Greetings O faithful readers,

Over the recent weeks, I have been putting my fixer onto more noble tasks, with the results being evident for all to see.

It is with great pleasure that I announce to the world the next step in our dastardly plan for worldwide cyberspace domination... opps sorry, that was the wrong feed!

What I am trying to say is that blogspot will not be the home for I am Jonny King anymore... we have moved up in the world... at least I'd like to think so... see what you think.

You can check out the new blogsite... HERE

I trust that you enjoy the new experience

TODA RABA

The past few days I have made my way through Battling Unbelief by the ghost writer for Jonathan Edwards, John "Christian Hedonism" Piper.

I can say that I have readeemed the time in completing this quest and have had my soul renewed and stirred to pursue Christ and His Word as the end of all my searching, longing, and joy.

While the text of this book is only 155 pages, the practical import of what Piper is calling readers to, will last a lifetime, if only we weren't so stupid (I speak from experience)!

In Battling Unbelief, the reader is presented with the challenge of applying the practical chapters of a previous book titled, The Purifying Power of Living by Faith in Future Grace, or as Piper puts it, the ones that actually illustrate how faith in future grace severs the root of sin and sets free the stream of love.

Piper wants to answer the real life questions of how to free ourselves from anxiety, pride, misplaced shame, impatience, covetousness, bitterness, despondency, and lust. My conviction (that is John Piper's) is that unbelief in the promises of God (that is, future grace) is the root that sustains the life of these sins.

"If only it were that easy," you may be thinking!

This is, however, no formulaic five steps to quit smoking deal. This is a passionate call for the faithful to grace up battle arms, trusting in the unbeatable God and His unbreakable Word... or, as Piper puts it:

'Battling unbelief,' is another way of saying, 'Living by faith in future grace.' The 'unbelief' that I have in mind is the failure to trust the promises of God that sustain our radical obedience in the future. These promises refer to what God plans to do for us in the future, and that is what I mean by future grace. It is 'grace,' because it is good for us and totally undeserved. And it is 'future' in that it hasn't happened to us yet but may in the next five seconds or the next five thousand years.

Therefore, in light of this, John Piper calls his readers to (1) Battle against unbelief in the promises of God (2) Fight the fight of faith in future grace (3) Rejoice that we can fight this fight not as though it doesn't matter, but knowing that it matters infinitely, and that God is with us to the end.

Just before you go on thinking that this is going to be one long book review, settle pettle, if this was going to be our reality, we could be here all night. Instead, you are going to be blessed with one long chapter review! Call it a representative head!

We seem to be in the midst of a time when a negative despondency is seeming to engulf and characterize our time. Promoted by much in the media who excuse their entertainment for news, we are presented daily with the latest breaking news that informs us that a given situation is worse than ever expected, and unless we do this or that... it is over. This does not even take into account your run of the mill muggings and murders!

Now, to be sure, there is much that is wrong in this world (and it may get worse), which should cause the believer to lament that this world is not as it should have been (Good one Adam!), and in light of the present financial circus, with ringmaster CEO, proving more adept at clown impersonations, the Christian may find reason to become anxious, despondent, and downcast about the circumstances of this world, perturbed, and even a little unsettled. This does not even take into account the various vexing vissictudes that come when least expected in our own personal contexts.

In light of this, I thought it was fitting to spend some moments reflecting on the message of chapter seven, Battling Despondency.

Piper introduces us to this battle by defining what he means by despondency, which he affirms as differing from depression, but more than simply having a bad day. Between those two there is a broad terrain of unhappiness where too many Christians live their lives. Beneath much of that experience is unbelief in future grace of God and its foundation in the person and work of Christ.

In this chapter, Piper calls on one of his spiritual heroes, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who has done much spade work on this topic in a series of sermons in 1954, which was later published under the title of Spiritual Depression.

I have to say that I am also a fan of "Logic on Fire," as he is affectionately referred to. In seeking to highlight the extent of this despondent reality in Christian circles, Piper can do no better than to affirm the statements of Lloyd-Jones many moons ago:

I have no hesitation in asserting again that one of the reasons why the Christian church counts for so little in the modern world is that so many Christians are in this condition [of spiritual depression]

The greatest need of the hour is a revived and joyful Church

Unhappy Christians are, to say the least, a poor recommendation of the Christian faith.

