The End Of The World

As I read through an article in the Herald Sun about the predicted end of the world on December 20th 2012, it got me thinking about the world and the arrogance of our very own culture.  It got me thinking and asking the question: what if it was correct?  What if today really was the last day of existence as we know it?

Within the texts of the bible there are several references that warn us that the end will come quickly, no one will know the time that Jesus will return.  2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3 and Revelation 16:15 are but a few verses that remind us of his return.  As I look around at the reaction of the world, the media, and dare I say it, even the church in some circumstances, it appears that we do not take this warning seriously.  The response to the current Mayan predictions is one of a joke as people play off the idea that it will be an actual event.  This response just reinforces the arrogant, self-assured and 'she'll be right' attitude that we westerners seem to have.  It seems to me that it is perfectly legitimate to promote Santa Claus and his immenant return each year but to suggest that Jesus will return soon only promotes mocking as we are told that he does not exist, and that Christians live in a fairy world.

As  I listen to the responses of people to this Mayan prediction it breaks my heart and causes much frustration.  The role of the church is to share the good news of Jesus and it tells of a time in which all things will be restored.  The violence and sin of this world will be removed and those who have received Christ and who have believed his message (the whole message and not just the bits that make us feel good) will be forever in his presence and living in a time of Love, peace and restoration.

What if the Mayan prediction is right?  What if today everything changes?  Where will you go?  Do you know Jesus?  Have you believed his message?  Have you allowed it to truly transform your life?
There are plenty of what if's we could be asking about this stuff.  The reality is that the end will come one day.  Will we be ready? Are we taking it seriously or are we treating it as a joke just as we are now with the Mayan prediction?  I don't know about you but I want to take every claim seriously (to a point).  We need to remain alert and ready for what WILL happen.  One day, our mocking and self-assurance and arrogance will backfire and we will each ultimately be responsible for our preparation for it.  When we stand before God we won't be able to pass the buck and blame someone else for our lack of preparation and our failure to take seriously the things He has been telling us for centuries.  Today I ask the question:  What if today was your last day here on this earth, would you be ready?

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3

Time Flies

It's hard to believe that as I write this both Claire and myself, as well as many others are literally counting down till our commissioning as Proclaimers of the Resurrection.  As of today we are 50 days from being commissioned as Salvation Army officers (ministers.)  Other than receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour this is probably the biggest committment I will ever make.  I would be lying if I said I wasnt unsure and even terrified at times of what the future holds.

As I think over the past two years of my life I am in awe  of what God has done in my life and the lives of many around me.  The college experience is one that has taken me well out of my comfort zone on most days, and has been an experience that has not only been a challenge but also on many occasions a painful journey.  But God never said that pruning, shaping and growing would be easy.  I am of the opinion that if it doesn't hurt, it doesn't cost or it doesn't take you out of your comfort zone then it is highly likely that it is not of God.

If someone was to tell me 4 or 5 years ago that I was going to enter into training for full time ministry I probably would have laughed and certainly would have denied any sense of calling.  God however does have a sense of humour and although for years I have been running away from the innevitable here I am, right where God wants me.  It is amazing the journey that God will take you on if you only let him.  Am I up to officership?  I don't know.  A question that has been asked of all of us about to be commissioned is:  Do you feel ready for officership?  I think for me the answer is no.  If I was to be honest I dont ever want to be ready (or should I say feel ready.)  I don't think God ever wants me to feel ready, rather He wants me to feel assured that this is what He has called me to, and that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that I will be equipped and ready to serve.  As a very good and special friend reminded me today,  God doesnt call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

As I enter into a new chapter of my life, and I anticipate the amazing things that God is about to do, I feel excited.  God said that we would not even believe the things He is about to do even if He were to show us (Habakkuk 1:5, Acts 13:41.)  That is exciting.  My prayer for all people is that when God calls, listen.  Notice I didnt say IF, I said WHEN.  The reality is God is always calling, always seeking out those who are willing to do what He has planned for them.  For me, I am glad that I have committed to what I have.  My natural response is to run, to flee from the stuff that is difficult.  I guess though if I had done that, I wouldnt be where I am now and I would have missed out on the blessings that God has poured out on me over the past two years.

