The wisdom of Ghandi

"You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of good literature."

- Mohandas Ghandi

Wouldn't it be great if...

...the Church in Australia were to achieve unity while maintaining our colourful diversity. This unity will be in our common foundation - the foundation that Jesus laid, building on the same rock. Our teachings will reform. We will humble ourselves. Many of our family will return to Orthodox teaching and many will begin to practice what they teach as Orthodox. We are not all going to be on the same page at the same time. Our faith will become more personal and less private. It will begin to see our role as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven, and begin to re-evaluate what it means to be Ambassadors of that Kingdom. We will begin to understand that today is all we have. The Church in Australia will be a lighthouse and a salt shaker in this land and this region. Each Christian will understand that they are ministers of reconciliation. We will learn from each other, and like today’s multi-cultural children born to parents of different races, the world will struggle to paint us with any particular brush as we begin to look more similar, and best of all we will begin to look more beautiful.

When the ones we love...

What do we do when the ones we love are making bad choices and we fear that the results will be painful for them? When we can see the mistakes that they are making, but they won't except correction. When we fear that their habits will cause them much grief in the end, but they won't admit them. They shut us out. They refuse our advice. It seems that all we can do is sit back and watch them fall.

I propose two things...

1. Ask ourselves why we have been shut out and why our advice or helpful gestures are refused. Do we need to make ammends in our own life? Are we treating the ones we love as a 'project' or arrogantly thinking that we have all the answers (i.e., if they only listen and do what we say then it will all be good), or we don't take the time to put ourselves in their shoes and see life through their eyes, from their perspective? If this is the case, let's examine our conscience and earn the right to talk into the lives of our loved ones. We may be in a good spot now, but we are human. We are susceptible to failure.
   
   
2. We are never without hope. If we have examined ourselves and are speaking into their lives out of a pure heart for their benefit, and they still don't listen, we have a Redeemer. That's the great thing about the Christian life. Our God bears our burdens with us. When we are tired, God lifts us up. We pray, God responds. Pray humbly to God. God loves our loved ones more than we do and He knows what they need more than we do. Pray for God's will to be done. God knows what is best. Because of His great love, we are not forsaken. We have healing for today and hope for tomorrow.
   

Let's spend more time examining ourselves and praying for our loved ones. God knows best.

Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

I wrote this blogpost one week ago but didn't post it because I still hadn't decided how I feel about the whole thing. Sure I am saddened, but I didn't know enough of the context to articulate my thoughts in a meaningful manner. First, the following two paragraphs contain my original thoughts, and then this link will take you to a good post by author Brian McLaren called Mourning Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistani former Prime Minister and advocate for democracy - Benazir Bhutto - was assassinated yesterday. This was a sad day for Pakistan. I have been casually following the Bhutto story since she returned from self-imposed exile 2 months ago. There have been attempts on her life since she returned to Pakistan, and she knew the risk of continuing her mission. She had the opportunity to remain in the comfort and luxury of the West, but her desire for the people of Pakistan was stronger than her fear of death.

Benazir Bhutto (June 21, 1953 - December 27, 2007)

Let's take the time to remember other martyrs who have died or are currently staring in the face of injustice as they seek a better, more humane life for their people, especially Aung San Suu Kyi (the Burmese peace activist) and all the men and women of peace in their own neighbourhoods and the slums around the world fighting to give people the dignity and respect that we all deserve. I'm sure there is a great difference between those fighting for democracy and those fighting against injustice in the name of Christ, but let's never underestimate the noble sacrifices made by people who are willing to give up their life for the hope of a better, safer world.

There's so much grace

Another year has come to an end. I struggled deeply with faith this year. Sitting here now, I believe one thing - there's so much GRACE.

I genuinely believe that Christs sacrifice was sufficient and if we live in HIM we have all the benefits of that grace. That means freedom. May 2008 be a year where we all know that grace. May we be the church, worshipping God and living like we should - ambassadors of a better Kingdom - bringing the light and joy of Christ into our neighbourhoods.

I quote Brian McLaren's final sentence from his new book, "Everything must change - Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope":

"Mountains can be moved and everything can change, beginning with our stories, beginning with faith, beginning now, beginning with us."

I pray for God's blessing on Australia, the world, and the Church in 2008.

God, may Your kingdom come.

In Christ,

Daniel.

Prayer for Peace

In light of what is happening around the world currently and especially in our own country, it is timely as we lead up to the season of Advent where we prepare for the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we should remember that we are all one family united by virtue of our intrinsic value - we are all made in the image of God Almighty.

I have come upon some beautiful prayers that we can use when asking our God to grant us, and the whole human family peace.

