A message which Brian Houston gave at the Hillsong Conference (2004 I think) was entitled ‘speaking from the high places’.
I am adopting some of it for my message this Sunday.

He asked the question, those of you who know me, have you ever heard me bad mouthing another Christian leader, have you heard me spreading gossip about another Pastor?

He then challenged us, as pastors, we are often the worst offenders when it comes to spreading bad news….in fact there are bad news churches.

Now of course Hillsong has its fair share of critics…but there is remarkably little criticism that comes from it….

This week I am speaking from Isaiah 52….how beautiful are the feet of him who brings… ‘good news’. I want to be known as someone who spreads good news….

“Now at this point, or at least up till this point, there had been watchmen, these watchmen would be on the walls, on the hills, at the high places…the high places, watching for the enemy, watching to protect, watching out of fear of attack. They were there to keep the nation safe. So the people could retreat into safety, go behind the walls protect themselves, that was their role, one borne out of fear and desperation.
But here in this passage the watchmens role is flipped on its head. It says here, The watchmen shout and sing with joy,”

see you Sunday for more….

Coming up to the 16th year of my Ministry at Inglewood Church.
This is not a long reflection type post…just a brief thought in the light of what is happening…
A lot of friends and aquaitances are in the process of leaving their church, reconsidering their ministry roles, moving to other ministry positions, other churches…

I don’t have anything against moving churches, God calls people to certain places for a season, a role…a task.

That is not my story, and I feel like Inglewood Church is where God has me for life. This may change at some point, but I cant imagine when or why.

Its a bit like a footy player, some of them are ‘journeymen’, some of them are one club players.
For me…I am finding God is changing me a lot as a leader, as the church goes through change. Its a interesting journey.

Last week was super busy, especially with Australia Day on Tuesday…

I organised Pictures in the Park, decent crowd in, about 200 plus folk came in from the community, with minimal advertising. We watched Wall-e which has suprising spiritual themes. Lots of visible community presence, and being a blessing.

Had a group of friends we don’t see enough of over for Australia Day. Melinda cooked up some superb pies, curry, steak and mushroom, satay chicken….homemade with big and juicy chunks of meat. Pavlova with fresh blueberries…and a loud and good countdown of Aussie Rock Music on 96fm

Saturday was my sons birthday…turned 9. Bought him a little video camera. He has a real aptitude for ‘story’, and so we want to encourage this natural skill. He loves taking photos and making videos with them. This is a natural next step.
Then I took him and two of his mates to ‘Adventure World‘. I had to go on every ride with them, and so I was smaaaashed.
Then we had a combined family ‘Club Penguin Pizza Night’. Melinda cooked up the finest pizzas possible. Smothered in seafood, chicken and roast pumpkin, meatlovers, feta and vegetarian…etc etc….

Today was Church at Inglewood Church. Big crowd in, great sense of God’s presence and joy. Our new youth pastor showed a great video and I spoke on ‘Thy word is a’….
It went really well, with a stack of visitors….

Life is good…off to make myself a coffee with some coffee that my sister in law brought me from Vietnam…and a Krispy Kreme doughnut that my sister brought me from Melbourne….BLESSED!

The media love a story, they love making a story…

Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition, said this to a Australian Womans magazine…
“When asked by the Australian Women’s Weekly in a wide-ranging interview published today what advice he would give his daughters on sex before marriage, Mr Abbott replied that he would advise them not to give away their virginity lightly. “I think I would say to my daughters if they were to ask me this question … it is the greatest gift that you can give someone, the ultimate gift of giving, and don’t give it to someone lightly,” he said.

So a father advises his daughters to be careful about who they sleep with and when.
Thats a story?
Only if the media know Abbott is a devout Christian and are just angling for a way to place him in their stereotypical ‘easy to understand’ little spot.

Good on Abbott for not shying away from giving us his view. You don’t have to agree with him, and he is not saying that he is going to try and legislate this, so what is the story?

I think the people of Australia are far smarter than the media give them credit for.

By the way….I do agree with Tony on his personal view, and will be advising my son and daughter of the same principle.

I love my country, can’t imagine living anywhere else…

I love our lack of pretension
I love the fact we don’t ‘pump’ each other up
I love the fact we are so egalitarian.
I love the fact that mostly you can do and be who you want to be
I love the fact that at our heart, and at our best, we are a generous, giving country, and we are willing to give people a go.

I love our fresh air, fresh water, clean beaches, fishing, swimming…driving along the beach.
I love our coffee, our innovation, our ‘can do’ attitude.

I love the fact we are not English, American or anything else…we are unique.

If you take our relatively small population into account, we kick the worlds butt in whatever sport we turn our hand to.
We are creative, smart and good people.

I love Australia, I love its people.

At Inglewood Church I devoted the communion time to thinking about Haiti, and the people in devastation there.
I thought that we just needed to stop and consider the poor distressed people suffering. Our brothers and sisters, people made in the Image of God, just like us.

We prayed this prayer I was sent, and I encouraged people to give to Compassion.

This story is amazing, and this line struck me, “Onlookers cheered as Wismond Exantus – smiling and apparently in a good condition – emerged on a stretcher from what remains of the Napoli Inn Hotel.” Its strikes me, and I am not being trite, at the smiles on peoples faces when they are rescued. One women starting singing a gospel song! Of course you would be happy to be rescued, but they seem like such a beautiful people.

Prayer

A prayer for Haiti

Loving God of creation, at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti. When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved, honoured and precious in your sight. We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives, peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear. We ask this in the name of Jesus in whom all life and grace is found. Amen