Hopefully by now, you’ve seen it in the foyer at church, but I wanted to share more of the story behind it.

I once said in passing to a friend, “some people aspire to be great storytellers but others just aspire to tell great stories..”

Whilst I believe that there is merit in the former, I’m definitely in the latter category myself. Which is convenient considering I’ve found myself caretaking SP Magazine, formerly known as Soul Purpose. Soul Purpose was started in Wellington, an extension of the Christian arts & music community. In 2009 they faced closure after ten years of being well-loved and widely read by Christian young people throughout the country.

Seemed like too good of a thing to let die – so it’s become a labour of love and good intentions. My heart and vision is to continue publishing an intelligent, relevant and entertaining magazine that can be picked up by any NZer 18 – 30 (and beyond) and loved. Thankfully, a great crew of writers, photographers and volunteers are helping make it happen. Think of it as a cross between Metro and The Listener. A big focus on arts & culture, with a hefty helping of world issues.

I think the latest issue is a great example – our piece on the Israel/Palestine conflict gives an overview of the political landscape as well as giving voice and respecting the religious views surrounding a controversial issue. And our insight section talks about issues of spirituality and faith in the real world in a way that’s accessible and engaging. (Thanks Andy Dickson for the Jargonology column).

In fact, a bunch of Edge-ites have been super key and involved with the issues to date. And we’re working with various tertiary groups to extend the distribution of the mag across NZ tertiary campuses.

In case you’re wondering.. yes, the mag is run by a Charitable Trust. We rely on donations, subscriptions and advertising. Which is a real labour of love. If you’d like to donate or subscribe please visit www.spmagazine.org/donate.

I really believe that there are great stories to be told and a generation of NZers inside and outside the church who are already listening, waiting for the truth that SP Magazine can deliver.

Too much? I think not.

Hopefully you join us.

Tash McGill

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.*

The above left picture is of the temple cornerstone in Jerusalem (2008). It is part of the last remaining segment of the Western wall of the Second Temple. Now commonly known as the Wailing wall.

This stone is incredibly significant. It held the weight and tension of the entire second Jewish temple (right photo)! Placed in the corner of the structure where the slope ended it supported all the other walls and foundations. That’s why it’s so huge! (The slab is the one below the piece with holes in it. For some perspective those holes are about the size of tennis balls).

Peter the Apostle wrote in 1 Peter 2:4-6,

“As you come to him, the living stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”"

Christ is our living cornerstone. Paul said of Him “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together”. He is the foundation we stand on and the hope we have.

In order to get the stone into its position workers had to roll it down the slope on ball bearings. When the stone was in position they would put weight on it and it would crush the bearings and be secured in its place. This same event was carried out on the cross when Gods cornerstone, Jesus Christ, crushed the enemies work and freed us from sin.

Incredible God.

Strahan.

*Wikipedia

“Why am I here? What’s gone wrong with the world? What is the answer? How will it all end? What do I have to do to know God? ” These are the sorts of questions addressed in ‘What is God Up To on Planet Earth?: A no-strings attached explanation of the Christian message’ – the recently released book from New Zealand author Mark Keown (Laidlaw College lecturer, Presbyterian minister, father, sportsman, musician, evangelist…).

It is easy for us to either focus on the bigness of what God is up to, losing some sense of the intimacy he desires, or to get so caught up in our personal relationship and standing with him that we miss the bigger picture all together. In this book, Keown provides a concise yet compelling summary of the entire story of God and God’s interactions with humanity, carefully balancing the bigness of God’s mission with the intimacy of God’s interactions with individuals. His chapters walk the reader through the story of God in five distinct sections, spending time contemplating each of the major twists and turns, and noting how they contribute to what God is up to on planet earth. He presents what is surely the ultimate story of love and restoration.

This book would, I am sure, be a helpful read for those searching for God. But it is also, I believe, a book that is a must read for many Christians – helping us locate ourselves within the bigger picture of God’s overall story, while also taking time to dwell on the greatness of what God has done, and is doing, for each of us individually.

