Greetings dear friends and followers!
In a conversation with some friends earlier today as we bade our farewells the statement was made, "We hope to see you again soon!" Well you may have guessed it, this started a train of thought in my mind that I want to share with you.
Throughout the Bible we find many statements about "hope" and as we look at these we see we are called to have hope and also view the testimonies of those who declared their hope in God.
For instance David the Psalmist says to God in Psalm 25: 21, "I put my hope in you." The Apostle Paul in Romans 15: 13 prays that the followers of Jesus will overflow in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
No doubt you have heard the statement "he has no hope!" What a terrible position to be in, it seems impossible to even visualise such a thing, but there are those who feel this is so for them.
So what about it? Have you found hope in Christ? I testify that my hope is in Jesus Christ and say Hallelujah!.
Well do I remember singing in church the words of that great hymn, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand." Song Book of The Salvation Army, 745. v: 1 & chorus. (Edward Mote 1797 - 1874)
I trust you will have a great day of hope and discover that in Christ, hope is as solid as a rock!
God bless you!
"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for will happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11: 1.
P.S I do welcome two friends as followers, Tim and Dabak, and HOPE for many more very soon. A.L.
21 May 2009
20 May 2009
Loving joy
Greetings dear friends!
With my wife Val, we have been away for a little time, actually we went to Canberra to visit and catch up with our grandchildren and had a great time.
When we arrived at our destination we were greeted by our eldest grandson (in Canberra) and felt the warmth of his love and something of the great pleasure in being able to see his grandparents after a very lengthy period of time.
For us it was a wonderful moment as well!
Then a short time later we met our other grandsons with the rest of the family, it was beautiful!
During our time, we not only caught up on the news of what had been happening, some events good and others not so good, such as a very bad car accident, for which we thank God everything has turned out to be alright, but we met new friends of the family.
And then we sat and shared something of mirth and fun bringing from us all absolute hilarious laughter, causing tears to simply flow from our eyes.
I felt that as we came together in this lovely home, we were able to find loving joy and in this a closeness and a binding of relationship with each other. (Better than a telephone conversation.)
I am reminded of the song we used to sing in church that has these words, "O there's joy in every heart, when there's love at home; There's a smile on every face when there's love at home! Voices have a kindly sound, Happiness beams all around, Peace and gentleness abound, when there's love at home." (Song book of The Salvation Army 664 : 1.) Anon.
A comment was made to me when I met the Corps Officer of the Salvation Army Church our family worship at during our visit, as I met him he said, "Welcome, I hope you will feel at home as you worship with us this morning!"
You know when I come to my prayer time and I speak with Jesus I feel very much at home in His presence, and there comes to my spirit a beautiful and warming loving joy. In actual fact there is really nothing else like it.
I wonder have you every had an occasion when you have had a good laugh in the presence of Jesus? Strange question you think! Well I am reminded that the joy of the Lord is my strength! In Him I find loving joy and plenteous grace. Hallelujah! I wish more Christians would find this as well.
I hope you will have a great day and in the presence of the Lord find great loving joy today!
God Bless you!
"Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward of my work. So pleaee stay true to the Lord, my dear friends." Philippians 4: 1.
With my wife Val, we have been away for a little time, actually we went to Canberra to visit and catch up with our grandchildren and had a great time.
When we arrived at our destination we were greeted by our eldest grandson (in Canberra) and felt the warmth of his love and something of the great pleasure in being able to see his grandparents after a very lengthy period of time.
For us it was a wonderful moment as well!
Then a short time later we met our other grandsons with the rest of the family, it was beautiful!
During our time, we not only caught up on the news of what had been happening, some events good and others not so good, such as a very bad car accident, for which we thank God everything has turned out to be alright, but we met new friends of the family.
And then we sat and shared something of mirth and fun bringing from us all absolute hilarious laughter, causing tears to simply flow from our eyes.
I felt that as we came together in this lovely home, we were able to find loving joy and in this a closeness and a binding of relationship with each other. (Better than a telephone conversation.)
I am reminded of the song we used to sing in church that has these words, "O there's joy in every heart, when there's love at home; There's a smile on every face when there's love at home! Voices have a kindly sound, Happiness beams all around, Peace and gentleness abound, when there's love at home." (Song book of The Salvation Army 664 : 1.) Anon.
