New Year Resolution

So, for my New Year’s resolution, as Paul said, let us determine only ONE THING: “I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. … And that I may actually be found and known as in Him, not having any self-achieved righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands, but possessing that genuine righteousness which comes through faith in Christ.
For my determined purpose (New Year’s resolution) is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection (His life), and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness.”

Phillipians 3:8-10

Revival

"Sow righteousness, reap love. It's time to till the ready earth, it's time to dig in with GOD, until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest." Hosea 10:12

How interested are we in praying to the Lord and truly worshipping His Holy Name?

How interested are we in growing in God's truth and knowing Him deeply?

How interested are we in gaining a greater knowledge and understanding of His Word?

And just how interested are we in sharing those precious things with the dying world around us?

Revival is something that needs to happen daily.

It's an ongoing transformation of our hearts to be constantly moved by the Spirit of God.

We need to be daily breaking up our fallow ground, those places in our hearts which we've allowed to grow hard.

We have to ask the Lord to reveal those hard places, pray that He would forgive us and ask Him to heal all our rough edges that we might be soft before Him and sensitive to His leading.

Let's get serious about getting ourselves revived!

The world needs to see us flourishing!

There's so much work to be done!

What a wonderful world!

WOW - ht Andrew Bale

Merry Christmas!!!

It's Christmas!

Mr Bean Christmas

This is Christmas

God bless Santa

Christmas Glitter Graphics

Carolling YAY !!!

The rain was steady - the wind couldn't make up its mind which way to blow - keeping music in place was an art in itself - it was so enjoyable - the comraderie - the obvious pleasure of the shoppers - not to mention the staff in Coles - heaps of calendars shared - so despite the weather - joy abounded - the Christmas spirit was in full swing - lots heard the message of Christmas!

The Days Before Christmas

Twas the days before Christmas, and all through the church

The pews are all filling, as everyone perched.

The hands are all shaking, and greetings abound

Soon I’ll go to the pulpit, prepared to expound.

I spent the whole week trying to hear what God’s saying

Studying, reading, and earnestly praying

The choir has practiced and taken great care

Their singing this morning, for weeks they’ve prepared

We’ve had Christmas sermons of angels and wise men

Of shepherds and mangers, no room at the inn

I pray that this week, the message will do

The job of moving the folks from the pew

But I must keep it brief. I must watch my time

For at noon I will hear the watches all chime

This is a season so full of distractions

But we know that this world has no satisfaction

If we don’t share the Gospel of Christ

Not just his birth, but his paying our price

If we speak of the manger, but not of the cross

The fullness of Jesus somehow gets lost

This Christmas season, do Jesus a favour

Make it a season to share Christ the Saviour

Contributed by: Don Procunier

Christmas busy - ness

Yesterday [Sunday] was another busy day.

Worship @ 9:30 am ~ we looked at the 'praising shepherds' - these were one of the lowest-paid, lowest-status jobs of the time - yet God chose to tell them first - so the question was asked 'Did people's attitudes change towards the shepherds?' The answer 'no' - but the shepherds did change - it's the same for us.

Carolling @ 11:30 am ~ Maryvale private hospital [a lovely courtyard setting] - how wonderful it was to sit and play carols - a great time of worshipping God.

Pick up @ 12:30 pm ~ the Presbyterians as part of their morning worship had a toy giving segment and these were donated to us to give out to those needing them. What a delightful group of faithful saints!

Carolling @ 3 pm ~ Gracedale nursing home [we were most welcomed] - what a privilege is ours to be welcomed into so many people's homes - the hospitality is amazing!

Anglican's @ 7:30 pm ~ we helped the city band at this carols by candlelight service held inside the church - a bit liturgical as is their way - a bit strange though at supper time where champagne was served - for me it seemed a little out of place - but for them so natural - a great time of fellowship!

A busy day 'yes' ~ a day full of worship 'yes'!

