Family Fellowships

This weekend I am experiencing first-hand the benefits that come from being in the "family of Rotary". Like most gatherings, there are those people who simply pass you by without so much as a greeting or a smile, but on the whole, there is a real friendly family atmosphere here that is buzzing in the air. And the challenge that comes to me is this: do I foster a family fellowship atmosphere of belonging in the groups I belong to?

Here's a challenge that is applicable not only in the Rotary context of which it speaks, but also for those "other groups or organizational settings" in which we find ourselves.
[Why not try substituting the words Rotary and clubs with ones that reflect your situation?]

"Like most families, the Rotary family provides a haven where we can gather the strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the world. It offers comforting traditions, asking that we honor those who came before us and celebrate our newest arrivals.
Our clubs are where we find the core of our Rotary family...to find more ways to create and nurture that atmosphere of warmth and caring.
One way we can do this is to extend our caring reach beyond each Rotarian to include that Rotarian's spouse and children.
A greater sense of a family atmosphere within our clubs will support the work we do outside of our clubs - all of the work we do to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, comfort the sick, care for the aged - in short, to reach out to our fellow human beings to help and to comfort.
This impulse to reach out to others abides in the hearts of all people, and as Rotarians, we simply do what is most natural: we act upon what we feel."

Former RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe, 2003-4

Albury NSW

800+ Rotarians from District 9810 (Dabak and I included) have arrived in Albury to attend our annual conference. As first time attendees, day 1 has been great to say the least. We were there to welcome the bike riders who completed their 940km route to raise funds for Rotary's health research fund, before sharing a BBQ brunch prior to the official opening.

Today's highlight was speaker Nic Feteris, world renowned BASE jumper who has jumped off towering moutainous peaks in Pakistan and the Statue of Liberty's torch, to name a few. His presentation was inspirational and made you want to step out of your comfort zone and face life's adventure with the aim of achieving outstanding results. His presentation fit in so well with the conference theme ~ Pushing the Boundaries.

Lord, I'm ready for the adventure!

Sensitively Yours

“Declare today “sacred time”—off-limits to everyone, unless invited by you.

Take care of your personal wants and needs.

Say no, graciously but firmly, to others’ demands.”

Oprah Winfrey

Great thought, but sometimes this is more easily said than done. When I first began in full-time ministry thirteen years ago my main focus was 'availability'. Being available to others is vital in fostering ministry opportunities, for Christian spiritual ministry is about people and people demand our time and attention. However, the passing of time and personal experience has taught me that the most important ministry focus is 'sensitivity' ~ the gift of being aware of the needs around us and taking time to respond appropriately.

Availability without sensitivity is time endured.

Availability with sensitivity is blessing assured.

Lord, first help me to be sensitive to the needs of those to whom I minister and then, guided by Your Spirit, be available to bring Your timely blessing!

Totally Awesome God

While making a visit to one of our chapel members this morning, I was greeted at the door with an air of excitement ~ not about my turning up, but rather about the discovery of one of God's precious promises. With open Bible in hand, I listened with interest as they shared this verse from Jeremiah 33:20-21a.

"Thus says the LORD: ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken..."

Do you sense the excitement of this discovery? The permanence of God's presence is assured with the rotation of each day. Just as sure as we are that day is followed by night and then the next day, so too we can be deeply assured that God's promise of love and salvation remains a permanent and personal surety.

Be encouraged that God's commitment to us as individuals is both unbroken and unrelenting. Hallelujah!

Valuing Leadership

Members of the World Mission Fellowship were once again privileged to welcome the delegates to the Administrative Leaders Training Course as special guests for our monthly meeting.

The leaders represented Salvation Army ministry and mission in Korea, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Their faithful service and obvious joy in following Jesus was evident through their sincere words and gracious Christlike lives.

Last night was a unique opportunity to affirm their individual leadership within our God-blessed movement and assure them of our continued prayers in their various ministry roles.

Valuing leadership is vital and always appreciated. It's something that we in the Army are not always good at, but something that we need to be more proactive in addressing. When leaders know that they are valued, the value of their spiritual efforts and personal contributions is strengthened and the movement enhanced.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 (MSG) ~ "And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!"

Celebrating Harvest

Under the leadership of Majors Alan and Val Laurens, we met together for worship in a spirit of thanksgiving to celebrate Harvest and the bounty of God's creation that we enjoy. Echoing the words of our Creator God Himself, "it was good".

Reflecting on the parable of the sower in a message entitled "The seed and the flower" we were encouraged to allow the Seed of our salvation (Jesus Christ) to bloom in and through our lives to His glory.

The choir's message, A Song for Harvest, encaptulated the real essence for our worship celebration.

Upon this special day, Lord, we come with hearts sincere
To thank You for the blessings provided year by year
Of nature’s rich and bounteous yield we’re daily made aware
We bring our heartfelt praises for all Your loving care

We contemplate creation, such beauty all around
And never cease to wonder at ev’ry sight and sound
The seasons come, and seasons go, all ordered by Your will
Lord, make us thankful people and keep us praising still

And as we bring our off’rings to lay before Your throne
Acknowledging Your Lordship of ev’rything we own
We give You back that which You have entrusted to our care
And pray You’ll make us worthy, Lord, in your work to share

In the tradition of Harvest Thanksgiving, following worship we shared in a fellowship meal of homemade soup, pasties, salad and fruit salad, icecream and cream. Yummy!

Yes, for food, friends and fellowship we truly give You thanks, o Lord.

Luke 8:15 (MSG) ~ "...the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest."

Ministry Matters

God-glorifying stories...challenging lyrics with catchy tunes...reflective recitations...powerful messages on God's grace...

All of the above descriptions sum up a most interesting ministry evening with Chick and Margaret Yuill held tonight at the Box Hill Corps. In a nutshell, we were 'blessed beyond measure'.

There was a real sense of God's hand upon this casual encounter with these amazing people of God.
There was a real evidence of personal and spiritual integrity as the Yuill's led us into the very throne room of God through sharing their stories and inspiring songs.

I'm the richer for having been there, for I met God along the way.

1 Chronicles 16:8 (MSG) ~ "Thank God! Call out his Name! Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done! Sing to him! Play songs for him! Broadcast all his wonders! Revel in his holy Name, God-seekers, be jubilant! Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night..."