finishing the race....

On the Sunday night just gone, we had our Order 614 graduation! ... We finally have our Certificate 4 in Urban Mission in our hot little hands!


Captain Danielle Strickland preached up a storm, and I really appreciated her message. She talked about finishing the race which we begin. This year we began a race. We began a race where we've discovered what being a Christian is all about. We've discovered what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. We've discovered our role in ushering in heaven on earth to the marginalised and oppressed.


But in 14 days I leave this place where I've learnt all of these things. I leave all of the support networks that I have down here. I leave the likeminded team of people that I've been working with all year. And I go home to the unknown..... scary, but exciting!


But when I go home, it could be tempting to give up on this race I've started. I know that it's not going to be a breeze when I go home. I'm going to come across opposition. I'm going to come across apathy. I'm going to come across judgement and stereotypes. And I'm going to be fighting against who I was before I came to the Order. But I know that all I have to do is remain true to God and his word, and live being the change I want to see (and God wants to see). I pray that this year has changed me so much that I can never go back to who I was, and that He will keep this passion inside of me for the lost, the last and the least burning forever, until I finish that race.


For Him Alone
Ness

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last night we had our last house night! (this is our crazy family photo above!) It was the first of many 'lasts' to come in the next 4 weeks. Anyway, Charity shared with us a Thanksgiving Dinner (which she slaved over for hours!) For Chaz this was a bit of 'home (she's American) for her, and it gave us all an opportunity to think about what we're thankful for.

As we went around the room we shared what we were thankful for. We were thankful for the year we'd had together. We were thankful for the opportunity to serve God in this way. We were thankful that God has changed us and opened our eyes to what breaks his heart. One person shared something particularly challenging. She said, "I'm thankful to God that I have a bed (at this point we said Amen! .. boy we love sleep!. But she took it further). I thank God that I have a comfy bed to sleep on, with clean sheets and blankets, and a soft pillow. And every night as I lay on that bed, I think of the thousands of people sleeping rough who don't have that luxury. I wonder what the difference is between me and them, and there's nothing. There is nothing I have done to deserve that bed, or that nice pillow. It's purely Gods grace."

We just take so much for granted, but I thank God that He gives us opportunities to reflect and see that we really have so much compared to many people around the world, and even in Australia.

I Thank God for the many blessing He has given me. Realising how blessed we are requires a response....

What will your response be?

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

Missed Opportunities..

Last week I turned 22. This is the photo from the birthday bash last night. It was also Carlie and Dan's birthdays during the week, so it was a mass celebration, which made it all the more fun! This photo was probably the classic of the night. It was just after everyone had sung Happy Birthday, and people had their cameras pointing at us. Someone yelled out "1, 2,3", and I thought that at the sign of three we'd all smile for the photo. Carlie and Dan thought otherwise, and instead of smiling, they blew out all of the candles before I could take a breath and puff some of them out myself! So all of the candles had been blown out, and I didn't get to blow out one! I felt jipped! I felt robbed of an opportunity! ... I demaded that they re lit a candle so I could at least blow one out! lol.


As I looked at this photo as I uploaded it onto my computer, I started thinking that missing the opportunity to blow out a candle possibly isn't the only opportunity I've missed in my life. And it challenged me to start taking up opportunities that God gives my way. I started asking myself questions like:

Do I take the opportunity to spend time with God through prayer, His word and worship?

Do I take the opportunities God gives me to share the message of His love?

Do I take the opportunities to serve Him, to be His hands and feet?

Do I waste time that He has given me on pointless things? (Facebook was the first thing that came to mind!) Thus missing opportunities to do something more productive?

Time is limited. We can't gain back lost and wasted time. We have to seize the days that God gives us and use them for His glory. We need to spread the message of Jesus with a sense of urgency. We need to get serious about serving our broken and hurting communities. We need to stop thinking "oh i'll do it tomorrow", or "we'll put that on the plan for next year". The fact is people are dying not knowing God. People are hurting in our communities. It can't wait until tomorrow or next year. It has to happen now.

It's time to step up and stop missing out on those opportunities.

As I wrote this, this song called Revolution (if you couldn't guess it from the lyrics!) Quite relevant really.

C'mon, c'mon join the revolution
C'mon, c'mon join the revolution
(Send Your revolution down)

Live out the song, be the revolution
C'mon, c'mon be the revolution
(Send Your revolution down)

We're tired of institution, we want a revolution
We wanna show the world that Jesus saves
We're tired of playing church now, we wanna change the world now
We wanna be about the love He gave

So c'mon, c'mon join the revolution
C'mon, c'mon join the revolution
Live out the song, be the revolution
C'mon, c'mon be the revolution

Show us Your revelation, we wanna reach the nations,
Proclaim the wonders of Your awesome love
We're tired of sitting by now, we wanna lift You high now
'Till revolution sets the world on fire
TIME IS SHORT- we wanna see Your promises fulfilled
Life is life and every life is worth the blood You spilled

Amen!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

If only I were 22 again...

The other day in the Life Centre, I was talking to a few of the community members about my plans for my upcoming 22nd birthday. I was complaining that I wasn't actually turning 22, i was turning "21 again", because 22 means that you're getting old (which to me seemed like a reasonable argument! lol)

Penny (not her real name) is in her mid 30's, heavily addicted to heroin. She has been since her teen years. She's made some very bad decisions during her life, and feels utterly hopeless about it all. Penny and John (her partner) are drug dealers, and are known for standing over people, taking their Centrelink payments off them. Up until recently, I had a really hard time having compassion for Penny and John, knowing that they too were made in Gods image, but their behaviour and the injustice they committed against so many people just made me so angry.

The more and more I think about it, the more and more the truth hits home. "There's a reason people are like they are" runs through my mind. People are a product of their experiences, and unfortunately they've gotten trapped in a vicious cycle. People took advantage of them, and now they take advantage of others.

But it all came together for me in that conversation in the Life Centre, when Penny, buttering her toast, heard some of our conversation.

"I'll be 22.... sooooo ooooooooooooooooolllllllllllddd!!!" Ness says

"I wish I was 22 again, I'd change so much in my life if I knew I'd end up like this" Penny says

And my heart sank. At that moment, Gods love and compassion poured through me and something clicked. I saw Penny for who she was. A broken, hurting, vulnerable, child of God. I saw her through Gods eyes.

Penny's statement was simple, but I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. It helped me to see Penny in a whole new light, but it also challenged me. In 10 years time when I'm in my 30's, what will I look back on and think "gee I wish I would have changed that!". Will it be, Gee, I wish I wasn't so disobedient to God? Or, Gee I wish I took time out of my life to invest in my relationships with my family. We have an opportunity now to make changes in our lives so we don't live in a "gee I wish i had" mentality in 10 years time.

Jesus came so that we could have life in all its fullness. Anything else is second best.

Jesus came so that we could have hope for a better future. I pray that for Penny.

For Him Alone
Ness

I hate all your show

I know this is my second post for the day, BUT i heard this awesome new song by Jon Foreman, and thought it was fantastic. Straight to the point. Its called "Instead of a Show"

I hate all your show and pretense

The hypocrisy of your praise

The hypocrisy of your festivals

I hate all your show

Away with your noisy worship

Away with your noisy hymns

I stop up my ears when your singing ‘em

I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice

An endless procession of righteous living, living

Instead let there be a flood of justice

Instead of a show

Your eyes are closed when you’re praying

You sing right along with the band

You shine up your shoes for services

But there’s blood on your hands

You turned your back on the homeless

And the ones that don’t fit in your plans

Quit playing religion games

There’s blood on your hands

Ah! let’s argue this out

If your sins are blood red

Let’s argue this out

You’ll be white as the clouds

Let’s argue this out

Quit fooling around

Give love to the ones who can’t love at all

Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all

Stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all

Instead of a show

I hate all your show

What do you think? Do you think maybe this is what God thinks of our worship sometimes?

For Him Alone

Ness

A Franciscan Benediction

I came across this benediction on a blog, and it challenged me, so I thought I'd pop it up on mine!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH DISCOMFORT..... at easy answers, half -truths, & superficial relationships, so that we live deep within our hearts.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH ANGER .......at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH TEARS......to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH ENOUGH FOOLISHNESS .... to believe that we can make a difference in this world , so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

How different would our world be if we lived this out?

