The majority of our days spent in aged care chaplaincy ministry are pleasant and rewarding. However, occasionally there come moments within a day that bring only frustration and challenge causing us to reason that "Life just doesn't seem fair!" Today was one such day!
While visiting one of our seniors this morning, we were confronted again with the very 'painful' realities of the aging process ~ the feelings of isolation, uselessness and despair ~ that are often associated with the loss of one's physical faculties affecting their sense of independence. Praise God, when the physical body fails us, the spiritual body proves reliable for God is always standing by ready with His moment of grace!
This experience brought to our minds the confronting words of the Servant Song.
"We are pilgrims on a journey. We are brothers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you; speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping. When you laugh, I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through."
Now that's what fulfilling chaplaincy is all about!
Wednesday, 10 January 2007
Tuesday, 9 January 2007
I Want To Be Where You Are
Last night while sharing in a family meal, my 2 year old nephew, Jesse, watched me take my nominated seat at the other end of the table and promptly remarked, "Timma, I can't see you there. Come up here!" Well, that was a special moment for me ~ my presence was appreciated and valued. So, dutifully and willingly, I sat myself down next to him.
Likewise, as Christians, we desire the presence of God in and through our lives. Our spirits long to be always in God's presence. While serving in Malaysia, we were privileged to share in worship and personal fellowship with international worship leader, Don Moen. It was a great inspiration to be in the presence of a man of God with a real worshipful heart.
Reflecting on these moments brings to mind this prayerful desire for the presence of God.
"I want to be where You are dwelling in Your presence.
Feasting at Your table, surrounded by Your glory.
In Your presence, that's where I always want to be.
I just want to be,
I just want to be with You."
May we always have a heartfelt desire to live and experience the presence of God each day.
Psalm 27:4
"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Likewise, as Christians, we desire the presence of God in and through our lives. Our spirits long to be always in God's presence. While serving in Malaysia, we were privileged to share in worship and personal fellowship with international worship leader, Don Moen. It was a great inspiration to be in the presence of a man of God with a real worshipful heart.
Reflecting on these moments brings to mind this prayerful desire for the presence of God.
"I want to be where You are dwelling in Your presence.
Feasting at Your table, surrounded by Your glory.
In Your presence, that's where I always want to be.
I just want to be,
I just want to be with You."
May we always have a heartfelt desire to live and experience the presence of God each day.
Psalm 27:4
"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Sunday, 7 January 2007
You Raise Me Up
My reflections today are a bit sentimental. Mothers are special people ~ especially mine (pictured right) who, by the way, recently turned...21 again! And today we met over lunch to celebrate her.While driving to the buffet restaurant, I was listening to a favourite hit song, You Raise Me Up, that reminded me of how grateful we each are for all that Mum continues to mean to us.
Here are the lyrics of the chorus:
"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up, to more than I can be."
Mum's ongoing dedication to providing us with loving nurture and a listening ear (together with her wisdom!) is invaluable, and has certainly encouraged us to be the best that we can be.
So, congratulations Mum for all you do to "raise us up" in life, faith and love! We look forward to many more enjoyable years to celebrate together. WE LOVE YOU HEAPS!!
Friday, 5 January 2007
Child's Play
"Toot, toot, chugga, chugga, big red car..." ~ such was our afternoon at Amber's Playhouse with our 2 year old nephew, Jesse. Scurring from one activity to the next, we let our hair down and really enjoyed the moment. Numerous times "Uncle Tim" was encouraged to get involved, but unfortunately he was too old for the slide, bouncing castle and car racing!
All things considered, our true joy was seeing Jesse having the time of his life as he whizzed around exploring this fun adventure time.
For us adults, life can often become very complex and serious that we forget to have fun and simply enjoy the moment. So take time out to live life to the full and simply enjoy!
All things considered, our true joy was seeing Jesse having the time of his life as he whizzed around exploring this fun adventure time.
For us adults, life can often become very complex and serious that we forget to have fun and simply enjoy the moment. So take time out to live life to the full and simply enjoy!
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Don't Let Love Leak Out
The writings of Samuel Logan Brengle are treasures. Even today his words still ring out loud with truth and challenge. Consider this message from his book, Ancient Prophets, originally published in April 1929.
"1. If the future of The Salvation Army is to be spiritually radiant and all conquering, we must not simply endure the cross, but glory in it. This will arrest the world, disarm Hell, and gladden the heart of our Lord.
2. We must 'by love serve one another.' We are following Him who 'came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many.' We, too, must give our lives for others, shrinking from no service, holding ourselves ever ready to wash the feet of the lowliest disciple.
3. We must still prove our discipleship by our love one for the other. It is not enough to wear the uniform, to profess loyalty to Army leaders and principles, to give our goods to feed the poor and our bodies to be burned. We must love one another. We must make this the badge of our discipleship. We must wrestle and pray and hold fast that we do not lose this.
