This Moment.

From my journal:

"I love how life, even in the face of great change, is still pretty much the same...between regrets of the past and apprehension for the future, I'm leaning to cherish every moment while I have it. They don't last long, but each is precious."

That from almost a month ago. Time is slipping by. Today, just four months remain until I say goodbye to everything I've ever known. Four months until I step out in faith on this crazy path that God has set before my feet. Four months to arrange visas, tie up loose ends, pack and prepare myself for whatever is going to be thrown at me. Four months of moments with my family. Four months of home. It's such a short time! Each day is filled with emails, photos, typing, merchandising, baking bread, website design, folding washing, and all the other day to day chores that are part and parcel of my job and home life. Not to mention the added duties of organising my temporary immigration and all the other jobs that have to be done so that I can leave. Mostly the moments fly by without me even noticing. I mean, it's April already!

But sometimes, there's a moment. A tiny, sweet moment. I had one last night. Sunset was long gone: not even a hint of twilight hung on the horizon. Worship had just finished and the youngest sibling had taken himself off to bed. I relaxed in the rocking chair, gently rocking backward and forward, hardly noticing the movement. I looked around my home. The rag-rug that Mum spent hours crocheting diligently until it was big enough to cover our lounge room floor (Josh, take your dirty jeans off the mat! Unless you want to be the one to wash it next time). The mismatched chairs around the hand-me-down table. The shiny, black, granite kitchen benches. The stack of recipe books. The old blue lounges that we've had for as long as I can remember. My piano. The big fireplace with Grandma's plant decorating it's top (That will have to be moved soon. I wonder where we can put it? Maybe on top of the old piano?). Mum, dear Mummy, getting squished and squeezed and pulled as the kids said their goodnights. (Don't pull on her neck guys, she's got a headache!) Daddy, leaning back on the lounge as he relaxed after a long day researching pipe benders and such. 

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as I looked around at the things and the people I love. And I knew that I had to remember this. This time. This feeling. This warmth. This view. This familiarity. I have to remember this and carry it with me across oceans and time zones. Treasure it.

Cherish every moment. 

Waiting

What God does in us while we wait is 

as important as what it is 

we are waiting for.

Recently, I have been through a period of intense waiting. There is nothing in the world quite like waiting. Is it expectation? Is it dread? Is it excitement or worry? These emotions are all part of waiting. And usually it's not just one but all of them that crowd into our minds to confuse us.

Waiting is something that people have struggled with...since sin was introduced on our perfect globe. Humans aren't renowned for their patience - at all. Take Abraham for instance. He and is wife, Sarah grew impatient while waiting for God's promise of a son to be fulfilled. Instead of toughing out the hard times and learning more deeply what it meant to trust Jehovah, they attempted to 'help' God fulfil his own promise by using their girl-servant, Hagar as a surrogate mother. Far from fixing the situation and having them live 'happily ever after', this 'solution' not only caused problems in their own home and family but the effects are still being felt on our planet today!

And then there is the story of the Israelites. They were so close to the Promised Land! But there were still lessons which they needed to learn to be worthy of it's conquer. So back to the wilderness they were sent. For forty years! Forty years is a long time to wait! All of the murmuring, rebellious wanderers grew old and weary and died and the new, younger generation were to be the ones to enter the new country which they would inherit. They had been born and become adults in an environment where even their daily necessities were supplied by God in a very tangible way. Manna. Water from a rock?!

Happy is the person who learns

to wait and never loses his patience,

for God's time is the 

best time.

There are many reasons why God may ask us to wait; many lessons to be learned during a season of waiting.

• Trust. Times of spring and summer, laughter and sunshine show us the beauty of God's love, but it is only in the times of uncertainty and waiting that we can really discover the deepness of His faithfulness. Being able to relax in the palms of His almighty hands is something that is learned by times of trial and it is the basis of a worry and stress free life. Never doubting God or His promise to work 'all together for good' is the most blessed and deep assurance you can have in this world. Trust in His plan and rest in His love.
• Contentment. Sometimes, in our seasons of waiting, we are so concerned over the answer that will come at the end of the waiting that this causes us to be unable to relax in the arms of God. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11) Discontent has been the cause of much unhappiness since the beginning of time. When we are surrendered to God and content with whatever answer He supplies, our joy will be contagious and the heaviness of worry will be erased from our heart.
• Loyalty. Sometimes, it takes this period of waiting to reveal who is truly the King of our heart. Sometimes we, like Abraham and Sarah of old wait impatiently for a short time and then decide to take matters into our own hands and 'help God out a little bit'. Is OUR impatience really worth so much that we are willing to forfeit the Kingdom and HIS will over it? 