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

the possibilities are endless..

I had a really good conversation today with some people from 614 about opportunities for outreach in our communities, and I left feeling extremely challenged, with a massive burden on my heart to get our there and make a difference!

At one point in the discussion we were talking about young people who live in residential homes. These are kids who for whatever reason cannot live with their parents, and aren't "suitable" for foster care, and so end up in these residential homes. So you have a mass of teenagers, who all have issues and need one on one attention, massed together in a house with a few workers, who have good intentions, but are overworked.

What an amazing opportunity does the church have to get involved in these kids lives and be positive role models. Why don't we get in there and do breakfast for them and just chat with them, show an interest in them, and give them the attention that their workers, mostly because they're under resourced, can't. Why aren't we filling the gaps?!

And then I started thinking about the endless amount of opportunities we have to "fill the gaps". Homework groups, mentoring programs, breakfast clubs, working with kids who have criminal record issues, family breakdown services, refugees, international students, coming alongside young mums, going into boarding houses, outreach to homeless people, accommodation services, education, working with kids in care... the list goes on!

I commend those who do work in these areas as I speak (or type I should say), but more can be done! Even people in the field will tell you that there's more that could be done, and will appreciate any help anyone could provide.

I can't wait to get back home and get involved in my community. Its probably the first time I've actually felt really excited about the possibilities after this year. Praise God for that. I'm so excited that He's stirring up that passion and fire in me to release me for serving Him and my community next year. I'm praying that He'll stir up people to get on the bandwagon with me... a bandwagon of people who seek the heart of their God. A people who pray to Him and seek his wisdom and guidance. A people who have a burden on their heart for the marginalised and oppressed. A people who are no longer satisfied with the status quo.

Just like Big Kev used to say, I'm excited! So excited I want to jump around like a jellybean.. (do jelly beans jump?!) Bring it on!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

decisions decisions decisions

I've come to a conclusion this week; making decisions drives me nuts!

I can be pretty indecisive at the best of times, so having to make a decision about what to do in 2009 was a hard one. It was one that where I've been seeking Gods wisdom and praying for a long time. There seemed to be so many options! I prayed that God would open and close doors as he pleased, but he seemed to be opening too many to choose from. I agonised for a long time about what to do. Would I stay here in Melbourne, would I go back to Newcastle to finish uni, or would I move to Sydney and finish uni by correspondence. None of them were bad options. All of them would provide opportunities to serve God. It would have been alright.

I would sit back at night and pray for God to close some doors. I didn't want to take responsibility and make a decision, but as it was pointed out to me this week, God gave us a brain to make decisions, so why not make one and see what happens from there?

So I've made a decision! I'm returning to Newcastle in 2009 to finish up with uni. I've also made another decision. I've decided (or Gods prompted me to!) put pen to paper on my initial forms for Training College. Scary, but exciting!

I'm so thankful that I have a God i can consult when deciding what to do. His way is the best way. That doesn't mean I can take no responsibility for what happens in my life, because "Gods given you a brain Ness, use it!".

Thanks Martin!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

a call to action!!

So i'm writing this post after reading the latest Pipeline (The Salvos magazine in the Eastern Territory) and I read an article about the 2020 summit that happened last month. And can i say right now, that after reading this article, my heart is pumping and I am excited!!! WHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
O HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! bring it on!

I'm so excited about the opportunities for the years ahead. I'm more excited that this isn't just a talk fest, but that methods are being put in place to ensure that these mission priorities are carried out.

It really is Gods time for us. I believe that as we seek Him more and more, He will reveal more to us, and use us in ways beyond our imagination! I want to be a part of a movement that sees life breathed into the darkest places. I don't want to be content with the status quo no more. Its time to move forward, storm those forts of darkness and bring hope to hurting people.

For me, reading this article just confirms to me that the Eastern Territory is where God wants me. (sorry Southern Territory! :-) I can't wait to get back there, and get involved in the awesome stuff that is cultivating. Count me in!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson (as quoted by Nelson Mandela)

I love this quote. So often we put ourselves down, when we need to be building ourselves up. That doesn't meant we become full of pride and gain a huge ego, but it means that we allow God to mould us into all that He wants us to be. He wants us to reach our full potential in Him to bring glory to His name, but so often we don't let him do it.

It's a hard process, because it means letting go. It means letting go of all of those wrong messages you've been told about yourself as you've been growing up. The messages of "you're stupid" "you're too fat" "you're not talented enough". You've gotta leave them at the foot of the cross with God, and instead pick up you're true identity. You're a child of God, made in His image. He doesn't make mistakes.

God wants us to live to our full potential, but in order for this to happen, we have to let him into the deepest part of our heart so he can start repairing the scars and changing our hearts. It's not an easy process, and it's not going to happen overnight, but the result will be astounding. There's no greater feeling than to be completely alive in Him.

It's something I struggle with, everyday! Everyday I have to come before God and be honest. But I know God is gradually changing my heart and revealing Himself to me in new ways all the time. Hallejuah!

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

Characteristics of Committed Courageous People

There was this sheet on the Candidates table at ACC, titled above, and as I read the characteristics, I pondered on how I want these to be displayed in my own life. A bit of a challenge... so i thought I'd pop them up here for you all!

1) They are willing to recognise and live with their own unfinishedness, knowing that they are subject to weakness and sometimes failures but that the best of them is good, so very good.

2) They know they have limitations but they also know that they can rejoice in the promise of redemption

3) Despite their fears, they constantly stretch their inner selves to take risks, to meet challenges.

4) They believe in their giftedness and know that the best way to thank God for it is to continually reach into risk, discovering and developing their hidden potential

5) They know how to laugh and to enjoy life even in the most difficult of time; they do not take themselves so seriously as to grimace and fret through each day

6) They take time for solitude- to thank and to pray in order to distance themselves and get a good perspective on their present situation

7) They have their values in proper order, recognising that people are always more important than material things, knowing that is is only the immaterial things such as love that they will carry with them into eternal life.

8) (which i personally think should be the first one) They nurture an intimate relationship with God for they have learned that the more they know this wonderful God, the more they will understand how deeply He cherishes them no matter what happens in their lives.

9) Finally, they have a vision of themselves that reminds them that their strength and power, their hope and trust, can never be mustered up by themselves. Rather, it is in God in whom they find their strength and often this God gives the needed strength through the encouragement and kindness of other human beings.

Interesting hey?!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

death is NOT the end of the story...

Yesterday was quite a full on day. We had a funeral at 614 of one of our community members, who died from an overdose the other week. It's the fourth community member this year who has died from a drug and alcohol related death. And we've had enough. We've had enough of death and destruction. We're sick of losing people, and we know that this isn't Gods plan for our community.

Last week at ACC (Aggressive Christianity Conference) I heard Russ Rook speak. It was one of the most amazing and powerful messages that i've heard in a while. He spoke about the resurrection, and the fact that Jesus' death wasn't the end of the story- resurrection was! Hallejuah! The sane can be said about Gods plan for our communities. His ideal is not to leave our communities to suffer from death and destruction. Death has NO hold on our communities. His plan is to bring life, to resurrect our communities. To bring hope where there is no hope. He does not want his people to suffer in death (both physically, spiritually etc.) no longer. Jesus died so that we may have life, and have it in abundance (John 10:10)

I don't know about you, but to be reminded of this message just makes me want to jump around with my fists triumphantly in the air yelling DEATH IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!! ..... Hallejuah! God wants us to partner with Him in breathing life into our broken, hurting, marginalised communities. He wants to break through and bring healing and love to communities that have never felt it before. He doesn't want them to die.......

It encourages me to keep going, especially on the days when all seems hopeless. On those days, when things seem to be going wrong, when community members seem to take five steps back after taking one step forward, I remind myself that the death and despair doesn't have to be the end. There's always hope, and I have to cling onto the fact. Jesus' resurrection is proof that there's always hope and life eternal.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

hiding our struggles....

Everyone struggles with things in life....When you come to know Jesus, those struggles don't go away... so why do we feel like they should?

