SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – A LIFE WITHOUT WORRY!

"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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? - Matthew 6:25.

We can have a wonderful start to a New Year, if we understand that God provides beauty to the flowers, and life to the grass.

In the majestic design of things, these are fleeting and unimportant.

He sent His Son from Heaven to save us. So, He most certainly is going to give us what we need, until we go home to live with Him forever!

Loving Father, forgive my distraction over worldly things. I do believe that you have given me everything I need in Jesus, and in the gracious abundance of your blessings. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

CHRISTMAS.

We are talking about the birth of a child, Not the revolutionary act of a strong man, Not the breathtaking discovery of a sage, Not the pious act of a saint.

It really passes all understanding. The birth of a child is to bring the great turning around of all things, is to bring salvation and redemption of the whole human race.

What kings and statesmen, philosophers and artists, founders of religions and moral teachers vainly strive for, now comes about through a newborn child.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – THE APPEARING OF GRACE!

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. - Titus 2:11-14.

In a world that has no absolutes, in a world in search of moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of God, beckons us to change our lifestyle in response to God's grace.

Anyone who receives grace, and refuses to pursue righteousness, demonstrates his/her ignorance or hardness of heart.

In our day, in our time, to be saved means to pursue righteousness, not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God's saving grace will not be fruitless in us.

Loving Father, because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today, reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to pursue righteousness, so that I may bring glory to your name. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and my redeemer. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG - THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!

I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2. TNIV

In a world of breathtaking beauty, and a universe of amazing variety, our hearts are to be drawn back to the One who made it, and now sustains it.

He knows us, and will help us if we will believe what he has tried in so many ways to say: “I love you as my child and I care what happens to you and those you love.”

To the world I say, there is no help for me but in my God; and I expect it from no other provider.

Loving Father, it absolutely bewilders and delights me, to know that you care for me. With all the things of such vast importance, I find your desire to know and love me humbling and assuring. By the power of the Holy Spirit I will worship, work, and witness, while being aware of your presence and care. I thank you, in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

POLITICALLY CORRECT SCROOGE STRIKES AGAIN!

CHRISTMAS TREES CHOPPED

CHRISTMAS decorations have been banned from three out of four workplaces - because they might offend other faiths.

Law firm Peninsula said a "wave" of political correctness was affecting festive traditions.

A survey of 2300 employers found that 74 per cent had banned decorations because of other faiths, while half thought they made offices look unprofessional.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "Although employers who are enforcing the ban are sceptical and dismayed by this trend, they feel that they have little choice in the matter due to the threat of litigation. "They have to protect themselves, their reputation and their livelihood."

Meanwhile, another report shows many workers have to spend their own money at office Christmas parties. A survey of 1200 adults by supermarket chain Somerfield showed only a third got a completely free night at the annual office bash.

Bah Humbug!

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG - GOD'S DETEST LIST!

The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. - Proverbs 11:20. TNIV

Phew! I surely wouldn't want to be on God's “I detest” list! Such people are a disgrace to Him.

But what is a perverse heart? It is a heart that allows what is evil, poisoned, perverted, greedy, deceitful, and vicious, to have control over a person's attitudes, views, and opinions. Ultimately, Jesus reminds us, that such a heart shows up in a person's outward actions.

How is our heart changed? By coming to God in repentance, confessing our association with what is evil and sinful, and asking God to cleanse us by the precious blood of Jesus, and refresh the Holy Spirit’s presence in us.

Loving Father, generate in me a new heart, and renew your Holy Spirit's presence in me. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

JAMES BOND 007... ROYALE FAMILY.

A HOST of stars came out in force last night for the premiere of the long-awaited James Bond film Casino Royale.



Looking as suave as his character, controversial new 007 Daniel Craig greeted screaming fans during a short walkabout.


But it was his co-star Eva Green who stole the show in London's Leicester Square. She plays Vesper Lynd, the first Bond girl penned by 007's creator Ian Fleming. Eva turned heads despite an array of stars including singer Rachel Stevens, Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud and Dame Shirley Bassey. Other big names at the premiere included Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish and the Osbournes.


Craig, 38, was joined by his film producer girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, 29. Speaking outside the premiere, he said: "I can't explain how this feels. It's fantastic. "I'm just very excited. These sort of things happen once in a lifetime and I'mjust trying to enjoy it."


The successor to Pierce Brosnan plays a tougher and grittier Bond in the 21st movie of the series. Asked how he compares with predecessors, he replied: "It's not up to me. Casino Royale is still a Bond movie and there's a love story."


When asked how it felt to be one of Hollywood's newest sex symbols, he said: "I don't think about that."


