The Upside 05 - November, 2017

MANNA HAVEN REOPENS IN BYRON BAY

PLANTING SEEDS IN

NEWCASTLE

About

Changing lives, one at a time

What’s the biggest step outside of your comfort zone that you’ve ever taken in order to help someone else? For some of us, it might have been something dramatic — jumping in at a time of crisis to avert disaster or save a life — but for others, it might have been something as seemingly simple as befriending new people and caring for them in times of trouble.

The exciting thing about helping people is that it’s not limited to dramatic, epic moments. It can be done anywhere and at any time.

In this issue of The Upside, we’ve got a story about changed lives that are now changing lives (“Planting SEEDS in Newcastle,” page 4). In addition to that, a SEEDS Pack for a Purpose mission trip member shares their experience of what it was like going on their first service trip (“A first time for everything,” page 6).

We hope you’re inspired by what you read and can think of new, exciting ways you can impact others’ lives for good.

Adele Nash

Enquiries

AVONDALE’S HUMAN LIBRARY BUILDS COMMUNITY AND TOLERANCE

Borrowers kept a seven-time Paralympian and 13 other local living books busy at Avondale Libraries first Human Library on Saturday, 7 October.

Liesl Tesch brought with her some of the spoils of a sporting career that includes gold medals in sailing at the London and Rio games, and experience competing for professional wheelchair basketball teams in the Spanish, Italian and French men’s leagues. She shares her medals because “I feel they belong to the people of Australia.” Conversation, as it did on that Saturday, often then turns to disability and the challenges of social inclusion.

But Liesl also enjoyed answering questions about serving as Member for Gosford in the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of New South Wales. “Being elected to parliament has ‘freshened’ my story, and added to the challenges I face and the responsibility I have to listen to the community,” says Liesl.

“Everyone has a story to tell, a reason

for why they act as they do”

Readers such as 13-year-old Aleisha enjoyed the interactivity. “I liked being able to hold Liesl’s medals and sit in her wheelchair.” Her father, Matt Tompson, stayed longer than he had intended because “my kids begged to hear ‘just one more story.’ I left all the richer. There is something almost sacred about hearing and interacting with the life story of a stranger.”

Matt describes the Human Library as a multi-faceted experience. Readers, who could “borrow” over five 20-minute sessions, choose books from a catalogue featuring titles such as “Law enforcement: it’s not like Hollywood” and “The woman who quit her job to empower others.” They listened to stories of drug addiction and homelessness, and of nursing at isolated mission stations in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. They met a lion cuddler who rode with the Hells Angels before clowning in the Amazon, and a former refugee who survived a raid by Sinhalese rebels in Sri Lanka. One of the books, Dr Wayne French, a chaplain at Avondale College of Higher Education, led readers on a tour of his Tut Roadshow, a purpose-built semitrailer bringing the wonders of Ancient Egypt to schools and community centres along the east coast of Australia.

Avondale Libraries presented the Human Library to reduce stereotypes and prejudice, and to promote respect for human rights and dignity. “Everyone has a story to tell, a reason for why they act as they do,” says Library Services Director Michelle Down. She describes these stories as interesting and inspiring — memorable. They “teach us better than any sermon ever could” and remind us “you should never judge a book by its cover.”

The Human Library returns to Avondale Libraries (Lake Macquarie campus) on Saturday, 7 April next year.

— Brenton Stacey,

Public

Relations Officer, Avondale College of Higher Education

Grace Paulson survived a raid by Sinhalese rebels in Sri Lanka thanks to a quick-thinking school dean who switched off the lights. The former refugee shared her story as one of the living books at Avondale Libraries’ Human Library.

Photo courtesy of Brenton Stacey

Planting

Imagine you’ve been admitted to the best school of economics in your country. After that, you join the corporate world, working for Credit Suisse.

Or how about imagining that you’re attending college in New York, which leads to becoming successful at a very young age? From the ages of 25 to 30, you’re a young executive, complete with a driver, people caring for your agenda and with no worries about money.

