Above all else

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been encouraging each other to make use of the Easter period to reach out to our loved ones. We know that in our flesh, this never seems easy. We think that our friends know us and our faults so well that we can't possibly witness to them without seeming like hypocrites. We worry that our parents may be upset if we try to win them to Christ. We think we don't know the Bible well enough to answer tough questions. There are lots of reasons not to do as He says. But NONE of them should allow us to ignore His instruction to go and make disciples. Paul said I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20). If we believe this, then is Christ in us not sufficient? His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)! How do we prevent ourselves from falling into a defeatist mindset? Ephesians 6 describes the armour of God - the bit that protects the head/mind is the helmet of SALVATION (Eph 6:17). Let's think about how this could apply...

Hi friends This is an email which I wrote to my brother, about my trip to Washington in August 2003. Found it when I was cleaning out my house. It is absolutely true and I still find it funny after all this time. Enjoy :) ================= Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2003 11:37:44 Long story. Ever seen the Amazing Race? Felt like I was contestant. Plane arrived at LAX at 8.30 pm LA time after about 18 hours crossing the Pacific. Slept about 3-4 hours becos the rest of the time was occupied watching ‘X-men 2’ and ‘Shanghai Knights’ (former – great show. Latter – crap show) and constantly getting interrupted for meals at weird timings. Anyway, took 1 ½ hrs to get thru Immigration (talk about inefficiency) and finally got out at 10 pm – give luggage to airport person to put on connecting flight to Washington. Stampede to gate for connecting flight, scheduled to leave at 10.30 pm. At 10.15 pm get to gate. Am told that I do not have boarding pass. Inexplicable since document in my hands says in big b...

Dear friends I won't be able to join you for 2 weeks as I head off for reservist training. You guys have been a tremendous blessing to me as we strive to serve each other - pl go ahead with the meetings and continue to bless and encourage each other. In the meantime, here's the latest instalment of my thoughts. Many of you will be familiar with the biblical concept of sowing and reaping. I thought one of my pastors presented quite a good view of the issue on Sunday. There are three interesting characteristics of the principle of sowing and reaping: 1. We sow what we reap. Therefore do not be deceived. 2. We reap after we sow. Therefore do not be discouraged. 3. We reap more than we sow. Therefore do not be calculative. We sow what we reap - do not be deceived. I think I've mentioned this topic a couple of times previously. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Gal 6:7 Never think that we can get away with pretend Christianity. Nor s...