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What would Ghandi do?
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Prayer
The individual’s prayer life is truly a measure of their relationship with their Heavenly Father. When we get beyond our own particular interests, what does our prayer look like?
Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone, without anger or disputing.
1 Timothy 2:1-6, 8 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. …… I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone, without anger or disputing.
1 Timothy 2:1-6, 8 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. …… I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Monday 28 April 2008
Our Rock
We commenced work today, and after a few minutes I had the feeling that it was going to be one of those weeks when things will not be working to plan. Firstly, a freezer door had not been closed properly last week, then some other things were not working properly, and finally the person looking after the grounds did not show for his allotted duty. Well that’s the first 30 minutes, to begin the day.
Fortunately the centre of our wellbeing does not revolve around whether things are working well or not. The wellbeing centre is founded upon the truth, and the truth is a person, Jesus. It is then upon Him that our lives are built.
Psalms 62:2 (NIV)
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Fortunately the centre of our wellbeing does not revolve around whether things are working well or not. The wellbeing centre is founded upon the truth, and the truth is a person, Jesus. It is then upon Him that our lives are built.
Psalms 62:2 (NIV)
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Sunday 27 April 2008
Image
Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Created in the image of God. What does this really mean?
For me the best example of this is Jesus’ life, and the fruit of the Spirit exemplified in his life.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Created in the image of God. What does this really mean?
For me the best example of this is Jesus’ life, and the fruit of the Spirit exemplified in his life.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Friday 25 April 2008
ANZAC Day
Today is ANZAC Day. This is a special day to remember the cost of war. A day set aside where mates can get together and enjoy the companionship of each other.
I am totally opposed to war, and am aware of the devastation it causes in the lives of individuals and families. I saw a lady speaking the other day, about a whole street of widows from the effects of war. House after house, where there were children with only one parent.
In Australia, we have had a history of no conflicts on our soil, which means that our nation’s waring has been on the soil of other nations.
At the time of the First World War, our nation was only a teenage federation of only about 5 million people, of which 330,000 were enlisted into the conflict. Imagine if you will? the families traumatised from the situation.
Psalm 2:1 (KJV)
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
I am totally opposed to war, and am aware of the devastation it causes in the lives of individuals and families. I saw a lady speaking the other day, about a whole street of widows from the effects of war. House after house, where there were children with only one parent.
In Australia, we have had a history of no conflicts on our soil, which means that our nation’s waring has been on the soil of other nations.
At the time of the First World War, our nation was only a teenage federation of only about 5 million people, of which 330,000 were enlisted into the conflict. Imagine if you will? the families traumatised from the situation.
Psalm 2:1 (KJV)
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Tuesday 22 April 2008
Eye
Today was my final visit to the eye specialist. He gave the all clear for my eye, with no damage from the haemorrhage.
God is good!!!
Jeremiah 17:14 (Msg.)
God, pick up the pieces.
Put me back together again.
You are my praise!
God is good!!!
Jeremiah 17:14 (Msg.)
God, pick up the pieces.
Put me back together again.
You are my praise!
Saturday 19 April 2008
The Judge
I have seen many shows, and films that deal with Legal issues. On many occasions the character, agenda’s, and preferred actions of the Magistrates or Judges, is always of supreme importance. To appear before someone called “The Hanging Judge” does not leave one, with a lot of hope.
This is as good a reason as any, to get to know who Jesus is, and how he lived.
John 5:21-22 (Msg.)
.. for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son
This is as good a reason as any, to get to know who Jesus is, and how he lived.
John 5:21-22 (Msg.)
.. for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son
Friday 18 April 2008
Cornet Players
Our Corps is in need of some Cornet Players.
If you can play a Cornet, and would like to be part of a quality small band, and worship in a country town, look no further.
At present we are a Band of nine players that has a great sound.
Come and hear us, and check us out.
The Salvation Army Morwell Corps.
www.salvationarmy.org.au/morwell
If you can play a Cornet, and would like to be part of a quality small band, and worship in a country town, look no further.
At present we are a Band of nine players that has a great sound.
Come and hear us, and check us out.
The Salvation Army Morwell Corps.
www.salvationarmy.org.au/morwell
Fellowship
Mid afternoon, the cleaners have been, the morning tea area is setup, so bring on Sunday.