And then you decide to leave those lives behind to dedicate yourself to finding out more about God and how you can fulfill His plan in your life…

These two scenarios combine in Joseph and Camila Skaf. Joseph worked for Credit Suisse, while Camila’s story is that of the young executive. Long story short, they met, fell in love, married and are now connected with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Newcastle, New South Wales.

They’re busy empowering the community around them, advancing education in health and lifestyle through an independent charity organisation called SEEDS Newcastle, and they’re also inviting their friends to learn more about Jesus in

SEEDS in Newcastle

“Everything changed after I met Jesus...all that I had looked

their start-up home church group, which is sponsored by the Adventist Church in northern New South Wales.

To be honest, it’s a pretty dramatic change in circumstances — and one they voluntarily chose. What would lead them to do this?

“When I met Joseph, we were connecting in special ways because we both were looking for something better,” says Camila. This something better was a deeper experience in following Jesus’ steps and a growing desire to make a difference in other people’s lives. Joseph adds that he realised that, “I could use my time to achieve goals that would be restricted to my own life, or I could use my energy here to play a role in something way bigger than myself, which I believe is heaven’s mission to empower people to become the best version of themselves.”

He adds, “Everything changed after I met Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, but I had a perfect life. I was very happy. But after I met Jesus, all that I had looked so small compared to the joy of being connected with Him. And that inspired me to follow His example of love and grace in my own life.”

After they married, Joseph and Camila planned to take a year off to rethink what to do with their lives and to spend more time together in their marriage. As part of this plan, they attended ARISE Australia, a Bible school held in Kingscliff each year. Following this, they were invited to be part of the team of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northern New South Wales.

Newcastle is a long way from New York, but they felt led to be there. The opportunity to share their most precious experiences with others inspired them, as they wanted to empower their friends in the community to discover the unparalleled joy of caring for others.

They’re taking some creative approaches to doing this as well — there’s a heavy focus on practical, relational activities that meet people’s needs. For example, this month SEEDS Newcastle is running a Complete Health Improvement Program series. In October, they organised a “Baking with Friends” sourdough bread workshop. They’re often involved in other smaller events, sometimes with partner entities, which provides them with an opportunity to share health information, holistic lifestyle care and God’s love.

Offering life-empowering experiences to the people in Newcastle is not their only aim, though. The big adventure for the SEEDS team this year was the Pack for a Purpose mission and service trip, which saw them visit Kenya and Cambodia in the middle of the year. There were 13 people on the team, ranging in age from 17 to 65.

In Kenya, they spent time in Masai Mara from 28 June to 11 July. The project they undertook there was to build the Oloosinon Girls’ Secondary School, as well as run the “My Story” program for the school’s 705 children. Members of the team also volunteered at the health clinic to support dentistry treatments and immunisation. This was all done in partnership with Africa Mission Services.

The travellers were also blessed to take part in a cultural day at a Masai village, as well as enjoying two safari days. Most members of the team hadn’t experienced this kind of travel before, and it was a great learning and growing experience for them. Michelle, a member of the SEEDS team, says, “I’m so happy that I was involved in Pack for a Purpose Kenya. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life to be involved in the community; helping, learning and sharing knowledge.”

Photos courtesy of SEEDS Newcastle, Africa Mission Services and ADRA Cambodia

so small compared to the joy of being connected with Him”

In Cambodia, Pursat Province was the destination and the project was working to help locals construct shelters to be used for conducting educational programs with a particular focus on improving nutrition for mothers and children. Playgrounds were also built next to the shelter. The team also ran a Kids’ Club, and nutrition and cooking demonstrations. Although the trip was shorter, it was productive. The interaction with people in the local village was positive, with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Cambodia providing logistics and translators.

ADRA Cambodia has many programs and projects running in several areas of the country. Their focus is on sustainable community development. The work undertaken by the SEEDS team complemented that.

Camila says, “We not only made a difference in others’ lives, but we experienced something priceless together during this time. We had representation from cultures from all around the world. Our interactions were rich and fun.”

