posts

At the Cross

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:36:35 +0100

The Cross. How can we, who are imperfect and deserving of eternal damnation, ever look to God and ask, "why?" when something doesn't go right. We plan things according to our road map, He plans according to His birds-eye view. What are you more willing to trust? We see twists and turns and unpleasant situations, but Christ sees from start to finish. What's even more amazing is that that Christ died for you! He came to die for selfish, pigheaded, sinful, me. What kind of love is that? What love would drive a God of the universe to send His son-His only son-to die for not only selfish, pigheaded, sinful me; but for the whole population of selfish, pigheaded, sinful vagabonds! Why? That love is so far beyond the reach of this temporal world, that it should drive us to our knees and cause us to live a life of awe. We should wake up every day of our lives, and so long as we have breath, thank God that He died for us because we should never get over the amazing love He has for us. Little me, God...God loves little me?? It doesn't stop there; God wants to have unending fellowship with us. The God of gods, the God of all creation, the God of love, wants you to fellowship with Him every day. He wants to lead you through life.

I used to picture God's guiding as God standing behind us and pushing us on as He gives instruction. But I realized, if we let Him, God wants to step out in front of us, put His hand in ours, and lead us through everything life throws at us. Even more vivid is a shephered carrying an injured sheep to a safe haven. Why? Because He loves us. As we go through our life, we inevitably come across something unexpected, and our response is to get angry at the God who loves us and ask, "why?". We can't understand why He allows pain and suffering, especially if it lands in our backyard. We constantly challenge and turn our backs on Him, the God who loved us so much that He suffered and died for us. For shame. That attitude only reveals our need to cling to Him. As Cary Schmidt refrences in his book, Off Script, in times like these we need to turn our thinking around and ask, "Why would a good God allow good things to happen to bad people."

Rough road will come, but it's part of the journey. Put your trust in the One who knows the destination from the journey. Let the cross be a reminder of how much God loves you and how undeserving you are of His love. This Christmas, see the journey of Christ's life from start to finish and stand in awe of His sacrifice. Share His love with others and watch how a loving God leads them to the cross.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."
"For unto us is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Creation vs Creator

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:54:20 +0100

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and loose his own soul?"

The importance of our stature and accomplishments here on earth become minuscule when compared to the grandeur of our God. Think about it, how big is our God? How BIG is your God?? Compare that to the size of our world and the "treasures" it offers, and we can begin understand what it means to "gain the whole world". You can have this world, and everything it has to offer, but if you haven't Jesus, you haven't anything. We fool ourselves into thinking that in order to be content, we need material things. In order to become great, we need accomplishments. In order to make an impact, we need to "believe in ourselves". Meanwhile, the God of the universe is just a dusty book sitting on a shelf. We come to Him only in times of need, when He has us clasped in His hands all the time. When we have questions, we always search this tiny world for answers. Doesn't that always lead us to disappointment and more questions? Why instead don't we to turn to the Creator of heaven and earth! How could He be unable to help us? We say God is big, but have we ever trusted in Him? We are as an atom in God's universe and we think that by some miracle our way is perfect. Has the vast expanse of the stars in the night sky ever even sparked a realization of how little we see and understand of our infinite universe? In essence, how little we see and understand of our all powerful Creator? Open your eyes! God is big, He is all encompassing, and He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." No matter the situation, God is with you, leading you and pleading with you to follow Him. Are you listening to Him? Are you doing what He commands? If you believe He is God, than trust Him. Because knowledge void of action is no different then disbelief. So follow Him and never loose sight of His perfect will. Realize that you're way is disastrous. Realize that your life on this earth is but a vapor and the only way to leave a lasting positive impact is to live for Christ. Why waste time living for anything else on this earth when the Creator of it has invited you to have a personal relationship with Him? When He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you?

It's your choice; the creation, or the Creator.

Do Something.

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:18:24 +0100

Once upon a time, Christians believed their God could do anything. Christians did what their God commanded regardless of what people thought. Christians were world changers, God was BIG. Christians never backed down from the defense of Truth...and now? Christians watch as our nation crumbles and people categorize our God with the rest of the powerless gods. Christian's agendas have trumped God's commands. Never before have Christians resolved to blend in with the world and dub it "Christian". God has become a "Genie in a bottle". The Bible has become a tool to justify our actions, and our God has been molded to fit the needs of our evil lifestyle. Compromises have turned into lifestyles, and the Christian life has become a chore. Now more than ever, we need revival. We need Christians to step outside of their comfort zones and resolve to defend God's Truth. We need to break God out of the bottle and put Him in the center of our lives. We need to put aside our agenda and let God dictate our lives. We need to allow God to be real in our lives. If we do, we will not only change this nation, but by God's help, we will turn this world upside down.

