POWERFUL

I have just visited the THQ web site and ‘Beyond Connections07’ to revisit the Friday night Worship. This was indeed a powerful night for the Kingdom of God. Commissioner Jim, help us to really ‘connect’, to ‘get it!’ Commencing with some short scenes involving the mobile phone, then the father & son, the husband & wife, the officer preacher & the soldier, Commissioner then brought us to John 15 to get us connected with God.

Now we are in the Beyond Connections07 phase where we can discuss and implement our individual and corporate strategies, to the glory of God.

Lord, help us see all you require of us! Amen.


John 15:5 (Message) "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.

SITE

Please visit justsalvos. http://www.justsalvos.com/

Micah 6:8 (Message)

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.

UNKNOWN

If you don’t know what your missing, how can you find it?

What an amazing journey through a connections-landscape of peoples’ lives. Enabling people to discover what was previously hidden from them.
Through Connections 07, I was introduced to the enthusiastic teaching of Major Alan Harley (R). This was an amazing connection. I had not had the privilege of hearing Major Harley preach. Consequently I was not aware of what I was missing. I am truly grateful to our Leaders and the Connections Committee, who, under the direction of God the Holy Spirit, brought together a variety of connections for the Salvo staff, Soldiers, Friends, and Officers.

What will it look like, when people discover what was previously unknown?

Zech. 8:23 (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

CONNECTIONS 07

Connections 07, would have to be the best Territorial Event that I have been to. Commencing with Officers Council, and concluding with the Appointments & Sending Out of the newly Commissioned Officers.
With the emphasis on connecting with God, and the community, there were many speakers on a variety of connection points. For myself I attended the following sessions.
How connected are we?
Connecting beyond the prison gate.
Addictive Connections.
Connecting Globally.
Connecting to a Global Vision.
Connecting Responses.
Making Connections Happen.
Kingdom Connections – Worship Experience.
Spiritual Connections.
Connected with The Spirit.
Connecting the Bible and Justice.
Connecting with the Streets.
However, this is just a snippet of what was available to choose from.

All the speakers were excellent. Commissioners James & Carolyn Knaggs lead Connections 07 under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, help us to follow your lead in making better connections with our communities. Amen.


John 15:5 (Message)
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.

ELECTION

Saturday 24th November 2007, Australia voted in the Federal Election. The incumbent Prime Minister (Liberal Party) Mr John Howard, conceded that he had lost Government to the incumbent Opposition Leader (Labor Party) Mr Kevin Rudd.
It also looks likely that Mr Howard will loose his own electorate seat. Mr Howard’s deputy in the Liberal Party Mr Peter Costello (Treasurer) who sort after the leadership of the Liberal Party, and the Prime Ministership, will not run for the leader position in opposition. Many are now questioning the motives of Mr Costello, and his commitment to the Liberal’s, and Australia as a Nation.

This is a reminder to the people of God, that we will be judged, in society by our actions. We cannot afford to leave anything out there that can be used as a weapon against us.


2 Peter 1:10. (Complete Jewish Bible)
Therefore, brothers, try even harder to make your being called and chosen a certainty. For if you keep doing this, you will never stumble.

DUST & RAIN

Today we had a dust storm in the middle of the day. A few trees lost some branches, and you had to shield your eyes from the strong wind to keep the dust out. Tonight was a little different with thunder, lightening, and rain showers.

Just for a change there are delicate flowers bursting into bloom.


Psalm 55:8 (Message)
I want a cabin in the woods.
I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather.

WORSHIP

Yesterday we gathered together in the afternoon at the Morwell Community Church for our third united worship service for the year. It was a great time of worship with participation from most of the local congregations, and Al’s sharing from the word was encouraging. It was also good to share in prayer in small groups, and I was privileged to sit on the floor with some teenagers who have a heart for God to raise-up this generation for service.

Thank you Lord, for the many blessings received and shared!


Psalm 133:1 (Message)
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!

INSECTS

This is the season when tiny insects are martyred on the front of the car. The windscreen washer works overtime to keep your vision unimpaired. Also the birds are having a field day as the insects land on the road, and become an easy prey. Mostly the birds fly out of the approaching vehicles path, however there are some that are not quick enough to reach a safe place.




Leviticus 11:21 (Message) But you can eat some of these, namely, those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground:

A MOVING DAUGHTER

Sitting on the edge, waiting for the appointed time. Getting a flat to rent is similar to sitting on the edge waiting. Waiting for properties to become available. Waiting for applications to be approved. Waiting for the appropriate phone calls. Waiting for the keys. Waiting for the furniture to arrive.

So much about moving, is actually waiting, waiting, waiting!




John 5:3. (KJV)
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, holt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

RESTORATION

Worship times are always interesting, with many things going on at the same time. However yesterday’s worship was a little more interesting than usual. Through all the events and turmoil of the day, still there were those who were receiving a blessing as the Holy Spirit was allowed to do ministry in their lives.

