The Big One

Turning one is not always the most memorable birthday we experience, but it is almost always a significant occasion in the eyes of close family members ~ fun-filled and full of expectation. Will today be the day that he/she takes their first step on the road to walking? Will they sit and enjoy the toy gifts or simply opt to play with the wrapping paper instead?

What a beautiful reminder belongs to those who believe ~ God is always mindful of us. Nothing we do ever escapes His attention. Our spiritual development is His key concern. His loving care enables us to feel valued every day. Praise God we are all special in His sight.

Oh and before I forget, "Happy 1st Birthday Jordan. We love you very much"!

Psalm 139:4-6 (MSG) ~ "You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too ~ your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful ~ I can't take it all in!"

Uncoached Gratitude

One of the joys of unclehood is to spend quality time with my 2 year old nephew, Jesse. And for now, this means sitting at the 'puter exploring The Wiggles website. It's amazing how much enjoyment he can get out of repeating the same few 'favourite' games online. Yet, as Jesse directs so I navigate the site and, at times, press something 'wrong' that he thinks is so funny. Just to see his reaction is priceless!

When all was well and truly over and the routine goodnight farewells were shared some hours later, Jesse asked permission of his grandma to tell me about the 'puter and then came and stood in front of me and sincerely said, "Tim, thank you for putting me on the 'puter". Wow, his simple, uncoached words of gratitude were encouraging enough to boost my 'tired-out' spirit!

Sadly, sometimes most of us almost need to be coached into a spirit of gratitude. But God's Word is quite clear in its emphasis to always be prepared to cultivate thankfulness in all we do. It's bound to always have a positive effect on others!

Colossians 3:16 (MSG) ~ "Let every detail in your lives ~ words, actions, whatever ~ be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Travelling

We have just completed a long journey today driving the distance from Melbourne to Sydney. But the travel was well worth it, as we got to spend time with our nephews, Jesse and Jordan and, of course, my brother, sister-in-law and parents (who are also up on holiday!).

The road conditions were great ~ light traffic, mild sunshine and good CD music to sing along to! At one stage, I found myself humming a tune in between CDs and my wife's occasional snores. Here are the words ~

"Travel along in the sunshine on the King's highway;

Travel along, singing a song,

Follow Jesus day by day.

Never mind what lies before you,

Never mind what others do;

So travel along in the sunshine on the King's highway."

So here are you a few questions for you to ponder. How are you travelling today? What's your driving force? Are you journeying life in self-dependent or God-dependent mode?

Resurrection Sunday

What a glorious morning ~ the sun is shining, the breeze is gentle and the Lord is risen! As a community of gospel-impacted believers, we met to celebrate God's "Amazing Hope" offered to the world as a result of Jesus' empty tomb. This miraculous Hope brings us each a personal assurance of complete victory over death, sin and the grave. Now that's sure reason to celebrate.

Consider Mary Magdalene, the first person to witness to the Resurrection that morning. In his gospel, it is interesting to note that John records that Mary arrived at the tomb "while it was still dark". Yes, she came both in physical and emotional darkness that day to meet her Lord where she had last seen him. And, as a result of her faithfulness to Jesus, Mary was also the first to encounter the Resurrected Christ and the first recorded evangelist. Likewise, when we are faithful and obedient, we experience a life-changing encounter with Jesus that testifies to His grace, even in times of personal darkness. Be assured that while it is still dark, we can know the Light of God's Love shining through all the time; for while it was still dark, God was working the greatest miracle of all.

John 1:5 (NIV) ~ "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it."

Good Friday ~ "Amazing Love"

We thank God for an inspirational time of personal reflection and a deep presence of His Spirit within our hearts and minds on this significant day!

At 8.30am, 35 seniors joined us for our annual Stations of the Cross Good Friday walk meditating on the events of Holy Week and the Passion of Christ. Following this we met for our Reflective Worship Service, based on the theme "Amazing Love".

Personal highlights were the entry of the Cross of Christ to the tune Jesus, keep me near the cross, the Inala Choir's presentation of All in the April Evening, our corporate affirmation ~ "If ever I loved thee, my Jesus 'tis now" (SASB 357) and, finally, Dabak's beautiful exposition of Isaiah 53 that challenged us to respond personally to God's Amazing Love in Christ ~ "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." (SASB 136, verse 4).

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) ~ "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Shepparton Rotary Conference

More than 900 Rotarians converged on the city of Shepparton from 29 March to 1 April for our district's annual conference.

From all reports tonight, it was a great time of fellowship and information sharing about the wonderful programmes undertaken by Rotary International.

Sadly, I was not privileged to be counted among the attending delegates on this occasion, but I plan to change that next year when we meet in Albury/Wodoonga.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) ~ "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

OWSOMS Altar Service

Our responsive and generous Inala Chapel congregation has again proved the grace of God's abundant provision through their sacrificial giving toward this year's OWSOMS Self Denial Appeal. To date, the appeal offering totals $6,430. Praise God!

We are constantly encouraged by their faith-filled and God-centred lives that always honour and glorify Him. Whatever age or stage of life we find oursleves, it is comforting to know that the super-sufficient grace of God is available for our personal experience. The events of this Holy Week make it clearly evident that Jesus' sacrficial love for each of us was truly amazing, and even more so, when we are mindful of what He continues to do in the lives of others as we open ourselves up to deeds of love in action.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (MSG) ~ "God loves it when the giver delights in the giving."