Rowelty Rappings

For all you budding soloists an Advent song:

2011-11-26T16:40:00.002+11:00

Christmas Time is Coming Once Again

(sung to “Winter Wonderland”)

Lyrics by Major William Clarke.

Hear the bells now a-ringing,
hear the songs we’re a-singing,

The glad happy sound tells those all around:

Christmas time is coming once again.

There’s the band serenading,
there’s St. Nick out parading,

Each in his own way proclaiming the day,

Christmas time is coming once again.

Listen to the children as they chatter;

Listen to the “Merry Christmas” call;

Listen to the shoppers as they clatter:

They’re buying pretty presents, one and all.

It’s a time filled with gladness,
cast away all your sadness;

Just lift up your voice in song, and rejoice:

Christmas time is coming once again.

Long ago angels told it,
Shepherds came to behold it,

Each year we reveal how happy we feel;

Christmas time is coming once again.

Every year, in December,
we take time to remember

The baby who came, Christ Jesus his name,

Christmas time is coming once again.

He who found his cradle in a manger

One day bore our sins upon the cross;

There to rid our souls from sin and danger,

He died to free our souls from guilt and loss.

Now to all tell the story,
stand and give God the glory!

Rejoice ever more, your Saviour adore:

Christmas time is coming once again.

Genealogy of Genesis 5

2011-11-05T06:25:00.000+11:00

Adam Man (is)
Seth Appointed
Enosh Mortal
Kenan Sorrow; (but)
Mahalalel The Blessed God
Jared Shall come down
Enoch Teaching
Methuselah His death shall bring
Lamech The Despairing
Noah Comfort, Rest

From A to Z

2011-11-05T05:50:00.005+11:00

ALPHA, the ATONING SACRIFICE of our sins, our ADVOCATE, the AMEN, the ALMIGHTY the AUTHOR and Finisher of our Faith.

BABE OF BETHLEHEM, the BELOVED SON, the BRIDEGROOM, the BLESSED HOPE, the BREAD of Life, the BRIGHT and Morning Star, Jesus is the BALM of Gilead.

CHRIST, the CREATOR, the CORNERSTONE, the COUNSELOR, the COMFORTER, the CHOSEN one, CRUCIFIED One, the CHIEF SHEPHERD of the Sheep.

DOOR, the DAYSTAR, your DELIGHT, your DELIVERER, the DESIRE of All Nations.

EMMANUEL, the EXALTED One; from EVERLASTING to Everlasting He is God.

FAITHFUL and True Witness, the FIRST FRUITS of the Resurrection, the FOUNTAIN of LIFE; the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY, Jesus is the FRIEND OF SINNERS.

GOOD Shepherd, He is GOOD, and He’s our GOVERNOR. Jesus is the GOD the GREAT PHYSICIAN.

HOLY One, our HOPE, our HELPER, our HEALER, , and our HIGH PRIEST.

I AM, our INHERITANCE, THE IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD, the INDESCRIBABLE GIFT.

JUDGE, He is JEHOVAH, He’s our JOY, and He’s our JUSTIFIER.

KING, and THE KING OF KINGS, KING OF GLORY.

LORD, He is LIFE, He is LOVE, and He’s the LIBERATOR, the LAWGIVER, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, the LIVING WATER, the LION of the Tribe of Judah, the LAMB of God who takes away the sin of the world, He is the LORD of lords.

MESSIAH, the MASTER, and the MEDIATOR. Jesus is the MAN OF SORROWS.

NAZARENE, the NEW WINE, the NEW COVENANT, the NAME that is above all other names.

OMEGA, OFFERING for Sin, He’s OMNIPOTENT; Jesus is the ONLY BEGOTTEN of the Father.

PROPHET, the PRIEST, the PASSOVER Lamb, the PROPITIATION for our Sin; He is the PRINCE OF PEACE.

QUICK and the Powerful Word of God. He’s the QUIETER of the storms of Life.

REDEEMER, the REFUGE, REFINER, the ROSE OF SHARON, the RESURRECTION and the Life, Jesus is the ROCK OF AGES cleft for me. He is the RADIANCE of God’s Glory.

SAVIOUR, the SHEPHERD, the SUFFERING SERVANT, SINLESS SUBSTITUTE, He’s the SON OF MAN, He’s the STONE which the builders rejected, Jesus is the SWEETEST NAME I Know.

TRUTH, He’s the TEACHER, the TESTATOR of the will of God, and He’s your TABERNACLE.

UNBLEMISHED Lamb of God, UNDERSTANDING, the UNCHANGING GOD; He is the UNCTION OF THE SPIRIT.

VINE, He’s the VICARIOUS SACRIFICE, He’s the VICTOR OVER DEATH and the grave.

WAY, He’s the WORD MADE FLESH, He’s the WITNESS, the WATER OF LIFE, and His name is WONDERFUL.

'X' EXPECTED MESSIAH of the Old Testament and EXALTED LORD of the New Testament.

YOKE fellow and YESTERDAY, today and forever He’s the same.

ZION’S HOLY KING. Hallelujah what a Saviour!

He’s the A and the Z and everything in between. He is all I need. Because I have Him, I have everything.

Who wants $20?

2011-07-18T07:15:00.001+10:00

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

You are Special - Don't ever forget it.

"Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams"

Have you done a demographic study of your Church membership?

2011-07-17T06:33:00.000+10:00

In it’s simplest form all you need to do is to look at the records for the past 5 or 10 years and see how many new members have been made and compare that with how many have left.

[You can learn a lot more by analyzing the gains and losses e.g. are the gains biological – youngsters of existing members - or transfers from other churches. And are the losses inevitable as would be the case for deaths.]

Basically, if your gains are not covering your losses, you’re in trouble!

And if you haven’t seen any new members made in the last five years, you’re in even deeper trouble!

Friendship

2011-07-08T07:02:00.001+10:00

I met some old friends in town today,
We talked about this and that;
The time passed quickly, needless to say,
It does when you stop and chat;

Their lives had moved on since last we met,
We’re older and going grey;
But mem’ries were stirred and time stood still,
When we talked of yesterday.

We shared the dreams we hoped to fulfil,
And spoke of plans we have made,
The conversation ebbed and it flowed,
As times were again replayed.

We listened with care to news now told,
Insights, opinions, too,
We heard successes proudly announced,
Gave credit where praise was due.

We said our goodbyes, ‘we’ll keep in touch’;
True friendship is hard to beat.
If joy like this, even half as much
Could be when Jesus we meet!

If human friendship can be so rich,
And give us so much pleasure,
To meet with Jesus, compared to this,
Must be the greatest treasure.

God versus Science

2011-07-06T08:11:00.000+10:00

"Let me explain the problem science has with religion."

The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes"

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment.

"Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it.. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good....!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues.

"He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says.

He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything correct??"

"Yes"

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.

"Who created them?" There is still no answer.

Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

"Tell me," he continues onto another student.

"Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks.

"Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing.. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt Jesus, tasted Jesus or smelled Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes"

"According to the rules of empirical,testable, demonstrable protocol,

science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment,before asking a question of His own.

"Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

" Yes."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

"You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called "cold". We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that.

There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.

Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

There is silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor, is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light,flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it?"

"That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.

"Now tell me, professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in an uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter. "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent..

The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith.."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

The student was Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein did write a book entitled God vs. Science in 1921.

Worth a read!