To all my fellow Proclaimers, my mentors, friends and family I love you all and thank you for the endless support and prayers.  My prayer is that God will bless you all in the days, months and years ahead.

Where God asks you to go for Him He is also willing to equip.

Distractions

It has been sometime since I have written a blog.  There have been many reasons for that really which to be honest have been most frustrating.  I guess the main reason really is just shear lack of motivation.  Only 104 days until commissioning and I must admit I am feeling extremely overwhelmed and not for the reasons one would think.  Its hard to believe that in just a matter of days it is going to be September and for many in this building the excitement of commissioning and what next year will hold is just too much.

 For me however, I am finding this time extremely frustrating, tiring, anxiety generating and many other words that I could throw into the mix.  To be honest I havent even thought about commissioning or next year.  At the moment my thoughts are focussed on now and all the assessments that need to be done over the next month.  As expected I have even been questioning my calling and reconfirming in my heart that yes I have heard correctly from God.  As I wrestle with all that is going on inside of this head of mine I am reminded that what I am feeling is real, and that these thoughts and doubts are natural responses to what is goingto soon be a life changing experience.

As I think about what can only be explained as spiritual attacks over the past few weeks, I have come to realise, and I have been reminded on many an occasion that whenever we take a stand for Jesus the devil gets worried.  When I think about going in to ministry within the next few months it makes sense that the enemy would be quaking in his boots.  Why?  Well it's got nothing to do with my ability and my talents that is for sure, rather it is to do with the message I take with me.  The message and hope of Jesus and the free gift of salvation that He offers.  Now that is a message the devil should be scared of.  Why?  Because when people hear the good news and receive it the enemy loses ground.  The deception of this world loses its power and people are released and receive a freedom that this world can never offer or fulfil.

This emotional rollercoaster, this lonliness that I have been feeling over the past few months is nothing more than a distraction.  A distraction that has been trying for a long time to derail me from the path that my God has planned for me.  I can only imagine that full time ministry will not get any easier and that these attacks will increase.  I know that this is not just a thorn in my side but rather a message of encouragement as God reminds me that I am certainly on the right track.

May God's grace and favour continue to keep me in good stride.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Lean not on your own understanding

But in ALL your ways acknowledge Him

And He WILL make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

inclusively exclusive.

In my varied dvd collection I have a movie called Time Changer.  It's about a writer who tries to get his book published and he feels that in order to receive more credit he seeks the approval of his seminary professors.  All pass the book but one who questions the authority of the book.  You see the writer writes about life, how we should live etc.  However, within the writings he forgets the most important thing of all, the acknowledgement of God as the ultimate authority.  He struggles with this issue and tries to persuade his peers that the book is sound.  The man who objected (who is also an inventor) invites him to his house where he has a time machine.  The writer is sent one hundred years into the future to see what will happen if what is written in his book occurs without the authority of God.  In one of the scenes later in the film the writer is ordering a hot dog.  He puts it on a bench while he settles himself and a young girl steals his food and runs off.  When he eventually catches her he tells her off and asks her if she knows that stealing is wrong to which she responds "who says?" 

So why do I share about this movie?  Well other than poor acting this film contains a very serious message that we can actually see being played out in todays world.  In a world of political correctness and the doctrine of inclusiveness we find that God is being removed from everything we do.  We wonder why the world is going mad and why people seem to have a total disregard for the law of the land and the church.  Many tell us that the church is no longer relevant and that we live in an era of Post Christendom where the church is no longer the centre of society.  I think what this really means is that God is not considered the center of society, we then wonder why crime, violence and societal and relational issues are on the increase.  Like the writer mentioned above as soon as we take the authority out of society (God) people will do what they like.    They will do what bests suits them and they will do what they believe hurts no one else and exercises their rights.  Interestingly people want lots of rights they just dont want the responsibility. We say that things are wrong but we don't say why they are wrong.  We want to be so inclusive that we are afraid of telling it the way it is.  Was Jesus inclusive?? I don't know.  I don't think he was.  He loved all people (as we are all called to do) but He certainly did not accept everything.  He challenged the status quo and certainly did not accept the issues on the grounds that He may offend someone.