Call unto Me and I will answer thee 

and show thee great and mighty things

which thou knowest not.

Dear friend, God will answer. If you are in your own ocean of uncertainty, know that He is waiting to reveal His will for you. If it is His will, there is no point Him hiding it from you. And, if you have learned the lesson He had for you to learn well, the answer will be joyous relief and blessed excitement as you observe His hand in your life. Eternal wonder and gratitude will be in your heart as you will be able to look back, remember how God has lead you in the past and never have a shadow of fear for the future.

A Song through the Rain

It was finally raining. After days and days of scorching and unnatural heat, the earth was creaking in the welcome moisture. My siblings and I did what any normal human beings would do when it started to rain - headed to the dam to soak and enjoy the tingle of the tiny water droplets on our faces. I lay luxuriously on the tractor tube, floating here and there and admiring the water's dimpled surface. I turned my face towards the sky and tried to keep my eyes open between raindrops to admire the silver rivulets falling from the sky. If I had of wanted to raise my head, I would have noticed Hannah, Ella, and Jack all on their own personal floating islands, enjoying the experience. We didn't want to talk.
The rain got heavier. Speaking was now impossible - even if we wanted to communicate, we would have had to yell. Patiently waiting was not even necessary - I didn't want it to be over. Each tiny droplet that thumped onto my skin was like a gentle balm. But, slowly the stream eased and the pounding of the rain dulled into that musical sprinkling sound of water meeting water. It was than that I heard it, through the music came the warbling of a tiny bird. Sweet as the sound of a child's laughter and as soft as the sound of the wind in the trees. It was then that it hit me: when it seems that the beauty of the bird's song goes silent in the rain, the wind and the storm, it's only because it is clouded by the other sounds.

Sometimes it's like that with God's voice. When we are dancing in the sunshine of His grace and protection, His voice sings loud and clear like a church bell on a quiet, still, misty morning. But when the clouds cover over the azure blue of the sky and the wind picks up and the rain begins to pound the earth, suddenly we feel like God has gone silent and we wonder if He really cares.
What we can't feel, we find hard to understand. And when the tough times come and our minds are crowded with worry and voices pulling us every-which-way, we can't hear God's voice. It's not that He is not speaking but that our ears are distracted from hearing His voice.
It comes down to be tuned to His voice. If we allow ourselves to concentrate on the worries and the hurries of this world, the song of God becomes quiet and distant in the times of storm. But if during the springtimes of life, the summers of life, the autumns of life and the winters of life, His song is the soundtrack of our days, when the wind and the rain blows strong, we will hear the melody of His voice even through the storm.

Hot New Product!!!!!!!

I have been a bit quiet around these parts, which shouldn't be seeing as I have finished work and should have plenty of time up my sleeve for rambling. But, contrary to what my old boss things, I am not exactly a "Lady of Leisure" - I keep finding or being given plenty of things to do. It constantly amazes me how busy all my friends, family and acquaintances and yet how there is always so much more to be done! One of those things about life I suppose.

Anyhow, I do have exciting news to share with you. Eastward's very first Music Camp DVD is fresh off the press and now available for you to purchase! I am so excited about this and the fact that they only became available this morning should back up that statement. I haven't yet watched the DVD, although I have watched and rematched every single video that is on it. They are all my favourites...ok...not quite but I do love them all.

The DVD includes all the music videos from Music Camp 2014 and Music Camp 2015 as well as videos featuring the Eastward Choir and special features which I am absolutely not going to tell you what they are because, you really need to purchase the DVD. We hundreds of DVDs there so there is plenty for you but you should get in quick and get your own copy as they will go quickly. Oh and before I forget, there is a special discount available on the DVD to celebrate it's release but it is only available for a short period and then full price will have to be paid. So that's another good reason to get in quick and get your copy now.

How do I get my copy then? I am so glad you asked! It's a simple process - simply head over to https://mus.camp/Shop/ and it's right there, ready to go! What's not to love about how easy that is?


Do I have to pick it up? No way! At checkout, simply enter your address and select your preferred shipping method and the Eastward Music Camp will post you out your DVD so you can just sit at home and wait for it to arrive!

