As I approach my 30th birthday I find myself evaluating the state my life is in. thinking back to when I was a child, dreaming of what I wanted to be when I 'grew up.' have I grown up? is anything of that child still remaining in me, or have the years of life, experience, hopefully some wisdom and desensitisation taken its toll? God says that His Kingdom belongs to the children and I like to think there is still a little of that child left in me.
I still like dreaming, I still like watching cartoons, I still like playing video games... but more importantly, I still like to think there is good in the world. we are constantly bombarded with images of suffering and evil and I can understand how someone could grow up in this world and be afraid of it. but it is still a big world, it is still God's creation and it is still marvellous!
When I was a kid I was either going to be a test cricketer or a chef. I am neither of those now and I never will be. instead I have the enjoyment of playing a game of cricket with my kids, watching it on tv and going to a game when I can. I get the joy of cooking for my family (that's right... the kitchen is MINE) and seeing the excitement in Lilli's eyes when she helps me. Did I ever dream as a child that I would be married and have 2 kids by now? no, that simply wasn't even a thought. Did I dream that I would go to bible college, study youth work and be working in the field with kids who have been abused? absolutely not, I didn't even know what abuse was back then. but here I am, a youth worker who is married with 2 kids, not a chef and not a professional cricketer... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am truly blessed. I have a God renews His blessings on me daily, a family that supports me, I have a wife whom I love with all my being and I have 2 children that are my world. I have a job that I love, where I get to make a difference, I study courses that interest me and give me knowledge to be able to do my job better. It isn't a glamourous job, and mostly thankless. but the privilege of knowing that I have been a part of a team that has made a difference in the lives of children who have suffered the most horrific of experiences is humbling.
As I get older, I hope that my soul gets younger, but it be mixed with a little more wisdom each year. I haven't got what I dreamed of as a child, I have gotten so much more...
stay tuned... more to come...
Jeffros
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, February 12, 2010
TiMe AcCoUnT
I remembered a sermon I once heard preached a long time ago. I was thinking of how precious time can be after Gran passed away on thursday morning, admittedly she was 93 and that's a pretty good innings by anyone's standards, but I remembered this message and the core of it was this:
imagine that everyday your bank account was credited with $86,400. You could do whatever you wanted with it. the only condition was that it couldn't roll over to the next day. whatever was left at the end of the day was lost and a new $86,400 was put in. What would you do with it, would you waste it, give it to people who needed it, invest in worthwhile things for the future? In reality this is what we get. God gives us 86,400 seconds every day. it's up to us how we use them, once they are used they can't come back and tomorrow there is another 86,400 seconds for us to use. how do we use our time? do we waste it, give it to people who need it or spend it building and investing in the future of something worthwhile?
Food for thought,
Stay Tuned, More to Come...
Jeffros
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
ToO HaRd BaSkEt
why, as Christians do we have to make everything so complicated? it seems to be that there is no such thing as a simple concept when it comes to Christianity. life is busy and complicated enough without having to maintain a complicated faith on top of it all.
to me it is simple, God loves us, we screwed up, God still loves us, we walked away and said screw you God, God still loves us, God sent His son, he Died, he rose again, God still loves us, we believe, we are saved, God still loves us.
is it just me, or does that not really seem that complicated? to me it really is that simple. God loves me and he paid the price for my sin. that's it, that's all i need! so why then is it so frickin hard to be a Christian! I realise that the life God has called us to is a hard road to walk and that's ok with me. that's not the hard i am talking about... the hard i am talking about is where people argue and disagree over the most stupid of things! should the hymn books be red or blue, who fricking cares!!!! we get bogged down by the most trivial and meaningless crap meanwhile people are dying without a knowledge of Jesus!
we are called to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, to spread the word to all nations and peoples on God's earth. get it, GOD'S earth, not ours, HIS. the gospel message is written down in black and white (sometimes in red, you know you can always trust the red letters cause Jesus said them!). it's not complicated. do we honestly think that God gives a damn about what colour our hymn books are or whether we should do 4 songs or 5 in our church service, or whether the communion bread should be a biscuit or bread, or whether we take communion daily, weekly, monthly, annually or generationally!!!! of course he doesn't! His children are dying without knowing His love and in the end it's our fault!
yes that's right i said it, it's our fault. we are charged with the mission of taking God's word to all the peoples of the world, but we sit at home and fight over stupid things!!! get a grip people. i am saying this to myself as much as anyone else, i find it nice and cosy in my little church, running my youth group and bible study. sure i am passionate about what I do, and i am passionate about seeing the kids in my group progress into a full knowledge of Christ, but could i be doing more. are there things i could be doing that would make more impact on the world around me. in society today we are all about reducing our carbon footprint (because yet again we have screwed something up, this time it was the PLANET!!!) i want to suggest that as we reduce our carbon footprint, we need to increase our Jesus footprint!
stay tuned... more to come...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
EasteR ReflectionS
what is it about special times of year that make people go all philosophical... Easter, Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Annaversaires etc. What makes these days any different to any other day? Why do we all post meaningful messages on our facebook or msn status' and feel that by doing that we have done our bit for the cause or we have helped to cleanse our souls? Why are such moments of spiritual clarity only achieved on such days i wonder? i do of course realise that there are some abnormal people out there who are capable of having these epiphanies outside of the boundaries of a special or memorable day of the year, but these people are just insanely spiritual and have already achieved a certain level of clarity that plebs like you and me could only dream about :) i am of course being sarcastic... mostly.
