Last Game

Loading the car for the last game of Cricket with the Morwell Cricket Club.
The day did not go as well as expected. We won the toss and elected to bat. I opened as usual and was the first wicket to fall in about the 8th over. A ball jagged back from outside the off, and I hit it with the inside edge of the bat and was caught behind way down the leg side. The rest of our inning did not fare well, and we were all out for 61.
With only 61 to defend, the first over put us under further pressure with 9 runs being scored. We rallied with some good bowling and fielding and had them 6 for 60. They quickly passed or total, and we had an early day finishing at 4pm.

Prison Carols

Yesterday the Morwell Corps supported the distribution of gifts at Fulham Prison, with a quartet of Brass Instruments playing Carols. The inmates were extremely pleased, and appreciated the interlude into their ordered lives, changing a cattle-procession to receive their gifts into a small concert or worship time, depending on their individual persuasion.

Luke 2:14 (NIV)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

PSA

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon at Morwell

November 15 at 2.30pm, we engaged in a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Concert. The Moe and Morwell Corps Bands and Songsters combined, along with the Latrobe City Brass Band and the Warragul Corps Songsters as guests for the afternoon.

Music Contents:

Latrobe City Brass
Entry of the Peers, Hallelujah Drive, Greensleeves, Eine Kleine Nachtmusic.

Warragul Songsters:
You Raise Me Up, Nothing But Thy Blood, Blessed Assurance.

Moe & Morwell Songsters:
Jesus is so Wonderful.

Moe & Morwell Brass:
Maddiston Gubilee, O Magnum Mysterium, He Is Real, Power of Your Love.

Combined Brass:
On a Hymn Song of Phillip Bliss, Hollinwood

It was a great afternoon!


Psalms 150
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Sea Eagle

Mallacoota, Victoria.

We were privileged to go on a river cruise, during which, a Sea Eagle swooped to catch a fish near our boat. The Eagle then settled in a Gum Tree to eat the fish. Oh! The brilliance and precision of these wonderful creatures! We just observe in awe!





Psalms 95:6-7 (NIV)
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Mallacoota

Holidays are time to relax, meditate, and enjoy the Lord’s presence.

A scene from Mallacoota.




Psalms 100:1 (NIV)

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

I Am The Lord Your Healer

In 1992, I was amazed, and burdened, by the physical, mental, and spiritual destruction of the people in the community of our 7th appointment. Our appointment was to Kadina & Moonta Corps, in South Australia. Two Corps administered from Kadina. The history is Copper Mining, staffed by Cornish workers. The mines have been closed for decades, and the people dispersed. There are three towns together, which includes Wallaroo. The Salvation Army had 5 Corps and 2 outposts, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.At Kadina, in it’s opening year, there were 2,300 for Christmas Lunch, and the Hall seated 1,200 (a wool store). A new hall (the third) built in about 2000, is on the same site and seats around 100.

At the front of the Kadina Hall was an illuminated sign, Jesus Died for You. A brick was thrown through the sign, shattering everything. It remained broken for some months. After much thought and pray, I decided that it would be fixed, even without the money to pay for it. The new wording was to be, I am the Lord your Healer. Ex15:26b RSV It was a Thursday, and I went to the sign writer and asked if it could be done on bulletproof Perspex. He said, yes, but did not know the cost. I gave him the go-ahead to do the work. On the Saturday, a businessman came to the quarters, and said it was time to get the sign fixed, and he would pay for it. After the electrical area was fixed, the new sign in place, the bill arrived, and I took it to the businessman. He simply said, is that what we talked about? I said, yes, and he said, thanks. After a couple of months, I fronted the Electrician, to get his account, but he said, there was no charge. This was extra confirmation.

Not Just Words

We are to live in the place that we instruct others about.

Living at the foot of the cross where Jesus sacrificial life flows over us.
Living in the gracious freedom that was won on that cross.
Living lives that exemplify a living of sinlessness as a reality.
Living under the ministry of the Holy Spirit.




1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

No Substitute

There was a time when the phrase, ‘It was a riot!’ meant that everyone have a good time and enjoyed themselves. How the language changes. Also being ‘Cool’ did not indicate that you were looking for an extra layer of clothing to put on.

One thing that has never changed is that nothing should be used as a substitute, to living totally under the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is where real life begins, and excitement never ends!




Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Grandmother

The burial place of my Grandmother, Winifred Laura May (nee: Burrows) Rowe, is at the back of the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, South Australia. The death of this woman dramatically changed the lives of her two children, Mavis & Garnet.



