32,000 to go

a Biblical thought...
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

a Book thought...
God's choice to communicate in so many diverse ways forces us to put our faith in him, not a method. (p42)
a Dave thought...
I caught up with Nath Moulds from Oasis in Sydney this week and he put me on to their new campaign...

Oasis, the Salvation Army’s youth outreach organisation in Surry Hills has embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce youth homelessness.
The campaign entitled ‘32,000 to Go’ was launched this month to raise awareness of the 32,000 people under the age of 24 who sleep outdoors every night.
Director of Oasis, Paul Moulds, said the campaign was about ensuring marginalised young people have access to the opportunities, support and help that they need and deserve. It seeks to activate a grass roots network involving everyone from individuals through to businesses and governments.
‘’We’re asking people to visit the campaign website, http://www.32000togo.com.au and spread the word by using Facebook and Twitter, by calling talkback radio, by writing letters to editors and MPs,’’ Captain Moulds said “We can no longer ignore this issue, and neglect our youngest and most vulnerable citizens”.

Just a thought.

New 2Love website

a Biblical thought...
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14-15)

a Book thought...
Since Hezekiah's day the world has changed by quantum leaps, but one thing remains the same; God continues to communicate with people. (p210
a Dave thought...
After months of amazing work by our talented designer Aaron Mills we have our new 2Love web page live. The page is a resource mainly to CO's and youth leaders with information regarding funding, gap years, and numerous links to resources we believe will help you take your youth closer to God. There are over 40 new cell downloads written by Aaron White which are great for those who run a bible study and want an alternative to Corps Cadets. You will also discover wallpapers and a calendar that will have all the youth events happening across the territory in 2010. www.2love.salvationarmy.org.au

Just a thought.

MCD Youth

a Biblical thought...
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

a Book thought...
There are two ways of knowing things. One is in the mind by thought or idea and the other is in living by experience. (p15)
a Dave thought...
On Sunday night Kylie and I ventured over to Brimbank Salvation Army to the Melbourne Central Youth Service. DYO Captain Christopher Garcia did a great job putting the night together which featured the Brimbank worship team and the amazing "Band-Aid" the dance group pictured above which features the talented Harding girls. Dave Fuller from God Squad, preached about the woman who touched Jesus cloak and reminded us of the amazing transformation Jesus made in the lives of others. The highlight for me however was the testimony from Candidate Kris Halliday, his story of hardship and challenge is heartbreaking but at the same time inspiring. God surely does continue to change lives and Kris is living proof of the difference Jesus can make in your life. Let us never forget the power of personal testimony.

Just a thought.

Stan Walker

a Biblical thought...
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

a Book thought...
Some people are more comfortable dealing with doctrines than they are with responding to a living, ruling, righteous God. (p12)



a Dave thought...
Unlike most people in Australia I am just catching up on the sensational Stan Walker, winner of Australian Idol last night. He has been very open about his faith, above is the Chris Tomlin version of Amazing Grace Stan sung so expressively a few weeks ago and below is some excerpts from his interview with The War Cry…

While Walker has mostly sung in church, music was always a part of his life. ‘My whole family is quite musical and it’s in my [Maori] culture; it’s just in our blood’. But it was also something of a lifeline for him.
‘I’ve always been crazy. This is me—I’m always loud and I am who I am on the stage and off the stage, behind the scenes, everywhere. That’s what I try to pride myself on, just being me everywhere I am. And my whole family is like that—you know when the Walkers are around!’But despite his high-energy persona, he knows the importance of taking time out to regenerate. He does this through quiet times of reflection when he prays and reads the Bible.‘I make sure every morning and in the afternoon I have my quiet times. Those quiet times are when I really get my strength, when I’m praying and seeking God and learning my Bible,’ Walker says.‘I sometimes go through the same verses just to remind myself of them. I love the verses in the Bible that say we are the light of the world and that we need to shine. One of my favourite verses is “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know”.‘It’s like if I just ask then I will receive. My biggest prayer is that I will live my life with actions and not words. And that people will see my actions, instead of me just talking about it.’

Just a thought.

Prayerful Cricket

a Biblical thought...
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26)

a Book thought...
People who make decisions based merely on what seems most advisable to them will inevitably choose something inferior to God's best. (p5)

a Dave thought... from The Herald Sun
The West Indies have introduced a daily ritual of prayer they hope will bond the team during its Australian tour.
Deeply religious West Indies coach David Williams - the pint-sized former Test wicketkeeper - said the prayer sessions had helped bring the team together from recent turmoil.
The team was split by a recent players' strike and has won just three of its past 39 Tests.
"It (the prayer) is part of the team unity, part of the team coming together," Williams said.
"We pray the camaraderie is the way it is meant to be and the match will be played in the right spirit."
"It is prayer not just for the team but for our families and loved ones back home."

Just a thought.

All Melbourne Matters

a Biblical thought...
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-20)

a Book thought...
When communicating across generation gaps an unresponsive audience haven't necessarily rejected the substance of the message - just the style of its communication. Visual and verbal are both required in a multimodal, prove-it, walk-the-talk culture. (p211)
a Dave thought...
Here are some stats and quotes I thought were worth posting from All Melbourne Matters (Feb 2009)...

• About 300,000 (8.3%) of people in Melbourne attend Church on a typical Sunday


• About 144,000 (4%) of the 1.7million (48%) of under 34s are at Church on a typical Sunday


• 53% of attenders are over 55 years (including 33% of church leaders)


• Melbourne population is increasing by 180,000pa while church attendance is declining by about 5000pa
  
  "While some of the Y-generation and younger are highly motivated and committed to social justice issues and engagement in society and institutions such as the Church, they are the exception. Many young people are not willing to sit in meetings that are not interactive, and are disinclined to accept being told what they should believe."
  
  "Young people in Melbourne are looking for people's lives and actions to reflect what they say (or preach). Before being interested or willing to commit to a movement or message they are looking to see what the end product looks like. To engage young people in the future, the Church that preaches a Gospel of love and unity will need to have dealt with division and unforgiveness in the structures and relationships."
  (Quotes from Christian Research Assoc. Youth Spirituality Seminar 2007)
  
  Just a thought.

Vomit

a Biblical thought...
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

a Book thought...
While the Builders are most influenced by authority figures and Boomers make decision based on data and facts, postmodern youth are more likely to make a decision based on the influence of their own peers. (p184)

a Dave thought...
Josiah, my two and a half year old son is a very cute child but along with that comes a fetish towards vomiting. Yesterday afternoon was a great example of this and the results are seen clearly above. As I was the sole parent during his time I went into clean up mode, which I am gradually improving my skills in, so I put Josiah in the bath and began to scrub the carpet. It wasn't long however till I heard my little angel yell out "Daddy, get glove, daddy get glove!" I went into the bathroom to witness my son had some success in the 'number two's' area. So along with the vomit on the carpet came a poo in the bath, so to my son's request I fitted a disposable glove and fished out his deposit. I must admit even though parenting is often fun it can also be a lot of work. I sometimes wonder how God, our heavenly father goes with us, because even though I'm sure He thinks we're all cute, He also has to do some cleaning up along the way.

Just a thought.