it has always struck me as odd why someone would announce that they are doing or contemplating something spiritual (don't get me wrong, i have done this too). i kind of liken it to the pharasies praying in the courts in loud voices so those around them could hear how great they were. i am absolutley positive that this is not the reasoning behind doing such announcements for us, but it now strikes in interesting chord within me. i noticed that at the beginning of the easter weekend many of my facebook friends updated their status' to read something along the lines of so-and-so is thinking of Jesus, or so-and-so is thinking about God's love. Don't get me wrong, these are wonderful things to be thinking about, but shouldn't we as Christians be thinking about them all day every day? why now does it get a special mention in our facebook status? Please understand that i am not having a go at anyone in particular, i am having a go at me mainly because i do this too and it disturbs me! why do i have to wait for a specail day to commemorate Jesus and what he has done for me? even the title of this very entry is doing exactly what i am complaining about. why do i only take communion at church on sunday? why don't i commune with my friends and family and break bread with them?
i don't have any answers or solutions, just questions asked of myself in annoyance. why is it not an every minute of every day thing when it should be? too much was paid for me to just live it or accept it whenever i feel like it. too much was paid for me to just make some insightfully spiritual status update a few times a year. too much was paid...
stay tuned... more to come...
Jeffros
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Pretty Paper
well it's officail! i am qualified. i have graduated now from Tabor with a bachelor of arts (youth work). it feels good to have finally finished. it is a pretty major achievement for me because of how much i detested the thought of study. there were times along the road where i thought that i wouldn't finish the course, but there was always someone there to lift me up and encourage me along the way again. sarah has been great throughout the whole thing. she has encouraged me and pushed me (sometimes dragged me kicking and screaming) along the path to completion. i really couldn't have finished without her!
so where to from here... well at the moment i am being completely satisfied knowing that i have a piece of paper that tells me i know how to do my job :) i want to do more study... not sure what i want to study, or where i want to study it... but i will do more... next year i think.
i have learnt many things throughout my study. many things about youth work, faith and myself. i think one of the most significant things i learnt is that it's ok to quesiton things. throughout my studies i have been challenged on nearly every part of my theological and sociological beliefs. i have looked at what i believe and asked why do i belive it? and most of the time, i couldn't answer, not straight away anyways. but ya know, it's ok to question it. it's ok to not just swallow everything we are told by our 'spiritual leaders' because sometimes, even they get it wrong! there is only one constant, and that is God. that was my breakthrough i guess... it's ok to say why!
so where to from here... well at the moment i am being completely satisfied knowing that i have a piece of paper that tells me i know how to do my job :) i want to do more study... not sure what i want to study, or where i want to study it... but i will do more... next year i think.
i have learnt many things throughout my study. many things about youth work, faith and myself. i think one of the most significant things i learnt is that it's ok to quesiton things. throughout my studies i have been challenged on nearly every part of my theological and sociological beliefs. i have looked at what i believe and asked why do i belive it? and most of the time, i couldn't answer, not straight away anyways. but ya know, it's ok to question it. it's ok to not just swallow everything we are told by our 'spiritual leaders' because sometimes, even they get it wrong! there is only one constant, and that is God. that was my breakthrough i guess... it's ok to say why!
that's all for now...
stay tuned... more to come...
Jeffros
Monday, March 30, 2009
Welcome Home
i realise that nearly 3 years of absent blogs could be constituted as abandonment, but i have decided to return to the fold of blogging. so i would like to welcome you to my blog... again...
the purpose of this blog is simple, i get to rave on about whatever is on my mind and you have the choice of whether to read it or not, whether to believe it or not, whether to agree or disagree with what i say... in the end it's your choice and i have no control over that...
this blog is called Trains Run on Time for a very good reason, they don't! it's the same in life, we want opporutnities and stuff to happend when we want it to happen. we want God to fit everything into our timetable. well i don't know about you, but i tried that and it sucked! so instead of bitching to God that he isn't doing it right, i have decided (in my great capacity for wisdom) to step aside and let Him do his job. and while this is all happening, i will do mine... now i just have to figure out what that is...
stay tuned... more to come
jeffros
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
reality check
Greetings one and all... well on a whole, things are still functioning quite will in the Argent household. sleep is slowly becoming a more regular occurance. lillian is doing quite well and is becoming cuter and cuter everyday. she seems to be a very happy and content little girl as she smiles a lot and is verging on giving us a laugh. lillian is growing and is alreay beginning to out-grow her birth clothes.
sarah and i are starting to get back some of our social life also. this has taken a lot of re-working with the addition of baby lillian but so far, so good. i for one have been very excited to start to slip back into church commitments and social things as i have really missed interacting and hanging out with my friends.
i am really enjoying the opportunities that are being presented to me at Marion church. i did the message last Sunday night. it was my first time speaking a message at Marion and i really enjoyed it. it felt really good and i beleive that God was working through my words. i have had many comments since that people were touched and had an encounter with God on Sunday night. it is such a privelge to be apart of God's work and to know that he has used me to touch someone's life is such a cool feeling. it causes me to take such a reality check everytime it happens. it forces me to realise that without God, i really am nothing. it is His blessign in my life, His influence and guidance in my life and the giftings that He has given me that allow me to do everything that i do. and then He decides to use ME to touch the life of someone else... pretty cool when you think about it!
