World Vision morning tea

Wednesday 26th saw our Church ladies doing an incredible job of running our annual m/tea to raise funds & awareness of World Visions work among the poor of the world.
Each year they help over 20 million people with short & long term needs, food, water, health & education. So it's great we are able to do something to help them reach out with hands of compassion.
Often when we think about the huge problem of poverty around the world, we come to the conclusion that "it's just too hard!"
But when we get together with a shared passion, a shared vision of what can be, we can & do make a difference!
Well done everybody, we raised over $700 & that will help 90 kids for a whole month!

Steve the bird man!!

Home again after a couple of weeks away travelling up the coast to Coolangatta in Queensland.
Leonie & I got to catch up with some good friends & both my sisters as well!
God blessed us with some great weather as we travelled around checking out some truly beautiful parts of His creation, Diamond Beach, Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie, Lamington National Park, Tugan, & Forster.
Got to feed parrots, & rosellas at Lamington, an interesting experience having them landing on your arms, shoulders & head!
Anyway, it was a great time away from home responsibilities for a while!

Hi everyone!
Sorry it's been so long since I updated, but things have been just so busy!
We live in a fast paced world don't we?
Each day seems to bring so many things that can consume our every waking moment & still demand even more of our time!
But, we all need to spend time relaxing, resting our over active minds!
We need to spend time quietly reflecting on our God & His Word, the Bible.
In Psalm 46 verse 10 it says "Be still, and know that I am God."
Thankfully I was able to do that while we were away on hols, but this must continue now we're back!
We must make a conscience decision to set time aside to be still, to relax, to reflect on God's goodness & grace. I pray you'll make whatever changes in your life that you need to to make this possible!

Love one another! part 2 MP3

Love one another as Christ loved you.
These words should resound through the very being of the Christian Church, here in Australia & all around the world!
With all the tragedy, brokenness, violence & relational breakdown that is rappidly increasing in society, there is a great need for people to see true Christian love being lived out in Christ's body, the Church.
Jesus said to his followers these words "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John chapter 13 verse 35
Just what would happen if each of Christ's Churches started living that way, loving that way?
If each & every Christian loved their brothers & sisters authentically, compassionately, patiently, sacrificially. Don't tell me that the world would not notice. Don't tell me broken people wouldn't find that attractive.
Don't tell me that lives would not be changed, transformed, saved.
What an incredible impact the Church would have if we all followed Jesus' command to "Love one another."
What do you think?

Love one another! MP3

Gidday everyone!
In this weeks message we read about the Apostle John blasting out this message "Love one another!"
I wonder how many times we have heard those words? But hearing & doing are two different things aren't they?
Type "Church conflict' into your search engine & see how many pages come up! (I got 3,620,000!!!)
As Christians we have an obligation to show true genuine love towards our brothers & sister. Even more than that, we are commanded to love each other.
Love that is sacrificial, love that is kind, love that is forgiving, love that's generous. the list goes on.
John list 4 different heart attitudes we can have toward each other.
1. Murder
2. Hate
3. Indifference
4 True Christian love.
So, what's your attitude?

The great love of God! MP3

How great is God's love?
That's a big question isn't it?
This week we look at a passage of Scripture which says;
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God." 1 john 3:1

As we consider this statement, we need to see who John is refering to as the "children of God."
Isn't that everyone on earth? Aren't we all the children of God?
Well, no we aren't!
Why do I say that?
Look at the previous verses. "And now, dear children, continue in him (Jesus) so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming...you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him."
John reminds us of Jesus words to Nicodemus (John chapter3) when He told Nic that he needed to be born again, not in a physical sense, but born again spiritually.
When we call on Jesus Christ to save us from a lost and hopeless existence, when we surrender our will to His will, we are born again into the family of God!
Then we can claim the title of "children of God."
Then we can start to understand the greatness of God's love for us.
A love that sent Jesus to the cross, to die there for your sins and mine.
"Amazing love, how can it be? That You my God should die for me! (Charles Wesley)
As God's children, we are not only saved, but we have the hope of heaven place securely in our hearts. How should this change us?
How should this impact how we live our lives on this earth?
Listen along as we look at "The greatness of God!"

"Destruction. Why does it happen?" MP3

As we all come to grips with the tragic loss of both life & property brought about by the horrific bushfires in Victoria, we need to reflect upon God's Word.
For it is in God's Word that we can find comfort & hope, even in the most desperate of times.
In it we read "I consider that the present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
No matter what we find ourselves facing, or what terrible burden we have thrust upon us, we can rest securely in the promises of God.

Our hearts go out to everyone who has suffered due to the fires, & we pray you are granted the strength you need to face another day.

In today's talk, Ian Willersdorf shares some thoughts about the destruction, & the solid hope we can hold onto no matter what.
Grace & peace to you all.