Blessings

This year, I am committing to writing at least four blogs. Of which this will be the first! Haha.

I also might put up some of my recent sermons for people to read. ;)

So anyway, this year started off with a bang eh? Or something to that extent. With floods in Rochester and surrounding areas we were very busy offering emergency relief and support to flood victims.

Then of course, school holidays finished straight away and we were barely given a chance to catch our breath (and plan!) However, everything is rolling along smoothly (well. somewhat.)

There were a couple of things I wanted to share in this blog which have come to mind throughout the year already.

Firstly, someone asked me not so long ago why I was happy most of the time and what made me happy. I was quite taken back by this question because I had never thought about it before.

I was even more taken back because I never realised how happy I was! There have been times in my life where 'happy' would have seemed impossible... and the only reason I can give to my happiness today is the transforming grace and hope I have found in Jesus Christ. That might be hard for some people to comprehend and they probably dont really understand what I mean until they have experienced it for themselves. But I can truly say, I was lost but now am found. And I have come from the darkness into the light and I'm staying away from that darkness!

Ask me about it one day and I will tell you exactly what I mean!

So that has me excited and it gives me a passion to share the Gospel with others and the transformational power of God. Something else that also makes the flame burn brighter is prayer.

On Wednesday night I was finally able to attend a prayer meeting at the church. I was incredibly blessed by this small group of people who met to pray. There was enough holy spirit in that room to transform a country! And there were beautiful comfortable silences that I have never experienced before. I cannot believe how long we prayed for. Time flies when you're praying!
But the power I experienced in that room the other night is something I am not going to forget.
There is power in prayer. And prayer is what's going to revive this thirsty church.

I am so excited about what is happening at Echuca Moama Salvation Army this year. I am so excited about what is planned for the future and I am SO passionate about seeing the lives of our young people get transformed in a holy way.

I cannot wait! Can you?

If Only It Were Christmas Everyday

Well it has been awhile (say, 6 months!) and a LOT has happened in that time, so here's a quick overview! I quit my job at Lead On Ballarat and am now working as the Youth and Children's Ministry Assistant at the Echuca Salvation Army Corps, which I am VERY excited about. I love my job. It's all God stuff and it's marvellous.

So this means that I have actually moved to Echuca, living by myself, bought a horse and having a ball and meeting brilliant people. And most importantly, I am now in full-time ministry. Praise Jesus for an answered prayer (or ten!!!). That's the update.

Even if no one reads my blogs, I still find great value in having a place to post my thoughts and feelings etc etc etc.

Anyway, I have had the urge to blog all week and now I finally get the chance, so I am excited!

I have had an amazing past few weeks here at Echuca. The month of December has been full of blessings and I rejoice in God for that. I witnessed one of our youth recommitt their lives to Christ, children who pray openly in the congregation ALL the time (I'm blown away), children who portray Jesus, young people full of enthusiasm and opportunities galore to share Jesus with the community.

Now having said all this, I don't want to disillusion you. There are challenges. Heaps of challenges. And sometimes I feel a little worse for wear. But where would we be without these challenges? And where is God going to change lives when change is not needed? Exactly.

Anyway, this week we have been out and about in the community down at Bunnings. Bunnings has given the Salvation Army a wonderful opportunity this year to get involved in the community. So we have held 2 BBQs down at Bunnings and tomorrow we are running a kids clinic where we will build nativity scenes and get to share the real Christmas story with children.

I delight in this kind of stuff. We have also been handing out War Cry's and Kidzone's all week (even the old War Cry's) which many people were delighted to receive. One lady told me how her granddaughter used to receive Kidzones and she was so happy to be able to get her another one again.

So I praise God for the Christmas season. Not only because we celebrate the time where he gave us something more precious than we deserved, but because of the opportunity it presents us with to share with others the Gospel and care for each other.

If only it were Christmas all year? Well it should be! Why can't it be! Let's learn from this Christmas and spread the joy all year round.

Yours in Christ,

Loz

Minties

I remember you somewhat
Before you disappeared
You were full of life
The person I most feared
Revered.

Like a lion growling close by
Shaking in my gummies
I dare not pluck that which is not
Mine for the taking
Walnuts.

