Risky Challenge... here goes nothing !!! Or maybe something !!! ( I am not scared at all ) hmmmm

This blog post has a few risks about it: nevertheless I feel compelled to write it and to share it as widely as I know how.

How is your appetite ?  Not for food, but for spiritual things ? For Jesus ?

I remember a day when I wanted to be so close to Jesus that I would have done anything, in fact I did...I became a Salvo Officer...I chose to walk away from so many comfortable things and to follow Him and do my level best to try and help others find Him.

I have discovered along the way that sometimes that devotion seems to have gone luke warm... that I am not as hungry as I once was, and also,  I look around me and others are seemingly walking away from Jesus as well.

When I ask the question about how hungry you are for Jesus, what goes through your mind ?

I invite people to pray together, and have done for 20 plus years... and its not ever an easy pick up...people don't want to pray together it seems.  There is always some excuse or reason not to. I think I have heard them all...

I don’t like to pray that way... I don't like the way others pray...I like to pray silently....I am too busy...the time of the prayer meeting is inconvenient... etc etc etc.

It’s not new is it ? Jesus asked His closest disciples to stay and pray while He went away and prayed alone, and they just fell asleep.

Why is it such a big ask to get Christians praying together ??   Why wont the church pray together ? One of the biggest mystery’s of life for me is this very question. 

This isn't new, I have observed it all my life, even when my dad was leading prayer meetings back at Perth Fortress years and years ago. 

Prayer meetings are simply not popular.  Concerts on the other hand .... ?

Now before I throw my challenge out to you...my reader.... and before you get angry at me for even daring to ask the question... I am not assuming for one minute that I have it all together in this, and that I am the expert on this subject.... 

I just want Christians to pray together and am perplexed why people who say they love Jesus and give their lives to Him, are not willing to gather for one hour and pray with like minded people who want to do the same ?  

Why we cant find a spare hour for this ?

Don’t call me judgmental, or criticize me for the question...  I am trying not to judge anyone myself, but just ask the question....

answer it for yourself.. 

Just how hungry are you for Jesus and His Kingdom and His people rising to be all that God desires of us to be ?

They are the real questions here.  Were you ever more spiritually alive than you are today ? Have you heard Gods voice in your life before ? But now are just going through some motions ?

There were some times in my life when the supernatural presence of God was so tangible in my room that it was unmistakable.... maybe thats why I am like a stuck record on this. I dunno..... I just have this inner urge and constant compelling to call people to pray together.

So....

Here’s the call:

I am seeking people, Salvos, Christians, Pastors, Officers, anyone who loves Jesus... to join me in praying together.

People who are hungry for the things of God, and are willing to pray together regularly for it to be spilled out in our world. (When I say regularly, I mean fortnightly for one hour, at anytime which is best for the majority)(even in person or online  or both)

People who believe in the Bible.

People who love to worship God with others.

People who are fed up with the status quo, and want to ask God together for the supernatural to be poured out on us all.

People who know that deep down in your heart, that there must be something more than this ...and you want to ask God for that.

People who will pray for others.

People who will not give up until something happens that can only be attributed to God.

Is there anyone like that left on the planet ?

If that’s you... I don't care where you live, or who you are...I want to pray with you...I don't care what position you hold on the earth, neither does God for that matter,  this is all about unity, hunger and desire for the Kingdom of God to shape the earth.

Already there is a small group of us doing this on Tuesday nights...But I am willing to change the times and dates and locations to accommodate more...

My proposal is that when it  is appropriate we gather at a venue and pray and worship together and stream to those who can’t meet at that venue...

Is there anyone that would do this ? Anyone at all ?

It all comes down to hunger... hunger for Jesus. ( not so much the denomination )

Email me: (if you are keen) 

gary.grant@salvationarmy.org.au  

Or

garygrant@me.com

The Critics !!!!!

A few years back I was the senior minister (Corps Officer) of a great corps (church for those non salvos).

I started well I think and was true to my calling and identity and character in who God had shaped me to be.  It’s often like that as a Pastor, we do start well usually, its a blank canvas and the story is yet to be written.

As there are in every church or group of people, there were those who loved me, and certainly there were people who did not.  I call them the critics and every church has them.  

They are the ones who don't agree with you and your strategies, don't like your style of preaching...or simply just don't like you.  Dont think you are any more special than the next guy, we all have had these people in our ministries, even when things were going well.  They are still there.  They always are.   Even if they are not so vocal to your face.

Jesus had them.  They killed him.  

At times, I confess I also have been one of them and so have you.  We all have. You might be right now as you read this blog...lol.

Well there was this one person, who I am pretty sure hated me... never to my face mind you...but in the car park after the meeting, pulling me apart, behind my back, for whatever it was I got doctrinally wrong in the Bible message, or whatever... 

