I love reading the Psalms! I was reading Psalms today during the message - you know how sometimes when the speaker is not saying anything that speaks directly to you how your mind can wander - I prefer to read my Bible and let God speak to me from His word.
The verses that jumped out and grabbed me this morning was Psalm 78:15-16 which says "He split the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink in abundance like the depths. He also brought streams out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers".
The Psalmist is writing about the nation of Israel wandering around in the desert after God had used Moses to set them free from bondage in Egypt. IN SPITE OF ALL THAT HE HAD DONE FOR THEM, they still grumbled and complained. It says in Psalm 78 that they ate the "food of angels" - manna. But they wanted meat and bread. How sad that they hadn't learnt the secret of being thankful for all that God had done for them. It cost them dearly - God's anger was fuelled against them, and they paid for their sin. Some of us "pay" for our sins of disbelief and unthankfulness in this life also.
As John Piper said, "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied by Him".
Whats the big deal? He has proven to Karen and me many times over that when we are satisfied and thankful for all He has done for us, and for all that He has given us, He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing such as can't be contained. And it causes us to cry out in shouts of praise to our wonderful King.
Have you thanked Him for today yet? If not, why not do it now. There's no better time! This day may have started out as the crappiest day in history for you, but it can (and should - if you believe what you read in God's word) end the way God planned it and purposed it for you. I had to remind myself of that fact three years ago when a split second water skiing accident changed my life forever. From perfectly healthy to invalid in a matter of seconds. I know for a fact that I swore at the excruciating pain, and my life was gripped with fear. Floating there in the ocean with my leg feeling as though it had been ripped off - it was hard to believe Jeremiah 29:11 applied to me right there and then. But the reality was - and still is - that nothing can separate us from the love and perfect purposes of our Lord and King. Nothing re-writes scriptures that were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and nothing can rob God of His power - not even all the hordes of hell. He is sovereign, and always will be sovereign. Nothing will ever change that. Hallelujah!!!
"He split the rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink in abundance like the depths. He also brought streams out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers". Wow ... what can I say, except that we serve an awesome and mighty God - if he can cause rivers to run in dry deserts! And this is exactly what He did in my life. He caused a river of life to start flowing in my dry desert like life. There is not a single day that has passed when he has not provided for me, and protected me. Maybe in another post I can share how He healed my shattered knee on a missions trip to Laos.
"Know that the Lord is good, and His mercies endure forever". BE ENCOURAGED.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Thank God it's Saturday ...
Actually I thank God everyday - for everyday - for everything. I have learnt that a thankful heart finds favour with God. Psalm 92:1-2 says,"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, Oh Most High. To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night".
Thankfulness is the beginning of Holiness. When we can truly thank God for everything - every situation - that we encounter in our lives, we will start to become more holy, because we will become more like Jesus Christ. Jesus was continually THANKING God (the Father) for everything because He knew the secret of giving thanks to His Heavenly Father. As we learn this lesson, heaven's doors will open over our lives, and we will be so blessed in everything we do that our hearts will want to praise Him even more.
This may seem like a different kind of post, but I have become so aware just lately that very few Christians are thankful for what God has done for them. Most Christians I have heard talking lately seem to have a very ungrateful heart. They are always striving for something, and have missed the truth that it is when we accept what God has done for us, and what He has given us, that He will open heavens doors to pour out a blessing so great that we cannot contain it!
I am overwhelmed lately at what God is doing in our business, and our personal lives! A day does not go past when we don't see His marvellous supernatural intervention and provision in our lives. I remember a particular Friday night about 3 years ago at Perth Christian Life Centre. We were only days away from losing everything we had (the bank had issued us with a notice of intent to take possession of our house and business premises), and I was crying out to God in anguish (I seem to recall spending a reasonable amount of time face down on the carpet crying out to God) about what was going to happen to our business. He answered me with an audible voice (I was always taught that he didn't do that anymore), and His words were simply ... "Stephen, I will build a business for you that will be beyond your imagination. But I will build it!"
Three years on He has kept His promise - in fact He started keeping it the next day after He gave it to me. He wiped out hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt, and has grown our business way beyond our wildest imagination or dreams. There has been no special business plan (accountants eat your hearts out), or slick business style, or advertising - simply hours of prayer, thanksgiving, honesty in dealings, and an unshakeable faith in a God who CAN and DOES keep His promises. Hours worked have halved, my quality of life has returned (He promises to restore everything that the locust has eaten), and I now love my job. Our business turnover has quadrupled in the past year, and we are debt free!!! Only God can do this kind of miracle - I just had to learn to co-operate with God, and to seek His face at every step.