John 14:1 (NIV) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Holiness

How we live our lives! How we handle the Word of God! How we listen and respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit! How we continue in a nurturing relationship with Jesus Christ! How we handle difficulties! These are all important aspects of the believer’s life, and faithful service to our God who embodies ‘LOVE’.




Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Good Stock

Everything will bear fruit after it’s own kind, or rather seeds sprout the same stock from which they were born. As the church we should always be aware of the wonderful stock to which we are born – notably the gift of the Holy Spirit at the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ.


John 14:15-17 (NIV)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth.

Beautiful Gift

What a privilege it is to introduce people to the provision that God has for his people. There is nothing in this world that matches the most beautiful of bestowed gifts, imparted to the believer.

How would you describe the infilling of your life, with the person of the Holy Spirit?


Acts 2:4 (NIV)
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Good Questions

As we go through life, we will encounter people who call themselves followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet know only part of what that really means. To lead them into a full knowledge of God’s provision for them, will require some questioning to understand what they do know. This may open many opportunities for prayer, teaching and instruction.




Acts 19:1-2 (MSG)
Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?" "We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"

Adjustments

Just had my sandwiches for lunch, so I thought that I would simply comment on the week.
At the Morwell Corps we have had a Community Support Service attached. This service has operated on Mon., Wed., and Friday each week. In the last financial year the service contributed to the wellbeing and lives of over 1,000 families from our area.

The Community Support Service is currently undergoing some changes. A change of name is the first change, and will be called Latrobe Community Support Service. Secondly, the open times will be extended to cover a 5 day, Mon. to Friday service. Thirdly, this service will pick up the majority of the Community Support Service clientele of the two neighbouring Corps ~ Moe & Traralgon.

We have been making adjustments to the Morwell Corps Building and equipment to cope with the upcoming changes to enable a smooth transition. Long hours required for this, to get everything right the first time!



Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

Celebrate Diversity

On Sunday we had a day to celebrate the diversity of people who are our brothers and sisters. There was a lot of discussion about our individual heritages and shared some food that represented that heritage. What a smorgasbord was feasted upon.

As delightful a day and gathering of our people that it was, I had a frustration that interfered with my enjoyment, but gave some delight to the gathered throng. In talking about my particular heritage on my mother’s, mothers side, which is Scott. The ancestral town would not come to mind. I knew where it was, but the town, and the county, would not come into words. When I arrived home, the first thing I did was to look at my ‘Family Tree’ files and refresh my memory. Now today I can remember it fine ~ Logie Coldstone in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Just had to reconnect the small short-circuit.

An astute person will understand why I love the film, “The Notebook”

My confidence in what God has done in me through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is never short-circuited. Hallelujah!!!



2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Happy Ladies

Ah! Last week in ‘Home League’ I did a cooking demonstration for the Ladies. It was heaps of fun, and the Ladies enjoyed the “Rock Buns’ that were produced. It was just one of those occasions when it was necessary to support Gwyn, so that another ministry could continue at the same time.
I was not required this week, and they had chocolates, chips, and a movie. So easily forgotten!!! It was a delight, however, to see the Ladies continuing to be a happy group, where they are comfortable enough to stir me nicely.

God’s saints are always a joy to be around.


Psalms 19:14 (NIV)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

The Lord's People

The Morwell Corps has some lovely, gracious, godly, people who are members of the congregation. Many of them are not young anymore. I watch them, and listen to them, and wonder about the time of their youth and the vitality that they would have exhibited. They may not be able to run, anymore, but they are strong people who have not given up on life. They enjoy each other’s company, and together share a deep love of their Lord Jesus. I value their prayer support for my ministry and the ministry of the Corps.



Psalms 100:4-5 (NIV)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

David & Goliath (6)

1 Samuel 17:50-51 (NIV)
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

When a hero falls devastation prevails! It was one thing to lose in an even contest, but to be slain by an unlikely opponent who was an inferior warrior was something else. Fear, now changed sides! The bullies were now the victims!

Can one person change the world?

David’s life is a testament to the possibilities of one, the right ‘one’!

David & Goliath (5)

1 Samuel 17:49 (NIV)
Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he (David) slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

Goliath did not see what was coming! He saw an ill-equipped youth, on the battlefield where men stood tall. Goliath did not read the presenting situation with any concern, even though the entire battle was hinging on this moment. Goliath saw no threat, only victory.

David saw a great threat before him, held to his faith, confronted his fears, and kept his head!

