Two events have dominated the attention of the media in the past week or so. One is the anniversary of the terrible tragedy in Bali when so many ordinary Australians {and even more ordinary Indonesians) lost their lives. The other is the Rugby World Cup. In a strange way there is a connection between the two.

I have always been a fan of Rugby football, from the days when; as a young boy I sat on the sidelines of Manly oval with my father. He was a St John's Ambulance Officer and carried a wooden box filled with all kinds of lotions and potions for treating injured players. I can remember at times being allowed to run out with him as he was called onto the ground. He gave his time voluntarily, but, as a fringe benefit was allowed to sit on the side line. One of my vivid memories of that time was seeing the Fijian team play, with a wonderfully open style of football, throwing passes across the whole width of the field.

I played a little Rugby at school, but was too awkward and spindly to ever be much good. I was usually put in the forwards, because of my height, but lacked the weight and strength to go with it. My one memory is of plucking the ball out of the air in a line-out and walking through to score a try.

Both my boys played Rugby from the age of three, as have my two eldest grandsons. So I have spent many years on the sidelines as a sometimes proud and often frustrated parent. While I am conscious of the potential for physical injury at the older age levels, I have seen great value for young boys in the game of Rugby, as they develop their physical skills and learn to be a member of a team.

But it is only a game! With so much hooha in the media, it seems that for some, the game has almost become a religion. Some of the top players seem almost to be treated like gods. And, certainly, the attendance at the Rugby matches far outdo the attendances at Church.

The enthusiasm most show at a Rugby match would be frowned upon in most churches. But by the same token, the activity and excitement of a football match are not to be found in many churches either. I was greatly encouraged by a prophecy from Paul Cain, one of the greatest prophets alive today, who spoke of a time coming when God would send a revival of such proportions that the football stadiums would be filled with people coming together to see what God was doing. Instead of describing football moves, the commentators would be reporting healings, deliverances, resurrections etc!

There is a saying around that Rugby is "the game they play in heaven". While it is certainly an enjoyable game to watch, and there are a number of fine Christian men amongst the past and present players, it does not quite fit the Biblical picture of Heaven, as I understand it. But, talk of heaven does lead to the other notable event at this time, the remembrance of the Bali bombing.

Whilst this tragic event raises many different issues, one important one is that it reminds us of the fragility and uncertainty of life. Quite a number of those who were killed or injured were young footballers, celebrating the end of their season. In a matter of seconds their lives were cut down, or scarred forever. For many young people today, death is an unreal thing that happens a long way off when you are old. Bali reminds us that death can happen suddenly, even to the young.

The other feature of Bali is that it has raised the question of heaven, from two opposing views. On one hand, those involved with the bombing have welcomed death, because, from their religious perspective, what they have done guarantees them a place in heaven. On the other hand, amongst the mourners, quite a few have gained comfort in the idea that they will see their loved one again in heaven. A number of the messages left at the site, according to radio reports, have expressed such a view.

Tragically, both views could be wrong! Many of the popular ideas of heaven are based on myth and superstition. They sound nice and comforting, but lack any basis in fact. The only sure knowledge we have about what heaven is like, and the qualifications to get in, come from what God himself has revealed. And that is based on the fact of the death and resurrection of His Son.

Heaven is not a reward for killing others. Nor is it a reward for living a good life, for being a "good bloke". Heaven is only for those who love the Lord Jesus and accept His free gift of eternal life.

Rugby is only a game, but life is a deadly serious matter. What are you doing with yours?