Ps. Steve's Blog

'Pokhara, Nepal'.
Sun, 4th Apr, 2010

Hello dear church

Hope you're having an excellent time celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, & not just His resurrection but the fact that His   resurrection power is available to us & at work in us.

Bev & I are now in the city of Pokhara. As many of you would already   know we had to cut our trek short because Bev had a fall & sprained her ankle. We accomplished our main goal of crossing the Tharong La Pass at 5416mtrs & in doing so was reminded of how awesome & majestic our God is. But as we were descending, Bev tumbled with her full pack, which was the beginning of another adventure, getting off the mountain to civilization. This involved Bev couragously hobbling, shuffling, limping, for about 4hrs down mountain (I volunteered to carry her pack) & then she contined on by horse, jeep, motor bike, 2 men carrying, me being one of them, crutches, crawling, bottom sliding, wheel chair & plane, we finally got to where we are now, God is so good. Lindy wanted to continue her trek as by now we were out of high   altitude montains & risk of altitude sickness. She'll join us here in about a week.

Ok I think that's enough info for now, we'll be leaving for India in   just over a week to visit our Railway Kids Project & then we'll be heading back to Oz. We're looking forward to that, as there really is no place like home. We love what God is doing in our city & through our church, we are so blessed to be a part of God's family. We were so pleased to hear how well the Friday service & production went & we're praying that the repeat performance tonight will touch many more lives.

Have an awesome day celebrating God together, we love each one of you   & looking forward to seeing you soon.

'Hope & Dream Again'.
Mon, 22nd Feb, 2010

Dear Church,

What a great weekend we’ve just had, the two highlights for me were the children singing me happy birthday, how blessed we are to have so many beautiful children being apart of our church family.  The other highlight was watching & listening to our African brothers & sisters singing their songs on stage today in both AM services, how good was that?  As I was watching them I was reminded of how amazing God is in taking us all from different backgrounds, different places & different races & drawing us together to be in His family, bound together the Bible says, by God’s love & grace.

Speaking of family, Bev & I are heading off camping with our children & grandchildren for a few days this week.  After searching for some time we found our tent, which to my memory has never been used since we bought it some three years ago. Which means putting it up might initially be a bit of a challenge especially with Hudson & Layla (& maybe Charlie) enthusiastically helping me erect it.  I’m sure it will be an enjoyable few days with plenty to do.  We’re taking our swimmers to do some swimming, bicycles to do some cycling, hiking boots to do some hiking, & several plastic buckets to build sand castles with, which of course is very important.  Hudson & Layla in particular are very excited about the prospects of sleeping in a tent at night & swimming & playing at the beach & to be perfectly honest I am too. 

We’ll be back in church next Sunday, where in the morning, we’ll be seeing a number of our church family going through the waters of baptism.  I hope you can make it along to that service because I’ve always found these times to be very special, not just for those being baptized but hopefully for all of us.  Water baptisms are where people make a powerful declaration (through baptism) of a desire to lay down their old life & take up the new life that Jesus has given to us who believe.  Let’s really cheer them on as they do this next Sunday.  In the evening service I’ll be continuing the “Champions of Faith” series from Hebrews chapter 11.  I’m confident that what God is laying on my heart will be a real blessing & encouragement to you.

  One last thing, I have been pretty well overwhelmed by the response to the birthday (my birthday) fundraiser for the Railway Kids Project.  I’ve been told that over $14,100 has come in, that is the most valuable birthday gift I’ve ever received, & what makes it so valuable is that every cent of it will go towards changing the lives of homeless broken children in India so that they might hope & dream again.

  God bless you dear church you are amazing, & always remember God loves you more than you’ll ever know.

'Rescuing Railway Kids'.
Fri, 5th Feb, 2010

Hi Dear Church

Well how amazing the last couple of weeks have been. When Bev & I left for India to finalize the setting up of the LifeHouse Railway Kids project we didn't expect the doors to open so wide. We now have a new house for the project, a rent far below expectation, neighbors who are fully supportive of our plans, children who appear keen to attend the program, & an excellent person to oversight the project. We truly can see the favor of God in the lead up to "Rescuing Railway Kids." Bev will be bringing you up to speed this weekend on some of the highlights of our trip, & being World Reach Sunday we'll be hearing more about the greatest cause on earth.

As good as our trip was it's always so good to be home, we are so blessed to be living in such a beautiful, clean country where we are free to express our faith in God without fear of reprisal.

The morning after our arrival home I received the news that my mother had died that same night. Thank you for the support & encouraging words we've received. My mum was a wonderful woman & loved the Lord very much. Even though it is a time of sadness for our family we're fully aware that she's now with the Lord, & as the Apostle Paul said, that's better than anything this world has to offer. Praise God for salvation, how wonderful it is.

