Observe what God is doing.

There are times where things just do not go the way they should. The reasons may be from the list of, 1001 malfunction, distractions, and stuff, to interrupt worship. If you know the scenario, it does not need amplification, or description.

John 10:10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (Message)

I can only deduce that the Holy Spirit is stirring up his people, and the enemy is worried. What a privileged position. God's people are listening, responding, and developing, in ways that are causing concern in our adversaries camp.

It is important to quietly sit back and observe, what God is doing.

Cricket

I thought that red ink was the appropriate medium to use for cricket, as it represents being NOT OUT!

I watched the first part of the Australian domination of South Africa, late last night/early this morning. Hopefully the World Cup will be held high by the Aussies.

I'm also interested in the Aussie crowd, as there are a couple of guys there from the last Club that I played for. As yet the cameras have not been pointed in the right direction.

I am also looking forward to the Australia visit, of the team from India next season.

1 Cor. 9:24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. (Message)

ANZAC

Woke early this morning, during the address from the ANZAC Dawn service on the radio. Found it most interesting, before falling asleep again. The day then began with a 9.30am, and an 11.00am service.

I am reminded that, it is the young people, who are sent into the battle arenas.

I am reminded that, the families and friends, of these young people, suffer also.

I am reminded that, the trauma of these conflicts, are long-lasting.

I am reminded that, older people send the young people into the battle arenas.

I am reminded that, Jesus said, Love your enemies.

The local RSL, has requested that, my wife and myself, be Chaplains to their people. This we have accepted.

Matthew 5:44 I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, (Message)

Archbiship Alphege ~ April 19th.

In recent days there has been a great deal of violence in the world. Historically this has also been the case, yet not everyone approves of that approach.

Alphege, an Englishman born in 954, entered a monastery in Gloucestershire as a young man and quickly fell in love with Jesus Christ. Some years later he became a church leader in Bath, and when he was 30 he was chosen by St. Dustin to become bishop of the city of Winchester. At first Alphege refused the bishopric, considering himself too young for such responsibility. But he was keen, saintly, and well liked, and Dustin persuaded him to serve.

Burdened for Winchester’s poor, Alphege soon began organizing ministries of food and provision. Presently no beggars were reported anywhere in his diocese. In the process, however, Alphege nearly starved himself to death, becoming so thin that worshipers declared they could see through his hands when he uplifted them at Mass. They loved him all the more, and Alphege served as their pastor for 22 years.

When Aelfric, archbishop of Canterbury, died, Pope John XVIII chose Alphege as his successor. England was, at the time, in the throes of an invasion by the warring Danes, and shortly after Alphege became archbishop, Danish forces, assisted by the rebel earl, Edric, marched into Kent and attacked Canterbury. The city was trapped, and its leaders begged Alphege to escape for the good of England. The archbishop chose to remain with his encircled people.

The Danes breached the walls, burst upon the populace, and began plowing down young and old. Alphege rushed to the center of the carnage. Confronting the Danish commander, he demanded the massacre cease. Instead, he was seized, roughly handled, and thrown into a dungeon.

The Danes demanded a ransom from England for his release, but Alphege refused to be freed, declaring that his country was too poor to pay such a sum. He was taken to Greenwich where the invaders again sought a ransom. Alphege, again adamantly refusing, was murdered by the Danes during a drunken feast in 1012.

His body was later recovered and buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, then moved to Canterbury in 1023. Every year England remembers its faithful Christian martyr on April 19, feast day of St. Alphege, archbishop of Canterbury.

I know that my Savior lives, and at the end he will stand on this earth. My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God. Yes, I will see him for myself, and I long for that moment. Job 19:25-27

Morgan, R. J. 2000, c1997. On this day : 265 amazing and inspiring stories about saints, martyrs & heroes (electronic ed.) . Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville

mainly music

Tuesday was the introduction day for mainly music at the Corps. We had five families arrive, and had a great time together. The children seemed to get on very well, considering that they did not know each other. The adults, participated well considering that it was completely new to them. This is a good number to build on, and create a foundation for growth in a few weeks.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, .... Psalm 68:32. NIV

KALLAI

Neh. 12:12 During the time of Joiakim, these were the heads of the priestly families: of the family of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
Neh. 12:20 of Sallu, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

The name of our first dog was, Valroven Chieftain. He was a Collie, with a sable coat. His everyday name, was Kallai, which means swift. Even in his later years with arthritis in his back and hips, he was still a pup at heart, wanting always to chase a ball and bring it back.