Prayer for Peace by Pope John Paul II

Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconcilliation,
who so often said, "Peace to you", grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples on earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.

Mulsim Prayer for Peace

O God you are peace
From you is peace and unto you is peace
Lord, let us live in peace
Receive us into your peace
To you be praise and honor
We hear and obey
Grant us your forgiveness Lord
And unto you be our becoming

Jewish Prayer for Peace

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk in the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares,
and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation
Neither shall they learn way anymore.
And none shall be afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

I envisage a world where no human shall live in fear. No person shall cry from the pains of hunger. Those who have plenty will share with those who have little. All men and women will see in their neighbour the image of the Everlasting God, and treat their neighbour with the utmost respect and honor.

Lord, grant us peace.

Broken and precious

The title of this blog, 'Broken and precious', refers to you and me. I just come from doing my Thursday night grocery shopping in Vic Park and it seemed as though the Holy Spirit was yearning inside of me for the people I saw. I became sad for the people I saw.

I saw a young man, very handsome, about 25 years old, with his mother or his wife (they were Asian and so I couldn't tell her age too well to assume). He seemed to suffer from turrets syndrome and made yelping noises constantly throughout the shopping centre.

I saw an old man smoking a cigarette. His entire body jerked with every step he took.

I saw a young woman who was troubled in her mind. She walked with no shoes and shouted abuse at people for no apparent reason.

I wanted to be their friend. I wanted to reach out and hug them all. I want to be the person they can call a friend.

I spent last night unable to sleep. I was burdened with the guilt of sin and the sickness that one feels in their belly when they know they have grieved the Holy Spirit with their actions. Once again, I was ashamed and unable to confess for I thought of how I'd abused His grace once again. In my own eyes I was a hypocrite. this sickness continued throughout today.

I realised this night that the sickness I felt was bearing witness to me that I am still loved by God. One who does not have the Holy Spirit does not feel this grief. I realised that the sadness I felt for people bared witness to me that I am still in the vine. God hasn't forsaken me.

I thought of David. One moment writing beautiful psalms, and the next moment seducing a married woman. I thought of the people in Jesus family tree - Rahab (a prostitute), David (a murderer and adulterer), Jacob (hmm... what shall I say about Jacob) (I am labelling them by human terms - not Gods). I thought of the people at the table with Jesus - sinners and lepers. The outcasts of society. The people who didn't have it all together. Not the perfect. Not those who were consistently faithful. People who sinned. People who turned away and returned often.

Then I saw myself at the table with Jesus. I saw that I am part of the biblical story that is ongoing. I am a sinner whose heart has been invaded by Christ. The Holy Spirit has made His home in me. The gift of God is irrevocable. I will serve God all of my days. I will always remember my place at the table of God, in the presence of sinners accepted by grace. Loved. Being renewed daily. Living with mission. A minister of reconciliation.

Know who you are dear child. God has not forsaken you. Jesus has removed the barrier that separated us from God. Know you're loved and accepted.

On music...

"One good thing about music, when it hits, you fell okay"

I've always liked music. During my early years in college, I wouldn't leave the house without listening to some good music. A good song would set the tone of my day. Without it, I found that my day lacked rhythm. I still like music a lot, although I am not reliant on it to set the tone of my day any longer. I no longer listen to a lot of the songs that once got me going, and my musical taste is maturing. Here's my current list of favorite albums.

• Cinta Silver (Glen Fredly)
• The Emancipation of Mimi (Mariah)
• Ultimate (Aaliyah)
• Aku & Wanita (Glen Fredly)
• Monkey Business (Black Eyed Peas)

What makes a good album to me? It's one that I can listen to from start to end and appreciate every song on it. My favorite song list is much to long for this blog, but I'll say that my top 3 songs are:

• L.O.V.E (Glen Fredly)
• Aku Cinta Padamu (Glen Fredly)
• Pengakuan Lelaki (Glen Fredly)
  

But then I have hymns that will last forever, and I cannot categorise... they are beautiful and will last through all seasons. They are:

• I need thee every hour
• Let us love and sing and wonder
• It is well with my soul

Thought from Level 13

I'm in the office now looking from my 13th floor office window. The freeway is full of drivers going home to their family. I have a deadline for a report that is due tomorrow at 8am. I don't know how long I'll be here.

Like all of you I'm deeply saddened by the senseless killings that have occured at Virginia Tech. So much promise now lost. So many unfufilled dreams and shattered families. Such a loss.

May God comfort the mourning hearts of every family member and friend left behind.

