Here is my take on Ephesians 3:20.
On the stick person (me!) is a BIG heart – it represents a heart full of the Holy Spirit i.e. “the power” that the verse refers to.
I love the concept of a neverending amount of love, favour and grace which God has for us. It completely surpasses all understanding.
Have a read of this scripture - it’s one of my favourites. If you don’t have a Bible, you can look it up online here.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Photo: Taken in the foyer at Mamarapha College, Perth, W.A.
After Jesus died for us on the cross and rose again, and before he ascended to Heaven, he gave his disciples the above instruction/charge/commission. The story is explained in Matthew 28… It’s known as “The Great Commission”.
Matthew 28:16-20 The Message (MSG)
16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
What I love about this verse is that he was very clear on what he wanted the disciples, and us, to do. Heavy, but awesome.
The part I like the best however, is His last sentence: “I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” is such an incredible promise – the level of reassurance is brilliant.
Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!
As mentioned in my previous post, this week was full-on.
Richie hosted WOSE (Week of Spiritual Emphasis) at his school (Sydney Adventist College) this year alongside the Pastoral Team and Jodi Wright from NZ. Remember last year? You can read all about that here.
This year he seemed to pack more into the week including music and choir workshops for the kids with Endless Praise, “Pasta with the Pastor” and of course the favourite each year, “Pancakes with the Pastor”. Here is a little vid from one of the workshops…
This vid is from Friday morning’s Praise & Worship
Some of the below picts are a little out of focus, but I figured you wouldn’t care. They were taken on Friday night.
Above is the lovely Linda who worked beside Richie as the program coordinator.
Billy and Jono Otto came down to play on Friday night.
Benton and Caitlin did a great job of the ice-breakers each day, and on Friday night they got Marcus up to do the Pedometer challenge against a few of the kids. It was hilarious!
Happy Sabbath peeps!
Last weekend, I was at Colour and it was awesome.
For me it is like a spiritual reality check each year.
Taken with my LX5 - hello newb!
It’s an opportunity to step out of the ordinary and into a bubble where I can examine what is in my heart and what God has on His heart for me.
Worship was amazing - Loved that we all faced into each other.
It’s just a bunch of girls (ok, so 10,000 of them!) in one room, from all different types of churches, without prejudice or judgement, worshipping God and learning about current global humanitarian projects.
I got to hang with the Gold Coast “Coast-Lifers”, Bronny and Carrie now New South Welshmen, and the Lovely Mon who goes to our church at K-Ville. Mum was also able to come one of the days which I loved.
Our little friend Leila at her first Colour
Packed to the rafters
Some of my favourite Colour bits and pieces:
“Passion is energy to the soul. Hype is energy without sincerity.” Jeanne Mayo
“Fear is not the opposite of faith, it’s putting your faith in the wrong things.” Craig Groeschel
“God didn’t anoint Governments to heal the world, He anointed the Church.” Bobbie Houston
Based on Eph 2:8 “Christ saved you – it was a gift from God. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.” Craig Groeschel
“Our beauty is not just in our form, but beauty is created in our function.” Craig Groeschel
“He uses everything in your life to bring about His purpose.” Craig Groeschel
“If you don’t like yourself – let God remake you.” Craig Groeschel
“A title can never give you true authority, a character can only do that.” Jeanne Mayo
“Happiness is an inside job – develop character in your present that’s needed in your future!” Jeanne Mayo
“Our marriages were never made meant to be a power struggle. Our marriage is a power union.” Lisa Bevere
Enjoy your weekend!
What does sermon prep look like in our house?
Prayer – lots of it. Happens everyday, every night, on the way to work… If you don’t have the Holy Spirit then you don’t have a sermon. You just have a story with no Godly substance. Divine inspiration is what it’s about.
The Word – the ultimate Road Map to life; a glimpse into Our Fathers heart and a glimpse in the Man who talked the talk and walked the walk. Instruction for this life and preparation for the next in Heaven.
Music – usually Gaither. Yep, Gaither. Plenty of it. Richie almost wet himself with excitement when he heard that they are coming to Sydney next year. Gaither music gets this Pastors focus set on The Cross.
Then it ends with…
“Babe, do you want to hear my sermon?”
Last Friday I received our Church e-Newsletter “What’s On” and the devotional at the top of the newsletter caught my eye. I really liked it and wanted to share it.
This week we picked the first tomatoes and cucumber’s from our garden plot. Earlier in the week we harvested cabbage, silver beet, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, and rocket etc from the patch. The amazing thing is that we have never seen these vegetables actually growing. The broccoli and cabbage plants we grew from tiny seeds – similar to the size of a grain of sand. They were planted in special soil which was watered regularly. After a few days of sunshine, water and healthy soil little leaves burst through the dirt. With regular watering they grew until we transplanted them into the main garden. But we never saw them growing, but they did! That’s why we’ve been enjoying garden soup and beautiful salads. These plants grew enough and matured enough to harvest.
Spiritual growth is like that. Children are planted in the soil of healthy Christian home’s where what you do is more important than what is said. The Body of Christ, the Church is also soil (healthy or unhealthy) into which people are ‘planted’. When the Son of Righteousness beams into our souls through parents, significant others and via the Holy Spirit at church the seeds of genuine Christianity sprout. Through Bible reading, prayer, and meditation; through involvement in Sabbath School, the Church Services and life of the Church we interact and grow. All of a sudden we realise that seeds of spirituality, planted years ago are blossoming in the lives of young people and adults. What was a mere ‘mustard’ seed grows into a healthy Christian person, nurtured by caring parents and ‘significant other’ church people. These people become engaged in the service of the Church and serve others, helping, caring and sharing God’s love.
Peters writes “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10. I invite you as parents and Church members to share God’s grace today and every day so that people with whom you live, mix with and associate with, will grow spiritually.
Pastor Alex Curry
I really liked this in particular: “I invite you as parents and Church members to share God’s grace today and every day so that people with whom you live, mix with and associate with, will grow spiritually.”
So who are you going to share God’s grace with today?
Photo Courtesy of http://tinyurl.com/2egfmb3