The Lord still lives in this old house

I'm a bit of a J D Sumner fan [some of you probably have no idea who he was] - he was probably the best ever bass singer. He was a one time holder of a Guinness world record honouring the lowest bass note ever reached, he was the driving force behind the Stamps Quartet, which earned secular renown as the long time vocal support for Elvis Presley. Born November 19, 1924 - he died in his sleep on November 16, 1998 - just three days short of his 74th birthday.

J D said, his brother was the preacher, his sister the testify-er, and he was just the singer - here are the words of the song he sang in those latter years - a great testimony to have!

“If this earthly tabernacle should be devolved today, I’d trade it for a finer one that would not pass away, But till the day arrives when it’s time for moving out, It’s such a joy to know the Lord still lives in this old house.

The sweetest fellowship I’ve known has fortified these walls, And peace has reigned since he’s been walking up and down the halls With snow upon the roof top now, and these hinges near worn out, It is such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house.

(Refrain) To him it’s been a dwelling place where he’s kept my hand in his. To me a home away from home is all it really is. It sure ain’t fine and fancy and all I can boast about, Is after all these years the Lord still lives in this old house.

Now there’ve been times he had the right just to up and move away And there have been days and night it took God’s amazing grace to stay But he never left this old building once, which is why I can sing and shout, That after all these years the Lord still lives in this old house.”

Asleep in the night

Let me count the ways

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote one of the English language’s most powerful love poems. It begins:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight . . .

And it ends

With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Browning’s powerful poem wasn’t the first to count love’s ways. The first was David, who a thousand years before Jesus, set down a list in Psalm 103 of ways in which God loves you and me. And his list is far more specific, far more extensive, and far more wonderful than Browning’s.

How does God love us?

He forgives our sins and heals our diseases [v3].

He preserves our life and crowns us with love and compassion [v4].

He satisfies our desires with good things [v5].

He works justice for the oppressed [v6].

He made known His ways to Moses and revealed Himself in history’s mighty acts [v7].

And the list goes on.

He is compassionate and slow to anger [v8].

He does not treat us as our sins deserve [v10].

And still there is more. Far too much to record here in this brief blog.

But if life ever seems hard and the future so bleak that you can see nothing but darkness ahead, turn in your Bible to this psalm that celebrates God’s love. As you count with David the ways that God loves you, the darkness will break. And, with David, you will be lifted up to sing God’s praise.

Was . . . and am

I love those diet ads on TV and in the newspapers that feature 'before' and 'after' pictures. Sometimes they are obviously staged. The fatter 'before' person slouches and thrusts out the tummy. The leaner, meaner 'after' shows a side view, with his chest stuck out, his tummy tucked in.
In other diet ads the young woman featured [it's almost always young, very attractive women], looks like she never had a 'before'.
The Gospel makes 'before' and 'after' claims too. In 1 Timothy 1:12-16 Paul presented himself as an example. Before he was 'a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man'. After, having met Jesus and experienced the overflow of His grace, Paul became a different man.
This is what is unique about the truth of the Gospel. It isn't just a collection of true facts, or a compilation of doctrinal data. The truth of the Gospel is vital, transforming, dynamic. It is the living, active Word of God that when welcomed into our hearts works an inner alchemy.
Violence is transmuted into compassion. Blasphemy is altered to praise. Persecution is commuted into brotherly love.
Paul said, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst". You and I may not be able to pose with Paul for the 'before' picture. But let's make sure we're right there with him for the 'after.
What you were isn't as important to God or others as what you are!

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Conclusion

The call to discipleship is an invitation to you, even today. The job of a disciple today is no different than the job of a disciple in the First Century. We are called to follow Jesus. It is our job to memorize his words. It is our job to learn his traditions and interpretations of scripture. It is our job to imitate his actions. It is our job to raise up more disciples for him.

Jesus is calling you to follow him today. You can be his disciple, even today, just as Peter or John. The choice is yours. Come and join yourself to the company of the Disciples of Jesus.

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ An important difference

But there is an important distinction that needs to be made when we speak of discipleship and the disciples of Jesus. It is a distinction that Jesus himself drew for his disciples. We find it in Matthew 23:8-10 where he says to his disciples:

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Messiah."

