In His Footsteps

As I comtemplate again, during this Lenten season, the events that led Jesus all the way to Calvary I am reminded that every step He took was demonstrative of His unconditional love for me.

Meditating and reflecting on the life and ministry of Jesus helps me to keep a proper focus on my own God-appointed ministry. I find it helpful to have my Officers Covenant side by side with God's Word as I seek the empowerment of God's Holy Spirit on my life to enable me to walk worthily in His footsteps. Lent is a personal time of recommitment to Jesus' cause and a vital reminder that we are called to continue His spiritual ministry.

This recent picture of my nephews, Jesse and Jordan, is my current favourite. Having installed it on the desktop of my PC, it provides me with daily encouragement to walk in my Lord's footsteps and stay focussed on the things that have spiritual and eternal significance.

Psalm 119:133 (NIV)
"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

The Holden Era Begins

Today was 'Delivery Day'!

Like awaiting a child's birth, I didn't want to know what I was receiving until delivery day. As soon as I knew the date of changeover family and friends wanted to know the details ~ eg. model, colour, etc.

So, here it is...
HOLDEN COMMODORE OMEGA
Colour: Nickel silver

I hope the new vehicle is not a Biblical prophesy!

Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

A Special Place

In preparing for a funeral later this week, I met with the decedent's relative to discuss arrangements. During the conversation, the relative remarked to me in reference to the chapel, "I'm not particularly religious, but I know that this was a special place."

I was reminded that faith is not about proving the absence of God, but rather sensing the presence of God. My sincere prayer is that we when we meet in a couple of days time to give thanks to God for His gift of life and love, that this relative would have an overwhelming personal sense of God and that faith would have a special place in her future too.

Here a Lenten thought I've been reflecting on. It's a rephrase of Paul's question from 1 Thessalonians 3:9 ~ How can we thank God enough in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God?

Pointed Laughter

Australian comedian, Rod Quantock, took to the stage in Albury in our recent Rotary conference, looked out at the audience and commented "the majority of you look on the happy side of deceased". The senior citizen Rotarians presented had two options ~ laugh or cry. Well they did both ~ they cried with laughter!

As I reflect on this rather pointed comment, I praise God for the privilege of being involved in aged care chaplaincy ministry and the realization that they contribute positively to my own spiritual journey, as they sense the joy of Jesus and have the ability to laugh at life.

I thank God that, spiritually-speaking, there is a happy side to being deceased made available through the Christian hope we each have. As the Apostle Paul confidently expressed, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." [Philippians 1:21, NIV] Either way, we can't lose!

I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth." ~ Quincy Jones

Family Fellowships

This weekend I am experiencing first-hand the benefits that come from being in the "family of Rotary". Like most gatherings, there are those people who simply pass you by without so much as a greeting or a smile, but on the whole, there is a real friendly family atmosphere here that is buzzing in the air. And the challenge that comes to me is this: do I foster a family fellowship atmosphere of belonging in the groups I belong to?

Here's a challenge that is applicable not only in the Rotary context of which it speaks, but also for those "other groups or organizational settings" in which we find ourselves.
[Why not try substituting the words Rotary and clubs with ones that reflect your situation?]

"Like most families, the Rotary family provides a haven where we can gather the strength and encouragement to face the challenges of the world. It offers comforting traditions, asking that we honor those who came before us and celebrate our newest arrivals.
Our clubs are where we find the core of our Rotary family...to find more ways to create and nurture that atmosphere of warmth and caring.
One way we can do this is to extend our caring reach beyond each Rotarian to include that Rotarian's spouse and children.
A greater sense of a family atmosphere within our clubs will support the work we do outside of our clubs - all of the work we do to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, comfort the sick, care for the aged - in short, to reach out to our fellow human beings to help and to comfort.
This impulse to reach out to others abides in the hearts of all people, and as Rotarians, we simply do what is most natural: we act upon what we feel."

Former RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe, 2003-4

Albury NSW

800+ Rotarians from District 9810 (Dabak and I included) have arrived in Albury to attend our annual conference. As first time attendees, day 1 has been great to say the least. We were there to welcome the bike riders who completed their 940km route to raise funds for Rotary's health research fund, before sharing a BBQ brunch prior to the official opening.

Today's highlight was speaker Nic Feteris, world renowned BASE jumper who has jumped off towering moutainous peaks in Pakistan and the Statue of Liberty's torch, to name a few. His presentation was inspirational and made you want to step out of your comfort zone and face life's adventure with the aim of achieving outstanding results. His presentation fit in so well with the conference theme ~ Pushing the Boundaries.

Lord, I'm ready for the adventure!

Sensitively Yours

“Declare today “sacred time”—off-limits to everyone, unless invited by you.

Take care of your personal wants and needs.

Say no, graciously but firmly, to others’ demands.”

Oprah Winfrey

Great thought, but sometimes this is more easily said than done. When I first began in full-time ministry thirteen years ago my main focus was 'availability'. Being available to others is vital in fostering ministry opportunities, for Christian spiritual ministry is about people and people demand our time and attention. However, the passing of time and personal experience has taught me that the most important ministry focus is 'sensitivity' ~ the gift of being aware of the needs around us and taking time to respond appropriately.

Availability without sensitivity is time endured.

Availability with sensitivity is blessing assured.

Lord, first help me to be sensitive to the needs of those to whom I minister and then, guided by Your Spirit, be available to bring Your timely blessing!