2011-07-06T07:48:00.001+10:00

A few years after I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on. As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: mum taught me to obey, and dad taught me good from evil. But the stranger…. He was our story teller….. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to our first major league football game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking. But dad didn’t seem to mind. Sometimes, mum would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.) Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honour them. Profanity, example, was not allowed in our home.. not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long-time visitor, however got away with four letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush. My dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely [much too freely!] about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing. I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked… and never asked to leave. More than 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents home today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name?…... we just call him ‘TV.’

[He has a wife now… we call her ‘computer.’]

The will of God

2011-06-24T05:40:00.000+10:00

The will of God will never take you . . .
Where the grace of God cannot keep you
    Where the arms of God cannot support you
      Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs
        Where the power of God cannot endow you

The will of God will never take you . . .
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you
    Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you
       Where the army of God cannot protect you
         Where the hands of God cannot mold you

The will of God will never take you . . .
Where the love of God cannot enfold you
    Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you
      Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears
        Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you

The will of God will never take you . . .
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears
    Where the Word of God cannot feed you
      Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you
        Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you

Good Friday @ Scottsdale

2011-04-22T23:19:00.001+10:00

We had the hall darkened except for the side door near the front where the sun was shining through - our glimmer of hope among the gloom. Just as we started to sing Keith Getty's The power of the cross - the sun went behind the clouds & the room lost it's glimmer of sunshine. Then as we got to the final chorus the sun came out again & our glimmer of hope glowed brightly. Thank you God for the visual effects!!!

Here are the words in case you don't know them!

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

For all those officers who have purchased dogs in recent days!

2011-04-02T10:34:00.000+11:00

The Majors (Salvation army Pastors) decided they needed a dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be Christian.

They visited an expensive kennel and explained their needs to the manager, who assured them he had just the dog for them. The dog was produced and the manager said, "Fetch the Bible."

The dog bounded to the bookshelf, scrutinized the books, located the Bible, and brought it to the manager.

The manager then said "Find Psalms 23". The dog, showing marvelous dexterity with his paws, leafed thru the Bible, found the correct passage, and pointed to it with his paw. Duly impressed, the Majors purchased the dog.

That evening a group of the Corps people came to the Majors' home for a prayer meeting. After the prayers over a cup of coffee, the Majors began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses.

The visitors were amazed. Finally, one man asked, "Can he do normal dog tricks too?"

"Let's see" said the Major. Pointing his finger at the dog, he commanded "Heel!"

The dog immediately jumped up on a chair, placed one paw on the Major's forehead and began to howl.

The Major turned to his wife and exclaimed "Good grief, we've bought a Pentecostal dog!"

Battle ready

2010-08-04T07:00:00.000+10:00

If we were heading off to battle, we wouldwant to do it with a map of the terrain, an awesome battle plan, and the mostincredible weapons. We would want to be fully equipped for whatever came ourway. The truth is we head off to battle everyday … a spiritual battle.

As Christians, we are part of God’s armyand everyday we are faced with the challenge of honouring God with our lifestyleand our faith. Where the difficulty lies, is within the trials we face eachday. But, by knowing God’s Word and keeping it in our heart at all times, we can have the confidence to fight the battle everyday.

51 Word Bible

2010-08-04T06:40:00.000+10:00

God's Creation!

Satan's Deception.

Adam's Consumption.

Noah's Boat.

Abraham's Faith.

Joseph's Dreams.

Pharaoh’s Oppression.

Moses' Escape.

Doubters’Wandering.

Joshua's Conquests.

Judges’ Strength.

David's Slingshot.

Solomon's Wisdom.

Prophets' Proclamations.

Israel’s Scattering.

Mary's Delivery!

Jesus' Miracles.

Rabbi’s Lessons.

Lamb’s Death.

Resurrection!

Spirit's Arrival.

Disciples’ Testimony.

Paul's Letters.

Churches' Multiplication.

World's Demise.

Heaven's Triumph!

Earth is salted with beauty that leaves us wanting more

2010-08-03T06:21:00.002+10:00

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.”

God hasstrewn exquisite beauty all around us, but only on a sample platter. Beauty,says Ecclesiastes, has a time-limit. Just a taste here, a glimpse there, afleeting touch, and then it’s over. God sprinkles just enough eternity over usto make earth feel incomplete. We sense it in our souls -- earth’s paradises areonly appetizers, leaving us hungry for more.

Islife just a tragic comedy that means nothing? So the best you can do is follow Solomon’s philosophy to eat, drink, andbe merry because tomorrow you die. Or could it be that God has brushed thecommonplace with the scent of Another Place to lead us to the one place wherewe can find what we’re looking for? Maybe all our unfulfilled longings are meant to drive us to God Himself.

Everythingin the world and in the Word points here.

Romans 1:20 makes this connection aswell: “From the creation of the worldHis invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, havebeen clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result,people are without excuse.”

Psalm 19:1-2 tellsus that “the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the workof His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night theycommunicate knowledge.”

God wants us to find our happiness in Him, theonly One who can fill the hollow places of our soul.

Holy Gossip - is there such a thing?

2010-08-02T06:33:00.000+10:00

Did you know Gossip isrelated to the word for godparent, so it has a holy derivation. I was shockedwhen I discovered this! Unholy gossip is bad, of course, but I have a healthyrespect for holy gossip.

I love the time just before prayer meeting starts on Sunday mornings where we sit in the peacefulness of the sanctuary and in that holy environment we contemplate the week past and all the people we have met and shared with, what's really been happening, and we share the joys and concerns for our church family and the community. This is an amazing way to get focussed before the Lord and pray with holy intent.

Holy gossip is so much a part of being a member of community - staying in touch with friends, neighbours and relatives - does he really want to see people, or is he too tired? Should I drop in today? That isgood gossip. This not only helps with prayer but also it helps me know who to ring or bump into during the coming week.

I personally believe holygossip helps us build a stronger church community - which in turn makes a more positive impact on our community!

What was God thinking?

2010-07-29T06:59:00.001+10:00

This is certainly an accurate description ofthe beginning of the Christian movement. I doubt that any of us would havedevised God's invasion of human history the way he did.

Jesus was born as an apparently illegitimatechild to an unmarried couple who were obscure members of a small nation on theoutskirts of the Roman Empire. He lived in such obscurity that apart from theNew Testament we know very little about him (although the Roman and Jewishhistorical references corroborate the New Testament). His brief three-yearpublic ministry ended apparently in complete failure: rejected by his people,betrayed by one of his disciples, deserted by the rest, condemned by Rome, anderased in the most ignominious form of execution.

Even though his disciples claimed hewas the Messiah who was raised from the dead, they were hardly the kind ofpeople you would expect to start a worldwide movement. They were blue-collarworkers who came from the wrong part of Israel and had no formal education,military might, or political clout. This movement should have evaporated likehundreds of other small religious sects.

How many of you like Math?

2010-07-29T06:57:00.000+10:00

Thought you might like a math lesson tofind out how much God loves us.

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula for our math lesson thatmight help answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11= 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5= 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4= 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will getyou there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Electronic Music

2010-03-22T07:15:00.001+11:00

We have no musicians here in Scottsdale - so the use of electronic music is the go. SO we have added to our cd & dvd collection to cover the necessary music we require. Among these have been the Hallelujah Choruses - I have always loved playing them in the band & it is great to have the Norridge Citadel Band at our meetings each week to play for us. For those older folks in our congregation they have appreciated the brass in the accompaniment and are quite enjoying the more modern songs [1980 is modern compared to most in our song book]. Here is one we have used a couple of times now leading into our prayer time.

When I look into Your holiness

When I look into Your holiness,
When I gaze into Your loveliness,

When all things that surround
Become shadows in the light of you;

When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart,
When my will becomes enthralled in Your love,
When all things that surround
Become shadows in the light of you.

