Bruce Staley

Counting Your Contentment Cash was the final sermon topic of our Pastor for Children and Families before she concluded her ministry at one2one Church of Christ. I was taken by the profoundness yet simplicity of Kay's presentation based on Philippians 4:11-13, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Previously each of the children in  the children's ministry were involved in constructing a duct tape wallet the making some contentment cash for their wallet. The cash was cards and the children were invited to write on the back of the cards the things they were thankful for. Remember the words of Jesus when he explained that the kingdom of God belongs to little ch

Church boring? How can an encounter with the majestic, awe-inspiring, living God ever be considered boring? God is not dull and following Jesus is a daily adventure. The problem may lie with the setting, the style and content of our worship. However, it may also lie wthin ourselves. We need to engage our minds, in fact our whole person needs to be involved in the worship experience, all of our senses, sight, touch, sound, smell and taste. When you worship come expectantly into God's holy presence. “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool,..." Psalm 132:7 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Psalm 86:9‭-‬10 NIV I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2 NIV Acknowledgments: R C Sproul, Meeting With God , for the inspiration for this post. Andrew Thomas, Photographer,  for

Neil attended our Discovery group recently. In my post, Disruptive Grace, I mentioned I met Neil at a pedestrian crossing which I was about to cross to attend our Discovery group held in a local cafe. Later that week I was able to meet Neil again. Here's our text messages, Hello Neil, Nice to meet you on the pedestrian crossing near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens this morning...I would like to get to know you more, maybe Thursday afternoon, to see if I can help in any way? Let me know and we can arrange a convenient time and venue. Bruce 😊 Thursday afternoon is fine. Would you like to come for a cuppa at my house or would you like to meet somewhere else. Thanks for your lovely message. See you on Thursday. Please confirm the place to meet. Cheers Neil  A cuppa at your house would be lovely. How about 2 pm? While visiting Neil and his family and I was able to explain in more detail what I was doing on the day we met. So I invited Neil to attend our Discovery group as my gues

Our Discovery group recently concluded it's deliberations on the the Old Testament book of Jonah. It's an amazing story resulting in a whole city, the city of Nineveh, seeking God's forgiveness. In a recent post, Disruptive Grace, I wrote, "The disruptive grace of God has not been and is not confined to biblical times. The Spirit of God continues to bring disruptive grace today. People's lives are dramatically changed, individual people, communities and nations around the world are radically and fundamentally changed." And while Jonah is another biblical example of God's disruptive grace a read of Steve Addison's, Movements that Changed the World , will quickly give you a historical view of the movements of the grace of God up to the present day. During these movements individuals, communities and nations are influenced by the Spirit of God and remarkable change results. God said to Jonah, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Ninev

Day Six: My August Interlude for 2017 has come to an end and I return home to Ballarat -it's purpose of personal rest, relaxation and reflection has been fulfilled. During my daily wanderings, from my base in Torquay, along the surf coast from Lorne to Barwon Heads I have been inspired by my observations. Listening has been a constant companion -listening to the voice of the God of creation, the one true God, the Rock of my salvation. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its w

The word disruptive conjures up images of hooligan sports fans, or drunken revellers spilling out onto the street in the early hours of the morning displaying behaviour without consideration  for the harm they may inflict upon persons or property. Disruptive technology maybe another thought, and the disruption it brings to accepted business practices such as Uber and the taxi industry. Years ago the advent of the quartz movement and digital technology brought seismic upheaval to the Swiss watchmaking industry.  See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_crisis There are many examples of disruption where the pattern of the past has been cast aside.However, take a few moments to ponder the disruption brought by the amazing grace of God. God's grace is disruptive. It brings change of seismic proportions to the patterns of behaviour of individuals, communities and nations. In biblical times Zaccheaus the grasper became the giver, Paul the persecutor became the preacher, the nation of I

Day Five: Lord, what a morning! A walk before heading to Barwon Heads again for lunch... The river... The boardwalk... From Rocky Point... A safe haven... On the track again... The promise of spring... Barwon Heads where the river meets the sea... Steps to the Bluff... Til tomorrow...