Remember, Piper is not referring to those who suffer from legitimate forms of depression. He affirms this by citing two examples of faithful believers who struggled with the "black dog," David Brainerd and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Piper also agrees with Lloyd-Jones that it is an oversimplification to say that the 'single' root of despondency is unbelief. These are not simple issues to resolve, but Piper affirms in kind that the 'ultimate' cause of all spiritual depression is unbelief.

Because these issues are complex, Piper wants to make clear the focus of this chapter:

Without denying the complexity of our emotions and their hereditary and physical and family dimensions, what I want to show is that unbelief in future grace is the root of 'yielding' to despondency. Or to put it another way: Unbelief is the root of not making war on despondency with the weapons of God. Unbelief lets despondency take its course without a spiritual fight.

Lloyd-Jones said that if we are converted with a bent toward despondency "we will still have to 'fight' that after conversion." It's the fight we are talking about in this chapter, not the onslaught of melancholy that demands the fight.

If this is the focus of the chapter, the question that needs to be answered is how does one fight?

It is fought by preaching truth to ourselves about God and his promised future.

To underscore this important reality, Piper records a rather long quote from "The Doctor" that I will selflessly type out for you... what a guy!

I say that we must talk to ourselves instead of allowing "ourselves" to talk to us! Do you realize what that means? I suggest that the main trouble in this whole matter of spiritual depression in a sense is this, that we allow our self to talk to us instead of talking to our self. Am I just trying to be deliberately paradoxical? Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now [the Pslamist's] treatment was this; instead of allowing self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. "Why are thou cast down, O my soul?" he asks. His soul has been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: "Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you... Why art thou cast down? - what business have you to be disquieted?..." And then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who he is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do. Then having done that, end on this great note: defy yourself, and defy other people, and defy the devil and the whole world, and say with this man: "I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

If to further underscore and illuminate the reality of despondency in a believer's existence and the way to battle out, Piper turns to the ultimate example, Messiah.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, at a time when redemption was drawing near, Satan and his hell-bound henchmen were not going to take this One lying down, and we are given a glimpse of this battle in Matthew 26:36-39.

However, Jesus was ready to go to war, and his example provides a paradigm to defeat the demon of despondency.

It is worth quoting Piper in full for your edification:

First, he chose some close friends to be with him. "[He took] with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee" (Matthew 26:37). Second, he opened his soul to them. He said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" (v. 38). Third, he asked for their intercession and partnership in the battle. "Remain here, and watch with me" (v. 38). Fourth, he poured out his heart to his Father in prayer. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me" (v. 39). Fifth, he rested his soul in the sovereign wisdom of God. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (v.39). Sixth, he fixed his eyes on the glorious future grace that awaited him on the other side of the cross. "For the joy that was set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

We will all have times in our lives that threaten our future.

When this happens John Piper wants you to remember the following:

The first shockwaves are not sin. The real danger is yielding to them. Giving in. Putting up no spiritual fight. And the root of that surrender is unbelief... Jesus shows us another way. Not painless, and not passive. Follow him... all the dark caves of despondency are really tunnels leading to the fields of joy - for those who don't sit down in the dark and blow out the candle of 'faith' in 'future grace.'

As I reflect on this chapter a couple of things stand out (1) The example of Jesus in Gethsemane and his cry for community. At a moment of such intensity, he called on His community for support and encouragement. Reader, I trust that you are in community and are building relationships, grounded in grace, built for the battle! (2) The importance of realizing that the crux of this battle does not reside on stopping those moments of melancholy from ever happening, but that the crux of the battle is going to war WHEN they happen. We can so easily get discouraged and feel that the battle is lost when those moments begin to talk to us. This is exactly what the enemy wants. We need the maturation to discern his battle plan, and go on the attack by believing what God says... and yes, TALK BACK!!!

Its time for War

Do yourself a favour, buy this book, or you can borrow it off me, if your a friendly chap (and in my part of NZ)!

Until Next Time...

While it was not clear how the then candidate Barack Obama viewed the nation of Israel and the multiple issues surrounding this nation, as at the time, he made somewhat conflicting and ambiguous comments. The appointment that the-then President-elect Obama made for his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emmanuel, was viewed as a positive early indication that the administration of President Obama would continue the close ties preceding US administrations had with Israel.