...it's all food for thought...
That's all from me for today...
Stay tuned... More to come...
Jeffros
sarah and i are starting to get back some of our social life also. this has taken a lot of re-working with the addition of baby lillian but so far, so good. i for one have been very excited to start to slip back into church commitments and social things as i have really missed interacting and hanging out with my friends.
i am really enjoying the opportunities that are being presented to me at Marion church. i did the message last Sunday night. it was my first time speaking a message at Marion and i really enjoyed it. it felt really good and i beleive that God was working through my words. i have had many comments since that people were touched and had an encounter with God on Sunday night. it is such a privelge to be apart of God's work and to know that he has used me to touch someone's life is such a cool feeling. it causes me to take such a reality check everytime it happens. it forces me to realise that without God, i really am nothing. it is His blessign in my life, His influence and guidance in my life and the giftings that He has given me that allow me to do everything that i do. and then He decides to use ME to touch the life of someone else... pretty cool when you think about it!
...it's all food for thought...
That's all from me for today...
Stay tuned... More to come...
Jeffros
Monday, March 06, 2006
ThE dAy ThE mOuLd WaS sHaTtErEd
For nearly 9 Months we had been waiting for the day... the day when our already chaotic lives would be thrown into utter turmoil and confusion... what day am I talking about you ask? I am talking about the Day the Mould Was Shattered!!! Also Known As The Day My Daughter Was Born :) yes, it is official!!! Lillian Rain Argent was born at 3:27am on Wednesday the 22nd of February 2006. She was and still is a small bundle of joy weighing in at only 6 pound 8 ounces (about 2.96kg) at birth.
Lillian is the most amazing and beautiful creation I have ever seen!! I know every father says it, but I am the only one who is right!!! :) This is the reason for the title of this entry... Because at 3:27am on Wednesday the 22nd of February 2006, God's mould was shattered by the arrival of the most beautiful child. Of course I am not biased ;-)
Lillian and Sarah have come home now and we begin the task of attempting to settle into a routine (and sleeping whenever possible, hee hee). After a few complications at birth like Sarah developing Preeclampsia and Help Syndrome and needing to have an Emergency C-Section, Lillian having low core body temperature and dangerously low blood glucose levels... The staff at Flinders Medical Centre were fantastic in looking after my 2 angels and a little over a week after Lillian was born, they were both able to come home. Big thank you's to all the gang up at FMC.
ok, must go now... Got work to do. I fear that i will be in trouble tomorrow as a big event I am responsible for has just finished and it didnt' go so well... I will find out tomorrow...
Stay Tuned... More To Come... I hope...
Lillian is the most amazing and beautiful creation I have ever seen!! I know every father says it, but I am the only one who is right!!! :) This is the reason for the title of this entry... Because at 3:27am on Wednesday the 22nd of February 2006, God's mould was shattered by the arrival of the most beautiful child. Of course I am not biased ;-)
Lillian and Sarah have come home now and we begin the task of attempting to settle into a routine (and sleeping whenever possible, hee hee). After a few complications at birth like Sarah developing Preeclampsia and Help Syndrome and needing to have an Emergency C-Section, Lillian having low core body temperature and dangerously low blood glucose levels... The staff at Flinders Medical Centre were fantastic in looking after my 2 angels and a little over a week after Lillian was born, they were both able to come home. Big thank you's to all the gang up at FMC.
ok, must go now... Got work to do. I fear that i will be in trouble tomorrow as a big event I am responsible for has just finished and it didnt' go so well... I will find out tomorrow...
Stay Tuned... More To Come... I hope...
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Travel Guru At Your Service
Hi all,
It has been a very long time since I last gaev you an update - 3rd of January i believe. So we are well and truly due for a new post. Here goes...
I have started my new job now at Austraining International. I have taken over from Sarah in the same position as she had. My official title is Project Coordinator - Events Management. It sounds really important and I even get my own business cards so I must be important :) The job is great. I am really enjoying being at work again and this is a challenging job that changes nearly everyday. And just a side note... if you ever need travle booked, you can come to me because in the last 2 weeks I have become the master at booking travel and accommodation!!! But the job is good.
Ok, Church. Church is also going really well. I am getting quite heavily involved in various ministries at Marion. I am now officially a youth leader at NRG XS (junior youth) and we have kicked off the year now and having a good time. I have also branched out in my worship team service by joining the tech team to do sound at night services. Carl has also created a position for me in the worship oversight team that puts me in charge of quality control, recruiting and training of the sound team. It is going to be really great to have the chance to work with the sound guys in the church and work on thier skill levels and do some workshops with them where we get a really good sound tech to coem in and do some stuff with our guys (yes Dave, I am thinking about you). So overall, church is going quite well... Oh yeah! I almost forgot, I am preaching now too :) My first message is on the 26th of march in the night service. It's so exciting to be speaking again. I am really looking forward to it.
As for life... it's getting close to the time for champane and cigars (metaphorically speaking of course) for the birth of our new... child. Things seem to be gong well so far. Sarah is getting a lot more tired now and she is having a few more pains. Personally i think it is gettign close. I hope she doesn't the final 3 weeks she has to go becasue if she does then it will be a very incomfortable 3 weeks for her. But she is still looking as beautiful as ever :)
Ok, i have to cut this one short cause I am at work and I just got a heap of emails that i need to reply to. Will talk again soon I promise...
