The COURAGE to ENCOURAGE

Sheeeee have I been bemused by what seems to be the proliferation of cynicism, and put downs. Blogs that indulge in theological point scoring to the enth degree. Don’t get me wrong robust constructive debate is healthy I just can’t help wondering if the purpose is to parade intellectual prowess, a little like a roster overdosing on hormones and testosterone while displaying its feathers in order to get attention.


I for one like to see courage in the face of opposition, the challenging the norm, not to get attention but rather out of a genuine concern, and a putting into action ones confession. Even if on occasion I fail to follow these convictions, the fact that I do some of the time has to be better than just talking or arguing; its to be applauded.

A wise person once said .. “I’d rather have someone who makes 100 hundred courageous decisions even though they may make mistakes than someone who only makes 1 or 2 courageous decisions and gets it right all the time”


It takes courage to stand against the flow. If that’s you, good on you.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear".

When Disappointment Happens?

Recently I have experienced a disappointment like no other. I have experienced them before but this was a little close to home. As an Officer I guess you never really get used to those times, after all your only human not a robot devoid of feelings or emotions; you know, the whole gamut that life spits out sometimes.

Those feelings are real; you try to remain calm, but on the inside every part of your being screams out for breath, the stomach turns into a knot and you come away sad. I come away so aware that this is a spiritual battle and at anytime we could be casualties. Jesus said, "Watch and pray least you fall"


I'm doing a lot of watching my life my motives with a generous serving of prayer. Do you wonder as I do, as a parent does? Does God the father have those same feelings that scream from the inside, the let down feelings that come when I let Him down? It’s quite cool that Jesus is our advocate reconciling us to God. There’s something comforting about knowing that someone else has experienced what you have experienced. They have empathy. That really helps. Disappointments come and will continue to come but it's cool to know that they serve a purpose of refining, burning up the dross.

Disappointment = God is there.
Can I be like Jesus to those who disappoint?

Birthday ramblings

Its been a while dear blog but today is my birthday. I guess I've been around a while now. OK I have lol.  I've experienced a few things the good the difficult and some things I'm pretty ashamed off. Indulge me once more dear blog as I reflect on characteristics of Jesus that I want to exhibit in my life as you give me another year to serve you.

The Jesus of second chances: Have I messed up on more than one occasion. On Sunday, God moved in a clear demonstration of grace and power. I think, “I don't deserve this, I deserve this least than most, why do I get the privilege of being Gods vessel?" Be encouraged beloved wherever or whatever God will give you another chance. People may not, Jesus does. This weekend I'm reflecting on "The Women at the well”.. She was a loner she had not to many friends, accept those who would use her. WOW do you remember the second chance Jesus gave her. It was transformational. Who are you going to give another chance to in the next few weeks, a letter and open door a hand of frienship?

The Jesus of reconciliation: Some time ago a lady was trying to contact a good friend only to find they did not want to make contact. She never knew why.  For whatever reason people may sometimes choose not to reconcile with one another and that is sad. The awesomeness of Jesus is he came to bring reconciliation. Now I used to think that was between man & God but in reality you can’t be reconciled to God unless you first are reconciled to those who may have hurt you. Reconciliation is one of the most unselfish gifts we can give to another. That horrible day when most of the disciples betrayed Jesus, remember? Can you imagine how tense the atmosphere must have been when Jesus rises from the dead and turns up on the beech cooking their breakfast? Not much is said, but as they eat there’s no judgment just acceptance and a new assignment for Peter. Reconciliation means I never give up on any situation or person.

The Jesus of the lonely: Since I’m doing a bit of nostalgic meandering; in our first appointment we were stationed in Queenstown. Andrea turned up on the doorstep she was working in Queenstown it was party central then, and she could party with the best of them. Despite a heavy social calendar, she was hugely lonely. She said "she often felt the odd one out and never really seemed to fit". That day she retold the story of how her mum took her to Sunday school and how God had spoken to her at a young age called her to serve him. That day in our front lounge, she connected with Jesus for the first time she said "it was like coming home to grandma's after Church and just felt so good. Over the next 12 months, we saw God take a lonely young lady who felt she didn’t fit to new levels of service in God. Just a month ago on FB out of the blue she shows up. Andrea the lonely lost young lady has been serving God in Europe with an outstanding ministry for years. She said “When I meet Jesus that day, I discovered for the 1st time a Jesus who looks out for the lonely, the odd waif and stray to transform them into significance”. Thank You !! WOW

Be encouraged Gods preparing you for significance!!

The recycling was strewn everywhere !!

I put the recycling out the other night. That evening a Wellington southerly buffeted the house. I’m lying in bed and hear cans and bottles clanging down the cul-de-sac. I’m left with know alternative, I get out of bed sheepishly go out into the teeth of a howling southerly in dressing gown and slippers, what a sight.

So I’m picking up bottles and cans and God reminds me, there are times when we are called to trudge through what our lives have become to pick through the rubbish. We place it at the cross and like a huge recycling truck God picks it all up does his absolutely awesome restorative work and makes something useful or beautiful out of all the crap. The storm messed up what was good. Gods amazing promise is, if we are willing to do the painful process of searching our hearts in the full light of Gods Spirit, picking through the strewn rubbish He will make something amazing out of it all. Amazing, uncomfortable and necessary.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ; After you’ve faced the painful experiences He will perfect you, (Make you complete), establish, and strengthen you.

paraphrase

NOW that’s the sort of recycling you can depend on. So be encouraged beloved out of the rubbish something good always comes your way. TRUST!!

Your season is for a reason.

But the LORD watches over those who are passionate about Him,

those who rely on His unfailing love.

He will come to your aide rescuing you from places that cause lifelessness.

In the dry and parched places, he will sustain you.

So place your hope in the LORD.

He is your help and he is like a shield, guarding the well Spring of your heart.

So I will rejoice and trust in His name.

Let His unfailing love surround your beloved, my hope is in You alone.

The purpose of this blog is to be an encouragement to other travelers on the way. I am trusting that God will use these few words to encourage and it will be timely reminder for those who are struggling, feel alone, curled up in a dark corner crying out to God wondering if he hears. He does.

Spring is coming winter will soon pass. Even now, the buds are beginning to ripen and I find my mind thinking of the “Seasons of the Soul”. Just as God planned, the seasons so he allows seasons in our own life, and they directly correspond to the natural seasons. They re-occur repeatedly for producing life. Your season is for a reason.
Me, well it’s been the most difficult season of my life. It was the perfect storm; sent to destroy everything I ever held dear. I blame know one but myself. I have made it through with the help of friends, family and heaps of prayer. This Psalm I paraphrased amongst others. “I made it through the rain” a favorite line from a great song. Winters going springs on its way. Think in seasons, and trust that God will restore all that has been lost.



I wonder do I need a Blog name???? any suggestions.