On the surface this would seem to contradict other parts of the NT in which we see that elders, fathers, teachers and leaders are ordained in the communities of faith. Are we to not have teachers or leaders?

The context in which he is speaking is the teacher-disciple relationship of the First Century. This teacher to student relationship is likened to a master to servant and father to son relationship.

Jesus says it is not to be like that for his disciples. He says that his disciples are not to be like other disciples in that regard. Other disciples, when they are trained go and raise disciples for themselves and then they become the teacher, the father, the rabbi, the master. Jesus' disciples are instructed not to raise disciples for themselves. There was not to be a School of Peter, a House of Andrew, an Academy of James.

The disciples of Jesus were never to take the role of master, because unlike the master's of the Pharisees or the men of the Great Assembly or sages like Hillel or Shammai, Jesus is still alive. Followers of Jesus are forbidden to make their own disciples because their job is to raise up more disciples for Jesus

For we have one teacher! The Messiah.

Ultimately, it is not that we do not have teachers among us, or elders, fathers, rabbis or even leaders. Of course we do. But we must never let our elders, fathers, rabbis, leaders or teachers take the place of our Master. We must never be the disciples of men carrying on the traditions of men. Rather, we must be disciples of the Messiah. We must never raise up disciples for ourselves, for our own self-aggrandizement. Rather we must raise up more disciples for him!

This is the peculiar distinctive of the Disciples of Jesus. Our Master is still alive.

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Summary

These aspects describe the cultural context of the institution of discipleship in the gospels. When Jesus called his disciples, these four aspects are the things they were called to do. This is how they understood their job.

He spent three years teaching them and training them. When he left them, he gave them this command, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 18:19,20) The great commission is the normal job of a disciple, to raise up more disciples.

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Part 4

To raise up disciples. It was the job of a disciple, when finally trained, to raise up his own disciples. He was to create a new generation of students and to transmit to them the memorized words of his Master, the traditions and the interpretations of his Master, the actions and behaviours of his Master. The goal was to pass the teaching and the torch of discipleship from generation to generation. So each disciple became the teacher, the rabbi, the master, and the father to a new generation of disciples.

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Part 3

To imitate their teacher's actions. It was the job of a disciple to be like his teacher. A disciple's highest calling was to be a reflection of his teacher. His goal was to one day be just like his Master. A disciple studied to learn to act and to speak and to respond the same way his Master would act and speak and respond. A disciple studied to do the things his Master did. The gospels express this concept with the words, "Every disciple, fully trained will be like his master." (Luke 6:40)

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Part 2

To learn their teacher's traditions and interpretations. It was a disciple's job to learn the tradition of how his teacher kept the commands of God and interpreted the Scriptures. Every detail about the teacher was important to the disciple. The disciple needed to learn how the teacher washed his hands, how he kept the Sabbath, how he fasted, how he prayed, how he gave charity, how he affixed a mezuzah, how he said the blessings over food, etc. Furthermore, the way the teacher interpreted passages of scriptures, the meanings he drew out, the midrashim he told, the parables and stories he used to elucidate with, the way he explained a verse or understood a concept, each of these was of utmost importance to the disciple. Details of this sort were not just trivia. To a disciple, these were like gems and pearls meant to be gathered and treasured.

The four aspects of a Disciple ~ Part 1

To memorize their teacher's words. It was the job of a disciple to memorize his teacher's words. The oral transmission process was the only method practiced among the sages. The great rabbis and Torah scholars did not write scrolls or compose books for their students to read and study. Instead, they taught orally and their disciples studied by memorizing their words. Through constant repetition, disciples memorized their teacher's words verbatim and were able to repeat them to subsequent generations.

Ta Shma - Jewish Musical Group

This is amazing!

My Jesus!

Hmmmmmm ?????

Matthew 20:1-15 [The Message]

"God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.

"He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o'clock. At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?'

"They said, 'Because no one hired us.' "He told them to go to work in his vineyard. "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.'

"Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.'

"He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'

Today when reading this parable:

I thought about the many years given—the sacrifices made—to become skilled in a particular area—someone we would call a professional.