As Christians we are called to preach the good news, we are called to preach Jesus.  We are called to stand up and represent God acknowledging His authority in all things.  This for the most part will certainly be counter cultural and will generate much opposition.  It may even generate words like exclusion and intolerance.  The reality is however, that pretty much all of the laws of the land come from Christian influence and have been in place (placed by God) for thousands of years.  Maybe we should abolish our entire legal system so as to be more inclusive??

The reality is regardless of what the world says (and a majority is not always right) that God is the ultimate authority and it is to Him that we are all accountable.  How do I know this? because the bible says so.

A Time To Retreat.

I recently got the privilege to spend a couple of days away on a silent retreat.  I must admit at first I was a little unsure of what I was in for but I knew deep in my spirit that it was going to be an amazing time.  The location of the retreat was on the coast and for me there was an almost immediate connection with the place.  There was an amazing peace that quite simply surpassed all understanding and the feeling of God being present was strong.   As we entered a time of silence on the evening of the first night there was an immediate shift within me.
For the first time in who knows how long I felt as though there was nothing but me, God and the creation.  The things of the college and of life were far removed and there was no need to be anywhere, no schedule to keep and no people to please.  It was just a time for me to sit with God, wherever He wanted me to be, and to simply reflect and contemplate.

As a Salvo, the thought of doing nothing I guess can be quite hard to grasp.  We are a movement that always seems to be busy doing something.  As I spent the next few days in silence and simply just being with God I was reminded of my past blogs and lessons learned.  The first was about Mary and Martha.  In the business of life (Martha) we can get so busy that we actually forget to spend time with God.  Mary chose to remove herself from the busyiness of life and simply bask in His presence.  The second lesson is like it:  To simply be rather than do.  Over the past few months I have been constantly reminded through many different forms about these two simple ideas.  Even today God reminded me of the importance of intentionally spending time with Him.  In Revelation 2:4 Jesus told the church of Ephesus that they had forgotten their first love.  Everything else they had done didn't matter if Jesus was neglected.

Friends, we are not only living in a busy world we are also living in the times that the bible says are the toughest of all.  The opposition against the church is truly amazing and the enemy is throwing everything he can at us in order to distract and destroy us.  Did I have time to go away on a retreat for a few days??  Probably not (even though it was scheduled) but the time I spent alone with God, away from the distractions was priceless.  I urge you all, make time for Jesus and rekindle that first love.  This time I speak of is more than a simple quiet time, it is intentionally setting an extended time of reflection and contemplation in order to draw closer to God.  Instead of praying that God will provide for our lists of wants (and the things we think we need) maybe we should be praying that God would change us.  That our desire would be for nothing else other than God Himself because really when you think about it, the rest is just distraction.  I heard a quote recently that said that there are lots of christians, just not saved ones - Michael Youseff.  Being saved is more than insuring our eternal destiny, it's about an intimacy with God.   Living, eating breathing Jesus in everything.

The only way to do that, is by physically removing ourselves from the distraction and focussing completely on Him.  Try it, I dare you.

Love Your Neighbour

Over the past few months the Salvation Army has been gearing up for its yearly Red Shield Appeal. While I was collecting at Chadstone shopping centre this week I started thinking about why people give of their hard earned money to an organisation that will give it to people they don’t even know. Have you ever thought about it?? Have you ever wondered why people would do it?

But I wonder, how would the world look, how would our communities look, if people chose to give in the same way regardless of whether there was an actual need? What if people gave to others just because they could? What if all people were treated with the same level of respect and kindness regardless of their gender, ethnicity or community status? What if we chose to show kindness to people simply because we wanted to? Over the past few months a Melbourne Christian radio station Light Fm has been running a challenge that encourages its listeners to perform acts of kindness. I also heard just recently that the Salvation Army has teamed up with many other organisations including channel 10 to start an online challenge called 1million acts of kindness. Their purpose is to encourage us to perform acts of kindness in order to create a happier and healthier community.