The words of this beautiful old hymn says so eloquently what my heart feels ...
"My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne."
I decided to share this personal account of how God intervened in my life because I am sure that there are people who may read this blog that need to be encouraged to trust in "His unfailing and unchanging grace".
"If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face ..."
Blessed be the Name of the Lord God Almighty!
Thankfulness is the beginning of Holiness. When we can truly thank God for everything - every situation - that we encounter in our lives, we will start to become more holy, because we will become more like Jesus Christ. Jesus was continually THANKING God (the Father) for everything because He knew the secret of giving thanks to His Heavenly Father. As we learn this lesson, heaven's doors will open over our lives, and we will be so blessed in everything we do that our hearts will want to praise Him even more.
This may seem like a different kind of post, but I have become so aware just lately that very few Christians are thankful for what God has done for them. Most Christians I have heard talking lately seem to have a very ungrateful heart. They are always striving for something, and have missed the truth that it is when we accept what God has done for us, and what He has given us, that He will open heavens doors to pour out a blessing so great that we cannot contain it!
I am overwhelmed lately at what God is doing in our business, and our personal lives! A day does not go past when we don't see His marvellous supernatural intervention and provision in our lives. I remember a particular Friday night about 3 years ago at Perth Christian Life Centre. We were only days away from losing everything we had (the bank had issued us with a notice of intent to take possession of our house and business premises), and I was crying out to God in anguish (I seem to recall spending a reasonable amount of time face down on the carpet crying out to God) about what was going to happen to our business. He answered me with an audible voice (I was always taught that he didn't do that anymore), and His words were simply ... "Stephen, I will build a business for you that will be beyond your imagination. But I will build it!"
Three years on He has kept His promise - in fact He started keeping it the next day after He gave it to me. He wiped out hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt, and has grown our business way beyond our wildest imagination or dreams. There has been no special business plan (accountants eat your hearts out), or slick business style, or advertising - simply hours of prayer, thanksgiving, honesty in dealings, and an unshakeable faith in a God who CAN and DOES keep His promises. Hours worked have halved, my quality of life has returned (He promises to restore everything that the locust has eaten), and I now love my job. Our business turnover has quadrupled in the past year, and we are debt free!!! Only God can do this kind of miracle - I just had to learn to co-operate with God, and to seek His face at every step.
The words of this beautiful old hymn says so eloquently what my heart feels ...
"My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne."
I decided to share this personal account of how God intervened in my life because I am sure that there are people who may read this blog that need to be encouraged to trust in "His unfailing and unchanging grace".
"If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face ..."
Blessed be the Name of the Lord God Almighty!
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Jeremiah ... what a guy!
In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned my favourite verse - Jeremiah 29:11 ... "for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord ... plans to give you a hope and a future ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you".
The truth is that if I had read this verse about 4 years ago, I would have laughed at the prospect that God was talking to me through it. Isn't it funny how God can change our outlook on life in such a short time ... and in the most unlikely way.
I said in that earlier post that the reasons behind this verse becoming my favourite was another story, and I would like to share it with you now.
I was involved in singing and worship leading at the church that Karen and I had been members of for 17 years. Karen and I had both been brought up in the Church of Christ, and so were fundamental evangelicals. I resisted going to any of the worship summits because my opinion was that nothing good could come out of a worship summit, as the charismatics seemed to run these shows. I remember about 4 years ago being encouraged to visit Riverview Church here in Perth for the Friday night youth rally at the worship summit. I also remember standing there with Karen thinking that this was crazy, and I didn't feel in the slightest bit comfortable with the style of worship. This was the first time in my entire life that I had ever set foot inside a charismatic church. Then the time came for the speaker ... and it was a women (a young women in fact). Wow ... this was really stretching it! Her name was Christine Caine, from Sydney. That night my life changed as God used her to speak into our lives. And you guessed it ... she spoke from Jeremiah 29:11. She shared how God had used that verse to minister to her when she was sexually abused as a child. And she kept on repeating the verse throughout the message - over and over - until I guess that God knew that it had sunk into our minds.
To cut a long story short, over the next 12 months, that verse just kept popping up everywhere. The Sonshine Radio verse ( after the news) would be Jeremiah 29:11, the daily verse in the newspaper would be Jeremiah 29:11, the speakers at different churches that we were visiting (due to me standing down from my worship ministry, and us leaving our church of 17 years) would speak from Jeremiah 29:11. It seemed that wherever Karen and I went to church, or whatever meeting we visited, or whatever we listened to, or whatever we read -was about Jeremiah 29:11.
