Faithworks author, Bryan Patterson, wrote the following in his article entitled "Seeing small miracles" (Sunday Herald Sun, 19/8/07)
'...it is often the downtrodden, the poor and the disenfranchised who have the most trust in God, even when... their lives are stretched to breaking point. They are able, at times, to move beyond the ordinary, everyday sort of consciousness to glimpse eternity.
The ancient Jewish rabbis used to say: God is like a mirror. The mirror never changes, but everyone who looks at it sees a different face.'
Lord, give us each a faith in You that is deeper and wider than we can ever imagine.
Allow us to experience the height and breadth of Your love as our present reality.
Grow us in Your grace that we might glimpse etenity everyday.
May we witness, and be participants in, the small miracles you do each day in people's lives.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (MSG) ~ "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men..."
Monday, 12 November 2007
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Being There
Here's a true saying. "Actions speak louder than words." Consider this ~ What do you remember most: the things people say to you or the things people have done for you?
The most eloquent and challenging sermon pales into insignificance in the light of someone who acts compassionately toward us with God's love.
The best politicial speech is worthless, unless it is back up with affirmative action.
The assurance of a promise means nothing until it is followed through and acted on.
When it comes to the crunch, what matters most is 'being there' and delivering.
Sydney Carter's song lyrics focus on the importance of 'being there' ~ "When I needed a neighbour...when I needed a shelter...when I needed a healer...were you there?"
Be there for someone this week ~ it will speak volumes!
The most eloquent and challenging sermon pales into insignificance in the light of someone who acts compassionately toward us with God's love.
The best politicial speech is worthless, unless it is back up with affirmative action.
The assurance of a promise means nothing until it is followed through and acted on.
When it comes to the crunch, what matters most is 'being there' and delivering.
Sydney Carter's song lyrics focus on the importance of 'being there' ~ "When I needed a neighbour...when I needed a shelter...when I needed a healer...were you there?"
Be there for someone this week ~ it will speak volumes!
Monday, 5 November 2007
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.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
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"
Here's a couple of notable quotables I wrote down as Cadet Jo spoke.
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."
Friday, 2 November 2007
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."
"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."
Thursday, 1 November 2007
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.
Psalm 145:7 (NIV) ~ "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."
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."
Monday, 29 October 2007
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:
Many thanks in anticipation of your support!
Dabak
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
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