“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
- Luke 23:34
G'Day Open Road!
While it was a real joy to gather together last Sunday, as we were leaving the beach as a family, the tragedy in Bondi was unfolding.
It's a sobering time for our nation and its people.
This morning I sat in silence in the backyard.
"Jesus Wept".
What came to mind were the words in John 11:35, "Jesus Wept".
As followers of Jesus, there are times to follow in every example Jesus set for us. In this time, among other things, we can weep and grieve with Jesus.
I had already planned to share in this email about something God put on my heart last week at our Deacons meeting. It seems far more relevant this week.
Often churches like ours and pastors like myself choose to focus on loving others (doing "good") or loving good (being "good"). This week I was reflecting on how we can provide a "balance" between INVITING people into our lives without neglecting, getting to KNOW Jesus or Gathering to encourage each other. This is one of the classic challenges of church and leadership.
However, as I was considering this challenge, I realised there is one activity that does perfect justice to both loving others and loving God - prayer.
Praying for others is a perfect expression of love for others and love for God.
We cannot meet every need around us. We can't "change" others, nor can we often improve their situation. However, in praying for them, we not only foster a healthy perspective on God - he is available and keen to help us and those around us - but we grow a heart of love for others.
In hearing some of Marcello's reflection on life and following Jesus, he shared how "inviting others into my life" is not just about disciplined actions of love, but asking God to prepare him to love others well. About praying for the needs of others and then asking God if we are to meet those needs ourselves.
In this way, we are expressing our love for God in love for others. A wonderful expression of Jesus' call to love God and neighbour.
Prayer is the nexus of love for others and devotion to God.
In times like we have experienced since we last met on the beach, prayer may be the best way forward. Not token religious behaviour, but heartfelt increase of love for our nation, the mourning and the raging.
When we direct our prayers to God, and not just "thoughts and prayers" to the universe, we are not only acting in obedience to God, but embracing Jesus' invitation to bring his kingdom to earth.
This week, I invite you to prayer.
When you feel angry, pray.
When you feel sad, pray.
When you feel frustrated, pray.
When you feel confused, pray.
As you know, since the beginning of December, we have been meeting from 4 pm.
This Sunday arvo, Noah will be preaching for the first time! As always, God has arranged for the perfect scripture to inspire us: "Let your light shine". Some weeks ago, Noah felt that this was the right scripture to preach on. I think he was hearing from God, and no doubt God will speak to us in these challenging times.
Much love and see you Sunday at 4 pm,
Dan
Is Christmas a myth, or even a pagan festival?
With Christmas one of the Western world's most enduring cultural and religious events, it is surrounded by a variety of controversy and criticism, two of which crop up each year.
The first one is that the Christmas story in the Bible is embellished and contains multiple inconsistencies. The second is popular amongst both Christians and secularists alike and revolves around Christmas being a series of pagan rituals and festivals that Christians adopted for themselves.
While you're under no compulsion to agree, here are two videos that do a good job of revealing how (a) the Bible can be trusted and gives access to the true and full story of Jesus, and (b) the Christmas traditions have historical Christian roots.
Find us on the YouVersion Bible App
Be reminded when we are meeting and what we are reading. Even read along with us by the beach!
"Self-Denial is about Leaving a Prison"
Dan Hill found a cracking Instagram post the night after we explored Jesus' words to, "Deny yourself", including portraits of C.S Lewis and G.K. Chesterton smoking (if you were there, you'd know why I'm amazed!).
Check out @swordandpencil's great quotes and artwork.
Coming Up
December - 4pm START!
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 21 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Thu 25 - No Christmas Service
Sun 28 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
January - 4pm START!
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 04 - 4pm Monthly Worship at CityLife - Child Dedications, Youth leads Worship!
Sun 11 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 18 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 25 - 4pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $12,796
Last month's expenses: $11,756
Balance: $86,193
Giving in : Oct 23-Oct 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Oct 25: $15,663
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Keen to know more?
Subscribe: At the bottom of every page you can subscribe to our newsletter.
Updates: View a list of all our weekly updates.