However, are we seeing the clouds beginning to gather on Israel's horizon?

With the US decision to attend the first preparatory meetings of this "anti-Israel", I mean, "anti-racism" UN forum known as "Durban II", are we witnessing the "signs in the sky." Time will only tell, but there is definitely some "red sky in the Boker (morning)."

Read these two accounts documenting and examining this decision...

http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3362491/america-slides-into-the-sewer.thtml

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODcyODBjZTFjYWNlNTA0OTk1OTM4ODQ2YTAzYWUyOTU=

You can also read about how the Obama administration affirmed that he would not be attending Durban II in a November 27, 2008 article here...

http://www.thejc.com/articles/obama-and-israel-boycott-durban-ii%E2%80%99

The administration is leaving its cards on the table as to what they will do as the time for the actual forum draws near.

However, in light of Durban I, and the clear message that this forum indicated in regards to Israel, which precipitated the US and Israel to walk out, in light of Durban II's first draft declaration that has again singled out Israel for further castigation, and thirdly, in light of the clear statement that the Obama administration indicated post their election victory, one has to ask... HOW COULD YOU?

Or is it that our presupposition is incorrect, which is that the Obama administration would continue the bed-rock US support of Israel... hence the surprise.

If this is so, and it is still an IF at this stage, tears as well as prayers may accompany our Sha'alu Shalom Yerushalayim

Wisdom is Crying Out in the Streets... Is Obama Listening?

Until Next Time...

POSTSCRIPT: Melanie Phillips has provided some more details about this decision, which may be of further interest... See here

http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3366311/the-durban-demarche.thtml

Yes, I am pleased to announce that my next post about Parachute is nearing its completion.

Due to unprecedented expectation, nearing fervor, and to ensure that post-publication chaos does not ensue, I am asking, even pleading, for many of my readers to follow these important instructions. Please read carefully!

Could all those living at odd numbered houses in the northern part of Saskatchewan only visit this blog in the hours of midnight to three AM (local time) for the coming two weeks. This should make all the difference in the world to those wanting to use the Internet in this coming period (Just in case anyone is curious, market research has affirmed that the northern part of Saskatchewan is a prime target area for this blog, and will be viewed by the locals as culturally savvy). We thank you for your assistance.

However, this reality is for another day!

To whet your appetite and as an interlude to this significant moment, let me inform you of something that I am genuinely excited about (I am now being sincere, my humor quota has now be filled. As I read this out to my wife, I was having a good old chortle, she, on the other hand, did not find this humorous at all... She appreciates your prayers).

Now to the point of my post...

Released recently by Reach Records is an album by a collaboration of Christian Hip-Hop artists titled 13 Letters. I may be Vanilla Ice, but I am want to listen to something with a block busting beat. Not only does this album have baseline with intensity (thanks Arrested Development), but the lyrics, I say the lyrics, rock my house, my street, my world.

Am I sounding young, hip, hype and out dude? Its a rhetorical question, tiger, settle down.. No need to be rude!

Let me lose the persona and explain what I mean.

13 Letters is a lyrical presentation of the 13 Pauline Epistles. After listening to this album, I can honestly say that I was stoked... blessed... edified with the words and message of each track. I would have to say that this is lyrical theology at its best.

Too often in Christian circles we see another one biting the dust, becoming another relic in the pursuit of style without substance, where the challenge of synthesizing content and context is miserably met, with either one or the other lost in translation (to quote a movie).

In the music scene, more often than not, it is the lyrics that are missing, and just like overcooked broccoli (sorry Mum), once this has transpired, all the goodness is gone, and all you have left is a mushy reminder of what could have been! This collaboration of Hip Hop artists, with a definitive reformed bent, has satisfied all the above criteria that not only should bless your gangsta soul, but should also exemplify what can be done and should be done for the sanctification of our souls, and the worship and glory of our Creator God.

My favourite tracks are on the Book of Romans and the Letter to the Philippians. I had to smile as Shai Linne in his track titled Gospel Music (on the Book of Romans) encourages his listeners to go deeper into a commentary, and who does he mention? Only John MacArthur, Leon Morris, James Boice, and R. C. Sproul. Couldn't you just imagine John MacArthur returning the respect. One can only chuckle as one pictures "the mac" MacArthur getting down with the beat... Homie!