Coming back to Newcastle, the work being done by the couple hasn’t slowed down. Their mission to bless and empower as many people as they can continues, even though Camila is pregnant with their first child and you’d think they have earned a break. But there’s so much to do. “I’d like to see more people inspired by the example of Jesus,” says Camila. “When someone comes to know Jesus for who He is, that person can’t help but to find their greatest joy in service to others.”

— Adele Nash

Find out more about SEEDS Newcastle at seedsnewcastle.com or connect with them at facebook.com/seedsnewcastlensw

If you are interested in starting a house church, please phone (02) 4951 8088 or email nnsw.conf@adventist.org.au.

A first time for

with the mindset that if you’re not prepared to get out of your comfort zone, then what’s the point of going?”

Having gone on the trip hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, she even found using a drop toilet an amusing experience. “I actually loved everything about the trip,” she says. “My favourite thing was working on the building site. I enjoy working with my hands and I’m not afraid of getting messy. The work we did on the trip was so varied, which I felt made it so enjoyable. There was also class work with the children and we played with them at break times.”

Joanne Robins was a member of the SEEDS Newcastle team who went to Kenya and Cambodia for a mission trip, and it was the first time she’d done something like that. Having always loved travel and doing things for others, the opportunity to combine the two was too good to resist. Her husband Michael Lilikakis had interviewed Joseph for Faith FM and told her about the trip, adding that she had to call the Skafs to find out more details. Long story short? Jo called them and the rest is history.

“I went with the mindset that if you’re not prepared to get out of your comfort zone, then what’s the point of going?”

“Being on a mission trip for the first time was exciting,” says Jo. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was unusual in respect to having someone else organise your time and what you did, but it was so much fun. I had been to Africa before, so I didn’t find it daunting in the least.” Was there anything she found challenging about the mission trip to Kenya and Cambodia? Apparently not — Jo says, “I went

Other volunteers were able to provide assistance at a local clinic and another helped a dentist who flies in every year from the United States of America, with another assisting in a maternity clinic. Jo loved the laid-back approach of the local people she worked with in Africa, saying, “They didn’t seem to stress in the way we seem to in Western society.” In Cambodia, they took part in Kids’ Club work, and did a few information workshops about nutrition and health, as well as building work.

Having now returned home, Jo says she would love to go on more mission trips. “I had such an amazing time!” she says. “It’s something I’d love my whole family to experience. We’re considering the possibility of doing a church group mission trip next year now.”

If you’re thinking about going on a mission trip for the first time ever, Jo says, “Research where you’re going. Find out about local customs. Learn a few words of the local language. Try to find someone who’s been there to see what, if any, unexpected things might happen! Keep an open mind and pray, pray, pray.”

— Adele Nash

POSITIVE RADIO ENGAGING WITH COAST

Advertising for Faith FM’s Breakfast Show has been boosted in the past month, with a particular focus on the Central Coast in a joint effort with local pastors to distribute flyers, invite people to programs and be a positive influence in their communities.

If you don’t know much about Faith FM, it’s an Australia-wide Christian radio station that’s working with communities to reach the people they represent. It airs on 87.6, 87.8 or 88FM around the nation. The Breakfast Show is recorded in the head office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in northern New South Wales, and through it, more people are interacting with the station, receiving resources to learn more about Jesus.

Hosts of the Breakfast Show are also being featured in the advertising on six different buses local to the Central Coast. This has formed a competition for listeners, who are challenged to send the station photos of the buses for their chance to win a variety of prizes (as long as they’re not driving!).

The Breakfast Show airs from 6.00am to 9.00am on weekdays. The hosts Lyle Southwell, Adele Nash and Sharna Kosmeier discuss relevant topics every day; talk through various Bible study guides; interview local, national and international guests; and give listeners a chance to call through to win prizes from each program.

These giveaways — which include a range of uplifting DVDs, CDs and books — provide an opportunity for local church pastors and ambassadors to connect with people who call in.

