After 4 weeks of membership....

In Lifegroups this past month we've been looking at the topic and idea of membership in the church context... and establishing what it means to be a member and the more basic question of 'where in the bible does it say we need to be members?'

Even though the new testament actually doesn't directly command us to be 'members', it does in many places imply members in various ways. In fact some of the commands in the NT cannot be fulfilled unless there is a group of church 'members'. I think we've established that the only right/responsibility of official members is NOT just to vote. Signing for membership is a public declaration of an inward commitment towards God's local church, and also is a public statement of association with a particular local church (as opposed to being nomadic!)

Unfortunately, one of the down sides of this series was that God's word was not touched awfully much, and when it was, it usually was skipping about books and passages, which does not really help people understand a portion of God's word thoroughly.

Looking foward (not really... doubling up with FiGS...) to reading, studying and understanding Hebrews throughout the remainder of the year... Hoping for more talk, useful discussion, digging deep into the passages and continueing to explore God's Word!

A New Year...

Its Feb already.... but my first real post for the year! Uni is less than a week away, and everything is already in full swing....

Resolutions and Goals for 2008:

• get healthier and fitter
• read more architectural journals and books
• gain new work skills (for architecture and in general)
• figure out where God wants me to serve
• time manage better (less wasted time)
• look after myself better mentally and spiritually

It looks like its going to be a big year from the outset... getting my undergrad in Architectural Design this year, and all the hard work university brings, and on top of that FiGS, RICE, and Worship roles... the year is pretty much already packed. But it really is an exciting year and I'm so happy I can be part of all these groups. Architecture is becoming more interesting than before, and I'm keen to learn more and understand more about buildings, form, function and design, and exploring the history of architecture. FiGS is very exciting yet sometimes can be a handful. Many changes and shifting this year, and it seems like a new beginning for the group. Being part of the leadership, there is a lot of responsibility and commitment, and a lot of background work has to be done to get FiGS working properly. Same with RICE... as it is the first time its being held in Brisbane. Very exciting ministry to work in and help organise.

Well, sounds like a busy year for me.... so I guess I'll launch into it now!

-Joshi

beautiful, yet so sad...

Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I feel as if I'm wasted
And I'm wastin' everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.