David & Goliath (4)

1 Samuel 17:48 (NIV)

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

The actions of David would encourage us to move quickly to engage our foe when all the appropriate preparations are in place. We are to be unencumbered, and free. If you are not free, do not engage a foe! Make sure there is nothing in your life that will drag you down.

David & Goliath (3)

David had a simple response to the bravado of Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

David stood with confidence on the firm foundation of his faith in the God who had sustained him previously.

David & Goliath (2)

Samuel 17:44 (NIV)
"Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

The bravado of Goliath is on display as David approaches the giant of a man. Goliath knew that even a soldier could not get within striking distance, as his reach was much greater, and to have a youth approach him was just plain stupid. This was not and even match!

Goliath was totally focused on his personal strategies and achievements, and did not see what was coming. Big mistake!

David & Goliath

1 Samuel 17:23-24 (NIV)
As he (David) was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

People of my generation were feed the stories in the Scriptures in Sunday school classes. It depended on the enthusiasm of the teacher as to what emphasis was placed on the various events depicted. One account tackled every-so-often was David and Goliath.

The Israel’s were right to not tackle the huge man in hand-to-hand combat. The problem was that they did not know how to combat this imposing man that hurled abuse each day. The King was no better, sitting back unable to find a solution. In reality, none of the smaller Israel’s could get close enough, to lay a fatal blow on the giant of a man.

David would teach us, firstly to be bold, and secondly to encounter our foe on our terms. The arena may be of our foe’s choosing, but we are not restricted to using the same weapons.

Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Recovery

Nehemiah’s Recovery Process

Repent
Nehemiah 1:6-7 (NIV)
…..I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Survey the Ruins
Nehemiah 2:13 (NIV)
…..examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

Face the Challenge
Nehemiah 2:17-20 (NIV)
Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?" I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success.

Remove the Rubbish
Nehemiah 4:10 (NIV)
….. "The strength of the labourers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

Build & Stand Guard
Nehemiah 4:17-18 (NIV)
….. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

Richer, Fuller

George Matheson (1842 – 1906), penned the following words.

O love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

The sacrificial life of Jesus spent, and nailed to a cross, in a savage execution, displays the wonderful compassionate loving nature of our Saviour. So we can sing of the amazing love that has, and will, go to unbelievable lengths to commence and maintain a relationship with us. Such an amazing love, calls us to nestle and rest completely in Jesus. George Matheson describes that rest, as a place where our relationship will know that a deeper relationship is not only possible but also is required of us.

The Bible

I have been recalling aspects of our Study Tour of Israel in the 1990’s. One of the really enjoyable aspects was to use the Bible as a reference point for events that happened in the places we visited. The result was that each place came alive like a tapestry of history. More importantly than that, is the extra life and vitality that the Bible has today, every time it’s pages are opened.




Psalms 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Today's Tasks

Today I have had a couple of practical tasks to do. One was unable to be completed, and is referred to Monday. Another was a couple of small plumbing jobs. There are always tasks to be done!

The practical preparations for Sunday have been done, now the personal preparations for worship.



John 17:24 (NIV) ~ Jesus Prayer
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Budget Talks

Today we visited our Divisional Headquarters for a meeting to talk about the two Budgets that we are responsible for. We came away with a definite impression that will not be commented on here. The 'Work' of The Salvation Army takes a certain amount of money to sustain each programme, and each ministry.

Part of our objective, is to provide the maximum programme, and support, for the least amount of money. Two Years ago in that journey into Budgets, we were given the challenge to transform the Community Support Programme. With meagre resources at our disposal the last 9 months to the end of March 2009, the value of the assistance supplied to Clients is in excess of $115,000.00. This is truly amazing!






2 Kings 6:23 (NIV)
So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.

Spiritual Journey

A copy of the Scriptures will last me about a decade. My working, preaching copy is always a NIV paperback. Something that I can fold up and hold in one hand as I preach. The more dog-eared, the precious that copy has become. If you were to look back into copies you would note that there are a lot of similarities, and differences. As passages have brought revelation into my life, there are under linings and comments on the pages. So! each copy reflects my spiritual journey.





Psalms 138:2 (NIV)
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Critical Moment

After Elisha’s incredible journey with Elijah arriving at a conclusion, the moment of faith, trust, challenge, acceptance, and prophetic application arrived for Elisha. This moment was critical to the continuance, and flow of the Lord’s ministry. The mantle had fallen, but was it passed on to Elisha?

Critical moments prove the worth, of the Lord’s servants!



