Look Up And Smile!

While driving our Grandad home this evening, we stopped at a set of lights on Springvale Road and spied a bright, colourful sign bearing the message: "Look Up And Smile". A quick glance at the rest of the sign revealed that it was advertising an event in connection with upcoming Australia Day celebrations.
Further investigation led us to discover that the organizers are commissioning high tech planes to fly over 3 specific locations in Australia and take photos of Australia’s most celebrated day of the year. Now you see why they’ve called it Look up and Smile!
Check out the details ~ http://www.lookupandsmile.com.au/

"Look Up And Smile" ~ As Christians we do that in faith everyday. We look up to God who is our joy and strength, assured that, as He guides us, we can smile at life's opportunities.
The Psalmist makes wise reference to God's interest in our world when he writes in Psalm 33 verses 12-14:

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth...

Inspiring Worship And Wedding Bells

What a day of blessing we've enjoyed! This morning at our Inala Chapel worship service we were privileged to sense a special measure of God's encouragement. Much of the worship centred on Paul's confidence in God's ability to inspire us to be all He desires us to be. The impromptu choir message, "Standing on the promises of God", moved freely into a time of spontaneous, personal testimony recalling God's promises given to individuals through grace moments in their lives. And, believe me, that's awe-inspiring!
Later on, we were privileged to witness the marriage of Matthew and Debra O'Brien (son of our choir leader, Anita, and her husband, Alan). We've never been to a Sunday afternoon wedding before, and again, sensed the encouragement of God as these two young, committed Christians pledged their lives to love one other centred around their own relationship with Jesus Christ. Part of their personal vows to each other declared, "I promise to pray with you and make God the centre of our marriage...giving you the freedom to be who He wants you to be". Now, how inspirational is that? Committing to God-centred (married) lives, while at the same time, acknowledging the need to give each other the freedom and respect to fully develop their individuality in Christ.
Praise be to God for His personal encouragement and blessing through inspirational worship and wedding bells!

Appreciation Goes A Long Way

It's nice to be appreciated! Sadly, people today often fail to appreciate those they love and value. The busyness of life can leave little or no time to stop and express a little appreciation along the way.
Having commenced our twelth year of ministry recently, we are pleased to be able to say that we have always made it a priority to express appreciation to those who share alongside us in leadership support roles. Our experience has always shown that the impact of providing a word of encouragement and praise is like a stone being thrown into the water ~ the ripples of personal and corporate spiritual effect are both wide and far-reaching. And, more often than not, the rewards of appreciating others have a habit of returning to bless the giver.
Is there someone you need to really express your appreciation to? Someone who would benefit from a word of personal encouragement and praise? I'm sure there is. Don't wait ~ simply appreciate!

No Laughing Matter

A breaking news headline on the radio today caused us to laugh until, that is, we discovered the seriousness of the situation. The focussed newsreader announced:
"Three sex offenders are on the run after escaping from a Melbourne psychiatric hospital. The trio escaped from the hospital which provides psychiatric treatment for criminals. Victorian Health Minister said the men jumped over a wall at the Statewide Forensic Services secure facility..."
Secure facility? Sounds quite ironic ~ even laughable! Yet following through on the development of this news this evening led us to become aware that the current law renders the lawkeepers powerless to act in arresting these escapees until a warrant is issued ~ all because they have been ordered under the care of a goverment department. Again, that is no laughing matter!
We prayed that these escapees might be found quickly and safely without others being hurt in the process. so that they can successfully complete their rehabilitative treatment.
Praise God for answered prayer! Just as I write these words, a report has come to hand that these men have been located and returned to the facility from which they fled.
This all proves that, though we often feel powerless when put in situations beyond our control, we can always know the strength of God within to experience personal victory every time. And that's seriously both helpful and hopeful!

Romans 5:6 and 8:3 (NIV)
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly...For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering."

When Life Doesn't Seem Fair

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!

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."

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!!