I worship You, I worship You,
The reason I live is to worship you.
I worship You, I worship You,
The reason I live is to worship you.

I love how music brings us into the presence of God!!!

Coffee Drinkers - catchy tune/great words

2010-03-13T10:39:00.001+11:00

(verse 1)

I need my morning coffee
Like the flowers need the sun
Without that jolt of java
This ol' dog ain't gonna run.
My fondest dream's a coffee bean
That's roasted golden brown
So fill it to the rim, my friend
Caffeine, don't let me down!
(Chorus)
I've died and gone to Starbucks
There's latte in the air
A double mocha, venti, please
With room for cream to spare.
My spirits quickly soarin'
With another cup o' joe --
I've died and gone to Starbucks
Have mercy on my soul!

(verse 2)
I'll have a cup of Breakfast Blend
To get an early start
And then some Kona coffee
Just to keep me feelin' smart.
A cup of cappuccino
Somewhere along the way
And how about a DoubleShot
To finish up my day!

(Chorus)
I've died and gone to Starbucks
There's latte in the air
A double mocha, venti, please
With room for cream to spare.
My spirits quickly soarin'
With another cup o' joe --
I've died and gone to Starbucks
Have mercy on my soul!

(verse 3)
I know there are some folks out there
Who say it's in my head
"Give up that habit, son" they say,
"Drink caffeine-free instead!"
Well, thanks for the advice;
I think I'll keep my normal brew
Just pour the highest octane
If it's all the same to you!

(Chorus)
I've died and gone to Starbucks
There's latte in the air
A double mocha, venti, please
With room for cream to spare.
My spirits quickly soarin'
With another cup o' joe --
I've died and gone to Starbucks
Have mercy on my soul!

http://larryholdermusic.org/died_and_gone_to_starbucks.html

Tests of the Kingdom

2010-03-13T09:12:00.001+11:00

Matthew 7:13-27

So in this concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount we have three tests which will prove we are Kingdom living.

First, [13 & 14] - society around us is going one way, the broad way, while we are to be going the narrow way, the way of Christ, e.g. by turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, putting our personal rights aside for the sake of another.

Second, [15-23] Kingdom living bears good fruit, which refers not only to the fruit of the Spirit [Galaians 5:22-23]: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control, but to holy living [Romans 6:22] and good works [Ephesians 2:10].

And third, [24-27] Kingdom living is not based on a church, a creed, or a good life, but on Jesus Christ who died for the believer - so Kingdom living is living the word and not just hearing [James 1:22].

Conclusion: the kingdom will be populated by those who live for an audience of One, namely, Jesus Christ the King.

Matthew 7:28-29 (MSG)

When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

Righteousness of the Kingdom

2010-03-06T08:48:00.000+11:00

Matthew 6:1 to 7:12

The first half of chapter 6 deals with our worship of God.

Jesus deals with giving, praying, and fasting [particular areas of Pharisaic abuse]. The principle is given at the outset in verse 1:

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding."

The second half of chapter 6 deals with the intentions and ambitions of our heart. The emphasis here is on our focus in life and how we expend or invest our energies. The principle here is given in verses 19-20:

Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or — worse! — stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.

In 7:1-12 Jesus deals with how we treat others. We are not to be judgmental especially with regard to fellow believers, yet we are to exercise discernment concerning unbelievers. Jesus is not simply saying “do not judge.” His point is that we are to judge wisely. Just as the earlier principle is to invest wisely. Where does one find such wisdom? He must turn to his heavenly Father . . . and ask (7:7-11).

Finally, in verse 12, the intent of the OT law is summarized in the golden rule:

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behaviour: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get."

Jesus began his teaching on kingdom righteousness in 5:17 with, "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God's Law or the Prophets." and now concludes it by saying, "Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get."

Best Occupational Category

2010-03-02T10:02:00.002+11:00

Best choice:
You're a CREATOR

Keywords:
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS

Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES

Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd choice:
You're a SOCIAL MANAGER

Keywords:
Tactful, Cooperative, Generous, Understanding, Insightful, Friendly, and Cheerful

This very social type enjoys working in groups, sharing responsibilities, and being the center of attention. Fields of interest are instructing, helping, nurturing, care giving and instructing-especially young people. They discuss and consider feelings in order to solve problems, lead, direct, persuade, guide, organize and enlighten others.

TO FIND OUT YOUR BEST OCCUPATION GO HERE:
http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/colorcareercounselor.aspx

The nature of the Kingdom itself

2010-03-02T06:32:00.000+11:00

Matthew 5:17-48 (MSG)

Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.

You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt. Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.

Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.

And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.

Kingdom Living

2010-02-28T16:30:00.001+11:00

Matthew 5:3-16 (MSG)

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Jesus with these words paints a picture of the kind of people who would populate his kingdom - in this beautifully poetic way - he wants his audience to see the character traits of kingdom citizens.

Jesus also wants his audience to see that these qualities come with great blessing — taken together, we see that these kingdom citizens possess the kingdom of heaven - they inherit the earth - they are comforted and satisfied - they receive mercy - they see God - they are called sons of God. All these blessings belong together.

Just as the eight beatitudes describe the qualities of every citizen of the kingdom - so the eight blessings belong to each of them.

Jesus goes on to teach the role of Kingdom citizens in an un-believing world:

Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Carry the flame

2010-02-08T07:30:00.000+11:00

A great song we used in worship of Sunday!

Carry the flame
Of the God of creation;
Tell of His majesty
Power and love.
Declare His name
And His plan to all nations,
Point them to glories
In Heaven above.

Carry the flame
To a world that is weary.
Carry the flame
To a world in despair.
Tell them that Jesus
Is waiting to help them.
Tell them there's hope,
That His people still care.

Carry the flame
Of the suffering Saviour,
Who brought our sinful
World to the cross,
He has provided
Eternal salvation,
Teaching us how
To gain victory through loss.

Carry the flame
Of the life-giving Spirit,
Showing the world
Where true peace is found.
Where God is leading
Us we gladly follow;
Where sin is strong,
God's grace does abound.

Carry the flame
To the next generation.
Help them rekindle
Transforming fire.
Point them to deeper
Commitment and service,
Pleasing the Lord
Their continual desire.

Carry the flame
In Jesus' name.
Carry the flame
In Jesus' name.
Amen!

© 2000 R. Thomson, William Himes / The Salvation Army

Wise words

2010-01-22T06:20:00.005+11:00

Pray for Haiti

2010-01-18T11:10:00.002+11:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2009-12-25T07:05:00.001+11:00

125 years - what a celebration!

2009-09-29T08:53:00.003+10:00

We have just returned from a weekend at Coppercoast [125 years celebration] - here are some thoughts.

We arrived at Kadina Corps on 6th February 1992 to discover that there were in actual fact 2 corps operating - Kadina [we lived next door to the hall] and Moonta - so we looked after both corps - 2 very different corps in culture and personnel. These corps were 18 kms apart.

We left 5 years and 3 weeks later - 27th February 1997.

Whilst we were there - at the request of Port Wakefield families we started SAGALA [girls] in their town [50 kms from Kadina] every Thursday night during school terms - an amazing experience in such a small community - although we travelled there only on Thursdays we became part of that community. The local Uniting Church allowed us to have a church parade in their service - absolutely awesome.

Today Coppercoast is just one corps based at Kadina - the old hall is gone and where it stood is parking spaces - the youth hall is now a work place for men [lathes etc....] - a new hall has been built on the old parking spaces - our quarters has been replaced by a purpose built Thrift shop - the new quarters is further up the road.