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42
(Msg.)They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Thursday 17 April 2008
Faulty Heater
A couple of weeks ago I lit the pilot lights on the gas heaters at the Hall. One of the five heaters would not light, so a gas service fitter had to be found. Today he came and serviced the five heaters, and said that they were in very good condition, and he changed a little switch in the faulty heater. So we are now able to give a warm welcome to everyone.
On the way out, the service man told a little of his life story. How at another community, he was living in his car, and The Salvation Army was able to give him some assistance.
You just never know whom you will meet, and how someone else has contributed to their lives. Amazing!
Matthew 25:35-36 (Msg.)
And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
On the way out, the service man told a little of his life story. How at another community, he was living in his car, and The Salvation Army was able to give him some assistance.
You just never know whom you will meet, and how someone else has contributed to their lives. Amazing!
Matthew 25:35-36 (Msg.)
And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
Wednesday 16 April 2008
Confidence
There are many things in life that are amazing. Today’s Hospital visitation to one of our elderly ladies, who is recovering from surgery to mend a broken hip, we witnessed the steady steps as she moved from one room to another. It is amazing how the body heals after being cut, and pulled about, etc. Giving us the confidence to take one step after another.
There is also an amazing confidence as a believer, to approach God from a personal relationship base built in faith.
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
There is also an amazing confidence as a believer, to approach God from a personal relationship base built in faith.
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Questions
Ruth Tracy (1870 – 1960) wrote the following song.
Lord, thou art questioning: Lovest thou me?
Yea, Lord, thou knowest, my answer must be;
But since love’s value is proved by love’s test,
Jesus, I’ll give thee the dearest and best.
Down at thy feet all my fears I let go,
Back on thy strength all my weakness I throw;
Lord, in my life thou shalt have thine own way,
Speak but the word, and thy child will obey.
There is no sense of brashness or bravado in these words, just a sense of the quiet soul, seeking a deeper communion, and relationship with God himself.
At times I enjoy some good head-banging music that really thumps. At other times I want to be quiet a gently respond as the Holy Spirit does his regenerating work in my life. Just because I am quiet, does not mean that my life has a lesser sense of God’s presence. It can be appropriate just to sit and enjoy God’s presence, without uttering a word.
Questions, questions, our lives are built around questions. As a believer questions can lead to great consolidations of faith. I’m not referring to questions that take us away into unbelief, but questions that build our relationship with God himself.
Where is God in this?
Luke 23:8-9 (Msg.)
Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he'd heard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. He peppered him with questions. Jesus didn't answer—not one word.
Lord, thou art questioning: Lovest thou me?
Yea, Lord, thou knowest, my answer must be;
But since love’s value is proved by love’s test,
Jesus, I’ll give thee the dearest and best.
Down at thy feet all my fears I let go,
Back on thy strength all my weakness I throw;
Lord, in my life thou shalt have thine own way,
Speak but the word, and thy child will obey.
There is no sense of brashness or bravado in these words, just a sense of the quiet soul, seeking a deeper communion, and relationship with God himself.
At times I enjoy some good head-banging music that really thumps. At other times I want to be quiet a gently respond as the Holy Spirit does his regenerating work in my life. Just because I am quiet, does not mean that my life has a lesser sense of God’s presence. It can be appropriate just to sit and enjoy God’s presence, without uttering a word.
Questions, questions, our lives are built around questions. As a believer questions can lead to great consolidations of faith. I’m not referring to questions that take us away into unbelief, but questions that build our relationship with God himself.
Where is God in this?
Luke 23:8-9 (Msg.)
Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he'd heard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. He peppered him with questions. Jesus didn't answer—not one word.
Sunday 13 April 2008
Sunday
Today has been a busy day, but a great day. The Ringwood Citadel Band visited our Corps today. The normal morning Worship time was delayed an hour, we then had lunch together, followed by a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Concert which was then followed by afternoon tea.
There was plenty of fellowship, and good music. Our people enjoyed this great day, and went home tied, but much blessed.
It was also the last time our Songster Leader would be worshipping at the Corps. He is moving to Western Victoria to work as a Court Chaplain for The Salvation Army. Our band is now a 1st Cornet short.
John 4:23-24 (Msg.)
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. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
There was plenty of fellowship, and good music. Our people enjoyed this great day, and went home tied, but much blessed.
It was also the last time our Songster Leader would be worshipping at the Corps. He is moving to Western Victoria to work as a Court Chaplain for The Salvation Army. Our band is now a 1st Cornet short.
John 4:23-24 (Msg.)