An observation though, if I may. This incident has shown me something. We own the media. The messages we communicate are more powerful than the messages we see on 6pm news. Our cell phone cameras, our blogs, our myspaces and facebooks - this is the new age of media. The cell phone footage from V-Tech that captured the gun-shots going off in the background has to be one of the eariest things I've every seen. Then there are the victims myspace blogs. Family members posting messages of "I hope you're okay" only to be shortly realised that they were not okay. Now these blogs stand as a vivid portrait of heartbreak and loss.

May God bless you and your families always.

Our God is mighty to save.

Daniel.

Our real value

I was thinking about the ways in which we tend to define ourselves. We are all guilty of labelling everything and everyone. Those labels are often given through our perceptions and are mostly unfair and unaccurate. We cannot label people. Every human is infinately more complex than we are aware.

For instance, I began to think that I am first and foremost a child of God and a disciple of Jesus. Next, I am a family man. A husband, a son, a brother, a grandson, a brother-in-law, and a son-in-law.

What I’ve come to believe is that none of this can be separated. I am a child of God. I am a sinner. I am an idolater. I like international business. I like good books, good food, and great coffee. I love Indonesia and have a passion for Indonesian people. But none of these things can define me. My value is not the sum of my parts.

I have an intrinsic core value that will not decrease. I didn’t set this value and I can’t alter it. Other people can’t measure it. Other people can’t compare my value to their own. No one can remove my value.

Materially speaking, the sum of every item on earth could not measure against my intrinsic value.

Often I forget the nature of this value. I cannot comprehend my worth. So I go out to look for other things that can give me value. Value that people can see. Prestige. Power. Things.
But then I awake to the realization that these things have a superficial worth applied by man who will one day die. Or the things die. One will occur first. And then what? The value is gone.
Hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades. Irreplaceable time spent obtaining this worth. And in an instant – bankruptcy comes like a thief in the night. Everything that I worked for – gone.

Poverty.

But then I hear singing. I look around. The laughter is contageous. Dancing.
It is the children. They look happy. I can feel their joy.

They have no worries, no cares, no tears, no things.

If one of them were to come into harms way, I would protect them. If one cried in fear, I would assure them that there is nothing to fear and then I’d protect them against anything that tried to hurt them.

If I cried, would someone consol me? If I was afraide, would someone protect me? If I was hungry, cold, or thirsty, would some one feed me, clothe me, or quench my thirst?

If I had none of the things that add value?

But the children. They also have non of the things that add value. But they sing. They laugh. They dance. I would protect them. I value them. Why?

Their intrinsic value shines through. They know their worth. They know they are special. And they live freely.

The world sees this. And many laugh with them.

That child is me. Those children are us.

The value that we see when we look at those children is the same value that’s in us. Although the world may not see it, there is One who does. Like our value, the One cannot be defined. The sum of this universe was made by His hand. Called into being by the Words of the Mighty One.

Our value comes from Him. Our value will always exist. This value will always be real. When I am poor, I can say “I am rich”. My value will never fade. The One gave it to me.When I realise this is in my deepest being, everything will change. Choices will be made freely independent of worldly value. Smiles and laughter and dancing will come more naturally inviting the world who sees to join in the festival of life.

Freedom to live. Freedom to choose. Freedom to be who we are – the people God created us to be.

In this freedom our food is His word. Our strength is His joy. Our lifeblood is His Spirit.
As the breath of life was blown into the nostrils of Adam, Adam walked inteimately with God. His value was known. Our resusitation from the breath of God is here. Oure value will be known. Freedom will ring.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.
They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of
the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What
shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans
run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33)

Where are my original thoughts?

I've been struggling to post lately because I have a cluttered mind. I have not had any original thoughts for a few weeks.

The start to the new year has been hectic and I have not had much time to be in a reflective state of mind. I have a project dead-line at work that has been moved forward by 1.5 months. Because the foundations of this project were not good, I feel like I am working blind. I'm adding brick on brick and hoping that a house comes from it. Perhaps I should just step back and spend the (considerable) time and start again. If only I had that luxury.

My new years resolutions / goals / committments are coming along okay. I have already broken a few, but rather than wallow in it, I am committing to them again, because every day is new. Thank God that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I've been reading books and articles on missional shaped churches and am having discussions with my pastors now about entering the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) to study a Bachelor of Theology (probaly speciallising in Church Planting or Emerging Churches). The good thing about ACOM is it's unique structure. There are no weekly classes, but rather intensives, mentoring, growth groups in your community, and every assessment is very practical.

