We l c o m e t o t h e Winter 2014
Love THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR
heart
AND WITH ALL YOUR
soul AND
WITH ALL YOUR
strength. THESE COMMANDMENTS THAT I GIVE YOU TODAY ARE TO
be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:5-6
edition of
Winter
On Your Hearts
As I sit here writing it is currently 8 chilly degrees outside and we recently had a downpour of rain that filled the gutters and produced icy cold hail. All of the beautiful gold and crimson leaves have been stripped from the vines by the wind. Winter is here! But as I gaze out my window there is still an element of beauty. The green of the Barossa hills is beautiful and lush against the grey of the sky. Recently while serving at a sausage sizzle at the local hardware store, I made a negative comment about the pouring rain to a farmer of all people! He was quick to tell me in no uncertain terms that we needed to be grateful for the rain, that’s what makes things grow! How often do we do that? Look at the negative rather than focusing on the positive! I know I am guilty of it at times. Of course we need the rain – it’s just that the sunshine is just so much easier to live with. The rain allows the crops to grow and provides much needed sustenance for the world. Just as we sometimes focus on the negative aspects of winter, sometimes we
On Your Hearts Official publication of the Board for Child, Youth and Family Ministry of the Lutheran Church of Australia
do that in ministry too. Numbers are dropping, the kids don’t seem engaged and we really need more people on the team. But God promises that His word will produce fruit, He will accomplish all things, despite us sometimes. You will live in joy and peace – let’s remember that and focus on the positive. He goes before us, sometimes we will not see the fruit of what we sow, or the sunshine in the rain, but He does.
LCA Child Youth and Family Ministry
‘As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground
197 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 p: 08 8267 7300 e: bcyfm@lca.org.au
the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word. I send it out, and
www.growministries.org.au
to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field - all the world around you - will rejoice.’ Isaiah 55: 10 – 12
LU TH ER
Blessings,
Vicki
:)
AN CH UR CH
OF AU ST RA LIA