You should listen to a portion of each track here. You may find more if you google... or youtube it

http://www.amazon.com/13-Letters-116-Clique/dp/B000MV83C4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1234423308&sr=8-1

However, the fun does not stop here posse.

Coming very soon is a multi media study on the 13 Letters. What this will entail is a live performance of each track, a 30 minute study on each of the books, interviews with the artist, and a mini-series to put the themes of the 13 Letters in a real-world setting. Talk about finishing the deal.

I, I mean we, have a 15 year old son who doesn't get down with the DC Talk anymore. He is a fan of Hip-Hop and already has the album, therefore, I am very excited to see this collaboration take it to the next level. This is exactly what my offspring's generation need to be exposed to, and something that I so desperately desire for my son... mentors who they look up to who have been and continue to be absolutely shattered by the Word of God, who are radically and faithfully seeking to "go deep" in God's written revelation, thereby being transformed for the purpose of replication by application through illumination (lay down a track why don't I).

I can only encourage you to bring "freedom in Christ" to your wallet and go buy the album and the curriculum. Hearing an overview of the message of each book will not only be music to your ears, but food for your soul, which will encourage you to go all biblical, worshiping your Creator in the days of your youth, and to reference the first line in Shai Linne's track... the result will be Soli Deo Gloria!

This album is rope-a-dope-dude!

For more about the album, curriculum, etc, see...

http://www.reachlife.org/

One can only pray that this will be the beginning of a number of albums from these made righteous rappers. My prayer is that this album will be a catalyst for further reflections, resulting in music-based material that goes deep into the Word of God, capturing a generations heart... beat

Until next time...

Some light relief for the weary!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a moving picture worth?

When I reflect on any given Parachute experience, I am drawn into reflecting on Parachute pre-Mystery Creek. For all those who are unfamiliar with what I am rabbiting on about, let me explain.

Parachute was not always where it is today, at the Mystery Creek compound, just outside Hamilton. In fact, it has had a few destinations in its history. However, the place where Parachute went through its maturation stage was at Totara Springs, near "it doesn't" Matamata. It was here in much more rural surroundings, something looking like the setting for the "Glastonbury" Festival in the UK that the Parachute really opened.

This is where it gained that cool factor, not merely for what was taking place, but for where it was taking place. It had character for so many city slickers who were looking to "rough it" (I mean Main Stage was a grassy area inhaled by a huge grassy banked amphitheater). It had that "Kitchy" factor where a culture was created through the vehicle of the event, which meant that if you missed going to the whole weekend, you missed the event.

Today, when I reflect on the Parachute enjoyment factor, I do not judge it by such criteria (now to be fair, I have heard that this change was encouraged by outside factors), nor am I concerned about missing the culture post-midnight.

What I am concerned about missing are the acts of note, and my/ our excitement, even for our 15 year old son, who did not experience Totara-Parachute comes down to who is heading our way from shores overseas to headline the evening times of exuberance. While I am a big fan of many of NZ's own, such as Mum's Dollar and Rapture Ruckus, since I am pretty sure they are going to be at each Festival, my anticipation leading up to each event is centered on who is getting the big bucks to perform for my audience of one.

Therefore, it is with this in mind, that I am thankful for the Christ-centered, God-glorifying perspective of the majority of the big acts at the Chute 09, which meant that not only was I thankful that they could hold a handy tune, but I was thankful that they also directed me away from the man-filled stage before me, to the stage in the sky.

Let me digress about the evenings a little... OK, maybe a lot!

While the family who forced 5 performed late Friday night, NZ acts dominated Main Stage Friday night. While I think Mum's Dollar are rather dapper, I missed them, however, I was blessed, once again with "Pre-Millennial" Rapture Ruckus. While his sound is definitely baseline, it is His lyrics, message, and persona that reflect on someone who has been graced from on high, but also someone who is seeking to grasp in greater reality what it means to be saved! I don't know the ins and outs of his story, but the gravity of his rescue seems to have cast an ever-lengthening shadow of the cross of ALL grace on his life. It was good to hear some new sounds from the man, with his sound ever maturing and diversifying, with his new number about "holding on" underscoring this for me.

Saturday was... HOT! Therefore, it was a pleasure to find Saturday evening after the horrendous Hamilton heat.