Stay Tuned... More to Come...
Jeffros
It has been a very long time since I last gaev you an update - 3rd of January i believe. So we are well and truly due for a new post. Here goes...
I have started my new job now at Austraining International. I have taken over from Sarah in the same position as she had. My official title is Project Coordinator - Events Management. It sounds really important and I even get my own business cards so I must be important :) The job is great. I am really enjoying being at work again and this is a challenging job that changes nearly everyday. And just a side note... if you ever need travle booked, you can come to me because in the last 2 weeks I have become the master at booking travel and accommodation!!! But the job is good.
Ok, Church. Church is also going really well. I am getting quite heavily involved in various ministries at Marion. I am now officially a youth leader at NRG XS (junior youth) and we have kicked off the year now and having a good time. I have also branched out in my worship team service by joining the tech team to do sound at night services. Carl has also created a position for me in the worship oversight team that puts me in charge of quality control, recruiting and training of the sound team. It is going to be really great to have the chance to work with the sound guys in the church and work on thier skill levels and do some workshops with them where we get a really good sound tech to coem in and do some stuff with our guys (yes Dave, I am thinking about you). So overall, church is going quite well... Oh yeah! I almost forgot, I am preaching now too :) My first message is on the 26th of march in the night service. It's so exciting to be speaking again. I am really looking forward to it.
As for life... it's getting close to the time for champane and cigars (metaphorically speaking of course) for the birth of our new... child. Things seem to be gong well so far. Sarah is getting a lot more tired now and she is having a few more pains. Personally i think it is gettign close. I hope she doesn't the final 3 weeks she has to go becasue if she does then it will be a very incomfortable 3 weeks for her. But she is still looking as beautiful as ever :)
Ok, i have to cut this one short cause I am at work and I just got a heap of emails that i need to reply to. Will talk again soon I promise...
Stay Tuned... More to Come...
Jeffros
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
8 weeks Until Fatherhood...
Hi all out there in CyberLand,
Well as the title suggests there is only 8 weeks to go until Sarah and my life gets thrown into utter turmoil as the most wonderful gift form God will enter our lives... A child. Of course the baby could be early or late so 8 weeks is really only a guide. But Very exciting, and even a little bit scary times are drawing nigh.
Sarah finishes work at the end of this month. I am still looking for work, but at the moment, there is nothing jumpign up and saying pick me, pick me!!! So I am basicalyl applying for anythign and everything at this point. The scary part for me is that if I dont' have work by the time Sarah finishes, we are in real trouble. I would appreciate your prayers for us in this matter if it's not too much trouble :)
Deep down inside I know that I have faith that God will provide for us. He always has in the past and I find it hard to belive that he would stop now with a baby on the way. It's just that God always leaves it to the last minute! Well he does for me anyway, maybe it's all a way of strengthening my faith? But I tell you, it doesn't do any good for the stress levels! :) In a way I kind of feel bad for doubting God in any way. He has been soo amazing to Sarah and me on many occasions. You'd think after all of the stuff He has done for us that I would have no troubles in just lettign Him do His thing. But sometimes I still have doubt in my heart. I know that's wrong, but I guess I am just human and it's natural??? I don't know...
Ok, that's all for now. Just a quick update on my twisted mind, hee hee.
Love you all,
Stay Tuned
Jeffros
Well as the title suggests there is only 8 weeks to go until Sarah and my life gets thrown into utter turmoil as the most wonderful gift form God will enter our lives... A child. Of course the baby could be early or late so 8 weeks is really only a guide. But Very exciting, and even a little bit scary times are drawing nigh.
Sarah finishes work at the end of this month. I am still looking for work, but at the moment, there is nothing jumpign up and saying pick me, pick me!!! So I am basicalyl applying for anythign and everything at this point. The scary part for me is that if I dont' have work by the time Sarah finishes, we are in real trouble. I would appreciate your prayers for us in this matter if it's not too much trouble :)
Deep down inside I know that I have faith that God will provide for us. He always has in the past and I find it hard to belive that he would stop now with a baby on the way. It's just that God always leaves it to the last minute! Well he does for me anyway, maybe it's all a way of strengthening my faith? But I tell you, it doesn't do any good for the stress levels! :) In a way I kind of feel bad for doubting God in any way. He has been soo amazing to Sarah and me on many occasions. You'd think after all of the stuff He has done for us that I would have no troubles in just lettign Him do His thing. But sometimes I still have doubt in my heart. I know that's wrong, but I guess I am just human and it's natural??? I don't know...
Ok, that's all for now. Just a quick update on my twisted mind, hee hee.
Love you all,
Stay Tuned
Jeffros
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Riding the Wave of Life...
Sometimes to me, life is like surfing. You float around in the great big ocean, clinging to whatever you use to keep you afloat. You dangle your arms and legs over the side and have a paddle for a while. But the ultimate purpose is to catch that wave. You wait and wait, scanning the seas for the beginnings of the wave. Then when it finally comes you paddle like mad do a balancing act and have the time of your life for 10 to 20 seconds and then you start the whole process again. It's a cycle...
Well that's my profound theological analogy for this week.
Sarah said to me today that This Christmas and New Years is the last one that we will do alone because of the baby. It got me thinking that there are a lot of things that we will be doing alone for hte last time. Our wedding anniversary, Our birthdays this year, Christmas, New Year. It kinda makes me sad to know that soon we will have to share all of those experiences that are special to us, but at the same time I am really excited to be sharing them with our child.