We thank you Lord God, for your continual work of restoration, and regeneration.

Jeremiah prophesied about the Judgement on Judah, but he was a part or the prophecy of restoration.


Jeremiah 32:15 (Message) For God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel, says, "Life is going to return to normal. Homes and fields and vineyards are again going to be bought in this country."

BLUE HEELER

Tonight I was talking with a guy whose dog had just died. The Blue Heeler was 13 years old, and his best mate, never far from his side. With sadness in his eyes, he described the past joys of having his best mate by his side.



Eccles. 9:4 (Message)
Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, "A living dog is better than a dead lion."

COMPARISONS

Comparisons are a part of life. We compare the changes in today’s society with the past generations. We look at photos of our selves and think of what was.


I was listening to a lady who told me about the pain and suffering her husband was in prior to his death. Then to see him immediately after the event and see the man she fell in love with. The stresses, wrinkles, pain, and suffering had all gone, and there was the love of her life. What a beautiful moment for a loving couple!



Mark 4:30-32 (KJV)
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

WHAT?

It is interesting when you view a photograph, and feel something is not right. Perhaps it is simply the observation of body language.

The other day I viewed a photo of the Prime Minister, and the Opposition Leader, together in election mode. I found myself asking the question, ‘Who’s the bully then?’


Matthew 7:15 (Message) "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character.

THE CUP

Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a Nation.

Today at the Corps it was just a normal day. Commencing first with a visit to the Automotive Mechanic to have the car serviced. No mail delivery, as the Australia Post workers were not working. Some phone calls, then into ‘mainly music’ with the toddlers. Then back to pick up the car. The school opposite the Corps was silent, without students and staff. The phone was silent with no calls, even the Emergency Relief line.

It would seem that the Melbourne Cup, really is the race that stops a Nation. Phone calls stopped, emergencies stopped, demands stopped, school work stopped, work stopped, and I wonder what else stopped?

Will the emergencies increase tomorrow, as the empty-pocketed punters decide that the actually need to pay their bills and also eat?


Exodus 14:23 (Message)
The Egyptians came after them in full pursuit, every horse and chariot and driver of Pharaoh racing into the middle of the sea.

GARBAGE

Put out the garbage. There is a whole process in our house that culminates in a rubbish truck collecting our garbage to transport it away from our house.

Firstly, each time something is of no use, the specific item is discarded to a waste bin.
Secondly, when the waste bin is almost full, the contents are moved to the council collection bin.
Thirdly, on a specified day, the council bin is wheeled to the street verge for collection by the Council’s rubbish truck.

What process do we have in place to assist in the recognition and removal of our life’s garbage?



Philip. 3:7-9 (Message)
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

SPANISH MotoGP

Moto GP, Valencia Circuit, Spain.

The final round of the 2007 Moto GP held in Spain. Casey Stoner starts on the front row of the grid, with the second fastest practice time behind Pedrosa.

Another brilliant start and Casey is in the lead at the first corner. Casey breaks the 2006 lap record on the second lap.

Stoner & Pedrosa put a gap on the field and Pedrosa hits the front with another lap record on the 5th lap. Pedrosa tries to shake Stoner from his tail, and drives on the ragged edge to get a .8 of a second then 1.03 seconds with 19 laps to go.

14 laps to go and Pedrosa increases his lead to 1.7 seconds, but who will have the best tyre condition at the conclusion of the race.

3 laps to go and Pedrosa leads Stoner by 2.1 seconds.

Throughout the race there are some awesome onboard camera shots.

Pedrosa wins for Honda, and Spain. The win puts Pedrosa in second place for the GP Champianship behind Stoner.



Hebrews 12:1-3 (Message)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

SHOWERS

Gentle showers have been watering the dry earth again today. (No cricket!) This is a wonderful rain as there is very little run-off. Hopefully the moisture on the surface will begin to seep into the sub-soil where it is extremely dry.

The oval where we are now practicing, and is our temporary home ground was very green two weeks ago and is now yellow except for some green strips where the drainage pipes are located.

This is now the 7th dry year in a row, and the driest time since 1904. The earth is suffering!

Next week price of bread will rise 50 cents per loaf as the crops have failed, and flour is more expensive.


Psalm 65:9-10 (Message)
Oh, visit the earth; ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers; fill the God-River with living water. Paint the wheat fields golden. Creation was made for this! Drench the ploughed fields; soak the dirt clods with rainfall as harrow and rake bring her to blossom and fruit.

BREEZE

Today the sky is filled with clouds and there are gentle waves of rain coming through every-so-often. It is a wonderful day, nice and cool and refreshing.

One person on site has their office at sauna levels, and is missing the real beauty of the day. The fresh wafting of the gentle breeze as it passes over your skin.

There may be times when we miss out on many things as our natural instincts, or humanity take control over us?


Acts 2:1-4 (Message) When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.