I was pondering on this the other day. Why is it, generally speaking, that Christians are expected to have it all together all of the time?. Why do we put this pressure on ourselves?. Why do we go through things all on our own because we don't want anyone else (particularly our Christian friends) to know that things are eating us on the inside?. We don't confide in people because we're afraid of being seen as 'weak' or 'not holy enough'?. We don't want to be looked down upon..
So you go through your struggles on your own. You pray about it, but wish you'd have someone to confide in. You have God, You know that, but sometimes it'd just be nice to have someone else to talk to (please note: I'm not saying that God alone isn't enough- He sure is!, but I think You get what I mean). God made us as relational beings, but when it comes to Christians who struggle, those relationships don't seem to be able to handle it (or we don't want to test the relationship to see if it can!)

We think we're the only one struggling. But we're not. Not at all. There's probably a lot of other brothers and sisters in Christ struggling with the same thing, also on their own. They're ashamed and disgusted in themselves. They have a reputation to uphold. They're leaders in our churches, people you go to bible study with, the girl you catch up with to read the bible and pray.

They're struggling, on their own... because they're afraid that if they tell anyone what's really going on in their lives that people would look at them differently. The church can focus so much on holiness that they forget to remind people about Gods amazing grace... suddenly they don't feel worthy enough.... Even more, sometimes not only do we hide our struggles from our Christian peers, but we hide them from God, for many of the same reasons. We push Him away.....

I'm so thankful that we have a God who knows us SOOOOOO intimately and personally. I was at the Aggressive Christianity Conference last night, and the TC spoke on 'going personal', looking within and bringing all that we are before the feet of Jesus. Nothing is impossible for Him. No burden is too big for Him.

I want to be real. I want to be authentic. I don't want to be fake in a world that demands perfection and excellence. I want to be REAL..... and a real person doesn't have it together all of the time. A real person who knows she can bring all of her struggles and worries to the foot of the cross. A real person who knows her sins are forgiven, and experiences the marvellous, amazing grace of a loving God.

competing priorities?!....

I was reading an article tonight about the United Nations Millennium Development goals. Kevin Rudd is over in New York at the moment discussing with the UN the progress towards these goals that Australia signed up to in 2000. Australia committed to give 0.7% of gross income to foreign aid.

You can read the full article here... http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=637293

There was one line that struck me, and kind of made me a little angry. When asked why 0.7% was merely an 'aspiration', Rudd replied "we have many other competing priorities on the Australian budget and those will take priority".

That's a fair enough call, but Rudd can't leave it at that. He has to tell us what these competing priorities are. Are they tax breaks for the rich of our country?. Or are they improving our education system?. Is it to invest money into early intervention for at risk families?. Is it to end our disgraceful housing crisis?. What exactly are these 'competing priorities'?.

Maybe if Rudd explained this, i would understand a little more why he isn't contributing more to foreign aid. No matter what the reasons, I still think there's a way we could balance it all out so we could still help with foreign aid, and fight the injustice in our own country. I somehow think in a prosperous country like Australia, we could do it.

Meanwhile, while we figure this out, a child dies every three seconds. Every day 16,000 children die of preventable starvation, malnutrition or related sickness. That's more than 6 million each year.

By the time I've written this blog about this topic, it'll be too late for some children... That grieves my heart, and I'm sure it grieves Gods heart.

Just a thought or two.

For Him Alone.
Ness

The Pathetic Poor

Just read an awesome, thought provoking blog on "Just Salvos" (link on the right).
Check it out... be challenged. I certainly was..

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

trusting your 'gut instinct'

This past week or so I've been up in Sydney on a rather unexpected trip up here due to family reasons. While unexpected, I've learned a few very important lessons in a very short period of time. So I thought I'd share some of it with you (even though I'm not sure who 'you' are! lol)

For the last little while, things have been happening in my life that I haven't quite understood. I've continually been praying "Lord, I trust in You with all of my heart, and lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge You, knowing You will make my paths straight (prov 3:4)" I'm constantly reminded that God has a much bigger perspective of my life than I do. Our human perspective is so unbelievably limited. God sees the bigger picture of our lives... pictures that include other people, other things etc, things that we don't understand.

I'm so glad that I can absolutely trust the Maker and Creator of the universe with my life. It's not always easy to trust Him... sometimes I want to take things into my own hands, but I know that Gods way is the best way, and it's a way that will bring glory to His name.. That's what I want!

I have also (re) learnt the value of the 'gut instinct'. I can't explain why in full detail, but the end story is the gut instinct is good. And when you've made a decision based on that gut instinct, there's a great sense of relief.. Gee its good. Sometimes i wonder if that gut instinct is God trying to speak to us?..

So the end result.. I'm heading back to Melbourne on Tuesday night. After seeking out God, I'm trusting my gut instinct.. I'm trusting God.. knowing He has plans for me. Plans not to harm me, but to give me hope and a future.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

fallen in love with the streets...

I was thinking the other day, what's life going to be like for me after my experience here in Melbourne. This year has broken me, changed me, and opened my eyes (and my heart) to a different world. I will never be the person I was at the beginning of the year. I've seen too much, experienced too much for it not to change me for good.

I've been reading a book called "unchristian" which talks about how non Christians view Christians and the church in general. I've only read one chapter so far (called Hypocrisy), and its challenged me so much... I think the whole book is going to be challenging. One guy, who works for the church in the community talks about the separation between the church and the neighbourhood. He says:

"There is a separation between church and neighbourhood. And hypocrisy- talk without action- plays a part in this divide. For the young people who grew up on the streets, its an age old story: the drug kingpin knows their name, but the pastor does not. The teachers at school don't think they can learn, but they conquer the "street classes" just fine. The street culture always pursues and welcomes them, but the doors of the church are only open on Sunday. The church wants them neat and clean, but the streets take them as they are."

He goes on to say that he co-ordinates mission programs for college age students (much like what I'm doing here in Melbourne. He says that young adults come to his program ready to serve and listen to the voices of the rarely heard. They set out to bring Christ's love outside of the church walls. These young adults quickly discover a loyalty to their new neighbourhood. They fall in love with the streets and all those who live there.

He continues...

"This should be a match made in Heaven, but it isn't. Instead it turns out to be a sharp gust of wind, extinguishing the flame of trust that these young adults kept lit for their vision of "church". When they return home from their experience, they find their church is not ready for the neighbourhood kid who comes to youth group for the first time without a Christian foundation. The homeless man that really smells when he comes to the service. The building fund, pew fund, or organ fund lose their importance when you encounter hungry people daily. Those who have put in a year or more living with families in pain, people on the street, and victims of injustice, quickly lose respect for the church.

I believe that today, young adults are starting to see the church as a place that has not dealt well with the poor and the outcast, whether it be a homeless man in the city or a suburban teen who struggles with addiction.

Young people will not communicate with and seek help from parents, pastors and teachers whose lifestyles and passions do not match their words and faith. They will go to those who will embrace relationship with them; those who are also hurting and who are willing to share it.

Young adults are turning away from a modern church that they see as nothing more than hypocritical. Standards and rules without sacrifice and solidarity is hypocritical. Christian rhetoric without tangible acts of love is hypocrisy. Churches on every corner with hurting people outside is hypocrisy.

A large building with little connection to the streets is essentially empty."

I agree. Whatever I decide to do after Melbourne, whatever doors God opens up for me, I'm going to keep my passion and fire burning, because I know that its a fire that God has lit inside of me. I might end up in a super traditional corps (church), but it's there, with Gods help, that I'll live a lifestyle that is being the change she wants to see. I'll preach the gospel at all times, using words when necessary. Often actions are so much louder than words.

Interesting thoughts hey. We need to bring the church and the community back together, they can't be separate anymore. That's not the way God intended it to be. We've gotta stop being worried about the small insignificant things and start grieving for our community that hurts right in front of our eyes. And then we've gotta let that stir us into action, not being content with a mediocre existence anymore.

That's all from me tonight!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

God cares about humanity..

Today is class we were talking about how God cares about a WHOLE person, and what that means. It's not just about saving a persons soul, but about redeeming every part of them.
I mean God makes it clear that He cares about a persons body, about humanity. God cared about humanity that much that he came to this earth and put skin on. He came as Jesus. That to me just shows how much He really cares about our humanity.