I thought about the young person who at 15 years of age leaves school to become a ‘checkout person’ at the local supermarket—someone we would see as doing a menial task.

I thought about the hourly rate paid for each of these people—how incredibly far apart they are!

THEN, I thought

I wonder what the world would be like if we were all paid the exact same hourly rate—no matter what!!!!!!!!!

I WONDER ???????

Incarnational

At the recent ACC:07 OTHERS - 'incarnational' was a word used abundantly.

Here are some thoughts I have on incarnational.

Incarnational - being somewhere in the flesh - but not just a state of being but an ongoing activity. We participate in the process of this activity by 'incarnating' ourselves everyday through our thoughts/feelings - our choices/actions - our relationships - our work.

Incarnational - is not just a personal event - but our participation in community - our interconnectedness with the world Jesus died for.

May I be so bold to suggest that everyone is incarnational!

So then for Christians 'incarnational' - is being Christ-like - 24/7 - 365 wherever I am incarnate!

Did Jesus die for you?

My return

Have you been patiently awaiting my return - 3 weeks without Internet access - I think I actually went through withdrawal symptoms.

So here I am again connected - I spent last evening catching up on emails only 39 left to read and respond to - not too bad out of 300+ .

So over the next few days I will update you on what's been happening - the challenges of ACC - and life for me at the moment!

Well best get back to those emails!!!!!

Come

There was an old Jewish saying that said to follow a rabbi was to "be covered with the dust of his feet." When Jesus says, "Come" how close to him do you get?

"Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed." Matthew 4:18-20

Samekh Chet

According to the Jewish calendar September 13th ends the past year and we will enter into the year 5768 or 'the year of Samekh Chet'.

The year of the full circle of life ... a new beginning is yours.

It truly is a new day!
Get ready to become all that God has promised!

My deepest thanks!

To all of you who have and are praying for my health - please accept this as my personal thanks. It has been much appreciated and has made a difference in my health.

17 days and still counting!

It's been 17 days now - 17 days of being unwell - and the doctor said today it will be at least another 2 weeks before all is clear and working correctly. So with medication, physio exercises life is getting a little easier and each day I feel a little stronger - a little more normal.
The confinement has been quite bearable - lots of sleep - but in the waking moments lots of time to talk with God - to once again centre myself in Him - to refocus on what is important - priorities - to look again at goals - where God wants me to be - what is His focus for me here!

So, back at work with strict orders not to overdo it - light duties - so what are light duties for an officer? I know that there is no question - no other option for me at this time and I will be obedient - but it got me thinking - do we as officers, as Christians, sometimes choose light duties rather than getting stuck into the fight?

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm comes from two Greek words: en (within); theos (God).

Therefore, enthusiasm means God within!

Since God is not condemning, complaining and criticizing you, then when we ourselves do these things, we know it is not God within speaking!

But, your Creator is within you enabling you to speak words that build up instead of tear down; words that encourage rather than discourage; words that admire rather than disparage; words that compliment rather than destroy.

Things that make you say "Hmmmmm...."

What if we are not joyful today because we were not thankful yesterday? And what if we are blessed tomorrow because we are grateful today?

What if we are not inspired and motivated today because we were not committed and disciplined yesterday? And what if we are inspired and motivated tomorrow because we are committed and disciplined today?

What if we were never able to see a rainbow because we were too busy complaining about the rain? And what if today we couldn’t experience the warmth of the sun because we focused on the coldness of the shadow?

What if there were no more books tomorrow because we didn’t take the time to read today? And what if there were no life changing tapes today because we didn’t take the time to record our experiences yesterday?

What if our prayers were not answered tomorrow because we didn’t listen to our heart today? And what if we did not follow our true "calling" today because we did not "hear" the phone ring yesterday?

What if life does not give you what you want today because you didn’t ask for it yesterday? And what if life will give you anything you want tomorrow if you would simply ask for it today?

What if you have gotten today ten times what you gave yesterday? And what if you get tomorrow ten times what you give today?

What if you are not getting the Message today because you didn’t listen to the Messenger yesterday? And what if you don’t get the Message tomorrow because you didn’t listen to the Messenger today?