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. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
Friday 11 April 2008
Community
I recall a journey some years ago, when I sat next to a South African born Jew. The journey had us side by side for many hours. We had some conversations about many different things during this time. One particular question that he asked has remained with me ever since. He simply asked, “What is your community like?” I went on to describe the town where I was living at the time. However he wanted to know about “community”.
How would you respond to that question?
What is your community?
Acts 2:44 (Msg.)
And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
How would you respond to that question?
What is your community?
Acts 2:44 (Msg.)
And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
Thursday 10 April 2008
Collate Info
As you live in a community for a year or more you begin to collate information of how the community works. This week I have gathered some information that did not surprise me, but has consolidated my thinking about how this community operates.
This is important in the spiritual sense, as we should be aware of the spiritual climate we live in. After all we are called to test the spirits.
1 John 4:1 (Msg.)
This is important in the spiritual sense, as we should be aware of the spiritual climate we live in. After all we are called to test the spirits.
1 John 4:1 (Msg.)
My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.
Wednesday 9 April 2008
Got home from work yesterday, did a couple of jobs, put the veggies on for tea, and sat down at the computer to check emails etc. No connection on the Internet for the Computer. How frustrating is that?
It is just as well that I write most of my Internet stuff in Word and the copy to my blog etc.
Man broke their connection with their Creator through disobedience.
God sent his only Son into our World.
God’s Son created a connection point through His sacrificial life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
It is just as well that I write most of my Internet stuff in Word and the copy to my blog etc.
Man broke their connection with their Creator through disobedience.
God sent his only Son into our World.
God’s Son created a connection point through His sacrificial life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Sunday 6 April 2008
Shine
Isaiah 60:1-5 (NIV)
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.
Saturday 5 April 2008
Fish
Just finished cleaning the fish tank. Gwyn feeds the fish, and I get to change their water and clean their tank. Really it is simply caring for them, and enjoying them. I guess that it is quite Scriptural.
Genesis 1:26 (NIV)
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:26 (NIV)
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Friday 4 April 2008
Ah!
Well, after four and a half hours I can sit and think for a few moments. It has been a busy morning. There are things that I wanted to have done by now, but they are next on the agenda. For now I’m just enjoying my (tuna) sandwiches, and a cup of black coffee (no sugar to spoil it).
Ah! The simple things of life!
Next is Sunday’s worship preparation. The cleaners are halfway through their cleaning job. So the Hall will be clean and ready soon.
Psalm 37:7 (Msg.)
Quiet down before God,
be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.
Ah! The simple things of life!
Next is Sunday’s worship preparation. The cleaners are halfway through their cleaning job. So the Hall will be clean and ready soon.
Psalm 37:7 (Msg.)
Quiet down before God,
be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
Legal ?
“The West Australian parliament has passed a controversial bill which will decriminalise brothels and give prostitutes basic working rights including superannuation and workers compensation.
The bill, passed Tuesday night, will see the regulation of brothels and escort agencies in WA, where prostitution is legal but running a brothel is not. Nor is living off the earnings of prostitution.
WA's Liberal opposition opposed the legislation but it passed with the support of independent MP Shelley Archer in exchange for the promise of drug, alcohol and sex education programs for Aboriginal children in the northern Kimberley region.
Opposition police spokesman Rob Johnson has renewed earlier criticism of the proposed laws, saying it would lead to increased activity by sex workers in suburban areas.”
The possible ramifications of this controversial bill are far reaching. How this will affect our society in 2, 3, 5, or 10 years is unmeasurable.
Proverbs 14:12 (Msg)
There's a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
The bill, passed Tuesday night, will see the regulation of brothels and escort agencies in WA, where prostitution is legal but running a brothel is not. Nor is living off the earnings of prostitution.
WA's Liberal opposition opposed the legislation but it passed with the support of independent MP Shelley Archer in exchange for the promise of drug, alcohol and sex education programs for Aboriginal children in the northern Kimberley region.
Opposition police spokesman Rob Johnson has renewed earlier criticism of the proposed laws, saying it would lead to increased activity by sex workers in suburban areas.”
The possible ramifications of this controversial bill are far reaching. How this will affect our society in 2, 3, 5, or 10 years is unmeasurable.
Proverbs 14:12 (Msg)
There's a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Tuesday 1 April 2008
MEDITATE
What do you really want?
What is your idea of success?
Meditate on these two verses from Deuteronomy 28.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NIV)
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
What is your idea of success?
Meditate on these two verses from Deuteronomy 28.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NIV)
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
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