That's an interesting concept here at 614. I whole heartedly believe it. But there's some people here that we know know God, but they still live a life dependent on drugs and alcohol. Are they still going to Heaven? Yes! Of course they are? Is what they're doing sin? I'm not so sure.. Does God weep over these people? Absolutely.. undeniably.

Just a bit of my rambling... some big concepts in there.. something that I'll be chewing over for a while.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

A New Season

Yesterday while I was in Target, I almost shiverred when I walked past the newly displayed swimming costumes. It was an obvious reminder that Summer is almost upon us (even though it's Spring has only just started). The year is going so so fast! And the Seasons keep on changing. Before you know it we'll be in Spring with full swing..

The change of seasons just reminded me of the different seasons in our lives. Some seasons are seasons of happiness, where things go good. Other times its a seasons of testing and temptation. Another time it might be a season of learning and growing (although I hope i'm always growing and learning)...

Whatever season it might be, I know that my God is with me, and has so much to teach me and show me. I pray that every season, no matter how hard it may be, will bring glory to His name.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

Are You The Pharisee?

For one of my classes I've been reading "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Phillip Yancey. It's been a really really interesting book, and has made me think about Jesus in a whole new light. This week we had to read a chapter titled "mission: a revolution of grace". I was intrigued simply because of the title, so I read with interest!

The first illustration spoke a lot to me (and also convicted a lot of my fellow class mates). Here's the story. Yancey says:

When discussing what has happened to the church, and why we aren't focused on the down and outs anymore , like Jesus was, someone in the class suggested that legalism in the church had created a barrier of strict rules that made non Christians feel uncomfortable. The class discussion abruptly lurched in a new direction, as survivors of Christian colleges and fundamentalist churches began swapping war stories. I told of my own bemusement in the early seventies when the redoubtable Moody Bible Institute, located just four blocks down the street from our own church, was banning all beards, mustaches, and hair below the ears of male students- though each day students filed past a large oil painting of Dwight L Moody, covered with hair, therefore breaking all three rules.

Everyone laughed, everyone except Greg, that is who fidgeted in his seat and smoldered. I could see his face flush red, then blanch with anger. Finally Greg raised his hand, and rage and indignation spilled out. He was almost stammering. "I feel like walking out of this place" he said, and all of the sudden the room hushed "You criticise others for being Pharisees. I'll tell you who the real Pharisees are- They're YOU (as he pointed at Yancey) and the rest of you people in this class. You think you're so high and mighty and mature. I became a Christian because of Moody Church. You find a group to look down on, to feel more spiritual than, and you talk about them behind their backs, That's what a Pharisee does. You're all Pharisees.

WHOA!! does that convict you? Because it sure convicted me, and everyone who was in class with me this afternoon. How much do we bag out other denominations?. I was thinking in particular of Mike Gugilemucci (forgive my spelling) and Planetshakers. How quick were we all to point fingers? Being The Salvation Army, how much do we look at other churches and say "oh you're not as socially orientated as we are". We are NO better than them. God desires UNITY in the church, not factions and bickering between them. Really, we're a bunch of pharisees. Despite the issues that a particular denomination has (and no denomination is excluded from that!) God uses us, sinners, to bring glory to His name and draw people into relationship with Him. We cannot, and must not discount the work that each denomination does, despite their particular methods.

I know I can be a bit of a skeptic sometimes when it comes to the Pentecostals, and in particular the whole mega church movement, but can I say that God hasn't used them to spread the message of the saving power of Jesus? NO! I cannot and must not. I'm sure people look at The Salvation Army and say "What a bunch of cooks with their uniforms and their militaristic ways".

We are all sinners in equally desperate need of our God.

That's the bottom line.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

Simplicity

We simplify our lives.
We live gladly with less.
We let go the illusion that we can possess.
We create instead.
We let go the illusion of mobility.
We travel in stillness. We travel at home.
By candlelight and in stillness,
In the presence of flowers,
We make our pilgrimage.
We simplify our lives.
Michael Leunig from "The Prayer Tree"

I read this passage this morning and it really struck me. How easy is it to get sucked into materialism? We live in a "fast food" society. We want everything and we want it now. We think possessions are going to bring us happiness... How we have it all wrong.

I've been challenged myself this year about living simply. Living simply so others can simply live. A massive challenge...one i fight every day!

Overdose Awareness Day

My day (along with many other peoples!) has been a bit chaotic today. This morning I had several people go a bit psycho and aggressive on me, which isn't any fun at all (thank goodness for those conflict resolution skills is all I have to say). When talking to some of the guys later on, I found out that many others had had similar experiences of community members for the last couple of days. So we thought.. what could possibly be causing this?! It didn't take us long to figure out it had to do with drugs. There's a fresh batch of 'Ice' on the streets of Melbourne, and it's pretty dodgy. So dodgy its making people much much more aggressive than normal.

Strangly enough, Tomorrow (Friday) is overdose awareness day. It's a chance to remember those who have died from having suffered overdose as well as those who live with permanent injuries from overdose. It hopes to lay bare the stigma associated with drug use, To provide an opportunity for people to publicly mourn for loved ones, some for the first time, without feeling guilt or shame, To give community members, beyond the drug users direct family and friends, information about the issue of overdose, To send a strong message to current and former drug users that they are valued, To stimulate discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy.

I think it's great that The Salvation Army is pushing this so strongly. There is such a stigma surrounding drug use, and its time to open our eyes and see the bigger picture. Behind every person who uses drugs there's a story. A story usually filled with pain and sorrow. A story that no one ever wants to know. All they see is the drug user.

Its a challenge to myself, because before ths year, I was determined that after I finished uni, I would never work with people who have drug and alcohol issues, because all I knew was the stigma. This year I've gotten to see what really goes on and my thoughts and attitudes have changed. Praise God!.

Tomorrow is going to be a hard, but good day. It's going to be a day when the community members I work with every day are given the chance to reflect on the impact that drugs and overdose have had on our community. They're going to be given the opportunity to remember friends and family who have succumbed to drugs. They're going to remember other 'streeties' who have died because of drugs. It's going to hurt. But there's going to be a message of hope. That things can change for the better. That they have an almighty creator who can help them break free from anything. I don't think thats too idealistic... I believe in a God of the impossible.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

No room in the Inn..

It was highlighted to me again today how bad the housing situation really is in Australia. I was interviewing people for Emergency Relief this morning (our welfare part.. so food parcels, help with bills etc.). I got chatting an old guy who was sleeping rough (on the streets) and had been for a long time. He started telling me a bit about his story. This man was a war veteran. He ended up on the streets because he couldn't afford to rent in the private rental market, and was currently on the waiting list for public housing. He said that he expected to be waiting about 2 years for a place. When I asked him what his plan was until then, he replied that he guess he'd have to sleep on the streets, occasionally forking out the money for a room in a motel when the weather was terrible.

I asked him if he'd been in touch with services that assist with emergency accommodation. Usually these places put you up in boarding rooms or something like that. A lot of people try and bunk down in these, usually because they're waiting (for a ridiculously long period of time) for public housing. He said that he'd been to a boarding house, but had had a really bad experience and would prefer to sleep rough on the streets.

Then he described his experience of the boarding house to me, and I had to stop myself from being visibly upset in front of the man I was that disturbed. He told me that when he walked into the place, it smelt of urine and alcohol. The guy who showed him to his room (a paid staff member of the place) had alcohol on his breath. He barely got any sleep that night because his mattress had springs poking through. He woke up in the morning with scratch marks on his body from the exposed springs. When he asked the caretakers of the place he was staying at if he could possibly get a new mattress they replied "shut up you old bag, just turn the mattress around (insert a few not so nice words here too).. I mean was he really asking too much?.. for a different mattress so he could have a good nights sleep?

Well good news- they came and gave him a brand new mattress... but at the same time told him that once the days that the accommodation agency had paid for were over, he better get the F out of there. Needless to say he didn't feel very safe or welcome anymore, so after getting one good nights sleep, he left the boarding room and headed for another lonely, cold nights sleep on the streets. The war veteran, who served our country, is now sleeping in the alcove of the building in the city dedicated to the ANZAC'S. Seems a bit wrong doesn't it?

