prayer

On Monday, my son and a few of my brothers and a cousin went fishing out at Great Keppel Island.  My son who is 8 had never been on a boat before and had never been fishing before either.  So it was a great day for him. 

Do you remember what happened to Saul of Tarsus – he was a man who hated the early Christians and persecuted them.  He was personally responsible for the murder of St Stephen who was stoned to death. 

One day Saul was on his way to Damascus (modern day Syria) to arrest Christians when he was arrested by the power of God and converted.  Saul’s name was changed to Paul and he served Jesus Christ wholeheartedly suffering many times for the name of Jesus and setting a great example for us all.  We refer to him as St Paul.

Dear Friend.

I read a book a number of years back called "Where Was God on September 11?" It's a good question because God seems to be "absent" from humanity at times and it raises doubt in the minds of many people.

Prayer is not magic.  (I hope I explain this right)  In just the same way you wouldn’t expect holding your tongue right to move God, neither is there power in just saying a prayer – at least not if your faith is in the prayer.

What I’m trying to say is that our faith must be in God Himself, and prayer is how we express that faith.  But if our faith is in the concept of praying – then it’s a bit like thinking prayer is some magic formula or silver bullet.  That’s not how it works. 

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I got to go geo-caching with some friends and that was heaps of fun. I've never done that before and really enjoyed that. You should try it some time.

Does God answer prayers for rain .......... He certainly does. In the last couple of years, we have been involved in a couple of miraculous events where God has heard our prayers for rain and delivered. Of course prayer for rain is not the only thing God listesn to, He is willing to hear any prayer that is prayed from a humble heart that trusts Him or needs Him.

Below are a number of articles and links which tell the stories of what I call Drought Busters, prayers for rain that were answered.

Australia is currently in the worst drought in recorded history, there is no denying that. Australia has a history of regular drought, simply taking a look at the weather records will show us this, however, the drought we are currently experiencing is not normal, its not short and its not confined to a local area. The current drought is big, long lasting is affecting even areas like Victoria. Never before have we heard of places like Sydney and Brisbane discussing the problem of water shortages. Basically, the drought we are in is not normal......something bigger is happening here.

Dear Friends

I want to write and encourage you this week to hold firm in your faith and keep trusting in Jesus.  We have been praying for you, but it isn't always easy to hold on and believe.  What I am about to share with you will help you to do this.

We often look at famous men and women and think "wouldn't it be great to be like them" but we often never consider what that person went through to become great.  We admire men like Winston Churchill, but no-one wants to go through some of the tough situations He found himself in. 

I've been in this little country town of Mt Morgan for 12 years now. My great great grandfather Joseph Clanfield came to this place as a cursing swearing bullock driver. He became a Christian at the Salvation Army hall on Gordon Street back in the 1890's. Since then our whole family has pretty much been here except my parents who weren't... but then I've moved back.