THE DREAMS OF YESTERDAY

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

In my travels I often drive my team to the point of madness for stopping erratically to photograph old trucks and cars, old churches, houses, letterboxes, signs etc!!!!

I’m captivated by the aloneness and stories that often go with such locations. An old homestead that was once somebody’s life dream… now just weathering out dormant seasons of emptiness and decay.

Old cars rusted and lifeless…once would have been a treasure to the proud owner. I try to imagine what went wrong back then for it all to be abandoned.

Decisions that we make today bear consequences for tomorrow. The mistakes, failures and disappointments of life either ‘build us or break us.’

At some stage someone had to walk away…. either broken hearted or broke… or physically unable to carry on. Things fall apart when we give up. It can be so true of our lives if we do not have a constant source of renewal and hope.

Jesus Christ came to earth in such simple, humble circumstances. Not as some big Hollywood star or big talking politician bragging false promises. Just The creator of the universe laying in a bed of stable hay, with the smell of animal dung in the air. But He came to give humanity what we so desperately needed… Salvation from sin and salvation from ourselves. He came to restore, redeem, revive and make us new!!! I love that about Jesus.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him the world would be saved. John 3:17

There is life in Jesus!! In Him we are redeemed and made new!!

He takes broken dreams of yesterday and makes us complete in His purposes..

His presence and His word fill us with new vision and strategies for life! That’s the good News.

Till next week… thanks for staying in touch.

Godspeed,

Pictured: The remains of a place once called ‘home’ and the beloved possessions turned to rust. Pic taken South of Ballarat, Victoria.

CALENDARS, MAPS AND AKUBRA HATS.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

The apostle Paul was a great pioneer, a visionary and a powerful communicator of the Gospel. He was determined to never stop in his mission to establish and encourage small groups of persecuted believers throughout the known world of his day. His passion to see people fully understand the fulfilment of the law and the revelation of Christ’s death and resurrection was unstoppable. He knew he would never retire. He knew deep down in his heart he would probably die serving the great commission of Christ. His dream was Rome. To take the Gospel to the great city of Rome. He had written many letters to the church there in preparation of his planned visit.

But God never reveals the full picture. When it comes to serving in the work of God’s kingdom He will only ever reveal enough for the next step. If we saw the full picture of how God would accomplish His miraculous work through us I believe many of us would give up. Some days it’s just all too hard or too lonely. But.. Paul was going to Rome. Not as a famous and free “revival” preacher… but as a condemned prisoner in chains representing a despised sect. He had no idea how he would get there. He suffered greatly, survived ship wrecks and snake bites, months and months of delays. At times it would have been heart breaking. But he endured.

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:28-30

The Lord allowed Paul to live in Rome for two years to complete his ministry there.. without hindrance.  I think this is amazing! He gives us the desires of our hearts and enables us to fulfil the visions planted deep in our hearts.

I love studying the maps and stories of Paul’s missionary journey’s. They inspire me to begin dreaming about places, towns, churches and people. Places I would love to return to and continue building the work we started over the past 25 years.

Israel, Papua New Guinea, Outback Australia, Solomon Islands, India, Africa, the United States of America are all on list for 2012…. plus lots of country towns around Australia!!!  Thanks for your friendship and encouragement as we pray about plans!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve’s Akubra hat on the dash.

A SEASON OF HARVEST

The team and I have just completed our final Heritage Acoustic Tour concerts for 2011. We are heading home physically exhausted but filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy at the work we’ve done. Concerts across five States of Australia and some amazing miracle stories along the way. In fact… the entire year has been a challenging adventure in faith! But we are grateful for God’s faithfulness all the way, and the good friendships we have out there across the world.

November is the peak of Harvest for many grain crop farmers across Australia. Everywhere we have travelled in the past months we’ve seen crews out working night and day to get the crops harvested before the big rains come. But I’m reminded that whether we get a great harvest or things don’t work out as planned we should never stop giving. Some of the most generous people I know are farmers… they understand the principle of sowing and reaping.. they understand the pain and loss of a failed crop when the weather or pestilence or market prices are against them. But they do their best to keep going despite the setbacks. We often have a farmer offer to fill all our tour vehicles with a tank of diesel just to show appreciation of our visit. What a blessing!

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God’ Leviticus 23:22

In all we do in life let us be on the lookout for ways we can be generous to others. Opportunities to be a blessing and not a burden. Moments that can transform someone’s day or their opinion. As a team out on the road we are constantly encouraged by local churches and farming families. Ironically… those with less seem to give more many times. The poor will give you their very best while the rich will often times give you only the crumbs off their table. Receive it all with gratitude and choose to be a giver in life. Jesus gave it all for us. He allowed himself to be tortured and hung on a criminals cross so that we could know the abundance of life on offer in His eternal kingdom. That’s the good news!

There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right,  But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Thanks for taking the time to read our weekly Prayer Points and stories from the road. We appreciate your friendship and partnership in this vision.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Harvest complete for another season. A head of wheat on the edge of a field somewhere near Kingaroy Queensland.