Wave Youth » Blog http://waveyouth.org.nz Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:54:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 10 Things I learnt from Cancer #2 http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learnt-from-cancer-2.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learnt-from-cancer-2.html#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:54:39 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1138 #2 I’m going to live!

After the rather long morose pause (over Christmas) on the first point, I probably waited too long to make the second – life!

Yes, Once I came to terms with the first point (dying), I have no other conclusion than to continue living until further notice.

If you truly understand the fragility of life, or at least the fragility of OUR plans, you can appreciate the value of God’s plan. In fact through all this, knowing that my days were numbered, made it possible to realise that my unfinished plans are okay; not knowing all the answers is okay, even not being right all the time is okay. She’ll be right. (Or He will be right)

I guess this is my new Christian world-view. I used to be anxious if people didn’t come to my party, then I became anxious wondering if people would come to my funeral. Mark Twain said “There is no greater burden than an unfilled potential”. Well I got to a stage where not one thing I had planned to do was working and the chance of achieving them was drifting off into someone else’s life. Then I met Jesus, and he said “I am the way and the truth and the life.” This sort of lifted the pressure on my unfulfilled potential.

So I am a lot more content with living these days. The trial of “losing it all” took me well and truly through the ‘Oh no!” to the “Ah well”. This is not some internal peace based on inner calm or positive thoughts, its completely constructed on the promise that Jesus will get me home and get me there in his perfect plan. Try changing THOSE plans you bullys! (I don’t know who I’m talking to, but lets just say the bad guys)

The dying issue is not over if Christ gives you new life, but it certainly removes the anxiety about how it ends. I’m still working out the HOW today will be, but I don’t live every day as if its my last, I’m going to live every day as if its my first.

“Even the hairs of your head are numbered..” Mt 10:30

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learnt-from-cancer-2.html/feed 0 10 things I learned from cancer. #1 http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learned-from-cancer-1.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learned-from-cancer-1.html#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:10:44 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1119

When I got diagnosed with cancer, I wondered if  I would be able to hear from God. That I would be so busy with the physical that I wouldn’t be sensitive to the spiritual.

I’m still learning believe me, but here at least are 10 things I did learn:

#1 I’m dying.

Yep, the doctors can say all they want, but after all I’ve been through, after all the treatment, I’m still dying. I never fully realised, even if I felt heathy, that I was actually dying.

I’m not trying to be depressing, but for the first time, even though I’d read it a hundred times in Genesis, I felt the effects of the original sin – death.

I spent a good amount of time fighting this disease with other people who didn’t make it. Many were older men in their 60-80s. One of the hardest things to deal with when I was in hospital was the absolute certainty, that if not today, one day I would be back in this situation again, and it would be my turn to lose. Maybe not in a hospital, maybe not to cancer, but something would eventually overcome me.

The world is dying because of sin. There is no medical hope, no miracle supplement. There is no disease we can place more blame on than another. We can kick away at death all we want, for as long as we can, but you will lose this battle.

Fortunately, there is only one antidote to sin! And I was lucky enough to have taken it 8 years ago. I went to the pharmacy of GOD and begged for a prescription JESUS.*

For all that I had done to warrant death, for all my sinful actions and thoughts I had done, am doing and will do, he died on the cross for me. Living water. Eternal life. Life without God’s wrath.

I remember having a shower oneday and being almost overcome with the weight of what was happening. But I remembered a verse and it wasn’t a ‘positive statement’ made in the face of hardship, it wasn’t an optimism I had to make myself, it was truth, pure and simple. And it brought me joy in the face of everything. Because of what Jesus has done, things are only getting better. Here’s that verse:

2 Cor 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting way, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

What can I say, Hallelujah! And I’m not even a hallelujah sort of guy. More of a Brad Thorn punching the air sort of “Heyah”!

* I dramatised this event for hospital imagery. In reality, my salvation came more like a sinful child reluctantly admitting that Dad was right, but I got the idea eventually! Heyah!

