IMPACT YouTH

Girls, Me & Stupidity

2011-04-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

I have come to the realisation that I'm really horrible bad when it comes to relationships.

~ Breaking The Cycle ~

2011-04-07T08:19:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting here listening to the song 'Love the way you lie' by Eminem. I don't usually listen to songs with such aggressive lyrics, but I think lately in my own life I have been watching someone become an abuser towards one of my sisters.

It's one of these incredible, surreal feelings of not being able to help, not being able to do anything about it. I feel like punching myself in the head when I see her run back to her abuser. I feel like ripping out my own heart in a desperate attempt to save her. I reach this place where I realise that there is nothing I can do, but just stand there and watch her destroy her life.

The abuse victim cycle is this circle of action that destroys both parties involved. How is it possible that two people that 'love' each other have gone from being in love to be able to be so full of hate, so full of bitterness, where does all this hurt and hate come from?

It comes from a hole in our own lives. For the victim, there is a hole in there life where they feel that they deserve the pain that they experience, they feel that this is how they deserve to be treated. This can be because of the way they were treated when they were a child, or when a massive event happens that makes someone lose their identity. They're identity is then built in the approval of someone else. It opens up the person for abuse, neglect and hurt.

I look at my sister and I see that she has been rejected by so many people in her life. I guess her those people that she wanted to feel love from them, but didn't receive it. Then she ran to men to get that approval, but the men she ran to, didn't love her, but used her, broke her life.

God, it i just a cycle, a continues run in circles. God there is so much hate in our hearts, there is so much evil. How can a man hit the women he loves, how can he force himself upon her, how can he hurt her so much? God I don't understand how actions start in our mind and then manifest in the lives of others.

God only you bring change. Only you can truly break the cycle and then restored the years that have been lost. Only you Jesus are our hope. Only you have change minds, hearts, actions.

God help me not to give up hope. Hope that my family can change, Hope that you Jesus can speak into their lives. Hope that I can bring your message of love to those that are hurting, those that are longing. God give me the strength not to give up, not to lose hope, not to turn to my own wickedness but to submit my life to you. To be a living sacrifice.

'But as for you, you meant evil against me; But God meant it for God...' Gen 50:20

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' Rom 8:28

Leave, God will restore all that was lost.

Something Worth Dying For

2009-10-18T00:14:00.001-07:00

I am so torn up inside. I want something worth fighting for. I want to see a church that truly reflects the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. What is the Church? I once heard the church called my mother who is a whore.

The church is like a whore. So full of problems, mismanagement, sin, and all these other sorts of junk that weighs it down, that constricts it, that causes so many people to get disillusioned with it. That hurts people, that causes the gentiles to blaspheme the name of God.

Yet at the same time, the Church is like my mother. The one that has given me life. Without my 'mother' with all her faults, I would not know Jesus. It has been there in my darkest times and pulled me out of the pit.

Yet there is this burning desire in my heart, this tremendous holy discontent to see the Church, universally rise up to what it is called to. A church that preaches the word, boldly, clearly and concisely. A church that loves one another and lays down their lives for each other. A church that brings people into their lives and shares their hope and their warmth with one another. A church that cares about the individual and not the numbers. A church where there are miracles, where lives are changed daily, where people are added to their number each day. Where serving God is a JOY and not a chore.

God please, I beg you, move in YOUR church. Please do something. I don't know how to take it, I don't know how to support when I see so many faults. God I just want to share about you, God I just want to see people come to know Christ. Everything else is secondary. God I want to see YOU glorified, magnified. Loved.

God it's not just about Sunday, it must flow on to our daily lives. There must be an opportunity where the Church can act as the body of Christ. Where it can truly be the hands and the feet. God there is no point in a church that solely focus's on Sunday. There must be a church that brings people into their lives, that loves, edifies, builds. God there must be true friendship and fellowship built up. A sharing of lives and love.

God please have mercy on us. God give us wisdom. Lord, help me to grow in my patients and humility.

Jesus. I need, I want, I live for You.

Traded

2009-08-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

Traded from me,

Time with you.

The years have flown

Yet we still play the same tune.

If I had a wish,

Oh but one

My wish would be

To turn back to when we begun.

To share laughter,

To learn everything from you,

Yet instead it was traded

For a private school.

Yet there is no bitterness

Only sorrow

We realise too late

The time was borrowed.

No longer a tie between

My sisters, you and me

Traded just like that

God let us go back.

God it is only in you, that I find myself, my place, my home. God it is only in you, that I have my value, that I have my purpose. Jesus, but by your grace, there go I.

Long time no see

2009-07-20T03:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been almost 8 months since I last made a post on my youth blog.

