What a week so far !! - Understatement of the century !!
What do you do when your future is unsure ?
What if the light at the end of the tunnel just went out ?
What happens when plans are thrown up side down and you don't now where to begin ?
A quote form my devotional reading "My Utmost" says;
When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance.
Well it's time again to let God have is way - sure enough I don't have a clue !
As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God's interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world.
Well, my plans, ambitions and future is up for the taking... God, they're all yours !
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Paul's thoughts for this week !!
I have been trying to "up the time" spent on reading some daily devotional commentaries - not an enjoyable experience for me (reading that is)
I have found some very challenging ideas this week as another week of "struggles" with certain aspects of my life as been and gone.
I have found several verses in the book of James very helpful and inspirational this week.
James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow
James 1:5 If you need wisdom (don't we all) ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.. 1:6 but when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
I have been praying - asking for some wisdom on decisions relating to employment for several months now and I continue to seek what the plans for my future employment have in store.
James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
So whilst I continue to seek Gods plan, I have stepped up the prayer and reflection - even visiting the "Prayer Room" at our church on Wednesday lunch time - again reading James and reflecting on several more verses that jumped off the page (so to speak)
James 5:16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Not sure if I would honestly call myself a "righteous" person, but I'm working on it.
Bring it on!!
I have found some very challenging ideas this week as another week of "struggles" with certain aspects of my life as been and gone.
I have found several verses in the book of James very helpful and inspirational this week.
James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow
James 1:5 If you need wisdom (don't we all) ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.. 1:6 but when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
I have been praying - asking for some wisdom on decisions relating to employment for several months now and I continue to seek what the plans for my future employment have in store.
James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
So whilst I continue to seek Gods plan, I have stepped up the prayer and reflection - even visiting the "Prayer Room" at our church on Wednesday lunch time - again reading James and reflecting on several more verses that jumped off the page (so to speak)
James 5:16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Not sure if I would honestly call myself a "righteous" person, but I'm working on it.
Bring it on!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
F A I T H - Forsaking All I Trust Him
Not an easy thing to do - trust !
I have been trying to find some sense in the past few weeks/months of my employment circumstances and how better to "serve".
Nat and I (and Imogen and Maddison) came to Melbourne over 12 months ago for what I thought was God centred decision. Imogen's surgery and a great(?) job opportunity - all fell into place.
James 4 vs 10 (the Message) reads:
Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master, it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
This is what I did several months ago and now I find myself contemplating the same requirement - to get serious and do some kneeling before God so that I (again) can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
At church today, the Band commenced with the melody of the words of Charles Wesley:
A charge to keep I have
a God to glorify
a never-dying soul to save
and fit it for the sky
To serve the present age
my calling to fulfill
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Masters will
This has certainly been "stuck" in my mind for several weeks and with my faith being "tested" and my future not so sure, I have been trying to make sense of it all.
My devotional reading for Oct 31 reads:
But we do not earn anything through faith - faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself.
I have been trying to find some sense in the past few weeks/months of my employment circumstances and how better to "serve".
Nat and I (and Imogen and Maddison) came to Melbourne over 12 months ago for what I thought was God centred decision. Imogen's surgery and a great(?) job opportunity - all fell into place.
James 4 vs 10 (the Message) reads:
Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master, it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
This is what I did several months ago and now I find myself contemplating the same requirement - to get serious and do some kneeling before God so that I (again) can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
At church today, the Band commenced with the melody of the words of Charles Wesley:
A charge to keep I have
a God to glorify
a never-dying soul to save
and fit it for the sky
To serve the present age
my calling to fulfill
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Masters will
This has certainly been "stuck" in my mind for several weeks and with my faith being "tested" and my future not so sure, I have been trying to make sense of it all.
My devotional reading for Oct 31 reads:
But we do not earn anything through faith - faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Comfort Zone - Reality Check
This week I have seen 3 examples of people living in poverty - right in the streets of Brunswick.
All this while I sit and each my lunch in a small cafe - realtively comfortable with myself and my situation.
Day 1 say an elderly gentlemen trying to by a pie with sauce with a few coins that probably added up to 60 cents. I sat and watched whilst I ate my sandwich and drank my Coke Zero and did nothing as he was dismissed out of hand and was asked to leave the cafe.
Day 2 say a similar incident as I sat at the same cafe and ate the same lunch when a out of nowhere a stranger asked for a "spare 50 cents". I said no only to realise that I indeed had change in my pocket and as I turned to see if this was legitimate, the stranger had disappeared.
Day 3 came and as I sat by the window of the same cafe, another elderly man who had seen better days reached for the ashtray and picked up a used, squashed cigarette that had been left there and asked the next passer by for a light.
Well this has certainly made me uncomfortable this week and as I sit now in some relative comfort and quite, I question my Christian "attitude" towards my neighbour... I think I needed to do more - even some loose change would/could have helped - I know money is hard to come by and probably not the be all and end all to peoples problems - Should I have done something ?
This week has certainly been a test for me and as I am contemplating my "service" for God, I think I have failed my first test.
I know there is something better for me to do with my time and as I struggle with my current employment situation, I can only pray that God will give me strength to face whatever lies ahead and the opportunities in life are not wasted.
I have updated an electronic version of the Bible on an old Pocket PC and have found several readings from a devotional called My Utmost. This now forms part of my updated devotional plan which, if I'm honest, was sadly lacking in substance.
The first day refered to Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need.
All this while I sit and each my lunch in a small cafe - realtively comfortable with myself and my situation.
Day 1 say an elderly gentlemen trying to by a pie with sauce with a few coins that probably added up to 60 cents. I sat and watched whilst I ate my sandwich and drank my Coke Zero and did nothing as he was dismissed out of hand and was asked to leave the cafe.