The fact that I am about to be a father is dawning on me more and more. I don't know how to feel about it all. On one hand I am so excited that I couldn't explain. I felt the baby kick for the first time hte other night. It was such an amazing moment for me. It almost makes me jealous that Sarah gets to feel stuff like that all the time. Notice I said 'almost makes me jealous' there. I don't envy her one bit for all of the stuff she has to put up with. I just dont know how to help her sometimes. I can see that she isn't feelign well or that she is uncomfortable and the Male inside of me jst wants to fix it all and make it better, but I can't. Sometimes I feel so helpless and I hate that. On the other hand I am petrified of a lot of things.... Sarah has to stop working and that's what I want, but it also means I have to go and get work (which isn't a problem). My fear is that I need to find a job that will pay enough to support us. Then there is the fear that I will be a bad father, ok maybe bad is the wrong word. I am sure that every expecting dad goes through this, but it's still a big fear for me. I will be responsible for the raising and maturing of a creation of God. That is such a huge responsibility and I hope that I am up to the challenge.
On a more positive note, Sarah is looking more beautiful all the time. I don't know if I tell her that enough. I know that I am partially biased because she is my wife, But she really does look so beautiful.
Okay, well that's about it from me for today. I will be back soon to give you all the next installment of my life surfing experinces.
Stay Tuned, more to come
Jeffros
Well that's my profound theological analogy for this week.
Sarah said to me today that This Christmas and New Years is the last one that we will do alone because of the baby. It got me thinking that there are a lot of things that we will be doing alone for hte last time. Our wedding anniversary, Our birthdays this year, Christmas, New Year. It kinda makes me sad to know that soon we will have to share all of those experiences that are special to us, but at the same time I am really excited to be sharing them with our child.
The fact that I am about to be a father is dawning on me more and more. I don't know how to feel about it all. On one hand I am so excited that I couldn't explain. I felt the baby kick for the first time hte other night. It was such an amazing moment for me. It almost makes me jealous that Sarah gets to feel stuff like that all the time. Notice I said 'almost makes me jealous' there. I don't envy her one bit for all of the stuff she has to put up with. I just dont know how to help her sometimes. I can see that she isn't feelign well or that she is uncomfortable and the Male inside of me jst wants to fix it all and make it better, but I can't. Sometimes I feel so helpless and I hate that. On the other hand I am petrified of a lot of things.... Sarah has to stop working and that's what I want, but it also means I have to go and get work (which isn't a problem). My fear is that I need to find a job that will pay enough to support us. Then there is the fear that I will be a bad father, ok maybe bad is the wrong word. I am sure that every expecting dad goes through this, but it's still a big fear for me. I will be responsible for the raising and maturing of a creation of God. That is such a huge responsibility and I hope that I am up to the challenge.
On a more positive note, Sarah is looking more beautiful all the time. I don't know if I tell her that enough. I know that I am partially biased because she is my wife, But she really does look so beautiful.
Okay, well that's about it from me for today. I will be back soon to give you all the next installment of my life surfing experinces.
Stay Tuned, more to come
Jeffros
Friday, November 18, 2005
Dodgem Car Derby
Hi there show lovers
This weeks post is a little all over the place i guess. There has been kinda a lot going on in the last week or 2.
Firstly, Next week marks the end of my first year of tertiary study. WooHoo!!!! Almost done. Things have been a bit hectic in the final dash to get major assignments over and done with. I am almost there. I chose to do an assignment on Mel Gibson's film of The Passion of the Christ. Can I jsut say that after watching hte movie 4 times in 3 days, I have no desire to ever see that movie again. So it is with a study fried brain I write to you today so if my ramblings seem a little illegible, I apologise.
There hasn't been any play so far in the cricket today due to rain. This is a little dissappointing as I like to move my laptop downstairs and have the cricket goign in the background while I study and write papers. So today's studying has been a little less exciting... but i guess that is bound to happen once in a while.
I am kinda getting used to the weather down here. it's beginning to get a little too hot for my likings, but it's not as bad as QLD heat so i will cope.
Church life is good. I am really enjoying being apart of a church family again. Sarah and I met with Carl, the worship and creative arts pastor a couple of weeks ago to discuss our involvement in the worship team which will begin at the beginning of next year. I am also meeting with mark, the youth pastor next week to discuss being apart of the church's youth ministry team. Things are exciting. I am really looking forward to what the new year is going to bring.
Still dont' have any work for next year yet. If you could be in prayer abotu that for me htat would be much appreciated. Sarah finishes at austraining at the end of January and I need to have work by then so we can survive. lol. I know that god has it totally in control though and he will provide everything that we need. But yoru prayers can't hurt :)
ok, must away and return to my studies...
love you all and remember to stay tuned
jeffros
This weeks post is a little all over the place i guess. There has been kinda a lot going on in the last week or 2.
Firstly, Next week marks the end of my first year of tertiary study. WooHoo!!!! Almost done. Things have been a bit hectic in the final dash to get major assignments over and done with. I am almost there. I chose to do an assignment on Mel Gibson's film of The Passion of the Christ. Can I jsut say that after watching hte movie 4 times in 3 days, I have no desire to ever see that movie again. So it is with a study fried brain I write to you today so if my ramblings seem a little illegible, I apologise.