Well even if no one ever reads this, it is a great opportunity for me to glorify God and give Him the praise and honour.

UPDATE

I've moved to the university group and under the leadership and guidance of Andy Leake who is doing an awesome job. He is a great man of God, 34 and single :D for all you who are single, female, Godly and willing to come to Adelaide for a missions trip :D

Anyway, youth is still on, same time same place! It is being run by my good friends Nick, Joe and Vivian. Youth group has been able to grow in so much depth because of these three. They are taking Youth group to a place I would never have been able to do myself. I am so honoured and blessed that the kids get great leaders such as these guys to lead them.

I think the main thing that I wanted to talk about tonight was contentment in Christ.

I see so often in ministry and serving, so many people striving to please either God or Man. I know that there is a part of us that always wants to be encouraged and complimented from others and that is okay. But when we start to serve Christ in order to recieve applaus from anyone but Christ himself, we miss the point.

Our reward becomes other peoples approval and our joy and peace in Christ is sold cheaply for a few words.

I don't say this because I am perfect, but rather I say this because I myself have done that in the past. So much i've strived so hard and for all the wrong reasons that although I got the job done, i missed the heart of God.

The heart of God is so important. God's heart is one of love. He doesn't want us to strive in order for us to win his love. He just wants us to receive His love.

Imagine, if you had a child, or imagine your nephew or neice. Imagine that you love them dearly and you want to give them a hug. But they said 'wait, let me do the dishes first, or clean my room first, or get a glass of water for you, only then I will allow you to hug me, because then I would be worthy of your love'.

That is totally wrong thinking, we love our children regardless of what they do or how they perform. Yet we view God in this same manner, we assume that if we cannot or do not perform, we cannot recieve God's love. But God is faithful and just to forgive when we repent of our sins. He then seperates our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. Then He loves us, just as we are, just where we are.

My encouragement, is stop striving. Allow God to love you, rest in Him.

3 am

2008-11-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

Any time you receive a phone call at an odd time of the day, be prepared for God to do something.

I just received a phone call from a person that use to come to our church a long time ago but fell away and got involved in some occult things. She was getting in really deep to these things and she want's out and didn't know what to do or who to talk to. She tried others, but none answered.

I just had the cool privillage to lead her back to Christ. Rebuking a lot of things from her, i really felt the presence of God when i was praying for her. Hopefully by God's loving grace she comes back to care group today and comes back to church on Sunday! If your reading this, please pray for her. God will know who your talking about.

Isn't it cool when God lets us into His adventures, even if we lose a little sleep!

Thoughts from the heart.

2008-11-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

God;

I wish I didn't so often feel like an island
I wish that I could trust You more
I wish that I could understand Your timing
I wish that I wasn't so self centred
I wish that I could be a better leader, a better man

I wish that people could see past my hard exterior
And know that i'm just like them

I wish that I could better express myself

But when all my wishing stops
When all my self efforts fail and I come back again
You smile and just open your arms
Then I rest in Your embrace

A President, a Vision, A God, A Destiny

2008-11-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

I just watched the acceptance speech by Barack Obama for the presidency of the United States of America. I have to admit, i sat in awe of this man, as he displayed great leadership and vision. He called on the American people to come together, to be as one, to unite. Through that unity and sharing a common vision, they will be able to grow as a nation and as a people. I was so inspired that I thought to myself 'I should go to the USA, and become a citizen!' ^_^

But i started to think to myself. This man, this leader, as great as he may be or may become. He is still a man. His destiny, his life, his everything is in the palm of God's hand and it is God who gives him his talant and ability. It is God that raised him up and it will be God that sustains him.

If God can take this one man, to make such an impact on a country.

WHAT CAN GOD DO WITH HIS CHURCH?

God's Church is greater and more important than any man, women or country. The Church is greater and stronger than any military and any force in the world, whether seen or unseen.

God is going to glorify his church. God is going to reach out to the world and influence His world through His church.

Therefore... where is OUR faith, our VISION? Where is our trust in an ALL MIGHTY GOD.
GOD CAN DO ALL THINGS...

I was talking to one of my friends who is in our CCM group for Adelaide Uni, and i was sharing with him. I was saying, why can't CCM be 1400 people strong. Adelaide uni has about 14,000 students. Why can't CCM have a tith of the students. Why not? Let us pray in such a way, that we believe that we have the power and bless of an ALL MIGHTY GOD on our side.

Let the Church wake up from its slumber. Let the Church repent of its lack of faith. Let the Church rise up and take its place. In the name of Jesus.

Let us pray in faith, let us pray in belief. God move in our nation.

Blown away by God!

2008-11-01T06:28:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to testify about the awesome things that God has been doing in Youth Group!!!