A comment was made to me when I met the Corps Officer of the Salvation Army Church our family worship at during our visit, as I met him he said, "Welcome, I hope you will feel at home as you worship with us this morning!"
You know when I come to my prayer time and I speak with Jesus I feel very much at home in His presence, and there comes to my spirit a beautiful and warming loving joy. In actual fact there is really nothing else like it.
I wonder have you every had an occasion when you have had a good laugh in the presence of Jesus? Strange question you think! Well I am reminded that the joy of the Lord is my strength! In Him I find loving joy and plenteous grace. Hallelujah! I wish more Christians would find this as well.
I hope you will have a great day and in the presence of the Lord find great loving joy today!
God Bless you!
"Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward of my work. So pleaee stay true to the Lord, my dear friends." Philippians 4: 1.
05 May 2009
WIN A PRIZE
Greetings dear friends!
I was walking through our lovely shopping Mall this afternoon and a chap stopped me and asked if I would like to win a prize. My reply to him was, "Yes, I would!" "Well, buy a ticket and if you are lucky enough you could win first prize," he challenged me.
I have to tell you I did not buy a ticket, and most certainly I do not now have to spend time being anxious if I have won or not, so that's a good thing for my emotional well-being.
Yes it's true, my mind has been going over this "winning thing" and I want to testify right now that within my llife I am a winner, that's right, a winner.
You see in Christ I am a winner! That is I stand with him, knowing that in Him I have the victory.
It's like Paul says; "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord!" ( 1.Corinthians 15: 57, 58. )
Winning or having the victory however, does not come easily, let's not fool ourselves, Christ won the Victory over death on the Cross, this was a terrible cost to pay, and we have to make sure that we ourselves in our living know this victory through making our own contribution to winning the prize.
I see it in the chorus I used to sing in church; "Ever is the War cry, Victory, victory! Ever is the war cry, Victory! Write it in your banners, get it on your knees, Victory, victory, victory!
The Song Book of The Salvation Army, Song 813 Ch. William Howard Doane (1832-1915)
Oh how I hope you are a winner in Jesus Christ, if you are not on the winning side, ask theLord to bring you in today, even right now!
Have a wonderful winning day, and in everything, give thanks! God Bless you!
"For whatever is born of God, overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - - - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1.John 5: 4, 5.)
I was walking through our lovely shopping Mall this afternoon and a chap stopped me and asked if I would like to win a prize. My reply to him was, "Yes, I would!" "Well, buy a ticket and if you are lucky enough you could win first prize," he challenged me.
I have to tell you I did not buy a ticket, and most certainly I do not now have to spend time being anxious if I have won or not, so that's a good thing for my emotional well-being.
Yes it's true, my mind has been going over this "winning thing" and I want to testify right now that within my llife I am a winner, that's right, a winner.
You see in Christ I am a winner! That is I stand with him, knowing that in Him I have the victory.
It's like Paul says; "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord!" ( 1.Corinthians 15: 57, 58. )
Winning or having the victory however, does not come easily, let's not fool ourselves, Christ won the Victory over death on the Cross, this was a terrible cost to pay, and we have to make sure that we ourselves in our living know this victory through making our own contribution to winning the prize.
I see it in the chorus I used to sing in church; "Ever is the War cry, Victory, victory! Ever is the war cry, Victory! Write it in your banners, get it on your knees, Victory, victory, victory!
The Song Book of The Salvation Army, Song 813 Ch. William Howard Doane (1832-1915)
Oh how I hope you are a winner in Jesus Christ, if you are not on the winning side, ask theLord to bring you in today, even right now!
Have a wonderful winning day, and in everything, give thanks! God Bless you!
"For whatever is born of God, overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - - - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1.John 5: 4, 5.)
04 May 2009
All round the world
Greetings dear friends!
Fellowship is a wonderful thing. I heard it once explained as,"All fellows being in the one ship!"
This is true with the Christian Fellowship and the work of the Salvation Army World Mission Fellowship, in fact I have just come home from the monthly meeting of this lovely fellowship group.
This group meets every first Monday night of the month in the Inala Village Chapel, Middleborough Road North Blackburn and commences at 6.30 p.m. The meeting goes for about 12o minutes and always is a real great time.