Craig raised eyebrows among die-hard fans of the secret agent as he has blond locks and contrasted with the image of the screen hero.


When quizzed on whether he had answered his critics, the actor replied: "I didn't try to do that. I tried to make a good movie."


I can't wait to see it!

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – PRAISE YOU JESUS!

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole."- Galatians 3:13.

Cursed! Not just in the sense that he was mocked and his detractors cursed at Him, but in the sense that He received the curse of death because of our sin.


He did what was hideous and scandalous; He died on a Cross, hung to a tree in front of a jeering mob, executed like sub-human scum. But the beauty of His shame and disgrace is that God made it our redemption. Jesus' ridicule and curse bought us freedom from the curse of our own sins.


Praise God! Praise Jesus! Praise His wonderful and mighty name!


Loving Father, I thank you that Jesus died for me that would be set free from the curse of sin. Help me Holy Spirit to make my thoughts and words, convey the gratitude of my heart, as He intercedes for me now. Thank you! Praise you! May my life truly honor you! In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS ON TANTALIZING TITTLE-TATTLE...

In my days it was just rain, now it's weighed!
Who said crime doesn't pay? Looks like it does here!
This $5 bargain could be a $50 million dart board!
One man's meat, is another mans life!

I get so many of these, that my computer is starting to look like Derryn Hinch!

"I'll be back!" and he came back!

This is not the way to get a discount!

That's all folks!

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – ONE FOR ALL, AND ALL FOR ONE!

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. - Acts 9:4-5.

When Paul teaches that the Church is the Body of Christ, he isn't being theoretical. The Church is Jesus' presence, His Body in this world.

What is done to the Church as a collective group of people is done to Jesus. What is done to individual Christians is done to their Saviour. Jesus is present in the world through us!

This saying is true: The only Jesus many will see today is the Jesus they see through you and me.

Loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to show others, Jesus in me. Help me to show His love, compassion, mercy, peace, joy, gentleness, kindness, and that others may benefit from seeing Him in me. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

THE SILLY SATURDAY JOKE !

Two Scots, Erchie and Tyrone, were on a trip to London. Walking down the street, Erchie's attention was suddenly grabbed by a sign in a shop window. It read: "Suits £5. Shirts £2. Trousers £2.50."

Erchie said to his mate: "Tyrone, see that, man! We could buy a load o' claes, an' when we get back hame, we could make a b***** fortune."

"Noo, ye've heard whit these London sharks are like. When we go into the shoap, you keep shtum, eh? Leave a' the talkin' tae me, 'cos if they hear wir accents they'll try and rip us aff."

"Sure thing, man," said Tyrone. "Ye'll no' hear a peep oot o' me."

They went in, and Erchie started off his patter: "Good morning, my man. I'll take 50 suits at £5 each, 100 shirts at £2 each, and 50 pairs of trousers at £2.50. I'll just bring the car to the door and..."

The shopkeeper interrupted him: "Well lads, first time in the big city, is it?"

"Well... aye it is," said a surprised Erchie. "How the hell did ye ken?"

The shopkeeper sighed. "This is a dry cleaners," he said.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

WEEKEND ENCOURAGEMENT #1.

It's the weekend in Australia, and we have a bit of time to do things we normally wouldn't. So I thought that I would use some of my time to encourage intermittent Bloggers to blog more, and at the same time encourage myself to blog more.

Brodie McGregor of "View From The Basement" brought up these 7 thoughts in March 2005 that encouraged me greatly, as a new Blogger, (this is my other blog,) so I thought that I would like to share with you what he shared, that encouraged me greatly...

What's a blog for?
TallSkinnyKiwi, recently posted on the bloggers 7 deadly sins. This got me thinking afresh about what a blog is for, why I blog and read blogs. So here's my humble 7 thoughts on blogging;

(1) Blogs are a place for sharing, be that about what's going on in your life, the world or resources you want to make available to others.

(2) Blogs are a place for giving - so if you make something available don't charge for it. Johnny Baker's, worship tricks are a fabulous example of giving on the blog.

(3) Blogs are a place to be vulnerable - ok there needs to be an appropriateness and some sense here. If I was having a problem with some one my blog is not the place to vent this. But if there is to be a genuine sharing and giving then that does mean there's a vulnerability. We're all vulnerable to people commenting on what we post, and vulnerable to people misappropriating what we give.

(4) Blogs should be places of encouragement - I think it's good to if you regularly read a blog post a comment every so often, even if you don't particularly connect with that post. I think it's particularly important to encourage those who don't get many comments and yet are doing good stuff.

