Optimistic...my pondering of the last few days.

I am feeling unwell today. Not sure why. But it has caused me to rest a heap and stop and just ponder life.

The last couple of days have been interesting. I posted this link on Facebook from Dr Ravi Zacharias, one of the great men of a God of our era, and all I did was post the words, "interesting and helpful" And boy, did I not half cop it after that. It intrigues me, that one is not entitled to believe certain things without fear of condemnation from others. ( and yes it does go both ways, and btw, I wasn't condemning anyone, I just said that it was interesting and helpful for me )

The fact is that I have studied my bible, and studied the translations of the main key verse, that supports my worldview, and ....it is readily available to all people in the church, yet some in the church, cannot seem to see it. Or are choosing to reject it. ( if you wish to know the key verse, PM me)

Now I am generally ok with that, except for one main thing.... If you are a Christian, then the bible is the bottom line. Now some won't agree, but I am unsure what else you can fall back on, if not God's Word. I don't have the right to change what God said, and neither does anyone else.

The bible will make some people feel uncomfortable and hurt, but it will never make you feel cushy with a lie or untruth.

The truth is the truth. The bible is the bible. Bottom line for me at least.

It doesn't mean we don't do our best to love others, no matter what is going on in their lives. What it does say though is that you must " be " and " do " what the bible tells you to, if you choose to be a Christian at least.

Blaming or accusing all and sundry who stand on the Word,if it doesn't agree with your worldview, is not the answer.... Seeking God is.

Anyway, all that to say, I felt a little rattled by the comments flowing thick and fast, in these past couple of days, that's one of the problems with social media these days.

On the flip side, though is this gentle sense within me, that God is at work amongst us... Gently probing, and prodding and helping us to glean truth and apply it to our lives and our churches.

He is coming back for an uncompromised church, that is shining brightly in a dark world. I hope to be ready when that day comes, I also know, that I must do all I can to lead the church where He placed me, to be ready also.

My optimism is based on this very quiet sense of God working in me.

That our church will grow.

That we will just get it right ...not in judgement of, or condemnation of others, but rather embracing others and gently teaching biblical truth.

Discipling and nurturing people in the ways of God. His ways. Not, our ways.

I see Ringwood Salvos standing tall, not everyone's cup of tea, but nevertheless a growing church that is making a difference in our community.

It looks like next year, only a few days away now, that we will have 4 worshipping congregations every week. That in itself will cause growth.

We are attracting some huge interest in our children's pastor position with some highly qualified and experienced applicants putting their hands up.

That tells me, that God has huge plans for us. We start interviewing next week.

We also have some highly experienced people applying for the youth pastor position.

So, yes I am optimistic, and even though I also am feeling a little fragile today.

So...

As I type this, I am reminded of the words of a song we used to sing.... Some of us still do. I may have blogged about this before.

(Gowans and Larson)

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly,

To be the servant of my Servant Lord,

If darkness falls around the path of duty.

And men despise the Saviour I've adored.

I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,

I'm called to live, to love and save the lost,

I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,.

I'm called to live, to love and save the lost.

If doors should close then other doors will open,

The word of God can never be contained.

His love cannot be finally frustrated,

By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,

If all I love men should deface, defame,

I'll not deny the One that I have followed,

Nor be ashamed to bear my Master's name.

 

Someone once said, one day, that it is often easier to die for God, than to live for him. I am unsure of that, but one thing I do know, that you don't ever get anywhere by compromising the truth of the bible and the commands of Christ. To live your life as a minister of the gospel means to stand up, even be ridiculed, when you know that there is a truth in the Word which must be defended. My optimism comes form this gentle peace in my heart, that says ....

 

If I will stand up for Him, then He will stand up for me.

 

Ringwood church is where God placed me..... I believe that.

I also believe very strongly, that the only way this church, or any church, can gain the blessing and anointing of Father God upon us, is by being obedient and surrendered and totally committed to His Word,and His Ways.

I will do my level best to lead in that way in 2014.

 

 

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2014 approaches !!!

Do you remember the time when we wondered what would happen when the year 2000 rolled over ?

I remember it well, there were all these concerns about the millennium bug and what would happen if infrastructure just shut down.... If Planes dropped out of the sky....all sorts of worries back then. I was called in to a serious community local council meeting in Tassie, that we could form some kind of preliminary strategy in readiness...just in case.

That was 14 years ago.

Nothing happened, but we were ready anyway.

And now we approach another new year.

For many, a sad year. Approaching it with deep sadness in their lives, over loss and pain. For those people I feel such love and compassion and prayer, I hope that they ( maybe you) will start sensing peace, and a lessening of the pain. I wish I could help you in that.

 

 

Others will approach the year making all kinds of New Years resolutions and setting goals and optimistically believing That this new year will just be better than our last.

Its good to set goals, and have plans and hopes and dreams.... If you plan for nothing, that's exactly what you will achieve.

If you plan and set a goal for something you will achieve something.

 

I have some hopes for my own life.... Lose the weight I have put on, get some balance back into my personal life, read more, rest more, walk more, laugh more....

Dream more...!!!!!!

 

Whatever your thoughts are for 2014, I pray that God will feature in there some where, central to your life.

 

When it comes to my ministry, I am always excited about the potential of a new year, the fact that new things can be attempted. And we are setting some pretty big goals for Ringwood .... Some very strategic and "out there" kinds of ministry effort.... Some very clear plans are being laid out now for new ministries and hopefully for wider exposure of our ministry as a Christian church. It is very exciting.

We are interviewing for a new youth pastor and a children's pastor on January 8th.... And believing that we will get that right, appointing Gods annointed .....

 

I have 2 weddings in 2014, with both daughters marrying, leaving us as "empty nesters" .....that will be different. This will mean a trip to India! for one of the weddings.... And that is also huge.

And then early into 2015 other huge things will happen in my life, just 12 months away, which also excites me and challenges me(More about that later next year).

And so we ready ourselves for a brand new clear slate of opportunity and potential.

I encourage you to think it through, plan it well, set some goals, strategies, that might bring honour unto The Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are in ministry, write them down. Set some monthly mini goals. Gather your team together and pray often.

And 2014 will speed past us all very fast, but we will at least achieve something in amongst it.

Bless you, stay safe over the next few days.

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