National Convention 2011

Tue, 31 May 2011 23:08:27 +0100

Last week, I found myself sitting at the front row of a conference that topped 500 people. The session started in the usual manner, but I was told that tonight was going to be the best night of my life. When the speaker was announced, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the name. Taking out my notebook, I began to scratch away, desperately trying to keep up with his message. He started out by saying something along the lines of, "You have heard from many speakers, all of them powerful, but everyone of them assumed something; that assumption being salvation." "So I came all this way to hear a salvation message to a bunch of Christians?", I thought. But as he began, my attention was fixed on him...

The conference is the National Convention. The speaker, Brett Harris (in case you are not familiar with the Harris family, Alex and Brett Harris wrote a fantastic book called, "Do Hard Things", I highly recommend reading it.). Although Brett spoke that afternoon, it was not Brett who moved 500 people--if there is one thing I have learned over the past 19 years, it is that humans cannot do anything for Christ, humans must do all through Christ. Because without Christ, we are wretched sinners on our way to and even more wretched eternity--it was God. God is real. Is He real in your life? How could you tell? You can tell by the fruit you bear. Galatians 5:19-23 tells us, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness...they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."

...he began his message with the word "Deception". Deception changes our perspective in such a deceptive way, that, in our perception, we are deceived into thinking deception never actually happened (credits for that go to me, not Brett Harris). If you are not careful, deception can change you. He made the analogy of us being either a lamb, or a wolf. But some of us try to be wolves in lambs disguise. It doesn't work. As Brett puts it, "There are two types of people in this world, those who are with Christ and those who are not." There is no in-between. Wolves can dress up in a lambs disguise and fool little pigs, but what will happen when sheering day comes? You can live your life deceiving yourself into thinking you are Christ's, but what will happen when you stand before Him? To be sure we are not deceiving ourselves, he gave us a checklist. The checklist was questions aimed at challenging you as to who's fruit you are bearing; God's, or the world's. After having filled three pages with my pathetic hand-writing, he went through the checklist. He asked us if there was anyone who could not say that they are bearing God's fruit to stand and shout, "Jesus is Lord!" (<---that still gives me chills). 500 people, all assumed Christian, and you are asked to stand up and declare yourself unsaved? Sounds crazy, but with God, the illogical happenes. I was shocked to hear one stand up and shout, "Jesus is Lord!", and if that wasn't awkward enough, a whole bunch more got up and shouted, "JESUS IS LORD!!". One by one they flooded the front where I was sitting and began praying for God to be there master. Wolves in lambs diguise making a commitment to lead genuine lives. I have never experienced a power, an atmosphere, so great that you could feel God's spirit bearing down on you. God met us in that gym that night, and His power was there. There may be some that believe this was an emotion made by man, but there is no possible way that man could create an atmosphere so indescribably...awful.

Before the conference, I had been in close contact with someone who did not believe God was real. I guess you could say he was an atheist. I tried to debate with him, but he was so convinced he was right, that it instead started to take a toll on my faith. I cannot say this with certainty, but I believe there is not way that we can try to prove God to someone by using human stadards. God is the one that works in hearts to change them, not us. We can live the perfect life and have all the answers to their questions, but if they do not want to believe, if they have decived themselves into thinking there is no God, we cannot change them. Because, as Brett Harris said, "You want what you want and cannot change what you want, unless there is a miracle." That miracle being God. Having attended this conference, my faith has been restored. Having witnessed such a power, I can only assume that it was God alone.

God is real, and Jesus is LORD!!

Story Time!

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:33:11 +0100

With all the things that are going on in the world today, sometimes you just have to take time to have a good laugh. This has been re-posted from a friends blog who took it from the blog of David Thorne. Apparently, David irritates people like that's his job.

Enjoy!

****IF YOU LOVE CATS, DO NOT READ THIS. If you don't, read on.****

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.

Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.

I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,

I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.

I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Like a Flood of Water

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:07:22 +0100

Abortion-the deliberate murdering of an innocent baby. How disturbing and sinful is that?

These are the thoughts that I have had lately. But I began to think of how many people here on earth throw their lives away into a proverbial trash can. Of course there is no parallel to the life a baby could have lived and the life of a person, but the fact that we forget one and give our full attention to the other is not right. We see on a daily basis people that have thrown their lives away and we chalk it up to being the world we live in; as if that's an excuse for us to just ignore it and move on. Then we see babies being slaughtered without anyone raising an eyebrow and we immediately want to do something. Is not the life that a person lives just as important as that of a baby? Abortion is a huge issue and can't be taken lightly. It should have our attention and every person should be concerned and take action. But does there come a time when all of us are so engulfed in this issue that we turn our backs on those around us that are throwing their lives away? Perhaps we should be just as concerned for the lives of those around us as the thousands of babies being slaughtered everyday.

This leads me to my next thought. The problems we see today are the result of God's laws being taken out of our society.

I recently had the honor of drying out puddles of water in a basement. A pipe that ran into the house that was full of water and leaking like a faucet. Of course the first thing you do to get the basement water-free is to stop the leak. No one sees a leak and begins to attempt to dry the floor.

