This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin

Making the most of our milestones

jemimah-first-and-last-day-of-school

Jemimah’s first and last day of school

Throughout life we experience a range of milestones.

These are events that show the significant progress we have made along the path of life, and they give us an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Milestones come in many shapes and forms, and sometimes they are the ‘firsts’.

So, there is the milestone of our first step, or our first tooth, or the first day of school, or the first day in the workforce, or the first day of marriage, or the first day of retirement.

Some milestones are the ‘lasts’.

It might be the last day in nappies, or the last day of an apprenticeship or degree, or the last day in the workforce.

This week my daughter Jemimah experienced her last day of school, and along with thousands of others, she has been able to stop and reflect on this milestone.

On Monday she was given the opportunity to address all of the students and teachers in her school at the final chapel service, and in this talk she made the most of this milestone.

She encouraged them all to make sure they were ready for the biggest thing that they should ever need to worry about: the return of Jesus.

After all, life is short, and nobody knows just how much longer they will be alive to make the choice to repent and rely on Jesus as our loving ruler.

You may be a long way away from your next milestone, but as you watch others experience their ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ it is a good opportunity for each of us to reflect about our life’s journey.

Are you ready for the return of Jesus? 

The death of death

We know that Jesus has dealt with death, and yet we still have loved ones who grieve at the passing away of family and friends.

This is painful for us today, but for the first Christians, it was also confusing.

They had seen Jesus’ power over death when he raised Lazarus to life, and his empty tomb was evidence that he’d cured death by his own resurrection.

So what was happening to the believers in Jesus who were still experiencing death?

In 1 Thessalonians, we read words of wisdom and comfort for those who were confused and saddened by death.

The words were written so that they would not be “uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

And it turns out that whilst death is conquered, there is still a final chapter to be played out in the future:

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Death has been conquered by Jesus, but we still await the final day when the present age will come to a close and when eternity will begin and never end.

This is a great source of encouragement, and something we must continue to remind each other. Do not give up hope, but keep waiting!

There’s a problem with ‘RUOK?’

‘RUOK?’ is a brilliant idea to open up communication and give people permission to be honest with others about how they’re not coping at all with life.

It tries to get deep-down below the cool, calm exterior that many people can portray, even when they’re dying inside. It tries to throw a lifeline to a person who feels like they’re drowning, even though they look like they’re waving.

But the problem with ‘RUOK?’ is that it’s usually limited to how people are coping in this life, not in the next. 

It focuses on how people are surviving on Earth, and not whether they are prepared to meet Jesus, their maker and judge.

But if we don’t think about the life that is to come, then we’ll help people survive their days on Earth, but we won’t prepare them for the after-life of Heaven or Hell.

So, keep asking people ‘RUOK?’, but maybe you should also ask “RUOK with Jesus?”, as we should also ask ourselves.

For as Jesus said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew chapter 16 verse 26)

If you’re struggling with mental health issues then please tell others that you’re not OK, and let them help you to return to health.

But regardless of your mental health, take this moment to consider “RUOK with Jesus?” for he says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 to 30)

Introducing the Chaplins!

Chaplins September 2016I am delighted to announce that Simon Chaplin has accepted my invitation to join our church as our new Assistant Minister at Oak Flats Anglican!

Simon is married to Amy, and they have three children: Liam (aged 8), Lily (aged 3), and Annabel (6 weeks). They will move into Oak Flats in the week before Christmas, and will begin with us two weeks after Christmas.

Simon has been serving at St Mark’s Malabar Anglican Church for nearly ten years, initially as a student minister, and then after that as the full-time assistant minister. During this time he’s done everything from youth and children’s ministry, occasional services, and ministry training, through to regular preaching.

After completing a science degree, Simon worked as an industrial chemist before doing a two-year MTS Ministry Training Apprenticeship at the University of New South Wales, prior to heading to Moore College for his four-year theology degree.

I first met Simon when he was a kid in the youth group I led in the 1990’s, and I hadn’t really caught up with him until the recent commissioning service of our CMS missionaries Adrian and Anita Lovell, who also happen to be their close friends.

Please pray for Simon, Amy, Liam, Lily and Annabel as they prepare for many farewells and changes in the coming months.

Particularly pray that as they move to our neighbourhood that they will have many opportunities to help us grow in our knowledge and love of God, and that Simon will help equip us for ministry with each other in our church and in our region.

It’s OK to talk about suicide

Even though suicide is the biggest, single cause of death amongst men under 45, it’s still a topic we don’t like to discuss.

What’s more, many men who have contemplated suicide felt they couldn’t talk about their feelings.

The Bible doesn’t speak a great deal about suicide, although it does say that it is wrong to murder anyone, and that includes a person taking their own life.

Yet, whilst homicide or suicide are acts that disobey God, they are not acts that are beyond forgiveness.

After all, God accepts anyone who repents and believes in Jesus as Lord.

Yet, when a person takes their own life, they show that they have found it too hard to trust in God’s sovereignty.

In other words, they think that their life is in too much of a mess for even God to fix.

Sometimes this is made worse when people are affected by a form of mental illness, or if the person has committed some sins that seem too great to be forgiven by God or others.