So why the big deal? The big deal was that through this period of approx 1 year of our lives, it seemed that our world was falling apart. Our business was failing, we were on the verge of losing all that we had, my ministry had been cut-off, we were churchless (looking for the perfect church), I had suffered a serious knee injury, my main employee had left, and things weren't looking too bright. Through all of this, God kept speaking Jeremiah 29:11 into our lives ... and then we started to believe it! And then He started to make the reality of it become true in our lives. He saved our house and our business. He restored our finances (way beyond our wildest dreams), wiped out our debts, gave us a new church and worship ministry, and He has used this verse to speak into many of our family and friends lives.
And for those that would say that God was only speaking to the Israelites, and that the word "prosper" does not mean to bless us in material things - I have heard sermons preached on this angle. All I can say is what God has done for us. God gives us a testimony so that we can share it and encourage others who may be going through the same trials and troubles.
Now Karen and I go to a charismatic church. Wow!!! It's amazing how God can change our attitudes and our beliefs. It's not hard for Him. We just need to be desperate enough for more of God to allow Him to breakdown our mindsets and wrong beliefs.
Every amazing thing that God has done in our lives over these past three years has been as a result of our charismatic friends praying for us, or through visiting charismatic churches and receiving teaching that once upon a time I would have turned my back on. I am so thankful to God for the 40 odd years of Bible teaching that I received in fundamental evangelical churches. I am so sorry though that it took 40 years to learn of the awesome power and freedom that comes from a passionate affair with my Creator and King - Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit has become a very good friend of mine. Hallejujah!!! I finally allowed God out of the box that I had imprisoned Him in for most of my life.
My prayer is that you will trust God for your miracle ... the miracle that perhaps you have been too afraid to ask or believe Him for. Remember that He knows the plans that He has for you ... and they are all good.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Does your Redeemer live?
The truth is that if I had read this verse about 4 years ago, I would have laughed at the prospect that God was talking to me through it. Isn't it funny how God can change our outlook on life in such a short time ... and in the most unlikely way.
I said in that earlier post that the reasons behind this verse becoming my favourite was another story, and I would like to share it with you now.
I was involved in singing and worship leading at the church that Karen and I had been members of for 17 years. Karen and I had both been brought up in the Church of Christ, and so were fundamental evangelicals. I resisted going to any of the worship summits because my opinion was that nothing good could come out of a worship summit, as the charismatics seemed to run these shows. I remember about 4 years ago being encouraged to visit Riverview Church here in Perth for the Friday night youth rally at the worship summit. I also remember standing there with Karen thinking that this was crazy, and I didn't feel in the slightest bit comfortable with the style of worship. This was the first time in my entire life that I had ever set foot inside a charismatic church. Then the time came for the speaker ... and it was a women (a young women in fact). Wow ... this was really stretching it! Her name was Christine Caine, from Sydney. That night my life changed as God used her to speak into our lives. And you guessed it ... she spoke from Jeremiah 29:11. She shared how God had used that verse to minister to her when she was sexually abused as a child. And she kept on repeating the verse throughout the message - over and over - until I guess that God knew that it had sunk into our minds.
To cut a long story short, over the next 12 months, that verse just kept popping up everywhere. The Sonshine Radio verse ( after the news) would be Jeremiah 29:11, the daily verse in the newspaper would be Jeremiah 29:11, the speakers at different churches that we were visiting (due to me standing down from my worship ministry, and us leaving our church of 17 years) would speak from Jeremiah 29:11. It seemed that wherever Karen and I went to church, or whatever meeting we visited, or whatever we listened to, or whatever we read -was about Jeremiah 29:11.
So why the big deal? The big deal was that through this period of approx 1 year of our lives, it seemed that our world was falling apart. Our business was failing, we were on the verge of losing all that we had, my ministry had been cut-off, we were churchless (looking for the perfect church), I had suffered a serious knee injury, my main employee had left, and things weren't looking too bright. Through all of this, God kept speaking Jeremiah 29:11 into our lives ... and then we started to believe it! And then He started to make the reality of it become true in our lives. He saved our house and our business. He restored our finances (way beyond our wildest dreams), wiped out our debts, gave us a new church and worship ministry, and He has used this verse to speak into many of our family and friends lives.
And for those that would say that God was only speaking to the Israelites, and that the word "prosper" does not mean to bless us in material things - I have heard sermons preached on this angle. All I can say is what God has done for us. God gives us a testimony so that we can share it and encourage others who may be going through the same trials and troubles.