While I have known Andrew for a number years I have only recently started following his daily blog. He roams within a fortytwo kilometre radius of his home city, Ballarat, taking remarkable photographs. Some recent photographs of two of his favourite destinations... Early morning at Lake Wendouree... Aerial view of Lal Lal Falls... Why fortytwo kilometres? Andrew reckons that if his car breaks down he could  still run home! Recently Andrew completed a major project, publishing a photographic record of all fiftynine national parks , to coincide with the centennial year of the USA National Parks Service. His book, The National Parks of the United States: A Photographic Journey, is now available online through Amazon.com. Andrew's work reveals his passion for capturing the light and shade and colour of a moment, or the majestic grandeur of his surroundings, or the detail in his glimpses of nature. The Apostle Paul claims, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible quali

Day Four: I had hoped to walk from Point Impossible back to Torquay on the Surf Coast track this morning. See http://www.surfcoastwalk.com.au/ However, there was water over the road into the Point. Instead, not to be denied, I drove to Brimlea and walked along the coastline to the Point. On my way... Far... Near... And... On to Barwon Heads for lunch... From Barwon Bluff... The bridge at Barwon Heads... I've placed this post under additional categories. They all apply personally for I am seeking God during my August Interlude of rest, relaxation and reflection. Til tomorrow...

Tim Shaw became the face of Demtel International and popularised the saying, "But wait, there's more...," for the Australian TV viewing audience. In recent posts I have described my experience with Discovery Bible Study groups and have encouraged others to start a discovery group. But wait there's more! Discovery Bible Study is one tool, or strategic action, in a whole disciple-making or church planting movement.The disciple-maker is open to meeting God-prepared people, people who are seeking and hungry for the gospel or people who have already received  Christ as their Saviour and want to learn how to share the gospel. Discovery Bible Study, with it's obedience-based  methodology, becomes the instrument for reproducing disciples, who reproduce other disciples. "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21 NIV Again a quick se

Day Three: First let me correct a mistake in yesterday's post, Day Two of my August Interlude. The photograph of Point Addis was in fact Point Roadknight. Here's Point Addis... ...also taken during my travels on Day Two. Now for day three.. morning has broken at Torquay... I revisited Point Roadknight on my way to Lorne. On the track... A different perspective... The lighthouse at Split Point, Aireys Inlet... Looking to Lorne for lunch... Looking back...from the track to the pier. Traveling the Great Ocean Road once again brought back many fond memories of family times, and with the memories tears of joy.

Pop-up food venues have become popular. Food trucks and stalls are popping up, and down, all year round. Food vendors congregate, set up tables and chairs, and in no time people arrive to whet their appetite and enjoy conversation with like-minded others. Sharing food is so often conducive to meaningful conversations. Food addresses our physical hunger and eating with others can satisfy our social needs. Important as these experiences are to our wellbeing Discovery Bible Study groups go beyond that to address our deeper spiritual needs. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  ” Matthew 4:4 NIV People, who are searching and spiritually hungry, come together to feed on the Word of God in a Discovery group. They encourage one another and seek answers to the question, "Having read this passage how then shall I live?" They are open to the Spirit of God and are prepared to step out in obedience when t

Day Two: Torquay, rise and shine... Anglesea, for the day... The Anglesea River... Point Addis... And back...

Day One: I am privileged to spend a few days of rest, relaxation on the Victorian surf coast. Torquay, this way... And that way...

