Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas has obviously passed, which can only mean one thing....the end of the year!

What is 2006 going to be like for you?
Why would it be any different?

My simple thought for you over this special time of year is...pray.
Seek God for 2006. Seek out his hopes, dreams, vision, whatever you want to call it.
The reality is that we get what we go for most of the time. If you just roll on over into 06 you'll probably be the same as in 05.
But if you find something in God for this new year....I can guarantee your year will be so much more exciting and worth looking forward to.

Please know that we are praying for you! Asking God to bless you in 2006!!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Well it certainly is Christmas!
Everywhere you look you will get reminded of it.

When I was thinking about what to say this week, I actually think I would like to pass a couple of things we talked at Cafe Church last week.

If I think back on all the Christmas I have experienced, the most memorable events were not the items of food or the places…

It is the people who made up those Christmas…

Like the year that my Uncle Donald turned up for Christmas with no teeth.

That week he had had them all removed ready for false teeth. He wore a tshirt that had a picture of Jaws on it with no teeth…and the phrase ‘Gums’ underneath.

All he could eat with soft white bread with a little jam.

And even then he complained about the pips getting stuck where the teeth used to be.

Like the year that every grand child received an awesome toy from Grandma except me.

That year I received a bible, and I wasn’t happy about it.

Like the following year...

Where all the kids got something cool…and I got a shoe shine kit…again from Grandma.

Like the year I woke up on my own in a house I was housesitting.

I’ll never forget the way I felt being alone. That no matter how much I told myself it was just one day…I still felt so dissappointed.

Like the year where it was the first Christmas for my Grandma after Grandad died.

I remember her waundering around the garden on her own for long periods of time while we sat inside…and no one seemed to know what to do.

But mostly I remember the excitement, the fact it was the time of year when all of my family came together.

In fact it was the only time of the year when the whole family came together.

Christmas is all about being with other people. Sharing that day is what makes it special!

So let's make sure we all are sharing it with someone else...

If you are going to be on your own, please let us know, cause we want to help.

If you have room for one more, please let us know, cause we know people who need somewhere to go.

And finally, from myself and my family. I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

This is the season for finding God. I know he wants to bless your life.

Go for it! Have a great time, a great rest, whatever you need.

And remember we are still here for you over the holidays.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

We talk a lot about gifting, using that gifting...but how do you find out how/where you are gifted?

There is a common sense approach, in that whatever you do that you are good at and that others think you are good at...is probably your gifting.
It is pretty obvious when someone is gifted in sports, they do well at it. The same with ministry!
So how do you figure it out. I like to think of it this way...just try some stuff and see what works...

There are also some tests you can do to test your "giftedness". Tests to see how you tick and are 'wired'. I found some recently that you might like to have some fun with...the links are included below.

Now before you race of at a million miles an hour checking these out, can I give you some advice?
These are not definitive, they are a guide. Nothing beats good counsel and seeking God, and trying things out.
The results can also vary over a lifetime due the experiences you have had.

But don't be put off. Have a look if you like?
If you want to talk to us about your results or what your 'giftings' are we would love to help!
And remember, God has given everyone gifts. No one misses out
...we just have to find them or use them for his glory and purpose.

Bramalea Church Spiritual Gifts Test
Living Hope Spiritual Gifts Test
Site with personality tests

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Each month we receive some stuff in the mail from the Willow Creek Association. They are the megachurch guys in Chicago lead by Bill Hybels.
Late last week the pack arrived as per normal and one of the articles they shared I thought would be great to share with you...

So you think you’ve got problems? Consider Brian Hise..

Brian Hise had more than his share of bad luck in July. When his apartment in Provo, Utah became flooded from a broken pipe in the apartment above his, the manager told him to go out and rent a water vacuum. That’s when he discovered that his car had a flat tire.

He changed the tire and went inside again to phone a friend for help. But the electric shock he got from the phone so startled him that he inadvertently ripped the instrument off the wall! Before he could leave his apartment a second time, a neighbor had to kick his door down because by now water damage had jammed it tight.

While all this was going on—someone stole Hise’s car! But it was almost out of gas so he found it just a few blocks away. He then had to push it to a gas station where he filled up the tank.

That evening Hise attended a military ceremony at the university he was attending. He injured himself severely when he somehow sat on his bayonet, which had been tossed in the front seat of his car!

Doctors were able to stitch up Brian’s wound but no one was able to resuscitate four of his canaries who were crushed to death from the wet, falling plaster in his apartment. After arriving home and slipping on the wet carpet where he badly injured his tailbone, Brian said he began to wonder if, (and I quote) “God wanted me dead~ but just kept missing!"

The Bible says “Is your life full of difficulties...? BE HAPPY’ for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you’ll be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” James 1:2-4 [LB]

Remember Warren’s Laws of Stress Management:

Law #1 Don’t sweat the small stuff’

Law #2 Remember it’s ALL small stuff!

Copyright Rick Warren, Saddleback Church.