What stood out for me about the "Force of 5" was not so much their music or stage craft, although both were thoroughly rigorous. Maybe a better way of putting it is that one moment at the end of their performance cast a shadow over the reflections in my mind. The Force had just finished their set and everyone had enjoyed what was presented, but then one member stepped forth to the microphone.

After spending some 60 minutes being contextualized by this group, the sense of what was going to happen next was palpable. Surely another moment for the groupies to die for! However, no more histrionics would be taking place, but a simple call for everyone to take off their hats as we were going to pray. "Was this guy being funny?" This was the perplexed response of many who were trying to reconcile what they had viewed with what they were now hearing. Yes, this band member was deadly serious as he called on people to have some reverence!

Now before you play the Pharisee card and extol the virtues of cultural contextualization, please think about why this band member took this call to action. Obviously such a motivation was to honour God, and as such, although some might want to culturally condemn such an action, as we live in such a culture where this call still resonates with the majority, knock yourself out!

The reason that I believe many were unsure about this band member's call was that many had made the superficial mistake of connecting spiritual depth with the sound of one's musical taste and the timidity of one's personality (I hear Mark Driscoll calling). Family Force 5 affirmed that while they were hard-core rockers, the core of their commitment to Jesus was above all earthly associations... respect.

To be honest, the next act on Main Stage was not one that I had heard a great deal of, apart from their radio air-time. In other words, our son did not have their album. While I had to chuckle about the "Hollywood style" of the lead wearing his glasses in the middle of the night (I am sure the lights were powerful. They must have lessened in intensity when he took them off later), they had a solid sound that was pleasing for all who stayed and listened. I know, this sounds like a rather "limp" description, but I have to admit that while enjoying their sound, I was not taken captive. This does not indicate that they were unimpressive, but it does indicate that the sound did not grasp my soul and yell "I'm Yours"!

However, what did grab me and remains an abiding memory of Kutless is a moment when the quest or search for significance that so many seek to find at the end of a guitar pick, was put into abject perspective. For many who attend Parachute, some young and not so young, the search for significance is an idolatrous affair, a fix that can only be found in One, which is encouraged by the very context of thousands of individuals placing all their attention on those at the front.

The result can be that, for many, as the leader singer of Kutless admitted about himself in earlier days, if he could just have played in front of such an audience, fulfillment would have found its destination. Sadly many search for such failed fulfillment, thinking they will find manna from heaven, only to be fooled by the mirage of their machinations, still left with this God-shaped emptiness (see Pascal) needing to be filled.

Without blinking, and talking from experience-laden reality, this man pointing to Christ, made clear that what he thought he was searching for only made him more lost than found, and like the younger brother in the Prodigal Story (see Tim Keller's book, The Prodigal God), with such realizations in hand, they returned to the only source.

The fact that this is what stood out for me, indicates the significance of this moment!

Time was beginning to expire as night had truly made its home. However, there was still time for "Dave", a true New Zealand icon to warm our hearts with the evident grace that was never too late for Mr Dobbyn.

Even before Dave Dobbyn was stopped in his tracks by the Unstoppable One, he truly understood how to capture a nation with words and sound. I know we have our national anthem, but the words and sound of Loyal are sure to reduce a "kiwi" to longings for home or their national team. I can remember, as we would play this song in Adelaide, all that New Zealand meant to us as a family would be filtered through and captured in one's present existence, at least until its refrain became silent. I confess that on many occasions I would be viewing men in black jersey's running around after an odd-shaped object, carrying the consciousness of a small nation on the bottom of the earth.

Who can remember Dave's last Parachute, when the heaven's opened on him, in a different context, with rain upon rain. At that time, it had just been Dave and his guitar. That was then and this is now (Just to give you a little insight into what is happening as I write this. I have been listening to a CD, which has just finished, and the next CD has come on, with the first track being "Loyal" by Dave Dobbyn - Freaky!), and Dave had returned with band-in-toe.

Now that Dave had been found, his new songs seem to be imbued with a sense of our ultimate Home, and he would not disappoint all those willing to wait for midnight. I confess to admitting that I think I prefer Dave, unaccompanied, acoustic in hand. This is not to say that his performance did not "go off"' and finish off the night on a grand note for a New Zealand partisan crowd, but it is to affirm that there is something about Dave that does not need any encouragement.

