This morning we had our final Sunday at Altona as we finish the first year of our corps placement. It is really hard to say goodbye to people you have journeyed with and grown to love even in just a few (9) months.
I had the chance to preach this morning and encouraged the corps to keep focusing on the visions that God has given them and to keep patient. I truly believe that great things are already happening and even greater things are in store because this corps is focusing its attention on God and striving to make a difference in their community.
It is hard to beleive that Commiswsioning is only four weeks away and we will be half way through our training. God has continued to stretch us and move us out of our comfort zone, but through this we are growing closer to Him everyday and growing as Christians and hopefully leaders.
Sunday 1 November 2009
Tuesday 17 March 2009
College Life
Hello to everyone! Yes the long lost blogger has returned. I am sorry for the delay but things have been a little busy as we get used to our new surroundings here at 303Royal Parade. The family has settled in really well and the kids have all made some new friends.
It has been a time of great change for our family, not only have we moved house and town but Ethan has started Primary School this year and Amy-Lee has started High School, so there have been lots of new adventures and learning experiences. Of course it has been hard on Zara changing schools as well as she has just started grade 5. I am very biased but I can truly say that the three children have been absolutely fabulous through this whole process and I could not be prouder of any of them. They have made things so much easier for Susan and myself with their willingness to embrace change and new things.I really hope that these two years at College will be years that they will each grow in not just physical ways but that they would grow in their relationships with God.
It has been different the last few weeks being back in a classroom after such a long break, but I am really enjoying most of the classes and I am certainly being challenged and tested. Susan continues to amaze and inspire me, she has very little self confidence about her abilities but she is absolutely killing it here, and is leaving me for dead with her ability to time manage and plan out her responsibilities and due dates. I can honestly say I have never been more in love with my wife than I am now, although spending so much time with me she may not say the same!
We have been assigned to Altona/Williamstown for our first year corps placement and this has been very enjoyable, and I am sure as the year progresses that we will learn a lot from both the Soldiers and Officers of these corps. Hopefully we will be able to play a small part in the exciting things that are taking place with their Mainly Music Ministries and their bold plans for the future.
I had better get back to my book report which is due on Monday, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayer support for us as we have entered Training College, we have really felt wonderfully supported and loved. Through all the challenges we have already faced and with many more in front of us we have been continually reminded of how good our God is and the fact that He would not call us to a task He was not going to equip us for. May you each be aware of the Love of God and receive a fresh filling of The Holy Spirit today. God Bless.
It has been a time of great change for our family, not only have we moved house and town but Ethan has started Primary School this year and Amy-Lee has started High School, so there have been lots of new adventures and learning experiences. Of course it has been hard on Zara changing schools as well as she has just started grade 5. I am very biased but I can truly say that the three children have been absolutely fabulous through this whole process and I could not be prouder of any of them. They have made things so much easier for Susan and myself with their willingness to embrace change and new things.I really hope that these two years at College will be years that they will each grow in not just physical ways but that they would grow in their relationships with God.
It has been different the last few weeks being back in a classroom after such a long break, but I am really enjoying most of the classes and I am certainly being challenged and tested. Susan continues to amaze and inspire me, she has very little self confidence about her abilities but she is absolutely killing it here, and is leaving me for dead with her ability to time manage and plan out her responsibilities and due dates. I can honestly say I have never been more in love with my wife than I am now, although spending so much time with me she may not say the same!
We have been assigned to Altona/Williamstown for our first year corps placement and this has been very enjoyable, and I am sure as the year progresses that we will learn a lot from both the Soldiers and Officers of these corps. Hopefully we will be able to play a small part in the exciting things that are taking place with their Mainly Music Ministries and their bold plans for the future.
I had better get back to my book report which is due on Monday, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayer support for us as we have entered Training College, we have really felt wonderfully supported and loved. Through all the challenges we have already faced and with many more in front of us we have been continually reminded of how good our God is and the fact that He would not call us to a task He was not going to equip us for. May you each be aware of the Love of God and receive a fresh filling of The Holy Spirit today. God Bless.
