Detours

Detours are an unexpected challenge. We encounter them at a moment's notice regardless of how detailed our journey preparations might have been. While detours are necessary they are also, more often than not, inconvenient. On the other hand, detours are best to be observed rather than ignored.

I enjoy Eugene Peterson's parphrase of Solomon's wise advice in Proverbs 4:10 ~ "Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns ... Don't take Wicked Bypass; don't so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way."

Personal faith experience proves that God's Detours are always purposeful and result in awesome outcomes. Wisdom Way and Righteous Road are best pursued by getting grace in gear and accelerating with obedient action.

East Meets West

At 7am this morning the arrival hall of the Tullamarine Airport was reflective of John Gowan's words, "They shall come from the east, they shall come from the west". There was an air of expectation and excitement as a great reunion of races was happening right in front of our very eyes. We were there to warmly welcome some Malaysian friends to the best part of Australia, accompanied by the symphonic sounds of wind and rain.

Now imagine how spectacular it will be to be a part of the Great Heavenly Reunion when people from all races and cultures shall gather around the eternal throne proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty" and confessing Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Oh yeah, bring it on Lord!

Luke 13:29 (NIV) ~ "People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Divine Appointment

After praying a couple of days ago, "Lord, fill my day with Divine Appointments and Blessed Intersections!", not surprisingly He did just that. Quite unexpectedly, while lunching at a cafe in Morwell today, God led us to a Blessed Intersection, where we met a lady who came to us seeking support following her recent diagnosis with a rare eye disease that will send her blind within a matter of months. She came seeking encouragement and God left us blessed in the process. There's no doubt about it, He is truly an awesome, all-knowing God of love!

When you have a moment. offer a prayer for Kathy as she continues to come to terms with her impending visually impairment and for faith to conquer. I was blind, but now I see!

Proverbs 10:22 (MSG) ~ "God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God."

23rd Psalm For Busy People

The Lord is my pacesetter, I shall not rush.

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,

And His guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day

I will not fret, for His presence is here.

His timelessness, His all importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,

For I shall walk in the peace of my Lord, and dwell in His house forever.

Toki Miyashina

Reprinted from The Canadian War Cry

Thank God You're Here

I was interested to read the following statement from Major Brian Pratt's reflection in the Melbourne Central divisional newsletter of 1 August.

People with urgent needs seldom intersect our lives at convenient times. Life is rarely simple. Our days are filled with interruptions. One of my mentors taught me some years ago to pray at the beginning of the day for 'Divine Appointments' ~ that God would send across my path His interruptions.

These words reminded me of the many instances when others whom we have been privileged to minister to, and indeed ourselves as recipients of another's 'timely' ministry, have echoed appreciatively the phrase: "Thank God you're here!" It's occasions like these when we are assured beyond doubt that, when we are obedient to God's leading, He always equips us to bring great blessing to others in their moment of need, while at the same time being blessed ourselves in the process.

Why not pray this faith-filled personal prayer and see where God takes you? "Lord, fill my days with Divine Appointments and Blessed Intersections!"

Genesis 30:27 (MSG) ~ "I have learned through divine inquiry that God has blessed me because of you."

Joy Moments

Major Joy Coleman, one of our valuable chapel members, is a gifted and inspired poet. Here is Joy's latest composition [of 5 August 2007] based on Jeremiah 23 verse 29 for your reading inspiration.

"Is not My word like as a fire?" saith the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (NKJV)

The workman hammered in the earth, which place

Was hard, but it was worth the drilling, for

The Rock had future purpose not revealed ~

Some treasure hid, which now lay firmly sealed.

The first blows yielded nought.

It was much harder than he thought.

The sweat fell from the workman's brow

Endurance was required, no matter how

Much time it took the task to then fulfil,

Two blows, ten more were

Hammered on the hill!

With hope near gone he laboured on

With drill, could be that even after

Forty blows he still could barely see

The purpose of his labour?

Should he down tools and cease his toil,

Or try once more to gain this spoil?

He tried again, and lo! The rock split wide

The treasure within view was safe inside.

Was it the final blow precipitated fall?

No! not the last, but constancy

Which well endures All!

Have you been praying for a loved one, very dear

Whose Spirit-longings yet to you unclear?

Keep praying if the going may seem hard

Prevailing prayer will bring its own reward.

The fervent Prayer, we read, obtains so much

The hardest "rock" yields to the Master's touch.

Lieut-Colonels Ian and Sonja Southwell

Guest speakers at tonight's World Mission Fellowship meeting were Lieut-Colonels Ian and Sonja Southwell. Together they have served 20 years overseas on the mission field in countries such as Hong Kong, Korea, The Philippines and Zambia, recently returning from service at Interational Headquarters. Their wide international service experience prepared them well for traveling the Army world as part of their recent appointments as Secretaries for International Training and Leader Development. What an inspiration to hear of the many and varied opportunities afforded them in their roles of training and educating officer and soldier leaders. How we praise God for His equipping through their giftedness!

I shouted out a hearty Amen to their appointment vision statement ~ "Every Salvationist leader learning life-long to be more competent, confident and Christlike."

Now, we pray that Lieut-Colonels Ian and Sonja might continue to enjoy the ministry opportunities afforded to them in their retirement. Whatever they do and wherever they may be in Christ's name, we are confident that God will competently lead the way as He has done many times before.

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV) ~ "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."