Hi there
Hope you've grabbed for yourself a copy of the Autumn SP mag, Issue 31. Let us know if your youth group or school didn't get any and we can slap some in the post for ya ASAP. You can also check it out online.
Over the next month there's no shortage of things to keep you busy: FUSE Regional auditions are on nationwide this weekend and next. Reggie Dabbs is back in the country. It's NZ Music Month. And just around the corner is the 40 Hour Famine (23-25 May), FUSE (31 May - 1 June, Wgtn), Breakthrough (30 May -2 June, Akld) and Noise (12-14 June, Akld).
Once again we have another giveaway (aren't we generous?). To go in the draw to win a double pass to FUSE over Queens Birthday, tell us three of the headline acts for FUSE 2008.
Happy NZ Music Month! Peace.
The SP Crew.
Top 5 on Ozzy Osbourne’s To-Do list for Rock 2 Wgtn
5. Roll-on underarm deodorant.
4. A wedding gift.
3. As a flavour shot in your latte.
2. Playground bark substitute.
1. A means of extinguishing the Olympic flame.
My Life Is Not My Own
by Amy Kendrew
It was Creed that once asked, "What's this life for?" I'm sorry I brought Creed into this but, think what you may about Creed, their question has recently got me thinking. What is this life for? Is it just about enjoying the latest season of American Idol? What about doing my big OE? Or finding out which Friends character I am on Bebo? ... Or is there more than all that?
Everything around me seems to be geared towards “me”. Sometimes it’s subtle, but often it just slaps me in the face, like the advertisements that tell me I’m the only one that matters and to “look out for number one”. But whenever I do that, whenever I decide to pamper myself and forget about others, it tends to feel hollow. Sure I can travel the world and rack up a bunch of “experiences”, but what does that really achieve? Maybe this life of mine isn’t just for me?
What does Jesus say about this? Jesus said we are to be the light of the world. He says that our life has greater purpose than enjoying life only for ourselves, that it’s also about creating a better life for those around us. Jesus lived this out himself: he raised Lazarus from the dead, he gave Bartimaeus back his sight, he feed the thousands and forgave others – he helped others to live a better life. He didn’t do a big OE, in fact, he hardly traveled very far at all, yet people still talk about the difference he made.
So I’ve decided something. I want to live a life that’s about more than having a good time for me, but a life committed to bringing illumination into people’s darkness. A life that truly makes a difference. I want to see those who are filled with confusion, brokenness and despair, find out about all the great things God has done in my life, to show them that all the great things God has done for me, He can do for them too – and He wants to! I’ve seen it happen already and I want to see it happen more. I want to point people towards Jesus.
Think about what could happen if every person lived their life like this? Lives committed to lighting up the lives of those around us; we could make our world a better place! Jesus’ story is one of transformation: turning darkness into light, turning death into life. He made this world a better place. So what’s your story? What’s your life for?
Talking Dirty with a Porn Pastor
Earlier today a friend flicked me the MySpace link for a band he thought I should check out. They were okay, but as we’d all admit to doing when perusing social networking sites, I was drawn to their top friends list. More »
Jars of Clay Interview
“Uh, hello”, I blurted out to Dan and Charlie of Jars of Clay as they strolled into the room, finding me perched at a grand piano. “I’m just tinkering… uh, having a jam.” Truth be told, I can’t play piano – as much as I try to fake it. More »
