3 Levels of Ministry

1. Contact (Impress)
2. Impact (Engage)
3. Drive (Inspire)

I don't know how biblical this is going to be, I'm just going explain some practicalities of my ministry. It comes down to an analysis of my work that says that if I want to be most effective then I need to be clear about how I am spending my time. Even if you are not in ministry (or even a Christian) then I hope that this would be useful simply from the point of view of looking at how you spend your time.

I have lots and lots of different things that I have to do because of my job and they are all generally enjoyable. Some of them suit my personality really well and others I really have to really dig deep for the motivation. That's not a good enough reason to do or to not do something. Jesus calls people to carry a cross, which is neither motivating or personality aligning. I do think that in ministry that there are things that really help to achieve goals and some thing that simply reduce your effectiveness. This is why I like to analyze my time and categorize it and I'm sure you could come up with different categories, but these are the ones that work for me. I've also come up with three action words for the categories to focus my efforts - its a what and a how.

So let me explain...

Contact Contact work is just where you are trying to make contact with someone or a group of people or a community. It's about recognition and about setting up some trust. The key word I use here is Impress, and that's not something you normally think about with Christians, but people want to know that they can trust you and that you can do things for the next stage to work. It's not necessarily impress as in be able to juggle whilst walking a tightrope. It might be that you try to demonstrate some integrity, that you understand where someone is coming from, that you are thinking about others or just that you are punctual. It's not about being whizbang - it's about breaking down barriers and assumptions with a positive impression.

 

The kinds of things I do as contact work are leading services, saying hi to students every morning, trying to have high standards, helping people with their little IT problems (fix a printer here, demonstrate a shortcut there, embed a video in a powerpoint, turn up to an event that I'm not required to). I want people to have the impression that I care about others, that I am professional and that I have some insight. I don't want people thinking that I am judgmental, arrogant, sloppy or unreliable. Nor do I want people to take me for granted.

 

There are a couple of risks in all of this. You can't be a people pleaser and do good ministry. You have to be genuine and have integrity, and not just try to fit in. Jesus said that we have to be salt and light - you can't make a difference if you are like everybody else. You have to pick your battles, and pick your lines because you want people to see that they can relate to you, and you certainly don't want people to think that you are one of those "Holier than thou" types. But you don't want to be drinking, swearing, talking about chicks, putting others down etc so that people welcome you into the community. In some cases it's a fine line and in other cases its not. Also, you don't want your ministry to focus on you as a celebrity - it always has to point to Jesus. You can do good things, and impress people, but as soon as you start thinking that it's because you are good, and because you have worked hard, then you are ignoring that it was God who gave you the opportunity to minister to those people, it was God who gave you those gifts and talents and it is God who softens people's hearts. Always bring it back to Jesus. It doesn't have to be that every time you do some tiny little thing you use it to mention Jesus, but in your mind you must be really clear who deserves the glory.

The other big issue is mistake is to think that if people are showing up then they are growing up... Or at least developing some faith. Just because you have consistent numbers doesn't mean they are actually numbers of growing believers or going through faith development. You just don't know from contact ministry. A pastor in a church of 100 can know where most of his flock are because a whole bunch will be from the same families and a lot will be mature enough to sustain themselves, but take a school or a youth group and you have a lot of individuals not families. You also have a lot of showing up but no test of genuine commitment. That doesn't mean it's nor there but you just don't know unless you're actively growing it. Numbers don't equal faith growth and formation.

For that you need to make an impact

 

Impact
Occurs when you have individuals who are sufficiently challenged in their faith to grow more. A lot of the time this can happen through some of the initial contact work raising questions. Impact gives the opportunity to answer those questions. The relationship that was started through contact now means that some of your answers will be believed just because you say and some will be accepted because you have demonstrated trustworthiness. Whatever the case you need to engage the person and in particular their heart. A lot of people think that given enough information anyone will change. It's not true of weightloss or smoking so why should it be true for Christianity? It's not a transference of information - it's all about transformation. That requires good information that is worded appropriately for the audience and uses examples that they can relate to. And that is the key to it too - relevance. You are guaranteed to have no impact on anyone's heart whilst you are discussing irrelevant issues or using irrelevant examples. The listener needs to see themselves as a part of the whole fabric that you weave and they need to see that if it is relevant to them, then they need to respond in some way. If they do not respond, or if there is no action, then it's the same as someone clicking like on Facebook.

