Margaret River

2008 in review

Written by discipleoftheway on December 16, 2008 · 5 Comments

As Christmas draws closer, and the end of the year close by, I have definately started to reflect on the ‘year that was’. Rather than waiting till 2009 to post this, since I may not get to post much in Jan, I thought I’d start now. So sit back, relax and enjoy ‘Middo’s 2008 year in review’!

I am someone who tends to over emphasise on many occassions. I am someone who definately gets ‘very excited’ about simple things. However I believe it is fair to say that this year has been very exciting and quite huge really in the scheme of things. During my 23 years on this earth I have had many other significant periods of change but there are few times I have experienced quite as much change as has happened in 2008. Let me list some of the changes.
- I have moved from the city to the country.
- I have changed jobs.
- I have gone from working primarily with teenagers to primarily with primary aged students.
- I have changed churches.
- Though I am technically at a C of C church, my new church is definately very different to my old church in oh so many ways.
- I have moved from living in a house to living in a caravan, to living in a house again.
- I have basically changed my entire friendship network, in that I don’t get to see my old friends much.
- I have had a very close family member (my aunt) pass away.

They are the ‘main’ changes, though I’m sure if I thought about it I would find many more. Really, 2008 has been a HUGE year of transition for me.

Between the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 I made the decision to leave nearly everything I ‘knew’ and move to Margaret River simply because I believed (and I still believe) God told me to. Many times I get asked the question ‘how did God tell you?’ and I think I give different answers each time! But mostly I believe he spoke directly to me at Leavers in ’07 when i was contemplating what to do in 2008. I can’t really give more of an answer than that!

So 2008 began with me planning to move…but without any hard and fast ways of making it happen. 2 days before I moved I tee’d up the pastor at my new church for me to live in his caravan for a while, with a friend from Albany. When I actually moved to Margs I did not have a job, though I was in the process of getting into the chaplaincy pool. Many people I knew thought I was absolutely crazy and were sure I’d be back in Perth within weeks…I’m still not:)

I would say one of the major lessons I have learnt during 2008 is about trusting in God, not only when it is easy but when everything looks impossible also. I would not be where I am today WITHOUT God by my side, of this I am sure. Debate that with me later if you like! My faith has grown infinitely this year. My faith has also been challenged greatly at times. My ‘theology’ hass been twisted and turned with me trying to work out what I hold onto for dear life and what I allow to be ‘fluid’ and change as many experiences challenges it. There are parts of my theology that have been challenged that I have stuck too but there are also parts of my theology that have been challenged that I have allowed to change. That is another post in itself. But overall I believe I enter 2009 a lot more mature and a lot more able to stand UP for my faith and theology. For me this is an exciting area of growth.

Without wanting this post to drag on too much more I suppose I will finish it with a few disappointments from 2008. For these I am going to try to be as honest as I can, because I believe in honesty and I believe in opening up, even in a public place like this blog! I must say, however, that OVERALL I am VERY happy with 2008 and some of these disappointments will sound like big downers. I have actually dealt with them all and am ‘happy’ with where they have ended, even though they are still disappointments.

One disappointment would have to be that I can’t name any specific person I ‘KNOW’ who has come to faith in 2008. Now I know, many things have happened that have hopefully been ‘seeds’ planted but I honestly believe that if I am ‘really’ living my faith to its fullest then i will ‘SEE’ fruit. I’m reminded of the mathematical equation which suggests if every Christian led 1 person to faith, and discipled them, each year, then in 32 years the entire WORLD would know Jesus. So I would like to think that each year if even only 1 person comes to faith, that is good. I won’t beat myself up about it but I’d be lying if I said i was ‘happy’ with this outcome. Still, i can only trust that in ‘God’s’ time these things will happen.

Another disappointment would probably be that I haven’t been as involved in Margaret River as I had wanted to be, mostly due to working in Dunsborough 4 days a week. Now i have semi-shifted my idea’s and goals for 2009 because of this, but it is still a significant disappointment for me. I believe in the local church. I believe in local Christians making a big impact in their community, getting outside the 4 walls of the building and getting into the community. I have successfully become involved in my church but I must say I haven’t been as successful as I would have LIKED in the community itself. Hopefully in 2009 I can build on what I ‘HAVE’ achieved.