2 Kings 2:13-14 (NIV)
He [Elisha] picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

Alone

The reality of what is can be of great comfort, or a major point of distress. When decisions are made from an office fortress that has limited or no understanding of a physical environment, then distress is bound to occur.

I marvel at a lack of connectedness, that I have witnessed recently. Without going into detail, decisions have been made without all the available evidence being considered. For the people involved a deep sense of disconnectedness, has flourished with regard to the decision makers. Even worse than this is the loneliness, and abuse, that these people feel. This is a point from which, these people will struggle to recover. The overflow from the Churchill Fires, are so far reaching that, an office fortress mentality, is like being an alien in the environment.




Psalms 102:7 (NIV)
I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

Season

We live in a world where most things happen right now. There is instant coffee, tea bags, emails, video links, drive through take-away meals, etc. The downfall of this is the lack of patience. We want to be instantly well, hot, cool, wealthy, holy, happy, content, etc. The writer of Ecclesiastes 3 would have us consider, and ponder, how things operate in a time frame. We are also charged, in Philippians 6, to stand and hold our ground. So whatever our circumstances, the patience of understanding the flow of the seasons, will be an advantage, on our journey through this wonderful life in God’s service.



Luke 4:13 (KJV)And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday at Morwell Corps.


He has risen!


Luke 24:2-3 (NIV)
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Good Friday

The Congregation were invited to respond in thankfulness, and place their thumbprint on the Cross!


Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Good Friday Preparations

The preparations are ready for Good Friday.



Matthew 27:37 (NIV)
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Palm Sunday 2

Palm Sunday at Morwell also contained our Missionary Altar Service, where we bring our gifts to support the Lord’s work being done by our neighbours. Our challenge has been one week’s salary on missionary service.

So we bring our Gold and Silver.



Philippians 4:15-16 (NIV)Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday at Morwell was with a little twist in the approach. Rather than palm branches, or a platform strewn with clothing as we did last year. We had a symbolic Throne on the platform, and a Bedouin Scene displayed on the Multimedia. My opening remarks draw attention to how the congregation thought the donkey was tied as they had read the scriptures, and then focused on the possible contrast to with the scene displayed, before focusing in on Zechariah 9:9.



Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Gentle King!

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Temple

Matthew 21:12-17 (NIV)
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Where were you?

Where were you, on …..at …..o’clock? Questions are like this are often asked of suspects in the crime shows on TV. I guess that these are a fair reflection of the actual questions that are asked by investigators in real life situations, as evidence is being sought and gathered. Rather than just speculation, hard, substantial, evidence is required.

It is worthy to note that a person’s signature is a valuable identification mark of where you were. This is hard evidence, unique to yourself, and when linked to a time frame this will put you at a certain place in time.

Personally, I often wonder how I could every answer where I was at set point in time? Especially when I am always thinking of the ‘here after.’ Almost every time I enter a room I wonder, ‘what am I here after?’

Not relying on your memory, but using hard evidence is indeed a valuable asset.





Exodus 28:36 (NIV)
Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.


Ezekiel 36:27 (NIV)
And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Humour

It has been quite a while since I have managed to regularly blog. The last week has been a time of being revived, physically. I was not aware of how drained that I really was, however that is nothing compared to those whose lives have been changed forever because of the Fires. Bodies are still being held, and families are unable to have funerals. Areas are still crime scenes, as searching through the ashes and rubble continues.

Amidst the devastation there has been wonderful humour. I recall one man who told me of his first trip back to his property. On arrival, he turned into the driveway and stopped, got out of his 4wd, and went to open his gate. Only to discover that there was no fence to hold a gate, let along a gate to open. He had the biggest grin I have ever seen as he told his tale.
A lady went to the clothesline to hang out her washing, thought that she should clean the ash of the line. After returning to the line with a damp cloth, she reached up to wipe the line clean, only to have it disintegrate in her hands.
A father and son were looking at the ashes that was once their home, when the son said, ‘Dad! My rooms clean!’



Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Devoid of visible Life!

In the light of recent events, such as the fires in Victoria, there is a reminder of the fragility life and the environment, which is able to disintegrate in just a few moments. The whole landscape has been changed, and is devoid of visible life.



2 Peter 3:11 (Msg.)
Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?

Churchill Fire

On Saturday I was pleased that our grade of cricket was called off because of the high temperature. That all change about 1.30pm when I looked out our front door and saw a huge ploom of billowing smoke to the south. My heart sank, and my stomach churned. The telephone rang about 5.30pm, and now it's Friday at 6.30am. I guess that I should sit down at some stage and work through that time and what has eventuated.