 

One of the major issues here is that what might work brilliantly on one group might be a disaster for another. An example that had lots of people responding for years, might completely miss the mark just because.

 

I watched a DVD about a guaranteed method for street evangelism based around convincing people that they were guilty of breaking the ten commandments. He would then work on convincing them that they needed a saviour. Unfortunately in this day and age, when most people have relative morals rather than absolute and most people don't have concept of a good and perfect God, the ten commandments aren't convincing. Maybe people who grew up in Sunday school theory years ago then drifted away and then got challenged in the street respond but most of the people I know who aren't Christians could at the very least point out that God takes lives (and that is enough for then to keep rejecting God).

The method has to be relevant. The gospel is always true but there is so much to it that we need to choose very carefully what we decide to share first and how we choose what we emphasize (which should be based on audience and not our own preferences). I heard a preacher once say that if he only had an hour to share the gospel with a person, he'd listen for 55minutes and spend the last five minutes applying the gospel. I think we actually need to start with God and Jesus. God is all about love and we need to get to know (follow) Jesus so that we can do what God wants. Its pretty basic and it doesn't mention sin - its a starting point and its not interested in a quick convert. Enough said.

 

Some other things to consider would be things like music/videos and Google. Music has a massive impact on emotions. Done well and it tugs on our heartstrings, badly and we get angry or worse "tune out". I've had non Christian kids singing chapel songs during "normal" classes or complaining that its stuck in their head. I've observed the opposite as well.

A very good friend of mine taught me that a 5minute clip from a movie can be very powerful in making a point. There are lots of movies with the hero who dies / gives his life / volunteers for a dangerous mission that can be related to Jesus or linked to God. I've also used whole movies split into parts for analysis and even linking to bible study - young people (especially) have unusually high tolerance for "boring stuff" when you link it to a movie. Part of it is wanting to know how it ends and part of it is that linking two different things in your head can be quite fun. We need to be honest here though - the Hollywood version of reality is a long way from real but has a significant impact on an audience because of a "willing suspension of disbelief." This can be manipulated. Don't.

Previous generations have relied on experts to give them information but this current generation has access to all the knowledge of the world at their fingertips. There are plenty of contexts in which the current generation still relies on experts to give information, but they tend to be relationally based. For example, the local GP that they see regularly will be able to tell them all kinds of information that will be instantly taken as gospel but a doctor on TV will be ignored. A panel of journalists on TV like "the project" or "Sunrise" will be highly influential (because they will be watched regularly and seem very personal) but the political experts that appear on TV during elections are wrong if they present a different point of view. Mostly, Google is god. And of Google, only the first page counts. The new generation has a much better relationship with Google than it has with plenty of experts because its the go to search page. (Bing does not count for anything FYI.) This does not make sense to previous generations because good doesn't actually have information - it simply knows where to find it, but it still gets the credit. Therefore, to get the new generation on board with whatever information you want them to assimilate, all you need is to help them with their Google searches. This can be manipulated too (so don't) but as the post Christian age develops further, the number of responses that will be from a Christian perspective will also diminish (only the first page of Google counts principle). Ultimately, if you want them to believe it, get them to search it and make up their own mind.

 

YouTube is another source of information that is widely accepted without much critical thinking. Once again, the current generation spends a lot of time on YouTube (app more than site I'm sure) so there is a relationship there, even if that trust is built around epic fail videos and cats.

