Finding Your Passion

In all the self-help books you read - be them christian or secular - there will always be a chapter on finding your passion.  These questions are often asked:

1. What makes you feel most energized or excited?

To be honest - not a lot at the moment. Most days I am too tired or in too much pain to feel passionately about anything.  Still, all my dreams (while sleeping) are very passionate. For example, last night I woke up about 3 or 4 times, but I would always go back to the same dream. I am in a classroom - in this case, teaching a values lesson with my puppets.

I have to confess that when I read my bosses' (Vi Jay's) emails about work, I don't want to jump up, get in the car and go to work; but I do feel something.  As for Kid's Ministry, although I am really not overly keen about `leading' or `teaching' - I still wish to be a part in some way.

2. What do I want to be known as?

Although fame and fortune have never really been on the agenda. I have always had an inner desire to have something printed.  I love writing and I love speaking - but mainly because I just want to encourage others. At the moment, I just want back some of the confidence I once had.

3. What could I talk about non-stop?

I know it is hard to believe, but I don't feel a lot like talking at all at the moment, because when I do all I seem to do is talk about myself. I just miss learning, and wish I was doing something to develop my skills in ministry and education.

4. What activities do I get so caught up in that time flies?

At the moment I have to say sleeping, reading and playing computer games. I would love to say housework and exercise.  Even writing doesn't come as easy at the moment, as I get depressed by all my spelling mistakes.

On Saturday I attended a `Mentoring and Coaching' Course at Church.  The words on the brochure that jumped out of me were: `EMPOWER, RELEASE AND GROW'. I have a great desire to do this to HELP OTHERS - either in the ministry or in the workplace, but I have to be honest, I selfishly need a little of this empowering myself.  What I discovered is that empowerment, releasement and growth come most when helping others - and deep down inside I still have this passion.

But the loss of my job with Education Queensland and now these annoying health problems have left me with little passion and energy. I am still in recovery mode from depression and are still having some bad days.  I do know though, from experience, it will not always be this way.

In Jeremiah, we are reminded:

"Blessed are those who TRUST in the Lord and have made the Lord their HOPE AND CONFIDENCE."  (17:7)

I especially love Jeremiah's responses to this promise:

"Lord, you are my strength and fortress,my refuge in the day of trouble."  (16:19)

"O Lord, you alone can heal me; you alone can save. My praises are for you alone." (17:14)

"Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd to your people." (17:6)

For a time Jeremiah was depressed and passionless (is this a word?).  He lacked energy and was discouraged.  Yet he never gave up on the hope he had in the Lord and what He believed God wanted Him to do.  This meant, that later, he was able to encourage the Babylonian exiles with these words:

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans are good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days, when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me."  (29:11-13)

My prayer is that whatever you are facing at the moment, how passionless, depressed or discouraged you may feel - there is HOPE, and that HOPE comes from the Lord. TRUST HIM - you'll make it through.  It may take time and patience, but you'll get there.  I know I will!!

Producing Quality Fruit - Part 3

"I am the True Vine and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't bear fruit and prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:1&2 (NLT)


Every year I would watch my husband pruning my orchids. At first, to a novice like myself this seemed unnecessary and counter productive, until later in the year when the new flowers came out.  What a delight!

Christians often have difficulty with God's pruning as this often takes place through testing and trials.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for GREAT JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow."  James 1:2&3 (NLT)


James tells us that there are two main benefits to God's pruning:

1. GREAT JOY.
2. ENDURANCE.

The last couple of weeks I have been struggling with these. After lots of prayer and speaking with friends I made the decision to take 2 months off work and children's ministry.  Work wasn't so difficult, as my boss had already found a couple to replace me. But my children's ministry - now that was another matter.

a) I have felt guilty.  All my wonderful devotions about `producing fruit' and `good works' and I want to take time out.

b) I am not sure I want to be `replaced'. I know these young ones have a lot more vitality than I have these days, and I've given a good 30 years. But the fact is, watching others do what I love doing doesn't come easy.

