Spoke on James 4 on Sunday.
I think this is the verse that sheds light on the chapter.
“14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.”

You know that concept, puts everything in this passage into perspective. Perhaps everything in life!
What James is saying here, and it follows on from chapter three…our contentment should not be based on our circumstances. But the truth is, if we are honest, and if I am honest or frank….contentment for many of us so dependent on our circumstances, someone said to me the other day, “Just when I declare my state of happiness a figurative pigeon drops one on my shoulder”

You know it might be quite depressing to think of your life as just a vapour, like mist, quickly forgotten.
Don’t be depressed…because God actually brings meaning to this mist of a life. and that has been the whole point. when we weigh up this life, without God, it is a mist, nothing. with God, it is the importance he places on us, which gives this life meaning.

Its not that God does not want us to make plans, and be wise…and think about our futures…
but the important aspect is to recognise God in the midst of those plans. If the Lord wills it, as the message puts it, Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
I have to say, I am amazed at how many christians make massive life altering plans and dont even acknowledge God in any way. Acknowledge God, and He will direct your paths.

Sigh….butter would not melt…

Ruby
Originally uploaded by Jeff and Rebecca Murray

These are seriously good…and free
http://churchmediadesign.tv/

Under Free section some wonderful, creative and contemporary loops.

“But I am not on Twitter”
Does not matter.
Both leaders are…and they are using Twitter as a direct way to get information out there…in the way they want.
The media can only really report what they said..the 140 character quote.

The Leadership challenge of Gillard was broken by Twitter…and information on it came quick and fast through Twitter. The information spread of it is concise and comprehensive at the same time. What I mean is that there are so many ‘citizen journalists’ monitoring far more media outlets that one person could…but you can monitor Twitter.

It is a central, real time source of information.

Want to know what is happening, and how it is happening in #ausvotes 2010?
It will all be about Twitter.

More from Louise Bourke

By the Dockers today.
Up by a fair whack before half time.
Melbourne racked up 6 quick goals during the third quarter…and looked like earning an unexpected win.
Fortunately Fremantle remembered what has got them this far this year, tackling and pressure, and they pinched the win.
Thank goodness.
Needed that.
Hope the cavalry in the form of Tarrant and Grover returns next week against our fellow fourth spot aspirants, the Bulldogs, along with a four quarter effort.

Picture: Mogens Johansen (The West Australian)

From Todays West Australian…

Suburban Christian churches are leading a high-tech charge to restore Australian faith, using social networking and video streaming of sermons to reconnect with communities.

Inglewood pastor Mark Edwards said attendance at the Baptist Church had surged 30 per cent in the past year, largely because it had embraced technology.

Mr Edwards estimated 70 per cent of parishioners initially found out about the Church on the internet.

He used social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to advertise church activities, meet people, strengthen existing relationships and even answer questions parishioners felt “uncomfortable” asking in person.

“I am amazed at how many churches don’t even have a website. People under the age of 30 don’t believe you exist unless you have a website,” he said.

He wanted to broadcast services online and was investigating whether Twitter or an iPhone application could allow parishioners to ask questions while he was talking on stage, making the service more interactive.

Bruce Chant, senior pastor at Northshore church in Quinns Rocks, regularly has the Pentecostal Church’s sermons on podcast.

Establishing a “Google-friendly” website complete with videos had been vital in the five-year-old church expanding to 150 parishioners. He said it allowed people to learn about the church from the comfort and security of their homes.

“We also have people that work fly-in, fly-out in our congregation and it is handy for them to keep in touch with what is happening in the church, even when they are in Port Hedland or Karratha,” Mr Chant said.

“The gospel message is timeless but the methods are open for improvement and should be as modern as the world we live in.”

(Journalist: STEPHANIE PAINTER, The West Australian)

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Great and wonderful place to visit over winter.
We had superb weather there, road over half the island, and spent some great time with my wife and kids.

Just what I needed…