New Website ~ www.boxhillrotary.com.au

Click on the above picture to access our club's newly-created, animated website.

It's well worth a visit!

Faith versus Trust

Jean Francois Gravelet, “The Great Blondin”, was famous for his death-defying tightrope acts. In 1859, he was the first person to walk the 1,100 feet (335 meters) across Niagara Falls. Being a showman, he performed the walk several different times, adding variety by walking the tightrope blindfolded, with his manager on his back, with his hands and feet manacled, while balancing on stilts and while on a bicycle. He even once cooked and ate an omelet in the centre of the rope.

On one occasion, he asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that I, The Great Blondin, can walk across this tightrope to the other side?” Unanimously they responded, “We believe! We believe!”

So he walked across the tightrope and came back again. Then he asked them, “How many of you believe that I, The Great Blondin, can not only walk back across that tightrope, but this time do it while I push a wheelbarrow?” “We believe! We believe!”

Then he asked, “How many of you really believe it?” “Oh, we really believe it!” they shouted back. The Great Blondin then responded with a challenge, “If you really believe, then get in the wheelbarrow.”

The audience stood unresponsive, in utter silence.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The difference between what we say we believe and what we really believe will always show up in our actions.

"When you hit rock bottom, look up!"

Today's continuation of Journeying with Jonah was not without its dramas. Much like the dramatic literary style of Jonah, the sermon itself was full of 'unplanned' humourous events (especially at the whale's expense!)

Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 has all the elements of a sincere confession. Jonah admits his fault and claims God’s forgiveness. But it doesn’t end there! Jonah does something very beautiful, which prompted God, in His great mercy and grace, to command the fish to vomit him up and save him. Jonah made a personal promise to God.

Verse 9 reads ~ ”But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

Jonah finally recognizes his true ‘Resource’ ~ Salvation comes from the LORD. This prayer of confession changed Jonah’s destination from the DETRIMENT OF DISOBEDIENCE to the OBLATION OF OBEDIENCE.

Words of Retired General John Gowans (song 378) sum up well Jonah's experience.

Out of my darkness God called me,
Out of the depth of my night,
Out of the shadows of sorrow,
Into the life of his light.

Out of my darkness he called me,
Out of my doubt, my despair,
Out of the wastes of my winter,
Into the spring of his care.

Out of my darkness he called me
Into his sun-shining day,
Out of my gloom to his glory;
What could I do but obey?

...and then go on to leave us with a personal reminder of our own.

When you find yourself in moments of despair, look up to God for salvation from your situation and promise Him your devotion. “When you hit rock bottom, look up!”
Better yet, try trusting God without reserve and live in the confidence of His intimate intervention, everyday!

Out of your darkness he calls you,
Out of your doubt, your despair,
Out of the wastes of your winter,
Into the spring of his care.

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Not having ever read the CS Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia series, I've been very intrigued to watch the movie versions of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and most recently today, Prince Caspian.

The main encouragement I took away from the viewing was the fact that Aslan allowed Peter to go through the journey so that he could discover some valuable life lessons. My spiritual parallel was that God, too, is like that with us. He allows us to make our personal faith journeys knowing that we will discover so much about His character and love as we learn from our personal 'battles'.

In a sense, God conceals things from us for a specific purpose ~ He knows that we learn best through personal discovery. Having studied primary school teaching, I am acutely aware that the 'discovery learning' method seems to make the most personal impact on individuals, as opposed to rote or instructional learning.

Peter's journey is one of faith. Likewise, so is ours. God conceals spiritual blessings in the circumstances of our lives.

What are you discovering about God?

Are you actively seeking to discover the realities of His love and grace that are your supreme privilege?

Proverbs 25:2 (NLT) ~ "It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them."

3WBC 94.1FM

An interview on the Rotary and Community Services programme of 3WBC (hosted by Rotarian Brian Bloomer, standing above) was a great way to end the day, especially when it concerned promoting our Rotary Club's financial support of some of the City of Whitehorse's local community groups.

Featured in the interview were Michael Crichton (pictured seated left) representing the Bennettswood Neighbourhood House and Meaghan Adams (pictured seated right) represeting the Alkira Centre.

Listen to the podcast ~ http://www.canterburyrotary.org/radio_3WBC/20080613BoxHillRotaryWeb.mp3

"SERVICE ABOVE SELF" is always a rewarding experience!

Philippians 2:4 (MSG) ~ Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Fort Knox

I had reason to visit a Christian office building today and was greatly disappointed by the impersonal and cold reception I was afforded (and that's no reflection on the weather either!).

What I assumed would have been a personal welcome and helpful experience, turned out to be most unwelcoming and devaluing. I don't blame the people behind the reception desk, for I fear they are only doing what they have been told to do. However, the company are widely known for their high standard of Christian care and this was certainly not the case when I walked through their doors today. Some weeks ago now, I visited Parliament House when they were sitting and, in comparison, my experience of gaining 'secular' entrance by clearing their security check was much more welcoming.

I came away greatly disappointed, yet greatly challenged to make sure that the welcome I afford others is indicative of the Lord I love and serve. My consolation was to remind myself that, regardless of my rather earthly reception, God assures us an unconditional welcome. But more than this, through Christ, direct access to the very spiritual blessings of God.

This is how it always should be, and will be one day in Glory when we are truly bid a "welcome home".

"We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." (Romans 5:2, MSG)

His Eyes Is On The Sparrow

I shared this story today while conducting the Companion Club at Waverley Temple.

Early in the spring of 1905, Civilla Martin, together with her husband, was sojouring in Elmira, New York. They con­tract­ed a deep friend­ship for a cou­ple by the name of Mr and Mrs Doo­lit­tle — true saints of God.

Mrs Doo­lit­tle had been bed­rid­den for nigh twen­ty years. Her hus­band was an in­cur­a­ble crip­ple who had to pro­pel him­self to and from his bus­i­ness in a wheel chair. De­spite their af­flict­ions, they lived hap­py Christ­ian lives, bring­ing in­spir­a­tion and com­fort to all who knew them.

One day while the Martins were vi­sit­ing with the Doo­lit­tles, Mr Martin com­ment­ed on their bright hope­ful­ness and asked them for the se­cret of it. Mrs Doo­lit­tle’s re­ply was sim­ple (and went on to become a well known gospel song):

“His eye is on the spar­row, and I know He watch­es me.”

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Matthew 10:31 (NLT) ~ "So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."