Family

There have been many quotations written about home life and probably enough to fill a small book.” Home is where the heart is”, “The family that prays together stays together”,” Christ is the unseen guest at every meal the silent listener to every conversation,” to name but a few. Throughout my life there is one thing significant that I’ve discovered, that is family life and relationships are to be treasured, nurtured, nourished and continually enriched.

My home has just recently been filled with my three oldest grandsons. From daylight to dark the sound of young boys full of energy has permeated my home! This was the best noise and included much giggling in the bedroom till late at night, which also initiated some flashbacks to when my two sons were a similar age. When the curtains of the day are drawn, the ‘home fire’ burns brightly if we stoke it with the tinder of love. Nothing in life fulfils more than the love that’s experienced in the home. The fragrances of a home cooked meal linger in your heart longer then in the kitchen. The modelling of a dad and mum cuddling each other that is then carried on into the son and daughters marriages!

Recently I read this quotation by Mother Teresa. “Love begins at home. Everything depends on how we love each other. Do not be afraid to love until it hurts, for this is how Jesus loved us.”

We need each other and our lives would be empty without each other. They say ‘charity begins at home’ so lets get good at it. The Bible also says that ‘God puts the solitary in families.’ I have been totally blessed with the experience of having two gorgeous young women from our Church living with us for a season. We have been able to bless them, but we are also recipients of being blessed by their youthfulness and vitality which has been activated into our home.

The design of 2009 families is seen in many diverse models. Whatever the context of yours might be, treasure it; don’t take it for granted. Keep all the relationships sweet, deal with and remove conflict by going through the tunnel of honesty. Create a safe and welcoming environment to all who enter. Also open your heart to embrace others into your immediate family.” God so love the world that He gave His only Son” that you could belong to His Family.

Tricia McDonald

Senior Minister

Sydney Christian Outreach Centre

Time.......

So when is the right time to share your faith?

A friend of mine from high school died just this Monday, my first thought was did he have a relationship with his creator. Malachi addresses the church in such a way he says why have you withheld the tithe, ( Malachi 3:8 Amplified bible) thus robbing the house of God.

In my studies I have found in Jewish culture the commandment 'You should not steal' is not simply don't take what is not yours. I know what you’re thinking what does this have to do with my friends passing... Well I'm glad that you are still reading. You see within the Jewish culture having something and withholding it or not being generous with what you have is also thought of as stealing.

So along this line of thinking if you have a something that you know would be a blessing to someone and it is in your means to be able to give it and you withhold it then that is also stealing.

Think about it a culture where for 480 years of slavery the Israelites were treated by their oppressors as less than human if the Egyptians wanted something that was yours they took it.... God had to transform a culture and thinking, the commandment that you should not steal for the Israelite they did not think ‘oh man I shouldn't steal’, the freedom in this commandment was they would not have to worry about someone stealing from them.

Jesus said I have come to fulfill the law not to abolish it.... This speaks so loudly to me in that the Ten Commandments being freedom to the Israelite slave so much more is Jesus Christ freedom to every man.

Have you withheld a word of encouragement, or helping a co-worker even when it's not your responsibility, or even more with-held or held back when the opportunity to speak to someone about their salvation? You are the light to the world. Matthew 5:14

Ps. Jake Matthews