I've learnt over the years that pruning is never easy. But there is a goal - the production of more fruit. This new fruit `custom suited' to our individual needs, and like discipline, it is only as effective as we allow it to be.

Paul was one of many bible heroes that allowed God to prune his `branches'. Through imprisonment (Philippians 1:12-14),  through his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and through self sacrifice (Philippians 3:7-9).


I have also read about a number of fruitful men of God, who seemed to have grasped this concept well too.
 
  George Mueller was an evangelist, but spent most of his life working with orphans in  Bristol, England.  He is most well known for giving education to over  10,000 orphans and was accused of allowing them status above their station in life.  He was probably what we would call the founder of the Christian school.

"Our Heavenly Father never takes anything from His children unless He means to give them something better."  George Mueller.   1



Then there is our old mate Charles Spurgeon - a Baptist Minister - known not just for his amazing preaching, but also for his encouragement and teaching of Bible College students, having started charities and Bible Colleges that changed the lives of many young people. Of course, his writings can still be read today.

"I owe more to fire, the hammer and the file than anything else in my Lord's workshop."  Charles Spurgeon.  2




Pruning is future orientated.  Like Paul, George and Charles, I have discovered that loss happens, so that gain can come later. In pruning God is shaping us into who He has created us to be. It may not be easy, it may even hurt a little, but if you allow God to prune you the new blooms or fruit you produce will be a delight.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NLT)


"You didn't choose me, I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."  John 15:16  (NLT)

1. Wikipedia - George Mueller.  


2. Wikepedia - Charles Spurgeon.
















                                                       

PRODUCING QUALITY FRUIT - Part 2

Now we know that we have been created for a fruitful life, let's look at what happens if our fruit becomes diseased.

"When you obey my commandments you remain in my love, just I obey my Father's commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with joy. Yes, your joy will overflow."  John 15:10&11

As I've said many a time, I am not a gardener. The other day I was picking vegetables in the garden and came across what looked like a `dead branch' that had fallen to the ground.   I was about to throw it away when my husband said, `Don't do that. I'll pick it up and re-attach it.  It will grow again.'  Whatever!

Later that morning when reading my devotions I came across these words:

"A grape branch does not bear fruit when it becomes diseased and barren, and falls into the dirt. But the branch is too valuable to be cut off. So the vinedresser takes up the branch, cleans it off and refastens it to the trellis. Soon it is thriving again.' 1


When Christians become dirty and unfruitful because of sin, God lifts them up and cleans them off, so that they can be fruitful again. This is what is known in the Bible as `God's discipline'.

"My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11&12 (NLT)


Of course how we respond to God's discipline makes a difference in how fruitful our lives will be. Hebrews 12 talks about the positive and negative responses to discipline.

"Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you." Hebrews 12:5a (NIV)


"My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when He corrects you." Hebrews 12:5a  (NLT)


Do you remember a time when you were a child and your parents disciplined you? Maybe you sulked, argued or got in a rage, because you `despised' this discipline.  In the NLT the words `make light' are used. I like this, as how often do we not take not the Lord's discipline very seriously, consequently becoming self centred - wanting to do things our way and not God's.  When this happens not a lot of change or growth takes place.

Discouragement or `giving up' (NLT), usually sees you sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. To ward off this discouragement the best thing to do is to go straight to God, talk to Him and then do what he says to make your mistake right.

"Look carefully..... lest any root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble."  Hebrews 12:15b (NIV)


"Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many" Hebrews 12:15b (NLT)


In the NLT they call it a `poisonous root'. Now we all know what poison does to our bodies, just imagine what this bitterness (poisonous root) does to our souls. My experience of allowing bitterness to take hold is one of both physical and spiritual `illness'. Not wanting to take responsibility for my own actions, I make excuses or blame others.

Healing has come only when I have gone to God and allowed Him to lift the burden of bitterness so that I can begin my journey of growth and fruitfulness again.

The best result of discipline is a lasting, positive change. This make take time, especially when a value, habit or character quality is the problem. Remember though, that God's love is bigger than any problem. With endurance and perseverence we will again harvest the fruit of right living.

