“i’ve got scarves and caps and sweaters”

it is officially fall here in the land down under. crisp mornings and chilly evenings have forced me to whip out the ‘ole REI jacket and encompass my bare neck in my plush, comfy scarves. it is actually quite refreshing, this cooler weather, given the fact that i haven’t experienced any nippy days in about a year. coming to perth last september allowed me to snag back to back summertime. sweet! oh, and for those music guru’s out there, i am sure you can appreciate the title of my blog, taken honorably from death cab for cutie’s genius-of-a-song “blacking out the friction.”

although this weekend was quite chilly, taylor organized a successfully fun and enjoyable BBQ at king’s park.  he is volunteering with a refugee center and has been paired up with a Burmese family, helping them learn English and settle into their new life here. during one of taylor’s chat’s with Mr. Moo (the Burmese father) several weeks back, he discovered that the Moos had never experienced a true aussie BBQ. so, fast forward to saturday and we were quick to change that unfortunate reality!  our westchurch crew invited heaps of friends and spent the afternoon grilling out on the barbie, playing cricket and just enjoying each other’s company. i was touched by Mrs. Moos story about their journey to perth 4 months ago and even wanted to take her two cute kiddos home with me after the day was over. gorgeousness! the best part was the blending of cultures and backgrounds: Australian, American, Indonesian, Chinese, Burmese. all of us coming together and enjoying the day together–quite beautiful.

Vespers went really smoothly last night. it was our first time to implement singing into the service. how lovely it was singing a couple old hymns as taylor quietly played the guitar in the corner of the sanctuary. like last blog, here is the station i created for the service. it is based upon Acts 7’s account of the stoning of stephen. the station was accompanied by a world map on the wall. i had researched the top five persecuted countries in the world and taped several facts next to the country. my hope is that you gain some insight and compassion for those persecuted around the world as you read the following meditation.  

Martyrdom around the World…

Just like Stephen was stoned because of his faith in Acts 7, many people today are persecuted and killed for their own religious beliefs.

Fortunately, as Christians in Western Australia (insert America here!), we do not have to deal with the reality of religious persecution and oppression.

However, many people around the world are tormented and abused daily for their religious beliefs.

Accompanying the map, which locates several top persecuted countries, are some general religious and political facts about each country.

Take time to dwell upon these facts, pray for those individuals suffering because of their faith, and thank God that you are free to worship God without fear of abuse or persecution.

Lord,

I pray for persecuted believers around the world, for their protection, strength and care. Bless them with courage to live as witnesses for the Gospel before their accusers. I pray also for Christians, like myself, who are not facing persecution: that we would not be immune to the suffering of others and that God would give us the strength and boldness needed if persecution were to come our way.  Blessed be your name, O Mighty God.

                                                                                 Amen.

North Korea

-freedom of religions, thought, and conscience is nonexistent

-an estimated 500,000 Christians

-tens of thousands of Christians are currently abused in prison camps

-persons who refuse to accept the regime leader, Kim-John II, as supreme authority are severely punished

-as many as 3 million people have died of starvation since 1994

-famine, drought, political and religious oppression, have forced many to flee to China

Saudi Arabia

-no legal protection for freedom of religion

-legal system based on Islamic law

-Apostasy, conversion to another religion, is punishable by death

Iran

-many Christians are arrested and beaten daily

-the Mojanhadin-e-Khaleq extremist group has been implicated in several violent acts against Christians

-a new wave of persecution of Christians began in June 2005, after the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

 Vietnam

 -one of the last communist-ruled countries in the world

-the atheist regime aims to keep religion under strict control

-Christianity is regarded as a Western religion that threatens state power

-in September 2004, the State Department designated Vietman as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act for severe violations of religious freedom

China

-the government allows for practice of Christianity as long as it is done under the auspices of the state controlled churches.

-the Chinese government continues to engage in severe violations of religious freedom

-during 2005, a massive crack-down took place on house churches throughout China in which thousands of Christians were arrested.

alright, to end on a lighter note, i thought i’d recount a culturally insightful highlight that occurred while babysitting my regular three tiny tots, Hayley (7), Kai (3), and Jessica (2). it brought about a wide smile and genuine chuckle.

Hayley (in her adorably innocent and enthusiastic aussie accent) “Oi, Sarah Kate, shall we make star jumps?”

Me (equally enthusiastic, of course) For sure, Hays, but you’ll have to teach me how to make them first.”

Hayley (hand on hip, hip jutted out, smirk on face while giggling) “you make them like THIS, silly!”

Hayley then proceeds to do jumping jack after jumping jack until breathless, concluding her performance by saying “see, you make your body into a STAR and then JUMP…it’s really fun!”

so there you go, another word difference i stumbled across today. and c’mon, isn’t “star jump” a way cooler phrase to describe those torturous elementary school exercises than “jumping jack”? i think so…  : )

praying that God blesses you with peace and guidance today,

sarah kate

 

 

 

 

 

 

back in action

Wow! it’s been ages since i last blogged. since my last entry, i’ve been back to nashville for a short but sweet visit. it was wonderful seeing loved ones and catching up face-to-face with friends and family. although, i must admit it did feel a little strange at first being back “home” again. i have gotten so used to the aussie life-style and climate that being back inland and experiencing the chilly, rainy weather was quite foreign.  yet, the comforting feeling i got when i walked back into my home was indescribable. and sleeping in my own bed…glorious!  thanks to all those who made the effort to meet up and hang out with me while i was in town. it was a whirlwind of a trip, filled with back-to-back socializing, but i loved it all the same. during my time home, i applied for and was granted a different visa, the Working Holiday Visa. this allows me to stay in australia for one full year ( until April 2009) and gives me the possibility of holding a job.  beforehand, i was on a tourist visa, which had many restrictions and i was mandated to leave the country every three months. so, i am happy to have snagged this new one. 

i am glad to be back in perth; back into the swing of things. i had missed all my friends and the beautiful life i live here. this time around, my responsibilities and goals mission-wise are more intentional and organized, which allows me to better utilize my gifts and feel more purposeful and productive. 

one of my main responsibilities is developing a station for each sunday night vesper’s service. i want to share with you the idea that i created for this past sunday.  i based the meditative station off of Acts 2:45 and here is what i came up with. 

 

Acknowledging God’s Ownership:

 Acts 2:45 “they sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need.”

-The most important principle to keep firmly in your mind is to understand whose money or possessions it really is. It is not yours. It is God’s.

 -God’s ownership of everything is a foreign concept to most of us. We like to think of our money and ourpossessions. Yet the Bible makes it clear that God owns everything. All things were created by him and for him (Colossians 1:16). Everything belongs to him.

 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it (Deuteronomy 10:14).

 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).

 The world is mine, and all that is in it (Psalm 50:12).

“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty (Haggai 2:8).

“For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

 

Questions to Meditate on:

-why should I give?

-what is a generous giver?

-where (or to whom) should I give?

-what is sacrificial giving and why is it important?

-how do I give cheerfully out of love, not just indifferently out of habit?

-does prosperity lead to generosity?

-does generosity result in poverty?

-what are some wrong motives for giving?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; 
teach me to serve you as you deserve, 
to give and not to count the cost, 
to fight and not to heed the wounds, 
to toil and not to seek for rest, 
to labor and not to seek reward, 
except that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen. 


- St. Ignatius Loyola

I hope that you are able to gain something out of this meditative exercise. i always enjoy feedback and thoughts, as well.  

peace to you all,

skt