Many of the folks we knew have gone to their eternal reward - very few remain from those days - but those who do - it was great to catch up with and walk down memory lane - to hear them share the impact our ministry had on their lives was truly amazing - you just never know how you touch people.

Not long after we arrived at Kadina in 1992 - Campbelltown sections came up to do a weekend [already planned before we arrived] - during this time we met a family - one of the daughters had a baby and brought her along that weekend - she was a real cutie - I had lots of cuddles.

So at 125 celebration I was doubly blessed - the real cutie was there [turns 18 in Feb] wow!!! yeah, I hugged her!!! But once again I held a baby girl in my arms [she went to sleep] - the cutie's little sister and she is just as cute!!! - life is amazing!

We were stationed at Campbelltown Corps from 1999 to 2004 - I'm so glad that Campbelltown corps has folks who are members of "The Red Shield Band, Songsters & Timbrels" [special guests for the weekend] - it was great to catch up with these folks as well - and again to hear how our ministry impacted their lives.

We are truly blessed as officers to move around and be a part of so many people's lives - to share their joys, their sorrows, for that moment in time to walk beside them and be one with them.

They will always be part of us - they are our history - they are part of who we are today!

Our God .....

2009-09-07T07:04:00.002+10:00

Our God is a deeply communicative God. In fact, this is how deeply God feels the need to communicate – that He would wrap himself in our frame of reference, human images and language, human flesh and experience, in order to be heard by human ears, received into human hearts. For me, this is the magnetic attraction of Christian faith: the truth, the power and the experience of Sacrament. Christ as the God Who enters the ordinary and fills it with deity.

John van de Laar

ENFJ

2009-08-14T06:21:00.002+10:00

You are warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. You are highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. You find potential in everyone, and want to help others fulfill their potential. You may act as a catalyst for individual and group growth. You are loyal, and are responsive to praise and criticism. You are sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership. Famous people with your same ENFJ personality include: Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Dick Van Dyke, Diane Sawyer, Peyton Manning, Pete Sampras, Johnny Depp, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rain - turn up the sound!

2009-08-06T17:02:00.003+10:00

Hello

2009-08-04T19:50:00.000+10:00

Hello Glitter Scraps

Gospel = Justice

2009-08-01T09:45:00.004+10:00

It is not a matter of engaging in both the gospel and social action, as if Christian social action was something separate from the gospel itself. The gospel has to be demonstrated in word and deed. Biblically, the gospel includes the totality of all that is good news from God for all that is bad news in human life in every sphere. So like Jesus, authentic Christian mission has included good news for the poor, compassion for the sick and suffering justice for the oppressed, liberation for the enslaved. The gospel of the Servant of God in the power of the Spirit of God addresses every area of human need and every area that has been broken and twisted by sin and evil. And the heart of the gospel, in all of these areas, is the cross of Christ.

Christopher J. H. Wright

International director of John Stott Ministries

[from Knowing the Holy Spirit Throught the Old Testament]

Andrew Jones Bloggers Prayer

2009-05-29T06:55:00.001+10:00

Our Father

who lives above and beyond the dimension of the internet

Give us this day a life worth blogging,

The access to words and images that express our journey with passion and integrity,

And a secure connection to publish your daily mercies.

Your Kingdom come into new spaces today,

As we make known your mysteries,

Posting by posting,

Blog by blog.

Give this day,

The same ability to those less privileged,

Whose lives speak louder than ours,

Whose sacrifice is greater,

Whose stories will last longer.

Forgive us our sins,

For blog-rolling strangers and pretending they are friends,

For counting unique visitors but not noticing unique people,

For delighting in the thousands of hits but ignoring the ONE who returns,

For luring viewers but sending them away empty handed,

For updating daily but repenting weekly.

As we forgive those who trespass on our sites to appropriate our thoughts without reference,

Our images without approval,

Our ideas without linking back to us.

Lead us not into the temptation to sell out our congregation,

To see people as links and not as lives,

To make our blogs look better than our actual story.

But deliver us from the evil of pimping ourselves instead of pointing to you,

From turning our guests into consumers of someone else's products,

From infatuation over the toys of technology,

From idolatry over techologyFrom fame before our time has come.

For Yours is the power to guide the destinies behind the web logs,

To bring hurting people into the sanctuaries of our sites,

To give us the stickiness to follow you, no matter who is watching or reading.

Yours is the glory that makes people second look our sites and our lives,

Yours is the heavy ambience,

For ever and ever,

Amen

Traralgon Fires February 2009

2009-05-28T08:13:00.003+10:00

Traralgon Fires February 2009

2009-05-28T07:26:00.002+10:00

"Ode to the Church" by Carlo Carretto.

2009-01-24T12:02:00.001+11:00

How much I must criticize you, my church, and yet how much I love you! You have made me suffer more than anyone and yet I owe more to you than to anyone. I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence. You have given me much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness. Never in this world have I seen anything more compromised, more false, yet never have I touched anything more pure, more generous or more beautiful. Countless times I have felt like slamming the door of my soul in your face - and yet, every night, I have prayed that I might die in your sure arms! No, I cannot be free of you, for I am one with you, even if not completely you. Then too - where would I go? To build another church? But I could not build one without the same defects, for they are my defects. And again, if I were to build another church, it would be my church, not Christ's church. No, I am old enough, I know better.

Dive deeper

2009-01-15T05:39:00.002+11:00

'Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.'

Phillipians 4:6-7

When a storm swarms across the ocean surface, the fish know where the water is still -- deep down. While, on the surface, the winds and the waves rage, fathoms below lies water completely at peace. Perhaps we should learn something from fish.

In a shallow relationship with God we will find ourselves being tossed to and fro by stormy waves of circumstance. However, seeking and abiding in the depths of God, will bring a peace that passes understanding, even in the midst of great storms.

Joseph ~ a man to emulate

2009-01-09T22:51:00.004+11:00

"Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants." (Genesis 45:16)

Pharaoh was delighted when he heard that Joseph's brothers had come to Egypt. He immediately made provision to bring the entire family to Egypt so they could survive the famine in safety and comfort. He provided wagons for the move. He promised them the best of the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh's warm welcome of Joseph's brothers reveals an important detail about Joseph's time in Egypt. Apparently, the entire time he had been in Egypt, he had never told anyone the story of what his brothers did to him. Pharaoh, at least, had never heard the tale of how Joseph's brother abducted him and sold him. Had he known the story of the villainous deed, he would not have extended the warm welcome.

Joseph loved his brothers and his family so much that he could not bear the thought of having them defamed. He did not want Egyptians saying to one another, "Did you hear about the nasty thing that Joseph's lowlife brothers did to him?" Joseph kept the entire episode to himself. The only thing he ever said about his past was the vague explanation, "I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews" (Genesis 40:15). His love for his brothers compelled him to protect their reputation.

Joseph never told the Egyptians about the incident with his brothers because it was none of their business. By maintaining discretion, he was protecting the name and reputation of God in Egypt. Had he told his sad story to everyone, the Egyptians would have had cause to say, "If that's how the followers of your God behave, I want nothing to do with Him or your religion."

Good morning

2008-12-09T05:28:00.007+11:00

When I say good morning I mean to say:

G - od

O - ffers us His

O - utstanding

D - evotion to

M - ake us

O - bedient &

R - eady for a

N - ew day with Him.

I - nspire others please, and

N - ever forget

G - od loves you!

The Word of God ~ The Bible

2008-10-11T11:08:00.001+11:00

Look at the prayer of Moses:

Deuteronomy 32:2

     "Let my teaching fall like rain
       and my words descend like dew,
       like showers on new grass,
       like abundant rain on tender plants."