One last thing, for all you romantics don't forget that Sunday 14th is Valentines day. We're planning some very special things for this day & to state the obvious, I'll be speaking on the most wonderful of all subjects "Love." I feel the Lord has given me some good things to share with you on this subject & I'm confident you'll be blessed as you receive the thoughts God has laid on my heart. So let me encourage you to invite your friends & neighbors along, I'm sure they'll be glad you did.

God bless you, & remember God loves you more than you'll ever know.

'An exciting year of opportunities'.
Thu, 7th Jan, 2010

Well we’re now into the New Year & what a year it’s going to be.  One of the exciting things ahead of us this year will be building stage 1 of our new church facility. But far more exciting than that will be the God given opportunities we’ll have to build people.  I’m fully convinced that the greatest thing we can do with our lives is to help others to come to know God & live for Him.

At the moment I’m working on Pt1 of what will probably be a nine part series on Gal 5:22, which I’m calling “Fruit for Healthy Living.”  I’m planning to do this in our morning services.  I’m convinced that as we discover God’s part & then our part in growing this amazing fruit we’ll be truly blessed & better equipped to live the amazing life God has called us to live.

On another note & a little less spiritual. I’m picking up my Grandson Hudson, & Beverley, & taking them to the Monster Trucks at the showground this Friday night.  I’m sure Hudson will love it.  He loves the noise & action of any mechanical device, so I’m sure he’ll get right into it, & I guess it won’t be hard for me to enjoy it either.  I think Beverley’s coming because she’s into being a grandmother more than into huge noisy trucks, but I’m sure she’ll enjoy Hudson enjoying himself.

One last thing, Bev & I are off to India in just under 2 week’s time.  We’ll be heading straight to the city of Agra where we’ll be setting up the infrastructure & staffing for our very first “Railway Kids” home.  I’d appreciate your prayers as I genuinely believe this project has tremendous potential to change forever the lives of hurting abused homeless children living in extreme poverty, many of whom have never experienced the love of another human being.  I also believe this project will be a great opportunity for many of you to go to Agra on a short term mission’s trip & be a part of this ministry at a real hands on level.  Why don’t you give some prayer & thought to that, who knows what God could open up to you this year.

Bev & I are praying that 2010 will be a year of life building challenges, blessings & opportunities for each one of you.  Always remember God loves you more than you’ll ever know & has an amazing plan for your life.

'Spirit led season'.
Thu, 26th Nov, 2009.

Bev & I had a great Monday just gone.  It was Amy strachan’s (Bev’s mum) 83rd birthday & all the relo’s came over for a birthday feast to celebrate the big occasion.  My grand kids, Hudson & Layla, found it hugely challenging blowing out the candles on the cake until big cousin Isaac stepped in to help.  Family is so special & important to God.

Another special day was last Sunday, yes it was hot & uncomfortable but the presence of God was so evident & seeing Him work in so many lives far out ways anything else.  Next Sunday will be another great day as well, in the evening service we have a guest speaker, Darren McMahon from Youth Alive, Darren heads up “Your Dream” ministries & is a powerful communicator, you’ll love what he has to say.  I’ll be preaching in our morning services, I’ll be speaking on “being content in a discontented world” I really believe that what I have to say will be a real blessing to you.  I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

I’ve been visiting different Life Groups each week & really enjoying the fellowship.  Last night I attended Matt & Bec’s L/Group.  It started a little differently to other groups I’ve attended.  Matt waited till about six well built guys turned up (me being one of them) & then marched us off down stairs to a massive pool table.  I thought Matt was going to bring us a spiritual lesson from a game of pool, but instead he announced he wanted the table moved from one room to another.  We got the job done with much grunting & groaning & then retired back upstairs to discuss, of all things, iPhones, but then quickly moved onto a great study put together by Jenny G. on “an Attitude of Friendliness.”  It was a great discussion & a great night.

Another thought.  We are quickly approaching what many call the “Silly Season.”  Let me encourage you to not be “silly” led but “Spirit” led, over the festive season, in other words, let the Holy Spirit give you self-control because the rewards of self-control are a clear conscience, a healthy self-esteem & a happy & safe Christmas.  And of course, the realization of Gods plan for your life.

'God's grace'.
Wed, 18th Nov, 2009.

Last Sunday after morning church here in Coffs, Bev & I drove down to a community near Newcastle to minister in a church service held at a Rehabilitation Centre for women.  The following morning we were invited to share in their devotional time.  Both Bev & I found it to be a very moving experience as we stood & sang & worshiped with these women, many of whom have been saved out of the most horrific circumstances.  As we got to share with them during the morning it was obvious that most of them were still carrying deep scars from their past experiences, but on the other hand, it was also obvious that each one of them had put their hope in a loving God & as a result were now on the road to a sure recovery.  It really did remind me again of the amazing grace of God.  