I remember a long time ago being told as a teacher that our vocabulary needed to be complex so that the students would develop a greater understanding of technical terms and complex language structures - for a class that you have all day this can be useful in an academic school, however explanations and definitions need to be used regularly. Everyone knows what it would feel like to go and sit in a lecture for an unknown topic (like neurology or physics or accounting) and feel like an idiot because you do t understand half of the words used (let alone the jargon and acronyms). Imagine what its like for a kid who has never been to church to hear jargon like grace, blood of the lamb, the cross, redemption, sacrifice and sin. Even if the word sounds familiar, they would never have heard it in that context before and yet some Christians just blurt it out as if everyone went to Sunday school. To have an impact on his audience Jesus used parables with familiar themes like sheep, farming and fishing. If we don't change them to be about themes that our audience is used to we are missing one of the points of parables - help people understand God.

 

Final point on this - the bible is full of richness and depth. Pick what is appropriate - if your audience has been taught that they are good from an early age then trying to convince them that "they are all sinners" might not be as effective as trying to convince them that God is "Our heavenly father". The gospels give us examples of judges, sons, sheep, tax collectors, military men, fishermen, Pharisees, " sinful women" and people who had a mouth. There must be something in the bible that you can use that will be directly relevant (don't just say tax collector - say drug dealer or someone who lives for money) to whoever you are talking to. It takes more knowledge of who you are talking to and more preparation, but it is more effective... It will have a greater impact.

 

In the first phase you need to impress to connect and get the platform for them to listen to you. In the second phase you need to use that platform to engage them with a relevant message, not a soap box topic or your go-to topic or anything that leads them away from what is important. Don't see this as the place for the ministry outcomes either. People don't really engage with the gospel 'em mass most of the time. Real conversion is so easy to avoid when there is a crowd to hide in... Which brings us to drive...

 

Drive

The third phase is the hardest, most time consuming and most rewarding... Kind of like parenting. Within that group that you engage there will be a handful that really respond. They'll be the ones asking questions during their time, they will seek you out for more, they will clarify and extrapolate further. The drive is not a sledgehammer driving a post or a golfer driving off the tee - its a road trip. You get a few to go places. The vehicle is a regular location and time with a few who are interested. The fuel is joy of hanging out (and sometimes food)(snacks involving lots of sugar if absolutely necessary) but the view is focused on the beauty of the bible. Explore it, explain it, go to new places, go to old favourites, bring snacks (I already mentioned snacks didn't I... they're not that important...).

Don't let it be formal, snooty and onesided. It needs to be organic, relaxed, inclusive and above all challenging. You need to prepare and train more than they do. You need to have something worth sharing. Once again there is the risk of the cult of you, so you definitely need to keep the focus on Jesus - let him be your guiding light and there's. Do not be the expert - be the one who cares enough about their future and wanting be there for their present. Be interested in them. It maybe that none of them ever become Christians because of your words of wisdom, but it is possible that they will connect with God because you took an interest in them which meant that they got interested in what you were on about. The holy spirit does the work, and Jesus does the saving, but you have the opportunity to bring them closer than ever before; sometimes by answering questions, sometimes by being there/dependable, and sometimes by simply being yourself.

 

This is where hearts are truly changed. This is where God's word can really sink in and transform lives. It is always precious and should never be taken for granted. You still need to impress and you still need to engage, but nowhere near to the same level. Now you need to focus on inspiration. You want hearts and minds to be changed then make sure that there is something life changing on the table. Now maybe you don't feel to inspirational and you feel that this is for someone else to do - trust me, every single time someone says yes to taking out time from their lives to hang out with you, they already have seen something about you that is inspiring. You must be yourself - don't try and switch on the charm. If you want them to be genuine then you also have to be genuine - that doesn't mean overshare, that just means real. You must be yourself. The funny thing is that we probably don't find our inspiration all that often coming from within ourselves. Most of the time, our inspiration comes things we have seen, heard, read and experienced. You could be passing those things on or it could be that those who gather need to experience life with you to be inspired - you don't know how God is going to use you in that context so please do not say that you are not going to be inspirational. Don't let puff you up with pride either. Don't think that you inspire just by turning up so you don't need to think through exactly where this is going or how you are going approach the next session. Be real. Over and above all this you MUST remember that it is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that does the most important work - you get to be a servant of our LORD Jesus Christ for just a few precious minutes and you get to pass on to others what has been passed on to you. If you do not understand fully the work of the Holy Spirit then don't worry - you're not alone. If you do not believe that the Holy Spirit does the work or that the Holy Spirit isn't necessary or it's not what your denomination talks about, then you need to read the bible some more.