"You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love." Jonah 4:2 Following the Chosen series of studies our discovery group has moved onto the theme of Discovering God's Compassion for a Lost World based on the four chapters of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. We have continued to use the three step Discovery Bible Study method, Look Back, Look Up and Look Forward. This method allows the Spirit of God elbow room and I have observed His influence upon each of our weekly sessions. Across the course of the last eighteen months the discovery group has been a wonderful tool for encouraging discipleship - following Jesus. There has been a growing appreciation of the Scriptures, and a growing appreciation of the importance of being obedient to the Spirit of God revealed through the Scriptures. As such I have observed the willingness to share leadership and invite others to join the group, and a deepening desire to extend the opportunity, in the f

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you." 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 Thus began our second series of Discovery  Bible Studies where we were inspired by the Apostle Paul's two letters, First and Second Thessalonians. We learned the pattern of Discovery during the previous series, More to Life, Prepare, Connect, Feedback, Bible Reading, Discovery Questions and Prayer. While the pattern was the same I sensed that God through his Spirit was taking us on a journey of discovery as we wrestled with each of the chapters in Paul's two letters. Since finishing the Chosen series the journey of Discovery has continued to unfold. More to come!

In her book, Time to Think, 1999, Nancy Kline lists ten components of a thinking environment, Attention - Listening with respect, interest and fascination. Incisive Questions - Removing assumptions that limit ideas. Equality - Treating each other as thinking peers, Appreciation - Practising a five-to-one ratio of appreciation to criticism. Ease - Offering freedom from rush and urgency. Encouragement - Moving beyond competition. Feelings - Allowing sufficient emotional release to restore thinking. Information - Providing a full and accurate picture of reality. Place - Creating a physical environment that says back to people, 'You matter.' Diversity - Adding quality because of the differences between us. Almost forty years before, in 1961, Taylor Caldwell wrote her novel, The Man Who Listens, where eighty year old John Godfrey fulfilled his dream of constructing a place, a physical environment, which said to people who entered, 'You matter.' With const

Reblog of a recent post by my friend Paul at granosalispaullocandro.wordpress.com   It has been said that even as an exercise in itself prayer has psychological benefits. It can be a means of releasing the tension that result from worry and fear. Yet we are assured from Scripture that prayer is not merely a subjective exercise like reciting a Buddhist mantra rather it is the placing of our situation, needs and fears in the hands of God. Looking at the story of Hannah in the early chapters of the book of Samuel, we see an example of the change fervent prayer brings to situations. For a woman to remain childless in those days was treated as a reproach and an inferred some sin in the life and God’s displeasure. Hannah although she had the devotion of her husband still had to contend with Peninah’s ridicule and reproach. The stigma of her society at that time was difficult to cope with. Her visit to the tabernacle and fervent prayer to the Lord was such the Eli the priest accused her of dr

Our Pastor, Mark, concluded the More to Life preaching series by explained clearly our choice to either commit to receive Jesus for the first time, to renew our commitment to follow Jesus, or deepen our commitment to follow Jesus. It was a moving experience to see the large number of people who chose to demonstrate their commitment by walking to the front of the worship centre and hanging their commitment cards on one of the tree branches arranged at the front. The following Tuesday our Discovery Bible Study group also concluded the series with Choice as the theme for the final study. Glenn, Wade and Bob joined me, and Bob at the end of the session expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the preparation of the study material. I have been privileged to observe the changes in people. Throughout people have been deliberate in extending invitations to others to join in. They have been prepared to share leadership responsibilities, they have prayed enthusiastically and

The More to Life series mentioned in my post, http://brucestaley.com/2016/01/19/more-to-life/ , has begun! Last week by way of introduction it was Discovery Bible Study Reloaded and we examined Matthew 7: 24-29, the parable of The Wise and Foolish Builders. Lots of laughter when someone  recalled a children's song of long ago and got the group to join in. https://youtu.be/Eu5bBDRpzPM This week was the first study, Life, in the series. John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." No singing this time but lots of excitement. Names were quickly entered on our Pray4five cards. And more excitement for me when my young friend, Praveen, from India, agreed to lead the group next week. Podcasts of the weekly sermons are available at www.churchone2one.org Not only reloaded but reinvented into a Discovery Discipleship Movement. We shall what see what God has in store.