Also, in the spirit of honesty, I am also disappointed that I am still yet to find that ‘someone special’ to share my life with. I definately entered 2008 (as I must admit I do most years) hoping THIS would be the year. Now, i know this is normal. I know I am young and still have plenty of time…so I am cool with that. But it does still disappoint me. Its just further proof that ‘my’ time and ‘God’s’ time don’t always match up…that is just one part of life! So i move on and endeavour to ‘patiently’ await God’s time. Maybe by 2036 I might get there:P (that is a joke, I know 2050 is more likely:P)

To end my blog on a positive note one HUGE achievement in 2008 was the completion of my tertiary studies, so in 2009 I will receive my bachelor of theology. I actually find it a little difficult having completed a ‘theology’ degree because there tends to be 2 responses people give to me when they find this out.
1. ‘Oh, so you know everything about God and the bible hey? Cool! So what does Zechariah 15:2 say?”
or 2. Who needs a theology degree, that just leads to people feeling more ‘superior’ that other Christians. I don’t know why you bothered.’

But this is ok, I’m getting used to it. I do notice I tend to hide this fact about myself…whether that is good or not. What I would say i have gained from this degree is just how much I DON’T know. I would also say it has helped teach me HOW to study, and set me on a lifelong journey studying the Word and God. So this has to be a good thing! Do I think everyone should get a degree in theology? Of course not, but for me it has been of significant benefit.

So, in 1300 words there is my wrap up of 2008! Much more could be said, but I will leave it there.

Categories: blogging, Life, Margaret River, Theology

Theology of dating

Written by discipleoftheway on December 2, 2008 · 6 Comments

Being a 20 something single male, I have to be honest and say that the topic of relationships comes to mind on the odd occassion. This post semi flows on from my previous one but is also inspired by Sarah and her School of Dating posts.

Basically, the question that I wish to pose, respond to and also get your response on is ‘what is your theology on starting dating relationships’. This is actually quite a broad topic and so, to burrow in a little deeper, the real question I want to ask is what role do you think God plays in bringing 2 people together?

There are a few different camps when it comes to this issue. Here is my VERY generalised summary.

Camp 1 – God is in control.
This camp basically asserts that God is in supreme control when it comes to bringing 2 people together. This camp basically holds that, as Christians, we don’t really personally have a say, when the time is right God will bring someone along and God will make sure that the 2 of you end up together. I have even heard this argument argued for based on the Genesis account, whereby Adam searched the land for a ‘partner’ but could not find one suitable himself, so God made him one. Basically man (or woman) is incapable of finding a partner, so God has to do it all. This camp would quite possibly say that there is 1 man/woman SPECIFICALLY for you.

Camp 2 – DIY!
Camp 2 people are generally of the opinion that God plays NO role in forming relationships ‘other’ than blessing it when the 2 become 1 in marriage. The argument for this goes that God made us to make our own choices and decisions, and therefore he has no interest in playing a role in match-making. Basically get out there, find yourself a partner and be done with it, don’t wait on or expect God to do any of the work, it is entirely up to you. In this camp most would argue ‘anyone’ who is single is fair game, there is not 1 person specifically for you that you need to find.

Camp 3 – God helps those who help themselves.
This camp is kind of a mix. It basically argues that God wants us to be proactive in the pursuit of a partner. The argument here is that God wants to partner with us. For some people, God may have a ‘specific’ partner, but for most it requires us to play a part in determining who that partner is. Some would argue God has a specific person for us, but it is up to us to find them. Some here would argue that there isn’t anyone specific, that anyone ‘could’ be right, and if two people both happen to like each other THEN God will help them come together.

There are definately more than 3 camps on this matter, but most other camps are a blend of the above. I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately, given the fact that, as I said in my last post, I’m definately starting to feel like I ‘want’ to settle down and start a family ‘soon’. However I am lacking something significant for that plan to happen!

Between 18-22 I used to say to God often ‘God, I will go wherever you want…just find me a wife first.’ In the end, God had other plans, he told me to go somewhere and I have, BEFORE I have a wife. This has been a blessing in many ways. I can honestly say it would have been much more difficult to move to Margs ‘if’ I had a wife. I can also say that 2008 has been QUITE a blessing in that I haven’t really thought as much about women as I have done previously. Previously I had a pretty bad track record of falling for good friends…who NEVER returned those feelings, and this always ended up in a terrible mess.

