The Wonder of Creation and worrying about Life.

With every outgoing tide along the northern beaches of Tasmania’s coastline tens of thousands of sand worms carry out their daily procedure of digging deeper into the sand, leaving a myriad of artistic tubular mounds. Every one is unique and captivating…. and destined to be washed away with the returning tide, only to be repeated in the hours of the coming day. Their multi dimensional patterns had me captivated knowing they were the remnants of a worm at work.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:24-27

God knows the great challenges each of us face at different seasons of our lives. The financial struggles, the physical limitations, the family issues.. the list goes on. We all have battles and baggage to contend with. But above all that we have the choice to either be ‘better or bitter’. We choose to get up in the morning and do what we do.. to get on with it. Like a sand worm!!! If he does not dig his way into the sand on low tide he becomes lunch for the local seagull’s!! It’s worth digging deeper and getting on with life. It’s worth putting the most important things first and not being distracted what the system says you need. Just be you. You and Jesus is all you really need. The rest sorts itself out.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

As you read this we will be travelling across the Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania after two weeks of concerts and ministry throughout Tasmania. Thanks for your interest in our work in serving churches across Australia. We are grateful for some amazing events and the opportunity to sing and preach to many people.

The Heritage Acoustic Tour continues later this week into country Victoria and then on to New South Wales. Thanks for your support and prayers.

Godspeed,

Pictured: The artistic trail left behind the Tasmanian sand worm. Boat Harbour Beach, North Western Tasmania.

LIVING WITH THE FAILURES OF THE PAST

One of the most fascinating creatures to ever walk this planet was the Thylacine.. the Tasmanian Tiger, presumed extinct since 1936 when the last known animal died in captivity. Hunted and killed because they were proving to be a pest to sheep farmers in Tasmania. The Thylacine was a marsupial and carried its young in a pouch similar to a Kangaroo. It resembled a large, short-haired dog with a stiff tail which smoothly extended from the body also like a kangaroo. The Van Diemen’s Land Company introduced bounties on the so called blood sucking ‘vampire dogs’ from as early as 1830, and between 1888 and 1909 the Tasmanian government paid £1 per head for dead adult thylacines and ten shillingsfor pups. In all they paid out 2,184 bounties, but it is thought that many more thylacines were killed than were claimed for. Its extinction is popularly attributed to these relentless efforts by farmers and bounty hunters. We seem to destroy what we fear. The sad story of the extermination of this species leaves a blot of regret in our national history.

Because of our sin God could have wiped us out long ago…. yet He has chosen to build His kingdom with people like you and me. He calls us to ‘live’ and to be more than conquerors in this fallen world.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

This is the amazing truth of God’s heart for us. We may fail but He makes a way every time. I love the good news of Jesus!!

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Thanks for your prayers as we serve on tour throughout the State of Tasmania at this time. Believing for salvations and transformed lives!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: The last known Tasmanian Tigers. Circa 1936.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The new Heritage Hymns Volume ll CD is now available for sale in Australia and on iTunes. This amazing collection of ancient songs arranged and produced by my good friend Bob Somma in California has been a real faith project from the beginning.

When we stepped into the studio in February 2011, most of the funds we had saved to begin recording were stolen from our bank account. We had musicians to pay and studio costs that added up to thousands of dollars. But rather than cancel our plans we took the matter to prayer and although dealing with some righteous anger and that ugly feeling of being violated.. we trusted that the Lord would make a way.

The weekend before the recording sessions were to start Pastor Rick Stedman from Adventure Church in Roseville California invited me to sing ‘one’ song in his three morning services. The song was ‘Blessed Assurance’. That morning we sold hundreds of CD’s and all the money that had been stolen was returned by the generous donations of people who were so encouraged by that ‘one’ song I had sung.

We were in awe of what God can do when you just keep pressing on and serving, and grateful to the church that had welcomed us to take part in their meetings.

Since then many more miracles have taken place to see the Heritage Hymns ll finally become a reality. We are so grateful to those who have partnered with us in the vision of redeeming some of these incredible old songs from the past!!

Let us keep serving Jesus and living our lives in a way that brings Him all the glory. We all make mistakes and we all hit some road blocks at times… But don’t ever give up!!

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25

Thanks for standing with us and supporting the ministry when you can. We love having you on this journey with us.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Taken last week by Ian Bail. The old St Thomas Anglican Church at Condah, Victoria. This church is featured on the new Heritage Hymns CD.