DADIRRI - it has found me

Today I came across an article titled Dadirri by Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann. There written down were my thoughts as if the author had looked down within the very depths of my soul and placed it on  paper. It captured the very substance of my understandings and experiences of God - His all consuming presence, the transcending presence of His Spirit and the living truth of God’s word in Jesus dwelling deep within. I feel God in the air I breathe, the land I walk on, the grass I touch, the wind in my hair, His presence going around me and through me. I feel Him on my skin, under my skin, and on the tips of my fingers. I hear His gentle voice deep within and without. I feel Him all around me, aware of this all consuming presence when I’m quiet and still and in the midst of His creation. How can you contain something so encompassing in a building made by human hands?

Then I saw what seemed to be the creation happening - God and His Spirit coming out from Him carrying His Word as He calls out things to existence. When we speak, we hear a sound. That sound is produced as the air carries it out of our mouth and the words we hear are formed. The word that comes out has a meaning, purpose and power. Words as we know describes, gives meaning to the invisible (our feelings and emotions), and is powerfully influential - it can hurt and it can bring people up just as good news makes us happy (Proverbs 25:25). The Holy Spirit is the air that carries the Word that is Jesus.

We are called the body of Christ. What connects us to each other is His Holy Spirit that is within.  God's Spirit calls to us but some ignores it, analyse it, and fights it. Others surrender to that gentle calling. The sound heard is the sound of Jesus knocking at the door of every heart. He wants us to connect with Him and with one another. His Spirit will eventually unite us in Him.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heavens, You are there;If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me". Psalm 139:7-10 KJV

http://www.liturgyplanning.com.au/documents/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4832

GenerationOne - One Voice "Kids Address to the Nation": Shania and Summer

Forever Reign - Hillsong Live - A Beautiful Exchange

My Jesus....
You are good, when there's nothing good in me
You are love, on display for all to see
You are light, when the darkness closes in
You are hope, you have covered all my sin
You are peace, when my fear is crippling
You are true, even in my wandering
You are joy, you're the reason that I sing
You are life, in You death has lost it's sting

You are more, than my words will ever say
You are Lord, all creation will proclaim
You are here, in Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, of all else I'm letting go

I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world, forever reign
My heart will sing no other name

The Consequence of Grace

“Is it our duty or our responsibility as Christians to look after the prisoners and their families?”, someone had asked me. The term duty or responsibility didn’t quite sit comfortably in my head as I processed that question. To say yes would be to refute God’s grant of free-will to humanity. Something of this act of charity towards the imprisoned requires not a decision of the mind but of a changed heart. It cannot be an imposition, because frankly, who could love the most unlovable and possibly the hardened and the most hideous of criminals?

We are able to love those who are repugnant it’s because Jesus first loved us. The grace we received undeserved is the same grace that we are able to extend to those who thinks that they are beyond forgiveness. All of us are in need of that saving grace manifested through the death of Jesus. For we were once slaves to sin (Romans 6). So it’s really not about whether it’s a Christian responsibility or duty, it’s because we love Christ…..for only love can ‘cover a multitude of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8). The perfect love that is of Christ in us.

“let him know that he [she] who turns a sinner from the error of his [her] way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 (NKJV)


“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him [Jesus Christ] might be saved.” John 3:16a,17 (NKJV)

Working for Jesus

"What motivates you to come to work?"  I was asked one day.  I knew it wasn’t money.  I believe it was something more valuable but perhaps not yet tangible for my mind to capture.  Something just kept me going... but what was it? 

Finally, a revelation.  There it was on the first page of my nearly tattered Daily Bread it read, “meaningful work - not for the accumulation of wealth (although it was rather convenient) but to have something to share with others”. 

My work now made even more sense.  I asked and so He gave.  And that I don’t take lightly.  It’s all about Him.  What I do at work, I do it for Him, because it was Him who brought me there.  What my work brings out in me blesses Him and in turn, He will make it so that it will bless others also.  He works out His purpose in me through the work that He has endorsed me.  There I harnessed the skills, talents and gifts that He endowed me.  He does this to fulfil His will and makes stronger the passions He has placed in my spirit.  It pleases Him to see me happy.

My roller coaster ride

Lord here I go again...angry and hurting!  I wait for your healing, when You will make all my hurts disappear, when You will turn my anger into love, when You will dry my tears and make my heart joyful again.  Remind me of my iniquities so that I will not rise up in pride and despised those who have caused me pain.  Remind me of your great forgiveness and love that I may show the same.  Give me courage to do what pleases You and bring You great joy.  It is no longer I who live but You who lives in me.  My times are in Your hand, O lifter of my head!

Choose Life, Choose Jesus

On my car bears a sticker - a name big enough that no one can miss.  It has generated both positive and negative responses. Some have found it amusing, some embarrassing. Where others have found it weird, others have taken courage from it. It could be a good start to conversation, or else a controversy but one thing is for sure….

It is the name above every name. It is the name that every knee in heaven, earth, and hell shall bow to, and every tongue confess that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord‘ (Philippians 2:9-11). Whether you agree or disagree, it is what the God of the whole universe has already declared - like it or not.  Can anyone stop the sun in its track and the coming of the moon at night? Can anyone capture the power of the lightning in their hands or contest the rumble of the thunder with their voice?  Can anyone calm the pounding of the great ocean waves or cease the shaking of the earth? No one except God.

When the name of 'Jesus' becomes a taboo, it is exactly where Satan wants everyone to be; his purpose is to suppress and keep anyone from experiencing the power inherent in that name.  The devil knows that what we speak out or what we don't speak out will either bring life or death.  When the disciples were casting out demons and laying hands over the sick, whose name did they utter?  It's no other else's name except the name of JESUS.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days….” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)

“The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly“. John 10:10 (NIV)