When All Else Fails...

When all else failed, God lovingly came to us with His invitation of Saving Grace.
Jesus Himself gave us a similar invitation..."Come to Me...and I will give you..."

Often life's experiences and circumstances simply overwhelm us and cause to feel isolated, challenged and uncertain. It's during these I.C.U. moments that we most need to personally know and experience the sustaining grace of One who is greater than our greatest need.

Remember, when all else fails...confidently trust God's grace and rely on the richness of His resources.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) ~ "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Four-Way Test

During a business crisis in 1932, US Rotarian Herbert J Taylor wrote the "Four-Way Test", which was formally adopted by Rotary International in January 1943. To this day, it is used widely as a self-analysis tool.

Though subjective in form and bearing in mind that truth is, of course, relative, I'm convinced that the "Four-Way Test" has the ability to make a positive impact on business and personal ethics today.

Of the things we think, say or do:

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

When faced with decision-making, why not give it a try? It could make the world of difference for you and others!

Isaiah 11:3 (MSG) ~ "...judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice."

Missionaries Matter!

I understand that in the truest sense of the word, one doesn't need to leave their homeland to be a 'missionary'. However, the main focus of our territory's World Mission Fellowship is to support, both prayerfully and practically, our Australia Southern personnel who relocate overseas in order to fulfil their God-given mission.

Last night we were privileged to hear first-hand mission updates from Commissioners Vic & Ros Poke (Sweden & Latvia) and Majors Geoff and Kalie Webb (Pakistan) with their daughter, Khelsi. They are each enjoying homeland furlough and inspired us through their respective reports to be continue in the faithful intercession ministry which is the foundation of our fellowship.

Meeting for the first time in the Inala Chapel was beneficial and afforded us the luxuries of comfortable seating, good audio/visual facilities and great acoustics for corporate singing. Though what a contrast to the 'simple' meeting places we heard about throughout Latvia and Pakistan. One point of agreement ~ Missionaries Matter!

Why not join me in praying for them?

Majors Ian & Vivien Callander (Moldova, Eastern Europe)

Majors Ron & Lyn Cochrane (Moscow, Eastern Europe) from September '08

Majors Mike & Annette Coleman (Taiwan)

Majors Daryl & Sandy Crowden with Alexis (New Zealand)

Marshall & Vicki Currie with Emma, Meg & Tim (Kenya)

Majors John & Anne Farquharson (Zambia)

Majors Ross & Agnes Hailes (Canada)

Major Winsome Mason (United Kingdom)

Captain Kirsty McKenzie (Ecuador)

Cadet Kevin & Capt Sugu Meredith with Naomi (Myanmar)

Captain Debbie Messenger (The Philippines)

Major On Dieu Quang (Hong Kong & Macau ~ based in China)

Commissioners Vic & Ros Poke (Sweden & Latvia)

Majors Drew & Leanne Ruthven with Lyle (Papua New Guinea)

Majors David & Christine Watson (Tanzania)

Majors Ritche & Gail Watson (Papua New Guinea)

Majors Geoff & Kalie Webb with Khelsi (Pakistan)

Majors Jim & Marion Weymouth (Hong Kong)

Peter & Emma Weymouth with Samuel & Jude (Zambia)

Envoys John & Kaye Williamson (Jamaica, Caribbean)

Navigating Faith

Learning to trust God completely is a daily process, but it starts with personal surrender.

In Genesis 12, when God called Abram at 75 years of age to leave his comfort zone and go on a mission to an undisclosed location, he trusted God whole-heartedly to navigate the way.

From the wisdom of Solomon, we too are encouraged to allow God to be our Navigator. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths".

Here's the key to navigating faith ~ "When we cannot see our way, let us trust and still obey. He who bids us forward go, cannot fail the way to show" (Song 772, verse 1)

How much more blessed we are when we daily trust in God as our Navigator!

Mission Refocus

Affirmation, challenge, rebuke and empowerment ~ these are all words that describe some of what we have experienced as we shared in the two-day intensive Corps Mission Conference under the instruction of Rev Dr Paul Borden.

Together we explored the purpose for which God raised up the Church and considered leadership principles to most effectively focus God's people on achieving the Great Commission, while retaining our unique ministry to the identified target group.

Obviously, we have had a lot of missional food for thought. But be assured that it will not be wasted. We're committed to leading our seniors-focussed ministry into maximum health!

Matthew 28:19 (MSG) ~ " Jesus gave his charge: God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life..."

Senior Singspiration

It's amazing to see the way that seniors respond to music, and hymn-singing, in particular.

Recently, due to a number of circumstances, we decided to change the format of our weekly church service in one of our nursing homes. Rather than continue with the structured service including songs, Bible reading, prayer and scripture comment, we introduced an informal hymn sing-along style meeting ("less talking/more music").

The response has been most positive ~ more residents attending due to the relaxed setting; staff members joining in and assisting the residents; as well as a noticeable increase in physical responses from dementia residents.

Pleasant smiles...hand-clapping...foot-tapping...memory recall.
These responses to the music we share bring a renewed inspiration to our vital ministry and make it all the more worthwhile.

Continue to give us "senior singspiration", Lord!

Christian Endurance

The Beijing Olympics is fast approaching as we are constantly reminded by the daily media. The athletes who have been chosen to participate have undergone stringent preparations and training to secure themselves a place in the race, in the hope that their physical endurance will result in them being crowned winners in their respective sporting field.

Likewise, if we want to be winners in the Christian faith race, we must have a spirit of endurance. This was the focus of our worshipful reflection on Hebrews 12:1-2 as we were encouraged to keep "Running The Race" and celebrated the empowering presence of God in and through our lives. What a blessed experience and inspiring time it was to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith"!

Hebrews 12:1 (ICB) ~ “So we have many people of faith around us. Their lives tell us what faith means.”

As the World Youth Day celebrations and visit of Pope Benedict VI come to a close today in Sydney, during our sing-along this evening we sang these words prayerfully.

He who would valiant be 'gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master!
There's no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit;
We know we at the end shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away, I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.