Look at what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

The Word of God is like dew and rain that water our souls and enable us to grow into spiritual maturity.

Holidays

2008-09-25T07:16:00.001+10:00

We have been touring around Victoria - visiting cemeteries - taking photos of headstones of relatives past. We have been to some very small out of the way cemeteries - have had some trouble finding some.

It never ceases to amaze me that in some heavily populated communities of the past there is nothing today to show that they were even there - the only evidence is from their birth/marriage/death certificates and the memories of those still alive. You drive to where they say or where they took you as a child and it is just bush. You may recognize a tree or two which appeared in their back yard and guess 'well this must be where it was!'

We visited an uncle who at 80 is doing really well - he shared of the time that they built there first house [he was just a kid] they built it in the middle of the road because it was the hardest smoothest ground - that ground became their floor. Then they moved to Adelaide so they pull it all down and take it with them - no wonder there is no evidence of life having been there.

It really makes you think - years from now when I am just an ancient relative - what will be remembered - what difference will I have made by living?

Mixed emotions

2008-09-23T11:05:00.004+10:00

We spent the weekend in Maryborough [Vic] catching up with my husband's family and generally revisiting the old haunts. I was 8 1/2 when we moved there and left just after my 22nd birthday - so I guess you could say I spent my informative years there. I lived in 7 different houses in that time and each one evokes different memories.

- the first house gives memories of community, real community, everyone knew everyone and all us kids played together even though we went to different schools, churches and were from vastly different backgrounds.

- the second house about the only memory it evokes is the night it burned and the following traumas that that caused.

- the third house was a fill in house somewhere to live while the previous was being fixed - but we never went back - too many nightmares - it was this house that I grew close to my adopted Aussie grandparents - some really fond times - adopted little cousins to enjoy and spoil.

- the fourth house possibly my favourite house as far as houses go - a bit of a mansion with servants' quarters etc... I got to sleep in the pantry [just big enough for the bare essentials] which had a cellar [a place of solitude]. There were some good family memories here.

- the fifth house this brings about different memories - this is where mum struggled the most - where family life changed the most - this is the house I was married from and a new chapter started for me.

- the sixth house this is where we set up our first home - it didn't last long as the house was sold and we had to move.

- the seventh house this was a great little place - lots of great memories - from here we moved to Melbourne - new jobs - new church - new friends.

It was good to go back!

We visited the old schools - it is sad to see them sitting there empty and vandalised - to wonder what they will become in time?

We passed my best friend's house from those early years - the tree we spent many hours sitting in and talking is gone - she too has gone from this life - I have lots of happy memories from our time together growing up!

Walking down the main street is fascinating - trying to remember what used to be there - some come easily to the memory some it is a struggle - the place has changed over the last 33 years - yet in some ways is still the same.

It is good to go back - we will again on Cup day as the "Smart" family are having a reunion - all the rellies will be gathering to remember - to catch up - to add bits to the family tree that has grown so many branches and lots more twigs have been added - it will be a great day!

T H I N K

2008-08-05T18:27:00.002+10:00

T- is it True?

H- is it Helpful?

I- is it Inspiring?

N- is it Necessary?

K- is it Kind?

What's your theological worldview?

2008-05-28T06:25:00.003+10:00

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

71%

Fundamentalist

54%

Emergent/Postmodern

46%

Neo orthodox

43%

Classical Liberal

36%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

32%

Reformed Evangelical

29%

Modern Liberal

14%

Roman Catholic

14%

A big weekend

2008-05-12T06:37:00.006+10:00

Saturday 10th May was National Thanksgiving day and Sunday 11th was Mothers' day and Pentecost!

How do you cover all these important happenings!

For us - the previous weekend was our 24/7 prayer so we slipped the 'National Thanksgiving' into that - it fitted in well.

Yesterday we used the first segment of our service to honour 'Mothers' day' - did the traditional flowers/sharing etc... then used Albert Orsborn's song [944] as a link through to Pentecost -

O Lord, regard thy people,

Whose love designs to frame

This house of glad remembrance,

And here inscribe thy name.

To thee, the sure foundation,

Our witness would we raise,

Her walls to speak salvation,

Her gates to tell thy praise.

We thank thee for our birthright,

Secured at such a price;

Forbid that we despise it,

Or shrink from sacrifice.

Inspire our hearts to serve thee,

Thy chosen path to tread,

That we may follow boldly

Where nobler hearts have led.

I thought it was great that Mothers' day and Pentecost were on the same day - because people were already thinking about their heritage - their beginnings - the people who have influenced their lives not only personally but in a corps setting - it became a natural progression to think about our spiritual heritage - the beginning of the church - the greatest influencer of all - the Holy Spirit!!!

Wedding Photo

2008-05-06T07:44:00.003+10:00

Saturday

May 5th

1973

Our Wedding!

ANZAC Day 2008

2008-04-28T06:17:00.002+10:00

Each year in the Home League before ANZAC day we remember! We look at out past, our traditions, we share memorabilia from our families who went to war, we talk about those left at home, the effect when families were reunited and those who weren't but the thing that always stands out the most - is the comraderie of those days whether you were activiely at war or left behind - that real sense of community in all it's fullness.

The actual day of ANZAC our band played at Yinnar [an association we have had for over 50 years] - it is only a small town with smaller communities around - and they come from all the surrounding areas and pay their respect - a short march with a pipe band leading - wreaths laid - then into the community hall for the actual ceremony - we sing hymns - our guest speaker is a local, a VCE student - he speaks well about ANZAC what it means to him to his fellow youth - we stand in silence and remember - the last post - silence - "Lest we forget" - reveille - then 'Advance Australia Fair' - our children just love our national anthem - they sing it at the top of their voices - they are so proud to be Australian - to carry on the traditions of our diggers - to carry on the spirit of the ANZACs!

My Dad

2008-04-20T21:42:00.004+10:00

My dad would have been 86 today!

When I was little he always called me his little 'imp' [someone who is playfully mischievious] which I guess summed me up pretty well then and still does now! He knew me well!

For a few years before I married I lived at home with just dad & mum ~ it was different with my siblings gone ~ dad & I had some great debates/discussions ~ we shared the running of the house ~ my dad had an amazing mind ~ maths came natural to him ~ he was a force to be reckoned with when it came to chess ~ in all card games he knew every card that had been played and who played it. I learnt so much in those few years!

When we had been married just over a year we moved to Melbourne and not long after that my parents moved to Queensland. After that I only saw my dad in person 3 times:

My parents came to my commissioning in 1980 which was busy and rather hectic, but we did manage to get some time together ~ he was so proud!

Then they came and stayed with us in Busselton for a couple of weeks ~ we showed them around ~ I had some wonderful walks along the beach in those weeks ~ just dad & me ~ we talked about so many things!

Then in 1993 we travelled to Townsville for their 50th wedding anniversary and they met our daughter ~ it was the only time she met her grandparents ~ during our time there dad & I were able to talk again ~ he was in the early stages of Alzheimers ~ he had things he needed to share ~ he needed to say goodbye while he was still able ~ he made some requests which we discussed ~ we came to an agreement.

As always he was right ~ his predictions of his illness ~ what the future held for him ~ my part in that future ~ everything was as he said it would be.

Then on Friday 11th February 2005 he went home to be with His Lord!

It was time for me to keep my promise ~ we had said our goodbyes over 11 years ago ~ so the day my dad was buried in Townsville ~ I spent the time alone ~ I sang his favourite song and remembered the man I called "DAD"

So today on his 86th birthday again I sing his favourite song:

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:

Chorus:
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.

