Relationships

Life is about relationships. We were designed to have friends. This basic need drives much of what we do. We need each other.

Seek the joy of healthy relationships. This includes contributing to the lives of others. A healthy relationship allows for mutual connectedness.

God desires to relate to you and you to Him. This relationship will bring better focus to your life and discernment and understanding. Go for it. Hallelujah!

Ezekiel 18:5 (MSG)
5 "Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships—

mission with edge

Mission with edge happened today at the City Temple in Melbourne.

Guest Speaker: Steve Chalke
Founder of Oasis Trust, Faithworks and chair of Stop the Traffik UK.
Faithworks exists to empower, inspire and resource local churches to develop their role at the hub of the community. It also seeks to challenge and change the public perception of the church by engaging with both media and government. The Faithworks Movement goal is to build the most effective social action network in the UK.

Also starring:

Captain Danielle Strickland
Social Justice Director
Major David Eldridge
Territorial Social Programme Secretary
Keith Waters
CEO, Anglicare Canberra and Goulburn

It was about local action with global perspective. I'm hoping it was recorded in print or otherwise so that we all can benefit.

Isaiah 49:6 (MSG)
6 He says, "But that's not a big enough job for my servant— just to recover the tribes of Jacob, merely to round up the strays of Israel. I'm setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!"

INSANE - the event

Happening right now in the city of Melbourne, is an historic event called INSANE. Detailed for ages 14-25, 600+ great people have gathered to explore the riches of God, experience the indiscriminate love of God, and express their faith in the wider community of Melbourne to the glory of God.

Pray with us for them and who they will influence in the course of this dynamic event. Hallelujah!

note: I am aware that the choice of the name of this event is not fully appreciated.
From Merriam-Webster:
in·sane
Pronunciation: \in-sān\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin insanus, from in- + sanus sane
Date: circa 1550
1 : mentally disordered : exhibiting insanity

This term is used to describe people who are mentally disordered. These people too are created in the image of God and should not be belittled in any way by anyone, especially the organisers of this event. I assure you that the intention of the use of this term speaks to the language of the target audience with an understanding the what is considered sane by the present culture in which we live, is unacceptable for followers of Jesus. Thank you for understanding.

Deuteronomy 32:20 (MSG)
20 He said, "From now on I'm looking the other way. Wait and see what happens to them. Oh, they're a turned-around, upside-down generation! Who knows what they'll do from one moment to the next?

Thanks

I am so grateful to God for His love. He provides for each of us and challenges us to grow remarkably. He knows the extent of our tomorrows as well as the content. Furthermore, His plan for us is only good. I like how His perfect plan is perfect for each of us.

Tomorrow, over 600 of our youth are gathering to celebrate the glory of God. The event is being designed to encourage the spiritual growth of our youth and to draw them closer to God. I'm thanking God for each of them and for what He is doing in their lives. Hallelujah!

Colossians 4:2 (MSG)
2 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.

Salvation Service

This means saying yes to God. Nothing less. Please don't even entertain another option. Your question might be how God speaks definitively, but when He does, you must serve. I have heard people say, "when He calls me on the phone, I'll know for certain what to do." I see this as a humorous attempt to dodge the realities of faith.

For those who lean towards that position, they wouldn't know what to do if He were on the phone. You see, He speaks to us in a variety of ways. It may be a voice in our heart or a compelling circumstance. It may be a child through whom He speaks or a stranger. Look for Him. Listen to Him...and do what He bids. For God's sake do it! (and for yours)

Deuteronomy 13:18 (MSG)
18 Yes. Obediently listen to God, your God. Keep all his commands that I am giving you today. Do the right thing in the eyes of God, your God.

Full On

I like this expression. It denotes total engagement. As Salvation soldiers we desire to be full on in our journey of faith. Let every day be a day in which we honour God, worshiping Him in faithfulness and holiness. Let us assess each relationship and our capacity to influence people to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.

Just start with the person you're with now or next. Let the conversation be uplifting and inspiring, pointing toward God and His indiscriminate love. Their life and yours will be enhanced and God will be glorified.

Full on, brothers and sisters. Full on in Christ.

Titus 2:12 (MSG)
12 We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now,

God is working

Everyday and all day, God is working among us. Not unlike the question about the noise a tree makes that falls in the forest with no one around, So God works often in anonymity. He does work and is at work all around you.

When I think of the many SA events, services and operations alone, I am amazed at what He is doing. Thank you, Lord for your abiding faithfulness towards us. Hallelujah!

Hebrews 8:6 (MSG)
6 But Jesus' priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he's working from a far better plan.

Let the Sunshine In

So let the sunshine in...face it with a grin...
Smilers never lose...frowners never win...
So let the sunshine in...face it with a grin...
Open up your heart and let the Sonshine in...

We sang this in Sunday School when we were children. I don't know who wrote it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Arthur Arnott had something to do with it.

It was a beautiful sun shinning day in Melbourne today, just as Summer should be.

The sunshine in the chorus is about the presence of the Son of God in your life and in mine. I'm not in full agreement about the winning and losing bits, except when it comes to a life well lived and and eternity ahead, those with God's love within are the victors. Hallelujah!

Revelation 3:5 (MSG)
5 "Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I'll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.

Sense of Humor

A sense of humor is essential in our daily journey and particularly in our faith walk. There are people we meet who actually need us to hear the "human" in their conversation. When we take them too seriously, they hold their ground and a conversation shifts to becoming a confrontation. I'm suggesting that the "human" in their voice is their humor.