Feedback about the Breakfast Show and the prizes has been positive. One woman who called told the Faith FM team she was excited to receive The 5 Love Languages of Children, as she wants to know how to better connect with her kids. Another listener from Newcastle called in to say she “loves the David Stojcic mental health segment on the Breakfast Show.”

Another from Western Australia completed the Complete Health Improvement Program after hearing about it on Faith FM. Others have called in to ask where their local Adventist Church can be found.

So what can you do to share the positively different message that Faith FM has to offer with others? Well, it’s easy — you can find out what frequency it airs on in your area, and then tell friends and family about it.

You can also connect with Faith FM on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ faithfmradiostation).

The Breakfast Show’s producer Nic Coutet says, “We’re excited to have finally launched our Faith FM awareness campaign, which kicked off in September this year. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in northern New South Wales purchased advertising space on the back of six public buses, which provide transport services in the Wyong, Gosford and Central Coast area. This advertises our station for up to 18 hours each day! Since the advertising began, we’ve received a number of contacts from the region and they’ve all been passed on to the local churches. We really want to say a big thank you to the church family for supporting our work!”

— Sharna Kosmeier

To find out more about Faith FM and the Breakfast Show, connect with them on Facebook or listen online at www. faithfm.com.au

Manna Haven reopens in Byron Bay

The Byron Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church and Manna Haven Café are located right in the heart of the popular tourist town. Backpackers and holidaymakers come by in droves, many staying longer than they expect to.

Because of its location right on a busy street, there are many visitors who drift into the church for food or fellowship — or both! The opportunity was too great not to reopen the café, which had closed 18 months prior to its re-opening on the first weekend in October this year.

Manna Haven now has an on-site manager and chef, and the café and church have been renovated, with new décor added. The café has huge outreach potential, with the addition of the new beach-style hut housing the WWI original Furphy Water Cart. This provides free chilled and filtered water to backpackers or holiday-makers, and is a

great conversation starter regarding the word “Furphy.”

Manna Haven had its official opening and blessing on 1 October.

Music was provided by young people from the church and members of the Lismore Symphony Orchestra. Officials from the North New South Wales Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church were also present to pray a blessing over each area of ministry that will take place in the church and café.

It’s also planned for the hut to house a data projector so that movies or music clips can be screened at night onto the shop wall adjacent.

After much prayer, vision and goalsetting, hard physical labour and generous donations by many people around Australia who caught a vision of the potential of the café ministry,

If you’re travelling through the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, why not plan a trip to Manna Haven Café! It’s open six days per week (closed on Saturdays).

— Julie Jackson

You can find Manna Haven on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mannahaven

Students journey outback to serve Service matters:

Above: Avondale College of Higher Education students organised and presented a program for children in the far western New South Wales town of Goodooga as part of a short-term adventure ministry called STORM Co.

While their classmates enjoyed a break from study, a team of students from Avondale College of Higher Education cared for kids in a far western New South Wales town. The students organised and presented a program for children in Goodooga as part of a shortterm adventure ministry called STORM Co (Service To Other Really Matters). The program, held at the town’s bowling club during the week of mid-semester break (25 to 30 September), featured crafts, songs and stories that illustrated the bravery and courage theme.

Yvonne Teulilo, one of five students on the team, says the trip helped her feel more thankful for what she had. She most enjoyed “sharing the love of Jesus with the children, especially the ones who do not have a Christian background.”

The effort the students put into presenting the program impressed members of the community. This led to questions about Avondale College of Higher Education and about the student’s faith. “Service is the key to building community,” says team leader Mauana Fepuleai. “We shared our passion for service and in doing so showed love, which is the true essence of God.”

Students at Avondale participate in a number of locally-based service-related activities. But Chaplain Dr Wayne French

“We shared our passion for service and in doing so showed love, which is the true essence of God.”

Photo credit: Yvonne Teulilo.

kids in community

says it is good to go outback and serve the Aboriginal population.

He has been helping organise STORM Co teams for 20 years, many in his former role as Director of Adventist Youth Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in northern New South Wales.