Now Karen and I go to a charismatic church. Wow!!! It's amazing how God can change our attitudes and our beliefs. It's not hard for Him. We just need to be desperate enough for more of God to allow Him to breakdown our mindsets and wrong beliefs.
Every amazing thing that God has done in our lives over these past three years has been as a result of our charismatic friends praying for us, or through visiting charismatic churches and receiving teaching that once upon a time I would have turned my back on. I am so thankful to God for the 40 odd years of Bible teaching that I received in fundamental evangelical churches. I am so sorry though that it took 40 years to learn of the awesome power and freedom that comes from a passionate affair with my Creator and King - Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit has become a very good friend of mine. Hallejujah!!! I finally allowed God out of the box that I had imprisoned Him in for most of my life.
My prayer is that you will trust God for your miracle ... the miracle that perhaps you have been too afraid to ask or believe Him for. Remember that He knows the plans that He has for you ... and they are all good.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Does your Redeemer live?
Cool runnings ...
What a weekend it's been.
Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary. Tomorrow I turn another year older. Karen just walked in from the shop with a Vienetta - my most favorite food in the whole world. Well, alongside Tom Yum, Steamed fish with ginger and shallots, Yong Tau Foo noodle soup, Oysters Kilpatrick, Prawn Noodle soup and Peppered Mud Crabs. (just to name a few)
Last night we went out for tea to celebrate 23 wonderful years of marriage. On Wednesday night we went out to the movies to use up some La Premiere tickets we were given as a present ... saw "The Bourne Supremacy" ... which was a really good yarn.
Life is good because God is good, and He's good all the time. What can I say other than that God has caused His face to shine upon me and my family. We did nothing to deserve or earn it ... we simply asked Him to do what He did for Jabez ... that He would bless us and bless us INDEED. And the thing that I have learned in all of this is that it is His delight to do far beyond what we can even hope or imagine He would do.
Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for me. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for setting me free from the curse of the law. Thank you for healing and restoring me. Thank you for prospering me in all that I do. Thank you for keeping every promise that you have made to me and my family.
"In this one thing shall I boast ... that Jesus died and rose again"
Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary. Tomorrow I turn another year older. Karen just walked in from the shop with a Vienetta - my most favorite food in the whole world. Well, alongside Tom Yum, Steamed fish with ginger and shallots, Yong Tau Foo noodle soup, Oysters Kilpatrick, Prawn Noodle soup and Peppered Mud Crabs. (just to name a few)
Last night we went out for tea to celebrate 23 wonderful years of marriage. On Wednesday night we went out to the movies to use up some La Premiere tickets we were given as a present ... saw "The Bourne Supremacy" ... which was a really good yarn.
Life is good because God is good, and He's good all the time. What can I say other than that God has caused His face to shine upon me and my family. We did nothing to deserve or earn it ... we simply asked Him to do what He did for Jabez ... that He would bless us and bless us INDEED. And the thing that I have learned in all of this is that it is His delight to do far beyond what we can even hope or imagine He would do.
Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for me. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for setting me free from the curse of the law. Thank you for healing and restoring me. Thank you for prospering me in all that I do. Thank you for keeping every promise that you have made to me and my family.
"In this one thing shall I boast ... that Jesus died and rose again"
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
What the ...
Wow, it's been two weeks since I updated. On no, I'm turning into the very thing that I dislike - people who don't update their blogs for weeks on end.
This past week has been full on. Work has been busy, and last weekend I went (with Karen) to the Rick Joyner/Jack Deere conference at Churchlands. What a blast - Rick was average, but Jack Deere packs a wallop. Jack preached one of the best messages I have ever heard on tithing and giving on Sunday night. I actually got to meet him in person, and was very impressed with his gift of teaching. He's joined the likes of Joseph Prince and Chuck Swindoll as one of my favorite speakers. Guaranteed to be challenged, encouraged and educated all in one hit!!!
The other awesome thing about Churchlands was the worship. There was this young lady leading the worship on Friday night, and it was just the most amazing and uplifting worship experience I have had in a long while. I could get used to having quality worship leading like that all of the time. The amazing thing was that when I spoke to this young lady after the session about how much we were touched by her leading and the resulting worship, she was just so blown away and blessed. The genuine humility she displays is hard to find these days, and she is destined for greatness if she continues to seek God the way she does. There was also a new song (never heard it before) which was written by a guitarist from Churchlands. It was amazing, and I can't wait until it is released on their forthcoming CD.