As believers we sometimes take ourselves too seriously and we need to see the joy in the engagement with the pre-Christian. I daresay, this approach is far more welcoming. The Scriptures have something to say about laughing.

1 Peter 1:8 (MSG)
8 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing.

Southern Star

The Southern Star would be the largest ferris wheel type amusement in the southern hemisphere. At the Star, they refer to it as a flight, certainly not a ride. However you describe it, it is a delightful experience, worthy at least of trying once. The view over Melbourne is spectacular and thrilling. If you take binoculars, your view is logically enhanced.

Our perspective on Melbourne needs to be one that considers the souls who need the light of God. He is able to view the landscape with clarity as to where the lights of His love are shining. The Word reminds us not to hide our light, but to let it shine brightly. Let it shine to the glory of God.

Revelation 22:5 (MSG)
5 Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.

God's Underwater creation

A visit to the Melbourne Aquarium reveals the beautiful underwater creation of God. The penguins, the sharks, crabs, lobsters, turtles, and fish of all kinds make up an amazing argument in favour of intelligent and divine design. The marine experts have developed a habitat for the animals (their choice of descriptor) and for us to enjoy.

What kind of world have you developed? With the help of God, you can create a world full of purpose, love and joy. Why not? I believe it to be a part of God's plan for you. Hallelujah!

Genesis 1:21 (MSG)
21 God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good.

Cricket

Cricket is such a civilised sport. There's plenty to appreciate in the game and it takes good athletes to compete at the high levels. Australian Cricket has dominated the sport for a while. The South Africans, however, have given them a run for their money in the Boxing Day test matches.

There are rules that honour both sides and courtesies that are a part of the game that make it proper. I'm beginning to enjoy it.

Cricket, however, does not imitate life. Life is somewhat messy and unprdictable. Often we don't see so much honour between people. Into this arena, God interjects order and honour and an approach that is meaningful, directed and enjoyable. His love is seen in Jesus who lives for us to live.

1 John 3:4 (MSG)
4 All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God's order.

Start Well

A few days ago I mentioned that we should finish well. The odds of finishing well are greatly enhanced by starting well. Here we are at the beginning of a new year (for many people in the world, not all) with the potential for fresh hopes and new starts. Go for it!

In the context of positive direction, all that stands between you and a step forward is you. Together, let's take these steps to honour God and worship Him with our lives in spirit and in truth. Hallelujah!

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (MSG)
13 Meanwhile, we've got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God's original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth.

Happy New Year 2009!

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Last Minute Ideas

As the year unfolds in final days, why not make a commitment to God by the access provided in Jesus?

Make 2008 the best year of your life, containing the freedom and peace of heart promised by God.

Shake off your spiritual inhibitions and trust God once and for all.

God loves you and has purpose for you. You'll know it best when you know Him.

John 3:16ff. (Phillips NT)
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that every one who believes in him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life. You must understand that God has not sent his Son into the world to pass sentence upon it, but to save it - through him. Any man who believes in him is not judged at all. It is the one who will not believe who stands already condemned, because he will not believe in the character of God's only Son. This is the judgment - that light has entered the world and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds are evil. Anybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But anybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God."

Holy Land Trauma

The ugliness of war raises it's head again in the Holy Land. More dead and wounded people are affected as well as their families and loved ones. Even those who inflicted the damages are affected. As we read about such things in the news or hear about them from broadcasts, we must turn to the Lord for peace and hope and unity.

Is there a time for war?... not if you ask the mothers of the soldiers.

Such things are deep and complex. Some accounts would have us understand that they are defending themselves in this process. Perhaps this is true. Most of us are not in a position to know all of the facts.

I'm praying for peace. I'm hoping for peace and I'm living for it as well.

Peace will only survive when we have peace in our hearts with God. Start here with me and seek the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Finishing Well

It's in the doing that we enjoy the life that God has given us. The objectives of the day, the week and the year become steps to the goal to draw close to God. As we draw near to the end of 2008, there's still time to finish well.

How about that relationship that went sour? Still time to resolve it. Then there's that family member you've been putting off calling. Make the contact. A thank you needs to be said? Forgiveness needs to be offered? The promise that you can keep? There's still time to finish well.

Committed to Christ? There's time to be who God intended you to be. This is where you'll finish well into eternity.

Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

What time is it?

In addition to the intriguing nature of the many time zones around the world, the question of time is an important reality on this side of eternity. Much of our life revolves around the clock, being on time, and having time to do what is needed.

There are penalties in life when matters are not completed in time. There's the paper due in university. There's the project at work. There's meeting the kids after school or getting the husband to work on time. Ever miss a train or plane because you were late?

There's time to do what we need to do. We need to take full advantage of the time we have. The clock doesn't stop or even slow down for any of us. What time is it for you?

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)
2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Happy Christmas!

John 1:14 (Phillips NT)
14 So the word of God became a human being and lived among us. We saw his splendour (the splendour as of a father's only son), full of grace and truth. And it was about him that John stood up and testified, exclaiming: "Here is the one I was speaking about when I said that although he would come after me he would always be in front of me; for he existed before I was born!" Indeed, every one of us has shared in his riches - there is a grace in our lives because of his grace. For while the Law was given by Moses, love and truth came through Jesus Christ. It is true that no one has ever seen God at any time. Yet the divine and only Son, who lives in the closest intimacy with the Father, has made him known.

Merry Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.