Life is a seeking,

Life is a quest,

Eager and longing desire;

Unto the true things,

Unto the best,

Godward our spirits aspire.

Life is a finding;

Vain wand'rings cease

When from the Saviour we claim

All we have longed for,

Solace and peace,

And we have life in His name.

...........and I remember the man I called "DAD"

Check this out!!!!

2008-04-18T22:30:00.003+10:00

Worth the read!

http://onematters.blogspot.com/2008/04/freegans.html

The woman with the issue

2008-04-12T08:02:00.002+10:00

"Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak." [Matthew 9:20]

The woman described in Matthew 9:20 had faith. She believed she would be healed if she did but touch the very hem of his garment. If you understand Hebrew thought you'll understand the significance of the story.

Why did the woman touch the hem?

The hem of a Hebrew's prayer shawl is very important. The prayer shawl worn by Hebrew men is called a tallit. The fringe on the corner of the tallit is called a tzitzit. In Numbers 15 God directs the Hebrews to make fringes on the borders (also called corners or wings) of their garments to remind them of God's law!
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.39You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes." [Numbers 15: 38-39]
There are 613 actual commandments in the Torah-248 positive and 365 negative. Each tzitzit consist of eight strands and five double knots. According to one Jewish numerological tradition, the numerical values of the Hebrew letters for the word for tassel (tzitzit) totalled 600. Six hundred plus eight plus five is 613, the traditional number of biblical commandments. During the first century, a tradition associated with the tallit is that the tzitzit of the Messiah had healing powers. "The Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" [Malachi 4:2].

The woman must have known of this tradition and in faith she touched the wings of His garment showing she believed Jesus is the Messiah!

Our Hebrew Roots

2008-04-12T07:52:00.002+10:00

We study a Hebrew book-written by Hebrews; we serve a Hebrew Lord-who had Hebrew disciples; we desire to follow the first century church-which was first predominately Hebrew; and through Christ, we are grafted into a Hebrew family! It makes sense to study the Hebrew culture.

Much of the Bible is mysterious to most Australians. The perplexing phrases, puzzling actions, the sometimes difficult-to-understand words of Jesus, unconventional holidays, and parables are only understood with an awareness of the Hebrew culture. A Christian's roots are deep in Judaism through Christ, all the way back to Abraham!

"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

Studying Scripture from our Australian view is like looking for gold in a dark mine with a dim pen light--we can see enough to stumble around but we need more light to see clearly. A good grasp of the ancient Hebraic customs and terminology would allow us to reexamine Scripture in this powerful flood light, exposing intricate details and treasures.

Women

2008-04-09T19:00:00.002+10:00

I just love Wednesdays - it is a day with the women.

First - soldiership classes

Second - Bible study

Third - Lunch

Fourth - Home League

Fifth - Afternoon Tea

It is always good to spend time looking at what it means to be a soldier in The Salvation Army - to find out where people are in their thinking about soldiership - why they want to join.

Sitting with women around the word of God is amazing - one can almost see a cartoon light bulb going on just above their heads at times - the deep sharing of their history - where they stand with God - the challenge of today.

Lunch is always different - we all choose different food - different drinks - and the conversation is always different.

Home League today was "Biscuit Bonanza" - Bonanza means "a sudden happening that brings good fortune" or a good synonym would be 'manna from heaven' - and that is exactly what we had today - what a variety of biscuits - we filled our little bags with many biscuits to take home and enjoy with the family - we experienced 'chocolate ripple cake' [made from chocolate ripple biscuits] and we turned Marie biscuits into candles to remind us to let our lights shine in the world - and we can do that by sharing our 'bonanza' with others.

Unmasking the Divine

2008-04-02T06:48:00.001+11:00

The Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible where God is never mentioned. The sages explain that that epoch, immediately after the destruction of the First Temple, signalled a monumental change in the way God relates to His world. The Temple itself (and before that the Tabernacle) was a medium of Divine revelation. When the Temple was destroyed (because of rampant sin), God entered a mode of hiddenness. In fact, the Divine hand shapes the entire Purim story, but it is concealed in the guise of "coincidence," "luck," and the seemingly natural unfolding of events.
"Hiddenness" is an essential characteristic of God in this world. Even the Hebrew word for "world" -- "olam" -- comes from the root word meaning "hidden." From the time of the Purim story until today, our challenge in this world is to expose the Divine hiding behind the appearances of our everyday world.
The term for that is "Kiddush Hashem." Every time we choose generosity, truth or integrity we are revealing God in this world. We are unmasking the Divine.
Every time we choose meanness, pettiness or dishonesty, we camouflage God and add another layer to the Divine disguise. This generates a Hillul Hashem. We create a world where, for ourselves and everyone around us, God is missing.
The climax of the Purim story takes place when Queen Esther, risking her life to do so, invites King Xerxes and his viceroy, the debonair and courtly Haman, to a private dinner in her quarters. There Queen Esther reveals the plot of genocide against her and her people. The king, outraged, demands to know who is the culprit behind the plot. In one of the most dramatic flourishes in Scripture, Queen Esther points to Haman and exposes his true identity: "A vile man! An enemy! This evil Haman!"
Purim is about hiddenness, shrouded identities, and beguiling appearances. It challenges us to expose the truth, like Queen Esther did. Unlike Queen Esther, however, we point not at the villain, but at the Divine. "Here He is... behind what happened to me today." "Here He is... behind the beauty of nature." "Here He is...."
At every moment, we can reveal God either by identifying Him or emulating Him. We don't have to be an illustrious personage to reveal God in this world.

The King's Feast

2008-04-01T20:25:00.001+11:00

The Book of Esther begins by describing a lavish feast thrown by King Xerxes for his subjects. Like everyone else, the Jewish citizens of the realm attended. The sages assert that the genocidal decree against the Jews that Haman later enacted (with the approval of the king) was the result of ordinary Jews' attending the feast.
According to the Talmud, King Xerxes was celebrating the conclusion of 70 years since the beginning of the exile from Judea. Since the prophet Jeremiah had prophesized that the Babylonian exile would last for 70 years (counting from the destruction of the First Temple, not from the initial stage of the exile), Xerxes concluded (wrongly) that the victory over the Jews could now be deemed complete and final. For his celebratory feast, he used the sacred vessels from the Temple, and came dressed in the garments of the High Priest.
The sages are quick to point out that kosher food was served to the Jewish citizens. No laws of the Torah were transgressed at the feast. Yet, the sages maintain, the punishment for attending was a decree of extermination from which the Jews only narrowly escaped. Why?
Attendance at King Xerxes' feast was a Hillul Hashem. While the Temple and its vessels were meant to sanctify the mundane constituents of the physical world, Xerxes' feast did precisely the opposite: By using the sacred vessels for mundane purposes, the party degraded what was holy. The Jews should have responded to this sacrilege by mourning and distancing themselves. Instead, the temptation to attend a party at the palace overcame them. Their attendance was an implicit endorsement of Xerxes' worldview, a world in which God was conspicuously absent.
According to the Talmud, Hillul Hashem is the hardest sin to atone for, because, by its very nature, its effect is so widespread that it is virtually impossible to undo the damage. Once the stone has been thrown into the pond, who could possibly stop the ripples?

