For This He Came...

Celebrate CHRIST!

Revelation 21:3 (MSG) ~ ‘I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighbourhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God.’

Love divine, all loves excelling,

Joy of heaven to earth come down;

Fix in us thy humble dwelling;

All thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation;

Enter every longing heart.

Choral Worship Service

This morning's worship service took the form of a Christmas Chorale, with our angelic Inala Choir presenting "The Morning Son", based on the proclamation of the Christmas story by the angels and the shepherds.

It was truly a God-glorifying and Spirit-inspiring occasion. The presence of God was unmistakable as musicians and narrator sensitively shared the gospel story, so old but so "new".

The message of the angel was "Fear not, for I bring you...LOVE, JOY, PEACE and HOPE through God's gift to the world, Jesus the Christ-child."

When the angels were gone the shepherds said, “We must go and see that which the Lord has made known to us!” (Luke 2:15)

What will your response to God's gift be this Christmas?

Cappuccino Captain!

While sharing a coffee at Bunnings cafe with my wife and a couple of our chapel leaders after church this morning, I was deep in conversation when suddenly, out of the blue, a kid's shoe came flying over the playground gate and smacked me directly in the middle of the forehead. BANG! A little taken aback, I quickly returned the shoe to the other side via a concerned onlooker.

As I took my seat ~ BANG! ~ a second shoe landed directly in the middle of my cappuccino almost fully immersing me in coffee as I sat, shocked, in my wet navy uniform, complete with stained white shirt and tie. I was angered into silence!

About five minutes later, as I was finishing off a free replacement from the compassionate coffee-maker and awaiting the cleanup to be finalized, from the distance I could see a 5yo boy coming toward my table, accompanied by his purposeful father.

On their arrival the father stated, "My son has something to say to you. Go on!" Then followed a confident yet sincere apology: "Excuse me, man! I'm sorry for spilling your coffee." Despite my annoyance, I was gracious enough to accept his genuine apology and give him an assurance of my forgiveness.

Kind of like a live object lesson on forgiveness...and the practice of patience.
Be assured - tomorrow I'm off to the dry cleaners!

Matthew 6:15 (NIV) ~ "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

The Sounds Of Christmas

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent and was an opportunity for us to focus on the JOY that Jesus brings to our lives.

As we considered John chapter 1, we reflected on the "Sounds of Christmas" that God wanted the world to hear that first Christmas Day when Jesus, our Immanuel Saviour, dwelt among us as a result of His Incarnation birth.

Through this Divine Intervention into our humanity, God was indeed sounding two important messages to mankind.

1. "I love you!"
2. "I am with you!"

These are the "Sounds of Christmas"! Can you hear them?

It is my sincere prayer that God may richly and abundantly bless you as you allow the sounds of our Saviour’s birth to ring within your heart and mind at this joyful celebration season.

John 1:14 (NLT) ~ "So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness."

Here We Come A-Carolling!

On this second Sunday of Advent, 100 worshippers gathered at the Inala Chapel to enjoy the music ministry of the Melbourne Staff Band. The band's executive officer, Major Len Turner, gave quality spiritual leadership and challenged all present with the question: "Are you ready?"

It's important that, during this Christian season of preparation, we each consciously welcome Christ the King into our lives, expecting the grace of God to fall afresh on us.

As the MSB carolled in the nursing homes, hostels and ILU facilities appreciative residents responded well to the music and the message of Christmas. Hallelujah!

Amazing Christmas Celebration

There's something special about celebrating Christmas with great music. Tonight's AMAZING CELEBRATION certainly lived up to its name with vocalist extraordinaire, Silvie Paladino (pictured left), the vibrant Australian Girls Choir and the Salvos premiere brass musicians, Melbourne Staff Band.

Each participants' God-given musical talents were skillfully used to bless the audience with a God-glorifying, inspirational worship experience.

JESUS is the 'reason for the season' and this was most evident. Praise God!

Song of Solomon 1:4 (MSG) ~ "We'll celebrate, we'll sing, we'll make great music. Yes!"