Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
We live in a day where social networking, and media, and mobile phones are the new ways of talking – communicating with one another. There is Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Photobucket, Skype, iPhone, iPad, Smartphone… and the list goes on. I find social media and the latest mobile phone technology quite fascinating – and even helpful. It helps in so many different ways! I can video call friends and family in other countries; I can keep in touch with groups of friends and share statuses of how I’m feeling (emphasized with an emoticon); I can even share pictures and photos between family members. I have been able to communicate especially with our StAND Youth members via Facebook given their very busy and sophisticated young lives. It makes me also young and cool. The collection of Psalms throughout Scripture, capture and articulate the emotions of many early pilgrims. Reflections from kings, slaves, those who are strong in faith, those who are weak, those for whom oppression has become unbearable, the lament of those who feel abandoned by their God, but also those who can testify to God’s enduring love – are all collated to make up what is commonly known as the Psalter. Despite the schizophrenic nature of these psalms – they hold a significant place in Scripture – in the story of the people of God. Earlier this year, I concluded that “Facebook is a modern day Psalter.” It is a collection of celebratory occasions, successes, encouragement, intention, future hopes, past regrets and failure, frustration, a forum to praise God – but also to curse God, a space where many share their grief, honour personal loss of a loved one, an arena to confront an enemy… all these things and more. Facebook, then, like many other social networks has become today’s psalms. As people of God, a community of faith, we are called to “praise Him in the assembly of the people” (Ps. 109), and giving thanks to God for “He set his people free and made an eternal covenant with them … he is to be praised forever” (Ps. 111). And how about you and me? In the assembly of our social network groups, do we honour the Lord? Do we honour our redemption through the grace of Jesus Christ in our status updates? Is the language we use in today’s psalms, like the Psalter, a language that begins with lament and rebellion, but points to hope? The psalmist says, “May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you” (Ps.33). I encourage you, then, friends in Christ, in all that we do and speak, whether face to face or facebook to facebook, may our words reflect a nature of hope, that others too, may find hope. “To you alone, O Lord, to you alone, and not to us, must glory be given because of your constant love and faithfulness” (Ps. 115). Have a great week! Blessings, Rev Gary Mauga
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Greetings in the name of the Most High God!
I love shoes. This week, I received a phone call from a local shoe store. I had visited this shoe store last month hoping to buy a pair of new leather dress shoes. I have big feet (size 14/15) and so the lovely lady who was serving me put in the nicest way possible, “we have run out of your size.” Translation: “My, what big feet you have!” She kindly offered to order my size shoe from their factory shop and said she would contact me when my new “kicks” arrived. They called me to inform that they had received my order and it was ready to be paid and collected. As I tried on these shoes, I noticed that I was trying to squeeze a size 14 foot into a size 13 shoe. I proceeded to wriggle my foot in as I really wanted these shoes. I tried forcing the shoe on my foot whilst trying not to damage the shoe. It wasn’t to be. I would have to wait again. Once again, I would leave empty handed – or empty footed. Not everything fits. In all aspects of life, we will experience the disappointments of not fitting in. It may be a sport or hobby that we would like to try only to find that no matter how much effort we put in – we are plain and simply not good at it. This may also extend to those seeking friendships or relationships. We often discover that there are groups of people we would like to join despite our own interests not really matching up to theirs. We try to force ourselves to adapt to their habits and routines – but it doesn’t last – we just don’t fit. Forcing a fit can cause some damage. Not only are we unhappy (doing something for the appeasement of others) but we can also be led into a routine of life that we may one day regret (like a group of friends who are a bad influence on your life). God created us equal – but with “different gifts” (Rom. 12:6-8). You have a gift that is unique to you. As it is a God-given gift, wherever you go, whatever you do, and whoever you encounter, your reverence for God will make you stand out – fitting in is of no importance – STANDING OUT is what makes you distinct. Not everything is for you but in all that you do “work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” (Col. 3:23) and STAND OUT! Blessings, Rev. Gary Mauga Talofa lava; greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