3-DIMENSIONAL ACTIONS

2008-03-30T20:04:00.001+11:00

Every action a human being does has three dimensions of effect.
It affects:
the performer of the action.
the other person or persons involved.
those who witness the action, indeed the whole society.
For example, if A steals money from B,
A affects himself; his own level of honesty and integrity is diminished.
He also affects B, who is not only out that amount of money, but whose level of trust is now diminished.
In addition, he affects whoever witnesses or hears of the theft, for stealing is now added to their concept of possible human behaviour. The more thefts they witness or hear about, the more the "possible" becomes the "normal."
This third effect actually encompasses not only those individuals who witness or hear about the theft, but society as a whole.
Individuals started to steal. Each and every theft chipped away at the standard of honesty in society. What was once idiosyncratic became the norm. In this same way, every action performed by every individual, subtly but tangibly, affects the whole.
Judaism has two words that embody this concept.
"Kiddush Hashem" means those actions that reveal God's presence in the world.
"Hillul Hashem" means those actions that hide God's presence.
Whenever a human being performs an act of integrity, honesty, kindness, compassion, or self-sacrifice, he is revealing godliness in the world.
"Kiddush Hashem" literally means "sanctifying the Divine Name." Although the term is most often used to describe grand, heroic deeds, such as when Jews have chosen death rather than forsaking their religion, it applies as well to any action that reveals God in the world.
Since kindness is an attribute of God, more kindness in society means a greater revelation of God in the world.
Conversely, whenever a human being performs an act of meanness, cruelty, avarice, dishonesty, or selfishness, he is hiding God's presence in this world.
"Hillul" comes from the Hebrew word for "empty space"; a Hillul Hashem makes the world seem empty of God.
Every action is a stone thrown into an infinite pond; the ripples it causes go out in ever greater circles, endlessly.

Palm Sunday

2008-03-16T12:36:00.002+11:00

Today is Palm Sunday - so many different emotions go with this day.

Jesus - resolutely set himself on Jerusalem and all that entailed. He knew before Sabbath came again He would be dead and in the tomb. Yet He was still Jesus and He did the Jesus thing - He stopped at Zaccheus house, healed blind Bartimaeus, cursed a fig tree, cried over Jerusalem - went to Temple and cleared out the moneychangers. His sole purpose to "save His people from their sins" - to be the ultimate 'pascal' lamb.

The disciples had other ideas -

Peter thought for sure that this year in Jerusalem - this passover - as they celebrated Moses bringing their ancestors out of Egypt - that Jesus - Messiah - would take Jerusalem and kick out the Romans. He was so sure - he carried a sword - ready for battle and before week's end - he had used it.

Judas - he was so annoyed with Jesus - Jesus wasn't doing it right at all - Jesus let this woman pour expensive perfume all over His head - and commended her for it. Every time Judas thought about it - he called smell the perfume in his nostrils - it just angered him more. Somewhere on that journey to Jerusalem Judas started to talk with other disgruntled people - people who wanted to get rid of Jesus - so Judas waits to see what Sunday brings - he is bitterly disappointed - Jesus didn't do what Judas expected Him to do - so instead of walking away - he decides to at least get something out of this whole fiasco - something for the three years he has wasted.

So many different emotions!!!

Obedient to God

2008-03-11T06:15:00.004+11:00

God placed the burden on my heart to pray the boundaries of our property. I wasn't sure what He wanted me to pray - or how He wanted me to do that - 7 times like Jericho [would the building fall down] - just the 1 day or more. So I've been praying for divine inspiration.

God has a great sense of humour and I love His surprises!

We have CBO's who do their 'time' as volunteers - we were given one for 3 months 12 hours a week who has all the experience needed for a perfect quartermaster - let me tell you we needed one most urgently. He has done the most spectacular work on our property - the equipment has all been serviced and in top condition - but as with all these folks they move on.

It has been 2 weeks [no replacement in sight] and yes the lawns needed mowing, whipper snipping needs doing and it's time to spray the weeds again.

So yesterday [a public holiday for labour day - celebration of 8 hour working day] I decided to pop down the hall and mow them. It was for me an obedience thing - out of gratitude to God for sending us this guy I wanted to give something back - how appropriate to mow the lawns [must have some of God's humour in me] - but not only that I wanted to sow somethiing for the future as well - by being willing to give of my time and energy into mowing the lawns - that God would bless my tithe so to speak!

But as always God surprises me - it takes about 1 and half hours to walk our lawns pushing the mower - and guess what? I walked the whole boundary of our property and was able to pray every inch of the way - and all the places in between - back & forth - back & forth.

It was a great time of praise to God for all His benefits - also time for sharing concerns - 3 things really stood out in that prayer time and I want to share them with you - so when you pray for us here at Morwell you pray with knowledge.

First - I prayed that God would bring the right people into our lives at the Corps - people who would improve us [like our CBO who improved our grounds so much] - improve our ministry [like our CBO and the servicing of our equipment].

Second - I prayed that God would make this property a place of health - a place where people can come for all manner of healing - that even for the myriads of people who walk pass our property that they would be touched by that health - that in that distance from one boundary to the next they would have peace, health, and joy brought into their lives.

Third - I prayed that we would be a debt-free corps [ I mean more than finances here] that we wouldn't be a burden on anyone in our ministry in this place - not on our own people - not on our city - not on DHQ nor THQ!

I came home from that time with God - hot, sweaty, dirty, but most blessed!

And yes if it is a more than one off event - I will be most willing to be obedient to that!

Some definitions

2008-03-10T17:34:00.005+11:00

A stronghold is anything that has a "strong hold" on God's people. It is like a spiritual "bunker" in one's mind that is built of wrong thoughts which gives enemy spirits a protected place from which they can interfere, influence and interrupt the move of God's Spirit in one's personal life, family life and church life.

"Negativity" ~ habitual scepticism and a disagreeable tendency to deny or oppose or resist suggestions or commands.

Moe Jazz Festival

2008-03-08T16:53:00.002+11:00

There are many celebrations happening in Latrobe City this long weekend - one of them is the Moe Jazz Festival. There is a street march - which the fire trucks lead - Latrobe City Band follows and then various others - finishing with the Jazz Band.

On occasions I help the City Band - today was one of those occasions! I can't even remember the last time I marched and played my cornet - that's how long ago it was!

And who reads music that close to their nose - I think I need a bell lyre - I had to take my glasses off to get the music in focus.

My conclusion - it was great fun - but I am exhausted - knees, shoulders, lower back, not to mention the thumbs!

Lifetime dream fulfilled

2008-03-07T17:13:00.010+11:00

St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Morwell has a 1873 Speechly & Ingram Pipe Organ.

It was renovated in 1997 and placed in their church.

It was my greatest privilege to sit in the loft at this magnificent instrument and put fingers and feet to work and hear the melodious sounds echo around the church.

The haunting sounds of "Phantom of the Opera" ~ to keep that setting and play:

When peace like a river

Attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea-billows roll,

Whatever my lot,

Thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul

Truly spine tingling!!!!

You have no funds - withdrawal refused!

2008-03-03T20:26:00.004+11:00

Don't you just love people who think they can continously withdraw without actually making deposits.

They think there is an endless supply - and deposits are not required.

Then the time comes and they hear the words "You have no funds - withdrawal refused" and then they get annoyed and spit the dummy and it is everyone's fault.

The reality is: they just needed to make a deposit - and if they had - they could have kept on withdrawing!

Stewardship????