"The Lord disciplines those He loves and he punishes each one he accepts as His child." Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)


"God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable when it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained by it."  Hebrews 12:10&11  (NLT)


1. "Secrets of the Vine" (2002) Bruce Wikinson, Multnomah Publishers. 

Producing Quality Fruit - Part 1

"Yes, I am the Vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"I want to be a tree that's bearing fruit

That God has pruned and caused to shoot.

Oh, up in the sky so very high,

I want to be, want to be a blooming tree." 1.

This has become the latest tune that has been stuck in my brain.  As I think about abiding in Christ, I now want to make sure I am producing quality fruit.

There are 2 types of fruit that I have discovered in the Bible. 

1. The first is found in Galatians 5:22&23, which we know as the `Fruits of the Spirit". 

"The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, GENTLENESS, FAITHFULNESS and SELF CONTROL.". 

To really learn how to produce these fruits in your life you need to read the whole Bible, but for today, we'll begin at Verse 16, of Galatians 5. It says: 

"Let the HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE YOUR LIVES. Then you won't be doing what the sinful nature craves."

No matter how much we try to live `good' lives, our sinful nature will always be fighting our good intentions. Without abiding in Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you, that sinful nature will always win. 

Oh it may not be anything drastic like `drunkenness or sexual immorality'; but how many times have you quarrelled with someone, been selfish, jealous or had an outburst of anger.  I know I have. 

But as believers, we can thank the Lord that the `passions and desires of our sinful nature' were `nailed with Christ and crucified there". 2 As Christ's followers we can now have these FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, as we follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every area of our lives.

What I love most about producing fruit, is it's not a matter of``having to' (the law) anymore, but because of God's grace and the Holy Spirit living in me, I now WANT TO. 

"God has promised His Holy Spirit

Will water our roots and help us grow. 

Listen and obey and before you know it,

Your fruit will start to grow, grow, grow". 1

2. The second kind of fruit is what is often known as `good works'.

"God saved you by GRACE when you believed. You can't take credit for this, it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things you have done, so none of us can boast about it."

                                                                                       Ephesians 2:8&9

Many years ago I was given the opportunity to speak on this passage at a Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Nothing thrills a speaker more than to look out and see people with tears of joy, as they come to the realization that they are SAVED BY GRACE and not works. 

As you come to this realization you become even more fruitful as your `good works' are now bringing glory to God. Again, they are something you WANT to do, rather than have to.

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10. (NLT)

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so the Father will give you anything you ask for in His name." John 15:16 (NLT)

God has chosen you to bear fruit that no one can produce exactly like you. The more you abide in Christ, the more your fruitfulness becomes a passion and your life is filled with joy in the Holy Spirit. 

"You'll be a tree that's bearing fruit

With a very, very, very strong root.

Bright colours like daisies, more fruit than Sainsburies,

You'll be a blooming tree." 1

1. "I Want to Be a Blooming Tree", 1996, Doug Horley, Thankyou Music.

2. "Secrets of the Vine", 2002, Bruce Wilkinson, Multnomah Publishers. 

Welcome to Abiding - Part 2

In Revelation 3:20 Jesus reminds us that He is standing at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to invite Him in, so we can abide with Him and He with us.

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal as friends." Revelation 3:20 (NLT)

For me, maybe because I love my food, sharing a meal is one of the most intimate things I like to do with my best friend - my husband. I can imagine that doing the same with Jesus would be wonderful. You see, after my operation I not only have a scar on my face, but one side of my mouth doesn't work very well. So at the moment, I am quite a messy eater. Still, I know my husband accepts me and loves me just the same. I know the same is true with my friend Jesus.

My friend Jesus also wants be to abide in Him so I can produce fruit. In vineyard terms: "Abiding happens at the place where the branch connects to he vine".* The interesting thing I have found though, is that sometimes taking time to abide with Jesus, means there is less time to do things for Him. Yet, you may still produce a greater harvest. I have experienced this, but I am still amazed by this miracle.