 

If you are in a position where you can train people to do this then do it. You will have more effect over a longer period of time if you are not the only one doing this where you are. Train them, give them experiences where you are supervising, give them feedback on their progress, listen to their feedback, share resources, share their joys and their frustrations.

Wrap Up

Jesus sent out disciples in pairs. God said, it is not good for man to be alone. The Trinity is God in community with himself. Aloneness is what connectedness in society leads to when connectedness is about me. God puts us in other people's lives for a reason. Not to be the guru that knows all the answers, but to be the friend, guide and at times, father/mother. If you are in organised ministry then you will face the issue of where you are spending the majority of your time and if you know your New Testament well enough, you will know that you need to be fruitful. To be fruitful you have to carve out time to at least walk alongside people if not disciple people. Everything in life will tell you that you are successful if you have lots of people turn up to contact ministry, and contact ministry can be the most time consuming part of your life if you let it... but whatever work you do make sure you are working towards the Drive.

Why did the kids in Jericho have to die

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The four key questions for life

This is based on something I heard on the radio a few years ago, and haven't been able to get an Australian version of.

1) Am I loveable?
2) Am I noticed?
3) Do I have a future?
4) Am I needed?

My reason for posting this is simply to encourage all adults to address their own answers and to reach out to any kids who might be struggling with any of these questions - You might be the one who makes the difference in a kid's life.

These four questions basically come in four to five year stages. The kids who come into adulthood with these questions firmly answered are most likely to be emotionally secure and motivated to achieve. Sometime people will answer these questions sequentially, and sometimes they will get the answer to one question and then skip the next and then go back. Essentially though, if the answer to any of these questions is "No" then the outlook for a kid is bleak and their motivation towards anything is going to be mixed. It is going to affect their outlook and their behaviour in certain circumstances. For example, what point is there for a kid who doesn't think they are noticed to try hard at school for an award? What point is there for a kid is there for a kid to reach out to others if they feel unnecessary and unneeded?

I believe that God made parents to be the ones that answer these questions for kids, but that doesn't always happen. In the real world, parents have limitations, parents struggle with their own answers to these questions, and life happens. It takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes the parents aren't able to, or don't know how to make the needed changes to help, so we should all be on the look-out for kids who are struggling. The reason why it's best if the parent answers it, is because the rest of society provides conditional answers. For example, if your answer to "Am I needed?" is yes, because you have a job and the manager says, "I don't know what I'd do without you." then that's great until you lose your job or move onto another job in which they don't make you feel as needed. If a kid believes that they are noticed, because they were put into beauty pageants between the ages of 5-12 but then they nolonger make the cut, then it's quite likely that they will start attention seeking behaviour. It's not a hard and fast rule; it's just an ideal. Every kid and every family and every parent is different. Hopefully this will just get you thinking.

1) Am I loveable?

The first four to five years are spent grappling with the question "Am I loveable?" Not am I cute and cuddly, but am I such a person that is capable of being loved? If that question is answered positively, then it has a huge impact on a kid's ability to deal with all kinds of changes to do with people like new settings, (like kindy and school) new people, and new siblings. Ideally, parents should be spending lots of time with 0-5 year olds, hugging them, laughing with them, feeding them and encouraging them. When kids misbehave (which happens a lot) parents need to set the boundaries of what is right and wrong. It's these kinds of things which answer the question "Am I loveable" because if parents continue to demonstrate love in the face of bad behaviour when the kid is young, then they start to realize that they are loved no matter how naughty they are. This is unconditional love; it's hard to do it right so that kids get the right correction to the behaviour without getting a sense that they can get away with anything, and without getting the sense that they can do nothing right.

