Message In Brass

Brass music is far from outdated. In fact, it communicates beyond the surface and reaches to the very soul. This was really evident today as the ISB (Inala Seniors Band) carolled in three nursing homes and two hostels. As the residents sang along to the music played by our brass ensemble and I listened to the words echo around the room, it dawned on me that the traditional Christmas carols are, in the truest sense, gospel music. The simple carols with their deep theology portray the gospel story in a nutshell.

With this in mind, at this time of the year we each have a wonderful privilege to spread the gospel with holy intent as we share the carols and the life-changing message they contain.
So keep up the carolling and spread the message of Christ's redeeming love. It's still a relevant message for all!

Romans 15:14 (MSG) ~ "I'm simply underlining how very much I need your help in carrying out this highly focused assignment God gave me, this priestly and gospel work of serving the spiritual needs of (others) so they can be presented as an acceptable offering to God, made whole and holy by God's Holy Spirit."

Bethlehem Love

Today we attended our final Bible Discussion Group for 2007. It was a Christmas Bible Study with a difference. Led superbly by Major Lawrence Coleman, we followed the personal journeys of four OT women of faith who each were connected to David's Lineage of Love ~ Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba ~ all of whom bore children who were significant in God's chosen family line culminating, of course, with the glorious song of Mary, God's chosen earthly mother. Interestingly, these are the only 4 women who are mentioned in the Christmas narrative genealogies that set the scene for Jesus' birth.

While discussing Ruth, we discovered again that there was a 'love connection' with Bethlehem. Her second husband was Boaz of Bethlehem, and together they were blessed with a son.

Ruth 4:16-17 (NIV) ~ "Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David." ...and the rest is History! Coincidence? No. God-incidence? YES.

Roll on 5 February, when we recommence again for 2008.

Hands Of Hope

Yesterday during our worship time at Inala Chapel, we had a special corporate intercession feature. Each worshipper was given a coloured cardboard cut-out of a Praying Hand and were encouraged to write down the name of a person or situation for which they would seek the grace of God to intervene with His Christmas love. These were then placed on our Christmas "Tree of Hope" as a decorative reminder of our personal pastoral concerns.

This simple act of worship made such a great impact in the lives of our congregation and was an inspirational conversation starter as folk fellowshipped together at the end.

God's Love is simply Divine! Wouldn't you agree?

Philemon 1:4 (MSG) ~ "Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"

Giving & Receiving

Most Christmas gifts are wrapped so that you can’t readily tell what’s inside until you open the package. In the same way, the Gift that started it all came “wrapped” in a surprising way.
Its true value remained “hidden” to the first recipients until they “opened” the package, and received the Gift.
It is still that way today: there’s no way to truly appreciate the gift of God's Love until you accept it, and open your heart to receive it.

LOVE WAS WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES.
Luke 2:12 ~ “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”

LOVE WAS CLOTHED IN HUMANITY.
A Christmas card by Dayspring cards says it well: “The Word did not become a philosophy, a theory, or a concept to be discussed, debated or pondered. Instead, the Word became FLESH...the Word became a PERSON to be followed, enjoyed, and loved.”

Jesus came and dwelt among us...God-Incarnate...God in the flesh...He’s God with skin on.

God the Father spared no expense. He’s like Hallmark motto: He cared enough to give the very best. He gave us His Son that He might become our salvation.

God gave...that we might receive, and in receiving, that we would give ourselves completely back to Him!

It's A Small, Small World

As we were lunching in the overcrowded foodcourt at Forest Hill Chase, a couple came and sat beside us at our table. After exchanging pleasantries, we continued on with our own lunches. Toward the end of the meal, the asian lady turned to Dabak and inquired as to where she was originally from. Upon hearing she was from Malaysia, we discovered just how small the world in which we live really is. Turns out the lady was Dabak's secondary school english teacher (Years 9-11) when she studied in Kuala Lumpur.

This unexpected 'surprise encounter' was a real boost to both parties ~ a teacher who was thrilled to know that her former student had made a success of her life, and a former student who, recognizing her teacher's voice, was amazed that she was (i) identified and (ii) reacquainted with a person who inspired her to be the best she could be during her formative years.

Christmas is a time of 'unexpected, surprise encounters' of God's love. The personal challenge is to be ready to receive the blessings as they arise and make the most of our faith-inspired lives.

Personal Christmas Greetings!

ASAP

In these hectic and demanding days leading up to Christmas, take the ASAP challenge. It's bound to bring great reward, and even add a little surprise, to the routine of the everyday.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our care,
And He'll respond to all your needs
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.