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 ...

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...

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...

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.

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.

In the Epilogue to his excellent book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God , Rob Bell draws our attention to the Apostle Paul's thoughts in Philippians 1:6, "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.", and highlights the powerful progression in the words 'began', 'good work' (a work in progress) and 'completion'. All of this is God's initiative, bringing to completion that which he has begun. When we look at creation, there was God in the beginning. He is bringing it to completion. When we look at God's salvation plan, there was God, in Christ, working it out, working it through to completion at the Cross, and God placed his seal of approval on the finished work by raising Christ from the dead. IMAGINE, the same power that God used to raise Christ from dead is at work in you NOW, bringing to completion that which he begun in you when received Chri...

Some time ago I completed a daily reading series by Charles Swindoll, Come Before Winter... While each reading was thought-provoking one reading in particular held my attention. Apprehension... One explanation of apprehension by Dictionary.com describes it this way, anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil. Further reading of Dictionary.com includes the following synonyms, alarm, worry, uneasiness and suspicion, all implying an unsettled and uneasy state of mind, and again apprehension is an active state of fear, usually of some danger or misfortune. This undefined uneasiness or feeling of uncertainty, misgiving or mistrust has the potential to cripple or immobilise, to hold us back. "What frustration is to yesterday, apprehension is to tomorrow." ...Swindoll The admission by the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:22, "And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.", has an air of ...

A little while ago my brother, Noel, gave me a bromeliad. The plant was already flowering with a large and interesting pink bloom. The bromeliad has now been blooming for months. No el explained that the plant would produce pups that could be cut off with a sharp knife and re-planted. If you look closely you will see a pup at the base of the plant on the right hand side.   In fact this is the third pup. I have already cut off two pups and re-potted them. The removal of the first two pups seemed to give the third an extra lease of life. I am looking forward to removing it and putting it into another pot. My experience with the bromeliad, which had been given to me, reminded me of the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13. Although the bromeliad will have produced a further three plants it reminded me of what God wants to do many times over across the nations. We need to be about the business of sowing the Good News of Jesus so that God can produce the harvest.

The previous two posts addressed the first two words in the title of Watchman Nee's book, Sit, Walk, Stand , refering firstly to Ephesians 2:5-6, God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus,  and then Ephesians 5:1-2, Follow God's example, therefore as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This post addresses S t and, the third and final word in the title. Can you recall where you were on September 11, 2001? I had just started a management training workshop for a group of employees in the boardroom of the Blacktown, NSW, IGA Distribution Centre. Another employee, looking a little dishevelled and apologetic for being late, came through the door. He explained that he had been up since early morn...

Sit, Walk, Stand , is an inspiring look at the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus written by the saintly Chinese pastor, Watchman Nee. This is the first of three posts that briefly examine each of the words in the title to Watchman Nee's book. Matt's Seat Near the south-east corner of the Swan Pool on Lake Wendouree you will find a park bench with an inscription, "Matt's Seat" In loving memory of Matt Jamieson, 22.12.66 - 02.03.05, Always in our hearts...Erin, Jai, Flynn. Today is the seventh anniversary of Matt's death following his long battle with cancer. Matt was 38 years old. A husband and father to two boys Matt had a passion for the lake and its surrounds. He was instrumental in establishing the Lake Foundation and after some investigation discovered that a master plan for the development of the lake had already been prepared by the Ballarat City Council but was laying dormant. Funds generated by Lake Blitz, an initiative of the Foun...

Of late it appears that everyone is walking. The local newspaper has a picture of a group associated with the Uniting Care Outreach Centre taking on the Kokoda Trail in June. Another picture shows a group of women taking on a 100 km walk next month to raise funds for Oxfam. A couple of friends associated with the Ballarat Bush-Walking and Outdoor Club are canoeing the Glenelg River this Labour Day weekend, no doubt taking in some walking along the way. Recently driving along the Ring Road I noticed several cars parked on the side of the road as I passed over the rail crossing. More people walking, this time the Skipton Rail Trail and of course all those people who walk around Lake Wendouree. Walkers everywhere!     Picture: Justin Poole My son-in-law, Justin, is also taking on the 100 km Oxfam Trail Walker Challenge. He and his friend, Phil, have enlisted Allan and Paul to form the In Slow Motion team to raise funds and complete the 100 km challenge. Last year Justin and Phil ...

