A Year of Possibilities in 2009

I've been reading Vision 7007 from Commissioner Joe Noland recently. See www.joenoland.blogspot.com I'm struck by the idea of having faith to believe God can do more than anything we could ever consider to even ask him for. Read these words again:

Ephesians 3:20-21a - 'God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.'

Believe God for more this year. Believe that more people will begin following Jesus. Believe that God will answer your prayer for greater fruit in your life. Believe God will heal the rift in your family. Believe God will transform the heart of your friend. Believe God will bring the Kingdom growth you have been praying for.

2009 will be a year of possibilities. If we seek we will find. If we ask we will be given. If we knock, God will answer.

I'm excited.

For to us a Child is born...

Isaiah 9:6 says, 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

Before the birth of Jesus the prophet Isaiah records these words. Somewhat prophetic, in hindsight of what we understand about Jesus. He is a wonderful counselor, his is a mighty God, he is an everlasting Father, and he is the ultimate Prince of Peace. Thanks God for these descriptors and reminders of the nature of who Jesus is.

Have a happy and blessed Christmas. Jesus transforms lives and so we celebrate his birth this year. We pray many might come to understand the love and forgiveness of Christ in their own life this Christmas time.

The Shekinah Glory of God

One day, when we are face to face with God, we will be immersed within his glory. His 'Shekinah' glory as it has been named over the years. When I think of this Shekinah glory, I think of holiness, represented by light and radiance. I think of being in complete awe of the God I have worshipped in my earthly body for so long.

Our new baby girl, we have called 'Shekinah Nell Brookshaw'. We want our child to be a representative if you like, of a glimpse of what the glory of the Lord looks like. Born Wednesday 3rd December, at about 9am, weighing 3.925 Kgs, Jo and I are very, very excited, tired and looking forward to leaving the hospital!

Jeremiah 1:5 says, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' (Let that be for my daughter Shekinah...)

Thank you for those who have prayed so much recently for Jo, myself and Shekinah, and thanks for all those generous gifts of support.

Maybe today is a day, to pray in such a way, that you get a glimpse of the Shekinah glory of God?

Commissioning Weekend - Come and Gone

A weekend to remember. I'm still trying to work out how to spell lieutenant!

Thanks to all our family and friends who have supported us over this weekend, and in the last two years. What a journey for Jo and I. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. And the answer to the question is, 'No, Jo hasn't had the baby yet...' Maybe tomorrow?!

Lt. Debbie Wilson in her testimony said, that during college, 'We've laughed so much we've cried, and we've cried so much we've laughed'. This characterises some of the journey of Training College; excitement and challenge, discipline and reward, and as Lt. Kim Haworth says, 'Rosters, rosters and more rosters...'

Well, Jo and I are excited. We're off to Palmerston Corps, and are looking forward to the friendships, and joy we'll experience up north. God is good, and we aim to serve him faithfully and passionately, and our prayer is that the gospel of Jesus will transform many lives into the future.

There's still a few weeks of College left. Packing. Cleaning. Carolling. Brass bands. Farewells. Cleaning. Packing and many, many goodbyes.

God bless the future. God bless The Salvation Army.