Hay floats away!

The recent good weather has produced a Spring for making hay.
But when the river breaks it's banks, everything on the river flats either goes under or floats away.
Must be heartbreaking for farmers to see scenes like this, hay floating down the river :-(
Hopefully, someone down river will rescue these runaway bales!

2010 flood.

 

Yesterday the water was at the level of the 1984 flood mark, today it's level with 1952.
Still some way off 1974 which was the highest in recent living memory anyway.
12 year old at the time, I can remember riding my pushbike into water in the main street at the bottom of Otway street. So, still some way to go before that happens again!

Gundagai in flood!

 
Well it's been an interesting time over the last few days, as the recent rain has filled the Snowy dams to capacity, meaning that the overflow comes down the Murrumbidgee.
After 10 years of drought it's great to see so much water, spare a thought for the farmers who have lost crops & hay. (Hay bales seen floating downstream :-( sadly)
But on the positive side of things, we are thankful for the way this shall replenish ground water supplies & saturate the ground.

4 characteristics of a healthy church. MP3

What does a healthy church look like?
Well , thats a big question, & depending upon who you asked you could get a whole range of answers.
After all, we live in different places with different cultures, so are there any common characteristics?
Yes I believe there are!
As we read through the book of ACTS we see the early church being established, coming to life. And as we see from ACTS chapter 11, there are at least 4 characteristics that we should see in any healthy church!
1. A healthy church reaches out with the Gospel.
2. A healthy church is encouraging.
3. A healthy church teaches the Word of God.
4. A healthy church cares for people.

Is your church a healthy one?

Willing to be used by God? MP3

In ACTS chapter 9 we read about a man named Ananias. Not one of the most well known men of the Bible, but what we learn about him is important!
He was obedient to the call of God on his life!
He was willing to be used by God!
And because he did what God asked him to do, someones life was impacted, changed for the better, someone was empowered to get out there & talk about Jesus!

If we follow his example & say to God "Here I am Lord, use me"
what a difference that would make!
Listen along as we think about being used by God.

Saul's conversion MP3

The conversion of Saul is one of the most profound, complete, dramatic & powerful of all conversions recorded in the Bible!
Saul was a zealous, passionate, deeply committed religious man, with a single purpose, to wipe these Christians off the face of the earth!
But when he came face to face with Jesus of Nazareth, that all changed.
His encounter with the Risen Christ totally broke Saul of pride & self righteousness.
Saul had been trying to live a religious life, keeping laws, rules & regulations.
Saul had been trying to please God by all the good works he did.
Saul had been blind to the truth!
The truth is, God doesn't want us to be religious, He wants us to be in relationship with Him!
Have you had an encounter with Jesus Christ?
I guarantee it will change your life!

Marriage week in Australia

Welcome to Marriage Week in Australia

Marriage Week is a great time to reassess marriage. A time to see that it is more than a piece of paper, a word, or a contract. Marriage is a relational institution that makes two people one entity - a great team.

Our marriages are not private matters. Our children, gain emotional security and a myriad of benefits from our marriage, our love and union. Our marriages matter to our extended family. They matter to our employers.
They matter to society. They are the fabric that holds families together.
On average married people live longer and have good relationships with their children; families enjoy better physical health, married men earn more money.
Wow, that puts a lot of weight on marriage!

So, do something for your marriage in this week in September.
Write a letter of thanks or praise to show your love for your spouse. Buy them a special gift, it does not have to be large or expensive. Go out on a date, share a picnic, just do something romantic! Celebrate your married life together.

Marriage Week 12th - 19th September 2010