There is something beautifully honest about the simplicity of the music of Dave Dobbyn in such a context. His sound is the gentle breeze in the warmth of the day, the slowing moving river engulfed in the middle of Autumn (Fall) by the changing confines, or the maturation of a fine red, left for years of solitude, to burst forth with depth and newness of life (I'm gonna cry).

Whether it be the extent of the raspy range of his voice, or the leading of his guitar, seeing Dave Dobbyn perform in self, is like seeing a red rose, removed from its foliage that has covered its beauty. Yes, the bouquet is impressive, but pull the rose out and view its disposition with unopposed clarity, your wonderment will grow. You may even wonder why it needed such suffocation.

I confess to thinking this way of the music of Dave Dobbyn (This sounds rather naff... comparing Dave to roses). Nevertheless, after continuing to encourage my tiring wife to the finish line of midnight, I was blessed not only by the music of our country, but by the music that has become our faith.

It was home to bed, leaving our son to enjoy the frivolities of the night. Sunday night was on the horizon, with The Dave Crowder Band and Casting Crowns ready to express.

Sunday Night at Parachute is worship night, which is more a reflection of a genre of music than an attitude of the soul. I confess that the older I get, the more I am intoxicated with lyrics. The more Christ-centered and God-glorying the lyrics, the more passionate I am about pursuing.

Sadly, some groups who have entered Main Stage have the sound of kings, but the lyrics of fools, and this can no better exemplified in the Christians scene than those groups desirous of worship status.

However, not tonight Josephine, as I can affirm that Sunday night was a marathon for me as both The Dave Crowder Band and Casting Crowns sought to put God on display, calling on Parachute to look up.

While I could digress a great deal more about the connection Dave Crowder gains with the audience through his "hokey" hometown Texas appeal and the excellence of their sound, I return to Kansas, I return to the lyrics. As I sat on the outskirts of Main Stage, with wife and young son in hand, I could not help but respond to such encouragement and worship my Creator with the words that reflected on the awesome reality of our God, and the sovereign grace that has been extended to the guilty-redeemed. To be sure, this was something that I expected, but my heart was warmed with a view of the divine... surely a time affirming His worth-ship!

Finishing off Sunday Night were the Casting of Crowns. This may also be an apt way of describing the goal of this group's performance, for it is not about the excellence of their music that they desire listener's to focus upon, but the One whose casting Crown of Thorns was not the end of the story.

While Casting Crowns are a little more biographical and paint more of a narrative with many of their numbers. it would not be a stretch for me to simply say, "ditto", in describing the impact of Casting Crowns in relation to Dave. However, it would be remiss of me not to describe the intensity of their message, because it is this component that remains a powerful reminder of their time at Parachute.

While Parachute had wanted the front man (I forget his name) to preach before the group performed, he/ they decided that they would preach throughout their act, which was more natural. Now while I must admit that I would have liked to hear more of their tracks, each sermonette introducing the coming piece, drew in those who were listening, refusing them the option of listening from afar, and thereby missing possible divine moments of grace, whereby lasting impact might come about. These were not glib moments where one had to listen to spiritual sloganeering, these were moments that flowed out of the road less travelled by the chosen few.

Casting Crowns would bless us again on Monday morning, but this seems like an afterthought in Planet of the Parachute.

There we have it, another Parachute done and dusted, and we truly were, as the temperature-induced onslaught of the weekend had reached its goal, sending weary music junkies back to rehab at home.

How would I rate Parachute 2009? Based on the criteria that I set before you, it seems that it was a pretty successful event... I would give it about an 8 out of 10... hardly a scientific poll!

As one reads this, one wonders if the excitement in NZ is building for 2010, with talk of the return of the Switchfoot to whip the fervor of the masses.

I will hold my form and wait to see who is coming before I break out the lemonade and sticky buns, and prepare for another pilgrimage to the Tron.

Just before I go, I almost forgot, I do have another criteria for a successful Parachute... Books, cheap books on special... but that is another story!

Until Next Time...

If you have read my recent ramblings, you would probably have been expecting something on Parachute, and you may be wondering where the blue blazers this is, after all, it has been some two weeks since the chute has fallen.