Before you disappeared
They all watched you
Licked your lips
Worshipped your presence
Minties.

You're gone now
But you disappeared long ago
Lacking the distance
Within a stones throw
Old.

Remember I came to visit
Our hearts touched
As did our eyes
I heard what you said to me
Wise.

Comforted by your coffin
Yet when I look at her
I can't help but feeling
Her own loss as mine
Love.

It's times such as
I start to remember you
And I know deeply that
It's moments like these we need
Minties.

This is what I remember most.
This is what I delight in.
Not that you disappeared before your post
Even though you were still fighting.

But that you left the way you did
It breaks my soul to know
Though they thought you couldn't
You felt each every blow

I am glad that I have known you
Before you disappeared
The things you do amaze me
You're different, the same as
Me.

Never Still Silence

Listening to his silence
A flame inside
Stilling from the violence
Heart run and hide

An unsuspecting victim
Stumbles on the trip
Waiting for the dictum
Or another soulless quip

Yet obedient the quietude
Motionless and cold
Fire burning bright
Melt this selfless mould

Bidding him to speak
Sweet words to the ears
The silence to break
So conquer the fears

"Not yet" he silently whispers
"Not yet. My child be still"
"Wait as my Spirit stirs"
"Let my silence spill"

Awaiting thou lovers call
In the silence of this cavity
Willing thou self not to fall
A victim of such gravity

Listening to his silence
The soul begins to fill
Breaking from the violence
Open to his will

Thoughts to ponder: church buildings and such.

If a churches main focus is in the main building; they are missing the point!

A question of "divine" inspiration came to me recently when I was pondering our church's mission and vision. The question was:

"How would you be Jesus to this community if you didn't have a church building?"

That question opens up so many answers, doors and ideas! How would you do church differently if you didn't have a place of your own... at least not in the sense of a church building. How would you do church differently if your focus was entirely outward, constantly outward all the time?

Maybe we should take a page from the early christians books... They met in their own homes and the Gospel passed from family to family. Why aren't we still doing this? Have we just complicated things a little bit?

Don't get me wrong. It's great to have a church building. But do we really need it? Truthfully? Jesus seemed to be a bit of a nomad to me... why aren't we?

Thoughts to ponder!!

Ramblings!

Hello World.
It seems that this warrior hasn't blogged in awhile.
It makes me wonder why.

What's been happening?
Christmas has come and gone and easter is well on it's way.

Here I am procrastinating again. There always seems like so much to do and no time to do it in. I'd love just to pause the world. What would be the implications of that though?

If I was to pause the world whenever I needed to or felt I needed to. I think if I paused the world for an hour a day every day for the rest of my life, that would be thousands of hours in which I've aged and I'll end up being older than people my own age. Make sense? I hope not. Ramblings...

This year is going to be an interesting year, and I know I'm going to learn alot and not like the process is will take to learn the stuff I need to.

God loves teaching us new lessons- but it takes us awhile to learn the lesson and sometimes it involves struggling and pain. More often than not. We don't appreciate the pain while it's there- but we love the outcomes. I know this is the case for me anyway.

Isn't that why the Bible says rejoice in the bad times and the good times? I think God knows something we don't here... Oh wait. That's a bit of an understatment hey? =P

Let's look forward to the journeys and lessons ahead of us. Hold our heads high and our eyes focussed on Jesus.

For Times I Feel I've Failed

I can do nothing right
Or so it would seem
Should I stay and fight?
Is this just a dream?

I thought I was okay
I thought I was bright
But it seems that something
Was missed from my sight

My mind now in turmoil
My hope slowly fades
I thought I could make it
Without escapades

Just when I could reach it
Just when it was near
Success has stripped me
and left me in fear

Yet rejoice my soul says
Rejoice and be glad
How can I rejoice,
when I'm feeling so sad?

Because it's not the end yet
It's not even the start
Just wait patiently
Soon you'll find heart

Store your treasures in heaven
Not here on this earth
For you've been forgiven
And know not your worth.

The Wedding Feast

You're invited!!!

How exciting are weddings? Seriously!

A friend of mine got married on the weekend and I was honoured to be a part of her bridal party. A few weeks before the wedding; none of us were too excited. However, as the day grew closer and closer- the more excited we became.

