Step Out & Cross Over! February 2008 Thoughts

This year we’ve begun a new series of messages called “Old Testament Journey” where we’ll focus on some of the great OT stories. Joshua was the first person we looked at and how he brought Israel to the Jordan River, the place which represented a moment of historic decision—and then crossed it!

Joshua and his people could have stayed on the Eastern side of the river and could have been content. It was good there, the grass was lush, and everything would have seemed perfectly okay. But Joshua listened to God’s voice who called him and his people to a better place and to a bigger purpose.

This story inspires me because I know that God wants something better for me and for you. Why stay on the Eastern side of Jordan when God is calling you to cross over? We will all come to times in our lives when we are called to make momentous decisions, to risk something in order to move on or to grow. Perhaps you’re at that point today and to move where God is calling you may mean risking friendships, stepping out of comfort zones, trusting God more with your finances, sharing your faith, getting involved rather that just observing, or prioritizing your time for less of you and more for God.

Whatever it may be, let me encourage you that God’s plan and purpose for your life is good and awesome, but it does mean that a decision to ‘cross over’ has to be made. It won’t always be easy … but it’ll be worth it!!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29.11.

Be blessed always,

Johnny.

2008 Finally Here! January 2008 Thoughts

Welcome 2008! Here we are at the beginning of a fresh new year. I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and a fantastic New Year’s Eve. We certainly had some fun here at our end of year dinner, our Carol’s by Candlelight event (who can forget Pastor Emil and the 2 boat flares he insisted on letting off?!!) and some great fellowship at the church on last year’s eve.

What an amazing family we enjoy here within our church, and the Lord has been kind enough to bring us through another year—together! The start of each year brings with it a sense of newness
with new goals; a sense of expectation of what the new year will hold; and a sense of relief that we made it through the previous year. I’m sure you’ve already got an idea of what you’d like to achieve or do in the next 365 days. But have you considered what spiritual direction your life will be going in 2008?

I really encourage you to consider your walk with God and set some goals in place of how you want to develop and grow in terms of your relationship with the Lord and the ministry he has called you to. You might say, “What me? I’m not involved in a ministry!” I’m telling you that every believer
is involved in a ministry—our problem is that sometimes we forget our God calling or are oblivious to it because we’re so caught up in ourselves and the here and now.

Set your sights again this new year, re-focus and prioritize what is truly important in this life and watch what God can do with a person that is committed to Him.

Be blessed always,
Ps. Johnny.

The Healthy Home - September 2007 Thoughts

According to Dr. James Dobson, it’s best to start disciplining your children when they’re young, approximately 14 months of age. Youngsters are more pliable until they’re around 4 years old. After that, the concrete hardens a little and you have to work harder at breaking it up.

Dr. Dobson summarizes discipline like this: At a football game when a guy jumps off sides, what does the referee do? He doesn’t get red-faced and begin screaming about the virtues of keeping the rule. He drops the flag and he steps off the penalty.

In the same way, when your child messes up, don’t break the peace of your home. Step off the penalty — and do it consistently. Don’t reason with the little guy. Discipline him. If you withhold discipline from your child, you may regret your choice when he hits his preteen years and decides he just doesn’t want to listen to you anymore. When there are no painful consequences to disobedience, children find it much easier to tune out their parents.

Many times, we as Christian parents think disciplining our children simply means that we don't allow our kids to do or watch certain things. There’s a place for prohibition. But that is not the core of discipline; rather, it's to find a way to help the child experience negative consequences proportionate to his bad behavior. And the goal is not to control or break the will. The goal is to build within our children a wise, internal standard that will guide them when they have to make moral choices on their own.

For this task, parents would be wise to keep a large repertoire of disciplinary strategies in their hats. What works for one child may not work for another.

Be blessed this month,

Ps. Johnny.

Doubtful About the Future? July 2007 Thoughts

Recent news headlines read of the arrest of a Gold Coast doctor in relation to the terrorist bombing attacks in Britain. The media have now polled the public asking “Do you feel safe?” Well, how safe do you really feel?