Another guy, who is in his mid 30's comes into our Life Centre. At the moment he's living out of his car. He parks it in a shopping centre every night, because it's safer there than many other places. I asked him if Public Housing was an option, and he said that he wasn't eligible for it until he was 55. So this guy has another 20 years to wait until he's eligible for any kind of housing. Where's the fairness in that?!

Another young girl I've come across is 5 months pregnant. Currently she's homeless and living in a boarding house with her boyfriend. She's on the top priority emergency accommodation waiting list. So, being young and pregnant, she's in the most extreme category. But the waiting list is 12-18 months for EMERGENCY accommodation. By that time, she will have had her baby, but will still be homeless. How can a young mum have a fair go with a system that seems to be working against her? It makes me SOOO angry!

Why in a "prosperous" country like Australia, do we have people in situations like this? Why do people have to wait ridiculously long periods of time for something that is a NEED not a want. And what the heck is the government going to do about the crisis. It just seems so unfair... something needs to be done.

I'm not sure what I can do. I feel utterly powerless when looking at an injustice that is so huge. I know I can pray about it, but i don't know what I can do on a practical level to fight it. I don't know. What I do know is that I can love these people, and reach out to these people who are fighting against a society that doesn't seem to want to help them out. I feel like giving people food, blankets, water and a cup of coffee at night isn't much, but it gives them dignity, even if it is a small amount.

God needs us all to fight against the injustices of our society. He needs people to fight it at all levels. He needs people to serve food and give blankets to the homeless. He needs people to pray for change. He needs people to work for organisations that assist people to get housing. He needs people to fight for changes in policy and to lobby government. We can all play a part in some way.

Will You?

Children Matter, Youth Matter

A couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to fly up to Brisbane (via Newcastle; that's right- 3 states in 3 days!) to go to the Eastern Territory's Children/Youth Matter conference. It was a really good weekend on a few levels. I got to catch up with a lot of some old friends (a few who I wasn't expecting to see there, which was nice!), receive some great training for the ministry I'm involved in, and be inspired by some great teaching. Going to the conference got me thinking about the potential impact that God, through me, can have on children and young peoples lives.

I know a story of a girl, who is a first generation Salvo. Her family weren't church goers at the time (her mum has now accepted God as well, Praise Him!) But people in the church encouraged her to come along and made me feel welcomed when she was there. They showed Jesus love to her in a very real and practical way. During her teenage years, one particular family would take her home to their place every Sunday after church, feed her lunch, and she would hang out with their daughter until the night meeting. . They took an interest in her, and that's (along with Gods promptings!) is what kept her in the Army for so long. I wondered if without them doing this for her, would she still be in the Army today? I'm not sure hey...

Don't underestimate the potential impact you have in the lives of children and young people in your church, and in your communities. The smallest things make a big difference, particularly for kids from disadvantaged families. We have so many great opportunities to add soldiers to our Army, young soldiers, if we just go an extra mile for them. The fruits of our labour may not be apparent immediately. But did the family who took that girl in when she was a 14 year old non churched girl know the impact that that would have on the future direction of her life? They never would have known. But had they not have shown her love and care, she may not be where she is today, serving God with all her heart. That girl is me.

I thank God often for the way he showed me love through that family who took me under their wing while I was growing up. The church gave me the extended family I never really had. I now have people who are like second parents to me through going to church. I have a "grandma" figure that I never had growing up. They've just blessed me so much...

And now I consider how I can serve God faithfully, and have that same impact on children the way that a family, and a corps, impacted on my life. I wonder what little things I can do in kids lives to show them Gods love...... We all have a role to play in the lives of children in our communities. One thing I love about the real tribal communities in third world nations, and even indigenous communities in Australia is that all of the community is responsible for the upbringing of a child, not just the individual parents of that child. Can you imagine if it was like that in our community. If everyone took responsibility for raising the children in our communities... I wonder what that would look like?

It's the little things that make the difference.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

P.S: A big hello to Nat McC! the self proclaimed biggest fan of my blog! lol :-)

Coalbiting...

So i learnt a thing or two about life on the streets tonight. I was chatting to some of the people who come into the life centre, but tonight they were at Youth Church. I noticed that one particular young girl, which for the purposes of this blog we'll call Kate was missing. I asked her husband where Kate was, and he said she was off "coalbiting".

Have you ever heard of it? Because before tonight, I sure hadn't heard of it! I'd seen it in action, but not known what the street name for it was. In Melbourne the site of somebody “coalbiting” - approaching people directly to ask for money, sometimes aggressively - is pretty much par for the course. For many people this can be quite a confronting experience, while for many homeless people it’s an accepted part of what it means to survive on the street.

Every Thursday, without fail, as I walk down to catch up with a friend for coffee, I will walk past Kate and she'll ask me for money. She now knows who I am. She knows I work for The Salvation Army. She sees me in the Life Centre a couple of times a week, and she knows I won't give her any money. I ask her if she wants to grab something to eat or drink, but she politely refuses. I found out tonight that Kate's husband sends her out to get money on the streets for their drugs, while he relaxes in our Life Centre, or chills out on the Youth Outreach Bus. Kate looks young, shy and innocent, and any normal person would give her spare change. Kate's partner knows that and uses that to their advantage.

Tonight I was talking to her husband. Kate and her husband have been married for 2 years, but have been living on the streets for their whole married life. Tomorrow they're moving into temporary accomodation. Hopefully this is the start of a positive turn around in their lives. Next step is rehab. Praying hard...

The knowledge that Kate's husband sends her out to "coalbite" and get money for their drugs angered me at first. I mean how dare he take advantage of his wife like that. But God then made me look at him through His eyes. And suddenly that anger and frustration was gone. Then the line from a Nooma that I had watched that night, called Lump popped into my head. It was talking about God's love for his children, and how God says to us "nothing you could do, could make me love you any less". And that's the same for Kate and her husband. No matter what we've done, no matter where we've come from, nothing ... nothing will ever make Him love us any less. I know that beneath the surface, beneath the issues of homelessness and drug addiction there are deep deep struggles and issues... there's so much more to these people than just being homeless and drug addicted... so much more...

I'm not saying that this situation is perfect- by no means, but I know that our God is a God of the impossible, and things can change. Relationships can be restored to the way they're meant to be. People can be freed from the bondage of drug addictions... The chains of injustice can be broken... Things can change. With God all things are possible. No matter what the situation, we must always cling onto that fact.

When the situation seems bleak this my cry...

There's freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all shame
There's freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all pain
There's freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all sin
There's freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom in the Name of JESUS! (Free: Planetshakers)

Hallejuah!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

hosanna!

Just a quick one today!

I went up to Brisbane for the Children/Youth matter conference last weekend. It was real good (more on that later), but we were singing this song is worship, and it just resonanted with me so much. It's one of my favourites, and sums up a lot really.. Here it is (with a few little notes)

I see the king of glory; Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes. The whole earth shakes (THIS is how powerful our God is!)

I see his love and mercy; Washing over all our sin
The people sing. The people sing

Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna in the highest (hosanna: an exclamation of praise. Literally means “save please” or “save now.” The crowd cried this at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem,... it's the cry of my heart!)

I see a generation; Rising up to take their place (lets be movers and shakers!)
With selfless faith, With selfless faith (no room for apathy!)
I see a near revival; Stirring as we pray and seek (praying and seeking.. not our own ideas, but Gods)
We're on our knees, We're on our knees (are we desperate enough to see change that we'll get on our knees and beg and pray to God for it?!.. just a thought)

Heal my heart and make it clean (holiness; the key... )
Open up my eyes to the things unseen (ignorance is NOT bliss)
Show me how to love like you have loved me (love... it's time to get back to the basics)
Break my heart from what breaks yours (and continue breaking it.. i never want to become numb to the gross injustice that surrounds me)
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause (full surrender...)
As I go from nothing to Eternity (only by Gods grace)

For Him Alone (always)
Ness :-)

An Amazing Example

I have had the amazing privilege this year of meeting, and working alongside the retired General Eva Burrows. She is one of the most amazing, humble, servant hearted people I have ever met, and such a person to aspire to want to be more like (other than Jesus of course!) As I've interacted with her this year, I've learnt so much, but I wanted to know a bit more about where she's been up until now, and about her time as General, so I decided yesterday that I would read her biography.

