What a gem!

So, I was recently recommended this by a friend, after sharing about the struggles with studying the Bible devotionally as opposed to academically.  This Prayer journal was recommended for me to try, and I have just begun it.  I will be able to give a better review after some time, but for now, I'm really pleased!

It has 3 Bible passages to read each day, usually something from the OT, NT and a Psalm.  It also has group listings, so that each day, you pray through one of your group lists.  Also, each month, you are focussing on a particular theme.  The beauty of it is that you can stick as rigidly or fluidly to the outline as you are led, but it's all written in front of you, if that's what helps!

Maybe it could guide you too!

What I've learnt today!

How easy is it for us to slip from truth in conviction to distortion in reality.  Yes, I know that we are saved by grace alone! Yes, I know that God judges us based on the work of Christ!  Yes, I know that it is only because of what Christ has done, that I might be saved!  Yes, I know that even now, the life I have now is lived through Christ.

And yet, how easy is it for us to take all these sound convictions, and throw them out the window, when it comes to reality.  Oh, if only I obeyed more...if only I glorified God more...if only I reflected Christ more...if only I gave more...if only I...I...I........then, God would bless me more, God would love me more, God would use me more.

Yes, of course all these things are important for me to strive for and to be like, but how could my focus so quickly change between what I believe and how I live.  How easy it is to slip into works salvation, even though I know the truth.  For there is nothing I can do, no sin I can commit, no deed good enough, that would change my position before God.

Because I am justified through Christ and sanctified through Christ!

               

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20)

Memory Verse 1

And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:8

Our Bible Class memory verse for this week.  We're trying to learn about how we can apply Jesus strategy for building His Church, in our own lives...First to Jerusalem, then to all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

We are His witnesses!

Catechism

Right now, I'm sitting in the Deakin Uni library with two dear friends, Rachel and Min.  We've spent the last few months studying the Westminster Shorter Catechism for the Pressy Church 'Catechism Competition'.  Right now, my two students are sitting the exams.

It's been a really great process trying to prepare them for the exam, but more importantly sitting down and chatting and wrestling with the theology we studied in the Q's and A's!

It was exciting to try and nut out questions like "How can God be sovereign and in no way the author of sin" and "What does it really mean to live for the glory of God."

I'm a little sad to be finishing this time with these two, because it has been such a blessing.  I'm hoping they do really well in the exam, but more so, I'm hoping the things we've studied will be doctrine they can learn to apply in their life and in the way they seek to build the Kingdom.

A ordinary Sunday

I just came to say Hello!
 Guest Post with David: Contributor!

Today we had Bible Class.  We finished our book studying Luke, with a study on Obeying Jesus.  It was a small class today, with only 5 attendees.  But we really had a lovely time - David missed Min, but made great progress in his relationship with Taro!!

After Bible Class, we had Church, and Grant has started a new series on Jonah.  It was a great service - with a great improvement on "Up from the Grave" as opposed to last time we sang it!!

After Church we had a short camp meeting, then lunch.  For lunch we had chicken soup!  Then we did lots of camp work after Church.  David didn't do much......

After that, we went for a walk up to the 7/11 to get coffee...Kath spilt hers everywhere, and David and Kevin almost wrestled onto the road...

After everyone left to go and get dinner, the girls just chatted for a while, watching birthday video clips.  Then it was time for evening service.  Steve preached tonight and that was really good too.  After Church we had a cup of tea and chatted.

Then we came to McDonalds for some supper and we've spent some more time chatting!!

All in all had a very nice day!!

Guest Post! Katherine Goswell

This morning I woke up and didn't have anything to say. 

Bye. 

Camping Highlights!

Over Easter, a small group of the Canterbury Crew went camping for a couple of nights.  We had a great time out in the country.  It was nice to set up camp, go for walks, sit around the fire, go in the river, enjoy each other's company etc!

Here are some of the best bits!

Our set up!

Maddy was Queen of Totem tennis

Maddy

Maddy

    v.

  Lilly

Kath has

a crack

Lilly wins

We enjoyed a nice walk through the Cathedral Ranges

Daryl taking

a rest at lunch

S & K

conquer

the mountain

Kristin

"Tree Head"

M & K

in a tree

Dream-team

 after the hike







Dream-team
 with the view






Dream-team
 Taking a rest






J&K&L

Group photo

Our last evening together was 'Funny Hat Night'

J in Steve's

Indo hat

S in Joy's

Russian hat

D in his

Richmond

hat

Lem - wow!

L&K

Furry hats

David

J & K

 M & D

Mornings were fun...for some!

David...not

making breakfast

Kristin

Enjoying

the sunshine

Morning

Milo

Having tea

Grumpy Dave

 Maddy!








After he cleaned
his teeth









Lilly in
 the sunshine

David - just
doing his thing









Kath looking cold

Daz

Daryl's 'pun-whistle' held a prominent place in every conversation!

David and I shared a nice chilled Milo after we put our milk in the river to cool and some kids threw it downstream and I had to make a mad dash in the water to save it!

The river was nice!

We had some nice times around the campfire!