Bruce Staley

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 n...

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...