News

Hard is Normal

Over Easter I had the privilege of speaking at the huge gathering in Christchurch; over 4000 13-17 year olds. It was scary but exhilarating! Over 1000 of them were people who wouldn’t self-define themselves as Christians. One of the speakers gave a talk about “stuff” in our lives and what he said was absolutely right. He said it was quite normal for us all to have “stuff”. So for 30 minutes this was his message. And then he walked off the stage. To say the least, I was dumbfounded?!

There was not one word on how we can then make radical progress with our stuff. There was not one word on transformation. There was not one word on repentance, confession of stuff and coming to Jesus for life change. What is that?? Yes, “stuff” is normal but “change” is also normal for the normal Christian.

And when it comes to change, some interesting research that I have read suggests the following:

· When change occurs only 15% of that change can be attributed to the miraculous,

· 15% due to the method used to bring about change,

· 30% due to the quality of relationships that you have with people who are working with you to bring about the change,

· And 40% due to you taking responsibility for your stuff and wanting to do the hard yards so as to change.

In other words, 40% is up to us! At the end of the day, a key factor in any human change is whether or not we want to change and whether we’re prepared to do the hard yards. This is work we must do. God will not do this for us. But God will do this with us. Jesus once came to a sick man and said, “Do you want to get well?”

This same Jesus comes to us and asks the same question. For life change to occur, Jesus works with us and he waits to see what we will bring to the transformation process. He waits for us to do what we must do before he does what we cannot do. What we must do is yes, normalize our stuff but also work hard for change. This is the normal Christian life!

TUESDAY 26th

Community Worship 11:15am-12pm

Carey Dialogues—“Open Theism and Classical Theism” Myk Habets and Mick Duncan debate this issue and look at questions like Does God change his mind? and ‘Does he ever change it in response to our prayers and actions? It asks if God knows the future, if he changes, and if he is more like us than we care to admit?

Facilitated by Howard Cross and Rhett Snell

After Dinner Mints @ lunch

Tapu Misa: Tapu is an Auckland freelance journalist with a weekly column in The New Zealand Herald which focuses on range of issues particularly those that tend to be controversial.

WEDNESDAY 27th

Carey Prayer in the Chapel

12:40-1:00pm

Praying for the college, community, country and people. All welcome!

CENTRE FOR INTERCULTURAL STUDIES THIS WEEK

Sharon Walls from Mercy Ships will be on site this week. If you are interested in finding out more about this mission agency and their work or how you might be involved, please do connect with Sharon over lunches or in the Intercultural Studies room.

BREAD IN THE DINING ROOM

Many of you will be aware of the bread that we are privileged to get each week.

This is free for the taking however please be mindful of others that may like to take some and restrict yourself in how much you may take at any one time. With thanks

FROM SAM HENNESSEY...

"Roskill Primal would just like to thank the Carey community for their overwhelming generosity and support last week. The donations and contributions exceeded the need and we are so grateful to everyone who supported us. Thank you very much.”

LOST AND FOUND

Please see Lidy at reception if any of the below items may be yours.

Found at the Carey stand at Easter camp

- gray beanie

- black cardigan

Found in Room 2, two weeks ago

- black peaked cap and a black scarf