It's been a while since I added anything on the old blog. Sorry about that.
Last week we had our annual Aquatics water splash day. It's just a time where people of all ages come and have fun in a pool. We have the jumping castle, slip & slid, badminton Etc. It's good to see people hang and have fun.
It's kinda like what Jesus did a lot it seems to me that most of his ministry was spending time with people. He ate with them, walked with them, travelled in boats with them. A lot of how he discipled his disciples was in the every day I think.
I think we did some every day stuff on Saturday. My prayer was that the unsaved saw in us a life worth living.
Blessings
Simon.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Feeling Seperated?
Today is a historial day in the history of our country. The Government says sorry to the aborginal and torres strait islander people for being forced to seperate from their families.
Now you can argue wether this should happened long before today or not, however this now means the long road to reconcilation can now begin. God who is the Father of reconcilation has long been calling us to come back to him and this has been made possible through His Son. When we are reconciled to God we feel valued just like our aborginal people will hopefully feel today.
Every Monday (through volleyball) I witness how people who are often ignored by society are feeling as though they are now valued because of this competition. For many of the partcipants, the competition has become their own community thus they in some way have felt reconcilation with the larger community all becuase of their new found self worth they have.
God transforms people when they reconcile themselves with him, so the the question is this. Are you reconciled with God?
If you are then what about those that aren't? Is there something you can do to start the the process of reconcilation with God?
Phil Shelton
Now you can argue wether this should happened long before today or not, however this now means the long road to reconcilation can now begin. God who is the Father of reconcilation has long been calling us to come back to him and this has been made possible through His Son. When we are reconciled to God we feel valued just like our aborginal people will hopefully feel today.
Every Monday (through volleyball) I witness how people who are often ignored by society are feeling as though they are now valued because of this competition. For many of the partcipants, the competition has become their own community thus they in some way have felt reconcilation with the larger community all becuase of their new found self worth they have.
God transforms people when they reconcile themselves with him, so the the question is this. Are you reconciled with God?
If you are then what about those that aren't? Is there something you can do to start the the process of reconcilation with God?
Phil Shelton
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Journey's Shared
Recently I was priviledged enough to lead a group of 11 youth from the division on a trip to New Zealand. Once we arrived in New Zealand we joined a group from Northern Victoria Division and spent some time touring around the north island. Over the time I had the opportunity to really get to know these awesome young people.
While we were in Auckalnd we were hosted by the Manukau Salvos who kindly fed, cared for and even allowed us to sleep on thier corps floor, couches, chairs etc only asking us to bless them with our leadership/participation in Worship on Sunday morning.
During the first few days we were accompanied by one or two of the youth from Manukau, but on Sunday the Manukau youth group as a whole joined us. what a blessing this turned out to be. after the initial 'get to know you' phase we quickly became a very tight group with people from all groups blending easily. It really wouldn't have been the same if the Manukau crew hadn't joined us!!
During this trip I watched as these young people made new friendships, learnt and experienced new things, and gained new insights. I know that some of them had some awesome God moments while actually at the MakeChange conference, but from talking with many of the young people since getting back, some of the most profound or lifechanging moments they experienced were as part of the large western/northern Vic./Manukau group
I praise God for the work He has done in their lives, and pray that He will continue this work.
I just want to say a huge thanks to all of the group for making the trip so great, and a special thanks to Stu and Nari for the organisation stuff they did to make this trip truly awesome.
While we were in Auckalnd we were hosted by the Manukau Salvos who kindly fed, cared for and even allowed us to sleep on thier corps floor, couches, chairs etc only asking us to bless them with our leadership/participation in Worship on Sunday morning.
During the first few days we were accompanied by one or two of the youth from Manukau, but on Sunday the Manukau youth group as a whole joined us. what a blessing this turned out to be. after the initial 'get to know you' phase we quickly became a very tight group with people from all groups blending easily. It really wouldn't have been the same if the Manukau crew hadn't joined us!!
During this trip I watched as these young people made new friendships, learnt and experienced new things, and gained new insights. I know that some of them had some awesome God moments while actually at the MakeChange conference, but from talking with many of the young people since getting back, some of the most profound or lifechanging moments they experienced were as part of the large western/northern Vic./Manukau group
I praise God for the work He has done in their lives, and pray that He will continue this work.
