As I write this the American "Eagles" are preparing to take on the Russian "Bears" in a Rugby game that is being dubbed the "Cold War clash". Apparently 25,000 people are going to pack out Stadium Taranaki for this game - I guess we'll see if the rain keeps them away or not. But does this all seem a little strange to anyone? It seems strange to me...just think about it for a moment...it really is strange right?!
OK, I'll put it into perspective for you. Russia is very new to the game of Rugby, particularly on the world scene, and with this as their first World Cup you'd have to say that 19th ranking is fair enough (at least they're ahead of Namibia!). America on the other hand have played Rugby for a long time, but frankly they're not very good, as their 18th place world ranking confirms. So why are so many people from "the 'Naki" so excited about THIS game? Perhaps it really does have something to do with "Miss Russia" going to the game - but I won't go there.
Seriously though, it is an odd phenomena and it's exciting to see how committed and enthusiastic we can get about Rugby - even when it's two minnows of the game playing each other.
The truth is: Enthusiasm is contagious! This is an important thing for us to recognize as a Church. This week we start Tranzsend's "Self Denial" appeal and it would be easy to say, "we've done the 'self denial' thing before", or "things are tight at home and there's nothing we can give up". In some circumstances these comments may be valid, but for the vast majority of us, if we're honest, there are surpluses in our lives - things which if we wanted to deny ourselves of, for the sake of "sowing the seeds of love" in our community and beyond, we would/could/should.
This week as we continue to enjoy the festival that is RWC 2011, show the same kind of enthusiasm for the building of the Kingdom of God, because building his Kingdom is greater than any sports event ever! Do we really believe it?!
Blessings,
Pastor David Auty
OK, I'll put it into perspective for you. Russia is very new to the game of Rugby, particularly on the world scene, and with this as their first World Cup you'd have to say that 19th ranking is fair enough (at least they're ahead of Namibia!). America on the other hand have played Rugby for a long time, but frankly they're not very good, as their 18th place world ranking confirms. So why are so many people from "the 'Naki" so excited about THIS game? Perhaps it really does have something to do with "Miss Russia" going to the game - but I won't go there.
Seriously though, it is an odd phenomena and it's exciting to see how committed and enthusiastic we can get about Rugby - even when it's two minnows of the game playing each other.
The truth is: Enthusiasm is contagious! This is an important thing for us to recognize as a Church. This week we start Tranzsend's "Self Denial" appeal and it would be easy to say, "we've done the 'self denial' thing before", or "things are tight at home and there's nothing we can give up". In some circumstances these comments may be valid, but for the vast majority of us, if we're honest, there are surpluses in our lives - things which if we wanted to deny ourselves of, for the sake of "sowing the seeds of love" in our community and beyond, we would/could/should.
This week as we continue to enjoy the festival that is RWC 2011, show the same kind of enthusiasm for the building of the Kingdom of God, because building his Kingdom is greater than any sports event ever! Do we really believe it?!
Blessings,
Pastor David Auty
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