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.