If the answer by the end of 5 years is "I am loveable," then new will be approached positively. Meeting a new person is met with an expectation that the relationship will be positive, and going to a new school is exciting because they expect that they will be loved - not in the same way as parents - but just that expectation is for good, and they know that if it all goes wrong they can retreat back to loving parents.

Now I have three kids and they are all different, even though my wife and I have parented them in the same way. Their personalities mean that they respond differently to all kinds of things. My second son struggles with this question at times, and that has meant that settling into Prep has taken time, and there have been ups and downs. That doesn't mean that I haven't done a good job, but more that his personality is affected by a range of extra things in new situations. Even though he is no less loved, he needs to ask the question more frequently, and get reminded more frequently.

2) Am I noticed?

Ever felt invisible? Some kids spend their whole lives feeling invisible. The quiet ones, the ones with lots of siblings, the ones who aren't academic or sporting geniuses all struggle with this question. And it's not just getting praise. Some kids get praised for things that they know aren't valuable - they reach a point where they wanted to come first, second, third, not well done for showing up. They want to be told "That was a great game you played today" when they didn't drop the ball everytime. Kids understand the truth from the age of 4 and want genuine evaluation from around the age of 6. That's not to say praise should be left for stellar performances, but we should be very careful as to what and how we give kids encouragement. A specific part of the game where they did the right thing, is much much better than praising the whole game in which things went right and things went wrong. Praising effort (which can eventually become demoralizing) instead of results. Identifying areas that could be worked on as an opportunity for more time together and recognizing that just because you don't get chosen, doesn't mean you weren't good. It's tricky, but failure is a part of life that kids need to be prepared for in a positive way and how they bounce back from what they see failures will have an impact on their motivation. If you aren't a part of that, then they can start to feel unnoticed and worthless. All that work done on answering the question about being loveable gets undermined, and habits about expectations always become negative. It's not a matter of preventing them from experiencing failure - its a matter of working out how to be alongside them. Too many parents will step in and get academic grades upgraded, teams reassessed, and performances influenced in a failed attempt to show their love. If a parent does this, then they are devaluing their kid, and ignoring their needs - which leads to the answer "Am I'm noticed" being only answered negatively, until the parents stop their interfering (Sometimes as late as the twenties) or makes the kid think "If they really noticed me then they would know that "maths" is not my strength."

Of course, some kids do not have anyone who does notice them. There might be lots of reasons for this, but at the end of the day we need to have eyes that see in particular marginalised, excluded or "loner" kids - it can lead to depression and suicide.

3) Do I have a future?

Ever noticed how when you ask kids what they want to do when they leave school, they often don't know? Sometimes its because they don't know if there is actually any point in trying hard because they don't know if they have a real future. 

In the adult world, we actually assume that we will be doing something similar to this year next year, or different next year based upon our current condition and control. Say for example you want to go on a big holiday, you will save, or you want to move house or renovate your house - you will get quotes, save, research or whatever it takes. You are assuming that next year will happen in a similar way to this year with sufficient knowns and not too many unknowns. Even Uni students and people who don't know if they are going to get the sack will act in a way that supports their future - even the choice of saving money because you think you might get the sack is a belief in the future.

The way in which kids think about their future is different to adults, mainly because of their experience. Year 2 follows year 1. Year 7 follows year 6. If you hate maths in primary school then you probably hate it in high school. It's like it's never going to change and never going to end.

Who can forgive them for believing that they have no future when there are so many unknowns and everyone who has done it before was older than them. But without hope, what will motivate them? Nothing good. But where do they get the idea of a future from? From interested adults who can show them possibilities. All it takes is options based on strengths, weaknesses and interests. Now you can direct some of these by presenting good options and by knowing about the kid. You can also give them experiences like work experience, volunteering somewhere, or responsibilities. It also means that adults need to know about the high school system (whether HSC or QCS) and uni courses and OPs and industries. It also means that the discussions adults have about the future need to happen regularly and positively, whilst accepting that knowing what to do is a process not something that you should make a kid feel bad about for not knowing the answer. 

Am I needed?