The wedding was fantastic! Hardly anything went wrong. It was beautiful and we had the time of our lives. Just being in the company of others, eating, singing, dancing and being merry. We were all totally exhausted the next day... but that wasn't the point! And that's what got me thinking...

The point is that, if a wedding here on earth can cause so much excitement and joy... can you just imagine what the wedding feast in heaven is going to be like?!!!!! I can't! It's going to be 1 million times better than any earthly wedding. I cannot wait!

There'll be food like food you've never known before.... Amazing music.... Fantastic dancing! In fact I'm pretty sure you will be dancing like you have never danced in your entire life... and loving it!

And you know what's more exciting about the wedding feast in heaven?! Everyone's invited. It's not exclusive... it's way way way inclusive. Read Matthew 22:1-14 for more info on the best wedding you will ever be at! Or will you be there? That's up to you....

"Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Revelation 19:9

Not as strong as you think

This is a song by Twila Paris that I just discovered. I thought it was really beautiful and just wanted to share it with you all and I highly recommend that you seek it out on youtube and have a listen. =)

The Warrior Is A Child

-

Lately I've been winning battles left and right

But even winners can get wounded in the fight

People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years

But they don't see inside of me, I'm hiding all the tears

-

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

Deep inside this armour - the warrior is a child.

-

Unafraid because His armour is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest.

People say that I'm amazing - never face retreat

But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet.

-

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and look up for a smile

'Cause deep inside this armour...

-

Deep inside this armour...

Deep inside this armour...

The warrior is a child.

-

Are idle hands actually God's power tools?

Wow.

How busy life can be. I swear I haven't taken a breath since Christmas.

So I guess it's been awhile since I blogged properly... especially about me and where I'm at. So let me take some time to enlighten you all to the current state of my so called 'life' at the moment.

I am still working in the deli at Safeway... doing somewhere between 10-12 hours a week.
I have been working at the Community Health Centre since November, doing around 21 hours per week.
I have just begun my Graduate Diploma of Theology through the Melbourne College of Divnity... full time.
Tuesday nights I run bible study, whilst on Friday nights we hold youth group fortnightly. And on Sunday's I assist with the older children's discipleship program at church. Not to mention Songsters on a Wednesday evening and the visits to the dressmaker for my housemate's upcoming wedding.

Would it be an understatement to say I've been busy?

Being this busy has caused me to consider a number of things... First and foremost it has caused me more stress than I have known in my life, and I really must consider whether being this busy is truly healthy for one's self. It certainly can't be healthy for the soul if it allows no down time. Even Jesus needed time out from his busy lifestyle.

Secondly, this bussiness has caused me to consider whether one can fully accomplish one's purpose (sharing Jesus with the world) to the best of their ability when their life is so full.

See... there is this dilemma... I'm sure you've heard one of these sayings:
'Idle hands are the devil's workshop' or
'Idle hands are the devil's playground' or
'Idle hands are the devil's tools'
Although I'm not sure any of these are the particular phrase I'm looking for...

Anyway. The dilemma is that I'm either going to be busy or idle.
If I'm busy will that detract from the goodness and power of fulfilling God's will in my life?
If I'm idle will that mean I'm not fulfilling God's will?
Hmmm.
It really makes one wonder.
Or maybe I just have a bad case of binge thinking...

Well here's a thought for you.
Can idle hands really be God's power tools?
Maybe God uses idle hands better than he uses busy ones... Because maybe the busy ones are so caught up in what they are busy with that God's will is put to the back of the mind.
I certainly won't want that to be the case with my busy hands.
But don't you think God could use idle hands better and far more effectively than He could use busy hands?

Interesting.
Food for thought.

Praise You in This Storm

On Sunday night, I spent some time walking with God.
I decided I needed to get out into God's world and get closer to my creator. Which is entirely natural for me... because, afterall, I am human.
So I started out on a one hour walk to my mothers house just out of town. It was a great time to reflect upon my bussiness of late and to rejuvenate.

Which is exactly what I think I needed to prepare me for the next two days, as Monday morning I was on my way to Wallan; one of the various emergency relief centres for fire victims in Victoria.

