Well Done!

Today was the celebration of the life of a special lady. Linda Joy Froud: 10/10/1927 ~ 24/05/2007. A gathering of 170 people filled our hall. Family, Friends, Senior Citizen's Choir, RSL Members, and Corps Family. Captain Joy Cassidy(previous CO), returned to conduct the Celebration of Joy's life.



Matthew 25:21 His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.' (Message)

The WORD

I have a favourite copy of the Bible. It is a paperback copy of the NIV translation. To look at the outside, it has little appeal. Stuck together with tape, cracked and torn front, and back covers. The inside, is underlined, and notes written in it.

This is the Bible that the Holy Spirit and me, read together. A period of growth, understanding, and development.

Luke 24:27 Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. (Message)

Push or Pull

When you move things around, you learn some stuff that is very helpful. Particularly if your moving a trolley, with an urn on it. Things are OK whilst on an even surface, but when moving from a tiled area onto a carpeted area, there is usually a bump to navigate over. Such a simple thing really, however, the size of the trolley wheels, do have a dramatic impact on the obstacles size. Another major effect, is whether you are pushing, or pulling, the trolley at the time of impact. Note to self: always pull the trolley!!!!!!!!!!

A bit like ministry really! Best not to push people, just drag them, mmmm...

Learn from the Disciples, who were called to fish for men!!!!

John 21:8 The other disciples came in by boat for they weren't far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. (Message)

Cheerful Heart

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (Message)

Many years ago, in a Sheltered Workshop setting, I used this verse for our morning-tea devotions. Encouraging everyone to look on the bright side of life. About a month later, I was walking through the workshop, and a young man in the paint-shop, enquired of me. What's wrong Captain? Your not smiling!!

He had remembered my words, and was looking for the genuine expression of them. Also, observing a contrast from the normal, was concerned for my well-being.

Thank you Lord, for your treasures!!!

Covenant

See Blog ~ Pray ~ Saturday, May 12th.

This week's Corps Newsletter, contained a call to prayer for the Canadian Cadet's Commissioning. It contained a list of the Cadet's Names, and Appointments, to assist our people to be specific, in their pray for each Cadet.

I have been thinking about their Commissioning, Dedication, Covenant Ceremony, and how it will impact their lives.

Ezekiel 37:26 I'll make a covenant of peace with them that will hold everything together, an everlasting covenant. I'll make them secure and place my holy place of worship at the center of their lives forever. (Message)

APPLY

Today I used a slightly different approach in the delivery of the Pentecost Address. The main thrust was, Empowered to share. Following the meeting, a Salvationist said, I felt like you were talking directly to me. Well, after a little discussion on who was talking to who, encouragement was given to apply what was heard.

I will now, be looking for the blossom, and then the fruit to develop.

James 1:22 Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! (Message)

Right Idea, Wrong Way!

2 Samuel 6:1-8 David mustered the pick of the troops of Israel—thirty divisions of them. Together with his soldiers, David headed for Baalah to recover the Chest of God, which was called by the Name God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who was enthroned over the pair of angels on the Chest. They placed the Chest of God on a brand-new oxcart and removed it from Abinadab's house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were driving the new cart loaded with the Chest of God, Ahio in the lead and Uzzah alongside the Chest. David and the whole company of Israel were in the parade, singing at the top of their lungs and playing mandolins, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Chest of God. God blazed in anger against Uzzah and struck him hard because he had profaned the Chest. Uzzah died on the spot, right alongside the Chest. Then David got angry because of God's deadly outburst against Uzzah. That place is still called Perez Uzzah (The-Explosion-Against-Uzzah). (Message)

The Ark seems to have had it's transport arrangements, made by a committee. As they placed it on the brand-new cart. Seems quite logical. Moving a precious thing on a brand-new cart. When there was a bump in the road, the impact of their decision making process, was revealed with grave consequences. What went wrong? What could they have done better? Where was God in their decision making?

They simply forgot to follow God's instructions, that had previously been given.

1 Chron. 15:15 The Levites carried the Chest of God exactly as Moses, instructed by God, commanded—carried it with poles on their shoulders, careful not to touch it with their hands.
(Message)

How often do we think, and act, as though we know best?

Single, Poor, Pensioner.

Here we go again!!! Petrol pricing is about to explode!!!


RACV Petrol Watch ~ Latrobe Valley
Product Cost 69.2 cents
Federal Tax 37.7 cents
GST 12.0 cents
Freight 1.3 cents
Shell & Retailer 12.2 cents

Retail Price 132.4 cents per litre.

One has to ask, with further expenses, how will the single pensioners cope? Those who are already struggling, to maintain a house, and motor vehicle. Why should the widows/widowers, be punished with insufficient income, just because their life partner has died? Is this, justice?

I realise that there has been a poll in the media, which gained an overwhelming public response, of an expectation that the Government should ease the fuel tax burden. Will it make a difference, as this is an election year?

Zech. 7:9-10 Well, the message hasn't changed. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said then and says now: " 'Treat one another justly. Love your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other. Don't take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor. Don't plot and scheme against one another—that's evil.' (Message)