In the film Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey plays an unappreciated journalist who is over his life and his job. It's a funny and ridiculous movie but I like it. Whilst I know this is not a 100% theologically perfect example, Bruce does one thing right in the midst of his stress: he cries out to God. Can you at least relate to the emotions he expresses towards God? Here are some of the things he says... “God, please give me a sign.”
“The gloves are off, God.”
“God has taken my bird and my bush.”
"God is a mean kid sitting on an anthill with a magnifying glass, and I'm the ant. He could fix my life in five minutes if he wanted to, but he'd rather burn off my feelers and watch me squirm.”
I've been thinking a fair bit recently about our Christian fellowship in British Airways and it has been good to think again of some of the basic nuts and bolts of what we actually do and particularly why. I think it's worth sharing as it applies also to ACN or, for that matter, any other workplace group of Christians.
How we exist and witness as a group and as individuals is of course hugely important - how we proclaim the good news, how we work, how we display love in action. Doing them simultaneously, through our lives and our work can be a great challenge. Chris wrote about that in the last newsletter.
You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbour' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)
I would think that this is one part of scripture that is not hotly debated. People will be arguing about evolution and creation, and Calvinism and Arminianism until Jesus returns, but this passage is pretty well accepted by all. It's the Golden Rule that says, 'Do to others as you would like them to do to you' (Luke 6:31 - NLT) and even people of no religion would probably agree that it's a noble way to live.
But that doesn't make it easy or pleasant. It is one of the hardest things in the world! And we are regularly tested in this area when at work.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)
Life is never easy. I’m sure you would agree. If you were to write down all the stuff in your life that you want to change, how many pages could you fill?
Before swine flu happened, before the economic downturn, before the airlines started sacking people, even before all that, most of us had things that we’d rather were different. Then when these other, highly broadcast, problems arrived, life just got more fragile and stressful and less secure and fun.
It can all seem overwhelmingly hard. In fact, it doesn’t just seem hard, it IS hard.
'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 'Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.' The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:12-17 NIV
Looking for a church when you're away from home?
Hong Kong
St. Andrew’s Church
Address: 138 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
St. Andrew’s is similar to a Sydney Anglican church back in Australia. The pastor is Australian and the services are in English. There are quite a lot of Australians regularly attending this church.
in Pray by 
How we exist and witness as a group and as individuals is of course hugely important - how we proclaim the good news, how we work, how we display love in action. Doing them simultaneously, through our lives and our work can be a great challenge. Chris wrote about that in the last newsletter.
Life is never easy. I’m sure you would agree. If you were to write down all the stuff in your life that you want to change, how many pages could you fill? 