It has been quite a week with many spectators around the world especially throughout New Zealand, witnessing one of the greatest comebacks in America’s Cup history! And oh, how it hurt… I have been following the races closely, waking up each morning with a bowl of Weetbix, and anticipating Emirates Team New Zealand to bring home the “Auld Mug.” However, it wasn’t to be. And as each race passed, and each day went by, the possibility of Team Oracle coming from behind to win became seemingly inevitable. We all had that “what if” in the back of our minds. Certain situations in life sometimes give us a similar feeling. It’s that feeling of high hopes and “thinking we know how this ends.” Unfortunately, we are left disappointed and frustrated when things don’t turn out the way we anticipated. Such disappointment can often have grave consequences. Perhaps we spend too much time on short fixes where our hopes and expectations are met? For example, the disillusion of gambling that leads one to believe in a get-rich-quick scheme. Yes, we celebrate the odd victory here and there in various areas in our lives, but HOPE itself is something that cannot be confined to a single moment in time – HOPE is ongoing. God’s story – our story, is one of HOPE. It is also a story that encourages its characters (you and I) to live in hope. To be hope for others, just as Jesus was, and is, and forever will be, for all humanity. It is not a quick fix. It is a HOPE that lasts our entire lifetime (and beyond). The psalmist writes in Psalm 71:5, “Sovereign Lord, I put my hope in you; I have trusted in you since I was young.” 1 Timothy 6:17 -20 calls for us to: “place our hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment…and we will be able to win the life which is true life.” The America’s Cup may not have been won – but there is something even bigger to win – true life. In what have you placed your hope? Unlike the racing, we know how this salvation story ends. Will you play a part in it? #LeanwithTeamJesus Blessings, Rev. Gary Mauga Talofa lava,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We’ve been taught throughout the years that “actions speak louder than words.” The Christian faith is generally manifested through our “living out” our new identities in Christ. Throughout Scripture, namely the Gospels, Jesus provides examples of what embodying the characteristics of Christian faith may look like. Our response to Jesus’ teachings is one of action. Actions speak louder than words. However, sometimes we need a break from all the action – all the movement. Psalm 23:2 teaches us that often we need to lie still. “He maketh me down to lie in green pastures” assures us that there times when God intends for us to rest and enjoy simply being in his presence. Doing so, exercises our trust and faith that the world continues to grow in God’s hands – even when we, ourselves are not “working.” Whether it be “doing things” for God, or perhaps taking care of family business, or in our work places and churches – God makes time for us lie still and enjoy his presence. How else will we notice the green pastures if we are too busy “doing and actioning”? Enjoying being still in God does not make you less a Christian, rather it enables you to draw close to our God who loves us and seeks to grow us beyond Christianity itself. Due for a holiday? Due for a family getaway? Need to lie still? I do. See you all in two weeks! Blessings, Rev. Gary Mauga Talofa lava,
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Recent days (and nights) have been quite wet with heavy rain testing the strength of our roofs. Last Sunday evening, StAND Youth opened their youth session with a look at the very familiar story of “Jesus Calms a Storm” (Luke 8:22-25). We looked at how our lives consist of sailing our boats through numerous storms. Rain and “getting wet” is often seen as a nuisance: when it rains, we run for cover – we don’t see any good in it. However, the youth raised some very good discussion about how significant water is for the process of growth. Plants and trees welcome the rain – as I am sure those in drought affected countries would. When God sends heavy rain and storms into our lives we can either see it as another reason to run and hide for cover – or we can see it as a way of God growing us through these experiences. Jesus did the same with the disciples who were on the boat that day: “Where is your faith?” When life gets a little messy and you feel nothing is going right, or when life hits you with something unbearable, know that God is growing you through these experiences. GROW on. Blessings, Rev. Gary Mauga |
Rev. Gary MaugaThoughts and comments by our minister, Gary. This page content © 2016
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