French says he has seen how the trips not only benefit local communities, but also the students themselves.

The Adventist Church has been sending STORM Co teams of young adults into local communities since 1992, when a group of Year 12 students planned an adventure in service rather than a school leaving party. The STORM Co concept has grown and spread across Australia since then.

— Caitlin Serret

NEW APP TEACHES A LESSON

Jared Martin has a long history of getting involved in all sorts of church projects, sharing his time and talents — things he’s worked on range from being a counsellor at summer camps to missionary work in Denmark, Poland and Norway.

His most recent endeavour — apart from studying Theology at Avondale College of Higher Education — has been to work with a team of developers who created an app for the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s weekly Sabbath school lesson.

“The old app from the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church just had a PDF version of the lessons and it didn’t work that well on a phone or tablet,” says Jared. “So we’ve tried to make an app that’s much more beautiful and easy to use! The app is free and has the full text of Sabbath school lessons, the ‘Inside Story’ and the teachers’ comments.”

Features include:

▶ Built-in Bibles — all you have to do is click on the Bible verse reference and the text pops up

▶ You can highlight key words or sentences

▶ Boxes to write comments and answers to questions

▶ Login with Facebook or Google to save and sync comments (and highlights!) across devices

Jared has helped with the English and Danish translations. “I’m currently working to add five new Bible translations to the app — American Standard Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Translation and The Message. Hopefully they’ll be working soon!”

The app also has the lessons in different languages, making it so much more accessible to people all around the world. Languages include Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian, German, French, Bulgarian, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian!

“It’s truly an app for the world-wide Adventist Church!” says Jared.

— The Upside / Jared Martin

Want to find out more about Jared’s story? You can read about it at disciple.org.au/2017/10/new-appbrings-sabbath-school-life

“The café has huge outreach potential”

ADVENTIST SENIOR LIVING RETIREES MAKE MAGIC IN THE KITCHEN

What could a group of elderly women and a class of 14-yearolds possibly have in common? As the two recently came across each other in the Avondale School classroom kitchens, the answer quickly became apparent.

Ten elderly retirees from Lake Macquarie’s Jewells Lifestyle Community joined a class of Year 8 food technology students at Avondale School, Cooranbong, pairing up on one morning in September to share and prepare tried, trusted and treasured family recipes.

“It was a lesson in love,” said Avondale School food technology teacher Tarlae Bradford.

“The group came together with such beautiful purpose, with my students learning that food keeps memories alive. Each retiree shared not only a recipe and cooked it alongside the students, but also a heartfelt conversation about the stories and love associated with that food item,” she said, adding that the voices of the women really brought the recipes to life.

In what was a very spirited and fun-filled morning, full of the flavours and scents of lives well-lived and loved, the students enjoyed not only a practical lesson in cooking, but also discovered what natural ageing looks like, learning that hanging out with the elderly can be a whole lot of fun.

88-year-old participant Marie Ryan thoroughly enjoyed the morning sharing her treasured Almond Biscuit recipe. “Food is comforting,” says Marie, “bringing people together and nurturing them in a way that conversation alone cannot. This recipe reminds me of so many good times I have had with family and friends throughout my life, and of stories shared over a good cup of tea.”

This sentiment echoed by fellow Jewells Lifestyle Community residents, Irene Shirlow and Penny Gawthorn.

As for what the women and the students have in common? “Definitely an understanding that cooking and baking are so much more fun when shared,” said Penny.

— Felicity Pittaway

MEET OUR

Ministry Team

Flavia Butler is an educator who has worked in the early childhood industry for 24 amazing years — those are her words! She says she likes to think those years of experience make her a mature educator, but adds, “I’m sure colleagues will tell you I’m slightly crazy!” She currently works as the Director of the Early Learning Centre at Avondale School in Cooranbong. The centre has 13 staff, with the team growing to 22 during holiday time.

What led to you working in an Early Learning Centre and how long have you been the Director?