Married life is great. I'm having a great time with my wife. Unfortunately our conversations have had a lot of finance talk lately. We are committing to spend some time to get our finances on track, make some share investments, and reevaluate our current spending habits. To us, managing our finances are an act of holistic worship. Finances are a trust from God. Money is to be our servant, not our master.

Further to that, I am also considering that physical exercise is a factor of holistic worship. My body is a trust from God and I don't want to abuse it any longer. So, Gayle and I have started playing tennis a couple times a week, jogging almost daily along the foreshore, and eating much healthier meels of salad and red meat. I've also become quite liberal in my alcohol consumption with a glass of wine daily and a couple of beers when i'm with mates.

My wifes parents were here for Christmas and New Year. I love spending time with them, they are a fun couple. I guess because they both have high demand jobs in Jakarta, they are always ready to let loose and have a good time when they holiday.

I also feel that my dad and I are making great in roads to a more healthy father/son relationship. We've never been at odds, but we have found it difficult to relate to eachother sometimes. Thank God that we are having longer conversations and speaking more often.

I hope to take some time out alone in the next few weeks with nothing but my bible and a notebook. I want to get back to basics and reignite my creative spark. Hopefully I will be able to make some original posts coming from my thoughts (or inspired thoughts) rather than evaluating every single this that I read or hear.

God Bless you all. I hope that 2007 is a year that sees you prosper in every way.

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions
never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.I say to
myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one
who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
(Lamentations 3:21-26)

Thoughts for life from 'Click'

I watched 'Click' (Adam Sandler) last night with wifey. It is very hard to get through the movie with a dry eye. We watch sadly as Adam Sandler keeps fast forwarding lifes moments while reaching for the always elusive "next big promotion", hoping that it will bring him and his family the happiness and security that they 'need'. He eventually dies - divorced and lonely - having realised too late that he has missed the happiest moments of his life.

Shortly before he dies, the person who gave Adam the 'gift' to fast-forward life reveals himself as the 'angel of death'. And it immediately gave me a revelation of the true nature of Christs words in John 10:9-11:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they
mayhave life, and have it to the full."

I felt really sad for Adam Sandlers character in the movie, but even more, I felt sad for myself and the many other men and women in this country who let life pass them by in the vain attempt to grab more and more stuff. More security, more money, more things. We work long hours, often past 7pm. We give our best efforts to our careers that never provide the security we desire, meanwhile our families get the scraps of our time and attention.

I heard a pastor say once "I've spent time with many people as they lay waiting to die on their death beds, and I have never heard any of them say 'I wish I spent more time in the office'."

We all know that is true, but we never seem to apply that lesson to our own life until it's too late.

When I was relaxing during my honeymoon in beautiful Ubud, I wrote that I would no longer give my best attention to my career while avoiding my family. I will forsake promotions and raises if it means spending the quality time with my family that we all deserve. It wasn't long after I returned until I found myself once again, in the office up to 7pm. But it wasn't to gun for the promotion - it was simply to achieve my daily tasks. The demands of big business never cease.

I saw alot of myself in that movie. I am always looking ahead, and rarely enjoying each moment as I experience it. While I am not one who worries about promotions, etc, I do worry about the future alot. Where will I be in 5, 10, 15 years? Will my children have a safe and comfortable life with a roof over their head, attending the best schools, going on the best holidays? What must I sacrifice now to give them that? What will I sacrifice at the time to maintain that?

I've come to believe that Jesus' words are just as relevant today (if not more so), than they were when first spoken 2000 years ago (Matthew 6:24-26)

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and lovethe
other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve
both God and Money.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more importantthan
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds ofthe air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenlyFather
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Why do we put our trust in our career? We are disappointed time after time with mass redundancies, and bottom-line cost-cutting mentality. Yet we keep hanging on, hoping that it will come through for us at the end.

Why not commit yourself fully to God? Accept your job as a gracious gift from the Father, but entrust yourself fully to His care. Believe that your heavenly Father is your provider and that your job / career is his means of provision. And treat your job as though you would treat any other gift given from your Father - with respect. Do your best for your company, but not at the expense of your family, personal life, and integrity.

'Click' helped to give me a reality check. Embrace every moment of life. Don't worry what tomorrow will bring, because all we have is today!

Human trade - what can we do?

I was going to give this post a different name - "Hate / Passion / Compassion / Fear". Today I read an article at the Jakarta Post that details how Human Trafficing is a major issue in Indonesia. Human Trafficing is an issue that makes my blood boil. Hearing of the stories of some of the women, children (and boys) who are trafficed across the world for prostitution, sex slavery, and slave labor brings tears to my eyes.