Don't forget to visit https://mus.camp/Shop/ TODAY to order your copy of this exciting production!

To view concert videos from Music Camp 2016 please click here: https://www.youtube.com/user/EastwardCollege

What is your favorite song that Music Camp has done so far? What songs would you like to see arranged in the future?

Book of Wisdom:Proverbs 12:10-16

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

How often is our way "right in our own eyes"? So right indeed that we completely neglect to seek counsel from those wiser than ourselves.

But the verse I really want to zero in on is verse thirteen. "The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble." This verse reminds me of Phodidas's story which took place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Phodidas grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist home and even as a young man was called on to hold active responsibility in his church, often preaching from his heavily marked bible.

Caught up in the horrific genocide and selected to die, Phodidas was ordered to dig a grave for himself. As he dug, his thoughts were silent prayers, begin God to work a miracle and deliver him. The grave got deeper and still no answer. One of the killers picked up the marked bible from beside the grave and leafed through it. "What do the colours mean?" He asked.

"Those are my favorite verses."

The man begun to read the highlighted verses and then asked incredulously, "Are you sure you've read all these verses?"

"Yes." Phodidas replied. The grave was finished. God had not delivered Phodidas.

Suddenly, the bible reading killer said, "Why should we use this grave in our field for this man we do not know?" The other killers agreed and it was decided to use the grave for another man they had just killed. Before the grave was filled in, the killers prayed, "Mary, mother of Jesus, receive him."

All of a sudden, Phodidas's attitude changed. "Don't let me be separated from these people before I tell them who You are." He prayed.

The group moved out of the field and closer to the highway and Phodidas was about to begin digging a second grave when the killer, who was still holding the marked bible, asked, "Can I keep it?"

Phodidas could see that the Holy Spirit was at work on this man's heart so he boldly replied, "Yes. But may I have the bible and say something before I dig?" 

This caused a lively argument amongst the killers. Some were excited and wanted to hear while others shouted, "He's our enemy. He has nothing to tell us!"

Finally, an older member of the group said, "Those who want to listen, listen. Those who don't, shut your ears when he's finished we will kill him." And so Phodidas began to preach to the group of killers. Drawing illustrations from the war going on around them, he taught the men about the 'tribe' who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ.

When he finished, he said, "Now I will say a prayer and then I will dig a grave."

At the end of his prayer, one of the killers shouted: "If anyone kills this man, his blood be upon him."

"No, we can't kill him!" The others agreed. "Let him go!"

And so God gave grace and worked through a sermon to save His servant's life.

"The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble." Prov 12:10-16

Book of Wisdom:Proverbs 12:1-9

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Are your thoughts right? In the journey to righteousness, one of the hardest and yet most essential lessons we can learn is to control our thoughts. Our thoughts are the very beginning of what is called the Tree of Destiny: Thoughts create feelings which produce actions. Actions repeated form habits which make up our character. And our character ultimately determines our destiny. So in a very real way, what I think influences my eternal destiny.

But you can't really control your thoughts, can you? It's like adds on the internet someplace. You have no control over what adds you are shown but as you select and browse the links of interest to you, the server or whatever it is, learns your preferences and begins to tailor results to your interests.

That's the power you have over your thoughts. If you continually select right thoughts, it will become a holy habit and pretty soon the wrong thoughts will be paler and weaker than the right and the right thoughts will the be ones you automatically think. And in choosing right thoughts you're choosing righteousness.

Right thoughts -> Right feelings

Right feelings -> Right actions

Right actions -> Right habits

Right habits -> Righteousness

Book of Wisdom:Proverbs 11:22-31

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

There is a lot of talk of giving and withholding within this passage. In fact, Solomon seems to be suggesting that giving is more lucrative than keeping. "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Prov 13:7) 

The bible tells us that Jesus Christ, ruler of the universe, Son of God, gave up everything to come to earth and save us. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (2 Cor 8:9, Phil 2:5-11)

If this narrative had to be narrowed down to one trait, I would say unselfishness. This is love! This is scattering! This is GOD pouring out His riches in 100% selflessness. Christ has made himself poor and of no reputation and what is His reward? Us. Me. We are the recompensement for Christ's sacrifice.

Let the mind of Christ be in you. Scatter your gold and diamonds; kind smiles, gentle words, encouragement, talents, money, time, hospitality. What ever you have been given, make it available for after many days, you will find it. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

Your reward is in heaven.