Materialism.........

Recently I checked out the definition of Materialism and here is two definitions:

1. the theory that physical matter is the only reality and that psychological states such as emotions, reason, thought, and desire will eventually be explained as physical functions
2. devotion to material wealth and possessions at the expense of spiritual or intellectual values

(Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)


Living in a western country we are bombarded by materialism. It is seen through the large amounts of junk mail I receive on a weekly basis advertising the latest technology gadgets that I must have. Through going to a shopping centre,the sales which capture my attention willing me on to buy more and more clothes that are discounted.

Around Easter and Christmas, various items will be on sale asking us to buy it for ‘pleasure’,‘happiness’’to feel you belong’.

I wonder though if buying the biggest house in Sydney, purchasing the latest mobile phone and spending money on the most expensive bag will make me/ us happy. Don’t get me wrong, we are human beings and we need our basic needs to be met and there is nothing wrong with things and buying items. Will it make me happier or not?

I just wonder and wrestle with God the many times that as a society I/we have ‘lost the plot’ and soon (or if not already) we have completely put stuff over other priorities like family,friends, other relationships, but more importantly as a Christian myself, put materialism over Jesus.

Maybe we need to organise our priorities and continually think about the important things in life. Possibly, giving our money to a charity or even sponsoring a child is more proactive so that the money given away will be used for a better purpose, where lives can be changed.

Prayer is the thing I can do as I seek God.


How about you, do you think materialism is getting in the way of other things?

one month on.....

A country so improverished, most people live on less than $1.00 a day.
A country that has a history of violence
A country where 80 % of the population are unemployed.
A country where less than 20 % of the population over 15 years old can read and write.
This is Haiti.

One month on after the January 12 earthquake,it is hard to imagine that this country with widespread poverty could go through so much.
Over 200 000 people men,women and children dead. Thousands injured and many children orphaned.

It is great to be reminded that there is someone who does love each and every Haitian person. It is Jesus. They are all precious in his sight. It is great to be reminded that Jesus is the only one.
Source:
http://www.haiti-micah.org/haiti-facts.html

Psalm 47

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!

3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.

4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
Selah

5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm [a] of praise.

8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.

9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings [b] of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.

Part 2- Do you know your neighbour?

After writing the previous post, I thought of some more practical ways of getting to know our neighbours. These are from previous experiences I have encountered, both in Australia and overseas.
*Have a BBQ with them (consider cultural/religious considerations)
*Invite them over to your house for an occassion
*Give birthday cards to the kids ( if applicable )

Maybe you can think of some other ideas...

Do you know your neighours?

Recently while away on holidays, I stumbled across an article
that looked at 'neighbourliness being a dying art in Australia'.(The article is mainly looking at Queenslanders) Reading the rest of the article, it goes on to mention that 41% of Australians interacted more on social websites than with neighbours.' With technology advancing, it does not surprise me that more and more people use social networking sites to communicate more with people. Yes, it is great that technology is helping us connect with people, but I really wonder if there is also a downside. Lots of people live busy lives, however is not talking or getting to know our neighbours an excuse for our busyness?

Just saying hello or asking how your neighbours are could make their day especially if they are in need of encouragement.As a Christian, I can definitely show God's love by getting to know my neighbours personally.




Source:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26518456-23272,00.html>

Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Opening hours for Christmas shopping

Recently, at a shopping centre I know quite well, I saw mentioned that it has extended their opening hours by an extra hour on Sundays. People have an extra hour on Sundays to go shopping.In many shopping centres, the shops will now be opened up for longer hours to cater for the demand of Christmas shopping. Therefore, employees can earn extra money for the extra hours they work.

However, I am wondering if it is beneficial for all.
What would it mean if that one less hour of shopping was spent on meaningful relationships with people you don’t know, eg. inviting a neighbour you haven’t talked to over for a BBQ, or if that one hour could be spent on loved ones, including spendimg time with your children on leisure activities?

Whether you or I do lots and lots of extra shopping leading up to Christmas, priorities can be hard, espeically living in world where lots of people are busy.

For me, an important priority is for the materialistic view of Christmas with fabulous times,food and fun times, to not get in the way of my relationship with God-for Christ came at Christmas, the greatest gift of all.

$ spent on Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is run every year in Australia in November. I am not really into horse racing however I have gone to a race day(derby day in Melbourne) with work colleagues two years ago to see what it was 'all about.' (it involved a lot of persuading even though I was quite reluctant at first)

Every year, lots and lots of money is spent betting on which horse will win. A lot of people will bet hoping that their horse will win, and if they do win big, then, it will be the best thing that happens to them. As I was reading online after the Melbourne Cup this year, I read that the 'race drew total bets in excess of $150 million'. That is A LOT of money..and it causes me to feel very uncomfortable, especially through my childhood and overseas experiences of seeing people who live on a few dollars a day.

Couldn't that money be used in other more worthy ways to help vunerable people in our society or help communities that are struggling or even help put extra resources so that people can come to know God through Jesus?

Does our life depend on just money all the time or living for him in his world? In the Bible in Matthew 6:24, Jesus says “You cannot serve both God and money.”
I am wondering what your opinion is.