Yet, even though our deepest trials, we should remember that God is in control of everything, and that even our personal trials exist so that we might grow in character and godliness.

As we read in the opening chapter of the letter of James:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James chapter 1, verses 2 to 4)

No matter what your personal trial might be, it’s OK to talk about it.

Talk to God, talk to a friend, talk to a counsellor, talk to Lifeline on 131114… but don’t keep it to yourself.

Remember, #ITSOKTOTALK

The joy of life together

 

Rayne

As I prepare to return to Canada after seven months as your Youth Ministry Intern, I recall one of my favourite parts of Scripture:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:15-17

These verses simply and profoundly tell the Church how we are to be with one another.

As I read these words and reflect on my time with Oak Flats and Jamberoo Anglican Churches, I see this passage being lived out.

It is beyond encouraging to walk into church on a weekend and be greeted by a room full of people who clearly love the good Lord and his church deeply, are at peace with one another, and take such joy in worshipping God communally. 

In caring so deeply for the church family, even times of trials and admonishment seem to come and go with joy (James 1:2-3) and thankfulness in our churches, which further reflects the integrity of God being so clearly at the centre of everything.

Many churches do not reflect Colossians 3 as well as your two parishes do. Your witness as church congregations is profound.

I hope you are encouraged by this and continue to build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) as the body of Christ, for I have been so encouraged by you. I will thank God for you always.

Blessings, Rayne Loehndorf

Faster, higher, stronger?

7721180-3x2-700x467As we reach the midpoint of the 2016 Summer Olympics we’re reminded again of the wonder of the human body.

Each day we hear about the smashing of world records, as we witness men and women go faster, higher and stronger.

It is right to be amazed at the way that God has made us, but we must be careful not to worship creation rather than the creator.

For, we read in the Bible that this can become the end point in a downwards spiral away from true worship of God.

Even though God has made it very clear that he is worthy of all praise, people have chosen to neither glorify him nor to give him thanks. (Romans 1:21)

And this has naturally led to people to worship created objects, which ultimately means they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:25)

This sounds a little intense, but the temptation to worship created things rather than the creation is something that is part of human nature, and even the pleasure of the Olympics can result in idolatry if we are not careful and wise.

So, enjoy cheering on the green and gold… but as you see humans break through the limits of speed, height and strength, be sure to give God the glory!

Are you worried about your privacy?

If you hadn’t already noticed, next week’s Census is causing quite a bit of a stir.

Most of the concerns are because the Australian Bureau of Statistics have determined that they will be keeping every name and address on file, without giving people a choice to ‘opt out.’

Censuses tend to be a magnet for controversy, usually because people like to keep their secrets to themselves.

There is a place for appropriate privacy, (especially when it comes to modesty), but it’s worth remembering that nobody can keep their secrets hidden from God.

For, we are reminded in the Bible that “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” and that “everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 13.)

God is fully trustworthy with what he knows about us, but as our creator he has a right to hold every human accountable for their lives.

And we know that his living and active word is “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12.)

Fortunately, God is merciful, and we know that he will forgive us when we seek reconciliation with him for when we’ve acted like he’s not our loving ruler.

So, knowing how much God knows about us, this Census Tuesday is a perfect opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness, through the death of his son, Jesus.

Seeking a new Assistant Minister

Our partner church at Oak Flats Anglican is looking for a new Assistant Minister to join our churches to help equip us for ministry.

For as we see from Ephesians chapter 4, we know that Jesus has given speakers of God’s word to the church, so that every Christian will be equipped for ministry to everyone, so that the church will be built, and that we all reach true unity in our knowledge and life, in mutual maturity.

So, we’re looking for a man who is passionate about using God’s word to train everyday Christians to love, lead and learn together.

He’s going to be joining us at Jamberoo to preach occasionally, and he will also be helping the church at Oak Flats by providing a special focus on growing small groups, on helping newcomers feel at home, and on seeking to help reach the parents and carers who send their kids and youth to the midweek groups.

Plus, as he works with Jodie and Graham in the ministry he will generally assist our two churches in training and supporting us all as together we seek to grow.

Please pray that we get the best person possible, and that God continues to provide the necessary resources to support this ministry.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the ministry of our churches, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the years ahead of ministry, together.

Jodie.

Reviewing ‘Failure’

failure-success

It would be easy for many to view my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo Anglican Churches ultimately as a failure. As an energetic and enthusiastic College grad hopes were high that God would do great things. In less than two years those hopes came crashing down due to anxiety and depression that led to hospitalisation and 9 months of ‘stress leave’.

However in the midst of these incredibly hard 9 months, I can’t help but reflect on God’s goodness and my own ability to reassess ‘success’. In my time at Oak Flats and Jamberoo I have seen the way in which God has worked, in spite of my weakness, to make himself known. There is a reason Paul says, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Cor 12:9) 

It has been exciting to see people grow in relationship with Jesus through the teaching I have been a part of. It has been particularly amazing to see people come to know and put their trust in Christ for the very first time! It has also been great to see the development of ministry to youth in our churches and I am really thankful for the role I have been able to have in that regard.

It is sad for us as we say goodbye. We will miss the fellowship we have had with you all. My hope and prayer is that you continue to fix your eyes upon Jesus, trusting in him, through your own ‘failures’.

Adam