Friday, January 24, 2014

Making space for God to nourish our souls

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?’ 
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au


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”