Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

There’s an infant Butcher Bird that comes to visit every morning. He sits on the back of a chair and warbles out a song until I take him some food, usually an offcut of bacon or scrap of meat. It’s almost like he’s so innocent he’s never been told not to ask humans for food… so he does. He is so confident now he takes it from my hand. And he’s back every morning expecting I will provide again for his welfare. His persistence makes me like him more. I love his boldness and belief that a quick tune for Steve Grace and there’s a free feed.

I wonder if God actually delights in us more when we go to Him with our requests, full of faith and confidence that He will do as He has promised in His word. I confess most things I’ve ever longed for, prayed for or dreamed for have taken a couple years longer than I wanted them to. God knows my heart and He knows I’d probably completely mess things up if He gave me all I’m asking for today. He lovingly tests and brings me to greater realms of faith and dependance on Him, rather than on things I want or brilliant ideas I have. But like a cheeky little Butcher Bird, He does desire to bless you and me with His best purposes when we ask.

He has created us to dream, to hope for the impossible, to believe for the utmost for His highest.

“The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” Isaiah. 58:11

I’m excited about the year ahead. Thanks so much for partnering with us in the vision. Be like a little Butcher Bird and sing a new song to Lord!!!

Godspeed,

Pictured: The baby Butcher Bird that visits our place every morning.

I woke this morning and literally started singing as soon as my eyes opened. It was a Jeremy Camp song that I love. Simple and powerful.

“In the morning when I rise.. In the morning when I rise.. In the morning when I rise..give me Jesus
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.. You can have all this world.. give me Jesus.”

It was a weird thing for me to do as I don’t like singing in the mornings!! But what a cool way to kick off a new day! He is all I need in times of trouble.. In times of doubt.. in times of uncertainty.

Even as I struggle to get my mind into the challenges of a new year, It is Jesus who I need most.

Like drought stricken land yearning for rain that never comes, His presence is like refreshing water that comes from deep below the barren dry ground. Like water from an ever faithful windmill which uses the prevailing winds to pump water to the surface. That’s what the presence of God’s spirit is like, bringing life and hope.

The best thing you can do every morning is give your day to Jesus and then give the good news of Jesus to others by your actions and words.

There’s no better news to share than all He has done for you! Let’s get it out there to Everytown!!!

The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region. Luke 4:37

Thanks for your support and your prayers.

Godspeed,

Pictured: A lonely windmill south of Geraldton, Western Australia

He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:27

Are you making plans for the New Year? Please consider what Hudson Taylor said over 100 years ago about making plans:

“We can make our best plans and try to carry them out in our own strength. Or we can make careful plans and ask God to bless them. Yet another way of working is to begin with God; to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.”

I’m never one for making new year resolutions… We so often set such high standards and expectations for ourselves at the beginning of a new year and within weeks seem to let ourselves down and revert back to the way we were.

So I reckon the best way to make resolutions is every morning.. Some quiet time in God’s word and some time seeking God’s heart for your day. Anything can happen in a day. Your whole world can fall apart and change. But the good news these things never change…. God’s love towards you and His plans for you. He has given you His word.

The Bible is the most fascinating and truth filled book on the planet. It has 66 books written by 40 Authors over a 1,500 year period. All of these writers believed in a living, forgiving, creator God. They lived and died full of faith in God’s promises.

The Bible was born from oppression, persecution, testing and time. The ultimate book of history and of things yet to come. It is our book of life.

You are not an accident. You were created. God has an eternal plan for your life. That’s the good news. But life is fragile.. It can be blown away by the winds of tomorrow. So keep seeking after Jesus.

He is the rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:16

Pray to me and I will listen and you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12

2013: Let’s make it a year of great change for the kingdom of God.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Taken from the banks of the Murray River near Mildura.

“Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her king”. I love singing that song. Jesus came to earth to bring us the joy of eternity. He came destined to not only be King of the Jews… But King of all nations and people’s. True to His character he did not appear on earth with a great jubilant fanfare or oppressive political power. He appeared as an innocent baby born to a humble couple not yet married. It was the poor working class who made the news known.. common shepherds became the first evangelists in history as they spread the wonderful news throughout the region. And yet… the mother of the child quietly kept all that had been revealed to her during the past months to herself. A beautiful contrast.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby. The baby was lying in the manger. After the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone. They reported what the angel had said about this child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. The shepherds returned. They gave glory and praise to God. Everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told. Luke 2:16-20

There are times to listen, times to think, times to pray… and there are times to take action and proclaim the truth. So many times in life we charge in to change a situation without preparation of the right words. Our words can bring life and they can also kill relationships when spoken out thoughtlessly. Mary was quietly overwhelmed with all the God had shown her and was doing in her humble life. She remained in a place where she simply treasured these events in her heart. A beautiful picture of the peace we can have when Christ is in our hearts.

Christmas is a reminder that the Gospel has come. Every year the Good News of heaven made clear in a simple story.

Two things to remember: Always treasure Jesus Christ in your heart… and always be willing when He calls to speak out the message of His salvation.

A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Have a great Christmas.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Seyanna, Jessica, Uncle Steve, Mikayla and Ezekiel ready for Christmas!!!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

There has been an atmosphere of sadness in the lead up to this Christmas season. News reports of the senseless killings of small children from two of the worlds great nations, China and America… and the ongoing wars in nations like Syria.

Suddenly all the tinsel and TV ads seem meaningless in light of the agony of losing precious children to violent acts of terror. When our communities are deprived of light there is darkness. Secular society is hell bent on removing the presence of God’s love through Christ in every aspect of life… and we pay the consequence. We grieve with the families who have lost their children in these past days.

Even in the time of Christ’s birth, thousands of boys under the age of two were massacred by a corrupt leader who feared the news of a coming king. Herod had all the little boys in Bethlehem killed to protect his position of power.

We live in dark times and they will get darker. But darkness flees when light enters the room. When we raise our children to live for Jesus Christ as the light of life that light shines brightly to the next generation.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1: 9-13

We are all called to be God’s children. To live with a simple unconditional faith of a child. Let’s do simple acts of generous giving this Christmas and bring life to children in need. I invite you to give to the work of CBM as they help children living with disability in poor nations of the world. Thanks.

www.cbm.org.au

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve with Arthumani at the CBM hospital in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Respect, honour and speaking words of life and affirmation will always bring God’s favour to your journey. We choose the fruit of the words we speak.

There was tragic news this past week of the death of a caring nurse in a British hospital who accepted a hoax phone call from Australian radio announcers pretending to be the Queen of England. Her shame was so crushing from public humiliation that she ended her life.

As accusations fly and ego’s are threatened.. as a family mourns such loss, it causes me to look at the source of such grief.

Life and death is in the power of the words we speak. I am convicted not to blame careless radio announcers but to look at myself, to search my own heart for the times my words can bring pain.

Humour, Sarcasm, Cynicism that intimidates or hurts others is not reflective of God’s heart for people.

An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:1-2

Let us be about the work of God’s kingdom and shine with the purpose Christ has called us to.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Thank you for your friendship and faithful prayers.

Godspeed,

Pictured: Steve at Murphy’s Haystack south of Streaky Bay, South Australia on the recent tour.