I just want to say a huge thanks to all of the group for making the trip so great, and a special thanks to Stu and Nari for the organisation stuff they did to make this trip truly awesome.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
MakeChange
It was good to catch up with most of you during the NZ conference. I had a great time hope you all did also.
One thing I noticed was this theme coming through about Loving God and that leading to Loving Others. (Hmmm I've seen that somewhere before). I think the message of 2Love we are starting to teach live and have as our mantra is in God's heart for his people. It was the Vision of the THQ youth team last year it was the message of shakers this year, and it was the heart of the NZ conference. I think God is reminding us of something.
Blessings.
Simon.
One thing I noticed was this theme coming through about Loving God and that leading to Loving Others. (Hmmm I've seen that somewhere before). I think the message of 2Love we are starting to teach live and have as our mantra is in God's heart for his people. It was the Vision of the THQ youth team last year it was the message of shakers this year, and it was the heart of the NZ conference. I think God is reminding us of something.
Blessings.
Simon.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Out of the Limelight
I will just introduce my self before I get started, my name is Phil and I have just joined the "team".
One of my first jobs was to attend a conference (not bad for a guy that just started). While on this conference God taught me something totally unexpected, Being Humble (considering it was about sports ministry this came as a surprise)
However this is an important lesson because Jesus gave us the example when he washed the disciples feet. The world that we live in also goes very much against this. I know that I'm guilt of not being humble enough - I'm always looking for this whizz bang new ministry and here is God telling me humble yourself before me.
This is an important lesson we can all learn form, Philippians 2:3 says this, "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves" (NLT)
Remember that as you journey with God to humble yourself before God and He will bless you
Phil
One of my first jobs was to attend a conference (not bad for a guy that just started). While on this conference God taught me something totally unexpected, Being Humble (considering it was about sports ministry this came as a surprise)
However this is an important lesson because Jesus gave us the example when he washed the disciples feet. The world that we live in also goes very much against this. I know that I'm guilt of not being humble enough - I'm always looking for this whizz bang new ministry and here is God telling me humble yourself before me.
This is an important lesson we can all learn form, Philippians 2:3 says this, "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves" (NLT)
Remember that as you journey with God to humble yourself before God and He will bless you
Phil
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Joys of Camping
Just finished camping with a group of teens at a beautiful part of Tassie, called Fortescue Bay. Amazing white sand, blue water and the perfect surfing wave coming through from the heads. It was truly paradise.
One of the important things I have learnt from doing this sort of thing with youth is that the time you spend away with them is so valuable to them. (Even if they fill your sleeping bag full of leaves, twigs and dirt). There is this respect that comes from the youth to their leaders for doing this sort of thing with them.
I love the conversations you get to have walking along the beach while splating jelly fish. Or the meaningful night gathered around the camp fire, laughing, pranking and the boys doing what the boys do best with body gasses.
My prayer for them is that they felt the same joy and happiness I felt. My prayer for some is that they realised the fun they had without drinking. But my hardest prayer for each of them is that grew to see Christ in a bigger way and that this lasts a life time.
Blessings.
Simon.
One of the important things I have learnt from doing this sort of thing with youth is that the time you spend away with them is so valuable to them. (Even if they fill your sleeping bag full of leaves, twigs and dirt). There is this respect that comes from the youth to their leaders for doing this sort of thing with them.
I love the conversations you get to have walking along the beach while splating jelly fish. Or the meaningful night gathered around the camp fire, laughing, pranking and the boys doing what the boys do best with body gasses.
My prayer for them is that they felt the same joy and happiness I felt. My prayer for some is that they realised the fun they had without drinking. But my hardest prayer for each of them is that grew to see Christ in a bigger way and that this lasts a life time.
Blessings.
Simon.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Planetshakers
Well we are just back from Planet Shakers, Of the 20 that we took no one missed God. I love events like these and camp and connections. It's a time where we can get away from our lives, look to God and let him challenge us about our lives, I love watching our youth get clean during these time. It motivates me in my ministry.
My prayer for our youth during this time is that they are placed on a soul journey, that lasts a life time.
Blessings
Simon.
My prayer for our youth during this time is that they are placed on a soul journey, that lasts a life time.
Blessings
Simon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