Day 2 say a similar incident as I sat at the same cafe and ate the same lunch when a out of nowhere a stranger asked for a "spare 50 cents". I said no only to realise that I indeed had change in my pocket and as I turned to see if this was legitimate, the stranger had disappeared.
Day 3 came and as I sat by the window of the same cafe, another elderly man who had seen better days reached for the ashtray and picked up a used, squashed cigarette that had been left there and asked the next passer by for a light.
Well this has certainly made me uncomfortable this week and as I sit now in some relative comfort and quite, I question my Christian "attitude" towards my neighbour... I think I needed to do more - even some loose change would/could have helped - I know money is hard to come by and probably not the be all and end all to peoples problems - Should I have done something ?
This week has certainly been a test for me and as I am contemplating my "service" for God, I think I have failed my first test.
I know there is something better for me to do with my time and as I struggle with my current employment situation, I can only pray that God will give me strength to face whatever lies ahead and the opportunities in life are not wasted.
I have updated an electronic version of the Bible on an old Pocket PC and have found several readings from a devotional called My Utmost. This now forms part of my updated devotional plan which, if I'm honest, was sadly lacking in substance.
The first day refered to Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
It is well with my soul
One of my favourite pieces of music is "On a Hymnsong" which uses the words:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Today, the band had the privilege to play this tune in our service - Only a small group as some of our members where away with the MSB. We enjoy a special place in worship and music is very much an integral part of our worship at Preston.
Life can get very hectic and stressful at times - some times we need to take time and take stock of what our "lot" is in life - whether it good, bad or ugly, it is great to know God is in control.
Knowing this fact, it helps us to sing the refrain - It is well, It is well with my soul.
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Today, the band had the privilege to play this tune in our service - Only a small group as some of our members where away with the MSB. We enjoy a special place in worship and music is very much an integral part of our worship at Preston.
Life can get very hectic and stressful at times - some times we need to take time and take stock of what our "lot" is in life - whether it good, bad or ugly, it is great to know God is in control.
Knowing this fact, it helps us to sing the refrain - It is well, It is well with my soul.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Day 7 - All Over
Well it's been good while it lasted.. Back to school and work for Imogen and me tomorrow.
Nat is now overdue and over IT! Another week before the next appointment, then Thursday and Friday next week for inducement - if she has delivered prior to this.. BRING IT ON !!
Patience and endurance - growing thin I'm afraid
Thought for today
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
Colossians 1 vs 9-14
Song 579
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
Nat is now overdue and over IT! Another week before the next appointment, then Thursday and Friday next week for inducement - if she has delivered prior to this.. BRING IT ON !!
Patience and endurance - growing thin I'm afraid
Thought for today
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
Colossians 1 vs 9-14
Song 579
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
Monday, June 1, 2009
6 Down - 1 to go
6 Days in isolation with only 1 day remaining.
It has been great being at home for the past 6 days - I even achieved some excellent work results too.
I have enjoyed my "isolation" and am not sure if I want to go back to the normal routine of day tot day life.
Our new addition has still not arrived - much to Nat's discomfort, but I think baby no. 3 will be here soon. Once delivered and home, I can enjoy some well deserved holidays - for a few weeks anyway.
Thought for the day..
I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already on it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to wine the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.
All of us who are spiritually mature should have the same attitude.
Philippians 3 v 12 - 15a (NT)
Hard to believe sometimes that we are not perfect. Some people would like us to believe this is true.
How difficult it is sometimes to forget what is behind us and look to the future, to the unknown - perhaps a little scary and we prefer to rest on what we know, more so that what the future could possibly hold.
How straight are we running towards the goal ??
Sometimes I think it more a zig-zag than a straight line. There are so many obstacles in our path, it makes it very difficult to focus on the goal at hand. Life throws a few curly situations at us from time to time and we are often so busy to even understand that we may have strayed of the "straight and narrow" even for a short time. Maybe we've gone so far off the right path we can see our way back.
Perhaps we need to spend some time and ask God to help us get our focus back, show us the way and give us the courage to let him take the lead.
Song 586
I do not ask thee, Lord,
That all my life may be
A easy, smooth and pleasant path;
'Twould not be good for me.
But O I ask today
That grace and strength be given
To keep me fighting all the way
That leads to God and Heaven!
It has been great being at home for the past 6 days - I even achieved some excellent work results too.
I have enjoyed my "isolation" and am not sure if I want to go back to the normal routine of day tot day life.
Our new addition has still not arrived - much to Nat's discomfort, but I think baby no. 3 will be here soon. Once delivered and home, I can enjoy some well deserved holidays - for a few weeks anyway.
Thought for the day..
I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already on it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to wine the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.
All of us who are spiritually mature should have the same attitude.
Philippians 3 v 12 - 15a (NT)
Hard to believe sometimes that we are not perfect. Some people would like us to believe this is true.
How difficult it is sometimes to forget what is behind us and look to the future, to the unknown - perhaps a little scary and we prefer to rest on what we know, more so that what the future could possibly hold.
How straight are we running towards the goal ??
Sometimes I think it more a zig-zag than a straight line. There are so many obstacles in our path, it makes it very difficult to focus on the goal at hand. Life throws a few curly situations at us from time to time and we are often so busy to even understand that we may have strayed of the "straight and narrow" even for a short time. Maybe we've gone so far off the right path we can see our way back.
Perhaps we need to spend some time and ask God to help us get our focus back, show us the way and give us the courage to let him take the lead.
Song 586
I do not ask thee, Lord,
That all my life may be
A easy, smooth and pleasant path;
'Twould not be good for me.
But O I ask today
That grace and strength be given
To keep me fighting all the way
That leads to God and Heaven!
Fannie Jolliffe (1862-1947)
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