Future here we come !

It is an exciting time in our lives at the moment, things are starting to move and there is a possibility that we could be in active service within the next couple of months. This has been a long process to come to this point but we thank God for the people He has placed in our lives all the way through this journey. We have learnt an incredible amount through this time and we look forward to what God has planned for us now. We are aware that we now place our future in the hands of boards and we pray for the people that have been entrusted with making some of the decisions about us in the next few weeks and just ask that through this whole process that it will be God's will that is the determining factor, and that they would make the correct decision for them, us and for The Salvation Army whatever that would be.
We have an absolute belief that we have been called to serve in ministry and we look forward to the chance to put that call into practice. However we are also aware that the world needs to hear the message of the gospel immediately and so we need to be looking for every chance to do that in our current environment, we can't sit back and wait for whatever will come in the future; we need to stay proactive!
May God bless you each this week and I would ask that you keep us and the people making decisions about us in your prayers. Oh and don't forget to seek God's will on your lives, you might be amazed at what He is calling you to do.

My circle of control

I had the pleasure of attending the Redline Men's conference at Citylife church this past weekend. It was a time of great enjoyment and nourishment as I listened to the speakers Brian Houston and Mark Conner.
I got an enormous amount out of Mark's message on Saturday morning, he was speaking about moving from Boys to Men and our circle of control. The only things that we have total control over are our own actions. We are responsible to people but not for people,what you can control you have total responsibility for. Our minds, our will, our emotions all have to be kept in control. We should never lose the childlike joy of adventure and curiosity but we also have to realise that we are responsible for our own lives.
The other point from the weekend that was very helpful to me was that we cant let moments define the years,years should define the moments. We all have done things that we regret but we need to move on and keep focused on God. Moments are full of opportunities and decisions, we need to ensure we make Godly decisions.
Brian left me with one quote ringing in my head "Live life with passion,courage and strength. Be the man God called you to be." We should never allow our days to be clouded by our thinking and attitudes, we need to be proactive rather than reactive.
God bless you each and remember to have some fun today.

Exciting times for us and the Salvation Army

It is with a real sense of excitement that I am writing this blog today, I really believe that we are on the brink of some very exciting times both for us as a family and for The Salvation Army as a movement. I can really feel the movement of The Holy Spirit and have been inspired when I listen to the dreams and desires of some of the leaders I have had a chance to chat with.
We need to be continually looking for ways to spread the word of God and help out the suffering in our society. Everyday there are people dying who don't know what it is like to have a relationship with the only true God, this is upsetting and we need to do everything we can to make sure that this is not the case with the people that we have come into contact with.
Through our love,compassion and Christian example may we provide them with the seed that is needed to harvest a fruit for the Kingdom. Seven years ago someone took the time to plant that seed with me, and I thank God daily for them and their influence on my life.
May you be blessed as you go about your daily routines, and may you remember that God wants you to take His message to the world, one person at a time !!

To be like Jesus

It has been very frustrating for me over recent times to have what seems to be continual roadblocks placed in the way of Susan and myself as we strive to live out the calling that God has placed on our lives, but it has also reminded me that we have to be aware that our actions, comments and behaviour are things that people are watching and seeing if we live out the words we speak. It is not always easy to forgive others and to love everyone as Jesus did but this has to be our daily aim. To live everyday closer to the way that Jesus did, to be more in step with Him, to be an example of Christian Servant hood for others to see. This is enormously hard but also a great challenge. I have to be aware that because others have wronged me or done/said things I feel slighted by that I have to look to Jesus and the example He set of forgiveness and love.
I can remember singing a beautiful chorus when I was younger and the words ring very true today as I sit here and type this message
"To be like Jesus
This hope possesses me
In every thought and deed
This is my aim, my creed
To be like Jesus
This hope possesses me
His spirit helping me
Like Him I'll be."

Thankyou

I would just like to say thank you to everyone for their support of "Bangers and Cash" day last Saturday. Mum and Dad Grigsbey opened up their house and did an enormous amount of preparation to ensure that the day was a great success. At this stage we have raised just over $1300 way up on the $580 or so we raised last year.
As I am writing this post there are some mixed emotions running through my head, we are not quite sure what form the next step in our path to College is going to take. Nor are we sure of how we are going to get through some of the little battles we are encountering at the moment, but we are very sure of what our long term future holds and very sure on the call that God has on our lives. So I suppose we just have to sit back in faith and trust God's awesome provisions to get us through.

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.