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/10-things-i-learned-from-cancer-1.html/feed 0 Reasons to read the Bible daily #3 http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/reasons-to-read-the-bible-daily-3.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/reasons-to-read-the-bible-daily-3.html#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:34:38 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1099 Reason #3 HERESY!

Actually, when I started this series I was thinking of other reasons to read the bible. Ones you may not have thought of. I sort of assumed you would already read it for SALVATION and working our your SALVATION. There are talented people who preach on Sundays for this great stuff!

However, even my cornflake packet, meal in a minute, look in the index, knowledge of scripture can expose Christian heresy. Heresy is when someone claiming to be a Christian twists or denies the truth of the bible.

For example in Rob Bell’s new book Love wins, he tries to introduce a new version of hell, by either denying its severity (or length) and transposing a new angle on salvation that doesn’t include avoiding eternal punishment.

In a short reading of the bible you can know that, Yup hell is real, Yup Rob Bell is creating a God that he is more comfortable with.

Go to Matt 13:24 where Jesus tells the parable of the weeds. Yes, in this parable he draws a picture of the church with false believers mixed with genuine believers. Then he mentions the fate of the faithless; “Bind them in bundles to be burned”.

Okay, you may rightly see this as a ‘picture of hell’ not literal. But luckily for us, his disciples asked Jesus to break it down for them, which he does in Matt 13:36. Jesus unpacks the meaning and gives you real people, real times and real places. This is no longer a ‘picture’ but a literal interpretation of the parable. You don’t need to turn it back into a picture, because Jesus has explained it in truth. Hell is real, end of story, heresy exposed.

This took all of 5 minutes on the iphone to see through this one, and Rob Bell is like a big mega-star, big budget pastor with considerably more bible training than me. But he is not my authority. Jesus is, and his word!

You can read the truth yourself! Read the bible daily so you know the word better and better, so you can spot the heresy. And if you need help, email or phone Pastor Andrew – he’ll point you to the authority of scripture too!

Ahh, the iphone – 34 different translations at the tough of a button, ahh, pastors on speed dial.

