Jingle bell's stress bells are ringing!

Yes, it’s that time of year... struggling to make ends meet financially? Finding it hard to make time available for quality family time? Head in the gutter over studying? Stressed? Lacking motivation or the happiness in life? Well Christmas is just around the corner... with that season greetings and jingle bells ringing. For some Christmas maybe far fetched... before then there are other things or duties to tend to:  Work, uni, school, church, and other tasks that occupy your time. What may seem as obvious sources of stress can be seen as a blessing in our lives...

 For instance we need money for general expenses which in modern times can be challenging for parents and those with these duties and can take a toll mentally and physically. We’ve been encouraged to seek and set out to be successful in our studies.  Younger children in primary and secondary education are setting out to pursue the same trend in being successful. For those sporting fanatics world cup is drawing to its end with the number one ranked team ‘All Blacks’ set to take on ‘ the French’ a repeat of the 1987 world cup. Sporting individuals: preseason and trials are just around the corner for many sporting teams and codes. Conditioning your body and being match fit maybe a major priority in mind. People with church positions maybe hoping for time to come a little bit faster...These are all reasons that can contribute to stress and a sense of failure may kick in, feelings of being inadequate or hard done by cause you feel you could’ve done better.

This time for me is quiet challenging, for a uni student this time matters with major exams in sight. I know for others this time maybe challenging for you as well.  In saying this when we are feeling stressed, lacking motivation or direction for our lives it’s a wise decision to seek help... it is times like this we ought to seek God! Sometimes we only come to him when things are going wrong lesson learned a life with Christ is not all smooth sailing, because the flesh is weak but the spirit is willing. There are storms, but in these storms God seeks to know where our hearts are. Even when things seem perfect and fine is there thanksgiving, more importantly is it channelled back to him? “if you aren’t struggling there’s something wrong” sometimes to struggle is not a bad thing there is a refining process in progress... one preacher said “we are always going to God saying what big problems we have in life. How about we try going to our problems and say how big and great our God is and how he is able!” if he created the universe and everything in it, every being. Surely this places a positive prospective on the problems we seemingly label “big” are they? our problems are not ours so give it to God. When we are going through  a storm God is always there but we are sometimes fiapoko and try in our own might to row to safety not knowing God was asking for the paddle to row and steer  us through the storm.

Christmas is around the corner, a lot maybe happening in your life we live in a time that screams out BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!!!... But don’t let our busy lives be a reason that we are choosing our careers and education over quality time with family friends and loved ones. But ultimately don't let it be the reason you don’t join in the greatest party ever planned, that’s just around the corner as well and when he comes we can fist pump and there will be no more hardships, no more exams no more early mornings for work or any else that may be deemed as important but stressful  in life just eternity with him. Take time to seek him and all the cares of this world seem conquerable, Because he lives! He is our father in heaven but he is the best’s friend you could always depend on. Exams are my biggest concerns at the moment but by asking him to walk with me during this hectic time i can succeed! “ i can you can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” dedicate our job to him, dedicate our studies to him dedicate whatever we do to him and life will be worth living.

Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths

#StayintheBeam

ELZ - Prodigal Son

Epa took us through the story of the prodigal son. When breaking it down analytically, one cannot help but feel impressed and acknowledge the well put-together presentation. For the first time he has actually spoken at church, be it even to a small group of youth, it was a powerful talk.

I can only deduce it down to a number of things.

• He was reading straight from a parable from scripture which defaults it to the fact the Holy Spirit was given free reign.
• Epa recently experienced something similar to the prodigal son
• He is currently experiencing something right now that is similar to this parable
• When we're talking about Jesus' parables, we can all relate!

But one awesome thing that most of the people in the audience were not aware of, was the prayers and discussions that took place behind the scenes. You see, the Bible clearly teaches that the "Angel of the Lord' will go before you Exodus 23:20 "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared." is only one example)

Epa had been praying prior to this, and I also had been praying a similar prayer with Epa. Which was to send the Angel of the Lord before Epa to prepare him for his talk. Moreso, Epa had brought up a name of one his close friends to pray for, and we did, and on more than one occasion. The first challenge was to get him there, the next was for God to open up his heart to His calling. And GUESS WHAT?! Epa's friend wasn't only there (Epa invited him of course). His friend also wanted to give his heart to Christ and had committed to coming to the Tuesday night bible studies!

