Launch of CD "Young Courage"

Captain Debbie Messenger shares this invitation ~

Everyone is welcome to the launch of this exciting project. Come along on Sunday, 18th November at 6pm @ Waverley Salvation Army, and hear Mezz Coleman sing the song she has written specifically for the children of Joyville Children's Home called 'Young Courage'.

All proceeds from this CD go to help the ongoing work of Joyville Children's Home in the Philippines.

Sharing Our Learning

Cadets Pete & Jo Brookshaw gave good leadership to our worship service this morning and shared their passion for Jesus in the process. Basing her Bible message on Psalm 78, Cadet Jo reminded us of the importance of not only growing in our faith, but living it out every day to the honour and glory of God.

Here's a couple of notable quotables I wrote down as Cadet Jo spoke.

"You can't photocopy the Christian faith of others and live it as your own!"

"Life experience is the greatest teacher"

Hebrews 13:7 (MSG) ~ "Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all."

According To Plan?

It's days like today, when nothing seems to go "according to plan", that I often find myself questioning the Divine.
"Lord, why does there have to be a traffic jam on this road when I need a free thoroughfare to get to my appointment on time? And God, why did you bring this person into contact with me when You knew I was in a hurry? These things weren't part of my plan today!"

As I sat down this evening and reflected on my eventful day, I could hear Frank Sinatra's self-centred lyrics running through my mind, "I Did It My Way!" And then came the realization, this is not what life is about. It's not about me, it's all about Jesus. And didn't the traffic jam allow you the opportunity for some quality extended conversation with your wife? Wasn't it beneficial to spend a little time catching up with someone you hadn't seen in a while and leave them encouraged in their personal journey?

"Well yes it was, but..." Stop there. A life lived trusting in Jesus and His love has no regrets. Life may not always go in the direction that we had planned, but we can be certain that God will always lead us in a better, unpredicted pathway.

Ephesians 1:11 (MSG) ~ "It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone."

Preparing To Celebrate

The countdown is on!
It is now 16 days until we meet under the leadership of General Eva Burrows (Rtd) to celebrate 40 years of Salvation Army ministry through the Inala Chapel.

Pray that our celebrations will be inspirational and motivational as we give God the glory!

Psalm 145:7 (NIV) ~ "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

Used Stamps For Guide Dogs

Have you ever thought of doing something fun and yet for a worthy cause?

Trimming stamps is something I like doing during my free time. One day during the past week a few of us were talking about how many stamps I trim each week. This prompted and idea in my mind to set a goal for myself for next year. From 1 January to 31 December 2008, my goal is to collect and trim 1 MILLION stamps; yes you read it right, 1 million stamps! In order to achieve this goal, I need your help in providing me with used stamps.

For your information, I don’t collect stamps myself but simply prepare them for sale for various organizations/community groups. The stamps which I hope to collect for this project will be taken to a wholesaler and the money raised will be given to GUIDE DOGS VICTORIA.

Why you ask? I have been blind since birth and have been a guide dog user for four years now and I can tell you that it has given me a new lease of life in the sense that I have become more independent and can go anywhere.Even though this is going to be very tedious, I feel that this will be a worthwhile project to undertake.

Your participation in helping me achieve this goal will be greatly appreciated. All you need to do is send any used stamps (still attached to the envelope!) to the following address:

36 Aberdeen Road

Blackburn South VIC 3130

Many thanks in anticipation of your support!
Dabak

I Can Think Of Him

This morning's worship focussed on the God who constantly thinks of us and longs for us to think on Him. I am so grateful to the Inala Choir for singing Major Joy Webb's song, I Can Think Of Him, reminding us that we can each think of God at all times in our lives, no matter what our experiences or circumstances might be, and know His presence to be an absolute reality and a comforting assurance to us not only for the past, but for all our todays and tomorrows.

Over recent weeks, I’ve had ample time to step aside from the routines of my ministry and really do some deep thinking. To contemplate God without the pressures of daily schedules and to process where I am in my spiritual journey. And you know, I have to be honest and say that it isn’t always an easy thing to do, because contemplation often leads to confrontation. As I meditated on Colossians 3:1-2, I was confronted with my own timely reminder that think on God and be proactive about the way I respond to situations that come my way.

Here's my personal paraphrase of these words that were a timely reminder for me ~ “Think on God. Think godly thoughts and set your mind on God’s agenda instead of your own. Look up to His love and live confidently in His presence.”

Song 517 (verse 2) ~ "Whate'er pursuits my time employ, one thought shall fill my soul with joy: That silent, secret thought shall be that all my hopes are fixed on thee."

Maori Cultural Experience

When visiting other countries, we always enjoy experiencing something of their indigenous culture. So, on our final evening in Christchurch we had the wonderful privilege of attending a Maori Cultural Show followed by a hangi (earthen-cooked) buffet meal.

By listening to stories and commentaries about their rich heritage and practices one begins to appreciate the diversity and understand the important contributions of other cultures to our multifaceted world.

It was delightful to experience the richness of their harmonious songs and expressive dance routines ~ to hear of their ancient spiritual beliefs of creation was interesting too.

Above all, there was a real sense that God certainly blessed us with a enjoyable and relaxing holiday experience. As expressed in the common Maori greeting, Kia ora was the reality of our experience ~ "be well and healthy".

Numbers 10:29b (NIV) ~ "Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things..."