We started our saturday night services last month on the 4th, and so far have had 5 meetings and it has been such a rollercoaster for me!

God has definitly been working on many of my own insecurities and issues, but at the same time, i really see the hand of God moving in this group!

First of all... i want to state, all this is possible because of God. I am not talented enough nor gifted nor anything that would allow me to do this in my own strength. God has used a weak vessel like me, to have influence on a community. God has honoured our prayers!

In the last two weeks, God has done a miricle! HE has doubled the youth group, TWICE in just two weeks!!!!!

This definitly is not because of me, because if you ask my friend who helps me, i was sooo discouraged before group tonight, everything seemed to be 'falling' apart. Yet God is growing me and teaching me to trust in Him by displaying his awesome grace to me!

Only 2 weeks ago we had 6 youth, then last week we had 12... now this week we had a huge
24!!!!!!!!!! PPPPPRRAAIIISEEEE THE LORD!!!!!

It was so awesome and so scary... when i picked up '15' kids in a bus not suited for that many (i had kids sitting in the boot -_- )
i saw Damien (guy helping me) and i had a look on my face of 'ahhh help!!!
Neither of us have ever led a group that size, but God was sooo faithful, graceful and loving, and we ended up having an absolutely fantastic time!

I am so overwhelmed by God's faithfulness. I believe God is going to do bigger and better things with this group! Now i just need to pray more!!!!!! Please if your reading this, pray for us. We need all the prayers we can Get!

'With man, this is impossible, BUT with GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!!'
amen

Would I Be Willing?

2008-10-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

I have just come back from a 'party' that some of the african youth were having at there place. It is probable the same as any other young persons party. Young, loud, and of course, the music just isn't as good as it was in my day.

But as i was sitting there and watching people. Kids that i know confess to know Christ, and others who by the way they act... could be possessed ^_^ just kidding.

But i was thinking to myself, what would I be willing to do for these kids to come to know Christ?

Would i be willing to give up a couple hours a week of my life, would i be willing to put my career second in order to see Christ come first in their lives? Would i be willing to spend myself for these kids, even if only 1 comes to Christ, even if none come to Christ. Would I be willing to give all, in order for them to have the opportunity to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

I was really inspired by Mother Terressa when she said;

I am not called to be successful

I am called to be faithful

That really hits to the core of my being. I am a very driven person and i eagerly desire to succeed yet that desire to succeed has been a stumbling block to me so many times. When it comes to the Youth Group, am i willing not to have 'worldly success' (numbers, acclaimation, etc) in order to have spiritual success?

Honestly, there are days i really struggle with keeping the focus on God. It is so easy to lose sight of what is important. It is so easy to get caught up in the ministry, rather than the relationship with Christ.

God, please work on my heart, and the hearts of my friends who serve with such diligence. Help us to run the race in such a way as to win. Help us to be in line with Your heart. Help us to keep our eyes focus on You. Amen

Maddison Grace

2008-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is my little niece, there was another video in earlier posts, but here is just a couple more photo's and video's of my niece. It's awesome to watch someone learn and grow. Hopefully my little niece will come to know Jesus later in life :)

Baby in pram

I really like this photo. That's my sister and her partner, Kelly, MG, Steven

Aren't parents horrible :D
^_^

With Christ In The Vessel

2008-09-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of 'With Christ In The Vessel'

We've gotten to the bit where you don't say the words :)

Massive amounts of photo's! (To Ben's Standards)

2008-09-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is ben catching up on all the photo's he has been slow to post up!
So here we go!

This photo here is the Youth group going to see Tony Anthony, the author of the book, 'Taming The Tiger'. The photo left to right is Joshua (in the van), Ben with his eyes shut, Tendayi, Elvis (olivia's bro), Big Ben, Jerome, Zach, and Olivia!

The night went well, i think many of the kids were really blessed, that a man so 'earthly' strong and full of power, can to know the redeeming love and power of Christ. Good book to read to, it's like an action book.

Okay next photo!

Here we are crew at paradise church for Youth Alive which is a youth event where the church brings in international bands, this year it was STELLA KART! woot go punk rock!

In this photo we have Joe, Ruth, Me, Ana, and Lina!

I think it was a strong change to the usual music that the guys listen to, but they really enjoyed themselves. I was 'dying' to go down to the front and jump around in the mosh pit, but i had to be the 'responsible' adult :( .... as much as ben can be....

Okay i should post this before my comp crashes

In a small corner of the world

2008-09-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

I was doing a little bit of my quiet time today, and i felt the presence of God. I was thinking to myself about how awesome God is and how strange it is that God would choose to visit me.

