In the world but not of it

It was nice to receive a couple of pics by email this week. They were from one of the homes when we did the Australiana program and the Activity Officer brought out their lagerphone and joined in the entertainment with us. They are a great crowd there.

This week we sang three times and were invited to do more Christmas Carols at the Homes, including one where the residents will have glowsticks. We are now setting up the programs for all the December events, the most we do all year.


One thing that has been on my mind this week was an online friend challenging me to  'lighten up' and enjoy the Magic of Santa Claus over the festive season.  I forget my exact words, but was saying we don't choose Santa Claus songs or promote Santa Claus.

We strive to be "in the world but not of it"  and as the article says, this is also a rock solid God-truth that is coming straight out of our Bible, and as many of you do, we find our joy, peace and comfort in Him.

Yesterday we both went with Val to hear speakers from ICEJ. Their website is here. The venue was a small village about 85 kms from home, so we had some lovely conversation on the trip as well. Unfortunately Val's hubby had a commitment to finish a carpentry project he was working on for the pre-school at church and could not come along.

I had heard one of the speakers before and was keen to hear her again.  I did not know anything about International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, and the speakers lead a group there each year for The Feast of Tabernacles, Bruce spoke on the importance of Israel, and Merrilyn  on the tour the group did through Poland, Israel and Turkey. She brought to life the horrors of the concentration camps and death camps, the places they visited in Israel and they also went to Gallipoli which is of great interest to Australians.  I knew quite a few people in attendance as I had met them at the retreat and other days I have attended.

There were a number of banners and wallhangings at this small venue, and one particularly caught my attention. It had a map of Australia with the Holy Spirit dove over it and the figure 400 up the top, which must have been purchased as a panel.  There was an explanatory scroll beside it, and I learned about an event that took place over 400 years ago.

Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their 
   creatures and all those here present witness that I, 
   Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, in the name of 
   Jesus Christ, hoist this emblem of the Holy Cross 
   on which Jesus Christ's person was crucified and 
   whereon He gave His life for the ransom and 
   remedy of the human race. On this day of 
   Pentecost, 14 May 1606, I take possession of all 
   this part of the South as far as the pole in the name 
   of Jesus, which from now on shall be called the 
   Southern land Austrialia of the Holy Spirit and this 
   always and forever to the end that to all natives, in 
   all the said lands, the holy, sacred Evangel may be 
   preached zealously and openly. 

I found a pic online, though the actual one was much more vibrant.

I was quite moved by this and went over to the bookstall and purchased "Discovering Australia's Christian Heritage", which included a mention of this. I haven't read it all yet, but see that the author wishes to place a copy in every school in Australia, with the proceeds of sales and possible donations.

Church was special to us both today, and I will finish with the closing hymn.


Let us encourage one another.
With love and blessings,
Jan