This here is where you have no inkling of doubt that the God we serve is for real! Not a past tense or futuristic God but one how is also, and mostly interested in you life-right-now GOD. YEAH! He longs for you to prayer similar prayers and for you to make those responses. And God isn't just interested in what takes place in the sermons. He's wants to take you backstage VIP pass style, then and only then will you understand his loving kindness that is offered to all humanity.

I continue to pray for Epz and his friend, as there is not doubt that the enemy will call for reinforcements to stop any soul from grasping the hand of the Saviour! Take half hour of your day right now to hear his talk below.

Shalom,

Dave

The Girls at Edens Landing

This blog is going up while I'm thinking of it. It's regarding the young girls at the Edens Landing SDA church. I hope that you will receive this message in the tone that it's intended to be and that is a word of affirmation, not glorification or worse yet blatant flattery.

I have observed for a long time now, and I risk being misinterpreted here, but I am very grateful for the girls that I know at ELSDA. In a world and society that is crazily under attack from subtle to the most obvious profanities, and for the young people, mostly via media, music,video, social networking etc. The message that seems to be barraging girls is to look "sexy", now when I was 15, if a girl wore high shorts, or a skimpy singlet, that was considered (insert politically correct word here). Today it's the norm, maybe because Brisbane is a pretty warm city, but young girls strutting around in this gear is mediocre. First off, it begins with the push of a concept, which enters the mind of a fashion designer finding a niche in the market, and then you find these strange clothes in the kids section? AYYYEE??? It's all a deliberate dilemma for girls, trying yet again to further identify themselves with their aesthetics.

However! What I find with the women (or girls for want of a more appropriate word), is that they often look and scrub up very well when it comes to the clothing department. There doesn't seem to be a push to look like a girl working the curb corners in the red light district if you know what I mean? Not just at church, but in general. Why I make this observation is that our clothes usually says something about our character, and from what I know about most of our girls, they have great character. Pretty, courteous and intelligent. This is encouraging to see and know because, I have young girls that a very dear to me, namely, my nieces and my daughter. And I really want them to pick up on this trait as well.

Some have asked how I hooked up with Sokha when she wasn't a christian or samoan. My answer is this, it was character. I had been with girls that ticked most of the boxes, but Sokha was one of a kind, she wasn't and SDA christian, but everything that Dad told me to look out for was there in my (now) wife.

· How does she treat her Dad?

· Is she hospitable?

· Is she industrious? (Please ask me what the means if you don't know)

· And more from my father's advice

She ticked all those boxes, and it was no surprise that when she started bible studies, Jesus was right and perfect for her because she could now acknowledge the source of who had been carving and continues to carve her character.

Unfortunately there's a downside, when girls of your kind with such high calibre are around, guys who are walking in the shadows are not only intimidated but are not suitable for you. If you choose to make the biggest commitment in your life, you will need a man who can match your calibre. 2 Cor 6:14 - Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? And these type of guys are few and far between. My encouragement to you is stay close to God. God created Eve for Adam, so you would need to keep this in mind. Adam was asleep, and God brought Eve to him. So it nearly appears that the best type of guy to look for is one who is "created" by God and is "asleep" I relate to this word as "not looking" because when I met Sokha, I certainly was not interested in a marriage relationship. God bless you girls, So although most girls have been conditioned to think they should look "sexy" it should really be about "character" - that is where true beauty exists. I look forward to seeing you grow into women that God intended you to be!

Shalom,

Dave

South Brisbane AY Service

Sabbath weekend past was another choc-a-block Sabbath. With a Friday night practice, an awesome Mother's day sermon by Pr Swavek, a power packed Sabbath School lesson led by new-comer Stormy Jack, and then church lunch.