The devastation that this fire has caused is incredible. Not just to properties... but to people... and animals. There was one lady on crutches who was able to escape the fire with her pet rabbit.... unfortunately however, she was unable to save her pet goats who were like family to her.

This fire however, has also caused a great banding together of people and communities. It's amazing how much people really do shine in the face of adversity. Constantly people were coming from all directions to donate their time and resources. Everyone wanted to help somehow.

On Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity of going out with my father to deliver food and basic necessities to those victims who needed it but were unable to leave their fire ravaged properties... It was a very eery atmosphere as we drove through the burnt trees and smoldering piles of ash where forest once stood... Houses had melted... we were only able to find one or two left standing.

At one house we came to, there was a lady there who was very lucky to escape. The fire had reached the windows of her house... What a nerve racking experience it must have been for her! Words cannot describe how she must be feeling.

It was only when returning home tonight that I listened to the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns and the enormity of the situation really struck me. It also struck me how soooooo very important it is to continue to praise our God through adverse time.

Our God works in mysterious ways... and may he continue to work in and amongst those affected by this disaster.

Trust and Obey

What a busy, confusing, uncertain and overwhelming past couple of months it has been!
The past few months have been a journey for me... about learning how to trust deeply in my Saviour and thus obey Him.

This week I returned from Insane. For those of you who don't know what that was, Insane was a Territorial Salvation Army youth camp. As I went to this camp the week before, I was filled with so many angsts and worries about my future, especially in regards to employment. I have always told myself not to worry about those kinds of things, and in Matthew Jesus tells us not to worry, but unfortunately I let it get to me. And as soon as I did.... all these decisions I HAD to make started to build up making me more and more stressed.

So during that week, I decided I would wait upon God for his answer to my problems.

The answer didn't come on Monday.
Or Tuesday.
Or Wednesday
Or Thursday.
Or Friday.

I was despairing at this point.. but still I waited.

It wasn't until Saturday that the Lord answer me loud and clear with what He wanted me to do. I already knew what it was, but I was waiting for some sort of confirmation.

And then it came. Simple. Clear. Obvious. God used another person to bring his answer to me. For some people... it may not have seemed like much... to others it might have been a shock, but to me it was what I had been waiting for all week.

And so now, I feel incredibly blessed. Blessed to have been given the answer I sought. Now I can say that I am certain of God's will for my life. When I think about the journey I have been on these past months and the point at which I have come to now... I cannot help but think of the words to the song "Trust and Obey" and how true they are for me.

But we never can prove

The delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows,

For the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Surrender

Lord, you are amazing.
You know my every flaw.

I can't explain this feeling;
You move me to the core.

-

I'm a fraud and I'm a failure.

Lord, you deserve far more!
I am not worthy Father,

Of the love you choose to pour!

-

So many times I've failed you.
And I'm the one to blame.
I wish you had not seen me;

For ALL I feel is shame.

-

Oh, but Lord, I need you;

And I want to do your will.

The burning heart within me;

Sees the path I must fulfill.

-

I will go, my Lord, where you send me.

Though I may be terrified.

I will go my loving Saviour,

Because, you are by my side!

The Family

It's been a couple of months since I blogged last and so much incredible and unincredible stuff has happened... however, I'm not going to blog about that today.

Anyway, just a funny/interesting thought for you....

Last night at bible study, we were talking about God the Father and being adopted by God, which thus led us to talk about rebirth.

What we were thinking was: wouldn't it be cool if we got a birth certificate when we were born again into God's family?

Well some people do. But I'm talking about an official one including... exact time, date, length, weight, location, father's name (God), siblings (the list would go on forever..)

Just a funny thought =)

Unrealistic perhaps.

But funny.

Poetic Prayer

Almighty God,

Rule of the heavens and the earth.

I humbly stand before you now;

Longing for forgiveness and rebirth.

.

I recognise you are God before the nations.

You are God in darkness and in light.

You are God when everything crashes all around me.

God of all creation, mercy and of might.

.

Though the storm clouds roll my way;

You are with me.

Though the night is cold and lonely;

You are there.

When the earthly world tells me not to worship;

I will say my God is far beyond compare!

Just a random thought

So here I am, sitting in the library, with a very numb bum.
But!! Wait.. there's more...