<<sent from iphone>>

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/reasons-to-read-the-bible-daily-3.html/feed 0 One man’s plight: A play in 4 parts. http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/one-man%e2%80%99s-plight-a-play-in-4-parts.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/one-man%e2%80%99s-plight-a-play-in-4-parts.html#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:37:40 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1089
Once when I was recovering from surgery, I had the vantage point to observe a man in the bed across from me. I don’t confess to know his condition, but I surely saw a man with the life slowly drifting away.
Act 1: The wife
From my horizontal position, I saw a man who moved rarely, slept much and would not listen to the nurses, pleading with him to get up to clean himself or look out the window.
His wife came to visit and cursed him. Why did he sleep all day and night? He had agreed to get up and go to the lounge, why didn’t he get up? Like a grey mist rising out of quicksand, this man pulled himself up and dragged on a dressing gown. Again she cursed him to put on some real clothes. What I witnessed for the next 20 minutes was the tired fumbling and pulling of a jersey and trousers over a hospital gown, while the wife muttered anger; Her hurt was raw, but she would have nothing to do with his deliberate weakness. They left briefly, the wife walking purposefully ahead.
Act 2: The daughter
I heard his daughter visit, and in respectful terms tell him he would have to go into a home, because mum could not look after him any more. She told him how important it was for Mum, for the family that he just try. Her heartbreak was obvious. She told him she would come tomorrow to pick him up and they would go for a walk, see his grand children. Would he like that? He grunted a reply and for the first time I heard him speak, that he would be ready.
The nurses used this opportunity to encourage him, and said they would wake him early to help him get ready, that if he got up at a certain time he could be shaved and showered and it will be a wonderful change for him.
The next day even I observed the time for his visit. Despite the numerous efforts of the nurse, he would not respond. The time of the visit came and went, he lay in bed and his phone rang many times, but he would not pick it up.
Act 3: The social worker
I recognised the authoritative tones of the doctor, and soon arrived the social worker. Her precise tones could not have been more professional, logical and clearly laid out for him. He would have to make these certain practical changes and he could sleep at these times of the day and still look after himself if he applied balance. Even the man agreed this made sense and he would do it, to allow himself to stay at home. Things were going to improve, they would be better now, she said.
The next day the times and plans came and went as he lay in bed, not moving for the phone or the nurse.
Act 4: The Christian
Unable to speak and unable to separate myself from my own grief, I prayed for him. I learnt his name and unable to even articulate what I saw, I asked God to heal him, to save him. His plight filled me with despair, I felt the pain of his family, I could feel his pain and surely his physical body would soon follow in his decline. What no one else seemed to know or mention was his clockwork trips 3 times a day. Early in the morning, before I could even stir he would climb out of bed, pull on a dressing gown and return smelling of cigarette smoke. Like one dropping from a great height, the bed would creek and he would sleep once more.
It made me imagine a rich executive in some hire-rise office somewhere. Did he know that where all others had failed, what hurt, love and logic were unable to do, his tobacco product had managed to get a dying man out of bed?
Did I say the only thing? My prayers went unanswered while I was there, but I am asked to have faith in the things unseen. To this day, I still wonder what Jesus has done with my prayers.Once when I was recovering from surgery, I had the vantage point to observe a man in the bed across from me. I don’t confess to know his condition, but I surely saw a man with the life slowly drifting awa
Once when I was recovering from surgery, I had the vantage point to observe a man in the bed across from me. I don’t confess to know his condition, but I surely saw a man with the life slowly drifting away.
Act 1: The wife
From my horizontal position, I saw a man who moved rarely, slept much and would not listen to the nurses, pleading with him to get up to clean himself or look out the window.
His wife came to visit and cursed him. Why did he sleep all day and night? He had agreed to get up and go to the lounge, why didn’t he get up? Like a grey mist rising out of quicksand, this man pulled himself up and dragged on a dressing gown. Again she cursed him to put on some real clothes. What I witnessed for the next 20 minutes was the tired fumbling and pulling of a jersey and trousers over a hospital gown, while the wife muttered anger; Her hurt was raw, but she would have nothing to do with his deliberate weakness. They left briefly, the wife walking purposefully ahead.
Act 2: The daughter
I heard his daughter visit, and in respectful terms tell him he would have to go into a home, because mum could not look after him any more. She told him how important it was for Mum, for the family that he just try. Her heartbreak was obvious. She told him she would come tomorrow to pick him up and they would go for a walk, see his grand children. Would he like that? He grunted a reply and for the first time I heard him speak, that he would be ready.
The nurses used this opportunity to encourage him, and said they would wake him early to help him get ready, that if he got up at a certain time he could be shaved and showered and it will be a wonderful change for him.
The next day even I observed the time for his visit. Despite the numerous efforts of the nurse, he would not respond. The time of the visit came and went, he lay in bed and his phone rang many times, but he would not pick it up.
Act 3: The social worker
I recognised the authoritative tones of the doctor, and soon arrived the social worker. Her precise tones could not have been more professional, logical and clearly laid out for him. He would have to make these certain practical changes and he could sleep at these times of the day and still look after himself if he applied balance. Even the man agreed this made sense and he would do it, to allow himself to stay at home. Things were going to improve, they would be better now, she said.
The next day the times and plans came and went as he lay in bed, not moving for the phone or the nurse.
Act 4: The Christian
Unable to speak and unable to separate myself from my own grief, I prayed for him. I learnt his name and unable to even articulate what I saw, I asked God to heal him, to save him. His plight filled me with despair, I felt the pain of his family, I could feel his pain and surely his physical body would soon follow in his decline. What no one else seemed to know or mention was his clockwork trips 3 times a day. Early in the morning, before I could even stir he would climb out of bed, pull on a dressing gown and return smelling of cigarette smoke. Like one dropping from a great height, the bed would creek and he would sleep once more.
It made me imagine a rich executive in some hire-rise office somewhere. Did he know that where all others had failed, what hurt, love and logic were unable to do, his tobacco product had managed to get a dying man out of bed?
Did I say the only thing? My prayers went unanswered while I was there, but I am asked to have faith in the things unseen. To this day, I still wonder what Jesus has done with my prayers.
]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/one-man%e2%80%99s-plight-a-play-in-4-parts.html/feed 1 The REAL Top 7… http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/the-real-top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/the-real-top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:48:57 +0000 Hangyul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1085 Hi, for those who don’t know me, my name is Nicolas super fly, skuxx and joga Morla, I am twenty six years old although I look like a eighteen year old who was born on the 17-10-1992 in a hospital in Quito to a Jeanette and Julio Morla. I have two sisters who were not annoying enough to make it on to this blog. And I have a sixteen foot pet crocodile with rabies.