What if your life today is a reflection of your thoughts yesterday? And what if your thoughts today are a reflection of your life tomorrow?

A Quiz

Can you name the following:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Brownlow medal winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss Australia contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Logie Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of AFL winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that simply care the most.

God the Historian

The Bible is a uniquely multi-layered document. Its layers are at once legal, mystical, psychological, spiritual, and ethical. At one of its layers it is also historical, and its historical frame-of-reference is particularly panoramic - the Bible is the history of the world from God’s perspective. It is history in its most seminal and universal sense. It is the history of man’s struggle to come to terms with the reality and implications of his createdness. In truth, throughout all of human history, there is only one story to be told, one story that has ultimate, absolute, and objective value. This is the story about how a created being - a being who like all other creations is utterly dependent, contingent, and ephemeral - the human being, was given the freedom to choose whether or not to confront the deeply unsettling fact of his being created, and how he used that freedom to either delude himself into a false sense of being or to achieve actual being by forging a bond with his Creator.

God the author

God is a best-selling author and the people of His book have had a remarkable impact on mankind; the question is, What is God’s book all about? And the answer, it seems, is that it depends who you ask. Some find in His book the roots and principles of morality and human ethics, some find poetry and drama, some find the keys to love and faith, while others see a great legal code or a map for archeologists with an interest in the ancient Near East. All of these answers are reflective of how different people with different perspectives, backgrounds, and interests relate to the Bible. But what about God? After all, He is the author. What is the Bible from God’s perspective?

Absolute Being

God's existence is absolute. The notion that God's being is absolute includes the following: He is fully complete in and of Himself. The nature of His completeness is such that he lacks nothing and needs nothing. God also has no restrictions or limitations and as such, nothing can exist "outside" of Him because if anything were able to exist in a way that was separate from His existence, then there would be some sort of a dividing line between these two existences. And all dividing lines indicate a boundary or limitation of sorts. God, the absolute being, has no bounds or limitations. Additionally, absolute being means that His existence is unchanging. God never becomes "more" or "less" in any way; He is never different.

Lastly, absolute being means that His existence is self-sufficient. Hang on to your hats for this one: To say that God has always existed and required nothing to initiate His existence, and to further say that He will always exist and needs nothing to maintain His existence is true, though somewhat inaccurate. The inaccuracy has to do with the issue of time. Since God's being exists even when time does not exist, this means that concepts like always, before, and after have no relevance to His being. So it's not that He always existed and always will exist, it's just that He is. Get it?

Can we do less?

When people around the world were worshiping thunder and wind, the Jews had but one word to say - God. When people were lionizing the Spartan and the gladiator, the Jews had but one word to say - God. When life and history called on people to revel in their basest nature, to dehumanize themselves and others, the Jews had but one word to say - God. And when, in every age, people searched for meaning, sanctity, and spirituality, the Jews had but one word to say - God.

First things first

In biblical times, the first portion of every crop was considered to be intrinsically holy and set apart for God. In fact, until the first crops were offered to God, the whole field was considered to be holy and none of it could be eaten. (Leviticus 23:14) The idea that the crops of the land are holy until an offering is made is still even practised today among traditional Africans in Uganda and Sudan. In these agrarian cultures, the fertility of animals and ability to grow crops is essential to survival, and assumed to be due to God's favour.

In biblical times the same thing applied to animals - the first male born of the mother was set apart to be given to God, out of thankfulness that He gave the ability to produce, trusting that He would bless with more later. The first products of animal and land, therefore, were considered to be great blessings, the most special offerings to give back to God. That is why in Proverbs it says,

"Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. " (Proverbs 3:9-10)

If we want to apply that to our own lives, that means that we should assume that the first and best of everything that we have is a special blessing from God and something we should offer back to Him. He gave us our relationships, our family, our time, our job, and our money. Do we offer the best back to Him, or do we give him the "last fruits" of our time, our effort and our money?

A great day!

What a great day!

It is so good to spend the day with God ~ and with people who love Him ~ to share in worship together.