(5) Blogs should be varied - it's good to have a mix of serious stuff and fun things to.

(6) Blogs should enrich - it's easy to be negative, and takes more effort and creativity at times to be positive. Also it's good to keep a balance between spending time with friends I can have a meal with and "do coffee" and friends whom I may never meet except on the blog.

(7) Blogs should be regular.

I believe the thoughts that Brodie shared were excellent , (not just because he's Scottish!) :-) Maybe you would like to add to them and encourage others!

GBYAY and have a great weekend!

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – JESUS IS FAR MORE…

Or haven't you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. - Matthew 12:6.

What is the greatest construction project built by human hands? Jesus is greater still!

What is the most ‘holy’ place you have been? Jesus is far holier still!

What is the most awe-inspiring site you have visited? Jesus is far more awesome!

What is the most inspiring event you have ever attended? Jesus is far more...

Jesus is the One Who Is Greater! Nothing else, no one else, can hold a candle to Him. As John the Baptist said… none of us are even worthy to untie His sandals.

Loving Father, I thank you that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you revealed to me Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Forgive me for the times I may have misused His name or underestimated His glory. Restore in me the child-like sense of joyous wonder that I need to have in His presence. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!

GBYAY

SATURDAY'S SILLY JOKE!

Three golfing partners died in a car wreck and went to heaven. Upon arrival they discover the most beautiful golf course they have ever seen. St. Peter tells them that they are all welcome to play the course, but he cautions them that there is only one rule: Don't hit the ducks.

The men all have blank expressions, and finally one of them asks "The ducks?"

"Yes", St. Peter replies, "There are millions of ducks walking around the course and if one gets hit, he squawks then the one next to him squawks and soon they're all squawkin to beat the band, and it really breaks the tranquility. If you hit the ducks, you'll be punished, otherwise everything is yours to enjoy."

After entering the course, the men noted that there was indeed a gaggle of ducks everywhere. Within fifteen minutes, one of the guys hit one of them. The duck squawked, the one next to it squawked and soon there was a deafening roar of duck quacks.

St. Peter walked up with an extremely homely woman in tow and asked "Who hit the duck?" The one who had done it admitted "I did."

Immediately, St. Peter pulled out a pair of handcuffs and cuffed the man's right hand to the homely woman's left hand. "I told you not to hit the ducks," he said. "Now you'll be handcuffed together for eternity.

The other two men were very cautious not to hit any ducks, but a couple of weeks later, one of them accidentally did. The quacks were as deafening as before and within minutes St. Peter walked up with an even uglier woman than before. St. Peter determined which one had hit the duck by the fear in his face, and cuffed the man's right hand to the homely woman's left hand.

"I told you not to hit the ducks", he said. "Now you'll be handcuffed together for eternity."

The third man was extremely careful. Some days he wouldn't even move for fear of even nudging a duck. After three months of this he still hadn't hit a duck. St. Peter walked up to the man at the end of the three months and had with him a knock-out gorgeous woman, the most beautiful woman the man had ever seen. St. Peter smiled to the man and then, without a word, handcuffed him to the beautiful woman and walked off.

The man, knowing that he would be handcuffed to this woman for eternity, let out a sigh and said "What have I done to deserve this?"

The woman responded "I don't know about you, but I hit a duck."

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

The thief had nails through both hands, so that he could not work; and a nail through each foot, so that he could not run errands for the Lord; he could not lift a hand or a foot toward his salvation, and yet Christ offered him the gift of God; and he took it. Christ threw him a passport, and took him into Paradise. - D. L. Moody.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' – John 3:6-7.

In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing.

Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man. Dr. Sacks asserts, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible."

To truly see Jesus and his truth means more than observing what he did or said, it means a change of identity.
-------------------
When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.

But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. - G.W. Knight.
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London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.

As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.

"Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site."

Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball. When we become God's, the old life is over… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Cor. 5:17. He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build. - Ian L. Wilson.

“Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, forgive me for my sins, fill me with your Holy Spirit. I open the door of my heart and receive you as my Lord and Saviour, and I thank you that I am born again. Help me to follow you all the days of my life, in your mighty name I pray. Amen"

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

TERRY BUTCHER... DEAD MAN WALKING?

Well it looks like the knives are out and the backstabbing of Terry Butcher has begun. It also looks like the B-grade movie actors and furniture salesmen have done a great job of destablising Sydney FC.

It's just another setback for soccer in australia, as we keep on doing the same old things... allowing inexperienced boards to keep paying out enormous money for second rate players who have seen their used by dates. They are ok for a couple of games and then the niggling injuries that have plagued their playing careers start to surface.