Are you thinking that this information is given so that you may feel as if you are invited to attend, well the answer is a strong YES! If you have any thought of how to support the work of God, at least through the avenue of The Salvation Army, then this is a good way to go.
Tonight we shared with a couple of young ladies from the Camberwell / Box Hill Salvation Army Churches who as part of a group had recently returned from a mission trip to Tanzania, where they gave of their time and energies in mission service. They painted walls, carried water, distributed food and clothing, led Christian worship and made sure everyone knew they were there because of love. (Paid all expenses from their own pockets!)
Isn't it just wonderful what you can do and give when you think out of the "self square?"
Paul the apostle told us that we ought to remember others and not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, that is not a bad kind of instruction.
How blessed I was tongith to hear the story of the adventure of this young group and thank God for them and all they did whilst in Africa.
It might be that there are others who ought to answer the call of God, maybe not to go to Africa but to follow Him just where you are, because that is where He can best use you.
I remember singing in church these words; "Follow, follow, will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere I will follow on; Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus, Everywhere He leads me I will follow on." William Orcutt Cushing (The Song Book of The Salvation Army - - Song 483; Ch)
How I pray that you may be well aware of Who you are following and that you will be lead to a great exciting experience of life service.
"And Jesus went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted, and they came to Him." Mark 3: 13.
Fellowship is a wonderful thing. I heard it once explained as,"All fellows being in the one ship!"
This is true with the Christian Fellowship and the work of the Salvation Army World Mission Fellowship, in fact I have just come home from the monthly meeting of this lovely fellowship group.
This group meets every first Monday night of the month in the Inala Village Chapel, Middleborough Road North Blackburn and commences at 6.30 p.m. The meeting goes for about 12o minutes and always is a real great time.
Are you thinking that this information is given so that you may feel as if you are invited to attend, well the answer is a strong YES! If you have any thought of how to support the work of God, at least through the avenue of The Salvation Army, then this is a good way to go.
Tonight we shared with a couple of young ladies from the Camberwell / Box Hill Salvation Army Churches who as part of a group had recently returned from a mission trip to Tanzania, where they gave of their time and energies in mission service. They painted walls, carried water, distributed food and clothing, led Christian worship and made sure everyone knew they were there because of love. (Paid all expenses from their own pockets!)
Isn't it just wonderful what you can do and give when you think out of the "self square?"
Paul the apostle told us that we ought to remember others and not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, that is not a bad kind of instruction.
How blessed I was tongith to hear the story of the adventure of this young group and thank God for them and all they did whilst in Africa.
It might be that there are others who ought to answer the call of God, maybe not to go to Africa but to follow Him just where you are, because that is where He can best use you.
I remember singing in church these words; "Follow, follow, will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere I will follow on; Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus, Everywhere He leads me I will follow on." William Orcutt Cushing (The Song Book of The Salvation Army - - Song 483; Ch)
How I pray that you may be well aware of Who you are following and that you will be lead to a great exciting experience of life service.
"And Jesus went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted, and they came to Him." Mark 3: 13.
03 May 2009
LOVE ANSWERS
Greetings dear friends!
Today in our church service our preacher spoke of the great love of God. The depth, the width, the heighth and the length of God's love to all His children.
It was quite an inspiring message and I am sure all in attendance appreciated being reminded once again of the ever wonderful love of God to all of us.
For some reason or other I was directed to look at the dictionary at this word "love" and was interested to see that in the game of tennis the word love is used as a score of zero....nilch!
I began to think there are many people in the world around us that through various circumstances sadly feel that in the area of love their score is 'zero' -- some are un loved because they are the unloveable. --- other are just so distressed because of the situation they find themselves, they tell themselves they are unloved.
Is it then to these people that we as Christians in the world are to be as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Love! I think so for if the Bible in a very simple verse says, "God is love!" then we who are called to represent God in our every day walk of life and witness of Him, then we are to actually be witnesses and examples of "love!'
In the every day walk of life people are talking these days such garbage and rubbish, and love has been depicted as something you can trash around and really as I see and hear around love is degraded beyond measure.
It's time to bring love back to what is really should be....... in fact bring God to where He ought to be.
Love in respect, love in reverence, love in truth, love in rejoicing, love in unity and not fragmentation, love in relationship that will enhance and not break down, yes love that will not desert or cast off, but rather hold on and be strong and wonderful.
