On reflection what is really making my heart sing is not the number of people there on Sunday, but the type.

It seems to me Jesus was not interested in the religious people of his day, in fact he reserved some very harsh words for them. Some commentators even believe he swore at them, such was his anger at their lack of grace and compassion.

The people He was interested in were those on a journey. The needy.

At church at the moment we have a number of folk attending who would not say they are signed up members of the ‘church set’, but they are coming.
It keeps you on your toes, it forces you to be aware of the words you use, and the presumptions you make.

Another key point I am mulling over is this. People generally speaking do not come to Christ at a crusade or key event anymore. They come first to a community, and then grow to faith by being exposed to a community of faith. This is happening in our midst. The ‘face’ of our church has changed.

I am impressed by the power of our community. Everyone doing their part. The big positive changed started with our new structures that were adopted last year. They are bearing fruit. Individual Ministry Team Leaders are really leading, and being innovative and creative, because they can.

I have not been as happy in ministry as I am at this point.

The last three weeks at church have been wonderful.
While numbers are not everything, it is great to have a full house.
This Sunday was our biggest crowd since Christmas.

Showed a great video of Bluff Noll, with some quotes from Genesis. Put together very well by one of our blokes, who is getting into video editing etc.
Quite moving, with a good choice of music.

I was speaking on anger, see a post below for details, and Eliot sung a song from Paul Coleman.
Its tune really stuck in my head, and was a wonderful way to reinforce the message, dont let the sun go down on your anger.

Sundown
By the Paul Colman Trio
” You say you want to be lonely You say you want to be You say you want to be lonely No me no me only you there You say you want to be angry You say you want to be You say you want to be angry That you don’t want to rely on me But we can work this out Leave your gift there at the altar brother yeah Don’t let the sun go down on this today Don’t let the sun go down today Don’t let the sun go down on this today You say you want to tell others You say you want to tell You say you want to tell others All the things you say I’ve done to you But we should work this out Leave your gift there at the altar sister yeah We should work this out I’ll be here listening to your every whisper yeah”

Sorting through some photo’s, wish I was still there.

I am starting a four week series this week on ‘The Biggest Spiritual Loser’.

It is designed to help us lose those things which hinder our spiritual health.

The Biggest Spiritual Loser
How to lose unhealthy inner baggage, and experience emotional health
Lose bad temper and gain positive boundaries
Lose Anxiousness and gain faith
Lose Approval addiction and gain security
Lose Negativity and gain hope

Should be fun!

We have all heard of the things they flog on ebay, from a image of Mary embedded on a toasted cheese sandwich, to the Pope’s old car. But this one is certainly up there in the interesting stakes.
A young man from Chicago is offering to go to church if you pay him. He is a editor of an Athiests newsletter, and will publish his experiences in his journal.

Here is the link Send an athiest to his local church!

Wonder if Willow Creek might get involved? Maybe Forge could go over and live next door to him for a week instead?

Continuing my devotions in the Psalms. The NLT really has come into its own in this book. Loving the freshness of reading them with this translation.

Trying to work out what is going on in David’s head.

“declare me innocent, for you know those who do right”

Imagine writing and saying that to God! How does this contrast or ‘work’ with Jesus’ statement about the two men praying in the temple? The one who was humble and beat his chest in agony over his own sinful state was commended. The one who thanked God that he was so good, was blasted. (fair nuff too!)

I suppose there are times in all of our lives where we know we are right, and can cry out our case to God. I find that difficult, because I am so aware that my feet are made of clay. Yet David did it, and we know what he got up too!

The weagles woes are continuing and the Sunday Slime has written this about the pre season derby,

“But the Dockers are likely to field a side considerably stronger than the West Coast Eagles, who have endured an injury-riddled pre-season.
Full-forward Brad Smith is out of commission for another 12 months because of a second knee reconstruction, while midfielder Chad Fletcher (collarbone), ruckman/forward Michael Gardiner (foot), David Wirrpunda (knee) and Ashley Sampi (compartment syndrome), are tipped to miss the first round of the official pre-season competition.
Beau Waters, who injured a knee when hit by a taxi late last year, is still well below full fitness. Michael Braun, on the comeback trail after knee surgery, is training solidly, but could also be rested for the Dockers encounter.”

A Docker fans opinion?

Out: Smith, Fletcher, Gardiner, Wirrpunda and Sampi

In: Boo and Hoo