“Many Christians have summarised their beliefs over the years in written form. But few have done so in as lively and compelling a fashion as Mark Keown. If you thought faith was dull or boring, think again – and read this book. Long time Christ-followers and those who know nothing about Christianity will alike benefit from this book.”
- Craig Blomberg (Distinguished Professor of the New Testament, Denver Seminary, USA)

…Just added to the Edge Kingsland library

AndyD

I have been mulling over something written about Jesus and wondering about the possible wider implications, of what it says about God in my everyday life…

I was reading the gospel of John the other day and came across the story of how John the Baptist first recognized that Jesus was the Christ. John says that he wouldn’t have recognized who Jesus really was unless it was divinely revealed.* I’ve read that a hundred times before, but this time it really struck me. If anyone could have recognized who Jesus was I would have thought it would have been John. There was no one who matched John in all of history! He trumped Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Moses, Abraham… the guy had some serious spirituality!! (at least I think that’s what it means when Jesus said that there was no one greater than John.*)

It has got me thinking that if John couldn’t recognize Jesus outside of the Holy Spirit telling him, then how do I expect to recognize Jesus without the Holy Spirit? Which then gets me wondering where God is hiding that I just haven’t seen him in yet. Is God hiding in my day dreams, in my kids playing, in my laundry? I’ve been asking the Holy Spirit to show me God in places that I haven’t seen him yet. I like the idea of finding the Creator’s thumbprint on a dirty coffee mug in my sink… gives me some better motivation to do the dishes.

-Erin

* John chapter 1
* Matthew 11:something

“Lord of all…

The good times and the stink times. Lord of the double rainbows and the double whammys. Lord of the washing machine that my soul is being thrashed around in right now… Lord of the deep, the wild waves that threaten to drown me; and yet at the same time you are Lord of the rock that I’m desperately clinging to (Psalm 18).

… we are singing (filming/painting/crying/living/buzzing out) to you…”

Anonymous.

Today is Earth Day.

Take a moment to consider God’s creation and the ways you can care for it and join with God’s plan for healing and restoration.

Prayer of Compassion

(By St. Basil the Great, 330-379.)

O God, enlarge within us the sense of
fellowship with all living things,
our brothers the animals to whom thou
gavest the earth as their home in
common with us.

We remember with shame that in the past
we have exercised the high dominion
of man with ruthless cruelty
so that the voice of the earth,
which should have gone up to thee
in song, has been a groan of travail.

May we realize that they live not for
us alone but for themselves and for
thee, and that they love
the sweetness of life.

And I hear it helps kit out your spot in heaven (just what I heard, no biblical grounding???) so come volunteer with us next week at a Recreate Youth camp, we just need a couple more people who are keen to come from Tuesday to Friday and hang out with some of the coolest young people you’ve ever met. All expenses covered, fun activities including sand duning, abseiling, kayaking, a medieval banquet and all in all a great 4 day break with amazing people.

Interested?? Contact Rob Byrne

027615521
or recreate.rob@gmail.com

Do it!

The Edge Library Team have just added a number of books to the Edge Library, thanks to some kind donations! So if you want to get some books out for holiday reading, have a look at what is on the library shelf in the cafe, borrow a book through the library computer (or by writing your name down on the lending list) and you will be sent an email reminder when the book is due in four weeks’ time.

An example of one of the newly added books is “Praying” by J I Packer and Carolyn Nystrom. Here’s the blurb:

“Is praying a duty or a delight? J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom say that it’s both; an essential, expected practice as a follower of Christ, but also a privilege and joy. As we start out learning to pray properly, however, the delight often seems to be missing. Here is practical help for active, honest praying that involves all of who we are–heart, hands and head–and moves us to deeper obedience, joy and intimacy with our Father.”

I am waiting patiently…

The good news is that there are now only 13 more sleeps until we can get our hands on Edge | Vol 1.

While you wait you’ll have to do something to pass the time, so have a look at this. Very nicely done.

Loop Soup