My point?

The problems we see today are like a leak. God's foundation is crumbling and sin is flooding our country. Abortion, gay marriage, our deteriorating government, and everyone doing what is right in their own eyes is just a result of our failure as Christians. Indeed, in some cases, Christians are taking action against these problems, but are we doing anything to stop more from coming in? Are we running around sucking up puddles when there is a gaping hole in our country's foundation? Is God in every institution, every policy and every program that our country has? Or has God been confined inside the walls of our church as a nation that is thirsty for answers is drowning in lies.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him..."

Fear Not

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:03:16 +0100

2011, has been quite eventful thus far. Protests, rumours of war, and despicable laws and debates are all a part of what this year has turned out to be. All of these events seem to point to the end times. Of course, no one knows the exact day the world will end, but regardless of when it ends, one fact that remains true is that every day brings us closer to it.

Watching all this happen is exciting some of the time, and scary most of the time. When our president makes such rash decisions, it seems as though God has abandoned us. It seems as though the consequences for such acts have been forgotten. It feels as if we will never again have a time that we can feel safe knowing that we live in a free country whose God is the Lord. It's fear, and it's wrong. The Bible says to "fear not". Every day we live in this world, horrible as it's condition is and bleak as it appears to be becoming, we are to "fear not"! God is still in control! We all know the end of the story -- WE WIN! Why do we let these events bog us down when the very Ruler of the universe dwells within us? Why can we not see beyond what today brought into what tomorrow brings? For tomorrow brings victory! How quickly we forget how powerful our God is! Have you any faith, or has this world destroyed what little you had? Have you read the Bible? Let me remind you then that the God in the Bible is the same God we serve and He is just as capable today as He was then!

Our time will come. Fear not.

The Greatest Gift

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:04:23 +0100

"What do you want for Christmas?" It is the question that millions of Americans ask their children. Christmas is almost here and people are crowding the mall trying their best to fulfill all their children's wishes. Others are busying themselves planning events for the holiday week. In all this chaos, we forget the true meaning of Christmas. Let's take a moment to try to see beyond the lights and decorations and remember what Christmas really is...

  Christmas is the time we take to celebrate the birth of Christ. God lovingly sent His only Son here to this earth to die for our sins so that all who come to Him might have the greatest gift of all. Christmas is not about who gets the biggest, best gift, but who gives the greatest gift. We shop for gifts so we can try to win the hearts of family and give them something they have always wanted. But we forget Christ wants to win our hearts and He has already given us something we never knew we needed! In trying to plan events that will be memorable, we forget the event that gave us the greatest gift of all. Christ has already supplied all our needs! What are we doing giving gifts when we already have all we need? We get all wrapped up in the holiday craziness that we forget we are supposed to be reflective of God's love! There are so many people out there that have not yet heard of this gift, nevermind having felt the love of Christ. The Bible says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" but yet we never take the time to give a gift that is worth receiving! This Christmas, reflect God's character to people. Love those who have never been loved before. Warm the hearts of those who are needy. Give the greatest gift of all to a person, the gift of salvation!

                                              Merry Christmas!!

A Legened

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:43:33 +0100

Hi all,

I have been reading through some history lately and have come to a realization. Every person in that history book is there because they have altered the course of history. Every person in history has impacted the world around them. Simple thought right? But what if you ever did something worth being written in history? What if someday you stood up and did something grand that would define you as a person forever?

But what if our actions would not be considered grand enough to be recorded in history. Maybe they would be unseen. What is better than getting your name written down in a book? Wherever you are in life, you are their because God has placed you there. If you do the best you can to glorify Him in that area, then you will have the blessings of God bestowed on you, and that is worth so much more than any action that has been written down in the pages of history. History books will be destroyed and people will die, but the blessings of God will live for eternity.

I would encourage you to destroy the typical expectations of a person. Do something BIG for God. Whatever venture you get placed in life, be the best at it for Gods glory; and when are dead and gone, you will have left behind a legend--a legend in the kingdom of God.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jonny

A time of change

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:44:34 +0100

In everyone’s life, there comes a time of change. Either good or bad, this change will always cause you to rethink your life.

I recently said goodbye to my best friends as they ship off to Oklahoma. I would have never known how much they molded my life or how many people they influenced during their time here if it were not for this time of change. Although I may look at this situation as my best friends leaving, others in Oklahoma don’t know what is coming their way. During times like these, we have to strive to see the BIG picture. God always has a plan and His plan is always perfect. Although it may not be beneficial or pleasing to us, we must be in His will; and for some, that means moving to Oklahoma.

Thank you Thomas’s for all the good times spent with us and the memories created. Thank you for always being there to support my family and encourage us to live for Christ. Thank you for following God’s will no matter where it leads you. May God continue to guide and bless you as you follow His perfect will.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jonny