I always heard about it, and I must admit never really handled it that well.  It hurts if we are honest, that not everyone loves us... or thinks we are just like Jesus ...ha. I am a long way off that I know it.

I used to fear this person and the temptation was to look for ways to gain their approval.  

But I quickly learned that was impossible.... for no matter what I did, I was going to lose and in the opinion of that critic in those days, I lost every single weekend.

It’s not easy, facing your critics, and its also impossible to have every one on the same page as you in every situation. So how do you deal with it ? Wouldn’t it just be a dreamy world if we could be loved and accepted by everyone ????

Humanity is a fickle thing, however we are pretty much all tarred with a similar brush.... we gravitate to like minded people  and we do look for leaders who will inspire and shape us and help  us on our journey to Jesus.  But when a loud mouthed critic stands up and speaks out against us.... it can be demoralizing and very hurtful.

I am still working on this in my own life....

I do know that it is impossible to please everyone.

I do know that if I try to please one group, I will by default displease the other.

I do know that I am not perfect, I do know that some don't always recognize that about “others”.

For me, when being critical, we need to establish why we are like that. If the leader is negligent, or criminal or unrighteous, if they are immoral, unethical or lazy.... if they are not preaching Jesus and are preaching some other kind of message...then maybe its time for a new church ? 

But its best in my mind to not add to the situation by getting into someone else’s ear behind their back and cause a cancerous stream in others.   Perhaps it’s best to approach that leader in grace and chat face to face first. 

Criticism is such a tough thing and not many of us like it. However there is usually an element of truth in it somewhere and we can learn from it as well.

In my quiet time today, I was reminded about being content in every circumstance. To pray about everything all the time.  To keep my eyes on Jesus.  It’s good advice.

In my life I desire to be a part of the solution and not add to the problem, I have always desired to see our churches in TSA to become large and thriving for Jesus. And if not large, at least healthy.....To be relevant and inspiring and solid in action and not just in word. To not live in the past. Honour the past, absolutely, but not live there.

To be a leader who draws people to think about Jesus and to give their heart to Him. I have always wanted my preaching to be the kind of preaching that lifts Jesus higher.  I am not a theologian or teacher...I am a spokesperson for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.  

Now if I am to be criticized for that, so be it I suppose.

I have dreams...

I have hopes...

I have ideas...           

 SO DO YOU !!!

I want to see TSA to be  what it was designed to be... the ARMY of SALVATION, where people get saved, stay saved and bring hope to everyone around us. In every way. 

I will always agitate for what God placed in my heart. And that opens me up pretty easily to the critics.

There will always be those who say “AMEN”,                                                                                             and there will always be those who say something other than amen.

It then boils down to who I am here to please ?  Man ? Or God ?

Bottom line.... and each of us need to determine that for ourselves, who it is we will serve and what cost we are prepared to live with that at that level.

I have felt for many years that I have been called for a purpose for Jesus. To speak out His name with as much oomph as I have within me every time I preach. Even if there are those who don’t like my particular style.

To help lift spiritual life...to encourage people to pray.... to form small groups for bible discussion and worship....to worship hard.... and to be a move of God that is founded on Him first. To look for the champions and work with them and together spread Holy Spirit fire around us everywhere.

Lord use me like that I pray.

And in closing my thoughts today...

I quote William Booth our founder..

“ I am not waiting for a move of God, I am a move of God “

That is my prayer for my life...

Even if my critics hate me for it.

And... finally... If you are an Officer, Pastor, Leader in the church... and the critics are getting under your skin..

Can I ask you to do a couple of things... answer these questions for yourself.

1. Is your life about Jesus ?

2. Are you preaching the word of God, the Bible, as you are directed by Jesus in “Prayer” first ?

3. Look for some truth in the criticism and work on it... and pray about it, even with the critic if needed.    (Be brave and humble at the same time)

4. NOW... Get on with what God has called you to be and do.

#itsallaboutJesus 

My Past... gratitude for the folks who invested in me.

Holidays are a good time to rest and reflect and reconsider a number of things in your life. It is interesting to me that after one week I feel my mind unclogging and relaxing and it is also interesting to me that in some ways as this is happening, I am becoming a little more optimistic about the future and my future.

This morning in my quiet time I was reflecting on people in my life who have molded and shaped me in one way or the other..I am going to list them here, and I want them to know, so if you know them and can the message to them, will you do that for me please ?

In my mind you give honour where honour is due.

Sooooooooo, in no exact order, here are the names of people who have influenced my life over the past 60 something years....( apologise if I miss your name, there are so many)

Richard Gilchrist, my first YP Band leader.     A great encourager ...thanks Richard for doing this journey with a bunch of children back then. For teaching us music and for me to how to play a cornet.

