ICE CREAM FOR AFRICA

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” 1 John 3:18.

It seems crazy I know…. but people in Africa deserve the right to be able to buy an ice cream for their children on a Sunday afternoon.
At home in Australia I can buy an ice cream at any gas station, supermarket or corner store. I think nothing of it. But as I walked along the shores of the Indian Ocean yesterday in Tanzania, I was challenged to think about some of those simple pleasures in life that for some are far from reach.

Poverty is a cursed prison that multitudes can never escape from. A product of corrupt governments, wars, false religions and the consequences of sin over hundreds, thousands of years. Yet God’s heart for the poor is so compassionate and real in the Bible.

The world’s largest ‘minority group’ are people living in poverty with disability. There are over 1 billion people living with some form of disability in the world today. Organisations like CBM set people free from conditions that shackle them to the curse of their inability every day. Hope, healing and working together to bring real change to people the world has forgotten. That’s what I love about this organisation.

We are called to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves … defend the rights of the poor and needy” Proverbs 31:8-9

The people of Africa deserve more than just the ability to buy ice cream for their kids. They deserve the life that Jesus came to give each of us. As we are blessed in our lives God has called us to be a blessing to others. That’s a kingdom principle. To put love into action in valid and authentic ways.

This week I will be visiting many of the projects run by CBM in Tanzania. This organisation has been healing people for over 100 years in poor nations across the planet. Join me in supporting their work.

www.cbm.org.au

Godspeed,

Pictured: An ice cream vendor on the shore line of the Indian Ocean, Dar Es Salaam.

SOMETIMES OLD IS GOOD.

In the world of superficial facebook relationships and digital information, where everything is instant but vapour like… I sometimes wonder what is real anymore?

Our lives are consumed by plastic, disposable convenience and credit card dependancy. Nothing is made to last. Nothing is expected to remain the same. Politician’s can promise there will never be a tax on the air we breathe and then send a nation into a depressed economy with blatant lies. We live in a time when evil is seen as good and anything of moral goodness is perceived as a threat. Everything becomes meaningless.

I took a few minutes to admire a beautifully restored 1962 Australian made Ford Falcon this week. It reminded me that there were times when great value was placed on making things to last. Solid, dependable and repairable. It reminded me of God’s word and His promises. Solid, dependable and all about repairing broken lives. Life is redeemable because of Jesus. We have value because of His love for us. It reminded me that we were created to last… we were built for eternity.

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15

Nothing is new under the sun. It seems every generation loses sight of it’s calling and destiny.. we all do. Even in the days of Joshua the people of Israel became consumed with irrelevance and worthless pursuits. But God gives us many opportunities to turn again to His best for our lives. One thing will never change in a world gone mad with foolishness… That’s Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13: 8

As for me and my house.. we will serve the Lord! Let us live knowing we have complete confidence in the power of God’s word, His promises, His grace. His word is old…. but it’s good!!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: A classic 1962 Ford Falcon Station Wagon in the town of Palmwoods, Queensland.

A MAN CALLED JESUS

“All that is best in the civilization of today, is the fruit of Christ’s appearance among men.” Daniel Webster, American politician., 1782-1852

My good mate from Alice Springs, Chris Tangey posted this on his FaceBook page this week. I wanted to share it with you.

Two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.

This man never went to a college or a seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 300ks from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.

While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. Though he had committed no crime, He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.

But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Son of God.

Twenty centuries have come and gone and today Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. Despite recent efforts in our schools and universities to hide it, on our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection.

This one Man’s life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Tens of thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your life, your sacrifice, your word, your promises, and the hope we have in you for eternity. Amen.

We live.. because of Christ. And when we die, we will live because of Christ. That’s the good news.

Thanks for taking the time to read our weekly prayer points. We sure appreciate your friendship, support and prayers.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve enjoying a sunny Easter weekend with not much to do … Rare..