The Army is so thoroughly organized and disciplined, so wrought into the life of nations, so fortified with valuable properties, and on such a sound financial basis, that it is not likely to perish as an organization, but it will become a spiritually dead thing if love leaks out. Love is the life of The Army. 'If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.' But if love leaks out we shall lose our crown, we shall have a name to live and yet be dead. We may still house the homeless, dole out food to the hungry, punctiliously perform our routine work, but the mighty ministry of the Spirit will no longer be our glory. Our musicians will play meticulously, our Songsters will revel in the artistry of song that tickles the ear, but leaves the heart cold and hard. Our Officers will make broad their phylacteries and hob-nob with mayors and councilmen and be greeted in the market-place, but God will not be among us. We shall still recruit our ranks and supply our Training Garrisons with Cadets from among our own Young People, but we shall cease to be saviors of the lost sheep that have no shepherd.
If the future of The Salvation Army is to still be glorious, we must heed the exhortation: 'Let brotherly love continue.'"
Amen to that! Be mindful not to 'let love leak out' of all your words and actions, for love truly is the core of genuine Salvationism.
[Perhaps you might want to check out some of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle's treasures using the following link]
"1. If the future of The Salvation Army is to be spiritually radiant and all conquering, we must not simply endure the cross, but glory in it. This will arrest the world, disarm Hell, and gladden the heart of our Lord.
2. We must 'by love serve one another.' We are following Him who 'came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many.' We, too, must give our lives for others, shrinking from no service, holding ourselves ever ready to wash the feet of the lowliest disciple.
3. We must still prove our discipleship by our love one for the other. It is not enough to wear the uniform, to profess loyalty to Army leaders and principles, to give our goods to feed the poor and our bodies to be burned. We must love one another. We must make this the badge of our discipleship. We must wrestle and pray and hold fast that we do not lose this.
The Army is so thoroughly organized and disciplined, so wrought into the life of nations, so fortified with valuable properties, and on such a sound financial basis, that it is not likely to perish as an organization, but it will become a spiritually dead thing if love leaks out. Love is the life of The Army. 'If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.' But if love leaks out we shall lose our crown, we shall have a name to live and yet be dead. We may still house the homeless, dole out food to the hungry, punctiliously perform our routine work, but the mighty ministry of the Spirit will no longer be our glory. Our musicians will play meticulously, our Songsters will revel in the artistry of song that tickles the ear, but leaves the heart cold and hard. Our Officers will make broad their phylacteries and hob-nob with mayors and councilmen and be greeted in the market-place, but God will not be among us. We shall still recruit our ranks and supply our Training Garrisons with Cadets from among our own Young People, but we shall cease to be saviors of the lost sheep that have no shepherd.
If the future of The Salvation Army is to still be glorious, we must heed the exhortation: 'Let brotherly love continue.'"
Amen to that! Be mindful not to 'let love leak out' of all your words and actions, for love truly is the core of genuine Salvationism.
[Perhaps you might want to check out some of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle's treasures using the following link]
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Proactive Penguins
Toe-tapping tunes, creative choreography and amusing animations with a modern moral message. These were our thoughts as we finished watching the recently-released movie, Happy Feet. Despite being aimed at children, it certainly has confronting messages for all adults with issues ranging from the external environment to our own internal self-image.
These proactive Emperor Penguins teach us lessons that need to be heard the world over. The one that encouraged us the most is that which is deeply personal ~ Be yourself. It is okay to be an individual ~ different from the rest. Live life proud of who you were created to be.
A similar message is found in Psalm 139:14 ~ "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Doesn't that message set your toes a-tapping to the real rhythm of life?
These proactive Emperor Penguins teach us lessons that need to be heard the world over. The one that encouraged us the most is that which is deeply personal ~ Be yourself. It is okay to be an individual ~ different from the rest. Live life proud of who you were created to be.
A similar message is found in Psalm 139:14 ~ "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Doesn't that message set your toes a-tapping to the real rhythm of life?
Tuesday, 2 January 2007
Auto Pilot Mode
Have you ever been out driving and arrived at a destination only to realize that the place where you ended up is not where you intended to be? Well, this has happened to us within the last week ~ not once but twice! For some reason, the car seemed to be in Auto Pilot mode and had a mind of its own. Recollecting these events now causes us to laugh out loud, though at the time it was anything but funny (especially when the driving error necessitated a change of plans!).
As a direct result of all this, we have been reminded again of the need to 'be alert' and 'stay focussed'. Not a bad thought to bear in mind at the commencement of a New Year, is it? So remember, keep focussed on the things that matter most and don't allow yourselves to get side-tracked!
With confidence, we echo an assurance of our faith ~ "I have a Pilot who guides me night and day". Praise God, His will for us is not Auto Pilot mode, but a purposeful, personal plan!
Hebrews 12:2 (The Message)
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in... because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God."
As a direct result of all this, we have been reminded again of the need to 'be alert' and 'stay focussed'. Not a bad thought to bear in mind at the commencement of a New Year, is it? So remember, keep focussed on the things that matter most and don't allow yourselves to get side-tracked!
With confidence, we echo an assurance of our faith ~ "I have a Pilot who guides me night and day". Praise God, His will for us is not Auto Pilot mode, but a purposeful, personal plan!
Hebrews 12:2 (The Message)
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in... because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God."
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