24 May 2010
Faith that changes things
Devotion given Fri 30/04/2010
Gave an update on time overseas… went to Germany, then a volcano erupted and ended up in the UK. First time there… place where I felt the least culture shock – similar to Tassie, driving on left side of road, food, etc.
Found English history very boring at school, however walking around Oxford, the history came alive. Oliver Cromwell fought 3 battles in the Village where Dan & Danni live. Also got to visit Andy and Tim and see northern UK.
A verse used in “Faith & its Basis”, from Romans 10:17 says: “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. “Word” in this verse is Greek for “rhema”, which means “God’s specific word for this moment.”
Our moments and thoughts get filtered through our history, our experience of life.
When in UK, Dan & Danni received a parcel from friends containing old newsletters from Sydney Fusion days, family photos etc. There was one photo where I looked quite sullen and seeing it brought a wave of emotion… I recalled not wanting to smile for the photo, and dad and I had had a “barny” about it.
The parcel also contained a paper written in 1980 and presented at Fusion’s conference, before we were a national organisation. At this stage Fusion had been going 20 years, and needed to look at new ways to move forward. From 1980-1985, Fusion doubled in size every year. See below:
I love that we say that one of our values is audacious faith. In Lamentations, things weren’t going so good… chapter 3:19-23
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. [pain of the past means its hard to engage with the present]
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Faith isn’t pretending its going to be ok.. or when everything is “feeling” good.
In 1980 the team in NSW was only 14 people; it would have been easy to give up. It took a choice to not let the past determine the future.
Today isn’t yesterday, its today
God’s word isn’t about tomorrow, or the past week… its for today.
Bless you Matt. It is good to remember back to the Fusion beginnings in Kingston, and the joy of being part of that! We miss the Fusion presence here now, and local church co-operation is not what it used to be.
Anne and I are heavily involved in the Pastoral team of the local parish, and I wish we had a vehicle to encourage more “churches doing things together.” Would love to catch up with you all one day. Where are you based now?
“I thank my God whenever I think of you, and every time I pray for you all, I always pray with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the very first day up to the present. I am quite confident that the One who began this good work in you will go on completing it until the day of Jesus Christ comes.” Phil1. 3-6.
Love and every blessing to you all from us both, and especially to your parents.
Anne and Tony
xxx
Tony LeClerc
May 24th, 2010 at 10:44 pmpermalink