As I was sitting here feeling rather numb, I had a thought.
(Amazing I know)
I was thinking about how sometimes we go numb in our spiritual lives and can't seem to feel much anymore. Could it possibility be because we have been looking so long at the same thing (not necessarily the wrong thing) and that we need to move onto something else for a bit?

Hmmm *ponders*

Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)

"I can't stand your religious meetings.

I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.

I want nothing to do with your religion projects,

your pretentious slogans and goals.

I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,

your public relations and image making.

I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.

When was the last time you sang to me?

Do you know what I want?

I want justice- oceans of it.

I want fairness- rivers of it.

That's what I want. That's all I want."

Jesus you're MY superhero.

The other night I saw new The Dark Knight film. It was fantastic and I absolutely recommend you see it.

Heath Ledger as the Joker was phenomenal. I would have to agree when people say that's his best acting yet. He totally made the character... However, it was quite sad to watch the film, knowing that Heath had died not so long ago from a drug overdose and although his was said to be accidental, there are many in the world that are not an accident.

Drugs.

The world is full of them... but some aren't quite what you expect them to be.
Some are lust, some are money... others are material things like games and food and fashion.
They get us hooked and even though we know it's probably not the best for us, these drugs keep consuming our lives.

Why?

Why do we let these things fill our lives? They drown us... and we think they fulfill us, but they don't. Everyday we are tempted by these "harmless" drugs and sometimes we can't let go of them... sometimes we need a hero to help us let go. A hero who kicks the bad stuff out of our lives and leaves only good stuff.

Get this right.... In the film The Dark Knight... Batman is the hero that Gotham deserved but not what it needed right now. I was wondering how I could link this movie to God...

And you know what? Jesus isn't the hero the world deserves, in fact, the world will never deserve him. Yet Jesus is the hero the world needs. And like Batman, people have despised Jesus... even called him a freak perhaps...

I've always wondered how cool is would be to have a superhero in my city... like Batman, or Superman, or Spiderman. A hero who comes in and knocks all the enemies out and saves the day! A hero the city would admire and celebrate... worship even.
But you know what? We already have that hero. And his name is Jesus Christ... the only thing is, people don't celebrate him like he deserves to be celebrated... some people don't even know he exists! What crazyness! After all.. to have a hero, is to have hope and what hope do people have without their hero?

And when people don't see evidence of their heroes hard work in their everyday lives, they begin to lose hope. Don't you see how important it is to tell people that their hero, Jesus, exists and is saving people every single day?!

Jesus is not the hero the world deserves.... he is the hero the world needs.

Worldly Pain, Let Justice Reign

Pain

Is what I see

When I look into your brokenness

So much pain

So little gain

Anger

Is what I hear

When I listen to your soul

So much pain

So little gain

Cold

Is what I feel

When I reach into your heart

So much pain

So little gain

-

Salvation

Is what you feel

When I breathe into your life

So much pain

Let justice reign

Strongest Muscle in the World

Right now I am struggling with my study. I have a couple of assessments due tomorrow, but in typical Lauren style, I won't be starting or finishing them anytime soon.
It's not that I don't want to do them. It's just that I love learning and hate writing what I've learnt in a coherent manner.

I'm not a cooherent person. Sometimes when I say things, they don't come out the way they were meant to... and often they sound much better in my head. Which has caused a lot of misunderstandings with a lot of people. I'm sure people have taken things I've said the wrong way, and perhaps been offended by them.

Of course, my intention was not to offend. And often both I and the person involved end up worse for wear when I speak. So sometimes I decide it's better not to speak.

Is this right? Well yes... and no. The bible says it is better for us to guard our tongues, and obviously there are times when we definitely know we shouldn't say something (and c'mon, we've all been tempted to say it anyway.) Proverbs 21:23 proclaims "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." So there are advantages for keeping quiet...

However, if God has put on our hearts to say something, then our mouths should definitely be open. As long as we are speaking God given words.

So I challenge you, as I am being challenged: when you speak, be sure what you say has God's blessing. And if you feel that God has put on your heart to say something and you're not sure how it's going to go down- pray that God will intervene. That's what he's there for right?!
After all... we're instruments of his work.

So, enough procrastination and a little more production!
Much love.
Lauren.