I remember singing in church a beautiful song that was written by one of my favourite hymn writers and it says this; "O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul on Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in its ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be." (George Matheson 1842-1906) (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 621: v; 1.)
The message is that love is not just taking but giving also---something to be remembered!
I hope you are not a person who feels that for you, love is zero, if so stop and think with me, you will be amazed at the Love of God given and shared for you in Jesus Christ. I suppose that does really apply to all of us today.
God bless you have a great day and remember "You are loved beyond our understanding!"
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." 1.John 4: 11,12.)
Today in our church service our preacher spoke of the great love of God. The depth, the width, the heighth and the length of God's love to all His children.
It was quite an inspiring message and I am sure all in attendance appreciated being reminded once again of the ever wonderful love of God to all of us.
For some reason or other I was directed to look at the dictionary at this word "love" and was interested to see that in the game of tennis the word love is used as a score of zero....nilch!
I began to think there are many people in the world around us that through various circumstances sadly feel that in the area of love their score is 'zero' -- some are un loved because they are the unloveable. --- other are just so distressed because of the situation they find themselves, they tell themselves they are unloved.
Is it then to these people that we as Christians in the world are to be as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Love! I think so for if the Bible in a very simple verse says, "God is love!" then we who are called to represent God in our every day walk of life and witness of Him, then we are to actually be witnesses and examples of "love!'
In the every day walk of life people are talking these days such garbage and rubbish, and love has been depicted as something you can trash around and really as I see and hear around love is degraded beyond measure.
It's time to bring love back to what is really should be....... in fact bring God to where He ought to be.
Love in respect, love in reverence, love in truth, love in rejoicing, love in unity and not fragmentation, love in relationship that will enhance and not break down, yes love that will not desert or cast off, but rather hold on and be strong and wonderful.
I remember singing in church a beautiful song that was written by one of my favourite hymn writers and it says this; "O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul on Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in its ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be." (George Matheson 1842-1906) (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 621: v; 1.)
The message is that love is not just taking but giving also---something to be remembered!
I hope you are not a person who feels that for you, love is zero, if so stop and think with me, you will be amazed at the Love of God given and shared for you in Jesus Christ. I suppose that does really apply to all of us today.
God bless you have a great day and remember "You are loved beyond our understanding!"
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." 1.John 4: 11,12.)
02 May 2009
Youthful Talent
Greetings friends!
I have just come home from a most enjoyable programme (concert) at the Rosebud Salvation Army presented by the Musical Sections of the Waverley Salvation Army Young People.
If anyone went thinking that it would be a concert presented by some young people who were trying to impress they were wrong, for these young people gave a programme or a concert that would have been acceptable in the most prestigious audience anywhere.
The standard of deportment, musical ability and talent was excellent and brought great blessing and for an evening of good music it was just brilliant.
Each of the items brought a standard of excellence that the young people and leaders can be justly proud.
To see the enthusiasm, and hear the well rehearsed items was a pleasure and joy and the varied talents from each of the soloists, was something to thank God for.
The Young People's Band, the singing company and the Junior Timbrel brigade worked hard to bring pleasure to a congregation that showed over and over again their appreciation.
The solo items were all superb and worthy of the acclamation they received.
This was a night when we were able to join together to just do as the Psalmist said, "Praise the Lord! Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!" Psalm 150: 6.
I remember singing in church these words; "I'm going to make my life into a melody, I'm going to praise my Saviour all day long, I'm going to my life into a symphony, a glorious symphony of song." (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 858:v 1.) Well the young poeple certainly helped us all to do this tonight.
Let me suggest that if you hear that the Waverley Young People's Musical Sections are putting on a concert, go and hear them you will not be disappointed.
Have a great day and may the music of your heart be in harmony with the Heavenly Score of God's composition.
"The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after, among them were the maidens playing timbrels." Psalm 68: 25.
I have just come home from a most enjoyable programme (concert) at the Rosebud Salvation Army presented by the Musical Sections of the Waverley Salvation Army Young People.
If anyone went thinking that it would be a concert presented by some young people who were trying to impress they were wrong, for these young people gave a programme or a concert that would have been acceptable in the most prestigious audience anywhere.
The standard of deportment, musical ability and talent was excellent and brought great blessing and for an evening of good music it was just brilliant.