Sunday 4 January 2009
Merry Christmas , Happy New Year & sorry for the gap
Hi, I have to apologise that it has been so long between posts. Life has been a little hectic as we try to enjoy Christmas and the New Year, pack everything up, say goodbyes, finish assignments, deal with centrelink and get all the last minute things done for our move to College. I cant actually believe that it is now only 16 days until we move into Royal Parade.
How is everything going to get done, will I be able to cope with classes and the studies, will the family cope with living with so many other people in the one building, is God really calling me ... with all my failings and inadequacies ... no I must be mistaken, I must have heard wrong .... I cant possibly be His chosen representative to the people ... no I cant do this, what skills do I have for this task, and what about all the mistakes I have made ...
Through all these questions and doubts I keep being reassured by God that it is not by my strength or my power, but it is through the grace of God, that He indeed has called me and that He indeed will provide for me and my family. All we have to do is keep trusting and have the courage to do the things God asks of us.
I know life wont be easy and I am positive that College will stretch and test me, (actually I will be dissapointed if it doesnt !) but I am also very sure of Gods call on our lives and His promise that He will go before us and lead the way.
There have been countless times when we have really struggled to see how we could get some things done, or how we could raise the necessary funds, but time and again we have been amazed at the provisions of God and the generosity of our many friends. Some people have really gone above and beyond in their support of us both financially and spiritually. The prayers and support of these people have helped us to keep focussed and not let small distractions and discouragements move us off the course that God has planned for us. For that we are enormously grateful !
I have blogged before about encouragement but I just want to encourage everyone one more time to go out of your way to be an encourager, to speak positively into the lives of those around you, to be the loving neighbour that God wants us to be. It has been those that have encouraged me that have played a huge part in me being three weeks away from entering Training College.
So as we start the New Year I would encourage you to do three things : Encourage others, Trust God and instead of reading leadership manuals or how to guides look to Jesus for the best model of leadership the world has ever seen - Servant Leadership, and lastly find people you can talk to openly and will be honest with you and let them know what is happening in your life. It really helps to have people that can listen and advise.
God Bless and have a great New Year in 2009 - The year we finally get to Royal Parade.
How is everything going to get done, will I be able to cope with classes and the studies, will the family cope with living with so many other people in the one building, is God really calling me ... with all my failings and inadequacies ... no I must be mistaken, I must have heard wrong .... I cant possibly be His chosen representative to the people ... no I cant do this, what skills do I have for this task, and what about all the mistakes I have made ...
Through all these questions and doubts I keep being reassured by God that it is not by my strength or my power, but it is through the grace of God, that He indeed has called me and that He indeed will provide for me and my family. All we have to do is keep trusting and have the courage to do the things God asks of us.
I know life wont be easy and I am positive that College will stretch and test me, (actually I will be dissapointed if it doesnt !) but I am also very sure of Gods call on our lives and His promise that He will go before us and lead the way.
There have been countless times when we have really struggled to see how we could get some things done, or how we could raise the necessary funds, but time and again we have been amazed at the provisions of God and the generosity of our many friends. Some people have really gone above and beyond in their support of us both financially and spiritually. The prayers and support of these people have helped us to keep focussed and not let small distractions and discouragements move us off the course that God has planned for us. For that we are enormously grateful !
I have blogged before about encouragement but I just want to encourage everyone one more time to go out of your way to be an encourager, to speak positively into the lives of those around you, to be the loving neighbour that God wants us to be. It has been those that have encouraged me that have played a huge part in me being three weeks away from entering Training College.
So as we start the New Year I would encourage you to do three things : Encourage others, Trust God and instead of reading leadership manuals or how to guides look to Jesus for the best model of leadership the world has ever seen - Servant Leadership, and lastly find people you can talk to openly and will be honest with you and let them know what is happening in your life. It really helps to have people that can listen and advise.
God Bless and have a great New Year in 2009 - The year we finally get to Royal Parade.
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