But what does the bible and Jesus say about random acts of kindness? Well to be honest it doesn’t say much about random acts of kindness but it does talk about intentional ones. Jesus through His teachings clearly sets the benchmark and lays a foundation for how Christians and the community should treat others. In Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus is approached by some of the religious teachers of his time and is questioned about what he believes is the greatest and most important commandment. Jesus responds by quoting two scriptures from the law. Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “To love your neighbour as yourself.” Everything else in scripture is bound by these two commandments. The priests of the day believed that their relationship with God was the only important thing and they felt that the only people that should be looked after were God's people. Luke’s gospel in chapter 10 has this same event but he takes it further by giving an illustration of what loving our neighbours might look like when he shares the story of the good Samaritan. These particular verses when you look at them closely are actually talking about how we respond to those who are excluded by society, unloved, our enemies. But the call to love our neighbour is not restricted to certain people or locations. God calls each of us to live in such a way that we are a blessing to all people.

The first statement to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind is not about a simple emotional attachment. When Jesus commands us to Love God this way He is saying that we are to offer our entire being before God. Every part of our lives and being are to be given in service and worship to God. He then continues with the second commandment taken from Leviticus. “To love your neighbour as yourself.” Why does he put these two together? Jesus is basically saying that just as you give yourselves completely to God, so to we should give ourselves completely to serving others and to look after them in the same way that we take care of ourselves. When Jesus tells us to love our neighbour he is saying that we have a responsibility to be useful and beneficial to our neighbours, the very people we interact with every day regardless of who they are, where they come from or how wealthy they are.

Genesis tells us that every person is made in God’s image and so God values each and every one of us. St Francis was once quoted as saying, “Preach the gospel and if necessary use words.” What did he mean by this? Our faith is expressed not only through words, it is expressed through our actions. Everything we do needs to be an out working of our faith. You see being a Christian is not defined by what church we go to or what programs we are involved in. Being a true believer is when we love God with our minds (that is our thoughts), Our souls (that is our being) and our hearts and then outworking this same idea to our neighbours that is, our parents, our friends, our workmates and those who live in our communities and cities. When God created humans, he created them to live in community, to live in such a way that we would take care of each other, to edify and encourage and to bring joy to those we interact with.

As the people around us see our faith through our unconditional action, they see Jesus at work in us. Henry Blackaby once said that “God is at work every day and all around us.” God calls us to open our eyes, see where he is working and then join Him in what He is doing. Loving our neighbour is more than just helping the poor and giving to appeals like the red shield for supporting our social programs, it’s about appreciation for people, understanding that God loves them and created them in His image, even the ones we feel are the worst, and then blessing them through acts of kindness regardless of their financial or physical situation. As we draw closer to God in faith, who we are will begin to be transformed and our thinking and our attitudes will begin to change as we imitate him by loving others.

So how does all this fit into that idea of performing acts of kindness? Well this scripture is more than just performing acts of kindness. But as I look around at the world and the goings on in our communities, one could be forgiven for believing that we are in a troubled world. Life is getting harder in many ways and people just don’t seem to be smiling. People are working harder and longer, the cost of living is getting more expensive, life is moving faster and it just feels like everyone is out for themselves. We live in a world that tells us that it is all about us and it appears to forget about others. And then you get initiatives like 1million acts of kindness and you think, hey can it really work? Can it really make a difference? I want to tell you that Kind acts produce happy people. Not only does it make others happy and cause them to smile, it makes the giver happy as well.

When Jesus commanded us to love our neighbour as ourselves I really believe that he believed that one person could make a difference and change the world. You see changing the world starts with us. Our attitudes need to change and we are called to outwork our faith in Christ by loving those around us. Performing an act of kindness is but one way we can do this. As God’s people we can change the world, one act of kindness and one life at a time. But it starts with us. Who knows, someone might even ask you why you are doing it? What a great opportunity to share the reason; because God loves them and so do we.

