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Good Posture

After looking at the X-ray image of my neck, and visiting Dr. Fiona the Chiropractor, I am more conscious of my posture. Today I had a visit with my GP Dr. Zeiyad, to have a chat about how the manipulation of my spine was going. I am amazed that I cannot convince my GP that I am not in any pain or discomfort. I have to return to my GP in 3 or 4 weeks, following my fifth visit to Dr. Fiona.

The sustaining grace of God in my life is an ever-present reality. When deceived family members and others associated with you have undertaken curses on their lives and persons, the overflow into the family and church, needs to be vigorously held at bay, through a life of faith and trust in the complete ministry of our Lord Jesus.

John 10:14 (NIV)
‘I (Jesus) am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me’ The daily ritual of care for the sheep from the tender shepherd is important to the survival and comfort of the individual sheep and also the herd. Small things like tending to wounds, looking for burs and grass seeds that will irritate, is all in the daily task of the shepherd. Thank you Lord!




Exodus 15:25-26 (NIV)
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Getting Fit

Football season, that’s ‘Aussie Rules’ or Australian Football League, has only one week left of home & away games left before the Finals Series begin. What that really means for me, is that Cricket begins in just over a month. Time to get fit!!! The last two day’s the weather has been fine, so it’s on the Bicycle to the office. To help with fitness, today was into a headwind.




1 Chronicles 12:8 (MSG)
There were some Gadites there who had defected to David at his wilderness fortress; they were seasoned and eager fighters who knew how to handle shield and spear. They were wild in appearance, like lions, but as agile as gazelles racing across the hills.

Brilliant!

In the Olympics Women’s Table Tennis, Wang Nan (China) got the Silver medal of a China clean sweep of Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Her aggressive, “go for it shots”, were backed up by an enormous smile and personality even if they missed their mark. I always felt that Wang Nan simply enjoys playing Table Tennis, and the challenge presented by her opponent. Now that is the thing that makes you want to play as well!

Absolutely brilliant!


Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Feast

Last night we had some friends around for the evening meal. Gwyn cooked a roast, and it was perfect. At the end of the meal Gwyn placed a cake in front of me that said Happy Birthday, and our friends said whose birthday is it? Following the meal there was plenty of profitable chatting, and laughter. It certainly was a good birthday for me.



Proverbs 15:15 (NIV)
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

57

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

Tomorrow I celebrate being 57 years of age. What does that mean? Well when you walk through an aged care facility, the residents smile at you, because they know what is ahead of you!



Psalms 92:12-15 (NIV)
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

Prayer

I woke about 5am today, and commenced my prayer time. It was a good time with the Lord. At times I drifted into sleep, it was a refreshing time that I did not want to end. There are precious moments when the Lord is ministering to you that you may feel should not cease. For myself, I call them being in a cove of holiness.

Last night in our meeting at our Corps (Church), we were thinking about the gift of God the Holy Spirit in our lives. Part of the blessing is the amazing overflow that affects all the people in the vicinity. Transformed lives result from this overflow of blessings.



Psalms 63:1 (NIV)
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

National Brengle Institute

A number of Officer leaders in The Salvation Army have been attending the National Brengle Institute over the last week. This has revived memories of the time when I was part of a National Brengle Institute, and the people who were there at the same time. One of the highlights for my time was a day of quietness. After the day began, it seemed appropriate to me to take my shoes off for the experience, and there was also a lot of prayer whilst lying stretched out on the floor. It was indeed a wonderful day where God’s presence was unhindered. Ahh! Holy Ground.



Exodus 3:3-6 (NIV)
So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up." When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Game

A couple of weeks ago, Gwyn bought an Electronic Sudoku Game for me. It is about the size of a mobile phone, and has been lots of fun for me. Although I am not very quick, I am now starting to see missing numbers without over concentration.

Simple joys are the best!!!


Psalms 19:1-3 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

MUSIC

Today has been a musical day.

Firstly we had our ‘mainly music’ group in the morning. That is pre-schoolers and their parent/guardian. This is always an exciting time as each week the growth in their co-ordination skills is quite evident. A highlight today was getting a high-five from a shy little girl.

Secondly this afternoon, a group of retired musicians from around Melbourne, who formed a brass band called “The Huffers & Puffers”, were performing at the Musical Village at Darnum. Their average age of 70+ was a little reduced as Gwyn assisted on the 1st Cornet bench, and I filled in on EEb Bass. Their numbers were a little down with hip replacements, surgery, dental & medical appointments, so George who comes to our Corps put out an SOS, and we were able to assist. It was a solid blow for an hour and a half, playing about 18 pieces which were all sight reading for me.


Psalms 33:1-3 (NIV)
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Calling

I have seen many people whose lives have been put on hold because they have resisted the call of God on their lives for ministry in the Lord’s service. Numbers of years go by with what would seem to be an outwardly successful life however they actually feel that their lives have been empty and rather fruitless. Time, does not heal this emptiness. Many find that in latter years healing comes from responding obediently to their earlier calling to the Lord’s ministry.



Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

The Whisper ~ 3

Further again to the whisper is the strong outward compelling or being inward impelled to do something. It is as if the Holy Spirit is pulling a rope attached to a nose ring. The Word of the Lord is impelling us into an action. Jeremiah said that the word of the Lord was like a fire in his bones (Jer 20:9).



Matthew 4:1 (NIV)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Acts 13: 3,4 (NIV)
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

The Whisper ~ 2

Further to the whispers of the Holy Spirit, there are times when like a rush of adrenaline a great urgency is felt, and we are compelled to respond. As though we were a floating leaf being blown across a pond’s surface by a breath of wind.



Acts 16:6-8 (NIV)
Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

The Whisper

To hear the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, we need to be alert and keep our spirit in tune with the Holy Spirit. This area of life requires cultivation. There is so much to learn, and much of this learning is best achieved in quietness.



1 Kings 19:12-13 (NIV)
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

TIA

I went to my Doctor as requested by the Emergency Department at the Hospital. The journey to the Hospital was after ringing the “Nurse On Call” service that suggested the Hospital was a good idea, and take your mobile phone so if things change you can call an Ambulance.

My Doctor, gave me a big explanation on a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), and even googled it to show me. I have a great Doctor, by the way. For the uninitiated into medical matters, let’s just say mini-stroke.

In 2006 I had an episode that caused some lose of memory, but this episode was shorter and effected some different parts. I was never concerned, but just rather curious about this new event. The foundation of the sustaining grace of God has never wavered.

One day I will put off this mortal coil, and walk into the presence of my loving Saviour, Jesus. The loved ones who will be left behind will be singing the great hymn, When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder. Until that time, God is continuing His wonderful work in my life, sustaining and healing me.


A favourite scripture is; 1 John 3:8b (NIV)
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Thankyou Lord!

Cricket Ahead!

August. It is now time to start thinking about cricket again. Just two months until the first game.

The big question is, can I be fit enough to get a playing spot in this coming season? Well, I will be trying!

The two club grounds were resurfaced last season, and look to be much improved. It was difficult playing way from the clubrooms last season, so coming back to our own grounds will be valuable for the whole club.



Joshua 1:6 (NIV)
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.

Truth Always

When truth is followed and shared, it is surprising where the opposition can come from. This last week I have had such an experience, which has enabled me through the directing of the Holy Spirit, to view areas of control over our community. This is a further mapping experience of the spiritual climate over our community.

The question is always, what is the origin of what is happening?


John 10:10 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.