He was mostly a very obedient dog. Even when he was drooling at the mouth, and looking with deep longing in his eyes, with a juicy piece of meat in his bowl, he would not eat until he was given the OK.

Such restraint!

Dusseldorf Youth Concert Band

Last night we had the privilege of listening to the Latrobe City Brass Band, and the Dusseldorf Youth Concert Band. The youth band was made up of 70 youth, between the ages of 12 to 18. Their music was vibrant, inspiring, and performed with excellence. Their deportment was also a credit to themselves, and their school.

I enjoy music, from Rock to Bach. The most inspirational, and moving, is that used to enhanse worship.


Psalm 33:2 Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs! Play his praise on a grand piano! (Message)

FOOTBALL!!!!

Yesterday, was a good day, but it could have been better!!!!

I went to the football with my sister. As we both cheer for the same team, it is good to be in Victoria and go to a game together each season. With a reasonable start to the game, things soon did not look to good. It just seemed that the opposition knew where we (Melbourne), were going to kick the ball, and intercepted the passage of play. Then we looked as if we did not know what each other was doing.

Perhaps things will get better in round 3.

He quoted a proverb: " 'Can a blind man guide a blind man?' Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn't lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.
Luke 6:39-40. (Message)

He is Risen

What did the disciples think, when they were without their leader?

Today we went through most of the meeting without a leader at the front. It was arranged with the band and the multimedia person to follow each other as they in-turn, followed the meeting lead. The congregation soon joined in, and coped with a little confusion at the beginning. Just a little taste of what the disciples had felt. Then their focus moved to worship.

"Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."
Matthew 28:7. (Message)

Easter Saturday

I recall a bath-time when I was 5 or 6. It was Saturday evening, and Mum was bathing me. I asked her about Easter, and what it was all about. She did the best she could to explain Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. I heard the words, and knew that Jesus died on the cross, and rose from the grave, but I could not grasp the meaning of it all. However, I knew that there was something significant about Easter, for me personally.

I cannot help being amazed, at the working of God, the Holy Spirit!!!

Romans 3:25 God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. (Message)

GOOD FRIDAY

What a great day of worship, reflection, and meditation. We had our hall full, with the Church of Morwell, met together in combined worship. A real sense of unity, and the enjoyment of each others company, was evident throughout the worship time, and the following fellowship time over a cuppa and hot cross bun.

In the assembly was a couple that I had met during chapel services in an Baptist elderly residence from a previous ministry location. It was good to have a chat, and encourage them.

But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.
John 4:23. (Message)

T'was a dark, dark, night.

T'was a dark, dark, night..... ~ the opening of a book that my daughter loved when she was younger. For the disciple Peter, it was indeed a dark night. Jesus was arrested, and then there was that other bit that Jesus predicted. Then the realisation of failure. It was indeed a dark night for Peter.

What would I, have done???

Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.
Matthew 26:75. (Message)

Watch, Listen, & Pray

How do you like where you are? A question often asked when you meet friends and collegues for the first time after moving to a new ministry location. I'm not sure whether it is just a question to start conversation, or a real interest in your new location, or your general well-being. My stock answer ~ I can be miserable anywhere, if I want to be! ~ seems to change the subject.
With a few years of ministry to look back on, getting to know the spiritual climate of a new ministry location is of vital importance. That is more than the spiritual climate of the new fellowship of worshipers, it is the climate of the local community. In the past we have moved into ministry localities where the Ministers, and the Christian community, have been under vigorous oppression. In these times, you celebrate the good happenings when they occur. At other times, being deeply moved by observations of the community, your heart breaks, under the burden of ministry.

Watch, listen, and pray.

A leper came to him, begging on his knees, "If you want to, you can cleanse me." Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, "I want to. Be clean." Mark 1:40-41 [Message]

John 3:16.

John 3:16 (Message) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

The heart beat of God, is that none should perish!!

Meditation for Easter

Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the Cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham's blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God's life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received it.
Galatians 3:13-14. (Message)

JESUS became, and dissolved, that same curse!! "Meditation for Easter"