Christmas - Prison Bake!

Firstly let me take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and an awesome new year!

Got to share a little story, inspired by the passage in Matt 25, where Jesus talked about the sheep and the goats. One of the lines is when did you feed the hungry... or visit me in jail ...

After hearing this in a recent Christmas message a lady from our church got inspired, called the local prison and asked if she could take in a pile of baking to share with the prisoners on Christmas day. Turns out you're not actually allowed to take in home backing, something about what could be baked inside it! But totally sweet if its from a shop and fully sealed! She told the Church, and a couple of days ago, 4 really large bags headed into the prison.

For me thats really what Christmas is all about, its so easy to give gifts to those we care about, and thats a good thing. I guess what made me go wow with this story is it is so inline with the way Jesus taught us to act. Was a challenge for me, what am i doing this Christmas to honour the teaching and life of Jesus?

Working flat out - the child labour behind Egyptian cotton sheets

They work 10-hour shifts in 40C heat for 20 pence a day. Their job? Picking the cotton that makes the world's finest bed linen. Dan McDougall reports on the scandal of Egypt's child labourers

Check out the full story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jun/08/childprotection.humanrights

Another good reason to make sure you buy Fairtrade Cotton!

God is with us!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

This promise made a long time ago came to fruition- and hence Christmas. What a radical time, that this time would mean peace, hope, justice, righteousness. And that Jesus would be called Immanuel - God with Us. God is with us this Christmas, with that same brimming hope that Isaiah had when he spoke those words- infact the brimming hope is now also brimming joy, because it is no longer just a prophecy but real.

Have a great christmas and new year- God is with us.

A New Year

What will 2009 look like for you? Busy? travel? buying a new house?

What ever it is, and where ever we are- the call is still the same:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8)

This call looks different to every one, every living arrangement, every work place, every school, and every city. What is excting is that we have to ability to be creative and passionate about how we respond to this call.

So this new year when your lounging on the beach- think about how will Justice, mercy and you relationship with God inform your year?


( Get creative or See the side bar for ideas)

Thanks darren for that last post its a real rude awakening. I have this quote on our whiteboard at work that says

"We have a real food problem, a famine approaching. Its a crime against humanity to take something you can eat and make a chair-or use it as gas in your SUV."- Designer Philippe Starck.

It is such a simple black and white statement. Of course- food is a number one priority. But is it? Is it really?

ALSO id like to blatently Advertise the fact that im doing the Oxfam Trailwalker in 2009- this is a 100km Walk, you complete in a team of 4 - all in one go. We will have a website soon.. so ill post that in no time. BUT if you'd be keen to sponsor us (and this great cause) please leave a comment or get in contact with me!
heaps more info here: www.oxfam.org.nz

Amie