What a great week !
I spent the week assisting the Salvation Army Bush Fire Relief Center in Whittlesea. During this time I meet some great people and shared in their interesting stories of life after February 7, 2009.
I have no way of comprehending the struggles some people have faced since this time and how people still are struggling to come to terms with the rebuilding process.
Whilst I have been struggling with my own circumstances over the past several weeks (months), I have enjoyed putting others first for a change and seeing hope in peoples eyes as the Salvation Army's efforts in the area are continuing over the Christmas/New Year period.
I had first hand experience today speaking with people about their personal circumstances and how the assistance given by the Army has been utilised to help get people back on their feet. I will not forget the tears of heart ache mixed with tears of joy as people came (sometimes reluctantly) to ask for help.
A quote from my devotions a couple of weeks ago read:
"God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the spirit in you"
This week has seen me in a different place and among people outside my "normal" circle - I hope I assisted in God's plan in some way, shape or form.
"Make your life a clear testimony. Be as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom - not as a muddy creek of which you only see the surface - but clear and transparent so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all"
O Lord, whose human hands were quick
To feed the hungry, heal the sick,
Who love by loving deed expressed,
Help me to comfort the distressed.
What is divine about my creed
If I am blind to human need?
For you have said they serve you best
Who serve the helpless and oppressed.
Lord may your love translucent shine
Through every loving deed of mine,
That men may see the works I do
And give the glory all to you.
Malcom Bale
SASB 518
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Where to next ?
Whilst I am still enjoying my "holiday" albeit enforced, I have had some additional time to reflect on the past 18 months since arriving in Melbourne.
Today, in some relative quiet time, I watched the NYSB on DVD as they played a well know "old" favourite arrangement - The Light Of The World".
It uses a beautiful tune "Aurelia" and used the words:
O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end
Be thou for ever near me, my Master and my friend
I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway, if thou wilt be me guide.
O let me feel thee near me; the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus draw thou nearer and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me, to chasten or control;
O speak to make me listen, thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus that has promised to all who follow thee,
That where thou art in Glory, there shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.
John Ernest Bodie (1816-74)
SASB 862
As the search continues for employment and the right "fit" in service, I am mindful of promises made in he past and a few made in the present.
I am still hopeful that God's plans are made known before my plans (or self-will) stuff things up
- Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend,
Today, in some relative quiet time, I watched the NYSB on DVD as they played a well know "old" favourite arrangement - The Light Of The World".
It uses a beautiful tune "Aurelia" and used the words:
O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end
Be thou for ever near me, my Master and my friend
I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway, if thou wilt be me guide.
O let me feel thee near me; the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus draw thou nearer and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me, to chasten or control;
O speak to make me listen, thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus that has promised to all who follow thee,
That where thou art in Glory, there shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.
John Ernest Bodie (1816-74)
SASB 862
As the search continues for employment and the right "fit" in service, I am mindful of promises made in he past and a few made in the present.
I am still hopeful that God's plans are made known before my plans (or self-will) stuff things up
- Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend,
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The 1st day of the rest of my life.
Tomorrow begins another chapter in the continuing struggle for answers that I have been searching for for the past several months.
I have constantly been reminded that these struggles teach perseverance. I'm starting to question how many struggles and how long will it take - bearing in mind that the circumstances of this week have been an accumulation of several months situations.
My devotional readings continue to amaze me as each day new entries on the same theme appear with more poking and prodding and are helping me understand (albeit a little slowly) the process surrounding my circumstances.
Thoughts for today...
Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel, but some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.
Today the band played a beautiful arrangement called "From Earth's Confusion"
Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven
From earth's confusion to Jesus' breast;
My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow,
Are lost for ever in sweetest rest.
SACB 94
The problems that we run into will develop our patience - which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God and give us greater confidence about the future.
With Christ's peace we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ's peace.
God brings you into places, among people and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you.
I still do not know what a "definite purpose" is for my life, but I trust he knows best and all will be revealed in His time.
I have constantly been reminded that these struggles teach perseverance. I'm starting to question how many struggles and how long will it take - bearing in mind that the circumstances of this week have been an accumulation of several months situations.
My devotional readings continue to amaze me as each day new entries on the same theme appear with more poking and prodding and are helping me understand (albeit a little slowly) the process surrounding my circumstances.
Thoughts for today...
Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel, but some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.
Today the band played a beautiful arrangement called "From Earth's Confusion"
Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven
From earth's confusion to Jesus' breast;
My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow,
Are lost for ever in sweetest rest.
SACB 94
The problems that we run into will develop our patience - which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God and give us greater confidence about the future.
With Christ's peace we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ's peace.
God brings you into places, among people and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you.
I still do not know what a "definite purpose" is for my life, but I trust he knows best and all will be revealed in His time.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Future ??
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 !
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 !
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.
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