There hasn't been any play so far in the cricket today due to rain. This is a little dissappointing as I like to move my laptop downstairs and have the cricket goign in the background while I study and write papers. So today's studying has been a little less exciting... but i guess that is bound to happen once in a while.
I am kinda getting used to the weather down here. it's beginning to get a little too hot for my likings, but it's not as bad as QLD heat so i will cope.
Church life is good. I am really enjoying being apart of a church family again. Sarah and I met with Carl, the worship and creative arts pastor a couple of weeks ago to discuss our involvement in the worship team which will begin at the beginning of next year. I am also meeting with mark, the youth pastor next week to discuss being apart of the church's youth ministry team. Things are exciting. I am really looking forward to what the new year is going to bring.
Still dont' have any work for next year yet. If you could be in prayer abotu that for me htat would be much appreciated. Sarah finishes at austraining at the end of January and I need to have work by then so we can survive. lol. I know that god has it totally in control though and he will provide everything that we need. But yoru prayers can't hurt :)
ok, must away and return to my studies...
love you all and remember to stay tuned
jeffros
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Fairy Floss Land
Hey there show folk...
Just a quick little note to tell you a little about a thought I had today while I was daydreaming... How cool would it be to live in a place called fairy floss land!!! Lots of fairy floss and drinks... all of that yummy show food and stuff. It would be soooo much fun...
anyways...
Back to reality where fairy floss land doesn't exist, but cavities and fillings do :)
Stay Tuned
jeffros
Just a quick little note to tell you a little about a thought I had today while I was daydreaming... How cool would it be to live in a place called fairy floss land!!! Lots of fairy floss and drinks... all of that yummy show food and stuff. It would be soooo much fun...
anyways...
Back to reality where fairy floss land doesn't exist, but cavities and fillings do :)
Stay Tuned
jeffros
When the going gets rough, punch harder!
Greetings to you all.
Well it's time once more for an episode of my life, which on the titles of some of my other posts is beginning to feel like an amusement park, so I might stick with that in the future...
ok, onto more serious matters....
Isn't it strange how when you take a blind step and trust in what God has asked you to do, things somehow just 'work out'? I find it a really bizarre thing... I guess I probably shouldn't - the whole faith thing and everything. But the truth of it all is, I do. it constantly amazes me how God continues to bless and look after me and my family. Sure sometimes, actually a lot of the time, it can be quite tough, but somehow at the end of it all, it's all good.
A lot of the time it's hard to do what God wants me to do... well it's hard for me anyway. Sometimes I don't want to do what he wants me to do, sometimes I want to do what he doesn't want me to do. It's a never ending cycle. but, in the end, when I follow His way, something good happens.
God has been working on a lot of areas in my heart recently. It has been quite difficult at times. He has been challenging me a lot about my attitudes towards certain ideas, and more importantly, certain people that I know. It may take me some time, but I know that in the end, there will be something good install. Even if there is nothing tangible there, I will have the feeling of peace in knowing that God has healed me and helped me grow in my walk of life.
Please pray for me in my journey of faith with God that I may continue to learn of His ways and walk with him.
Stay Tuned
jeffros
Well it's time once more for an episode of my life, which on the titles of some of my other posts is beginning to feel like an amusement park, so I might stick with that in the future...
ok, onto more serious matters....
Isn't it strange how when you take a blind step and trust in what God has asked you to do, things somehow just 'work out'? I find it a really bizarre thing... I guess I probably shouldn't - the whole faith thing and everything. But the truth of it all is, I do. it constantly amazes me how God continues to bless and look after me and my family. Sure sometimes, actually a lot of the time, it can be quite tough, but somehow at the end of it all, it's all good.
A lot of the time it's hard to do what God wants me to do... well it's hard for me anyway. Sometimes I don't want to do what he wants me to do, sometimes I want to do what he doesn't want me to do. It's a never ending cycle. but, in the end, when I follow His way, something good happens.
God has been working on a lot of areas in my heart recently. It has been quite difficult at times. He has been challenging me a lot about my attitudes towards certain ideas, and more importantly, certain people that I know. It may take me some time, but I know that in the end, there will be something good install. Even if there is nothing tangible there, I will have the feeling of peace in knowing that God has healed me and helped me grow in my walk of life.
Please pray for me in my journey of faith with God that I may continue to learn of His ways and walk with him.
Stay Tuned
jeffros
Monday, October 31, 2005
Will the Real Slim Shady....
Hi all,
This is a real quick post to just say could the anonymous person who left a comment on my last post please identify themselves to me via another comment or an email on jeff@bbpl.com.au.
Thanks, Stay tuned, more later this week
jeffros
This is a real quick post to just say could the anonymous person who left a comment on my last post please identify themselves to me via another comment or an email on jeff@bbpl.com.au.
Thanks, Stay tuned, more later this week
jeffros
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Do the trains really run on time? Or am I just early?
This is a valid metaphorical question in my life right now. Do the trains really run on time, or am I just early?
Sometimes I feel like I have been waiting at life's platform for an opportunity train to come along for what seems to be an eternity! Finally when the train finally arrives, I usually don't want to get onboard because I am over it, or I am frustrated at how long it took to get there.