Just one person, in a small little insignificant house, on a small insignificant country, on an insignificant planet in an insignificant solar system.

I'm but a speck, barely even that.

Yet God... the creator of all.... thought that i was special enough to spend time with.

The even crazier thing is, that it's usually not (99.99% of the time) me who's waiting for God, but rather God who's waiting for me.

What an awesome God we serve.

A Growing Change Of Heart!

2008-09-21T03:02:00.000-07:00

Well, lets see... it's been a super duper long time that i haven't posted on the youth blog! Please forgive me those who regularly check it :P

Anyway, i'm sitting in front of my computer on a sunday night listening to 'ooh ah' by Gritz which is a phat song. Look it up if you can, it's Christian hip hop, i love it.

Anyway, there is so much going on in my life at the moment. Couple of awesome things that have been happening!

a) My sister accepted christ!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! God is good

b) I've have a good casual job!! AT KOOORRROOONNGG!!!! woot (Koorong it says :P)
- Great discounts and i can walk around during my shift singing hillsongs and stuff, and no one gives me funny looks ^_^

c) Youth is starting to go to every saturday night!! I'm so excited. I believe God is going to do some awesome things through the youth group as we invest our hearts, lives, energy and petrol ! into the kingdom of God. There will be great fruits as a result!

I think one thing that God has really started to press on my heart is a passion for the lost. I'm so broken these days over the fact that there are so many people that need to find God who haven't. I'm starting to be so consumed by it that i don't even think other Christians understand. It amazes me that people don't understand that i want to put the kingdom of God before everything. That doesn't mean that i don't care about other things in my life and that i don't do my best. That just means that my passion, and love and energy goes to God first and formost.

When i talk to people that are going through hard times, i can't help but say 'trust God' 'believe in jesus' or something along those lines. I believe 110% that Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem in the world.

I remember hearing that at the end of WWII that Billy Graham and one of the Generals from the German army were standing together and talking. The General turned to Billy and said 'outside of Christ I know of no other hope for man kind'.

Do we believe the same thing. I was talking to the youth today, that only 5% of Australians are Christian, or at least go to church. That means... AT LEAST 20 million people in Australia are going to hell. What does that do in our heart? Does that move us? Does it spark a 'Holy Discontent' in our heart to do whatever we can to see people saved. Does it spark a willingness to become a fool for Christ, or become all things to all men, in order to see people get saved.

Lets not be complacent. Lets let God burn that fire in our heart, let it build up in our heart, then let are speak to people with God's word and passion and love, and lets as a generation see this world won to Christ! Amen

YouTH ALIVE!!!!

2008-08-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

God really blessed me on thursday when i was given 6 tickets to go see YOUTH ALIVE for free!!!

This is an event that is put on every year by Paradise Community Church. It is sort of like a concert for young people, as we had Matt Corby, Stella Kart and a visiting preacher from united states named Preston.... ummm i can't remember his last name!

I was really blessed during that night because it was great to see a young generation of people excited for God. It was great to see young people getting into the praise and worship music. It was AWESOME to see around 50-60 kids get saved that day!

I think for me a couple of things i took back.

1) Hope and belief that God can replicate what is happening in paradise church to other churches when people give their lives for Gospel.

2) That australia's youth is not completely lost yet. That just like every other person/generation on earth, they are hungry for the truth and hungry for God.

Keep praying, keep trusting!

God's Goodness

2008-08-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

I really love God.

It's strange, but every once in a while, (well more than once in a while) God reminds me just how much I need Him. He doesn't do it in some guilt ridden way, but rather He speaks to my heart, and reminds me how much He loves me and the wonderful things He has planned for me.

I was reflecting on the recent events with Michael Guglielmucci and I know it's really tragic what happened, but I was also thinking. What would it be like, if there was no such thing as a forgiving and loving God. Praise the lord that when we do make mistakes, and we all do, that we can come back to God, lay it at His feet, and He'll forgive us and make us new.

It says in the bible that 'the goodness of God leads us to repentence'

I believe that when we see how much we are loved, how much we can trust God, how everything in our lives God can use for our good. We can approach the throne of God and rest in His love.

A CD of Doubt

2008-07-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

It's 6:45 am and I think God just gave me a picture/word for myself.

Which is strange and wonderful for a couple of reasons.

a) i normally don't get words in pictures.
b) i normally don't think of anything profound before 10

What i saw was a CD, one of those blank looking CD's. This CD was the 'doubt of my ability to minister'.... and i thought..... wat the....

But then I was thinking a little bit more and i thought, yah... I do subconciously, without voicing it, doubt my ability and calling in God to minister to the people that God has delegated me to look after.

Then i thought.... why a CD???