You see, when you abide in Christ and His word, His desires become your desires. The same thing you did before may yield greater results, or He may ask you to bear fruit somewhere else.

Just after I married Mark, and became an Army wife, the Lord said to me: "I want you to be my seed planter'. Fine! But I also discovered this meant giving up my acting job. As an actor with `Covenant Players' I had felt I had touched many lives. What was I going to do now? I wasn't a good housewife, and it seemed I was never in one place long enough to see any fruit grow, but the opportunities I had to plant those seeds were endless -as a volunteer in schools, as a Foster mother and as I met with other Army wives. There were other times I was unable to `do' anything as such, but God gave me lots of time to pray and read His word.

'I was in hospital, feeling quite sorry for myself. After three miscarriages, I had been told that if I ever got pregnant again, I would need to spend the duration in hospital. So here I was, awaiting the birth of my child, being fussed over by doctors and nurses and hating the fact that I had little control over the situation.

Before going into hospital I had been teaching my Scripture class about Paul. I had decided I didn’t like him very much. He seemed so confident and capable, it made me sick. He had been shipwrecked, in jail, let down by His friends and in fear of his life from his enemies. Yet, he always gave thanks! How could he do this?

Next to my bed I had placed my Bible. I decided it was time to take another look at this character of Paul, and why he was able to do this. I discovered that Paul never sat around dwelling on his circumstances. When he felt afraid and alone, or helpless, he would go straight to the Father, and `nip those feelings in the bud’. He never sat for long feeling sorry for himself, but would look around to find a need somewhere that he could meet.

Across the corridor, I heard a lady crying. Her tears were for a beautiful, healthy baby boy, who she was having difficulty in loving. Her husband had walked out on her when he discovered she was pregnant, and this baby was a reminder of him. I asked the Lord for courage, then asked the woman if I could pray for her. This was a new experience for me, and I was quite surprised when she said `yes’.

I can’t remember the words I spoke, but I do know they brought comfort to this mother. Later our prayer was answered, as the last time I saw her, she was leaving the hospital cuddling her little baby, and holding on to the hand of her husband.' **

Lets take a quick look at the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

"As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said: "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

But the Lord said to her: "My dear Martha. You are upset over all these details. There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and I won't take it away from her."

1. Abiding Requires Our Focused Attention.

There are many things that distract us from spending time with God, but we are reminded in this story that `abiding' is the `one thing that is needed'.

2. Abiding is for Every Believer Regardless of Age or Level of Maturity.

Jesus wanted activity minded Martha to choose abiding. But it was hard for her to stop `doing'.

I was overwhelmed and challenged last Sunday when our Youth Pastor told us how the young people had given up their `sleeping hours' to take part in our 24hrs of prayer. Oh, Mark and I gave our hour, but this was in between our other activities.

Like Martha there are times I get bogged down with the `doing' and forget to take time for the `abiding'.

3. Abiding is Available to Every Believer at any Time or Place.

Jesus challenged Martha about her priorities, not her activities. Regular time set aside to wholly focus on God is where abiding begins, but it can continue during the day - while you work, folding laundry or mowing the lawn. Brother Lawrence calls this: "practicing the presence of God".***

I like to listen to my worship music while I work, helping me to know I am always in God's presence. I used to get up early and go for a walk in the bush. It was so easy to focus on God with His creation all around me. Now, my mornings are spent reading God's Word, journalling and praying - and my praying and worshipping continues during the day.

4. Abiding is With a Person.

Notice how Mary's desire was to be with Jesus, to experience His presence and listen to His teaching. This is the desire we too need to have in our hearts.

"The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes to all who call on Him sincerely." Psalm 145:18

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8.

*Secrets if the Vine" - Bruce Wilkinson, 2002, Multnomah Publishers

** "In the Palm of His Hand" - Ruth Cheater.

*** "Practicing the Presence of God" - 1958, Brother Lawrence, Spire Books.

Welcome to Abiding - Part 1

"Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the Vine and you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in Him bears much fruit." John 15:4&5

As it gets closer to Easter, one of the passages I love to read is John 15. This is the last main teaching that Jesus gave His disciples before He went to the cross. Although it is only mentioned in one gospel, I still believe it must have been pretty important.

