Windows On The Soul

“Reconciliation” is very much in the news at the moment, particularly with regard to Australia’s ‘Anglo’ and aboriginal peoples. This is a subject that Christians should be seriously thinking and speaking about. Firstly, because it was often through “Christian missions” that past government policies of removing aboriginal children from their parents, was implemented. Though done with the ‘best intentions’ of wanting to provide a ‘better environment’ for the children, emotional needs of the children and parents, and differing cultural understanding of what a ‘better  environment’ is, were ignored. The wisdom required of missionaries in cross-cultural work is indeed that of Solomon. Secondly, Christians have something to say about “Reconciliation” because this is the very basis of our standing with God. Reconciliation with Him is necessary because of our sinful nature. We have said “Sorry!” (repented), but that is not enough. For some sin (like theft), restitution can ...

A major recurrent theme in my work is reconciliation , balancing what was thought should be with what was actually received. Computer systems should always be designed to allow for the imperfect environment in which they will have to work. Whether it be checking that all records sent from one place to another arrived intact, or checking the sales records with the cash banked. In the later cases, often thousands of dollars can be spent tracking down discrepancies of a few dollars. Then in the end, if a shortage or surplus remains, it might be “written off” or “recovered” from an employee's pay. Christians individually and corporately should be accountable to each other as well as to God. We have been reconciled with God, in that our lives have come up short of the mark, and having repented, God has “written off” (forgiven) our sin. But the other component of repentance, is promising, with God’s help, to ‘ sin no more ’. An important part of this sanctification process is r...

In reading last week, I was reminded of the difference between " accepting " Christ, and making a " decision " for Christ. " Acceptance " does not have the sense of completeness as does " decision ", which implies a cut-off point, a turn around, of burning one's bridges.  A favourite hymn states " I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back ". A man recently came to the Lord later in life. He felt convicted about a criminal act in his past and sought to confess and make amends. Though he has forgiveness from the Lord, the law of the land did not, and he is now serving a prison sentence. For him, taking up his cross to follow Jesus has had an enormous price. Please pray for him, his family and church, and remember the prison ministries and other prisoners who have come to the Lord through them and are still serving their time. ----xxxXxxx---- Lk.9:23 "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up ...

One of my weekly chores at work, in proving our new system, is to assist the accountants in identifying and explaining any discrepancies in the weekly cash-to-sales reconciliation. Whether the discrepancy is $500 or 50c, it has to be tracked down what-ever the cost. At times it seems ludicrous to spend thousands of dollars to track down a few cents. But its a matter of integrity. Like the clock that strikes thirteen, not only is it obviously wrong, but it casts doubt on every other chime the clock has made. In man’s relationship with God, there are two extremes. Some people, full of guilt, can feel that God could not possibly forgive the horrible things they have done. But the much more common and insidious problem is when people think that they are basically good, and that they have no need for their occasional, insignificant, indiscretions (or whatever euphemism for Sin you care to use) to be forgiven ( 1 Jn.5:17 ). Both extremes are lies of the devil.  ALL h...