I can honestly say that I hate people who profit from human trafficing. I hate those people who use the services of trafficed human beings. And I hate those who who exploit trafficed human beings. I hate them with a pure hatred. Do you know what these girls suffer? I have had to force myself through the testimony of the humanitarians who have worked to free these girls. These girls are lured from their kampungs (villiages) with promises of work in the city and moeny to send back to their poor struggling families. Rather, they are kidnapped, smuggled abroad and sold as sex slaves. Others are locked in dungeons and used in forced prostitution. They are constantly drugged to numb the pain. The average life span of a girl forced into this work is 14 years.

Here is an extract from the article...

Indonesia is a hub for trafficking. Young local women are often hired under the pretense of overseas employment as domestic workers, only to end up in forced prostitution in Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

High rates of poverty and unemployment, along with low levels of education, have been blamed for the ease with which people in Indonesia are exploited.

I have strong feelings for Indonesia. I love the Indonesian people, and I would like to help in some way. But what can I do? What can someone from a different culture do? I have a passion:
I want to start a school in Indonesia. I want to provide a safe place for the vulnerable Indonesians to come. A place where they can be accepted, protected, cherished, and grown. I want to be instrumental in making this happen. But what can I do? I have no money? I have no skills in teaching? No social services, limited cultural knowledge? What could I possible do? This is the fear.

Due to underlying religious hostility in Indonesia, it is hard to get humanitarian Visas, and once granted, you are monitored for proseltyzing. Indonesia is majority muslim. But the way that I see it, this is not a muslim issue - it is a human issue. We have an obligation to our neighbours, to protect them from exploitation. To protect and serve the vulnerable. If not a human issue, the disciples of Christ are without excuse - We are commanded to protect the vulnerable. We are commanded to serve them. The Prophets made this clear for us.

So what can I do? I don't know. Pray? Seek? Knock? God, please make a way. Lead me in Your will.

What do I want to say to these girls? You are never dirtied. Though the world exploits you, you will never lose your value in the eyes of God. And because of that, I will never view you as dirty. I will accept you as my own family and in someway, try to show the love of God for you. You are precious in Gods sight.

What do I want to say to the human trafficers, and all those who profit from, or exploit the services of human trafficers? Your days are numbered. God will rip the cover off all iniquity and your blackness will be exposed for all the world to see. Repent and pay restitution while there is still time for you to do so.

What do I want to say to every person who labels them selves as "Christs"? This is YOUR problem. It is not the missionaries, or the Indonesians. It is your problem. If you don't act, who will. Don't use the bullshit excuse that God has not called you to help. Poverty is your problem. Oppresion is your problem. The poor are your problem. Read the prophets. Read Christs words. You were told to prioritise two things. Love of God and love of others. If you are a follower of Christ, don't you believe that you are to follow Christ? What did Christ say?


and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday. (Isaiah 58:10)

learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)


The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed, (Luke 4:18)


I am preaching to myself here as much as anyone else. God help me to stop being selfish. Help me to live beyond myself. Help me to live by example. Help me to be a humble servant of Christ. Like Christ, not viewing myself more highly than I ought to, but to humble myself and be a servant of others. God, may Your kingdom come, and may Your will be done.

What world is real?

What world is real? The more I read the bible, the more it becomes obvious to me that there is two worlds. A physical world, and a spiritual world. It's not that I ever denied or doubted that, but sometimes, I become oblivious to that.

We're spending this month on the topic of prayer at church. One thing that I know is that Prayer is natural. It is something in every human being that always tries to cry out beyond ourselves. Even in communist regimes, where the government has tried to stamp our religion by force, they still cannot stamp out the internal yearning for more beyond ourself.

For instance, in communist Russia under Stalin, and communist China under Mao, the people were taught to "think" of their dear leaders when their work was difficult, or when they were dissuaded by the communist ideologies. In China, people were often forced to confess their sins to Mao in a prayerful form. They can try to wipe out religion, but they can never wipe out what is natural to every human - an internal desire for a spiritual Father. These regimes simply put man in the place of God.

I was encouraged tonight by a story of Elisha. It is found in 2 Kings 6:8-22. Here Elisha and his servant, surrounded by an enemy army. The servant was distressed but Elisha was calm. Elisha prays a simple prayer "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha". (2 Kings 6:17).

In the physical world, there was every reason to fear. But Elisha realised that the spiritual world was much more real. He could see into this spiritual world. What is stopping us from seeing into this spiritual world? I believe that we have become numbed and too attached to the natural (too much tv, too many sensory experiences, too much visual entertainment). It's time to examine ourselves and ask, what world is more real to us?