While Willie may be vary astute in the areas of annoying his is not the expert, I don’t know what diploma mill he got his doctorate from but where I studied you didn’t get a doctorate until you could make a Zen Buddhist Monk who was just five minutes away from finishing a twenty year fast eat his own shoes out of frustration of committing to a vow of peace.

I have also finished a degree in overt stupidity which is a considered a closely related field. And I am sure you have read my article in the noted prank magazine called Tom Fool my article is labelled ‘arrrgggg splat’ and describes a ingenious prank involving trip wire, elephant dung and a very cute hamster.

Anyway the list that follows is THE list of THE 7 TOP most annoying things of all time….

  1. Hand sneezers. When you go to shake someone’s hand then they lean over and sneeze on your hand. It is disgusting the first time but when it happens a second, and a third time you get very annoyed.
  2. Mothers dropping their kids at school. They are sooo annoying when you are driving behind them, they never properly pull off the road they just sort of veer one meter to the left then park up while their kid hops out. That would not be so bad but of course the kid has to sing the national anthem at assembly. The mother does not want to have the only kid who does not know the words so she gets him to recite it while the rest of us wait. The nerd children are they worst because of course they know all five verses, bunch of show offs.
  3. Faulty radios. When your are riding shotgun in your mates car and the radio is only picking up two stations but it is picking them up at the same time. One is some sort of death metal and the other is Mozart. And the radio only has one volume ….loud. And he starts signing along to the guitar solo just as motzy is in the middle of the fifth movement. Your best option is to jump out window but of course if the radio is not working why would the windows work. And the door only unlocks from the outside. And you are going from Cape Reinga to Wellington and your friend has downed five red bulls and has five more so he can make the whole journey without falling asleep. It is for situations such as these that carrying firearms should be legal.
  4. Do not buy your corolla new wheel covers.
  5. Big intelligent words. while small mindless words like “Ref” and “Big deal” are annoying, they lack the ability to get you truly hated by everyone in the room in less than five seconds. Big words on the other hand can, for example if you ask a guy how “was your day” and he says “it was a Torturous occurrence culminating in a repugnant paroxysm originating from our cadaverously apparelled receptionist.” Either give him a high five for being super annoying or tempestuously countermand curtain parts of contemporary legislation.
  6. Why. Willie thinks that “It’s not rocket science.” is annoying I have one thing to say to Willie. Why? Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?  Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
  7. Numbers and units. Using furlongs to measure distance is a bit annoying but all you have to do is get a comparisons book and problem solved. But if you use a different and never before documented like for speed “that’s going about as fast as bird flu” and for size “that’s about one and a half pregnant musk oxen”. And for temperature “that’s about as hot as a sauna in a blizzard.”