All the discussion about the future is fine, but at some point, kids do the maths and realise that they are just one of many. Whether its because they got rejected by the local Maccas for a job, whether they get beaten by most of the grade, or Uni cohort, or whether their friends are more popular, there is a constant question in a kid's mind about whether or not this massive world actually needs them, or whether or not they are just surplus.

I gotta mention God here: I believe that God made each one of us different and that we are all unique. I also believe that God made each of us with a very specific plan and a unique purpose. No matter where you are at with God, every single person has the potential to do something truly unique and truly spectacular. When kids are making the transition to adulthood, it often seems impossible. Providing them with examples of how you got your break, asking them questions about what they are passionate about or what problems they see in the world, really helps, but mostly, you just need to be there for them and constantly reassure them that life does get better.

These questions if they get answered properly when you are young can really affect you positively, particularly in your relationships and career. If any of them get answered negatively of don't get definitively answered, they can really hold you back, lead to rocky relationships, lead to a lack of motivation in studies, or any aspect of your life which requires confidence.

If this answer isn't cleared up by teenage years, then their relationships with their peers, both BFF and GF/BF, could be characterized by some behaviour that adults will look at in wonder. For example, girls who get continually treated terribly by guys and continues to choose boyfriends that treat her that way. That could be interpreted as "An example of how our consumer society has degraded morals" but it could just be a cry for love and to work out the answers.

So keep an eye out for which questions kids you see might be struggling with, think about how you answered those questions and what questions you haven't actually answered positively.

Finally, get a conversation going about it and see what happens

Cheers
Macca

When did Jesus start his ministry?

So you're probably thinking he was thirty, or it was around 30AD. You might also be thinking "what is ministry?"

I can't imagine the God I worship just being content to wait around till he was thirty - it just doesn't make sense. Jesus was amazing at using seemingly insignificant situations (often inconvenient to him) and even when he was under attack to gently and/or firmly point out Gods love, mercy, kindness, and (loaded word) grace and in so doing inspired, amazed, healed and restored more people than there are verses than are in the bible.

It doesn't say it but there is a healthy respect between John and his cousin long before the mention of sandal tying (just imagine the two young boys playing together and the older helping the younger put his sandals back on next to the sandpit) and Jesus asking to be baptized by him. There isn't a lot of info about his time of "growing up" except people's response to him and his lack of stranger danger in the temple at age 12, but surely he did not separate himself from his village and become a hermit? Surely he worked in the family business and studied the scriptures, but had a bit of a rep and experienced friendship.

But even before this

Children are a blessing from God and the longer a couple or a family wait for a kid, the greater the pressure on the mum during pregnancy and the greater the joy once the child is born. Once they are born there is lots of ooing and ahhhing and then mum and dad get on with the business of being being mum and dad (in whatever way works for them). This is often filled with plenty of sleeplessness but there are those beautiful moments which soothe the soul as the baby sleeps, or the baby's wraps around yours or the eyes open and the first smile forms.

Now imagine that the God of creation is born as a little helpless baby. No crying he makes is a bit of a stretch but you just know that baby Jesus' focus is going to be on communicating God's love right from the start in whatever he chooses and whatever way is going to be most readily understood to whoever is most readily available (shepherds, wise men, local choir).

Jesus ministry starts from his birth (maybe before if you count the whole thing with Elizabeth) and not when he was thirty. God had his reasons for getting those three action packed wisdom filled years recorded in the gospels and why the tales of teenage Jesus are scant, but he wasn't cut off in preparation.

So what?

Firstly, never underestimate the place of children in providing care, support, ministry and healing to the hurting - particularly not at Christmas. (By logically this also means empowering, training and equipping them but it also means giving them a sense of value and worth that goes beyond what they can do)

Secondly, follow Jesus' example of making every moment of every day count for God.

Thirdly, never ever forget the importance of the theology behind sharing our frail human form. He knows what it is to go through every aspect of our life from babyhood, to adulthood. Our responses should be appreciation, respect and trust. Every time we face dangers, troubles and frustrations we should be turning to God who became a baby for us because he loves us for he we are.