Let's face it, Sydney FC were pretty ordinary last year, even though they won the the Grand final. Then they did a good thing by getting rid of the clinical Littbarski, a (seen the best of) playboy player, who isn't doing too well for Sunderland, but grinning all the way to the bank!

Enter, an experienced, hard working, adventurous coach, who has inherited Littbarski's team of big screen watchers, and has to try and bring out their potential, which means trying to get them to act like professional players, instead of trying to look like York and Carboni wannabees.

It must be difficult for Butcher who want's to build a great Australian soccer team on true and tried methods, whilst sitting on a plastic chair, on the sideline of someone else's stadium.

It must be difficult to build a team of professional players for the season's ahead, that will showcase Australian soccer, and show that we are not going to be bullied by Anthony LaPaglia, an ex-goalkeeper who couldn't make the grade here, and boardroom members who have no experience in soccer, and will continue to lose money for the clubs, as they did in days gone past, with their 'marquee' and archaic players.

It must be difficult for Terry Butcher to see so many of Australia's talented youngsters, having to take a back seat to foreign imports and soccer relics of days gone by.

It must be difficult to try and bring the best out of these boys, having only been in charge for a few games, and having to put up with all the off-field antics of boardroom prima donnas.

It must be difficult for Terry's wife and family, who have moved half way across the globe, to support her husband's endeavours to bring about some professionalism to Australian football.

It isn't difficult to have some patience, and give Terry Butcher some time to prove his vision for Sydney FC, and for sake of Australian soccer.

THIS GUY SHOULD DISAPPEAR... "Without A Trace!"

Although I am a Queensland Roar supporter, this kind of verbal garbage doesn't help Sydney FC, or Australian soccer. He should stick to what he knows best... bad acting!

THE future of Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher hangs in the balance today after the Englishman survived a shock bid to oust him from Hollywood star Anthony LaPaglia.

The multi-millionaire Without A Trace actor, who owns seven-and-a-half per cent of the club, arrived in Australia on Friday just in time to catch Sydney's latest loss against Melbourne.

Beforehand, he attended an informal meeting of several board members at the Sydney Art Gallery with chairman Edmund Capon, and directors Peter Fitzgerald, representative of the all powerful Lowy clan, part owner Peter Turnbull and new CEO George Perry among those in attendance. Top of the agenda was the performance of Butcher with the defending champions languishing in mid-table and battling to shake off a series of on and off-field setbacks.

LaPaglia had no doubts Butcher should go but failed to attract any support and admitted afterwards: "There are some things which have happened at the club which I don't support but that's normal on a board where you have divergence of viewpoints.

"There are several different personalities but that's normal in any organisation. I still have no doubt that we remain good enough to defend the title successfully, even though the loss of Dwight Yorke was a blow because he is a player who galvanised the club and brought people to matches.

"There has been some level of upheaval over the past few months but that can sometimes be a good thing, so long as we are pulling in the right direction... Continue reading and judge for yourself here.

Some folks just don't get it!

SATURDAY'S SILLY JOKE!

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem .

While they were there, the wife passed away.

The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150."

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would spend only $150?"

The man replied, "Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:15.

Can you think of a more terrifying thought than God not forgiving us our sins?

We know how much He paid so our sins could be forgiven! We know how much He loves us! We know how much He wants us to be in relationship with him! So why would He withhold His forgiveness? Because we demonstrate that we have not received it or do not understand it!

God is gracious and he will not accept those who are not gracious!

Loving Father, there are those that I do find it difficult to forgive. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, right now while I'm praying, soften my heart, cleanse my soul of any bitterness or resentment, and empower me to let go of the pain of the past, and forgive. I thank you for this grace to not only be forgiven, but also to forgive. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

SATURDAY'S SILLYJOKE!

AN elderly couple set off in their car to visit their daughter and grandchildren. It was a long journey from Sydney to Melbourne, so they took it in turns to drive.

While the wife was behind the wheel, the couple were pulled over by a police car.

An officer approached their car. "Madam, did you know you were speeding?" he asked, as the woman wound down the window.

The woman, hard of hearing, turned to her husband and asked: "What did he say?"

"He said you were speeding!" the old man yelled.

"I'll need to see your licence," said the policeman.

The woman turned to her husband again: "What did he say?"

The old man yelled back: "He wants to see your licence!"

The woman dug in her handbag, found her driving licence, and handed it over.

The policeman studied it. "I see you're from Sydney," he snorted. "I was posted there years ago... I remember going on a blind date with the ugliest woman I've ever seen."

The woman turned to her husband again and asked: "What did he say?"

The old man yelled: "He said he knows you!"

Be encouraged!
GBYAY