Neale Garnaut , my second YP Band leader and Bandmaster of PF Band, a great encourager. Neale, your influence and friendship is so special. Thankyou for kindness to my dad and in my life also.

Irwin Palmer, and Margaret Palmer you guys influenced me so much in my early years and in our marriage, I will never forget the small group of young marrieds that used to gather in your home mid week. I think the fact that we are now approaching our 40th wedding anniversary is partly due to the truth you taught us way back then.

Harvey Reynolds, man what man of God you were to me.... a true gentleman... praying with me at the mercy seat so many years ago as I committed my life to Jesus in deeper ways.

Pam Gilchrist, my corps cadet leader.... you were such a great woman of God in my life back then Pam.

Tony McCubbin, my challenging Customs Teacher who prayed for me and prophesied into my life so many years ago... I am not sure I really believed it all back then.  But gosh so much has happened since those days in Fremantle.

Rodney & Jenny Barnard, our CO’s you were such trusted friends and leaders to us, to me, and still are... I thankyou for the influence and challenge you set for me (us) and were our CO’s sending us into Officer Training. And then becoming our DC’s when we were at Craigieburn, helping us to get our own building.

Gordon and Lyn Jones... you were both and still are so precious in my life as I found out deep spiritual truth for myself.

Wayne Pittaway, man...you were huge as a mentor for me ...thankyou. I miss those coffees and chats.

Shane Baxter, senior pastor of Enjoy Church, another mentor who challenged me to my very core in the early days of Craigieburn Salvos Ministry.

Ian Hamilton (Lt Col) my first DC as an Officer who believed in me and encouraged us to think outside of the box, thanks Ian. And you gave us a go at Planting Craigieburn... wow.you truly did believe in me.

Bram Cassidy: more recently Bram you have journeyed with me and I am grateful for you. I respect you and trust you and think that you are one of the most amazing TSA Officers I have seen. I love working alongside you and have enjoyed the way you have shaped my thinking over the past 5 years or so.

Other shout outs to :

John Anderson, Kev & Jude Lumb, Bruce & Deb Stevens, Jordan & Sarah Innes, Dave & Claire Jones, Val Atkins, Lisa Butler, Craig Caple.   So many its tough this..... Andy & Shirl,  G1 !!!!

My current small home fellowship group....Deb & John, Lorna & Ian, Julie & Bruce, 

Brian & Ev Golding, (mum and dad in law) who also encouraged us along our journey. I really miss you dad and your wisdom. And those special little chats when everyone else had left the room. 

My siblings: Kevin, Pete and Pat...we have so many memories, some not so good, and some amazing, we grew up together and now feel apart...but I guess that is life isnt it.  I choose to remember the good things and celebrate them with you guys. Thankyou.

My own Mum and Dad, who gave me a legacy that no one else could give. the example set in prayer,  I didn't always agree with them...lol, but gosh I miss them like nothing on this earth, and would so love to sit with them and chat.... ahhhhh one day in heaven we will.

Chelsea and Melissa, when you both arrived in our lives, you were both miracles...and I could not ever express the changes you bought to my heart...in those very early years I was ever so proud of the fact that I was your daddy.  And even today I am still proud to be your dad. You might not think it, but you both have changed my life in so many ways. I love you dearly. Thankyou for your love for me, warts and all.

Ankit.... wow, who would have thought that Christmas wrapping for TSA in Broadmeadows would bring me a son in law like you and a grandson like Aari.  Thanks Ankit for your friendship and care of me.

So many people have influenced me...I am grateful for each and everyone of you. TRULY I AM.

And now Julie....

There were girlfriends before you, but none ever measured up to you... when you entered into my life, I changed forever. You loved me and I think you still do, (lol) in ways that no one has ever loved me, putting up with many mistakes and failures, and loving me still, believing in me when no one else seemed to do that ... walking with me, crying with me, laughing with me... holding me when I couldn’t stand, I will ever love you Julesy, you are a legend and I look forward to growing old (older) with you. Ministry with you is like being in sync with myself, we think alike and have a common aim, and we work well together...life without you would be ridiculous to even think about.  Thanks Jules.

..........................................

I dont think I am dying, but it kind if sounds like it hey ??  (Sorry)

Well I am having the Covid Jab soon...so who knows..... God knows.

The reason for the shout outs in this.... is because I simply don't think we do that enough for each other. We do find ourselves critical of each other more easily than we do in being encouragers. I think God has spoken to my heart around this, in loving our neighbors and saying Thankyou.

Thankyou to everyone who has journeyed with me in one way or the other throughout my life. Leaving a God mark in my heart.

My life is what it is today because of your influence and impact in me at one stage of my life or the other.

Thankyou.

And if I missed your name I am sorry......there is simply so many.