It’s been said that God’s grace is like a falling summer shower, it’s but glory begun, it’s the key that opens the door to the riches of God, its God lavishing upon us all He has when we don’t deserve it.  It’s the unmerited favor of God, it really is amazing.  The grace of God reveals to us a God who wants to bless us.  Grace enables us to worship God, grace changes our outlook on life, grace changes our personality, grace enables us to see past the failures & shortcomings of others.  Grace gives us time to change & grace saves us from sin.   

I guess you can tell by now that I was impacted by the grace of God while with this little group of wounded human beings, & thinking, there go I but for the grace of God.  Just a short time ago I received an email from somebody called “An interview with God.”  I suggest you Google it, it’s worth watching, it reminded me again of God’s amazing grace that He extends to us each day.  

On another note, Christmas is only 37 days away, so we’ll soon be seeing the decorations & trees being put out, the buying of presents, the cooking of Christmas puddings etc.  But another thing that is usually seen at Christmas is STRESS.  So this coming Sunday night I’ll be sharing on how to avoid stress in a stress filled world, I think you’ll find it interesting, hope to see you there.  

Remember, God the Father & His Son Jesus & His Holy Spirit loves you more than you will ever know.

'Families'.
Tue, 3th Nov, 2009.

Hi dear Church

This week I’m in Grafton, I’m spending a few days with my mum again while my sister has a break.  Whenever I’m here I’m always reminded of the value of family.  For example—

Families are where life begins…You & I weren’t bought into this world via the stork, dropped out of a tree by a monkey, born into a hospital bed.  Our life started through & in a family.
Families are where we find our identity…It’s where we are given a name & learn who we are.
Families are where love & affection is first learnt…When a baby is picked up by its mum, & cuddled & fed its learning to love & relate.
Families are where guidelines, discipline & boundaries are first given…I can still remember some of the correction I received as a child, but through the pain of it all I eventually learnt what was required of me.
Families are where grace is found…It’s been said, “There’s no place like home” which in most cases is true, because we are accepted with all faults if any.  

Now all of the above is nearly always determined by the kind of parents we have.  So how awesome it is to think that in God’s family we have the greatest parent of all, “God the Father.”  Because of that we are guaranteed to fully experience new life.  We’ll discover who we really are & who we are to be.  We’ll experience love that’s beyond human understanding.  We’ll become disciples & as such live a disciplined life.  And we’ll discover “amazing grace” that saved a wretch like me.  How good is it to be a part of the greatest family of all?  

God bless each one of you as you serve Him in the greatest family of all for the greatest cause of all.

'Good News for you'.
Tue, 20th Oct, 2009.

Dear LifeHouse Family
 
I’ve got “Good News” for you.  Luke had a very positive meeting with council yesterday regarding the C C (Construction Certificate) for our building project.  We were wanting to make amendments to our approved D A (Development Application) & council has given us the ok, so our C C is still on track to be passed sometime late Nov or early Dec.  (Congratulations Luke)  This means we are looking good to make a start late Dec or early Jan.  At this stage I think it’s looking more like January though.
 
On a totally different note, Bev & I & Bev’s mum Amy are now in Homebush, Sydney.  We drove down today to attend the Andre Rieu concert.  Amy is a real fan of Andre, so we thought we’d give her a special treat.  She’s pretty excited about it, even though we won’t be leaving our motel room for the concert for at least another hour she is dressed & ready to go.  We’ll be driving back tomorrow & looking forward to seeing you in one of our Sunday services.
 
Another very important event that that took place today & never to be repeated again was that my grandson Charlie turned “one” today.  How quickly the last 12months have gone by, but it reminds me again, as I said on Sunday, that we must be doing our all to build the church of Jesus Christ to make Him famous, to bring blessing to our city, & to position the next generation to do greater things in His name than we have done.
 
God bless you dear Church as you serve Him in the greatest cause on earth.

Kingdom Culture.
Wed, 7th Oct, 2009.

Hiya Dear Church

Last Sunday, Beverley brought us up to date on how the “Rescuing Railway Kids” project in India is progressing. While she was speaking I was reminded of how different we Aussies are to other cultures. I mean we are really different. Consider other nations; they build statues of their political leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Lenin, & Ataturk etc. But what do we Aussies do, we don’t build a statue of Kevin Rudd but of a dog on a tucker box. We are so different in many ways. What other country has a national icon like Steve Irwin or would have as its national costume, a blue singlet, stubbies & a slouch hat with corks.