Fret no more dear reader, I am here to meet your needs!

I don't know if you are willing to go through the rigmarole of packing up your family and car (assuming you have one... loser... just joshing with ya), making sure you have the necessary tent, sleeping bag, and stepping out gear (you know what I mean), while slumming it with one or two extra friends, whilst entering the vortex of a "Back to the Future" scene for us more mature attendees. As I have rolled over the # 30 apex in recent years, each year that I attend Parachute, as I have watched the little grunts mill around the village, seeking to have their 15 seconds of attention, come redemption, I begin to feel more and more aged.

Sucking it up, each of the recent number of years, subsequent to our return from Egypt, I mean Adelaide, Australia, in recognition that we are caught in the web of the "superstar grunt" years, vicariously (we have a teenage son), we do the damage and head north. This year our son, Jordan be his name, who turned 15 on the Wednesday after the Chute, stayed on site, while, those more mature (my wife and I) and immature (our other two younger sons) reclined in a more genteel setting, with the Outlaws (Inlaws for those perplexed), in the Tron of all places!

Before I get into some reflections, at the outset, consider... what do you think about the Parachute experiment?

The reason I ask is that this Festival tends to illicit some pretty strong opinions in the Christian fraternity. Often these opinions seemed to be grounded more in what Parachute could be, than in what it actually is. Their guilt being more in the opportunities that they miss, more than what actually takes places. To be fair, I empathize with such a position, as I do believe that given the resources, the number of people who attend, with the opportunity to truly impact this nation for Christ, Parachute could do more than they are already doing.

Nevertheless, I am genuinely thankful for Parachute. Even though I don't necessarily agree with all of their positions, as outworked in what takes place with some things at the Festival, I think I get their context and what they are trying to achieve (mistakenly or not). As an old man, who is becoming an old man, I am stoked that my son can see National/ International acts up close and personal, seeing and hearing their witness for Christ (modeling), be in a context with the majority of ministries from NZ, and some from around the world who are presenting a cultural movment for my son to connect and invest his life in, while also enjoying some male tomfoolery and bonding time. Let me not forget, seeing Jordan walking around in the village with a wrestler's mask on... that was a definite highlight (I can't bring myself to say "not", maybe Tui will do)!!!

Now that we are all feeling warm and fuzzy, let's have a group hug... Na... send in the hounds.

Let me now be a little more critical if I may. After all, what is love if truth is absent!

I do wonder if Parachute has somewhat of an identity crisis. Maybe this comes from trying to cover so many bases, that in the end, these begin to conflict with one another. I mean if you want to keep getting bigger and bigger, with numbers being paramount, you are going to be faced with some pivotal decisions, and the driver at the wheel may not be as discerning as he should. What wins out in the end, a philosophy of ministry based on truth, or a philosophy of money based on profit? This is no perfect world, and while numbers are important, I wonder if the temptation to grow and be successful.. period, is something that Parachute needs to more diligently consider, in light of some decisions that they have made.

Let me give what I believe is an example to exemplify this reality...

Now I don't know your understanding of the Christian Faith, but there was quite a significant event called the Reformation before our time. At its core, it was a protest (ant) to signal that there was a returning movement, a movement that was not going to be bound by the traditions of the time, but was returning to be bound by the Word of God as the basis for one's faith and practice. If such was their intention, then when Scripture says that The Just Shall Live by Faith (I believe that was the text that impacted young Luther), the mighty men of renown took this and other Scriptures seriously, calling a spade a spade, and nailing their stake of the Cross on a door at Wittenberg, these men affirmed the clear teachings of Scripture that man is justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Now while the Reformation may be a problem for those who just want everyone to play nicely in the sandpit of religious unity, the whole group hug theology is historically and practically untenable.

Therefore, when Parachute decided to include a Catholic Mass as part of the shenanigans over the weekend (and past Festivals), they obviously grasped something the Reformers did not. Let me be clear, I am in no way looking to be offensive, and I am inclined to believe that there are some in the Catholic church who are "in Christ." However, this debate can not be based on an individual basis, it can only be answered by honestly reflecting on how one is justified in Catholic Dogma, and if this is different to the Protestant position, there is a scriptural problem (no presuppositions here).

When all is said and done, truth is no man's debtor!!!