For safety reasons I must put a disclaimer at the end of this blog, first for my safety if any of you get harmed using any of the advice listed above please blame Jim Carey he is the inspiration for idiocy after the dumb and dumber movies.

And for your safety: If you use any of these annoying tactics you should be: Fast, robust, wearing body amour, and have the ability to become invisible or else you will end up coated with tar and feathers.

Good night every body you’ve been a wonderful audience.

- written by Nick Morla

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/the-real-top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html/feed 0 Passing http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/passing.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/passing.html#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:15:19 +0000 willie http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1083 A Lifestyle Guide by Willie Jacobson

Here it is folks; today is the day of great revelation. No satire, no sarcasm, just useful advice on how to take shortcuts with your studies but still pass.

Now before the parents cry foul: kids, studying is good. You should do it. You should not take shortcuts, you should not follow any of the advice you are about to read as it is destructive to your education. There, I said it… I’ll say it again, do not follow my advice.

If however you are looking for shortcuts to allow more social time and less study time without sacrificing results, here they are:

Assignments/Essays

  1. Read the question. Yes, you’ve heard this before but it’s important. Teachers/lecturers are simple minded people, like props. They have tunnel vision meaning they only look for a few key points and specific answers to their particular question. You may develop Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and solve 3rd world poverty but if the question doesn’t ask for it, you will fail. If the word count is 2000 words and you answer it in 1200, let it be.
  2. Sound intelligent. Whether or not your responses are correct are of secondary importance. Your language will make you sound professional, even if you have the dress code of Isaac Watts and the hairstyle of Danny Ward. Ok, that may be pushing it…
  3. Engage & interpret. 50 words of your own examples/understanding are equal to 500 words of researched information. Research takes time, thinking doesn’t.
  4. Leave the writing of the essay to the last minute but mull it over in your head in the weeks leading up to submission. Play around with the question in your head but do the writing in one hit as starting & stopping is inefficient. Multi-tasking is inefficient. Women are… woah good thing I stopped there! When you sit down with 2 hours til submission, enter your power typing zone and allow your instincts to do their thing.

Exams

  1. Read the question. Yes, you’ve heard this before but it’s important. Teachers/lecturers are simple minded people, like props. They have tunnel vision meaning they only look for a few key points and specific answers to the question. You may develop Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and solve 3rd world poverty but if the question doesn’t ask for it, you will fail.
  2. Yes the above was repeated, it is that important.
  3. Past papers. I am confident that you can pass almost any exam at uni with no more than 3 hours revision and I am yet to be proven wrong. How? By knowing what they are going to ask. On average, 60% of the questions will be near identical to previous exams with a further 20% being very similar in nature. Don’t waste time memorising little rhymes and acronyms, that’s just silly.
  4. Go to bed early, relax. Every exam I see people desperately flicking through the textbook as they walk into the room. How stupid. If you are to think clearly and engage with the questions well, keep your mind fresh. Your brain can’t think clearly and stress at the same time. You will strike a blank. Do not strike blanks.

Despite being a tempting proposition to claim, passing exams & assignments with minimal study is not due to superior intellect. It is understanding the game. If you tried to play the violin with a golf club we would point a finger and laugh as it doesn’t make sense – you’re doing it wrong.

An esteemed colleague once gave me this advice, “never become a processor.” In essence, do not simply process work with no deeper engagement with it. Do not recite answers Google told you, engage with the question at hand. Being a processor does not impress your lecturer – understanding the wider concept and a deep appreciation of the topic within its social context, does.

This after all, is the purpose of education.

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/passing.html/feed 2 Top 7 Ways To Annoy People http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:04:47 +0000 willie http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1081 A Lifestyle Guide by Willie Jacobson

That’s right folks, no misprint here…the lifestyle guide is back!

After spending some time in the literary wilderness to gather ideas and rekindle the passion, your trustworthy source of daily advice has made a long-awaited return. Move over Georgie Pie, the Lifestyle Guide is the comeback that literally millions of people have been waiting for. Consider yourselves privileged.

