ANGLICAN
FIRST, a correction: last week’s notes had the Boot Sale set for a wrong date. It will actually be on Saturday August 21 from 9am until noon.
Lockdowns on and then off in rapid succession causes many to become discombobulated ( if that’s a word, it seems to fit the situation).
We are back to services at 10am on Wednesdays with morning tea, and 9.30am Sundays also followed by morning tea, unless further expert advice is ignored.
The national character is under scrutiny when so many are flouting the directions given for “The Common Good”.
Pity the mindless person who punched the police horse, but definitely knew what he was doing by choosing the horse instead of the officer.
With all the daily statistics, a barcode on the percentage of ignorance among the protesters would be interesting.
We see wonderful responses from medical teams and emergency services to those in need of treatment, food and shelter, and rebuilding of townships.
Australians have a proud reputation for these qualities.
They come from the second great Commandment to love and care for one another.
“Love thy neighbour” outside of emergencies needs to have the words ‘love’ and ‘neighbour’ more clearly defined.
Love in its purest form is ‘agape’ from the Greek word for sacrificial love, and ‘neighbour ‘ is a person in need, not necessarily one next door.
Christians are pretty good at this in a crisis, often in SES gear, or medical scrubs, ambulance uniforms, and police uniforms.
Multitudes go into action without claiming Christ as their guide, without awareness of the source of the power motivating them.
The Spirit is our pilot light, waiting in each of us to take the initiative and switch on.
Encourage each other to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
UNITING
IN our culture today we can believe that we are pretty big cogs in the process of life.
And that belief can affect the way we respond to big issues in life.
We can believe that it is all up to us.
It can leave us with huge expectations and demands on our lives, and those demands can leave us with huge burdens that are not sustainable, that cause burnout and other mental health issues.
The Psalm today asks us to be in fear of God. To be in fear of God is the way to attain wisdom.
Does it really mean fear as in being frightened and afraid or does it mean something else?
In a Biblical sense, to be in fear of God means two things.
Firstly, it is a reminder that we stand in the presence of God, who created the heavens and earth, and secondly, that we are a part of something bigger than just ourselves.
This incredible God asks us to partner with him.
Being in the presence of God we are small – but not insignificant.
We need God’s help, and this is where prayer is so important.
Prayer is not simply asking for things.
Prayer is a deep listening to God and awareness of God.
It is a discipline that needs to be encouraged and maintained.
Through prayer we are partnering with God, to make a better world.
This gives us capacity to live out of a faith that is not burdened with unhealthy expectations.
We have the Creator with us, and our wisdom grows as we take the time to listen.
There can be many opportunities to be aware of and listen to God every day.
This concept of wisdom may differ greatly to common understanding.
Wisdom is often thought to be the domain of the educated or long lived but knowing God offers wisdom to people of all walks of life, stages of life, and age.
Where might you find wisdom this week?
GRAIN SHED
WELL, after an unexpected long weekend at home and a somewhat incorrect Grain Shed news article last week due to the snap lockdown, the office is open and getting back into full swing.
These stop starts can have a lingering, numbing effect however as Pastor La’Mont spoke on Sunday we are to keep our focus on the Lord and await our Master with hope and expectation.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42 NIV.
If you missed this sermon or would like to watch it again, go to the Grain Shed Church Youtube channel.
Tonight our Grain Shed youth meet in their growth groups at 7pm.
Any secondary students who are looking for connection with others of their age, have lots of fun and know Jesus please contact Liz on youth@thegrainshed.org.au
It is with great pleasure that this Sunday our church doors are open, 10am service starts with Pastor La’Mont continuing in his series, ‘Good things to come’, and yes, there will be Grainshed Kids.
Afterwards, please be encouraged to stay as we share a fellowship meal together.
For those unable to attend our service will be live streamed on our Grain Shed Church Facebook page.
Monday’s ‘Mainly Music’ awaits the mums and little ones for interactional music fun and play. 9.30am to 11am
Thursday both our craft and create groups meet from 10am to 12pm.
