A Great Heritage

Here is a terrific post from my Father-in-law. I am part of a wonderful extended family.

A WWI Anniversary
Today, 30th April 2008, is the 90th anniversary of the wounding of my wife's paternal great- grandfather on the Western Front.My grandfather was born 8th January, 1896, in Broadford, Victoria (Australia) where he grew up. He did not speak much about his youth. We can imagine him as a boy and young man living a peaceful life in a small country town in Victoria, Australia. The seminal experience for him and all people of his generation was the outbreak of War in 1914.

When Britain declared war on Germany the Labor Australian Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, pledged that Australia would "stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling." It was natural that grandfather was enthusiastic to enlist.
The photograph was taken before he left for Europe.

Oasis

Tonight the ABC aired the documentary on the OASIS youth hostel in Sydney.

What a powerful and confronting piece of film making.

For me it raised just as many questions as it answered. I watched with an officer friend of mine who works in a similar field. His work is just as challenging. I honour the work of those in the social sector.

This doco should be mandatory viewing for all year 12 students as well as Salvation Army College Cadets.

Lord, Strengthen Capts Paul & Robbin Moulds and all who work in the social sector.

Give our Governments Wisdom, Vision, and a compassion for the least, last & lost.

Help me to walk with those on difficult journeys.

Like I said more questions than answers.

PS : Interesting this was shown on Founders Day

And Prayer

In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps:

collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; AND PRAYER
negotiation; AND PRAYER
self purification; AND PRAYER
and direct action. AND PRAYER


Thanks MLK Jr

2 Things

Two things I know for certain;
1. There is a God.
2. You and I are not Him.


Recently someone I knew from my youth, passed away. It made me pause because he was young and with his wife have a young child. This was sad to say the least. He had his health, his family who loved him, a good job and opportunities for the future and he had Jesus as his friend, LORD and saviour.

This has made others sad and raise the question of resurrection. Similarly in a blog I read recently, the author speaks of a young person asked for pray requests and the young persons response was " That God will raise someone from the dead." Interestingly it seems neither of these people sought God's good and perfect will. It appeared to be just what they wanted. I understand that this response is one based in grief & loss.

Now don't get me wrong, if it is God's will for people to be raised from the dead then I'm all for it. However in my sadness about my friend, I would rather that God's will be done and that we have the grace and mercy to trust Him in this.

I find some consolation in the bible and so I seek Jesus in John 11:25 - 27. The additions in red are my thoughts.


John 11:25-27 (NRSV)
25 Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die physically, will live spiritually,
26 and everyone who lives spiritually & physically and believes in me will never die spiritually. Do you believe this?’
27She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’

See Martha's response? It's not one of wanting her own will but rather she sees Jesus for who He is. She makes a response of faith & trust. She lets God be God, even in her own pain.

So in my pain and confusion I want what God wants, even if I don't fully understand what or why He is allowing it. Like Martha I say ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’

In short I am left knowing two things;
1. There is a God
2. You and I are not Him.