However as 2008 starts to draw to a close…I will be honest to my blogging public and say I am sensing a stronger drive returning, a deeper longing to find that ‘significant other’ to journey with. But as I cast my eyes around Margaret River…the landscape is virtually barren when it comes to Christian women my age. HENCE my thoughts on ‘what role does God play?’

I tend to LIKE the idea that God will just ‘bring her along’ because that means i just get to sit back, relax, and wait for God. However I am starting to wonder if it IS entirely God.

This question is also raised for me on a pragmatic level. Throughout 2008 I have met a few fantastic women of God, from Perth, that had I lived in Perth I would probably have given more than a fleeting thought to, but living in Margs I tend to cross women from Perth off immediately. This is strange though, as I myself would have no qualms in being in a relationship with someone living in Perth. I actually think it is a shield that I put up, assuming they ALSO would be crossing me off because i live in Margs.

I guess all this is leading me to ask my readers…what role do YOU think God either does play, or did play if you are married, in bringing 2 people together?

The other spanner in the works is that, as well as being Christian, any prospective partner MUST either also feel a calling to Margs OR be willing to move here in the future. I am not of the opinion that I am in Margs now and will be for the next 20 years…although I do think(and hope) to be here for the majority of that time. I actually expect to be in Perth for a year or 2 in the future as there are various study options only available in Perth that i am thinking about following up. BUT, my heart belongs to Margs and I will 100% be spending a significant portion of my future here, and this itself is a significant barrier it seems in determining whether to pursue an interest or not.

Categories: Life, Margaret River, Theology

Being Chris Judd

Written by discipleoftheway on October 14, 2008 · 4 Comments

Being the avid footy fan that I am, I often think about things in footy terms, and I can’t help but think that right now i feel a lot like Chris Judd probably did for much of the year 2007.

At the end of 2007, Judd moved to Carlton, sighting a deep desire to move home. However at the same time he said something along the lines of ‘if West Coast was a Melbourne based club, I’d sign a long term contract’. Chris didn’t leave because he disliked West Coast, he just wanted to be in Melbourne.

So how does this relate to me? Well right now (and for most of the year) I have been torn between working at Dunsborough PS but also longing to work closer to Margs. During my recent job application, I became increasingly excited at the prospect of working IN Margaret River (and even more so about working FOR Margaret River). Now, even though I didn’t get that job, my heart still beats to be more involved in the day to day life of Margs and that is difficult, spending 4 days in Dunsborough.

Having said that, I do really enjoy Dunsborough. Along the lines of Judd, if Duns PS was in Margs, I’d prob ‘sign a long term contract’ too. As the year starts to draw to a close, I am increasingly aware of the impact I have been able to make on staff, students and parents, and feel like only NOW could i truly begin to be a ‘chaplain’ at the school, with students now trusting me more given the time they have had to get to know me. It tugs at my heart to even think about abandoning them next year. We had a school planning session yesterday, my first, and it opened my eyes to so many area’s that I ‘could’ get involved in, very strategic and beneficial area’s, but ONLY from a long term (not a 1 term) perspective.

Now I could argue for starting them…then handing them over to any future chaplain who arrives. However, the most difficult things that I have been involved in this year have been things either started, or handed over to, the previous Chaplain. This isn’t to say they did a bad job, in fact they were running very smoothly, but they were all part of his approach to the role, and I (like all chaplains) am quite different. As such, I feel it would be unfair to expect a future chaplain to ‘run with’ things I start up.

What has made my decision (which I still haven’t made concretely) harder, has been what I HAD felt was a lack of guidance from God, but am now quite sure is a deliberate allowance for ‘me’ to decide. I feel God is saying to me ‘my role for you is to be in Margs (or the south-west, or both)…how that looks I want you to decide’. I feel ‘either’ decision (to stay or not at Duns) is ok. But I just wish God would say either way!

So here I am, stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I leave Duns, what I would do in Margs I am unsure, but I do trust if that is my choice then God will honour it and help me. My prayer also is that if i decide to stay on, God will finally give me peace of mind that I have not had ALL YEAR. I don’t want to stay on if I am only going to spend all of 2009 ‘wondering’ if this is right. It not fair on Duns or me.

So that is basically where I am at now (and have been for AGES). Sorry for the lack of updates recently, holidays often means less net access. Now I’m back and can hopefully keep you more in the loop once more!

Categories: chaplaincy, Life, Margaret River

2008 in review

Theology of dating

Being Chris Judd

About James

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