To Expect Or Not To Expect

Expected ~ Another birthday has come and almost gone again. All things considered, it has been a memorable day ~ especially the time spent sharing with family and friends.
Unexpected [well, maybe not totally!] ~ My brother, Stewart, rang from Sydney to wish me a happy day and asked if their card had arrived. When I replied, "No, not yet!" he declared, "Oh, that's okay ~ it's probably because we haven't sent one!" I laughed.

Annual birthday celebrations are opportunities to reflect on what has been and consider where you are heading. More often than not, future expectations play an important part in our current evaluations of life events. That's why we're blessed to have our hope in God as we live in faith day by day. For He is a God of the 'now' moment, just waiting to surprise us by His abundant ability to do more than we could possibly ask or imagine. To Him be all glory!

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) ~ "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

Contemporary Is Relative

Let's make it clear right from the beginning ~ I'm not wanting to get into a "Worship War". I simply want to offer personal comment on the relativity of worship.
I often get quite concerned (even disturbed!) at the use of worship labels that are assigned to various (age) groups of believers, especially when fellow officers express their personal view that the members of my congregation are nothing more than "dead wood". In the past, I've been guilty of both using and assigning worship labels myself, but have recently been convicted to put these aside based on the understanding that worship is not so much about styles as it is about an attitude of the heart. After all, aren't we all one Body of Christ worshipping a God of unconditional love and acceptance?

This thought leads me to raise a personal concern about the term 'contemporary' as used in reference to worship. I've noticed this used on numerous posters recently advertising SA worship events and can't help but feel it is wrong and unhelpful in contributing to overall Christian spiritual unity. By definition, 'contemporary' simply means "current or modern", and surely this is relative to the needs of the present congregation or "church target group". For instance, as officer-in-charge of Inala Chapel, 'contemporary' means providing a worship experience that is relative to, and meets the current needs of, my "modern" 50+ age congregation ~ whatever form that may take.

I wholeheartedly agree with the comments that Stephen M Newman (author of Experiencing Worship) makes in his online article "Contemporary Worship?" ~
"So what is contemporary worship? Simply the same as it has been since Jesus walked here on earth. It is giving honor and praise to his Father in heaven. It is living lives in obedience to His word and His call on your life. It is showing His worth to all because He is worthy. Let us not confuse worship with music. Worship doesn’t change.
In the future I hope that we will begin to do away with labels on worship styles. There is only one style of worship…that which honors God and pleases Him."

http://www.experiencingworship.com/articles/general/2002-6-Contemporary-Worship-.html

AMEN ~ So be it.

Let's purpose to quit with the style labels and simply focus on the "heart of worship"!

Faith Matters Most

It's totally amazing when God surprises us in unexpected ways! Today, while sharing fellowship and light refreshment with staff and fellow residents following the funeral of an Inala resident, "Pop" ~ an octagenarian man of few words ~ surprised all present by sharing his personal memories in paying personal tribute to his dear friend. And in that beautiful moment, his valuable pearls of wisdom just seemed to flow out and bring joyful praise to our hearts.
One of Pop's classic, quotable quotes went like this ~ "If you don't have it, then you might as well jump in the lake". The crux of his message being that "Faith Matters Most".

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain,

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

(Words by George Beverley Shea)

Drought Appeal

Following yesterday's Love Offering, I am pleased to report that members of the Inala Chapel contributed $1520.00 toward our territory's Drought Appeal ~ again proving that 'faith in action', regardless of our age and stage in life, is vital in delighting the very heart of God to pour out His bountiful blessings on others.
But wait, there's more to come!

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) ~ "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

A Call To Our Nation

2 Chronicles 7:14 (The Message)
"If my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health."

God's Prescription for Revival contains:

• A Call to Preparation ~ "by humbling themselves..."
• A Call to Prayer ~ "...praying..."
• A Call to Passion ~ "...seeking my presence..."
• A Call to Purity ~ "turning their backs on their wicked lives..."

Lord, make us a “prepared, prayerful, passionate and pure people” that we would see revival in our lives, our families, our chapel community and our nation. Revive Your world through us!

"With Christ our head and cornerstone, we'll build our nation's might. / Whose way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright. / Our lives, a sacrifice of love, reflect our Master's care. / With faces turned to heaven above, Advance Australia fair. / In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia fair."

(Anthem approved for use on religious occasions)

Australia Day

Today was a national public holiday to celebrate Australia Day, marking the arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson in 1788 and the settlement of the first European colony in Sydney Cove. All Australians are encouraged to "come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future."

I like that purpose statement, because it's positive, all-inclusive and invites an attitude of acceptance and respect for all fellow Australians. Our national day is an opportunity to celebrate our great country ~ its diverse people and cultures, our rich indigenous history and the enduring values of freedom, democracy, mateship and a fair opportinity for all.

In my personal devotions this morning, God gave me the words of this benediction prayer.

"Lord, through this worship time,

We've been inspired by thy blessings divine.

Make us your servants true, in all we say and do,

Daily to glorify you our whole lives through."

[Sung to the tune "God save the Queen"]

Another great reason to celebrate!

No Sorrow In God's Tomorrow

Promoted to Glory

Lieut-Colonel Hedley Preston

29/03/1913 - 20/01/2007

This afternoon I privileged to both attend and participate in the service of thanksgiving that honoured the life, ministry and service of another of God's gems. Colonel Preston's own influence in my life goes all the way back to my childhood and teenage years growing up at the Box Hill Corps, where he was a constant source of encouragement to not only me, but people of all ages. Always interested and caring, he role-modelled what it meant to live a life of strong faith to God's glory and the blessing of others.

His grandson, Jayson, gave a heart-warming and worthy tribute that impacted me greatly and concluded with the paraphrased words of Dwight L Moody:

"Some day you will read in the papers that [Lieut-Colonel Hedley Preston] is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have simply gone [Home]."

I love the Salvation Army's term for 'death' ~ Promoted to Glory ~ for it truly conveys the victorious, confident hope Salvationists have in their belief of eternal life and Heaven. It resonates loudly with the fact that death is not the end, but rather the 'doorway to eternity' marking the beginning of a new and glorious experience for all who, by faith, claim the redeeming power of Jesus to restore, renew and revitalize.

"Servant of God, well done!"