Age, Maturity and Respect

For the past 4 years I've had this on and off battle with supposedly not earning the respect from my peers... probably because of my age and their perception of my maturity. I've tried so hard from being a leader at youth group to participants older than me, to coordinating and youth group and also various other worship and youth teams, to learn to change from an immature 17 year old to what I think is a much more mature 20 year old (who still sees the light-heartedness of life).

But... this issue keeps resurfacing....

I've come to realise after being told on countless occasions by my elders that being old doesn't necessarily mean being mature, and that someone can still be young and act in a way which others can respect. My question is: Even if you show you are mature and that you have changed, can people change their thoughts and stereotype about you and translate that into the way they view and act towards you? Or will people just carry on, keep singling you out for everything, and viewing you as the one who doesn't know anything.

I guess the only thing I can do on my part is to keep running the race, with my eyes fixed on Jesus.

The 'Feel Good' Story of the Aussie Open

Jelena Dokic has had to suffer so much over the past years...

- Australian player with Serbian decent
- Outspoken father who said and did many crazy things which marred her career

However she has made a big impression on the Tennis scene in her career...

- peaked in 2002 ranked at world #4
- beaten top players such as Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters, Venus Williams and Justin Henin

I was watching her game against Kleybanova last night, and it was great watching Dokic play with a 'never give up' style against her much younger and higher ranked opponent. I'm sure she's used to being booed and having people make nasty comments at her, but last night's game was definitely not like that. The crowd was totally behind her... especially through the final set as the game was in the balance. The crowd seemed to be willing her on to win, to give it her all, and Dokic lifted to finally outplay her opponent 8-6 in the third set. Dokic has some way to improve to be in top form (i.e. 10+ double faults and a weak forehand) but she is giving it her all, she doesn't have a crazy father overshadowing her and she can let her game and her attitude do the talking. She thoroughly deserved her win and all the cheers and applauses from the Melbourne crowd. Go the Dokic fist pump!

What's Worship About?

I've been debating if I should write anything on this topic, and if I should, what would I rant on about... so after a week of letting this come in and out of my mind, I'll keep it nice and simple :) I hope....

Basically a recent email has been a catalyst for my mind to think about worship, and worship really is. I'm involved with this 'worship' ministry a lot at church and also other church-related events (such as RICE, BLT, Carols, etc.) and I come across this question a lot. When we say worship, we immediately think of bands/organisations such as Hillsongs and Planetshakers, and their mega-concerts with 'awesome' sounding music. We think of Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman, and we immediately associate them with worship.

But is worship really about these people or bands? Is it about being the best sounding band or performance ever? Is it about idolising these earthly songwriters, singers, and songs, and attempting to imitate their feat?

I think this chorus gives us a clue on what worship is about:

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus

Worship is not about following some earthly figure or group. Its not about being the best to be heard by others. Its not about our super church service, or our technically perfect music team, its not about us...

Its about Jesus.

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus

Reflections..

2008 has been a massive year.. and its definitely been the biggest year of my life so far.

Highlights (In no real order except for when I remember them):

- Serving in RICE and leading worship during the RICE Rally
- Making major progress (more than the last 10 years put together) in SDBC Youth with FiGS
- Turning the big two zero (not a teen anymore booo)
- Graduated university (still have to go back for my masters degree in 2010)
- Visited Sydney for the first time in 8 years, and attended RICE Sydney Rally 2008
- Competed in Gold Coast Badminton Open
- Ran the Bridge to Brisbane 10km run with the CCCB crew
- FiGS Camp, YF Camp and BLT+ (and was part of music for all of them I think)
- First real work job of drafting up the church CAD plans
- Stepping up to be a service coordintor of the 10:30am worship team at SDBC
- Got wound up in the RICE green team committee
- Set foot in the 'motherland' aka. China... (Shanghai and Beijing) and also visited Hong Kong (for the first time I can remember.... went there when I was 2), Singapore (for the first time in 13 years) and Malaysia
- Started playing drums at church
- Got stuck with some random girl (nah jokes... well random at times hehe)
- Went to Southbank for NYE fireworks for the first time
- Joined the Iphone bandwagon (and glad I did, useful little thing it is!)

Yeah, there's probably more that I can't remember right now.... you can add for me if you can remember :)