For those who might like some illumination, see the article from the following link

http://www.carm.org/catholic/rc_justification.htm

For those who might like some informing on the Catholic Mass, you know the drill

http://www.carm.org/catholic/mass.htm

It's a shame what those figures in church history decided to do, makes it so difficult to justify such a decision!

If Paul is correct in Galatians that there is only 1, numero uno Gospel, and that if there is any other "gospel" that is in anyway inconsistent with the Gospel that was passed onto Paul, and the Gospel that Paul preached, whether this was by man, spirit, or even Paul himself, this was an accursed gospel... false... wrong... demonic (See Galatians 1:6-24)!

In light of this Parachute, to quote a phrase, what the Gehenna is going on?

While I have shown myself to be cynical enough to ponder whether or not the basis for such a decision was to widen the base of those who might attend, given that this event has an undeniable evangelical existence... Houston, we have a problem.

Now the second example is from a different category. It is not what Parachute is doing, it is what they should be doing. If Parachute would take this advice (I am sure I am not alone in thinking this), not only would this bring more glory to God, edify the righteous, but it would also be pragmatically effective (what more could you want). Now that I have been blogging for some weeks, I am confident that I now have the attention of the Parachute hierarchy who are no doubt following my writing.

"Dear Parachute,

If you are wanting to encourage more Christians to attend and widen the base, there are many Christians, particularly those who are past their krunk-rock days, who are not that excited about watching the next hero krumping." (if you have no idea what I mean, reader, use your noodle, google)

"Yes! Parachute! You do a great job of bringing some of the best Christian international acts to our shores, and we are gratefully blessed (although steady on with the price hikes). May I say that this year was no exception (in fact, I was stoked with the line-up, more on that at a later date), but what about having this same intentional philosophy and commitment to the conference component of each Festival... Now there's an idea!"

"Thanks for Listening... By the Way, I Come Cheap (and a little nasty)"

Now, given Parachute's pulling power, they are in a prime position to bring some of the best Bible preachers, teachers, apologists, evangelists, etc, in the world. Now I know Parachute are want to bring in their theological/ praxilogical buddies, but this philosophy needs a serious overhaul (I am sorry "choice" Joyce Meyers does not fit the bill IMO).

Just imagine this lineup (Note, this lineup is neither exhaustive, inspired, nor inerrant).

Mark Driscoll or John Piper or C. J. Mahaney - All of these guys are continuationists, which would fit the Parachute bill, but are meat packers. One of these guys could be the main speaker at Main Stage (They could even go for Louie Giglio, he spoke at Hillsong for Heaven's sake).

D A Carson or Tim Keller - These could complete a Book/ Topical Study over 2 or 3 days. Both minister in different theological contexts, and are not ideologues.

William Lane Craig or J. P. Moreland (another continuationist) or Greg Koukl or some other apologetics guy, there are plenty of quality individuals around, just look at the Philosophy departments on US campus' (Keller would be great here too) - Evangelicals Everywhere.

Let me be fair, a positive sign was the addition of someone like John Stonestreet from Summit Ministries (No, I didn't hear him, but the ministry is pretty good from what I know), but Parachute has such an opportunity to put Scriptures like 2 Tim 3:16,17 into practice. Please give us some meat with that candy. We have our knife and fork at the ready!

As one naval-gazes about the potential here, Parachute has the opportunity to practice what is so lacking in the church in New Zealand - to hold both the more creative ways of worshipping God with the more didactic instructional ways in both hands, not viewing these as somehow adversarial, but as friends.

It is sad that, very often, you have to go to two different churches, from two different theological traditions to experience both relevant, powerful music and the arts, which is combined with an extended time (45 mins plus please) of expository preaching from God's Word. I am not using hyperbole when I state that it is tragic that in my sphere of knowledge, I have to look at ministries like Mars Hill, Seattle, and Redeemer, NY (although Keller preaches for a shorter time), to see what could be exemplified by Parachute to the churches of New Zealand, which so desperately needs to see this in action.

This could begin such a groundswell, that, who knows where this could lead. Look, now you have gotten me excited and I'm beginning to sound... you finish the sentence!

Time is money and I am still broke, therefore, I have taken enough of your time, and I will digress more next time.

When... wait for it... ahhhh, you'll have to wait and see (suspense-like, just like TV)

Until Next Time...