Beautiful Georgia

We are in preparation mode today for tomorrows fundraising "Bangers and Cash day", a day we do our tiny little bit to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis to aid the families and research. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life-threatening, genetic disorder amongst Australians, as it is a recessive genetic disorder affecting the exocrine glands which produce body secretions such as sweat,mucus and enzymes. It primarily affects the respiratory system(lungs),digestive system(pancreas and sometimes liver) and reproductive system. Cystic Fibrosis causes a build up of mucus in the lungs, which may lead to repeated chest infections. Lung damage may result, reducing lung function. There is currently no cure.
As you may be aware our nine year old niece Georgia is a Cystic Fibrosis girl and we thank God that her present well being is good.We are constantly amazed at Georgia's strength of character and beautiful personality as she daily deals with the difference that Cystic Fibrosis makes to her everyday life. She is an absolutely delightful young girl with a zest for life, and a great love for her family and friends. We are lucky to be her Auntie and Uncle !
I am regularly praying that Georgia will be kept well and that a cure will be found.
As I have made a number of phone calls in the last couple of weeks I have been amazed by the generosity of people donating sausages, bread and other items needed for the day. I pray that the day will be a success and that the money we raise will ultimately lead to a cure to this condition.
God Bless you each and Georgia Uncle Darren is very proud of you and Loves you dearly!

300

I had the pleasure( if that is the correct word) of going with four mates from Rowville Salvos to the movie 300 on Tuesday night, not really my sort of movie lots of blood and gore, but it was based around the Spartans and there absolute determination and teamwork in battle. It certainly highlighted what can be achieved when we work together and each look after each others back. This is what we as a church should (and I believe are) doing, it was at a tough time for David that he went to Nob the city of priests and was provided with both bread and a sword. Even though this was probably the lowest point that David reached, he turned to the place of great strength the Church and then returned his focus to God. It is so easy when things aren't going so well to hide from everything or run away, or try to do it on our own; but God is there to share our burdens and to show us the way out of these dark times, it is amazing the provisions He provides.
May you as you go about your weekly routines ensure that God is given time in your lives and that troubles are placed at His feet and left there for Him to deal with. And like David if things are getting out of control may you remember that the church is a place of support and nourishment.
God Bless you each.

Good Friday

I have sat back and watched the past few days as our local community along with probably the rest of Australia has got caught up in the very commercialised view of Easter. Chocolate Eggs get sold at record paces, Hot Cross Buns have been sold since it seems the week after Christmas, and everyone has been looking forward to the extra long weekend; but I cant help wondering how many have no idea as to the true meaning of Easter. Is it a holiday provided so we can raise money for the Children's Hospital, or is it in recognition of good old Mr Easter who pioneered who knows what ??? The true meaning to Easter is absorbed in the rush to provide a fun time for our kids and grandkids, maybe the Christian Church isn't proactive enough in announcing the real reason for this celebration.
Easter is about the greatest gift ever given by anyone in the history of mankind, the gift of Jesus Christ. The gift of everlasting life,the gift of forgiveness, the ultimate gift of Love. What more could we ask of anyone but to give their lives so that we would be forgiven.
May you realise this Easter that Jesus died for you, even though you had done nothing to deserve it !!
God Bless & Keep Safe.

Amy-Lee's Birthday

Today is a day of great celebration, my oldest child Amy-Lee turns eleven today. It is so hard to believe that it was eleven years ago that I became a father for the first time, time has gone so quickly! At the same time when you look back on our lives eleven years ago so much has changed. If you had said to me back then that I would have been preparing to enter officership I would have had you put away. The Lord has surely moved in some mysterious ways but when you look back the strengths and assurances we have today have been developed and nurtured through these times.
As I sit and look at Amy-Lee today I see a beautiful young lady, with a very strong will (just like her Mum) and I thank God for entrusting Susan and I with the huge task of showing her by example the way to live a Christian Life. It is a huge challenge but we are gradually learning to do it. Susan is such a great Mother and wife and an absolute tower of strength, the things that Susan has dealt with in her life and the beautiful caring and nurturing nature she has is a credit to her and her parents. I am a very lucky man.
As the Easter period approaches we are in a strange position of not quite knowing what the immediate future holds but also having a very strong sense of purpose and calling on our lives and future, so being very comfortable in where we are heading.
May God bless you each this Easter and may you again realise that Jesus died for each of us, and there can be no greater Love. But more importantly He rose again and defeated death for each of us! Take time to thank the living God for the ultimate Easter present, and the present of an amazing daughter Amy-Lee.