Begin with the end in mind is the second of Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people. While the first habit, seek first to understand then to be understood, can be considered in the context of  James 1:19-20 what is the Christian context for the second habit? While I have found all the habits set out by Covey to be helpful is there more to the second habit? We picture the end product then proceed to take the steps to produce it e.g. a new home begins with ideas, then a plan and then construction. Does the same apply to a person’s life? Covey uses the illustration of attending one’s own funeral where there are four speakers, one from your family, another a friend, a third speaker is from your workplace or profession and the final speaker is from your church or community organisation. He then poses the question, What would you like each of them to say about you and your life? While there is merit in the exercise I find I am limited in my capacity, my knowledge, skills...

Begin with the end in mind is the second of Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people. While the first habit, seek first to understand then to be understood, can be considered in the context of  James 1:19-20 what is the Christian context for the second habit? While I have found all the habits set out by Covey to be helpful is there more to the second habit? We picture the end product then proceed to take the steps to produce it e.g. a new home begins with ideas, then a plan and then construction. Does the same apply to a person’s life? Covey uses the illustration of attending one’s own funeral where there are four speakers, one from your family, another a friend, a third speaker is from your workplace or profession and the final speaker is from your church or community organisation. He then poses the question, What would you like each of them to say about you and your life? While there is merit in the exercise I find I am limited in my capacity, my knowledge, s...

Christians meeting together in worship is always purposeful. God never rests from achieving his purposes. If we have decided to become a follower of Jesus then the constant question on our lips needs to be, How then shall I live? When we respond to this question we are cooperating with God in the achievement of his purposes. James in his letter is clear that what we say and do, our words and our deeds, need to be consistent. They are like the wings of an aeroplane. Both wings are needed for the plane to stay in the air and fly. There are so many ways to communicate, to get our words out to the world, face-to-face, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, phone, mobile and landline, and snail-mail. 1. JAMES 3:1-12 This is a hard-hitting letter from James’ pen. He doesn’t beat around the bush. Throughout his letter James gets right into the everyday stuff that we need to attend to. He is inclusive at the outset, making it quite clear that it’s not only FAITH and DEEDS it’s FAITH and WORDS as well. In ...

Christians meeting together in worship is always purposeful. God never rests from achieving his purposes. If we have decided to become a follower of Jesus then the constant question on our lips needs to be, How then shall I live? When we respond to this question we are cooperating with God in the achievement of his purposes. James in his letter is clear that what we say and do, our words and our deeds, need to be consistent. They are like the wings of an aeroplane. Both wings are needed for the plane to stay in the air and fly. There are so many ways to communicate, to get our words out to the world, face-to-face, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, phone, mobile and landline, and snail-mail. 1. JAMES 3:1-12 This is a hard-hitting letter from James’ pen. He doesn’t beat around the bush. Throughout his letter James gets right into the everyday stuff that we need to attend to. He is inclusive at the outset, making it quite clear that it’s not only FAITH and DEEDS it’s FAITH and WORDS as well...

The Apollo 13 space flight is renown for the words, “Houston we have a problem.” transmitted from the spacecraft to mission control. The routine of the space flight less than a year after John Glenn had set foot on the moon was shattered by these words. The stranded flight crew, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert fight a desperate battle to survive while the ground crew at mission control race against the time and the odds to bring them home Another quote attributed to Lovell arises during the film when an earlier interview is replayed as part of the extensive media coverage of the stricken space flight. In the film the role of Commander Jim Lovell is played by Tom Hanks. The interviewer probes and invites Lovell to recall any incidents in his notable career where he was ever scared. Lovell recalls instances of flame-outs wondering whether the engine would fire up again concluding that generally things worked out. The interviewer probes a little further asking whether there...