We kick off the new-look lifestyle guide with a special request from Katherine Amelia: the top 10 ways to annoy people. Many topics to be discussed in the lifestyle guide will be based on very little research and experience. However today’s topic is different. After completing my doctorate in annoying people shortly after birth, I have progressed to a level of experience and wisdom in this area that is matched only by fingers on a chalkboard.

  1. Tap your fingers on hard surfaces in quiet rooms. Random tapping is for rookies; always ensure your tapping contains sufficient rhythm to engage the other occupants, however sufficient irregularity to avoid enjoyment.
  2. Drive very slowly down roads with nowhere to overtake. I’m not talking 45kph, I’m talking 20kph. You are doing an honourable deed in this as you develop the desirable qualities of patience and long-suffering in your fellow motorists. You are doing society a favour.
  3. Leave your wiper blades on when it’s stopped raining. The squeaking sound is soothing – like waves on the seashore.
  4. Do not buy your Corolla new wheel covers.
  5. Repeat words such as ‘Joga’, ‘Ref’, ‘Big Deal’, or the like. These words contain no trace of intelligence or coherence and are destructive to literate society. Societal tragedies such as substance abuse, violence and a breakdown in family structure correlate directly to the frequency in use of these words.
  6. Use the term, “It’s not rocket science.” What an idiotic phrase. Clearly every person that has brain function exceeding 1 neuronal transfer per month knows it’s not rocket science. “It’s not difficult” will suffice thanks.
  7. Use irregular numbers and units. When writing a blog, do not conform to lists of top 10’s or 5’s but use 7 or 9. When someone asks you for the date, answer using the Chinese calendar. When stating length, use furlongs. Temperature: Kelvin. Speed: m/s. The list goes on…

Seeing as you’re currently thinking this blog has proven unhelpful, pause and think. Prior to expressing your lack of intelligence, understand that annoying people is both beneficial to others and yourself. It develops admirable qualities such as patience and others, whilst you enjoy the humorous aspects of small daily activities.

I leave you today with a quote from Joseph Stein’s classic novel ‘Fiddler on the Roof’:

“The good book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face.”

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/top-7-ways-to-annoy-people.html/feed 1 Do You Care? http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/do-you-care.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/do-you-care.html#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:45:09 +0000 Hangyul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1072 As you read this in your warm room, with the heater on and probably chomping down on a Big Mac… 10 to 12 million people are struggling to survive in the Horn of Africa.

Severe droughts (the worst they’ve had in over 60 years), impossible rise in food prices (200% increase) and civil unrest has made it almost impossible to live there.

Psalm 23:5 says “You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”

“My cup overflows with blessings.”

It’s a simple fact that we have to realise; we are overflowing with blessings. Considering the fact that around half of the world’s population lives on under $2.50 a day, we have so much to be thankful for.

We have showers everyday, pouring countless litres of water all over ourselves. Yet throughout Africa 2500 kids die everyday just because they have no access to clean water.

Now, I’m not trying to guilt trip you into not showering (please continue showering) but I guess it puts into perspective how truly blessed we are. It also highlights the importance of not allowing our overflow to be wasted.

Instead of selfishly keeping our blessings to ourselves, we must use it as an opportunity to show God’s love to those around us.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

So while we are thankful for all that God has given us, we need to earnestly consider our money and our possessions. How can we be generous with all that God has given us? God has given us the blessing, the opportunity, the privilege and the ability to bring lifesaving change to those who need our help.

I guess it can be easy for us to fall into the mindset of ‘ticking off’ our ‘Christian check-lists’, saying “I already sponsor a child, I already give money to charities…” – while those are great things, if we are honest with ourselves… we KNOW that we are still a million times better off than those living in poverty.

I hope that as you go through your week, the little blue rhino will remind you of this whole situation. Next time you’re getting McDonald’s, just stop and think… “how am I spending my overflow?”