God has been showing me that there are many people who want quality worship in churches today. It is surprising though how many people still think that worship is about us!!! My goal is to lead people in worship that doesn't conform to any formula, but that will simply glorify God and please Him. That will only ever happen when my spirit is subject to His Holy Spirit. It is usually when I think I have screwed up that I actually discover that God has mightily used me to impact into someones life through singing a song or something I have said. We may impress with a performance, but we can only communicate spirit to spirit when we lay our own lives and agendas down and "go out on a limb" for Him. Our most unimpressive attempt at "performing" is usually the one that brings people to their knees before the Throne of Grace. As one young lady said to me after my rather choked up attempt at singing the first verse of a beautiful old hymn last Sunday morning, it gave her and her husband goosebumps.
I must confess that I have never particularly liked the sound of my own voice, and have never considered that anyone would like it either. However, I am learning that when God gives us a gift we must use it, and we must recognise it!! This is hard to do when you have always been taught that we must be humble and modest. The two aspects are not mutually exclusive though, and it is a hard thing to learn that God sees us rather differently to how we see ourselves. The Bible exhorts us to have a realistic opinion of ourselves - and this most often results in us putting ourselves down. We are not good at accepting compliments or praise because we feel that it is wrong to have a high opinion of ourselves. I am learning however that God has a high opinion of me because the word says that when He looks at me, He doesn't see "me", but He sees my life wrapped up in Christ. He sees the ME that He created ME to be! He only sees my potential, not my weaknesses, and He always has a word of encouragement - not discouragement.
Praise God - when I am least able - He is most able! When my voice is failing or all choked up because of my brokeness inside, His annointing comes to the rescue. When my "impressiveness" goes out the window, His annointing descends from above, and power is released from on high.
People may (and do) say that God has blessed me with a gift of singing, but my belief is that God has blessed me with the gift of exhortation, and that manifests itself in many ways.
It only takes one heavenly minded person to make a lasting impact on us, and I thank God for that young lady at Churchlands last Friday - she has inspired me to pursue the avenue of true worship - the kind that impresses God and causes us to cry out Glory to our Lord and King.
This past week has been full on. Work has been busy, and last weekend I went (with Karen) to the Rick Joyner/Jack Deere conference at Churchlands. What a blast - Rick was average, but Jack Deere packs a wallop. Jack preached one of the best messages I have ever heard on tithing and giving on Sunday night. I actually got to meet him in person, and was very impressed with his gift of teaching. He's joined the likes of Joseph Prince and Chuck Swindoll as one of my favorite speakers. Guaranteed to be challenged, encouraged and educated all in one hit!!!
The other awesome thing about Churchlands was the worship. There was this young lady leading the worship on Friday night, and it was just the most amazing and uplifting worship experience I have had in a long while. I could get used to having quality worship leading like that all of the time. The amazing thing was that when I spoke to this young lady after the session about how much we were touched by her leading and the resulting worship, she was just so blown away and blessed. The genuine humility she displays is hard to find these days, and she is destined for greatness if she continues to seek God the way she does. There was also a new song (never heard it before) which was written by a guitarist from Churchlands. It was amazing, and I can't wait until it is released on their forthcoming CD.
God has been showing me that there are many people who want quality worship in churches today. It is surprising though how many people still think that worship is about us!!! My goal is to lead people in worship that doesn't conform to any formula, but that will simply glorify God and please Him. That will only ever happen when my spirit is subject to His Holy Spirit. It is usually when I think I have screwed up that I actually discover that God has mightily used me to impact into someones life through singing a song or something I have said. We may impress with a performance, but we can only communicate spirit to spirit when we lay our own lives and agendas down and "go out on a limb" for Him. Our most unimpressive attempt at "performing" is usually the one that brings people to their knees before the Throne of Grace. As one young lady said to me after my rather choked up attempt at singing the first verse of a beautiful old hymn last Sunday morning, it gave her and her husband goosebumps.
I must confess that I have never particularly liked the sound of my own voice, and have never considered that anyone would like it either. However, I am learning that when God gives us a gift we must use it, and we must recognise it!! This is hard to do when you have always been taught that we must be humble and modest. The two aspects are not mutually exclusive though, and it is a hard thing to learn that God sees us rather differently to how we see ourselves. The Bible exhorts us to have a realistic opinion of ourselves - and this most often results in us putting ourselves down. We are not good at accepting compliments or praise because we feel that it is wrong to have a high opinion of ourselves. I am learning however that God has a high opinion of me because the word says that when He looks at me, He doesn't see "me", but He sees my life wrapped up in Christ. He sees the ME that He created ME to be! He only sees my potential, not my weaknesses, and He always has a word of encouragement - not discouragement.