It is like these thoughts play over and over and over and over in my head... so I begin to think that what is playing is the truth, when it is really just a foreign 'noise'. It's not what God is saying about me.

Then... the CD snapped in half...

Which I believe represents that God is doing/going to do some work in my life that will stop this doubt. Not to become arrogent, but to become what God needs me to be to do what God has called me to do.

I wanted to encourage you all not to let a CD of 'doubt' play in your mind of what God has called you to do, but rather have faith!!!

Luke 1:45 said about Mary the mother of Jesus 'Blessed is she who BELIEVED for there will be a FULFILLMENT of those things which were TOLD to her from the LORD'

When God has 'told' us what we are to become, and what we are to do with our life... when we start to have faith and believe... the fulfillment of those things begins to happen! AMEN¬

Macca's kills

2008-07-24T02:10:00.000-07:00

This is what i've been learning how to do at uni ^_^
LoL it's really bad

The final scene is meant to be.... 'artistic'

Hope you enjoy it!!!

By the way, there is meant to be backing sound effects... but they didn't' upload for some reason :(

LoL by the way, the girl is studying to become a drama teacher...

Youth Group Video!

2008-07-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

One more random video! This was after a Youth Group meeting and we're making our way back to church. It's raining but you can't see the rain ... so you'll have to trust me on it :)

I'm planning to upload other random video's later in the week!

My Niece Madison Grace Barrett

2008-07-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is the newest addition to the 'Delaney Family' my young niece Madison Grace.

She's really cute... amazingly when she was born she was 10 pounds over. I think she'll end up being a pretty tall girl, since her mum is about 5'8 and dad's about 6'2-4.

She's very cute, although at the moment all she does is eat, sleep and .... go to the toilet.

Cleaning Gladys's House

2008-07-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is from Gladys house... it was really really messy, but it was good to bless her. Although i have to admit i wasn't the best sport on the day!

It's good to bless others and help them out!

James 1:27 says "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world"

Boot Camp Week!

2008-07-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well, i haven't posted in a while! This week i have an intensive course for 1 week. This is because i'm doing a graduate degree in education and instead of being a 4 year degree, it's crammed into 20 months. Thus this semester i have 9 subjects!!!!!!!!

This week i'm doing a semester subject in 1 week... sooooo i'm a little bit busy and a little bit stressed! So pray for me!

It's actually a computer course in apple mac applications and how to utilize some of these applications in the class room. One of them is really cool called keynotes! You can do some really cool stuff with it, so i'll try to post something up later this week. We are also learning how to use mac's blue tooth capabilities! YAY i get to download all my video's from my phone to the computer and i'll post some of those later this week too!

Keep praying, keep trusting in God! Looking to have a weekend BBQ probable in week 5 or something...

Random Things About Ben

2008-07-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some random facts about Ben, if you wish to share yours please post in the comments!

1) When i was really really little... (like 2-3 years old) i use to be afraid of grass... sooooo... my not so nice parents use to put me on a mat in the middle of the grass, go out, do the shopping then come back...

2) I live in a really nice house, drive a nice car... But i'm completely broke... lol... ironic.

3) Before my parents got Foxtel, on average i watch about one hour worth of t.v a month! .... but i use the computer for about an hour or two a day!

4) I have had only 3 hair styles in my life... it takes me a long time to change the way my hair looks. Generally i tell the hair dresser to do what ever they want, but when i get home i still style my hair the same.

5) I really really really dislike shopping. Unless.... i have money... generally i do a clothes shop once every 2-3 years.

6) I have lived in either boarding school or by myself since i was 11.5 yrs old. As a result, i have poor cooking skills, but a stomach that can eat almost anything and not get food poisoning :)

A new commandment John 13:34-35

2008-07-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today i was having dinner with one of the guys from the 'New Life' group at our church. This group is a really special group to me. Before youth even started i was serving in the NL group. The group is designed for people that have come from really hard backgrounds, those that have had abuse, or trauma, or mental illness or any other debilitating circumstances in their lives.

I think the greatest thing about this group, is the humility and their open desire for God. They know that they have issues and that they need God, so they are open to God. They strongly desire God's touch in their lives. It's really refreshing... it's great to be with people that don't feel a need to 'show off', to be something their not.

I was having dinner with one of the gentlemen and he shared with me, that he hadn't been out for dinner with anyone for 3 years.... can you imagine??? 3 years he hasn't been out to dinner. It really broke my heart inside... and even now as i write.

3 years, no one took the time to be a friend to him.

I'm not saying anything to boast about myself... i've been in the life group for over 2.5 years, and this is the first time i asked him to dinner... i feel convicted about that...