So I was talking to a friend at Tabor last thursday and we were talking about opportunities that God brings along and stuff and we were talking about one of the things that he really wants to do in the future, and he said to me "well it's all in God's timing, not mine." It's a phrase or statement that as a Christian I heard said over and over for years. I asked him if he actually knew what that meant. Then I asked myself if I actually knew what it meant. So I started thinking about what it does mean... I was looking at my blogger here... Trains Run on Time and I got a picture. When I am standing at the platform waiting for that opportunity train, I am looking at my time table. All the arrival times are the times that I created. I didn't take into account whether or not I had the right fair, the neccessary luggage for my journey or my destination... I just made the timetable fit what I wanted to do. But that's not the way it works. God creates the timetable that the Trains run to. He knows exactly when I will have the right fair, or have the preparations done, and anything else that I might need. It's at that point that the train is schedualed to arrive, not a minute before, and not a minute after. It's my responsability to be at the platform waiting for it.
So there you have it, the Trains really do Run on time
Jeffros
Sometimes I feel like I have been waiting at life's platform for an opportunity train to come along for what seems to be an eternity! Finally when the train finally arrives, I usually don't want to get onboard because I am over it, or I am frustrated at how long it took to get there.
So I was talking to a friend at Tabor last thursday and we were talking about opportunities that God brings along and stuff and we were talking about one of the things that he really wants to do in the future, and he said to me "well it's all in God's timing, not mine." It's a phrase or statement that as a Christian I heard said over and over for years. I asked him if he actually knew what that meant. Then I asked myself if I actually knew what it meant. So I started thinking about what it does mean... I was looking at my blogger here... Trains Run on Time and I got a picture. When I am standing at the platform waiting for that opportunity train, I am looking at my time table. All the arrival times are the times that I created. I didn't take into account whether or not I had the right fair, the neccessary luggage for my journey or my destination... I just made the timetable fit what I wanted to do. But that's not the way it works. God creates the timetable that the Trains run to. He knows exactly when I will have the right fair, or have the preparations done, and anything else that I might need. It's at that point that the train is schedualed to arrive, not a minute before, and not a minute after. It's my responsability to be at the platform waiting for it.
So there you have it, the Trains really do Run on time
Jeffros
Thursday, October 20, 2005
LifE GoeS up LifE GoeS DowN
what is it about the things in life that have this amaxing power over happiness? One day you can be riding high on cloud nine, then next you can be plumitting back to earth to meet what seems to be certain doom! People are so hard to understand! sometimes i wish that everyone would just think like me then we would all be on the same page. but of course that isn't a reality and praise the Lord that everyone doesn't think like me :) in today's world, there doesn't seem to be much emphasis on the importance of what true friendship really is. friends today are expendable, there are plenty of other fish in the sea etc.
what ever happened to loyalty, trust and commeradeship? (is that even a word?). i want the type of friend who will stand by me in tough times and happy times, the type of friend who is not afraid to be honest with me and will let me know if i am out of line or there is something in my life that needs tending to. if god lays something on my heart then i try to carry it out to the best of my ability (most of the time). sometimes it means saying something to someone that they don't want to hear, and that is hard - especially for me, i don't like upsetting people - but in the end, usually the situation improves through God's work.
like my good friend wilby pointed out in a journal entry at his deviantart site... christians are always talking about the battle they see going on but rarely do they raise the sword and fight. i agree for the most part, it bewilders me and frustrates me sometimes that all some christians do is talk about the battle/problem. nothign ever gets done!!! and when they finally get around to doing something about it, the prooblem is too big for them to handle or another problem has moved in. i really feel that we as christians need to take up arms against the enemy together and take back this land for God. we have been equipped with all the armour and weaponry that we need, so why is it just sitting in the corner getting rusty whilst we sit and have debates about how often communion should be taken, or what songs to sing in church, or how the church isn't giving us what we need. why is that stupid petty little stuff consuming our lives? people wonder why those outside the church think we are all weird! but why aren't we outside the church too? why do we confine ourselves to the 4 walls of our churces and wait for the 'lost' to find their way home into the throne room of God's grace and love. here's a concept, why can't we take God's love and grace to them... why should they be the ones who have to feel uncomfortable... didn't the great JC say that in this life we will have trouble and trials and stuff, it isn't going to be easy! so why do we take the easy way out and blame everyone but oursleves for the decline in our churches! it's time to take the fight to the enemy. instead of letting the emeny infiltrate our lines, let's get into his lines for a change and take back this land!!!
Ok, that's enough preaching for me for today... sorry all, I got a bit carreid away there... but that has been what's on my mind a but lately...
stay tuned
Jeffros
what ever happened to loyalty, trust and commeradeship? (is that even a word?). i want the type of friend who will stand by me in tough times and happy times, the type of friend who is not afraid to be honest with me and will let me know if i am out of line or there is something in my life that needs tending to. if god lays something on my heart then i try to carry it out to the best of my ability (most of the time). sometimes it means saying something to someone that they don't want to hear, and that is hard - especially for me, i don't like upsetting people - but in the end, usually the situation improves through God's work.