Praise God - when I am least able - He is most able! When my voice is failing or all choked up because of my brokeness inside, His annointing comes to the rescue. When my "impressiveness" goes out the window, His annointing descends from above, and power is released from on high.
People may (and do) say that God has blessed me with a gift of singing, but my belief is that God has blessed me with the gift of exhortation, and that manifests itself in many ways.
It only takes one heavenly minded person to make a lasting impact on us, and I thank God for that young lady at Churchlands last Friday - she has inspired me to pursue the avenue of true worship - the kind that impresses God and causes us to cry out Glory to our Lord and King.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Let's turn it around ...
I am on the mailing list for the Left Behind newsletter, and everyday they email me "God's Daily Promise" which is kind of a daily devotional. I am constantly amazed at how relevant the subject matters are to my own life.
The scripture verse for yesterdays email went like this ...
"Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth."
Colossians 3:2 NLT
It reminded me that some years ago at my previous church there was a pastor whose favorite saying was ... "some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use".
I've always considered that he had it back to front, and just lately I've become more convinced that ... "some people are so earthly minded that they are of no heavenly use". The writer of Colossians seems to agree.
Let's not let the earthly things cloud our minds so much that we fail to see into the heavenly realm which is where the battles are actually fought. For proof of the fact that our earthly battles are fought in the heavenly realm, read 2 Kings 6:14-17.
The scripture verse for yesterdays email went like this ...
"Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth."
Colossians 3:2 NLT
It reminded me that some years ago at my previous church there was a pastor whose favorite saying was ... "some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use".
I've always considered that he had it back to front, and just lately I've become more convinced that ... "some people are so earthly minded that they are of no heavenly use". The writer of Colossians seems to agree.
Let's not let the earthly things cloud our minds so much that we fail to see into the heavenly realm which is where the battles are actually fought. For proof of the fact that our earthly battles are fought in the heavenly realm, read 2 Kings 6:14-17.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Tuesday arvo at work ...
Good news ... Brett's brother was brought out of his coma on Sunday, and is progressing slowly. Keep praying for his salvation and healing.
God has blessed me in so many ways. It is something that I have always been concious of, but I have experienced a real spirit of thankfulness lately. Reminds me of the words of that Kathryn Scott song ... "every blessing You pour out I turn back to praise, Blessed be the name of the Lord" ... because that typifies what God wants us to do every moment of every day. God has been honing me and releasing several gifts in my life lately, and I know that He is melting my heart and reshaping it!
Just the other week at work around the lunchroom table, we were talking about our childhood experiences, and how they shaped our lives. My childhood was not an easy one - even though I was blessed to be born into a Christian family - as my recollections of primary and high schools bring back memories that I would rather forget. As I recounted the emotional pain that I endured, and verbal abuse that I copped when I was younger, Brett remarked that it was not surprising then that I stuttered when I was a child. The truth was that I had actually forgotten that I used to stutter badly, and I know that God has done a marvelous work of healing in my life. At this same time, I felt challenged that I should contact one of my old primary school teachers to tell him that I forgive him for the emotional torment that he put me through. Hmmm - I know that I can't do that one in my one strength, so I guess it's time to ask God for a miracle.
You might be wondering why I need to tell him that I've forgiven him, if I haven't spoken to or seen him for nearly 30 years. The answer is found in the content of a sermon I heard in Chiang Mai this year - preached by an american guy called Steve ( must be a good guy with a name like that) . The greatest gift Jesus passed on to us (sorry all of you prophets, teachers, tongues speakers, healers, etc) is the gift of the power to forgive, and to do it, he had to lay hands on his disciples so that they had the power within them to do this impossible task. If I am ever asked to preach a sermon at church, it will most certainly be on the subject of forgiveness. Jesus said in that passage that he was giving to us (his church) the power to forgive, or not to forgive - the choice is ours, and history will be shaped by the decisions that we make in this regard. Have you ever wondered what would have become of Paul if Stephen (in Acts) had not prayed that prayer of intercession and forgiveness for Paul and his cronies? Your choice (and mine) whether to forgive or not to forgive may change the future course of history - and maybe someone else's life - scary isn't it!