First off, I was blessed in more ways than one. Daisy inspired us in devotion about how the man-of-opportunity Nehemiah was to spearhead the project in rebuilding Jerusalem. What a great story! Then the songs came together pretty quickly.

Most of our youth made it to South Brisbane on time (Big thumbs UP!). And for the most part we all made it for the first song of rise & build. Personally I was shocked on a few levels, I didn't realise I was doing the opening prayer until I saw the program, and I didn't know that we were in for two main meals if you know what i'm saying? I had "assumed" that the first was an appetiser followed by the mains, but I was wrong. The health talk was informative, and I received a few uppercuts from it too. But in all cases it's a must to be healthy. The second talk I was in and out but from what I gathered it sounded interesting. I only struggled with the "Unbelief is a sin" comment that kept being emphasised, as doubt is not a sin. George cleared that up for me this morning, simply put "doubt = undecided, unbelief=pure rejection". So if anyone thought the same, I hope that helps.

I'm so proud of all of you, not so much that you all sounded like angels and sung awesomelly, but that you've committed on a number of occasions to get to practices, and also show up at where we're suppose to sing. It's important that you note our parents that support, and also other church members who come to see you all. This is evidence that you're not left to minister or witness on your own. I'll say this, and I'll keep saying it again, the friends you have around you now maybe the only circle of friends that you will feel comfortable to discuss real issues, pray together and discuss biblical topics. So don't take us all for granted.

Great feedback was had by a lot of people, but I had to scoot off real quick and didn't get to meet to much of the south brisbane folk and you too. Thanks heaps to Juanita (and your Dad of course) for rousing up video and also the great photo's. (I hope we can all take leaf from Juanita and see how much of a blessing it is to keep record of our youth goings-ons).

So let's keep this ball rolling. I'm looking forward to seeing what fruit is in store for our youth. You know what's really buzzy about the Nehemaiah story? If you keep reading it through, you'll find that at the opening of the new Jerusalem, it says that the celebrations which included a HUGE choir could be heard miles away!! WHOA MAN! That's the kind of celebration we should look forward to, that's the kind of choir style we should be singing, that's the kind of Jesus that brings this type of blessings for us! YEAAAH BUDDDAY! God bless you all this week!

Click here for the video to Rise and Build.

Shalom,

Dave

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YWOP - Meeting 6 "I am the true Vine"

What a strange thing to say, the Vine? When I think of Vines I think of Tarzan swinging of hanging vines in the jungle. This is definitely not the reference Jesus was making when he spoke about being the True Vine. Check out this video below, and then we'll have a closer look what he meant when these words were spoken in John 15.

Jesus said he was the True Vine, or the stock tree, and we are the branches to be grafted on. Notice how Juan had carefully cut both the scion (branch) and stock tree to allow the grafting to lock in together? Well same thing applies to us. When it comes to committing to a relationship with Jesus, we are saying that we are ready to "cut off" things in our lives in our to join with Him, who has already made the necessary sacrifice for us to join. The cut is precise and is especially designed for you to fulfill.

From here fruit will grow because of our union with the stock tree. You see, the stock tree is sturdy, is able to withstand the onslaught of seasonal conditions, and also has stronger immunity to bugs and diseases. Likewise, our relationship to Christ, there is nothing that comes from us, it all flows from the nutrients supplied by Him to us, that we may produce fruit.

What is this fruit? Galatians 5:22 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Notice how this is one fruit that provides all these attributes. We are left with no excuses when we join in a relationship with Christ. We can not say, oh I have love and joy, but the others I don't, and I've been like this my whole life, I can't change. When you've been grafted, these things should have been cut off, and you now receive your life blood from another source, the true vine.

"I am the true vine, with me you can do nothing", absolutely nothing. A scion sitting by itself produces nada, but the one who attaches himself to the one who says he will give us life abundantly will produce fruit beyond measure. Isn't it your desire to be a person who is able to bless others with good fruit? Your family, friends, even strangers. Then start there, begin with going to the true vine who has especially cut wedge just for you.

Shalom,

Dave