I didn’t know there was such a thing as “early childhood teaching” when I left high school. I planned on studying welfare and psychology — God had different plans. Through my first welfare practicum at an early intervention unit working with children under the age of five, I discovered a passion for working with young people. That commenced my journey in the industry.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I’m really passionate about quality teaching and still love being in the classroom — the best moments are when you’re working with a child to develop a new skill or working through a problem and you see the “Ah-ha!” moment of understanding in their eyes. They are so joyful in their achievement and, as an educator, you realise you were there, you were part of the moment in time that achieved a life-long skill, like [a child] understanding, “Those marks people keep putting at the top of my painting are writing and those marks together make my name, and I can learn to create those marks myself and write my own name!” I also really enjoy having the opportunity to mentor and support other educators, helping them to grow and engage their passion for teaching, hopefully positively impacting their jouney as educators.

What does a typical day look like for the early learning centre?

A typical day can only be described as dynamic, challenging and awesome all at once. The centre is open from 7.30am to 5.30pm, and we do have children who attend long hourse and

Bad news sells, and unfortunately we can’t avoid it. In the media, our communities and personal lives, we are constantly reminded of things that are going wrong. On the upside, the Bible shows us what can go right and offers hope in seemingly hopeless situations. To learn more, simply post this completed form to receive FREE “The Prophetic Code,” an ongoing series of beautifully-illustrated lessons. Topics include “The secret to Success”, “Life After Death” and many more. Experience this life changing opportunity, obligation FREE, today.

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can attend up to five days per week.

2017 is a busy time to live in and unfortunately parents do not always have the luxury of staying at home during those foundational years. It does take a village to raise a child. We see ourselves as their village. We try to ensure the program is educational, but fun; structured, but flexible and adaptable to what the children need at the time. It involves indoor and outdoor learning, and can be exhausting, but extremely rewarding!

What tips do you have to share with others about inspiring children?

Children are predisposed to being curious, wanting to please, and wanting to discover and learn new things. Instead of approaching them as empty vessels to be filled with your wisdom, recognise that children are actually individual people. Our role as parents and educators is to mentor and guide. Walk beside them, not in front of them; collaborate with them on their learning so they see themselves as having the ability to always learn anything they want to. Children are inspired when you show them through your words and interactions that you delight in their company, and you do not see them as having less value because they are children and not yet adults. Jesus set this example for all teachers when He was on earth — He walked beside His people; guiding, mentoring and supporting them to develop their own understanding about who He was and what He wanted them to do. He met each learner right where they were in life — that’s what we need to do as teachers. If all He did was recite information for people to repeat, would His message have been as valued or powerful?

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PART TWO: THE LADDER WORKOUT

If you’re anything like me, I get bored with doing the same thing over and over when it comes to exercise. This month I’m sharing another way to create your own home workout using the ladder principle.

A “ladder” workout is created simply by choosing your exercises — for example, alternating lunges, shoulder press, bent over row and cross-over crunches.

Next, you choose how many reps to start with and how many you will add each new round. For example,

I suggest starting with two reps on each exercise and adding two more reps each new round.

Finally, decide how long you are going to workout (for example 15 minutes). Then set your timer and away you go, adding two more reps each time you go through each exercise.

To ramp it up a little, do the same routine for the same amount of time a week or so later, and see if you can get more “rungs on the ladder” in terms of reps completed. You are your only competition!

Lunges Alternating

Shoulder Press Kneeling Bent Over Row Crossover Crunches

Ingredients

Base:

– Six or seven large medjool dates, pitted and chopped up

– ½ cup desiccated coconut

– ¾ cup raw macadamias

Raspberry-macadamia layer:

– ¾ cup raw macadamias, soaked overnight in enough water to cover them

– ½ cup raspberries (frozen work well)

– Three or four spoonfuls of maple syrup / sweetener of choice

– A little fresh water to thin the mixture

Topping:

– 500g vanilla coconut yogurt, strained overnight to remove excess liquid

– One or two mangos, sliced

– Punnet of blueberries (or other berries of choice)

Note: This recipe is not complex, but requires a bit of prep work a day or two ahead — you’ll need to soak the macadamias and strain the yogurt, plus make and set the base, and then finally freeze the whole cake to freeze it. The result is worth it though!