My childhood memories are not all bad news though ... when I was in 3rd year at Merredin High School, God brought a friend across my path who would prove to be a lifeline. I was boarding at Merredin from Monday to Friday with a lady who I will call Mrs K (not her real name). I hated being in Merredin, having no real friends, and life sucked to put it bluntly. For lunch EVERY day, I would be given MOULDY cheese and pickles sandwiches. That is why even until this day, I cannot stomach the sight or smell of pickles. When my new friend - Noel - invited me home to eat my lunch with him and his mother one day, his mum just about freaked out when I opened my lunchbox, and she saw what I had to eat. I used to open the mouldy sandwiches, wipe the pickles off the cheese, eat the cheese for lunch, and then throw the rest into the bin. From that day onwards, I had an open invitation to go home with him at lunchtime and share fresh bread and all sorts of different toppings. Noel became my closest friend, and would often come home with me to our farm on weekends. Then we grew up ... and apart. Well just last week, Alan (the keyboard player from Bethel) told me that Noel, his wife Deb, and their kids were coming over to his place for dinner last Wednesday. I hadn't seen Noel in over 12 years as they now live in Mt Barker, so I jumped at the chance to gatecrash the party and to catch up with him again.
I can still clearly remember the day when my eldest brother - whose name is also Noel - became a hero in my 11 year old eyes. It was morning, and THE schoolteacher (who boarded with us on the farm) was harassing me about getting ready for school, on his insistence that I had to ride to school with him, rather than make my Mum drive me the 2 Kms to school. My brother Noel walked into the kitchen at that time, and upon hearing the proceedings, promptly told my teacher to leave me alone and to get off my back. He became a hero to me that day (and continues to be a hero in my eyes even until this day, but that is another long story).
Bitterness is not just something that will screw up your face - it can screw up your life as well! Remember that one of the conditions of us being forgiven by God is that we must forgive others that have wronged us. Look for the lifelines that He has brought across your life, and then thank Him for them.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
This verse became a lifeline to me and Karen the first time we heard it ... but more about that later!
God has blessed me in so many ways. It is something that I have always been concious of, but I have experienced a real spirit of thankfulness lately. Reminds me of the words of that Kathryn Scott song ... "every blessing You pour out I turn back to praise, Blessed be the name of the Lord" ... because that typifies what God wants us to do every moment of every day. God has been honing me and releasing several gifts in my life lately, and I know that He is melting my heart and reshaping it!
Just the other week at work around the lunchroom table, we were talking about our childhood experiences, and how they shaped our lives. My childhood was not an easy one - even though I was blessed to be born into a Christian family - as my recollections of primary and high schools bring back memories that I would rather forget. As I recounted the emotional pain that I endured, and verbal abuse that I copped when I was younger, Brett remarked that it was not surprising then that I stuttered when I was a child. The truth was that I had actually forgotten that I used to stutter badly, and I know that God has done a marvelous work of healing in my life. At this same time, I felt challenged that I should contact one of my old primary school teachers to tell him that I forgive him for the emotional torment that he put me through. Hmmm - I know that I can't do that one in my one strength, so I guess it's time to ask God for a miracle.
You might be wondering why I need to tell him that I've forgiven him, if I haven't spoken to or seen him for nearly 30 years. The answer is found in the content of a sermon I heard in Chiang Mai this year - preached by an american guy called Steve ( must be a good guy with a name like that) . The greatest gift Jesus passed on to us (sorry all of you prophets, teachers, tongues speakers, healers, etc) is the gift of the power to forgive, and to do it, he had to lay hands on his disciples so that they had the power within them to do this impossible task. If I am ever asked to preach a sermon at church, it will most certainly be on the subject of forgiveness. Jesus said in that passage that he was giving to us (his church) the power to forgive, or not to forgive - the choice is ours, and history will be shaped by the decisions that we make in this regard. Have you ever wondered what would have become of Paul if Stephen (in Acts) had not prayed that prayer of intercession and forgiveness for Paul and his cronies? Your choice (and mine) whether to forgive or not to forgive may change the future course of history - and maybe someone else's life - scary isn't it!
My childhood memories are not all bad news though ... when I was in 3rd year at Merredin High School, God brought a friend across my path who would prove to be a lifeline. I was boarding at Merredin from Monday to Friday with a lady who I will call Mrs K (not her real name). I hated being in Merredin, having no real friends, and life sucked to put it bluntly. For lunch EVERY day, I would be given MOULDY cheese and pickles sandwiches. That is why even until this day, I cannot stomach the sight or smell of pickles. When my new friend - Noel - invited me home to eat my lunch with him and his mother one day, his mum just about freaked out when I opened my lunchbox, and she saw what I had to eat. I used to open the mouldy sandwiches, wipe the pickles off the cheese, eat the cheese for lunch, and then throw the rest into the bin. From that day onwards, I had an open invitation to go home with him at lunchtime and share fresh bread and all sorts of different toppings. Noel became my closest friend, and would often come home with me to our farm on weekends. Then we grew up ... and apart. Well just last week, Alan (the keyboard player from Bethel) told me that Noel, his wife Deb, and their kids were coming over to his place for dinner last Wednesday. I hadn't seen Noel in over 12 years as they now live in Mt Barker, so I jumped at the chance to gatecrash the party and to catch up with him again.