2008-03-03T20:03:00.007+11:00

Is one allowed to have 'train rage'? Quietly of course!
I left home at 6:30 am to catch the 6:49 train to Melbourne - it was cancelled!
30 minutes later I caught the next train - everything ran smoothly until Richmond - there was congestion in the Loop - a gas leak - a fire - it put everything out.
So instead of arriving in Melbourne a few minutes before 9 am as planned it was almost 10 am.
My function was 9:30 am - naturally it went ahead without me and quite a few city officers who had been caught with the loop congestion!
So morning tea - a stroll around the observation deck for a 360 degree view of Melbourne from the 55th floor - apparently it takes 40 secs to get from bottom to top in the lift!
A brief bit of business - back down in the lift - walk to 'Southern Cross Station' - hop on the train for uneventful ride home arriving 2:30 pm.
So there we have it - 8 hour round trip!
Was this beneficial? Still working on that one!

APPROVED

2008-02-28T16:31:00.002+11:00

I just love going shopping and using my ATM card - there's something about when the transaction goes through and that word appears "APPROVED". It really gives me a buzz!

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Corps Camp Chapel Service

2008-02-25T06:39:00.003+11:00

We had a look at Matthew 26:6-13 ~ Jesus annointed at Bethany.

Imagine Simon's household - all busy eating - the aroma of food - the chatter - a woman appears near Jesus - not unusual - women served - probably didn't even notice her until - the smell of perfume.

Jesus would have smelt it first - after all it was His head - He doesn't react - He accepts the gift - this prepares His body for burial - it's not far away now - He knows this isn't going to happen to His body when it is placed in the tomb - so the perfume flows over His head - through His beard!

The smell reaches the disciples noses - their noses tell them this is an expensive smell - it makes them think of the poor and how much food that perfume could have bought - they are indignant!

Think about the smell -

It would have lingered in Simon's house - a whole jar of perfume poured out!

Jesus as He left - walked back to Mary & Martha's - everyone He passed would have smelled it!

My question!

What kind of smell do you leave behind?

Corps Camp

2008-02-24T18:51:00.003+11:00

Morning prayers at camp this morning - we had just finished thanking God for our camp fellowship and singing a chorus before we moved on to pray for our corps members back in Morwell. We were singing "Be still for the presence of the Lord" - we got to the second verse - the wind rose and the little chapel creaked & groaned under the strain. So here we are singing:

"Be still for the power of the Lord,

Is moving in this place,

He comes to cleanse and heal,

To minister His grace

No work too hard for Him

In faith, receive from Him,

Be still, for the power of the Lord

Is moving in this place."

God had placed "Robbie" on my heart - normally he would have been at camp with us, but he is struggling - he has since the end of November been removed from society for his own safety!

As we were singing the first verse I just wanted God to return him to his former self - but as we sang the second verse "NO WORK TOO HARD FOR HIM" - my heart broke - God can do much better than return him to his former self - God can transform him into the person He created him to be.

At that point I wanted the very best God has for "Robbie" - "Life in all it's fullness" [John 10:10]

Lord, please break into "Robbie's" life!!

"Unforced Rhythms of Grace"

2008-02-21T06:12:00.004+11:00

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Rhythms of Grace by Keith Banks

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace

God's divine provision to ease life's pace

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace

Take His gift of rest and space

Let Him take the pressures that rob you of His joy

Let Him ease the stresses that would your peace destroy

Gently learn the unforced rhythms of grace

Take your time to seek His face.

Powerful words!

Day off

2008-02-08T07:17:00.000+11:00

Wow!!! It is really going to happen tomorrow - a day off

Yay!!!!

Saturdays have always been our day off - it suits us perfectly - but of course sometimes stuff happens and we don't get it.

Saturday 19th January
great day off - our daughter came down and we spent the whole day together - just me and her - the best!!!

Saturday 26th January
dedication of CSM's grand daughter - what a awesome time - meeting the extended family - I just loved the grand children, grand nieces/nephews - delightful families.

Saturday 2nd February
wedding of a soldier - a real corps wedding - a Salvation Army wedding - awesome worship - awesome celebration.

Saturday 9th February
what will I do?

Saturday 16th February
"Graceworks" - Territorial Women's Bible Convention - this will be truly amazing

Saturday 23rd February
Corps camp @ Lake Tyers - this will be great this year - we will actually know people - looking forward to some really great fellowship

Saturday 1st March
Daughter's birthday BBQ @ her Aunty’s place - somewhere central to make travelling easier.

Saturday 8th March
So far clear - what will I do?

Esther

2008-01-28T21:25:00.000+11:00

I just love the book of Esther - the intrigue - the working out of God's plan!

Eternal

Salvation

Through

His

Everlasting

Redemption

Sallybloggers

2008-01-28T08:58:00.000+11:00

If you are a Sallyblogger [namely, a Salvationist (or connected in some way) who writes a blog] there are 2 places you can belong.

Sallybloggers on Facebook!

http://www.jvager.f9.co.uk/html/sallybloggers.html

Eagle

2008-01-26T01:33:00.000+11:00

True friendship

2008-01-21T22:04:00.001+11:00

A reminder

2008-01-21T21:21:00.000+11:00

A timely reminder for me - have had a couple of days where things have happened causing the plans to fade away into oblivion.

You get home and haven't achieved anything that was planned - really tired - yet when you reflect it has all be good - just not what you expected!!!

A bit quirky

2008-01-19T21:42:00.000+11:00

Pasquinade

2008-01-17T18:25:00.000+11:00

A slight adaptation of something I heard Bill Hybels share.

“If I vision cast with the tongues of men and angels but live and lead without the love of God at the core of who I am. I am a ringing cell phone or worse a clamouring, vacuous, corporate type.

If I have the gift of leadership and can provide direction and build teams and set goals, but fail to exhibit Christlike kindness or give Christ the credit for my accomplishments, in the eyes of God all my achievements count for precisely nothing.

If I give my salary to the poor, my vast library of books to a cadet, my local officers’ bodies to be burned, but neglect to relate and work in a manner worthy of the One who’s name I bear, in the final analysis, it all counts for precisely nothing.

A close, humble walk with Christ never fails, it strengthens the heart, it redirects the will, it restrains the ego, it purifies the motives, it never fails.

When I was a young leader, independent and too busy to pray, I blew stuff up and wounded every third person I led. But now that I am mature, and have left my childish ways, I do that somewhat less.

And now these three remain, the faith to follow God boldly, the hope to press on even when your heart is breaking, the love to enrich the hearts of all of those I lead, and the greatest of these is the love that only comes from a quiet, close daily walk with Christ.”

Some everyday Aussies!

2008-01-16T21:58:00.000+11:00

Installing Love

2008-01-10T06:17:00.000+11:00

Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you?

Customer: Well , after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't Know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?\

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, 'Error - Program not run on external components.' What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realise Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the 'My Heart' directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before We hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, God.

New Year Resolution

2007-12-31T06:22:00.000+11:00

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

2007-12-28T06:18:00.000+11:00

"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!

2007-12-27T09:52:00.000+11:00

WOW - ht Andrew Bale

2007-12-26T09:30:00.000+11:00

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-25T18:52:00.000+11:00

It's Christmas!

2007-12-25T06:34:00.000+11:00

Mr Bean Christmas

2007-12-24T07:42:00.000+11:00

This is Christmas

2007-12-24T06:30:00.000+11:00

God bless Santa

2007-12-23T06:14:00.000+11:00

Christmas Glitter Graphics

Carolling YAY !!!

2007-12-22T17:26:00.000+11:00

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

2007-12-18T05:41:00.000+11:00

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

2007-12-17T06:10:00.000+11:00

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

2007-12-08T07:29:00.001+11:00

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

2007-12-06T06:22:00.000+11:00

Let me count the ways

2007-11-20T06:40:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-19T06:33:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T07:09:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T07:04:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T07:00:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T06:59:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T06:57:00.000+11:00

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

2007-11-09T06:56:00.000+11:00

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.