely,

Jack

Daily Reflection, 18 October 2014 - How God Looks at You

by Jean Nathalia

Ephesians 1: 15-23

Since, then, I heard of this faith of yours in the Lord Jesus and the practical way in which you are expressing it towards fellow-Christians, I thank God continually for you and I never give up praying for you; and this is my prayer. That God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the all-glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and the insight to know more of him: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realise how great is the hope to which he is calling you—the magnificence and splendour of the inheritance promised to Christians—and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.

That power is the same divine power which was demonstrated in Christ when he raised him from the dead and gave him the place of supreme honour in Heaven—a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power or control, and which carries with it a name far beyond any name that could ever be used in this world or the world to come.

God has placed everything under the power of Christ and has set him up as head of everything for the Church. for the Church is his body, and in that body lives fully the one who fills the whole wide universe.

_______________

 

I thank God for you.

 

How do you respond when someone says those five words to you: “I thank God for you”? Do you cringe? Laugh it off? Shift the attention away? Or do you look steadily back at that person and receive his/her spirit of gratitude for you?

 

How would you respond if St Paul actually said those words to you: “I thank God for you”? Would you think that he has mistaken you for someone else? Would you be comfortable with those words or would you feel that these words belonged to another, but not to you?

 

My response to these five words was clear when I read today’s first reading. I skimmed past those words, believing them to belong to some faithful early community of Christ – not to me. How could they belong to me? I have had my moments of doubt in my faith (and will continue to). I have not always pursued holiness. I have not always been courageous. I have not always loved. I have often chosen to rush through my prayers, rather than to be present in them. I have entertained despair, self-doubt, and self-indulgence. I have chosen to be unkind. I have chosen to be impatient. I have thrown tantrums.

 

Yet, in spite of all of that, there is a small tugging in my heart that St Paul is thanking God for me. Perhaps you feel it too. In spite of all of your weaknesses and sins, perhaps there is a small voice telling you that God is pleased with you. You may not believe it, you may run away from it, it may be only a quiet whisper, but it is there.

 

People have told me that I have a gift for writing beautiful words about them. When they tell me this, they also say that they will try to live up to what I have spoken of them. It frustrates me because it is so hard to convey to them that these are not words they must live up to, rather these words describe who they already are in my eyes. Nevertheless, I understand their struggle to receive these truths about them, for I too struggle.

 

It is so much easier to believe in the curses and condemnations spoken of us, than to believe in good things said of us. It is so much easier to believe that the negative words are truths, and the positive words are flattery. Why are we so afraid to believe in our own goodness? Why am I so afraid to believe in my own goodness?

 

I guess I am afraid because I think it means that I have to do more to “deserve” to be seen as good. But even without doing much, God is already pleased with me. Right now, the saints are thanking God for me. Right now God is looking at me, pleased with what He sees. Just as I yearn for my loved ones to see themselves through my eyes, perhaps it is time for me to see myself through God’s eyes. Perhaps it is time for me to listen to that quiet voice that whispers under all the layers of self-condemnation: You are good.

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jean Nathalia)

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Prayer: Father, I want to see myself through Your eyes. Help me to dare to see what You see and not to run from it.

 

Thanksgiving: We give thanks that God, unlike us, is easily pleased and delighted.

Daily Reflection, 17 October 2014 - Worry Worry Worry

by Jean Nathalia

17 Oct – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr 

Ignatius (c. 50–107) was a convert from paganism to Christianity. He succeeded Peter as bishop of Antioch, Syria. He served during persecution of Domitian. During the persecution of Trajan, he was ordered to be taken to Rome to be killed by wild animals. On the way, a journey which took months, he wrote a series of encouraging letters to the churches under his care. He was the first writer to use the term The Catholic Church. He was an apostolic father and a martyr. His name occurs in the Canon of the Mass. Legend says he was the infant that Jesus took into his arms in Mark 9.

- Patron Saint Index

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Ephesians 1:11-14

It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own,

chosen from the beginning,

under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things

as he decides by his own will;

chosen to be,

for his greater glory,

the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.

Now you too, in him,

have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation,

and have believed it;

and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,

the pledge of our inheritance

which brings freedom for those whom God has taken for his own, to make his glory praised.

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Luke 12:1-7

The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.

‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’

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You too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise

I recently got married and entered into the working world. Although I am grateful to be married to my husband and to have a job that is meaningful to me, certain worries have begun bubbling within. I feel like I have to start preparing to look after a new family when the time comes to have children and to look after aging parents. As such, greater responsibility falls upon my shoulders to learn to manage my finances, to hold onto my job, and to be savvy. In some sense, I feel like I am no longer able to be a carefree child who can get away with not knowing much. I am now an adult¬¬¬–an identity that carries responsibility.

This scares me. There is so much to learn and so little time. What if something happens to my parents? What if I get sacked? What if something happens to my husband? What if we don’t manage our expenses well enough? What if… what if… what if…

In the midst of all my anxieties and worries, I feel the Lord saying, “I am here”. It is, however, so difficult to surrender my worries. I want to know exactly how everything will work out in the end. I want to be in control. Chasing certainty, however, is a futile chase. As the saying goes, ‘Uncertainty is the only certainty in life’. While we cannot be certain of how things will play out, as children of God, we can be certain that God will be there for us. None of us will ever be forgotten in God’s sight. We have been stamped by our God – a promise that He is always for us, and never against us. A promise that He will be faithful to us.

The reality is that I will not be able to rely on myself to handle all the pressures and demands of life. There will be times when life will require me to humbly depend on the assistance of others, particularly during certain storms. Will I trust that wherever life calls me, God’s grace will be enough to carry me through in that season?

I do trust but my stubbornness means that I also do not want to let go of my chase for certainty. Yet, these two desires cannot coexist. Chasing both will only cause me to bounce from left to right, running forwards and backwards.

I need a new desire: freedom. I know that freedom is an active pursuit. Freedom will not simply fall into my lap. It is something I have to cooperate with God in working towards. He will lead the way to freedom, and I must follow. The first step is to let go of my need for control and to do what I can do for now: to learn the ropes of adulthood at a humane pace, and not to expect to learn everything in one day. Tomorrow will bring different steps towards freedom. Only tomorrow, will I be equipped for tomorrow’s call. Let me respond to the call of today.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jean Nathalia)

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Prayer: Jesus, I choose to trust my life to you again. You are the one who has taken care of me from the time I was conceived in my mother’s womb. You will take care of me through my life. Help me to humble myself to this journey of life and to enter into it with a smile.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks that we have been stamped by the Holy Spirit. We have a Father who will never ever forget and abandon us.