I can still clearly remember the day when my eldest brother - whose name is also Noel - became a hero in my 11 year old eyes. It was morning, and THE schoolteacher (who boarded with us on the farm) was harassing me about getting ready for school, on his insistence that I had to ride to school with him, rather than make my Mum drive me the 2 Kms to school. My brother Noel walked into the kitchen at that time, and upon hearing the proceedings, promptly told my teacher to leave me alone and to get off my back. He became a hero to me that day (and continues to be a hero in my eyes even until this day, but that is another long story).
Bitterness is not just something that will screw up your face - it can screw up your life as well! Remember that one of the conditions of us being forgiven by God is that we must forgive others that have wronged us. Look for the lifelines that He has brought across your life, and then thank Him for them.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
This verse became a lifeline to me and Karen the first time we heard it ... but more about that later!
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
The world keeps spinning ...
Well, it's Tuesday night, and it feels like it should be Friday already. Sunday night at Bethel Life Centre was full on ... worship was great ... and work has been flat out these past two days. And tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that will be no different at this rate.
The guy that works for me (Brett) had some sad news first thing Monday morning. His younger brother was involved in a very serious car accident on Friday night, and is still in a coma in RPH. I am praying that God will use this situation to impact him with the gospel of truth and life. I trust that he will soon realise that there is absolutely no hope without Christ.
My oldest son Thomas (www.tomdts.blogspot.com)is currently in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand with YWAM. He will be staffing DTS for the next two years, and is at the moment busily learning more Thai with a tutor.
My other son Shane (4myking.blogspot.com) has just started a new job in graphics for a printing company here in Perth, and is also involved in schools and youth ministries at Thornlie Church of Christ.
My daughter (youngest) Camille is in year 12 at Thornlie Christian College, where she is the School Capain (Head Girl). I've just read her mid year report - wow - I'm impressed. God has truly blessed me with three wonderful children who are a huge blessing to me.
The person who keeps me sane is my beautiful wife Karen, who is truly a gift from God. She is delightful to know, and is my best friend (on this earth at least). In a few months we will celebrate 23 years of memorable marriage - full of blessings and a fair smattering of tough times - but the grace of God helps you to finish the race. Every difficulty overcome is another stone added to the foundations to make us stronger. ("On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand ...")
Quote for today: "The Lord's blessing is our greatest treasure - all our work adds nothing to it." Proverbs 10:22
The guy that works for me (Brett) had some sad news first thing Monday morning. His younger brother was involved in a very serious car accident on Friday night, and is still in a coma in RPH. I am praying that God will use this situation to impact him with the gospel of truth and life. I trust that he will soon realise that there is absolutely no hope without Christ.
My oldest son Thomas (www.tomdts.blogspot.com)is currently in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand with YWAM. He will be staffing DTS for the next two years, and is at the moment busily learning more Thai with a tutor.
My other son Shane (4myking.blogspot.com) has just started a new job in graphics for a printing company here in Perth, and is also involved in schools and youth ministries at Thornlie Church of Christ.
My daughter (youngest) Camille is in year 12 at Thornlie Christian College, where she is the School Capain (Head Girl). I've just read her mid year report - wow - I'm impressed. God has truly blessed me with three wonderful children who are a huge blessing to me.
The person who keeps me sane is my beautiful wife Karen, who is truly a gift from God. She is delightful to know, and is my best friend (on this earth at least). In a few months we will celebrate 23 years of memorable marriage - full of blessings and a fair smattering of tough times - but the grace of God helps you to finish the race. Every difficulty overcome is another stone added to the foundations to make us stronger. ("On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand ...")
Quote for today: "The Lord's blessing is our greatest treasure - all our work adds nothing to it." Proverbs 10:22
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Well, today is the day ...
I finally succumbed to this blogger thingy ... both of my sons have them, and several friends have them too! Get ready to find out all you wanted to know about me but were too afraid to ask. I will endeavour to use this blogger thingy to keep you informed of what my awesome Creator God is doing in my life. My prayer simply is that you will be encouraged by what you read. Comments, both affirming and critical will be appreciated. Come and walk through life with me ... and my family, as we step out into the destiny that God has planned for us.
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