But then i began to think... just sitting with him, and asking him about his life... getting him to share a little about himself, and listening..... that's love to him.

Jesus says 'By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another'

wow.... that verse really hit home tonight. It's strange... i'm ashamed, convicted, and humbled... yet at the same time i'm happy, filled with compassion, and having just a small glimps at what Jesus meant.

God help me not to forget why you came to die for us, and why i'm running this race. Amen.

Does it matter?

2008-07-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

*ben's random thought*

Would i be cooler if i was african and could dance?

- Ben's thoughts after watching 'Stomp the Yard'

It is not good for man to be alone...

2008-06-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

In these last couple of days, i have been thinking, why is there a longing feeling in my heart? Why is it that i feel the need for someone or something else in my life to fulfill me?

I have been feeling a little lonely in the last couple of days and this led me to another train of thought which was 'is it okay to feel lonely as a christian?'. 'Does it show a lack of spiritual maturity because i'm lonely?'. Does it show weakness?

Why then did God say that it is 'not good for man to be alone...'?

God is all powerful and all knowing, that means that when He made Man, He knew beforehand that Man would be lonely. God placed longing in Man's heart to find completion outside of himself.

It is so amazing that this feeling of 'longing' is something that is specifically designed by God. Specifically made in us, that we would continue to be disgruntled and search for something outside of ourselves. Our inner longing to be complete leads us to God.

I know marriage in the bible is representative of a lot of things in the eternal perspective. I thought about how a marriage (to me) represents what it would feel like to be in God's presence, to be in heaven.

I think about the feeling that a person would have when they finally see their spouse again after being away for a long period of time. When they see that person, they are so full of joy. They run into their arms and embrace. They are 'complete' for that moment. What an awesome representation of heaven. I believe that when we get to heaven, it will be somewhat the same but so much better.

We would be coming to be with the One that we've been longing to be with. The person that we have been thinking of, writting and phoning, reading letters from them. There would be perfect love, perfect acceptence, we would be whole. We would be home...

Teacher's of the Word of God

2008-06-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

I understand that i have a huge responsibility to teach the word of God clearly and correctly. But this understanding didn't really come to me that strongly until i was reading a book on preaching, and i read this quote.

Matthew Simpson in his Lectures on Preaching puts the preacher in his place;

"His throne is the pulpit; he stands in Christ's stead; his message is the word of God; around him are immortal souls; the Saviour, unseen, is beside him; the Holy Spirit broods over the congregation; angels gaze upon the scene, and heaven and hell awaits the issue. What associations, and what vast responsibility"

I... Ben Delaney... am meant to stand in Christ's position, and teach from the word of God? Heaven and hell hang in the balance. Immortal souls seated in front of me, and i...... i have the audacity to think about how 'interesting i am' or 'how good i am'... the right frame of mind is at the foot of the cross, the right understanding of who i am... and who God is. I shudder to think that God would even consider to use a wretch like me. God help me to be a good steward.

It says in James 3:1 "my breathren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall recieve a stricter judgement"

Let me say, we should aspire to become leaders, we should aspire to become greater influencers for God, however, the higher God raises us, the more we need to humble ourselves, and understand that we shall not glorify ourselves, but God alone.

ARRRRRGGGG!!!!!!

2008-06-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

-_-'

It's that time of the year again when all the students have exams and tests and essays, etc etc...

STRESS!!!!

I can't believe it, i have over 8 assignments to do in about 8 days... your probable asking 'ben... why in the world do you have so many assignments?'. The aweful truth is, 'ben is a huge procrastinator (probable misspelt)'. GOD! forgive me, please help me again.

God truely is a gracious and merciful God. Each time i get into this sort of situation, i pray and make all these declarations that it won't be the same next time, God comes and saves the day... and then.... i do it again.... doh!

And the really crazy thing is... God knew beforehand, that this was going to happen, yet He still decides to show me grace each time i honestly, humbly and prayerfully seek Him... HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!!

Here are some quick verses to encourage those people who are studying!

Just a quick verse Philipians 4:6-7 says 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks giving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understandings, will guard your hearst and minds through Christ Jesus' Amen!

Another great verse for studies is James 1:5 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him!' Amen!

Please keep all the students in your prayers and continue to encourage one another! Send people text messages! Cook for them if you can (lol i get excluded from this) and show them brotherly/sisterly love!

God bless all!!

Ablaze Preaching

2008-06-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight i was looking at different blogs from people in the Hope churches, and i came across one of the Ablaze leaders blogs Chris Bee. I was checking out all his posts and i am so blessed by this brother and his willingness to pour out his life for Christ and to really allow God to move through him and allow his life to be an offering. I believe this brother is one that i can truely advise other people around me to follow him, as he follows Christ.