Too busy for Jesus?

As my studies continue along with my church placement I can't help but think about my life and my walk with God.  In preparing for a recent sermon about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) God has been challenging me about the things in my life that quite frankly just keep me busy.  We live in a world that is just so chaotic and our days are filled with a constant busyness.  Surrounded by modern technology we are told that we need to buy these gadgets because they will make life so much easier and that they will save us time.  Microwaves, cars, internet, email, mobile phones, blu ray players and the list goes on.  In a world where we run flat out all the time and where time is so precious I find myself asking the question is it all worth it?  Did God ever create us to be running flat out all the time?  Is our busyness helping us to grow closer to God or is it a distraction that is simply keeping us from spending time with Him?  I fear that the answer to this question leans more to the latter than the former.

As I read the story of Mary and Martha I can't help but notice that my attention is drawn toward the busyness of Martha in the scripture.  It's interesting isn't it that even in scripture we can be distracted by busyness.  In this story (which is only located in the gospel of Luke) the action is between Jesus and Martha.  The point however, that Luke is trying to get across is found in Mary.  She is the example of what true discipleship really is.  Culturally it was the women that were to serve the meal in the home when guests arrived but Mary made a choice to break tradition in order to fall at the masters feet.  Wow what a concept.  That one would choose to go against everything that society expects in order to spend time in worship.  Did this cause resentment? absolutely.  Martha was not happy.  But Jesus in speaking to Martha helps her to understand that Mary chose what was best.  What Mary chose was of a spiritual and eternal benefit.

Things need to be done.  Life is going to be busy.  The world will tell us that in order to be productive we need to be busy.  Yes things need to be done and life on occasion will be chaotic however, in the middle of it all is Jesus and He says:  "Come to me all who are wearied and burdened and I will give you rest."  Want to be Mary in a Martha world?  Sometimes we need to do the opposite to what the world would say is right and sometimes it may even cause resentment.  So which one are you Mary or Martha?
Life is chaotic but with Jesus all things become clear.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth 

Will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace. 

(©Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)

To preach or not to preach? that is the question

It was St Francis of Assisi that said "Go out and preach the gospel and if necessary use words."
Interesting quote.  As I spent the morning having coffee with a client today I recalled this sentence as I bore witness to this very idea plays out.

While sipping on my mocha the young waitress came to our table and started a conversation.  She had obviously seen me over recent weeks with clients and this particular coffee shop is a regular visit on the salvo entertainment list for the local chaplain.  She asked who I was and after introducing myself I explained that I was on placement and in training to be a minister.  This opened up a whole conversation and she spent the next few minutes explaining how even though she was not a christian per se she did believe in God.  She had been watching the chaplain ministering to these men from the hostel for quite a while.  She also seemed unaware (as most people are) that the Salvation Army is actually a church and not just a welfare organisation.  She proceeded to tell me that she had a great appreciation for the Army and was impressed by how unlike many other churches, we dont push the religion card and that we work in a way that is non-threatening. I explained to her that the way that the Salvation Army works is simply just an outworking of our faith.

It did get me thinking though.  If people are obviously being influenced by what we do (even when we think we are not being an influence at all), does it really matter if we don't go around driving home the point that we need to go to church.  Who is the church anyway??  Quite simply the church is people.

When I think of what Jesus did in his lifetime he simply made time for people.  Yes He spoke the truth when it was needed, he rebuked and disciplined those who needed it, but for the most part Jesus just spent time taking an interest in people.  It was this interest in a person, this availability that transformed lives. (oh and the Holy Spirit did his bit too :-) )  Once people knew how much he cared, that his interest in them was genuine, it was then that they listened to what he had to say.

So to for us.  It seems to me that sometimes we can get so caught up in trying to teach and preach that we forget that more importantly we need to just simply be.  My prayer is that God will give us the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent and just be.  May he grant us each wisdom to know the difference.

Being rather than doing

So placement has started in the past week and what a truly amazing week it has been.  My social placement is at The Salvation Army men's hostel called the Anchorage.  Wow what an eye opener.