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:17-18

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/do-you-care.html/feed 0 Apologies to Skoda drivers… http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/apologies-to-skoda-drivers.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/apologies-to-skoda-drivers.html#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:01:42 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1060 Integrity or moral strength certainly stands out doesn’t it? Sometimes you witness an act of integrity you can feel right in your heart.

I write to you not as the poster boy of Integrity International, but a man who has too easily been lured for a ride in the fast, flashy Ferrari of compromise, rather than drive the humble Skoda of integrity.

Looking back on my life, in defining moments, I can remember some absolute shockers, just in the name of desire, comfort, opportunity or because I couldn’t wait. And what did I ever gain from these momentous decisions? Quite frankly I can’t remember a single advantage, not one thing I value! However, I vividly remember the pain that came later from some of those decisions.

What I have learned from my mistakes, is that integrity costs. Making the right choice, doesn’t always come with a trumpet fanfare of satisfaction afterwards. Sometimes you have nothing to comfort yourself with, but the knowledge that what you’re doing is right, even if it hurts…

Integrity may cost you $19.00 for a new album that you could download from somewhere for free; Integrity may cost you a business deal or a job promotion; perhaps a relationship, even someone you love, and I think that hurts more than almost anything. Growing in integrity sometimes feels like being lonely, poor, missing out or going without! Whoa, not even a nice Skoda!

However, the times when I do act with integrity I can almost hear it rattling my ancestors! Being a man of integrity is incredibly important for my wife, my children, my friends and my neighbours. Most of all, integrity is important to my God, the rewards even stretch to eternity – You just have to remember that nothing is missed by Him. When things get tough I am encouraged by Gal 6:9.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

May God bess your every effort as you journey, the way Jesus called ‘the narrow road’. As you travel, don’t be lured by the fast ride or the shiny paint job. Integrity will definitely cost you; You’ll require courage, tenacity and perseverance, but along the way you’ll be living as Jesus did, inspiring others and clocking up far greater rewards. Flybuys anyone?

]]> http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/apologies-to-skoda-drivers.html/feed 2 New life from Wall-E http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/new-life-from-wall-e.html http://waveyouth.org.nz/blog/uncategorised/new-life-from-wall-e.html#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:20:27 +0000 Paul http://waveyouth.org.nz/?p=1052 The movie Wall-E had a strong message about caring for our planet. Another theme was about caring for our bodies and our minds in a polluted world, Oh and love, lets not forget love!.

Personally, I made a spiritual connection when the first plant was re-discovered. From this harsh, polluted and dirty environment broke forth a pure sprig of life and they even placed the precious cargo inside themselves like a new heart! Mankind had abandoned and polluted the earth, but in spite of this, they were given a gift; Something, the only thing with all their power, they were unable to create for themselves. New life! (You see what I getting at here?)

One thing that also got recycled in the movie was music. No young person might know or care about the original musical “Hello Dolly!” that some of the songs came from. Over 40 years later director Andrew Stanton used them in a sci-fi story set years and miles apart from the original. Apparently Jerry Herman, the composer, wept when he saw his songs used as a symbol of  naive, optimistic hope in the wake of earth’s destruction. Stanton’s idea was brilliant – The  tunes were used in context of the last tiny remnant of human culture bringing joy and hope to a little robot 851 years later!  Ahhh, new life in new life in new life! (I’m so wrapped up in layers onion boy!)

Our Lord the creator and giver of life, the one we abandoned; We polluted ourselves and were lost, but He in tenderness and mercy stepped into our world and gave us the one thing we could not give ourselves: life, new life! Jesus offers forgiveness and reconciliation, a chance to re-build and start again. Just like Jerry Herman, our music gets played in a new setting, and it has all new meaning in the wake of His resurrection.

Revelation 21:5 “And he sat upon the throne and said, Behold I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write:for these words are true and faithful”

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