I was listening to his preaching about committment, serving and Christ being the hope of the world. I was so blessed by it, and so humbled.

I am blessed because i can truely see Christ doing an awesome work in brisbane and the ablaze ministry.

I am also blessed because i understand and know that the same God that is doing an awesome work in Brisbane wants to do an awesome work HERE in ADELAIDE.

I am humbled, as sometimes, i get so self obsorbed, so inward focused that i forget about the awesome and mighty works that God is doing in other places in the world, through other men and women of God.

Sometimes we need to step back, and fall on our knees and thank God that He chooses to use US, to use weak, sinful people. People that are so flawed, yet God chooses to use us, chooses to accomplish His plan through us.

*God, i pray that you use this small amount that i have, to accomplish your purpose. Lord, help me to use my talents for your works, help me not to focus on myself. God, it's not about my ministry, i am not building my kingdom, i am building the kingdom of God, which is eternal. Lord, help the young people in the youth group to grow in the faith, in their belief, in their trust in You. God give them passion, give them a desire and yearning for You. In the name of Jesus. Amen*

FIGHTING to WIN against SIN.... yes it rhymes

2008-06-05T06:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here at 10:47 at night and although it is quite early, i feel like it's 2 am.

I was thinking about sin and the struggles we face during our christian lives. It would be great if our sin only affected us, only caused us to stumble, only made us to 'feel bad'.

But i believe the reality of 'who' our sin affects is vastly different. I can see how my sin affects not only my life, but the lives of all others that i'm involved with.

I will give you an example.
Lust is a good example because all guys struggle with this, yes even the ones who say they don't, yes even the geeky looking guys and the 'sweet' looking ones too. Let me point out, lust isn't just sexual, it can also be lust for anything that someone has that you don't... so girls, your included in this too!

I use to think that my lust was a sin that only affect me. However over the years of hard battling i have seen how it also affects others.

It affects how i view every girl in my life, how i interact with them, how i treat them. In turn, this will affect my relationship with my future wife. IF i do not have the courage to be a man of God and fight my sin, I will in fact inadvertantly affect my relationship with my wife.

How does Lust affect your marriage?
You see, the problem with lust is that it is SELF centred. You think about your own feelings, your own satisfaction, you become self centred and selfish. If you don't overcome your lust, when you do get married, you will still be selfish and instead of having a loving marriage where both partners look to pleasing one another, you will only look to pleasing yourself.

How else does it affect us?
It affects your ministry and your effectiveness as a witness for God to other people. The spirit of God is hindered by sin when you are ministering to other people. It is hard to feel the presence of the Lord and to properly respond to His Spirit and guidence. This will greatly decress how effective your ministry will be and how many people you can help lead to Christ.

Does it affect my salvation?
Simple answer is no, your sin does not disqualify you from entering heaven. If that was the case, no one would enter heaven. However, as a true Christian, there should be a strong desire in your heart to deal with your sin. If you do not have this desire you need to look closely at yourself, and make sure you are saved and know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

Will this post ever end?

Yes soon :) but i wanted to cover a couple more points, mainly how do i address the sin in my life. What steps can i take to overcome my/your sin and be more affective for Christ!

a) Tell someone you can trust and be accountable
I can't stress how important it is to not try to fight your battles by yourself. Find someone who can hold you accountable and pray for you. In our church this means getting a shepherd!!!
This person doesn't come and find you... you go and find them when your struggling, call them up at 2am in the morning when your tempted to look at porn and say 'hey, i'm really struggling now, can you please pray for me'

b) Keep fighting even when you don't 'feel like it'
There will be a lot of times when you don't 'feel' like fighting and feel like giving into temptation. These are the times when you need to remember verses, and continue to fight. This is when you need to use the sword of the Spirit and pray!!! A great verse is 1 Cor 10:13

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

-From this verse you can deduct that no temptation will come to you that doesn't have a way of escape... that may include, leaving your computer and going for a walk, choosing to change subject when people are gossiping, or even getting on your knees and crying out to God for help.

c) Keep spending time with God
Out of all of them, this is the most important. It is the Spirit of God that changes us, it is the Spirit that gives us the strength to overcome. Without God, you can't win. You might be able to do it on your own for a little while, but you will eventually lose. This is why it's good to come to church, youth group, prayer meeting and to spend time with Christians as you are built up when you spend time with God and with others that can encourage you.

I wanted to finish by saying, YOU CAN BEAT YOUR SIN, not because we are special or we have enough strength to defeat sinful habits ourselves. But because the Spirit of God is in you and God's Spirit can and will enable you to over come! AMEN

Romans 8:37 'Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us'

Prayer Meeting Word¬

2008-05-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

I went to prayer meeting today and i was really blessed by God. I had an image and a word that came to me when i was praying, it was a word for myself, but i was so blessed, so i thought i would share it!