This morning was awesome ~ a real blessing ~ a reminder that even though we mess up God still loves us - forgives us - uses us!

This afternoon ~ a combined church service ~ different parts of the body - but one GOD ~ and we worshipped Him in unity! Hallelujah!

Do you know if you're on the right track?

Let me share with you how you can know without a shadow of doubt that you are on the right track ~ you know ~ the straight and narrow. It's quite simple really ~ it's the track that has people on both sides trying to bash the life out of you ~ they hit from above, they hit from below, they hit you from in front, they hit you from behind, they hit you all at once, they take it in turns, they are everywhere!!!!

"We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken." 2 Corinthians 4:8&9

Salvo Surfers!

So we have a Salvo Surfers now - way to go James!
I've been praying for this group - then my mate Chris Hambrecht sends me his latest cartoon - wow - it's a surfing one - so here it is for all you surfers and the newly formed Salvo Surfers.
Chris does some awesome cartoons - you can check him out at www.emdoodle.com

Harry Potter

We went and saw Harry Potter 5 Order of Phoenix today!

What got to me about this movie was the big battle scene at the end - when it's just down to Voldemort and Harry - then Harry works out the secret - the one thing he has that Voldemort doesn't - and it's the one thing that makes him stronger!! For Harry it was the relationships he had with his friends. For me it is more than that - it is the relationship I have with God.

It reminded me of 2nd Corinthians 4:6-8

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Contrasts!

Today I was wowed by an amazing thing that happened - quite unexpected - in one of those situations where you think 'how did I get stuck in this' and more importantly 'how do I get out of this without causing too much pain?' When out of the blue someone [never would have expected this in a million years] says something so simple, yet so profound and the situation is over - no pain, no fuss. I felt like I should bend down and pick up my bottom jaw - it was so amazing!

In contrast to that - have you ever felt really grimy and dusty - you know, you can actually taste the dust in your mouth and there doesn't seem to be any part of you that isn't dusty! You just want to rush home and jump in the shower, and its such a great feeling to be clean again! Well, I had that feeling tonight - no not physically, but spiritually, my very being felt grimy and dusty - I just needed to get out - to get clean!

A day of meetings

The first meeting today was simply the best - it was one of those meetings where the brain snaps into gear and you see all these possibilities - you get really focussed on what can happen - and how you are going to get there!

The last meeting today was simply the worst - it was going absolutely nowhere - and was doing it at a snail's pace - and all you could think about was 'get me outta here!'

What was the difference?

The first was focussed on working together to improve the community - working together to make life better for people - a case of helping others, but being helped at the same time.

The last was inward focussed - it was about control - this is the way it is going to be - toe the line.

I want no part in the last - but I will put every effort into the first!

SO many opportunities are arising - but some of them are not right! Lord, help us to know which opportunities to grab with both hands and which ones to turn our backs on!

Life is a journey

On Saturday I popped into the hall to pick up some music for Sunday - while I was there I noticed 3 messages on the answer machine so I listened to them - normally I would just record them and fix them on Monday - the first was a lady asking could we ring back as soon as we got this message - the next two were hang-ups [no message left] - my immediate response was to ring the lady - what a tragic story she had to tell - she just needed someone to share with outside the circumstances - someone to listen - not judge - just hear what she was saying.

On Sunday I felt lead by God to share some of my Dad's story - an incredible man who many years ago made an amazing commitment - which he kept until the day he died.

Yesterday a man came to the office door - he was scruffy, dirty, looked like he'd had a hard night on the tiles - he just wanted someone to listen - so we sat in the office - he poured out his heart - he was a grandpa overwhelmed by the tragedies of life - just wanting the immense pain to subside to sadness - he could cope with sadness - maybe even find hope again - it will be a long journey.

Over and over my dad's favourite song raced through my mind - my heart melted with the realization of those words - I wanted to be the one who drew near, to be the helper of men in their time of need - but more than that I wanted this man to know that "Christ is the water of life". He does!!!!

