Judges 7

I was just thinking that in the twenty-eighth year of Officership, I would have preached from the book of Judges on about four or five occasions. Yet today, I have been reflecting upon the seventh chapter of Judges.

Judges 7:3 (NIV) announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
Judges 7:5-6 (NIV) So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
Judges 7:20-21 (NIV) The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

Trust and rely totally upon God, be alert to your surroundings, and hold your ground.

I have also been praying for some Officers in New Zealand.

Trailer

Today was all planned, with some important office work to be completed. I then had a request to empty the Corps trailer that was full of rubbish. A simple but time consuming task, and with limited space in our Jumble Shed it was necessary. As I went to attach the trailer to the car, I noticed that the electrical plug (replaced a few months ago) was broken, and on further inspection the right rear light was also broken and the left rear lights were not working. Thus it was not road worthy, and as I do not use the trailer I assumed that it was in good repair. This was a very frustrating, and annoying situation. Not only was the trailer not roadworthy. But our volunteer has been using it in that condition, and not informed us of any problems. After a few hours work all that was broken has now been replaced and working fine, but the trailer is still full.





I tried the broken cisterns, Lord.
But, ah! The waters failed;
E’en as I stooped to drink they fled,
And mocked me as I wailed.
Now none but Christ can satisfy,
No other name for me;
There’s love and life and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in thee.
(B.E.)

A WIN!

Saturday was a rather warm day, and I am not acclimatised to warmth as yet. So to be on the Cricket Ground with no breeze to speak of, I felt quite warm. We won the toss and our Captain said that we would field first. Thus we did, with only 9 players as two were still working. The opposition, Willowgrove, were dismissed for the total of 84 runs scored. An early afternoon tea, and a chance to sit for a while was much appreciated. We began our innings, with only 10 players, and the start was not the best we have had. One out, then two, and the score had not reached 10. Todd a young boy came in with me, and we consolidated the innings for the next ten overs. We did not score a lot but we did get to 16 when Todd was out. More importantly than the score was that during this time our extra batsman had arrived from work. Glen followed Todd and he retired hurt when his knee gave way. Now it was time for the long awaited batsman to enter. We pushed the score to 53, when I was dismissed for 18. From here we did not lose another batsman, and past the Willowgrove score, for a good win.



2 Chronicles 32:7-8

(NIV)"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Part of History 2

Growing up in the Central Victorian Goldfields, I have always had an attraction to the discovery of Gold. Just behind where my father grew up was the "Grand Duke Mine". At another place referred to in my earlier 'Part of History' blog is where the evidences of Gold working is still visible. Firstly where a Puddling Machine operated to separate the Gold from clay and soil.

Secondly a brick Cyanide Vat, which was used to separate the Gold from crushed rock that had been through the hammer mill.

More great memories in this bush setting.

Cricket Ball

This Cricket Ball has some good memories attached to it. some years ago an Officer collegue and myself spent over an hour practicing in the nets at the Adelaide Oval, in South Australia. It was a great time, and plenty of fun in the State's first class training facility. Although our skill level was not on the level of the elete in South Australia, we felt like we were the elete.

There was a time when, as a batsman, I was in fear of the ball. The fear of failure, injury, disapointing my teammates, and simply getting out. That is not the case in these days. In my early days I was a Bowler and my stock ball swung away from the right handed batsman. To that end batting was the other thing you had to do at the end of your teams innings. With the passing of time, and many injuries, bowling is very much in the past. I have over recent years been elevated to the role of Opening Batsman. It is a role that I enjoy, particularly when we get our innings off to a good start. Saturday I was the first to get out, being caught by the wicket keeper in the third over. I still enjoy the challange of facing the new ball. A bit like life, really!

Bathurst 1000 ~ Brilliant

Lowndes & Whincup tame the mountain for the third year in succession. The race lived up to it's title, 'The Great Race!' This year turn 20 was being negotiated at 298km/h. Perkins Racing were able to change their Brake Disc Rotas in around 15 sec. Garage ovens heated the new Brake Pads to 300 degrees C, to assist with brake function, as they opperate at around 900 C. to pull up the heavy sedans. The 5 litre V8's certainly thundered around the mountain.

If you click on the track map it has the approaximate Gear/Speed references.

Bathurst 1000

It is that time of year when the heart beats faster, and there is prolonged excitement! The mountain is alive!

The Bathurst 1000 is on! 161 laps of the world’s most amazing 6.2 km race track, that puts fear and excitement in the hearts of visiting international drivers. It is as titled, “The Great Race!”

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/

Part of History

It is interesting to be a part of history.

The picture shows the ravages of time and also the destruction of vandalism. My childhood and youth, along with my Father, Cousins, and Great Uncle, had many hours were spent at this site. The memories of fuelling the boiler, operating the small steam pump, loading eucalyptus leaves into the 4 circular vats, the pipes running through the condenser tank, the steam flowing through the leaves and capturing the eucalyptus which was then cooled back to liquid, and most of all the wonderful smells.

In deed my childhood and youth was a rich experience!



Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV)
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Genius

Having trouble with the idea of your own genius? My guess is that there was a time – perhaps when you were young – when you had at least a fleeting notion of your own genius and were just waiting for some authority figure to come along and validate it for you.

This is a quote from Gordon MacKenzie’s book, Orbiting the Giant Hairball. MacKenzie has grasped hold of a truth in the lives of so many potential geniuses. There are times when people, events, situations, etc. stifle the potential genius in all of us. For myself it has been over twenty years since I have painted a picture, although each year I wonder about the possibility of an entry in the Archibald Prize.




Daniel 1:19

(NIV)The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service.

ACC08

Over the last few days I have been in the presence of some incredibly talented people. Their particular individual expertise has been quite varied, and brilliant in there own way. The ACC08 conference at Box Hill has as usual, been a mosaic of the master’s peace as individual pieces, talents, ministries, and people, making an amazing expression of The Salvation Army as a servant of the Living God.



Philemon 1:4-7 (NIV)
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.