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I am in the middle of my New Year Series: Behind the Curtain, Grace Stories From the Old Testament.  And you can follow along from wherever you are by clicking over to www.whatdoadventistsbelieve.com and clicking on sermons.

You can also subscribe to them there and have them delivered as they become available into your itunes podcast library.  

The Bible says that we can love Jesus with confidence because he first loved us.  We as humans tend to fall into the trap that if you love me, then I'll love you and we are able to get into all kinds of hurt this way.  God's bigger, and Jesus loves you.  Max Lacado is quoted as saying - there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. 

When apple makes an announcement my web routine usually allows me to be one of the first civilians to know. Today I found out that January 27 has been confirmed as the day for an apple announcement - the tablet? New iphone software? - Or my favorite, iLife 10?

Normally I would be crouched over my computer fixating on live feeds bringing me the very latest I can expect from anything I might buy from the lovely uncluttered store in downtown San Luis Obispo.  But not this time.

Sure, I want to know what the new tablet has in store, and I'm game for new ideas and concepts on my mobile iphone device.  Plus, will they improve iWeb and the other iLife apps? But this year I will be on the last day at my conferences annual pastors workers meeting - and traditionally this is communion time with my fellow pastors. You'd think this would be a high time, and something to look forward to.  

But I'd rather be with the heathens in the big city... finding out what gimmicks are coming next.  Except, for all the things apple does wrong, I love their stuff because for the most part they are not gimmicks. They do not woo me with 10% off, of promises that seem impossible to fulfill (because many gimmick promises can't be fulfilled). They just give (I mean provide for a price) me software and hardware that works. That helps my creativity turn into usefulness.  And I love every minute of it.

Communion on the other hand, well, how can you beat what Jesus has done for us, and passed on for his people?  But it's beauty and usefulness seem to get hidden amongst the cliches and testimonies that sound the same from all the same people year after year.  At the pastor meetings we never seem to progress, always looking back, making promises everyone knows we won't keep. Whereas the apple announcements always make me go - wow, that'll be great, or that's incredible, or why didn't we have that before!?

Does this make me a bad person? Maybe. At the very least ought to get me thinking about creating more time and resources to making my relationship with Jesus better - though I think I'll do that on my mac!!!  

Not to worry, I will make the most of what can often be rather dry meetings - for there is always a gem I cling to amongst the other stuff.  But then on the second week of February I will be off to San Francisco in person to macworld for 2 full days with the heathens. Browsing dreaming, yes, even coveting all the latest gear and ideas.  It'll be a blast, but don't worry Christian folk, Jesus'll be there too.  He is everywhere.  All the time.  In the fun stuff too.

The thought of Jesus coming back, and ridding us of all sin, temptation and pain, is a very comforting thought. The trouble with acting on this philosophy of life, is that the temptation to sit around and wait becomes very real. And I don't think that sitting around and waiting is part of Jesus's call or plan for my life (or yours).

Many of us are watching absolutely tragic pictures coming out of Haiti right now, and whether you are a Christian leader or a Christian spokesperson of any kind, you are getting your answers ready. -- The questions -- Why? If we have to have earthquakes, why so close to a capital city? Why so close to the surface? Why in a country that is so poor and already struggling so much?

Revelation 1.1 introduces this book is material to show God's servants what must soon take place. Soon? This text was written nearly 2000 years ago!  Does not God understand things from our perspective?

So here is the thing... This world is not a mere test. We are not here to gain some pass or fail grade, to see if we are worthy of a better place. Simply put -- we are part of a plan to eradicate all this kind of sin and pain - forever, for real. The trouble is, the same selfishness that got us into this mess in the first place, kicks in real hard anytime we think someone will come along and solve everything at some future date. Hence, even Christians called to the highest of callings so easily put their feet up and wait.

But we cannot wait today. There are people suffering in ways we cannot imagine happening in our own world. And we must act. Now. Emergencies by very definition means that time is of the essence. And this earthquake in Haiti qualifies as a state of emergency.

Something goes wrong with the human psyche every time the future seems to lengthen. We so easily hand the patent after somebody else simply waiting for our turn or the solution to arrive. I cannot do that today. My being has awoken to the needs that are now. The plan must go on, sin must be shown for what it truly is, but that does not mean I have to stand by and watch. Love can enter the darkest of places, for I also believe light defeats darkness every time. 

There are casualties though, and today I am not a causality, I am a bystander. So give, act, pray, share, and live today like what happens really matters! Because I am pretty sure it does.

My choice of place to give is here

I have spent much time in my preaching and commentary saying that we put too much value on our stuff, and that we don't need most of what we go out to buy. When people pack up all their stuff to move, I rarely, if ever, hear people say - "boy, we just don't have enough stuff! We need more!"

I moved recently, and as part of the new surroundings, I introduced my kids to a new desk each today.  It was amazing.  They sat here like this for ages, anxious to do homework, read, and generally organize their new space.  The right tools for the right job really can make a difference to our existence, so I am starting to think of the best things I have ever bought.  I've come up with a top 5 - you know, the things I have bought that have been worth the expense, time, the earths resources and more.  And just for fun, I'll also share the worst 5 purchases I have ever made!  

Best:

5. The dinning room table 4. Bass guitar 3. My trip to Bulgaria 2. My toaster of a car 1. My first mac computer

Worst:

5. The banjo  4. My Original Nikon SLR 3. The Sony mini disc player 2. The WRX 1.The Audi 5000

The one item slap bang in the middle - the iphone.

I'll explain each one in future individual posts.