One of the difficulties for me on this placement is simply just being rather than doing.  During the day I have felt that I am not doing anything (I am such a 'J').  It feels as though I am just taking up space but over the past few days I have discovered that I don't actually have to DO anything to be affective.  Isn't it interesting that we always have to feel that in order to be doing anything worthwhile we need to be busy?

When I think of Jesus' ministry I am reminded that He didn't always do anything.  Rather, He interacted with people, just being available and listening to their stories.  I am finding that as I spend time with the guys at the Anchorage I notice that I am actually making a difference in their day.  Lately for some they seem to come alive as they interact with someone who just wants to hear their stories.  I am learning so much about people and God.  I think if Jesus was here He wouldn't be trying to fix a problem per se but rather, He would be just sitting with them; listening to the people He was with.

Being Jesus to another person does not mean that you necessarily need to do anything other than just be yourself and just being available.  So am I doing anything during my day?  Absolutely!!  Investing time in another human beings life is probably the best thing you can ever do.  I think in many circumstances it is that availability and genuine interest in a person (even the ones who annoy you to no end) that makes the biggest difference in a life.  The things you can learn about another when you just give them some time is truly life changing.  It is the ones that society would generally brush aside that can teach us the most amazing things about life and about our God.

Wanna be Jesus?  Be available.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.  So that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish, but would receive eternal life. - John 3:16

What to write after an eventless week

Well what to write?  It has been a while since I have issued a new post and as I think about why that is I can't help but reflect over my past week.  How has it been?  Well to be honest it has been a horrible week, its been a lonely week and quite frankly I am glad that its over. 

As of today the second year cadets are officially on outplacement and I know for many this is an exciting time as we get to experience ministry in the field.  My own placements are good but to be honest I am really not looking forward to them.  Physically, emotionally and spiritually I feel drained and I am really struggling to focus on both God and what lies ahead other than the assignments that are due in coming weeks.  It seems to me that even though we are going to be busy at our placements, and that we are supposed to be focussing on them that, in the middle of it all the study raises its head and for me this is a huge distraction.  I feel that my whole life rotates around the books and stuff that quite frankly makes no sense.  Comprehending what is done in class  is more than a challenge let alone actually remembering any of it.  The academic which is important is just such a bore and I find the more I have to do it the more I dislike it.  It just seems so overwhelming and that plays havock with my anxiety levels.

So I guess its just been one of those weeks and I am just feeling sorry for myself.  Maybe.  Maybe what I am feeling is justified I don't know.  It is a scary thought however, knowing I have a full year ahead and yet already I feel exhauseted and fed up.  The questions get asked in my mind, am I supposed to be here?  have I heard the call correctly?  am I capable?  do I want to be capable? and the questions go on.  Sometimes it would be so much easier to go back to what I was good at and where for the most part I was certainly alot happier.  Who knows.  anyway here is heading into a new week.  Maybe by next weekend I will be feeling much happier.

None But Jesus

As I sat in prayers this morning (and it was a truly amazing prayer meeting) I was just blown away by the presence of the Spirit.  A song that I havent heard for a very long time but one which is quite timely , was played.  Isn't it awesome how things just happen at the right time. 

The song was None But Jesus.  As I listened to the words the stuff of the past year, the stresses, the worries and the fears just seemed to disolve into nothingness.  And it got me thinking, how often do we let the things of life completely overwhelm us, distract us and if left unchecked will in some cases even destroy us?

Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

Friends, the stuff of this life has no power over us.  Satan would tell us otherwise and he will try and distract and confuse, and tell us that their is something wrong with the way we are.  He will try and get us so busy that eventually we will burn out and even be so caught up in our own ability and ideas that we forget that we are nothing without Jesus. The reality is that in life, all we really need is Jesus.