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book review

OKAY, ALL TOGETHER NOW...

BY DON JACOBSEN

The best way to describe Okay, All Together Now is that it is a collection of articles. Not essays, as described on the back cover. Just simple articles, most of which only fill a couple of pages.

But, oh, the content of those articles! As promised in the sub-title, they do contain simple strategies to help transform your church into a house of prayer.

There are no big words requiring a dictionary. You could read an article as part of a devotional reading, whether to commence a church board meeting, a prayer meeting or family worship, such is its simplicity.

Even the content titles are interesting. Here are some of them: Then the Target Moved; We Know You Folks; The Problem with Prayer Requests; You Scratch My Back; Us and Our Memes; Sanctified Ambulance Chasers...

Of course, there’s more — 58 in total — but if you think from the titles there is a leaning toward flippancy, I can assure you there is none. The author himself, Don Jacobsen, writes a weekly blog for the HOPE-heals.org website. HOPE is an acronym for Houses of Prayer Everywhere. This book is the result of countless requests to republish his blog entries in print form.

Whether you’re seeking a spark for your next sermon idea, small-group discussion-starter or looking to reignite your church through the power of prayer, Okay, All Together Now will encourage and inspire you.

— Christine Miles, Adventist Book Centre manager, Auckland, New Zealand

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CRAFTER

Form the sticks into a cross shape (you can dot the centre with glue to hold it at first)

Tie one end of some wool to a stick, right near the centre.

Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) — something that God will teach you to have as you get to know Him more and more. And one of the best ways to learn something is to practice it! So, here’s some practice at being patient!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Wool (or lace or fabric strips)

2 x Sticks Patience

WEAVING

3

Begin wrapping (like weaving), over and under, all the way around. You can build it up really thick if you want.

LoveMatters

One of the things that was really attractive about Jesus was He set high standards on things, while at the same time showing abounding grace and love for all the ways we as humans fell short of His ideal mark.

High standards are attractive. People know where to fit in and what is expected. It gives them something clear to aim for. It means we care enough to want to have excellence. This matters at work, at church, in our interpersonal relationships, and especially in our marriages and families. The natural human response is to want to impose your standards onto others while at the same time being blind to your own failures to meet those same standards. The right thing to do is to work only on your own personal standards. That’s why Jesus said to remove the plank from your eye before getting to the speck in your mate’s eye.

4 5

Change wool by tying the end and then starting a new piece of wool by tying it to one of the sticks.

For a lot of people, low standards are how they roll and then they wonder why things don’t work out well for them. Laziness is a real relationship killer. God’s standards are the benchmarks by which great lives — free from guilt and shame or judgement — can be experienced in abundance. Lives filled with laughter, fun, pleasure, joy and peace. Consider the following goldplate standards for relationships:

1. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other” — Romans 12:19 (NLT)

2. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” — Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Here’s a challenge: can you do it with more than two sticks?!

3. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” — John 13:32 (NLT)

4. “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” — Matthew 5:46-48 (NLT)

God’s standards are about the way we relate to each other — not sinless perfection, but genuine loving connection; choosing to place a high value on people in our lives and families. Imagine that, even when your partner or kids don’t deserve your love or generous acts of kindness, that you in operating from a high standard choose to forgive and love anyway. Difficult I know, and yet so deeply rewarding in the long run.

Ask yourself, what standards do you live by? Could the quality of your relationships be improved by raising your own personal standards? Think of standards for love, quality conversations, time together, valuing and respecting each other, forgiveness, closeness, sharing, and so on.

Make a list of the things you want to improve in yourself and then take this to God in prayer, and remember your first love, how much you delighted in loving others and how you could live this way again through the power of the Holy Spirit.

By Michelle Villis, Amelia Magazine 2017

with Pastor Neil Thompson