Merry Christmas
Cheers
Macca

Santa Claus vs God

Santa Claus knows everyone on the planet
God knows everyone on the planet

Santa Claus has thousands of people pretending to be him

God has thousands of people pretending to be him

Santa Claus has a plan to reach everyone in one night

God has a plan to reach everyone in one night

Santa Claus knows what everyone wants

God knows what everyone wants

Santa Claus understands that not everyone believes in him

God understands that not everyone believes in him

Santa Claus wants everyone to know love and joy at Christmas

God wants everyone to know love and joy at Christmas

Santa Claus loves surprising people 

God loves surprising people

Santa Claus doesn't exist

God exists

That's the real difference.

Being in love

How do you know if you are in love
Sweaty palms, pounding heart rate, heart in your mouth?
Maybe you spend all day thinking about them, planning what you are going to say next time you see them or talk to them, thinking about how lucky you are to have them in your life?
At Christmas you might make an extra effort - extra gifts, a really personal card and setting aside time to spend with that special someone.

One of the things that I was told when I got married was that being in love wasn't as important as loving your wife. That crazy in love feeling can subside as life takes over. The thrill of the initial romance can't last forever. The rollercoaster ride is replaced by a practical car which needs constant refueling. Communication is the key, which includes reading lots of books to understand the other better, and learning about their quirks, likes, dislikes, and spending time together.

For those of you who read this and are not Christian, here is something to think about...
God loves you, plans the gifts, makes time, thinks about you all the time. Not only that, but God will never, ever grow tired of being rejected, avoided or treated like He doesn't even exist.

For those of you who are Christians, here is something to think about...
When was the last time you got sweaty palms or a racing heart just thinking about God?
When was the last time you spent all day thinking about God, talking to God, or writing something special for God?

So maybe you're not in love with God? Maybe you're in a different phase of the relationship. Do you do loving things, even when you are tired, run down, worn out, for God, for others? Are you spending an hour a week with God or is it more? How much is in your tank? How often do you refuel?

Jesus said "love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind soul and strength." He added "Love your neighbour as yourself" with a definition of neighbour so broad as to encompass everyone.

No matter how hard I try to live up to this standard, I never feel like I spend more than 5% of my time getting close to this. It's too hard. I always fall short. This is why I constantly rely on God's grace.

The question is: if you can't achieve perfect love, should you stop trying? Should you accept where you are at with God and make no change? Or is time to suck it up and try knowing that the effort means something to God and will have a positive effect on your relationship with him.

Consider this
1 John 4:7-12
⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4&version=NIV


No matter who you are, God loves you, and you should show love to those are around you.

This is my speech for the year 12s leaving today

Tomato joke

There were three tomatoes walking down the road; A Mummy tomato, a Daddy tomato, and a baby tomato and the baby tomato was lagging behind ...

You guys dont know how much i will miss you

I have so many memories with you - some of them are funny and some of them are sad some of them funny and sad

I remember trying to keep up with kieran in cross country, form class in D2, no-outs soccer games on the junior campus oval, the day we got goals for futsal and my team putting them together, the worst camp ever with the bizare leader in the tree and the hail the size of a fist, being thrown in the pool by all of you and Robertson finally winning an interclan competition.

My fondest memories are from my first year at tsc with you guys in year 5. it is a different experience to have a class all day everyday as miss gilespie and mrs haines shipman will tell you. It makes you all very close (and a little insane)

we did slaves and masters, heaps of timestables and spelling, dissoling plastic, and buddy reading with the preps in mrs walkers class. We went from the squashed prep class to the massive classroom down the stairs.  We got to see wallabies out of the windows and we got trapped in the classroom during the bushfire because of the smoke.

But how much of this actually helped your OP? Id like to think some of things i did with all of you helped, but for me the most important test not one with letter results but your life. I hope that I have not only helped you work out your beliefs and demonstrated my own, but also shown you how important good relationships are.

There is a bible passage that talks about fire and seas (not the beach) and as you head off into the unknown i thought a bible verse might be appropriate. It talks about how no matter what challenges you face in life God is there for you so dont lose hope.

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;