Did you know, the Lonely Plant dedicates four pages to explain what us Aussies mean when we use words like…tucker, tinnie, or togs, or beauty, blowy, or bludger, or fair go, fair dinkum, or flat out like a lizard on a log. What about, rego, rello, or rip off, or snags, spot on, or sticky beak. I could go on & on, but I believe the true essence of Aussie culture is captured by the word “MATE”.

What is a Mate? Well, they help you when you’re down, they encourage you, they support you, they stand with, they won’t let you down, they’ll stick with you, etc. How good is mateship? But it gets so much better when you add Christian Culture because Jesus becomes your best mate. Jesus said in John 15:14 “You are my mates…” (Aussie version) That’s so good, because He will be more to you than any good mate could ever be. Maybe this is why Paul said in Rom 12:2-3 Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God… Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you. Msg. In other words, don’t go through life thinking, she’ll be right, it’ll work out, it’ll come good. That’s Aussie culture thinking but Kingdom Culture says “Fix your eyes on God & things will be right, they will work out & they will come good. Life always changes for the better living in Kingdom Culture rather than the cultures of the world.

Have an awesome week church, & remember God loves you more than you will ever know.

It’s What's In Your Heart.
Tue, 22nd Sept, 2009.

Dear church
 
I’ve been getting up early most mornings & taking Zook (the dog) for a walk, as we walk along I kick pine cones for her, which she quickly retrieves in order to repeat the exercise all over again. I’m convinced it’s the highlight of her day.  Though, while walking the dog I’m also talking to God & I find this to be one of the highlights of my day.  I find it’s a time when I feel God speaks to me about things & when I seem to get idea’s & solutions to challenges etc.  But I also find it’s a time to simply thank God for all of the wonderful blessings He continually pours into our lives.
 
I believe if we start our day approaching God in prayer with an attitude of gratitude our day will always be far better than if we do otherwise.  I’ve found over the years that people who forget the language of gratitude will rarely be on speaking terms with success & happiness. 
 
Starting our day praising & thanking God for all things will have us starting our day with an inner sense of peace.  Paul makes this clear in Philippians ch4 when he said, “Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”  What a great way to start the day.
 
God bless you dear church & remember it isn’t what you have in your bank account that will make you thankful, it’s what you have in your heart.

No Place Like Home
Tue, 8th Sept 2009.

Hello dear Church

I’ve just arrived back from preaching at a Conference on the Gold Coast.  It was called “Honor” & it really was a God honoring time.  As I was preparing for it I was amazed at how many times the Bible calls us to give honor.  We’re to honor one another, honor marriage, honor our spouses, honor our parents, & honor our leaders, but above all else we are called to honor God & of course we do that by living lives that are pleasing to Him.

Prior to the conference I spent two days away with our Exec Pastors at Tweed Heads discussing future directions for the church & planning out our calendar for next year.  We’ve got some amazing things coming up & within a few weeks we should have our 2010 calendar out so we’ll all be up to speed on what to be praying about & preparing for. Just before our planning retreat I spent a few days with my mother in Grafton while my sister was away.  I enjoy those opportunities as my mum is in the latter years of her life & a lot closer to going home to be with Jesus than most of us.

Being away this last week has reminded me again that there is definitely no place like home.  We are so blessed with a great church, & it’s great because it’s filled with awesome people like you.

Looking ahead, keep in mind Saturday 26th, that’s going to be great family day out at the Pet Porpoise Pool & on the Sunday 27th we’ll have Ian Woods speaking in all out services.  Let’s get along to both days as they’ll be great opportunities for the building of friendships through fun, food & fellowship.  In fact, here’s a thought for you, it’s not so much what you travel with through life, it’s who you travel with that brings fulfillment, success & happiness.

God bless you, & remember He loves you more than you’ll ever know.

Men's Conference
Tue, 25th Aug 2009.

Hi Church

What an amazing weekend, our Men’s Conference was a huge success & church last Sunday, well that’s always amazing. Ps Paul Bartlett brought tremendous message’s in all services & the Lord was at work in many peoples lives. The highlight of the weekend for me though, was having Bev back from India.

Last week I really enjoyed taking a group of people from church over our land on the very first Development Discovery Tour. They now have a good understanding of the layout of the land, boundaries, car parking areas, & where the buildings will be situated. There’ll eventually be three buildings on the land, The Hub, & a chapel which we plan to build first, & then the LifeHouse Convention Centre. Contact the church office as to when it might suit you to come on one of the scheduled Discovery Tours; I’d love to show you over what I believe will be a tremendous facility to move our church forward & also be a huge blessing to our city. I’m reminded of Prov 11:10 which says “The whole city celebrates when the righteous succeed.” What a great scripture, so come on, let’s succeed in all God’s called us to do & give our city reason to celebrate.