The reality is that no-one is truly safe. This world can never make anyone feel fully safe and protected. If its not terrorist bombings, it could be a drink driver, a natural disaster, a crazed person, a freak accident, etc. Any one of many things can occur as we live in this world and our personal safety can never be fully guaranteed.

However, I take great courage when I read the words of a young man who had numerous enemies and one deadly king who wanted to take his life. After surviving his last ordeal he wrote:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me.”

(2 Samuel 22:2-3)

From David I learn to trust in God no matter what the circumstances. I know that in Him I am truly safe! It doesn’t mean that I become bullet-proof and immune to harm and evil. But I know that God has a plan for my life and that He will allow nothing to hinder his plan or purpose. And that gives me peace that no insurance policy can!

If you have felt unsettled due to recent world events … it is a understandable. But rather than talk about how unsafe we now feel in Australia, how about we rise up in prayer against the spirit of this world that is driving people to do evil? How about we give God continual thanks and praise for his daily protection of us and our families? How about we let others know that they also can have eternal security through the hope that only Jesus can offer?

God bless you this month,

Ps. Johnny.

Keep Pressing On & Climbing! May 2007 Thoughts

Our church camp was an absolute blast! We had lots of food, fun and fellowship. Part of the fun was in the challenges we had set before us - whether it was in Dodge ball, Volleyball, Egg & Spoon Race, Three-Legged Race, or The Amazing Race (Orienteering Challenge) just to name a few.

For some, it was fun and easy running the egg & spoon race (especially for those holding the egg down with their thumb!!). For others it was frustrating and difficult finding the next clue in the orienteering challenge (especially when the previous group hid the clue right under a huge rock!!)

Thinking about challenges on a spiritual level, do you ever feel overwhelmed by the challenges of living for Christ? You're not alone. Even Paul felt that way.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he honestly admitted that the troubles he and Timothy endured in Asia had taxed them beyond measure, and they feared for their lives. But Paul said they learned this lesson: "We should not trust in ourselves but in God" (v.9).

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul again wrote honestly about his Christian walk, admitting that he hadn't attained perfection: "I press toward the goal fort the prize." He identified this lifelong pilgrimage as "the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Bringing this back to grass roots level, in our Christian walk we will have challenges. Some of those will be fun, some will be difficult; either way we are encouraged to PRESS ON toward the goal. Don't give up! Keep going!

Years ago, a group of Englishmen tried to conquer Mt. Everest. They pressed on against cold, wind, blizzards, and avalanches. When they came within 2,000 feet of the peak, they set up camp. Two men, Mallory and Irvine, eagerly pressed on, expecting to return in about 16 hours. They never came back. The official record said simply: "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit."

Whatever the challenge you're facing in life today, keep pressing on in the upward call of God, trusting in Him and not yourself. At life's end, may it be said of us, "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit!"

Ps. Johnny

Are You Still in the Race? Easter 2007 Thoughts

We wish a blessed Easter 07 to all at Logan Christian Fellowship.

Everyone is inspired by a competitor who makes a comeback after being down and seemingly out of the race! The runner who stumbles while coming off the starting blocks but moves gradually into the lead stirs the imagination of us all.

The team that can come from behind in the last moments to win excites us even more than the team that constantly wins by scoring big in the first part of the game. Similarly, Easter is a time to reflect upon the most amazing comeback the world has ever seen. After being humiliated, insulted, spit upon, whipped, beaten, and nailed to a cross, Jesus' executioners claimed victory and declared Him dead.

A military guard secured His tomb. How could anyone be more down and out than that? Yet the struggle was only beginning. Three days later, He rose from the grave and reappeared as the victor over sin, death, and comeback like no other in all of history.

Do you feel like you're out of the race today? Have you stumbled badly? Think about Jesus' suffering. Ponder His resurrection. Ask Him to give you the victory. Just imagine what He has to offer you, no matter how far down you are now!

Be inspired this Easter!

Ps. Johnny.