I'm just over half way through at the moment, and I've been absolutely blow away by her deep, intimate love of Jesus, and the commitment she has both towards God, and The Salvation Army. Here's a few quotes that were quite thought provoking

"I preach Christ, not Christianity"

Talking about Homeless people "You may change the location (i.e. get them temporary accommodation), but that doesn't change the person. You may improve the facilities, but that doesn't solve the problem. Really, the need for these people is to receive love and warmth in these most difficult of circumstances. These lonely and unhappy people need to know that somebody loves them. When you are dedicated to Christ, that love of God is shared through you. The Holy Spirit enables you to love the unlovely, to love where love is not returned, because you are bringing Christ to these people who hurt and are in need."

"It doesn't matter how low a person sinks, somewhere there is a touch that love can spark. I still believe that there is nobody sunk so low that there isn't any hope. People sometimes say 'Will you look after the people that nobody else wants to know? Will you look after the people that no one else wants to help? They're hopeless aren't they?' But we believe there is still hope for everyone"

In response to the question "Has The Salvation Army had its day or is it getting a second wind?" she said
"I think every organisation does have a tendency to wind down like a mechanical toy. But we are not just an organisation; we are an organism of the Holy Spirit. If we're open to renewal by the Holy Spirit then I think you could call what happens to us our second wind. We are looking more critically at the way we've done things and we're not holding onto things just because they belong to our past"

Some thought provoking stuff hey?! I can't even begin to express to you how challenged I have been by knowing General Eva, and recently reading her biography. She is an amazing example of a Jesus focused, servant hearted woman of God, and if I could be one tenth like her, I'd be a better person for it.

I was having a conversation with a friend a few weeks back, and we were discussing General Eva. I was telling the story that people have jokingly called me the General Eva protege, or General Eva the second, and I often would laugh it off, saying that there was no way I could be anything like her- for one thing I never wanted to go to Africa, and I wanted to get married! I didn't want that life. Afterwards God really really challenged me on that, and has been changing my perspective on it all.

God used General Eva in amazing ways, in every appointment she had, probably because she had such an obedient heart that sought God in everything and did her utmost best in every task she was given. She was dedicated and committed, and at the same time so extremely compassionate. And the fact that she was a single officer wasn't a burden to her at all. Jesus was all she needed, and she didn't let anything, even potential relationships get in the way of the commitment to serve God and the Army. That's what I want to be like. I want to serve God (and the Army) with all of my heart, soul, strength and mind, not letting anything or anyone hold me back. I want to be content no matter what the circumstance (Phil 4:11). I want to be compassionate, and always a people person, no matter where I am and what I'm doing. I want to be more and more like Jesus every day... Oh gosh I do.. with all my heart hey.

So when people joke at me, calling me the General Eva protege; When General Eva herself (When I turned up at a themed 21st dressed as The General (as per the picture above) tells me that I could be the Third Australian General (oh gosh!) I'll still laugh, and still say that there's no way I could be anything like General Eva. But it won't be because I don't want to go to Africa (because if that's what God wants, then hey, OK!.. those he equips the called right?) and not because I want to get married (if God is going to be able to use me more effectively as a single woman, then that's what I want, because Jesus IS all that we need.). I'll laugh because General Eva's shoes are pretty big ones... too big for me to fill!

However, I'm still totally inspired by the life of this anointed woman of God. It all reminds me of a song

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.

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

a bit of request for some prayer...

hey peeps!

gonna keep this brief, but if you could keep the Order (the group i'm doing this year) in your prayers that'd be great! We're going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment, and some of our peeps are leaving... so it's a bit tough! If you could pray that we all stick together, and seek God in this situation, and keep focused on Jesus, that'd be great!

Still loving serving God down here... learning so much....

Ta

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

Souls and Justice...

This was on the Armybarmy blog a little while ago (www.armybarmy.com/blog.html)

"My business is to get the world saved. If this involves the standing still of the looms and the shutting up of the factories and the staying of the sailing ships, let them all stand still. When we have got everybody converted, they can go on again. (William Booth, in answer to his own question, “Are all to be officers?” in Norman Murdoch. THE ORIGINS OF THE SALVATION ARMY. p141

My business on earth is exactly the same. I want to see the world saved for God. And I'm going as William Booth also says "while one soul remains without the light of God, I'll fight to the very end"

I've been reminded in the last couple of weeks where my priorities should be, and how sometimes I can get them so wrong. My main priority in life is my relationship with God, and the advancement of His Kingdom. My life must be a living sacrifice. Daily I offer myself to God to use me as he wants to bring Glory to His name.

It's not always easy, but I know I must do it. I'm going to fight for justice, love and mercy for the rest of my days. I'm am continually sanctified.. Gods grace abounds...
The other week at 614 we had a huge live worship recording, titled "souls and justice". It was absolutely fantastic. God was definitely there, and He moved in powerful ways. People were challenged about their apathy towards the injustice in this world, and encouraged to take a step of faith with God, because with God anything is possible.

There was an amazing moment during the night, which I don't think i'll ever forget.. Nathan Rowe (Soteria) was leading worship proclaiming freedom in the name of Jesus... freedom from addiction, freedom from shame, freedom from bondage.... There is freedom in the name of Jesus!! Hallejuah!

It really struck a chord with me (no musical pun intended!), because its been something that God has been speaking to me about for a long time. As you may have gathered, I have a passion and a heart for the disadvantaged and marginalised, the people most of society wants to forget about. I thank God that he has placed me in The Salvation Army, and I am honoured that this is where he wants me to serve Him for the rest of my days. It's not just about seeing souls won for his kingdom.. But it's not just about seeing justice in our world.. the two must go hand in hand.

Hallejuah!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

thought provoking quote....

"The church doesn't exist for itself; it exists to serve the world." Rob Bell.

That is all!

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

The O Word!

The 'O' word... bah bah bah bah! ......
orange? olives, optometrist, okay, ocean, order, oxygen, out (ok, i'm really struggling to come up with words that start with o! lol)

The O word for today is, Officership!

Often known as a bit of a blasphemous term amongst young (and even some older) Salvationists, Officership (full time service as a 'pastor' in the Salvation Army), is something that God is still calling people to! Hallejuah!

I was catching up with a friend tonight, and we were talking about our calls to Officership, and He told me that there was only one accepted candidate for College here in the Eastern Territory for next year. I was a little suprised! Surely there's gotta be more people called to Officership than that? There are going to be people (like me) who know that they are called, but next year isn't the right time, but there are going to be others who have been called in the past and have been putting it off, and so next year may be the right time!. Are You one of those? Do You know someone like that? Challenge them (without harrassing them!) Your challenge might be that little nudge from God that they've been praying for? Just a thought!

My friend and I also commented on how amazing the sense of peace and joy is when you finally stop fighting God and truly accept His calling on your life. I fought it for a heck of a long time, but then realised that to be a true follower of God, i had to be obedient. Why wouldn't I want to be? What would have happened if Jesus wasn't obedient (another O Word!) to the will of His Father? Sure, doubts and concerns crossed my mind. Am I really good enough? Can I do this? Why me? (lol, why not me?)

But God overcomes all of those doubts and fears, and he sends confirmation!. He came alongside me and said "Don't worry Vanessa, I'm going to look after You" and that's all I needed. It's not always going to be easy, no one ever promised that following God was going to be easy. But I know that I have a faithful God who is with me every step of the way.

So Officership... have you thought about and prayerfully considered it? Is the need the call?

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

Vanessa the Vagabond!

I came across this term the other day, and thought that pretty much described me at the moment. A Vagabond is "rootless: wandering aimlessly without ties to a place or community; "led a vagabond life"; "a rootless wanderer" (thanks google!)

And that's what I kind of feel like at the moment, except i'm definitely not wandering around aimlessly. I'm following my God, who calls me to follow him with reckless abandonment. Who asks me to pick up my cross and follow him. And that's what i'm doing, and I'm going to continue to do. I'm going to seek out God, and follow his guidance. I'm not going to lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge him, knowing he will make my paths straight.