Each of the items brought a standard of excellence that the young people and leaders can be justly proud.
To see the enthusiasm, and hear the well rehearsed items was a pleasure and joy and the varied talents from each of the soloists, was something to thank God for.
The Young People's Band, the singing company and the Junior Timbrel brigade worked hard to bring pleasure to a congregation that showed over and over again their appreciation.
The solo items were all superb and worthy of the acclamation they received.
This was a night when we were able to join together to just do as the Psalmist said, "Praise the Lord! Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!" Psalm 150: 6.
I remember singing in church these words; "I'm going to make my life into a melody, I'm going to praise my Saviour all day long, I'm going to my life into a symphony, a glorious symphony of song." (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 858:v 1.) Well the young poeple certainly helped us all to do this tonight.
Let me suggest that if you hear that the Waverley Young People's Musical Sections are putting on a concert, go and hear them you will not be disappointed.
Have a great day and may the music of your heart be in harmony with the Heavenly Score of God's composition.
"The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after, among them were the maidens playing timbrels." Psalm 68: 25.
01 May 2009
PEACE AND JUSTICE
Greetings to you dear friends!
Do you find it difficult to believe that today we commence the fifth month of this year? Where have the last four months gone? Well we can't avoid the truth of it, they have gone! And we are today beginning May 2009. I remember as a young lad we used to have a holiday on this day. I think it was called 'Empire Day' and then it became 'May Day' or something like that and as childen we were taken into the city to see the great March, and people were demanding all kinds of things, amongst some of these demands was "PEACE!"
I have been reading a book entitled the words and inspiration of Desmond Tutu, and in this book Archbishop Desmond Tutu makes a statement and it is this; "Peace without justice is an impossibility!"
To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. Peace involves inevitable righteousness, justice, wholesomeness, fullnes of life, participation in decision making, goodness, laughter, joy, compassion, sharing and reconciliation.
So many people today are content to just sit "on the fence," but you know when too many people sit on the same fence it must fall down! Let's build fences of protection and justice and then peace will come and be a benefit to those who are finding difficulty and no fair play in the game of life.
I read in the Bible this verse in regard to what the Lord Himself requires of His people; "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6: 8.
I do believe that Jesus came and revelaed that if we live this way we may have peace with all men and peace within ourselves. Not such an impossible thing to achieve if we all work together to this end.
Jesus who came to bring justice to all men as God would have it, still requires that we live as He has shown us the way.
I remember singing at church these words of a lovely Hymn: "Jesus came with peace to me, His strong arm was stretched to me, then my burden took from me --- my Saviour. " (The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Book 379 Ch.)
Have a great day and may you know the Justice and Peace of God in all you do today!
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27.
Do you find it difficult to believe that today we commence the fifth month of this year? Where have the last four months gone? Well we can't avoid the truth of it, they have gone! And we are today beginning May 2009. I remember as a young lad we used to have a holiday on this day. I think it was called 'Empire Day' and then it became 'May Day' or something like that and as childen we were taken into the city to see the great March, and people were demanding all kinds of things, amongst some of these demands was "PEACE!"
I have been reading a book entitled the words and inspiration of Desmond Tutu, and in this book Archbishop Desmond Tutu makes a statement and it is this; "Peace without justice is an impossibility!"
To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. Peace involves inevitable righteousness, justice, wholesomeness, fullnes of life, participation in decision making, goodness, laughter, joy, compassion, sharing and reconciliation.
So many people today are content to just sit "on the fence," but you know when too many people sit on the same fence it must fall down! Let's build fences of protection and justice and then peace will come and be a benefit to those who are finding difficulty and no fair play in the game of life.
I read in the Bible this verse in regard to what the Lord Himself requires of His people; "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6: 8.
I do believe that Jesus came and revelaed that if we live this way we may have peace with all men and peace within ourselves. Not such an impossible thing to achieve if we all work together to this end.
Jesus who came to bring justice to all men as God would have it, still requires that we live as He has shown us the way.
I remember singing at church these words of a lovely Hymn: "Jesus came with peace to me, His strong arm was stretched to me, then my burden took from me --- my Saviour. " (The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Book 379 Ch.)
Have a great day and may you know the Justice and Peace of God in all you do today!
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14: 27.
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