Have you
ever felt like the proverbial camel that’s close to breaking down? "If one
more person asks one more thing from me ... I'm going to unravel."
It's the
sign of a neglected soul. Prolonged busyness and stress tends to reduce our
perspective to the tasks we do. As a result the presence and peace of God
evaporates from our lives.
Sharing
his experience of burn-out, Bill Hybels once asked a question that has stuck
with me ever since: What’s the point of
standing before God at the end of your life with a great big list of
accomplishments – and a shrivelled up heart?
God
invites us to spend time with him so he can nourish our souls. Look at the life
of Jesus. There were times when he and his disciples were so busy they didn’t
even have time to eat. Yet Jesus
regularly takes “time-out” with his Father (Luke 3:21, 4:16, 5:16, 6:12,
11:1-4).
Jesus
never lost his passion for people because He took time to nourish his
soul.
Above a
fireplace was a mantle with an inscription: If your heart is cold, my fire cannot warm you. A two car garage will not warm the fire
within; neither will a bigger house, a new car, a new dress, a night out on the
town, or an overseas holiday. Only God can warm the fire within.
When's
the last time you spent 15 minutes sharing your heart with your Father in
heaven?
When’s
the last time the love of Jesus moved you to “mist up”?
When's
the last time the Holy Spirit comforted or stirred you from a verse or story in
Scripture?
When’s
the last time you simply sat still for half an hour just being in the presence
of God?
Those who
regularly let God nourish their inner life will have soft compassionate hearts
beating with the love of Jesus - and fruitful lives that keep pointing others
to Him.
Rest and joy in Jesus!
Rolly Stahl
This Sunday at Good Shepherd
This
week’s message is “We are citizens of
Australia” as we continue the series ‘who on earth am I?’
Bible Readings: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; John
19:4-12
School Holidays
Our 2014 Kingdom Kids and Baby Zone programs will be launched at the Back
to School Service on the 2nd February 2014.
Kingdom Kids
Are you keen to help our kids learn about Jesus and how to have a
relationship with Him? We would love to have you work with us in Baby Zone,
Kindy Zone, Kids Zone or Kool Zone! We really need at least one volunteer in
each zone and know that God will provide. If you are interested, please have a
chat with me or write it on your welcome card and we can go from there! You are
only rostered on 2-3 times a term or whatever you can commit to!
Kindy Zone Team Leader
A big thank you to Rachel Leibelt who has led Kindy Zone for a number of
years and has decided to have a break from this role. We are praying for
someone who would love to lead Kindy Zone and be part of a passionate and fun
team! Please consider if this might be you and get in touch with me (beth.einthal@paravista.org.au) for a
chat!
Playgroup
Playgroup will start up again on Wednesday 5th of
February. I have finished up as coordinator as I take on the Team Leader role
here at Good Shepherd so Playgroup is now looking for a new coordinator to be
part of a great team of people! Please prayerfully consider if this might be
you and contact Beth Einthal for more info on 8263 5087 or beth.einthal@paravista.org.au .
Baby Zone Room
The new Baby Zone room is starting to take shape and looks amazing! Many
thanks to John Dolling and Ian Pfeiffer for their hard work on this! Looking
forward to the next steps over this term to help paint, decorate and furnish
this new space! It's going to be amazing!! Feel free to pop past and have a
look!
Beth Einthal
Children and Family Team Leader
Prayer
requests
Prayer
requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the
current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If
you have a prayer request please email churchequiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
From the Office Manager
Kitchen Items
The Ladies Guild has kindly donated their time to clean and tidy the
kitchen area and remove some of the clutter that has accumulated over the past
year. A small number of items have been left in the kitchen and will be placed
out on a table in the hall over the next two Sundays. If any of the items
belong to you, please remove them. Items left after February 2nd
will be disposed of accordingly.
Contractor Cleaning
Due to the shortage of volunteers it was approved at the last half yearly
meeting of the congregation to employ a contractor to clean most of the
facilities of the church. The areas covered will be the main auditorium area,
ablutions, narthex, parenting room, baby zone and the front entry.
The hall, kitchen, hut and education/library area will still need to be
cleaned and tidied after use.
The staff and Board wishes to pass on their thanks to all those who have
given freely of their time and committed to clean the facility over the past
years. These people have shared the love of God in serving the whole community
here.
The contractor will commence this duty from the 1st February
this year. I would like to request that all community members remove litter
items from the auditorium when they leave and place them in the bins provided.
Noticeboard
“Our
needs will never exhaust God’s supply”