None But Jesus lyrics
Songwriters: Fraser, Brooke;

In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored

When You call I won?t refuse
Each new day again I?ll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You?re sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

So when You call I won?t delay
This my song through all my days

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

All my delight is in You, Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You, Lord, forevermore

Today I was reminded that we CANNOT afford to miss just stopping what we are doing and spending time with God and allowing Him to refresh, restore and to refocus us.  

Are you confused? Distracted? Ready to burnout? None but Jesus.

The Never Never

I have learned once again to never say never to God.  He has a sense of humour you know and for me he often calls my bluff and gives me the very thing I tried to resist.  Over the past few years I have noticed a pattern in my life when it comes to life changing events.  Whenever I have said that I wasn't going to do something (My home Corps is nicknamed the church of the never never) for Jesus it always happened.  For example, I once said that I would never become a soldier in the salvation army and it happened.  I said that I would never be willing to serve as a leader in my church and it happened.  Finally I said that I would never ever enter training college to train for full time ministry and guess what? here I am.  One would have thought that after all these subtle indications from God of what He had planned for my life, I would be well versed in knowing how He chooses to work in me and that I should be very careful about what I say I will not do.

As the cadets were gearing up for receiving our placements I recall myself saying that there were two places where I didn't want to be sent to.  Not because there is anything wrong with them but moreso because of my own lack of faith in my own ability and the shear size of the churches.  I guess my first mistake was saying I didnt want to go.  As I listened to the sermon in two meetings yesterday morning about trusting God and having faith in Him even when I am not sure, and when those that God used to do great things made all the excuses in the world of why they were not able to do what God asked of them, I came to realise that God was about to shake me up a little.  As I stood there on the platform waiting to hear my placement for 2012 I just knew what was about to happen and where it was I was going.  All of a sudden I was in the never never.  As I think about this more I find myself getting excited about all that is about to take place.  When I think of my journey over the years I find that my greatest growth and joy have come from those times when God shook the cage of my life and took me well out of my comfort zone.  And so I can only imagine what He is about to do in me over the next few months.  I have always been told that in order to grow and in order to lead well I need to remain teachable and available.

Remaining teachable and available for me means that I may have to do or learn something even if everything in me says no.  You cannot move forward in leadership or understanding if you are not willing to move so far out of your comfort zone that you have no choice but to rely on God.  By even saying no you are saying that you no longer want to learn or grow.  God knows what is best for me.  God knows where He wants me and what He needs to do in me even if I don't.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

                                                                                                            (Hebrews 11:1)

The blessings in life

As I sit here watching my little girl (aged 3) I can't help but think of how God blesses us.  We live in a fast paced world where we are told that it is all about me.  We are told that in order to get the good things in life we have to work hard and you can have whatever you like.  It is very easy to start believing that what we are told on tv is right and that materialism makes you happy.

As I look at my little girl I realise how insignificant everything else is.  God has blessed me abundantly.  Firstly He offers me love that no one else can.  He is always there and He promises to provide for all my needs (notice I said needs, not wants),  He has given me a freedom in my life that the world could never give.  He has given me a beautiful wife and a gorgeous little girl who teaches me more about appreciating life than anyone else I know.  Sophie is happy because she just is and as a child, she is being that which God has created her to be and not what the world tells her she should be.

Is it wrong to work hard? no it's not, but sometimes in the words of Kellogs, "the simple things in life are often the best."  I think sometimes we need to just stop, step out of the rat race, and enjoy the things that God has given us, and to just be, be the very thing God created us to be...human.

Why Blog??

Well this is the first post and to be honest I am not too sure how this is going to work out.

It's all on now, into my second year of training and can I say it has been an interesting ride.  So much information to take in and I have begun to wonder if I will actually remember any of it.  But God has called me to this even though there have been days when I have questioned this.  I feel so useless some days, how could God possibly use me?  I am not smart enough, motivated enough, I don't know my bible well enough.  But then I am reminded that God doesn't care what I can do or how much I know, He just calls us to be obedient.  This is a tough lesson and one which has caused me much confusion and doubt.  God never calls us to do that which He is not willing to resource us in.

My prayer is that I will continue to trust Him and serve Him to the best of my ability.  In Jesus I will succeed.