Life is a journey;
Long is the road,
And when the noontide is high
Souls that are weary
Faint 'neath their load,
Long for the waters, and cry:

The well is deep and I require
A draught of the water of life,
But none can quench
My soul's desire
For a draught of the water of life;
Till one draws near
Who the cry will heed,
Helper of men in their time of need,
And I, believing, find indeed
That Christ is the water of life.
~ Albert Orsborn

Starship Discovery

We have just completed a full week of 9 am to 3 pm school holiday program.
It has been a great week - a total of 17 children came along - we had 5 young people from the division come to lead the week with their leader Richard from DHQ.

We had music, craft, stories, memory verses, games, morning tea, lunch, work sheets, movie, walks, a visit to the fun shed, MacDonalds - it was a spaceship of activity all week.

It was a really great week - the kids were fantastic - the leaders were just awesome - it all came together fantastically - new friendships were made - new souls for the kingdom - and the possibility of our regular Kidz Klub growing to twice it's size this term.

God is good!!!

Risky business

Demonstrating mature faith can seem like risky business. Perhaps God has called you to an assignment that made you say, “What? There’s no way I could do that!” The truth is, however, that the Lord calls His followers to radical obedience every day. And when we hear Him speak, He expects us to act!

Just think about what the disciples in the boat must have thought in Matthew 14:22-33, when Peter stepped out onto the water: He’s crazy! Somebody grab him! Nevertheless, Peter trusted the call of Christ.

Isn’t it interesting that Peter had no trouble walking on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus? As long as his total focus was on Christ, he was fine. Yet,when he allowed himself to be distracted by human fears, he fell neck-deep in trouble—literally!

This demonstrates an important principle: When doubts prevent us from obeying God, we are doomed to failure. But when we step out in faith, God always assumes full responsibility for the consequences of our obedience.

The story of Peter’s walk on the lake teaches us three things. First, we can trust that God will call us into challenging situations which force us to face our fears. Second, we are assured of the enduring presence of Christ, who stands ready to rescue us when we cry out to Him. Third, we know that the Spirit of God will never let us fall beyond His reach.

Training

Often we think that if our children just watch our walk with Christ it will naturally rub off on them. We do need to be aware of what our children see lived out in us, but God demands more of us in preparing our children for life. He calls us to train them.

To “train up” requires that parents impart wisdom, love, nurture, and discipline to their children so that they become fully equipped and committed to the Lord. “In the way he should go” implies that the training should be according to the unique personality, gifts, and aspirations of each child. It also means that children should be taught to avoid any of their natural tendencies that might prevent them from making a total commitment to Christ.

In order for training to be effective, children must put into practice what they are taught. Opportunities to demonstrate their spiritual skills must be given them so that when the real challenges come they will pass the test—both now and for a lifetime.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Too busy?

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons, and in his opening address he said, “We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

His legions of fallen were aghast and wrung their hands in despair.

Ever the villain, Satan went on to explain his new strategy. “Let them go to their churches,” he said. “Let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don't have enough of it to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do," hissed the Devil. "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

“How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

“Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

Like a coach, he roared, “Keep them busy, busy, busy! When they meet for spiritual fellowship, they’ll leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work," he pronounced. “It will work," they agreed.

It was quite a plan! You might wonder if it worked, or you may be too busy to give it a second thought.

What would it be like?

What would it be like for an average person to meet a prophet? Would his elevated spiritual stature be immediately recognizable; would we perceive the "the Divine Presence" that rests upon him? Would we be moved or shaken by the palpable sanctity that emanates from a person of God?

I think that the answer to this question can only be offered by those who have met spiritually advanced people, no longer to be taken for granted in our day, place and age. Had you been fortunate to have spoken, confided in or be affected by such an individual, I am certain that your answer would have been unquestioningly affirmative. The charisma and the sense of purity and transcendence that envelope a sincere servant of God cannot be communicated in words but only through experience. It something that is sensed by everyone around him or her.

The Bible describes many meetings between prophets and other individuals that typify this fact. Among them, in 2 Kings 9:1-13 is a portrayal of the effect that an anonymous prophet had upon a group of military leaders and generals, leading to coronation of Yehu.