What I love about my life at the moment, is the independence I have to experience what I want to without many restrictions. I'm young (although, at 21 I am starting to feel kind old at 'youth' things.. lol), and fiercely independent. I took the opportunity to move out of home and go to uni, and now i've moved to Melbourne. I'm now contemplating and praying about what i'm going to do next year. I have so many options! Sometimes i'm so overwhelmed by the amount of options I have, but at the same time, I'm excited! It's possibly one of the only times in my life i'm going to have such a vast array of opportunities on my platter. Life is going to progress, and where I am and what position i'm in is going to change, and things are going to limit what I can do, I'll have other things and people to factor into my plans. But for now, I can use this season in my life that God has given me to just embrace my independence.

So come 2009, who knows where i'll be! I could be down in Melbourne, following an opportunity that may come down my way down there (whilst finishing my social work degree, don't worry i am going to finish! lol).. I could be in Newcastle, finishing my degree there... I could move back to Sydney, where i grew up, or I could go overseas!, or even still, I could end up at SAOTC! (i've abbreviated that for a reason! lol) Who Knows!

What I do know is that i'm going to seek God's guidance on it all, and trust him on whatever path he may lead me down. I'm excited, and can't wait to see how God is going to change me, and use me to bring glory to his name, and see souls saved. Hallejuah!

All of this talk about the future reminds me of this songster piece i remember from being a songsterooni back in the days!

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly,
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty.
And men despise the Saviour I've adored.

I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost,
I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,.
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost.

If doors should close then other doors will open,.
The word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I'll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master's name

I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost,
I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,.
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost.
Gowans & Larsson

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

A Real Revolution

The term "revolution" gets thrown around a lot these days, its even part of the title of my blog!. In some ways, it's almost become a bit of a catch cry, and if we're not careful, it will lose its meaning. I love the word, it just has so much rich meaning, and its what the world needs. A revolution of love, Gods love. A revolutionary fight by Gods soldiers to see the world won for him.. That's the kind of revolution I want to be a part of.

I read this quote by Commissioner George Scott Railton (a legend back in his days) about revolution

"We are revolutionists. We know that we have passed from death unto life, and we insist on the necessity of the same sweeping change in every human being. With cries of 'Death unto sin' and 'Life unto righteousness,' we go on, determined to turn the world upside down. We are not philosophers or the theorists of revolution; but its agents. Merely to recommend revolution is contemptible. We must make it. Glad indeed would we be if any word of ours could go forth to slumbering Christians and slumbering churches, and awake them to the fight; but it is only what is done by direct personal effort that can be called sure work, in a revolution." (found on armybarmy)

Merely to recommend revolution is contemptible. We have to act on it! What a challenge hey?! We can cry revolution all we want, but we must be the change we want to see. We have to stop bashing the bride of Christ (the church) and start living the change we want to see happen. Start leading by example!

Bring it on! I'm excited, and I can't wait to see what happens when people start taking the battle that we're in seriously. Lets make an effort to become once more the salvation people of yesteryear... You can make a difference... Step out in faith - pray hard: ask for opportunities... I don't think that God is finished with us yet.. so let keep on the mission of saving souls, growing saints and serving suffering humanity... Let's take a risk- what have we to lose?, we may be surprised at what God will do in and through us if we pray and ask him to send us out into his harvest field!

Lets trust God - step out in faith and lets see the revolution he so longs to bring... (hat tip Rusty)

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

Encourage One Another!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you have been doing." 1 Thess 5:11

I decided to type the word "encouragement" into google images and see what came up. I had to have a bit of a chuckle when this image came up

Please meet, the "encouragement gong". The sound of this gong is meant to encourage you to do great things... Without being disrespectful to those who do believe in these kind of instruments, it just sounds a little crazy to me.

I've been thinking a bit lately about what role encouragement has in relationships that i maintain. Do I encourage enough?, Am I myself being encouraged enough in what I do. I've come to the conclusion that along with love, encouragement is another thing that is necessary for change to really happen. The people who do great things in this world have been encouraged to do so.

I've been amazingly blessed to have had people in my life who have encouraged me to be all that I can be. People who have encouraged me to seek God with all of my heart and trust in his ways. People who have encouraged me to believe in myself, and in God. I wouldn't be the person I am today if people hadn't encouraged me.

Yet, when encouragement has such good repercussions, why are we so quick to do the complete opposite and discourage people? We say harsh words, we gossip, we tear people down, we make a sarcastic comment or two. What does this really achieve? Nothing. It causes hurt and pain. It has no place in this world. It's made me think about the way I talk to and about other people. Does even that sarcastic (although seemingly funny) comment I make about someone build them up at all? no.. it tears them down. You and I know how much it hurts when we are discouraged by others, yet why are we so quick to do it ourselves?

We don't need a gong to encourage each other. God has given us the gift of communication (thank goodness, i think i' d die if i couldn't talk! lol) It's time to use it! Tell people you think they're doing a good job, write someone a note telling them you really value their friendship, send a text message to let someone know you're praying for them... just do something!

God can do great things if we encourage one another as we're commanded! Last night at Youth Church, a guy whose been coming for a while told of how he's been clean from a $400 a day heroin addiction for a week now, and he spoke of how one of the workers has really really encouraged him to give up his habit and turn to God. Praise God! See, the power of encouragement at it's best!

Seek to encourage, and slow to discourage.. it really does no good hey.

It's about now i have to eat humble pie, because I am speaking to myself as much as anyone else!

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

She's Somebody's baby

I was listening to an album by Jon Foreman (the lead singer of Switchfoot) this afternoon, and this song came on. To be honest, it almost made me cry.... you'll see why


She yells, "if you were homeless Sure as hell you'd be drunk
Or high or trying to get there Or begging for junk
When people dont want you They just throw you money for beer.

"Her name was November She went by Autum or Fall
It was seven long years Since the Autum when all
Of her nightmares grew fingers And all of her dreams grew a tear

She's somebody's baby Somebody's baby girl
She's somebody's baby Somebody's baby girl
And she's somebody's baby still

She screams, "Well if you've never Gone at it alone, well then go ahead
You better throw the first stone You got one lonely stoner
Waiting to bring to her knees" She dreams about heaven
Remembering hell As a nightmare she visits And knows all too well
Every now and again When she's sober she brushes her teeth

She's somebody's baby

Today was her birthday, Strangely enough
When the cops found her body At the foot of the bluff
The annonymous caller this morning Tipped off the police
They got her I.D From her dental remains
The same fillings still intact The same nicotine stains
The birth and the death were both over, With no one to grieve.

She's somebody's baby

It saddens me that people in this world can be so alone. It makes my heart break that people can die, and no one will notice. They are so isolated from society that no one cares if they're gone. These people exist... and they're exactly that- people! People who have feelings, people who have experiences, people who long for more. They are like you and me. People who shouldn't be alone.

Some of these people are people I see everyday at the Life Centre. For some, we are the only social contact people have. Apart from visiting the life centre they are isolated. In the people at the life centre, they have found somebody who cares that they exist, and they are able to find out about the God who created them for a purpose. In the Life Centre they find a community... a community who will care if they disappear... They have such stories, and a lot of them extremely inspiring, but filled with hurt. They are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters.... they've loved and lost... they've hurt and cried.. they've felt joy and happiness....

It's only by the grace of God that i'm the person I am now. It very easily could have been me on the streets, and I pray that if I was, someone would care about me, even when all hope seems lost. God has spared me from that, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't care about others who haven't had the same opportunities as I have. It doesn't call for a sense of apathy.... It means that I must show them love when no one else cares....

It's not always easy... oh Gosh it's not always easy! some days I can only love through the love that God gives. I can't love in my own strength.. only in Gods strength. But in those times, when i don't really feel like caring, one thought runs through my mind

"it could have been me"..

For Him Alone

Ness

Pimp.. I mean pope my ride!

This made me laugh pretty hard!... thought i'd add it up here for a bit of amusement! :-)

What is God really saying?