With so many other things on His mind and wanting to get to the garden to pray, Jesus still took this time to walk with His disciples and to encourage them. It's not surprising that John was the disciple that recorded this teaching on `abiding'. John was known as `the disciple that Jesus loved', and this confidence in His love was born from deep abiding.

In most Bibles this passage is entitled `Jesus - the True Vine'. Now I am not much of a gardener, so I don't know why I like this passage so much. I think it is the idea of `abiding with Jesus' that really gets me in.

To `ABIDE' means to `remain intimately connected'. As I watch my husband tend his garden and taste the wonderful vegetables it produces, I can see how connecting with Jesus in this way helps me to `tap into his power and presence'*. ABIDE also means to `remain' or `stay'. To me, this believe this means that it is our responsibility to remain in His presence.

God wants to be intimate with us, but we need to make the choice to be intimate with Him. In John 15, we discover 3 ways be can choose to abide.

1) WE ABIDE IN CHRIST.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

I can still remember how I felt the day I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. This feeling, I might add, has never left me. It was this wondrous experience of being wrapped in the arms of my Father, the knowing that Jesus was now my special friend and that He would not only be with me, but in me, as the Holy Spirit.

"I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counsellor who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads you in all truth." John 14:16

2) WE ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.

When we abide in Jesus' love, we begin to have his love in us. There is a song we used to sing back in the 70's, based on the passage in Matthew 25. When I think about loving as Jesus loved, this song comes to mind.

"When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there?

When I needed a neighbour, were you there?

And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter, were you there?" **

3) WE ABIDE IN HIS WORD.

"But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like and it will be granted." John 15:7

By reading God's word everyday we learn more and more about how Christ wants us to live like Him and in Him. We discover anew how we can be `tapped into His power and presence'. *

* "Secrets of the Vine" - Bruce Willkinson, 2002, Multnomah Publishers.

** "You Were There" - Sydney Carter, 1971, Steiner & Bell.

ENGAGE! ENGAGE! (this is written with permission from my friends)

Think for a minute about people you know - truly happy, wholehearted, engaged people. They are usually happy in their marriage - giving all to their relationship. They are usually great parents because they just love being with their kids. They are often `successful' in their work because they get up each morning, ready to push themselves to be better than they were the day before. They are not afraid to move out of their comfort zone to try something new. Most of all, they are ALIVE! They are wonderful Christian people, living their faith and serving God with wholehearted devotion.

"Acknowledge the God of your father. Serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." 1 Chronicles 28:9

Mark and I have some special friends. When I first met them 25 years ago, just after moving to Brisbane, Rob was a very shy, internal person. Paulinne just loved life and loved being a mum to her three little boys. I had only one son and because I felt so imcompetent as a mother, I loved spending time with my new friend. Her vibrancy and joy was catchy., but most of all she just made you feel like a wonderful special person. Being a quiet and internal person himself, Mark always enjoyed his time with Rob. As far as I know they didn't talk much, but Mark would always come away feeling good about himself too.

We moved away - that's what Army families do. We made new friends, but when things got a little tough, our thoughts and hearts would always go back to our special friends.

When we moved back to Brisbane many years later, we couldn't wait to have a visit with Paulinne and Rob. They had changed a lot - Rob was now a confident businessman and Paulinne a career woman. But one thing hadn't changed - their vibrancy and love for life, for each other and now their four boys. It was again catchy. Mark and I came away knowing we could face whatever life had in store for us. Even Aaron couldn't wait to be back with Uncle Rob and Aunty Paulinne.

We don't spend as much time visiting our friends anymore. Their lives are busy. Their children have grown up and they cherish their time with their family. But we do write and they are still fully engaged in marriage and parenthood. Each day they are still looking for new challenges to help them grow. And, they are still fully engaged in living their faith and being Christ's devoted witnesses.

"So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do...................... Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and

spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts. Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20.