“One day Elisha the prophet ordered a member of the guild of prophets, "Get yourself ready, take a flask of oil, and go to Ramoth Gilead. Look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi. When you find him, get him away from his companions and take him to a back room. Take your flask of oil and pour it over his head and say, 'God's word: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and get out of there as fast as you can. Don't wait around."

The young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. On arrival he found the army officers all sitting around. He said, "I have a matter of business with you, officer." Jehu said, "Which one of us?" "With you, officer."

He got up and went inside the building. The young prophet poured the oil on his head and said, "God's word, the God of Israel: I've anointed you to be king over the people of God, over Israel. Your assignment is to attack the regime of Ahab your master. I am avenging the massacre of my servants the prophets—yes, the Jezebel-massacre of all the prophets of God. The entire line of Ahab is doomed. I'm wiping out the entire bunch of that sad lot. I'll see to it that the family of Ahab experiences the same fate as the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the family of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, the dogs will eat her carcass in the open fields of Jezreel. No burial for her!" Then he opened the door and made a run for it.

Jehu went back out to his master's officers. They asked, "Is everything all right? What did that crazy fool want with you?" He said, "You know that kind of man—all talk." "That's a lie!" they said. "Tell us what's going on."

He said, "He told me this and this and this—in effect, 'God's word: I anoint you king of Israel!'"

They sprang into action. Each man grabbed his robe; they piled them at the top of the steps for a makeshift throne. Then they blew the trumpet and declared, "Jehu is king!"

Yehu was sitting in a company of his equals, all accomplished military leaders, all captains of large companies, men who had seen their share of heroism, treachery, suffering and defeat - men not easily impressed. Yet, as soon as they saw this young prophet, they were stricken with a premonition for they saw that he was not a common person. They immediately recognize greatness and they knew that this man did not come to them for trivial purposes. Note how they attempt to drawn this realization in mockery and scorn, calling the messenger a crazy fool, denying the importance of his message. Yet, as soon as Yehu shares it with them, they know, they know that this was a prophet of God. Immediately and unanimously they embark on a dangerous and uncertain rebellion and void their previously secure allegiance to the king to crown one who was previously their equal. Such was the impression that the "crazy fool" made upon this group.

In the net

It’s strange how we read the Bible: we filter everything through our own world view, our own culture, our own life-setting.

Matthew 4:18-22 (The Mesasage)

“Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.

A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.”

The kind of fishing envisioned in this text is net-fishing. Notice “throwing their nets into the lake” (v. 18), “dropped their nets” (v. 20), “mending their fishnets” (v. 21). Now, to be sure, the ancient world knew of line-fishing as well (cf. Matt 17:24-27). But that is not what was envisioned in the imagery of “fishing for men.”

The standard Greek lexicon speaks of the net as circular, having heavy weights around its perimeter. Fishermen would either stand on the shore and repeatedly cast their nets into the water, or drop their nets from a boat. In Matthew 4, the nets used were those tossed from the shoreline. The occupation of fisherman was rather labour-intensive.

The imagery of a fisherman involved much strain, long hours, and often little results. Jesus’ point may have been one or more of the following:

• the strenuousness of evangelism (unlike line-fishing, which is often caricatured as a means to get a good nap, net-fishing is very labour-intensive)

• the work ethic that it required more than a focus on the skill involved

• persistence and dedication to the task (often in spite of minimal results)

• the infinite value of the new “catch” (viz., people)

• perhaps an eschatological theme of snatching people from judgement. (If this last motif is in view, then catching people is the opposite of catching fish: the fish would be caught, killed, cooked, and eaten; people would be caught so as to remove them from the eternal flames of hell and to give them new life. The correspondence, in this instance, involves an implied antonym.

Now all of this is not to say that the Bible denies some of the imagery that line-fishing conjures up. After all, we are told that our words need to be seasoned with salt, so as to attract unbelievers to the truth and power and grace of the gospel (cf. Colossians 4:6; similarly, Matthew 5:13-16). Thus, the concept of using bait—something to attract people to the gospel—is a biblical concept. The question is whether it is taught in Matthew 4:18-22 and with the imagery fishing for men.