Sometimes I wonder what God is saying, if he's actually speaking at all. You see, I'll pray about something (and sometimes for long periods of time!) and think i have an answer, a conviction about a certain situation, or a sense of peace about it. And that's all good for a while. Then a little while later, something happens that is completely the opposite of what I thought the answer was previously.

So then i wonder..... was it really God who spoke in the first place? Who gave me that 'sense of peace'.. was it a fake sense of peace? Was it just me hoping for the best.... was it my desires speaking? .... Who the heck was it?! and what's the go now?

I just wish sometimes the voice of God was clear..... and I knew beyond a doubt it was Him. Because the times that I thought it was Him, it turns out completely different, leaving me to question if it was really Him in the first place.

How do you tell the difference between what God wants and what you desire?

I'd really like a Moses style burning bush right now....

For Him Alone

Ness

Love.. The Problem and the Solution?

So we're back to the topic of Love..... and i'm not (for once) going to insert the sick bucket right here so i can puke in it.

I've been pondering on the idea of Love the last little while, and I've come to the conclusion that in this world, love is the problem, but love is also the solution. Allow me to explain.
Love is the problem. (WHAATT! i hear you say? how can it be a problem?) Well, here's my thought. Love causes people to hurt, it causes people to stay in relationships that they shouldn't because they love them. Girls are bashed by their boyfriends, but they stay in the relationship partly because they love the other person, the person that abuses them. Children are vulnerable to their parents, parents who love them. These parents who love them are also the same parents who abuse and neglect them. Families break down because they don't tell each other that deep down inside they do love each other....... Marriages fail because the love 'dies'.... need I say more?... Love seems to be the problem right here... because love can be misused and abused.
But you see, Love is also the solution. Love from God, and Love for each other. When we accept Gods love, things change in our life. God never promised that when we accept him that things are going to be easy, but the love he offers, by sending his son Jesus to die on a cross, is a love that will never fail us. God's love is perfect, and perfect love demands free will. Gods love is an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

How different would our world be if not only everyone accepted Gods love for themselves, but if people started loving each other... I mean REALLY loving each other. Doing things for each other. Watching out for each other. Helping each other out without wanting a reward. Serving each other wholeheartedly. Building each other up. How different would our world be if we really just started loving each other?

You see, I believe that if change is going to happen, Love is where it has to start. Because God loves us, we must love others. I mean why do you think Jesus said the greatest commandments were to

"37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matt 22:37-38

So, Love the Lord Your God... and Then Love Others... our love for God should compel us to love others.. and if it doesn't then what are we really doing?

Love may be a part of the problem... But Love is certainly a huge part of the solution.

For Him Alone
Ness :-)

Jacob is ready to be Jacob..

I watched a Nooma yesterday called "Name". It's basically about the story in the bible about Jacob. Jacob had tried to be someone he wasn't. He tricked his father into believing that he was his brother Esau, and spent a long time running away from Esau because of it.

And then...

"That night Jacob got up and took his two wives (lucky man! lol), his two maidservants and his eleven sons and cross the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacobs hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said "let me go, for it is daybreak" But Jacob replies "I will not let you go until you bless me". The man asked him "what is your name?" "Jacob" he answered." Gen 32:22-27

Jacob has struggled and he's been broken and he's done pretending. He isn't trying to be Esau or anyone else; Jacob has wrestled and overcome. Jacob is ready to be Jacob.

We have to embrace who we are, who God has made us to be. We are shortchanging God if we're not being all that God has created us to be. We each have this unique path, a calling, a life that God has given us; and Jesus invites us to be our true selves and yet we get sidetracked, we get distracted, we get hung up on how we're different from someone else, or how we aren't like him and we end up asking the wrong questions.

We have limits. There are all sorts of things we aren't. There are kinds of people we aren't. Maybe this is why Jesus says to love your neighbour as yourself. How could I ever love and embrace someone else when I've never come to terms with who I am and then who I'm not? Some people live their whole lives according to the expectations of others. Whether its authority figures or family members or friends. Its as if there's this script that has already been written by someone else and all they're essentially doing is just acting it out.

We all need to be saved from all the times we haven't been our true selves. All the times we've tried to be someone else. All the lies we've believed about who God made when God made us. All the times we've asked the wrong questions: What about him? What about her? What about them? And we've missed the voice of Jesus saying "You, follow me"

Its hard work to discover who our true self is, our unique path, who God has called us to be. Being comfortable in our own skin isn't easy.... but until we realise where our identity comes from, we're stuck. May you and I continue to realise that our value comes from being a child of God, made in his image. It's only then that we'll be able to realise our full potential, and love who we are.... and believe it in the deepest part of our bones.

For Him Alone

ness :-)

Not Me, Not Yet, Not That

This morning at 614, General Eva preached on Luke 9:57-62. It's titled the cost of following Jesus.

"As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

People come up with excuses not to follow God, or follow his call on their life. She the three guys in this passage could be summed up with "Not Me, Not Yet, Not That".... One didn't want to believe and follow, the next one didn't want to do it just yet, they wanted to procrastinate a little more, and the third one didn't want to do what God wanted him to do... he'd prefer something else.

It's a lot like that for us isn't it. When God lays something on our heart, or a call on our lives, we often answer with one of those three answers. I know I sure have, and usually in that progression. First was the stage of denial... The "God, are you sure you want me for that?!"... closely followed by "not THAT!".... and then "not yet God!"..

But I realised (again) today that nothing can stop be following God. There is no excuse good enough to deny doing Gods will. Nothing will be accepted. The only answer that will be accepted is "Yes God, have your way".

And why wouldn't that be the answer I want to give? No sacrifice that I am going to have to make will ever compare to the sacrifices that Jesus has made for me. God sent his one and only son to die on this earth for me, and I complain about doing Gods will because it might be a little uncomfortable?.. because i'm scared i'm not going to be good enough, because I'm going to have to deny myself?.. Seriously.. how arrogant of me?!!! Gosh!

I'm sure i'm not the only one in this world who thinks this way.... do you? Do you make excuses so you don't have to do what you KNOW God has called you to do? Do you put up a wall, hoping God won't get through. Do you say... just wait a little while God, i have a few things to do first?

If Jesus had waited?... would we be where we are today?

For Him Alone

Ness :-)

Patience....

The blessed patience stick hey.... I used to hate it... but at the moment i'm actually appreciating being taught the patience lesson. I figure that "wait" is perhaps better than having no answer from God at all.

You see, I've been praying about a particular something for a long time now, and I've been told very firmly by God that I have to wait. For those who know me well, you will no that I sometimes am not the most patient person in the world! But sometimes I wonder if this is just a reflection of our society. We live in a "fast food society".. we want it, and we want it now. That's the crux of it really. So naturally (and sadly because we, or at least I) are so influenced by this world, when we pray, we expect God to deliver pretty quickly.... Hello God.. I want it, and I want it NOW!!

And when you don't get an answer straight away, do you feel like God is holding out on you? Like he's denying you these things, or maybe that he's not even listening to you? I watched a Nooma the other week (gosh they're awesome!) called Kickball, and this quote really struck me.

"Your question is, How long do I have to wait for this? When is God going to deliver?. and maybe God's perspective is "How long till you see that there's a bigger perspective here?. Do you see your life as a part of a bigger picture, a larger story?"

God has a bigger perspective of my life than I do. I'm a human, who has a very limited perspective of whats going on. I may see a situation, and think, Yup, now is the right time, but God can see more than I can, and knows that it wouldn't be right if he allowed it to happen now. It's like a parent-child relationship. God wants to give us everything we want, he really does, but he knows that not everything is going to be good for us. Like a kid asking their parents for things, I can ask God for things, but God can see what I can't, and maybe what I'm asking for wouldn't be good for me, so because he loves me so much, he doesn't answer that prayer the way I want.

But deep down, no matter what, I believe that God is good... I mean really good! And until we believe that deep in our bones, nothing is ever going to make sense. No matter what, God is good. And God's perspective is far greater than ours.

If trusting in God, knowing that He is good, and has a bigger perspective than I do means that I get his best, then waiting is exactly what I am going to do. Because my God is for me, and not against me. And He is good...

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you're not disappointed." Jer 29:11 (msg)

For Him Alone

Ness :-)