Inclusiveness

I'm currently in the process of searching for information on how to obtain a copy of the devotional publication, Every Day with Jesus, in braille format. And let me say...it is proving a real challenge! In this day and age of increasing technology and resources, I had envisioned that the request would be an easy one to cater to. But it seems that the more 'high tech' we get, the less inclusive we are becoming.

All this to say that, while in the course of the search process, I've been challenged personally about just how 'inclusive' I am of the needs of others to whom I minister. Do I communicate the message of God's love in ways that meet the needs of others? Are the mediums of worship I use effective in making everyone in my congregation feel included as a worshipper?

Hmmm...just some food for thought. Now I'm going to go and ruminate!

Melbourne - In All Its Glory!

Though I'm a born and bred Victorian, I've never really spent very much time in the City! However, I recently braved the traffic (and budget!) conditions and took my darling wife into the heart of the CBD for a weekend at the Crown Promenade Hotel.

They say, "a picture speaks a thousand words"...so here's my pictorial essay!

Visit to Launceston

When God is glorified, praise abounds!

Well, this was certainly the case over the course of this weekend, as the Melbourne Staff Songsters visited Launceston Corps (Captains Christine & Ric Ellis).

A large part of Saturday was given to conducting a Vocal Workshop, followed by a feast of musical praise in a concert supported by vocal, instrumental and timbrel groups comprising Salvo sections and a local community ensemble from Launceston Church Grammar School - The Fellas.

Sunday's day of worship included a most reflective and challenging holiness meeting based on the importance of communicating with God in all aspects of our lives, as well as a lively Pleasant Sunday afternoon concert, featuring the famed "Massed Singers".

Opportunities for fellowship were many and varied, in particular a hearty homecooked meal at the home of Majors Tyson.

As people 'blessed of God' we are always privileged to have so much to give thanks for!

Pentecost: A Spirit For All Time

Today marks the Christian celebration of the Day of Pentecost – the release of God’s Spirit Presence to mankind and His gift of Empowerment given to all Christian believers - for all time.

In contemplating verses from Isaiah 61 and Acts 2, we considered these Exciting thoughts about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

• ENLIGHTENMENT ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God is a messenger of Good News.
• ENCOURAGEMENT ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God is a channel of peace and restoration.
• ESCAPE ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God points people to the Deliverer, who sets captives free.
• EXCHANGE ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God exchanges hopelessness for hope and is covered with a 'garment of praise'.
• ESTABLISHMENT ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God knows what it is to be established in God's provision.
• EXALTATION ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God has a genuine hope and confidence of sharing a 'double portion' because of our spiritual inheritance in Christ.
• EXAMPLE ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God can bring praise and glory to God through the example of their Faith-filled, Hope-focussed and Love-inspired living.
• EQUIPPED ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God is well equipped with grace to live victoriously.
• ENABLED ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God is enabled by the Spirit for betterment.
• ENERGIZED ~ Every Spirit-filled child of God is energized for eternity.

This Celebration Day in the corporate life of the Church and the personal life of every believer reminds us that we are indeed “Blessed to be a blessing”!

Jesus is glorified and gives the Comforter
His Spirit, to reside in all His servants here
The Holy Ghost to man is given:
Rejoice in God sent down from Heaven

To make an end of sin and Satan's work destroy
He brings His Kingdom in peace, righteousness and joy
The Holy Ghost to man is given:
Rejoice in God sent down from Heaven

The cleansing blood to apply, the heavenly life display
And wholly sanctify and seal us to that day
The Holy Ghost to man is given:
Rejoice in God sent down from Heaven

SASB 195 (verses 1-3) ~ Charles Wesley

Sharing The Journey

One of the rewards and challenges of chaplaincy ministry is the opportunity of journeying with those we contact and connect with. Sometimes the personal interaction is brief yet purposed and, at other times, it is a more lengthy and complex process. However, above all, I am convinced that 'sharing the journey' is always a personal privilege and God-directed blessing.

Each persons life journey is unique. There is no set formula or guideline when it comes to dealing with life's multifarious circumstances and experiences. Life certainly has its joys and sorrows, regardless of our backgrounds. The Message sums up Romans 12:15 well and offers some very wise instruction - 'Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down.'

With this in mind, in recent days I've come to appreciate afresh the value of Christian faith and the importance of sharing in spiritual fellowship with others. It is in making deep personal connections with others that I begin to sense the 'fullness of God' like never before.

Romans 12:15 (NLT) ~ "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."

Pentecost: A Spirit For All Seasons

As we continued our Pentecost series today, I was personally reminded that God's Holy Spirit is present in our lives to effect God's grace in our individual needs and challenge us each to go deeper in our spiritual relationship with God through all experiences of life.

The opening statement captured my attention: "We focus a lot of attention on God and Jesus, and rightfully so, but sometimes I wonder if we short change the 3rd Person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit - at work within us and through us."

In focussing on the various roles of the Spirit, we explored the following imageries.

"A Spirit For All Seasons"
1. The Spirit as WIND ~ a powerful, life-changing force (Jn 3:8)
2. The Spirit as BREATH ~ a life-infusing force (Ez 37)
3. The Spirit as DOVE ~ a life-affirming force
4. The Spirit as FIRE ~ a life-renewing force (Mt 3:11)
5. The Spirit as WATER ~ a life-refreshing force (Is 44:3, Jn 7)

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me

Pentecost: A Timely, Seasonal Spirit

In preparation for celebrating Pentecost as a faith community, we have commenced a Bible Message series entitled, "A Spirit for all time and all seasons".

A study of the Old Testament reveals that the Spirit of God is usually contained to encounters with a specific time frame or set purpose. Having acted in creation (Gen 1:2) the Spirit is continually mentioned in the carrying forward of God’s successful purposes. His ‘timely and seasonal’ Presence proved that success is assured through obedience to the Spirit, and that failure is inevitable when the Spirit departs.

Throughout the OT, we come to understand that the Spirit is always invisible but known by His effectiveness. We are never told of people experiencing particular feelings. His presence is made known by success, through the proclamation of God’s true message.

Interestingly, sometimes the Spirit came on people temporarily and sometimes more permanently. People did not seek the Spirit, but rather He came upon them at God’s will.

The Spirit was, is and always will be, the invisible, powerful presence of God carrying forward His purposes in history.

"A Timely, Seasonal Spirit"
1. The Spirit was ever-present before time began (Gen 1:2, Ps 33:6)
2. The Spirit strives with mankind (Gen 6:3)
3. The Spirit empowers God's servants for service (Num 27:18)
4. The Spirit inspires deliverance (1 Sam 16)
5. The Spirit encourages future hope (Isa 11:1-2, Micah 3)

Doctrine #3 - We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.