like my good friend wilby pointed out in a journal entry at his deviantart site... christians are always talking about the battle they see going on but rarely do they raise the sword and fight. i agree for the most part, it bewilders me and frustrates me sometimes that all some christians do is talk about the battle/problem. nothign ever gets done!!! and when they finally get around to doing something about it, the prooblem is too big for them to handle or another problem has moved in. i really feel that we as christians need to take up arms against the enemy together and take back this land for God. we have been equipped with all the armour and weaponry that we need, so why is it just sitting in the corner getting rusty whilst we sit and have debates about how often communion should be taken, or what songs to sing in church, or how the church isn't giving us what we need. why is that stupid petty little stuff consuming our lives? people wonder why those outside the church think we are all weird! but why aren't we outside the church too? why do we confine ourselves to the 4 walls of our churces and wait for the 'lost' to find their way home into the throne room of God's grace and love. here's a concept, why can't we take God's love and grace to them... why should they be the ones who have to feel uncomfortable... didn't the great JC say that in this life we will have trouble and trials and stuff, it isn't going to be easy! so why do we take the easy way out and blame everyone but oursleves for the decline in our churches! it's time to take the fight to the enemy. instead of letting the emeny infiltrate our lines, let's get into his lines for a change and take back this land!!!
Ok, that's enough preaching for me for today... sorry all, I got a bit carreid away there... but that has been what's on my mind a but lately...
stay tuned
Jeffros
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
God Truly is Amazing
Well, what an interesting day it's been. It has been a little hard for us adjusting to the monthly pays that sarah gets (instead of the weekly pays we have had all year) and this week is pay week and we have been pretty strapped for cash ever since teens camp. We were gettign desperately low on food and fuel today and then the postman came...
there was an envelope there with no return address, it was postmarked South Australia. I opened it and there was a $50 note inside with a little note that simply said 'Blessings'.
Totally bizarre, as no one knew that we were strapped for cash, and it must have been sent last thursday or friday to get here today... the exact day when we needed a little cash to tide us over...
I must say that God really does work in mysterious ways... So who ever you are out there that blessed us with this money, thank you and thank you for listening to god's leading. Lord thank you for once again providing for us in our hour of need.
jeffrs
there was an envelope there with no return address, it was postmarked South Australia. I opened it and there was a $50 note inside with a little note that simply said 'Blessings'.
Totally bizarre, as no one knew that we were strapped for cash, and it must have been sent last thursday or friday to get here today... the exact day when we needed a little cash to tide us over...
I must say that God really does work in mysterious ways... So who ever you are out there that blessed us with this money, thank you and thank you for listening to god's leading. Lord thank you for once again providing for us in our hour of need.
jeffrs
The Post Event Blues
Hi there peoples,
Well we are back from teens camp now and it's back to the real world. I am on holidays from college now so things are still a littel cruisy for me.
Wow!!! Teens camp was great! It was really great to be apart of the worship team for camp, I had a really great time and it was so inspiring to see all of the kids really worshiping God. I think there was around the 60 mark in attendance and a great and fun time was had by all - leaders and band included.
Sunday night was amazing, God really moved in the worship time and there were a number of kids that were in tears as they worshiped God through song. Trav spoke well and allowed God to work through him to achieve what needed to be achieved. it is my prayer that these kids who were touched by God continue to seek him out and change their lives and move forward with Him...
Ok well that's all I really have to say about teens camp...
We have our ultrasound for the baby tomorrow!!! I am so excited!!!!! so i will have more info for you tomorrow...
Stay Tuned...
Jeffros
Well we are back from teens camp now and it's back to the real world. I am on holidays from college now so things are still a littel cruisy for me.
Wow!!! Teens camp was great! It was really great to be apart of the worship team for camp, I had a really great time and it was so inspiring to see all of the kids really worshiping God. I think there was around the 60 mark in attendance and a great and fun time was had by all - leaders and band included.
Sunday night was amazing, God really moved in the worship time and there were a number of kids that were in tears as they worshiped God through song. Trav spoke well and allowed God to work through him to achieve what needed to be achieved. it is my prayer that these kids who were touched by God continue to seek him out and change their lives and move forward with Him...
Ok well that's all I really have to say about teens camp...
We have our ultrasound for the baby tomorrow!!! I am so excited!!!!! so i will have more info for you tomorrow...
Stay Tuned...
Jeffros
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Teens Camp Awaits
Well today we leave for teens camp. it's so exciting to be apart of a worship band again, but to be asked ot be apart of the teens camp worship band is very exciting indeed. i have enjoyed rehersals so much and the band has a great sound and we have really gelled together. i have this amazing feelign that God is really going to work in people's lives this weekend. for a couple of weeks now i have had this feeling (you know, one of those God feelings in your tummy) that on sunday night at teens church, God is really going to move in powerful ways. i don't know what is going to happen but i am very excited none the less.
well we attended our first worship team meetign fo rmarion last night and it was a lot of fun. hearing carl present a little of his vision for the progression of worship at marion to move to the next level was actually very exciting for me and for the first time in a while now i am feeling privilegded to be apart of a team that is moving with God instead of tryign to fight his movement. carl is a fantastic leader and i am really looking forward to working with him more at marion in the near future.
that's all from me for today... more to come after teens camp... i will have a full run-down of hte happenings so stay tuned
jeffros
well we attended our first worship team meetign fo rmarion last night and it was a lot of fun. hearing carl present a little of his vision for the progression of worship at marion to move to the next level was actually very exciting for me and for the first time in a while now i am feeling privilegded to be apart of a team that is moving with God instead of tryign to fight his movement. carl is a fantastic leader and i am really looking forward to working with him more at marion in the near future.
that's all from me for today... more to come after teens camp... i will have a full run-down of hte happenings so stay tuned
jeffros
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