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.

Unity

What a joy it is to observe your Corps (Church) folk enjoying each other’s company. At Morwell we have had some recent activities that have allowed our folk to relax and be free themselves, and with each other.

This is a major spiritual principle, that our adversary wants to destroy, and will use any means possible. So it is vital to encourage unity as a supreme example of God’s love, as expressed in the life of the believer.

Are you fed-up with a suburban isolationism? Come to the country and enjoy living in unity with people.




Psalms 133 (NIV)
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

How sad!

What a sad situation when people do not have a good word to say. If we live self-serving lives, even though outwardly observed as caring for others, our self-serving core will rise to the surface and become visible even by the frailest of persons. The self-serving person may feel that their life and ways are acceptable, as others will be guarded, suspicious, and even fearful of their motives, and actions.

King Jehoram, killed off all respect that people could have had for him, and he died alone.

How sad!


2 Chron. 21:20 (Msg.)
He was thirty-two years old when he became king and reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. There were no tears shed when he died—it was good riddance!—and they buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.

Blessings!!!

I recall with fondness, a group of people that were going through The Salvation Army’s Bridge Programme for Drug and Alcohol affected lives. It was my task at that time, to look after the teaching side of the Programme, along with the support of the Assistant Manager. We both enjoyed the challenge and the people we were working with, in the residential programme. I learnt an enormous amount about people, and the way they cope in different situations. To add to this, I later went through an accelerated period of spiritual growth, where many things just fitted together, in my dealings with people. It was truly an exciting time. In reading thus far you may feel that this exciting time was blissful, and trouble free. Let me tell you that, the burdens of ministry were very heavy, the ache for people was almost unbearable, the lack of financial resources was crushing, but the blessings were enormous.


Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Family

On the 29th Dec 2008, Darryl Leon Smart concluded his earthly life, as we measure time. Darryl was my cousin, and we shared a ‘Thanks Giving Service’ for his life prior to committing his body to the grave on Monday 12th Jan. This was also a great time to share with family and friends. As an Officer there have been many Years spent in the Lord’s service far away from home and family without contact. So it is good to gather with the family where possible. It would have been better still if Gwyn had been able to come with me, but it was not possible for this visit.

The news yesterday, Darryl’s Father, Gordon Leslie Smart concluded his earthly life, the day after his son’s burial. It must have been good for all the family to spend time with their Father the day before he died. A visitation opportunity that I did not have with either of my parents, prior to their Promotion to Glory.

I am now awaiting news of the next family gathering.




Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

New Cart!

People often put all their hopes in a ‘new year’, or even do a geographical to a new place. New does not always bring the required answers that people want. There is a saying that says, ‘wherever I go, there I am’. In other words a physical change will not change the person without a deeper, inner transformation.

People thought that it would be a good idea to return the ‘Ark of God’ to its rightful place by carrying it on a new cart. This proved to be a foolish, and disastrous, as the regulation for the arks transportation by carrying on wooden poles was ignored.

It is possible to have a new success, by new obedience to old decrees.



2 Samuel 6:3 (NIV)
They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart

New Teaching!

A man’s life may be under the control of evil forces. The effects can be physical, however they are always spiritual, and the evil forces will always cast the person to the ground wether it be physically or spiritually. To cast down is after-all the devils main work, robbing individuals of their worth, and bringing dis-ease to their being.

Jesus came to give us life in abundance, and a restoration of well-being that our adversaries have sought to keep from us. This new work that Jesus does is evident throughout the scriptures as He ministers to people.




Mark 1:27-28 (NIV)

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

New Spirit!

People in our Corps were a-buzz today, which was a follow on from the New Years Day Breakfast at the Quarters. A deep sense of joy, and celebration was evident, in our morning Worship service, as was their freedom being visibly displayed. Freedom in the lives of our people is an ever-growing development under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. People were spending time with each other, and valuable conversations were taking place throughout the morning. For this on-going new freedom, we continually give praise to God!




Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

New!

New! New! New! New!

That’s a good idea for the start of 2009. A New Year!

Millions have deprived themselves of sleep, consumed too much alcohol, and kissed as many strangers as they could find. Thus we commence a new year with old traditions.

The Sovereign Lord desires the return of his people to the place where they are supposed to be. This will bring about a personal, and a community transformation that will shake the foundations of life structures. A new structure will be built into each person, and thus into the community as well.

Meditate on the following Scripture, noting the ‘new spirit’ and it’s response.


Ezekiel 11:18-21 (NIV)
"They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."