Every Christian should be encouraging
07 July 2006
I’m a person who thrives on encouragement. I really appreciate it when people encourage me. But what I want more than ever is for Christians to be more encouraging.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess 5:11)
Firstly notice that Paul assumes that his people are already being encouraging. Secondly notice that Paul encourages the Thessalonians to be encouraging even though they are already being encouraging. Thirdly the motivation for being encouraging is the fact that Christ died for us and saved us (see verses 9 & 10).
So I want to encourage you to be encouraging. How can you do this practically?
- Post encouraging comments on blogs
- Write someone a letter (by hand is best) tell them what you have noticed about them in their Christian walk.
- Take the time one Sunday to watch people when you see someone do something note it and go and thank them or tell them. When was the last time you thanked someone for reading the Bible, preaching etc.
- Be perceptive watch out for people who make an exceptional effort in non flashy way, seek them out and tell them how much their effort is appreciated.
- Pick a person at church pray for them everyday for a week then tell them on Sunday that you have been doing it for them.
tags christian, ministry tips, rant, thinking
Mission (Friday)
HelpersHaving felt slightly out of my depth all week (lots of people I don’t know) I made a really big effort to try and get to know one of the boys who I did’t think was a Christian. With kids camps I usually pick a kid or two to particularly pray for and write to. Practically speaking that’s about all I have time for.
"Doc" abseils down as part of the playGod was glorified and children came to trust in him. I’m happy.
tags christian, linkage, pictures, travel, update
Sad...
06 July 2006
Also while I was out this morning I received the news that a friend of mine had died of a brain aneurysm. As far as I know he wasn’t a Christian. He was 21 years old.
I’d had a number of conversations with him on MSN over the last couple of years debating the existence of God and the Christian world view without much success.
The news was pretty difficult to take, It’s not very often that I cry but this was one of those times. It’s hard to know what to do or say. God is sovereign over all circumstances and I trust my life to him.
supportMIKE is sad
Burnout...
I hit burnout last night pretty hard and my brain kinda just shut down... this happens to me periodically. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to which is something to thank God for. I ended up going on a very long walk at about 1am maybe not the wisest thing to do but I felt a little better.
Because I was still pretty crappy this morning I made the decision not to go to HBC. I have particularly low levels of tolerance for people, kids and all things relationally related when I’m depressed. Instead I went for another very long walk and spent a good few hours praying and reading the Bible. It was great knowing that I could participate fully with my brothers and sisters work @ HBC in prayer.
Brain function was restored somewhat, I got my hair cut and ate a mountain of food...
supportMIKE is OK
tags christian, ministry, rant, travel, update
Mission (Wednesday)
05 July 2006
Today’s lesson focused on Generosity. Particualrly in Acts where the believers all shared their possesions with one another.
Anne (see yesterdays pic) gave out packets of chips to our year sixes. Some had more and others had less. We even had some poor widows with nothing. The kids protested and moaned saying it wasn’t fair.
We then read the story about the believers sharing their mammon and loot with each other and being generous. Then the kids with more shared up those who had less. (A couple of kids were even specially ordained to make sure that the widows had their fill).
We also talked about how it was unity in Christs death that provides the motivation for generous actions... Well I was actually absent for that bit, doing what I do best intimidating some naughty kids into behaving.
There have been over 200 kids attending HBC (Holiday Bible Club) each day. The pictures are from the upfront whole group time... and my impression of the "Blue Steel Cowboy".
supportMIKE would like you to pray for the kids @ HBC from non-Christian homes. Pray they will come into a personal relationship with Christ.
tags christian, pictures, travel, update
Mission (Tuesday)
04 July 2006
Today’s key idea was “forgiveness”. We focused on the fact that we need to be forgiven by Jesus and this should effect how we act when others need our forgiveness.
I have very sore arms from playing games and general tiredness from running around. I’ve been trying to get to know the boys in my class. It’s been a while and my kiddie skills are a little out of practise. Never-the-less we managed to put together our fork windchimes which was good.
Here are some pictures of our room… yes it is pink but that wasn’t my idea. Surprisingly not one of the boys complained. Maybe it was the fact the boys are out numbered two to one in our class...
supportMIKE thinks that pink is an acceptable boys colour post, the metrosexual revolution.
tags christian, pictures, travel, update
Some random thoughts on Sydney…
... by a Tasmanian country bumpkin.
- What is with the silence and long faces on the trains?
- What is with the freaking cold weather? (as cold as Hobart sheesh)
- What is with so many people being out in town on a Sunday?
- What’s with all the nice Christians?
- What’s with the fact that people carry maps to get around town in the car even though they live there?
- What’s with people not knowing where stuff is when you ask them? (ok so they were randoms).
- What’s with the number of fast food shops in town? I couldn’t escape them... (Maybe they were following me around).
Mission (Monday)
I was feeling totally dismal. Maybe it was the drugs (antibiotics) I’ve been taking. Maybe I’m just worn out from cleaning to many windows. I usually lead a group during January Mission but because this is my “holiday” I decided I’d play a back seat role. I am just another pair of hands helping out with the year sixes.
The theme for the week is is Sonward Bound (Mostly about Cowboys and Indians see pic). We follow the story of a motley crew as they mosey on down the Heavenly Valley. Each day has a key idea teaching the kids the basics in Christian living. The key idea for the first day was “Promise” based on Jesus promise at the end of Matthew to be with his people always.
supportMIKE is a behind the scenes ninja
tags christian, pictures, travel, update
The CIM experience
03 July 2006
I was struggling to succinctly describe CIM in words till this afternoon during a conversation with a friend…
Friend: It’s just like Crossroads only less punkPerhaps this will tell you more about Crossroads than CIM. In all seriousness I really enjoyed attending CIM. Sam preached a great talk from Judges looking at Gideon. I think he picked the key idea well (God’s sovereign control over circumstances) and I also second guessed his cross references in 1 and 2 Corinthians (applying to God using Christian weakness).
Me: More polished
Friend: Yeah
The vibe was friendly and upbeat and people most welcoming. I really enjoyed briefly meeting Christine, Ray, Hannah, Sam R, Ruth, Nixter and Craig and others (whose real names unfortunately are lost in the vast space between my ears). I would have loved to have spent more time hanging around chatting but I had to get my beauty sleep.
It’s time’s like these that make me happy, joyful as Christian… I’m happy that I can fly to another place far away from my home be welcomed to celebrate with my brothers and sisters. The best part is knowing I’ll get to spend forever with them some day.
supportMIKE is happy.
tags christian, friends, review, travel
Moore Updates
02 July 2006
I spent a whole afternoon yesterday with Seumas. We just sat there and did nothing… for a whole afternoon. Well that’s not entirely true we talked and picked over the carcass of a loaf of bread. We also did a Thai lunch and were honored with the presence of Lisa (a good friend of Seumas’). I shouted the lunch which contrary to the popular cynicism of my brother wasn’t a ploy to impress Seumas’ said friend.
Sitting in Seumas’ room I got more of an appreciation for life at Moore College. It seems less kinda scary and something I’d be more prepared to do. I could see myself sitting in one of those small slightly dingy boyish smelling rooms with my Mac book listening to music and reading Christian books. Heck there’s even a wicked coffee place nearby where I could go and pretend to be arty.
supportMIKE thinks maybe he can fast track MTS (only do it for one year) and then move up here to study @ Moore, get a part time job as youth worker in one of the local churches… heck even marry one of the locals… hmm… maybe not.
tags friends, linkage, thinking, travel, update
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