The word comes from the event of the in the book of John chapter 6 about the feeding of five thousand people. More specifically John 6:9

I was thinking about the whole 'fish' image of the Christian faith in the olden days and was wondering why was it a fish... anyway, before i get too side tracked.

In the word i imagined my self coming before God and presenting him with my single fish... and this fish represented my talents and abilities. Now my fish was a regular size fish, bigger than others but smaller than others, similarly representing my talents.

Recently i've been feeling that i needed to be 'successful' in my ministry in order to win approval of others or of God. But i know this is from the devil and God doesn't want us to be successful but faithful!

So this fish represents my talents and abilities. In my hands, my fish could feed.... 1, 2 people, maybe 10 if everyone had only one bite. BUT in GOD's hands, it could feed thousands upon thousands. It doesn't even matter what size fish it is... God uses the fish beyond anything we could ever fathom.

Thus i felt God's word for me was to let Him take what little talent and ability i have and He will do great things with my fish :)

I encourage you to all to put your talents into the hands of God and allow Him to use them to impact many people!

My Testimony (from my old blog)

2008-05-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

How Ben Found God. (Longish)

Since most people don't know how i became a christian, i thought i would write my story about how God, and my lord Jesus Christ came into my life.

It was about 5 and a half years ago, that i first started going to CCM group (christian campus movement)

During this time, i was heavily addicted to gaming (playing games) and was spending about 6-8 hours A DAY playing this stupid game called Counter-strike (i think maybe it was created by demons).

I was heavily addicted to other things as well, my life was a wreck, i was still really messed up from my first girlfriend, i was a manic depressive person, contemplated suicide quit a bit, and all my other time was spent in bars playing pool, or hanging out with really bad company.

Anyway, one day i was playing games, and there was this other guy in the lan shop, and the conversation went something like this: (if bad language offends you, please don't read what follows)

Other Guy: F- You!

Me: F-You

OG: Come up here and say it (he was on the second floor)

Me: No i think herpes is contagious (really helping the situation)

Some Other Guy: he's on computer 12....... silence .......

The guy started coming down the steps, and i was petrified, i didn't know what to do, so i just looked at my computer screen and worried more and more.Anyway, looking at computer screen didn't help, and the guy was going something like "what the hells your problem" me... i was worried now, so i was like "i was just kidding..."I looked back to the computer screen, only to be punched in the head, and i went down pretty fast, and the rest of his friends, (another 7 or so) and beat the hell out of me... literally

Anyway, 10 min later, i'm lying in my own blood with a broken finger, and a very bloodied up face, and my body was kinda hurting. Went to the hospital, doctors screwed up, later had to have pins thru my finger to fix it.

That was pretty traumatising, but it wasn't the physical pain that hurt... the thing that hurt the most is that i had people around me who were ment to be my friends... and they did nothing, i had about 7-8 friends there too, and they did nothing at all... people who i thought i could count on.

It really hurt, it felt worse than anything in the world... when i needed them the most, they weren't there, i felt like i couldn't trust anyone.Anyway, this led to me staying in my room at the RAH (royal adelaide hospital) for about 3 months straight without leaving, oh and i was staying there because my parents just sold their house... But god really provided in the most unusual way. There was this guy, who had to be at least 150 kg and he looked like a big scary biky, but he had the biggest heart.

Although sadly i've lost contact with him, he had alot of issues himself. I wish i could tell him god loves him, because he felt as if no one loved him at all (please tell people the love of god, cause everyone is hurting)

He looked after me while i was in the RAH, and just made sure i didn't do anything stupid. He was really a lifeline for me, although you would never expect it (imagine seeing some small scrawny asian guy walking down the street, talking to this HUGE white guy that looks like a biky... strange)

Well, during that christmas i went back to malaysia, and just cried alot, and spent time with my mum, life didn't seem to be getting better, i had failed all my exams, and life was just going downhill.Then the new year started, and i was walking around uni during O'week, and Paul (really good guy, talk to him, godly, and knows alot) came up to me and evangelised.

It went something like this:

Paul : hi my name is Paul...

Me: uhhh... okay?... oh sorry.. my names ben.

Paul: do you know about god?

Ben: (eek gad, weirdo) umm yes? I'm a christian (at least i said i was, but i didn't believe in jesus)

Paul: really?

Ben: not really... but i do believe in god.

Paul: well we have this group called ccm, on thursdays at 5:15, would you like to come.

Ben: (smiles and nods) suuurrreee...Anyway, off i went, and then it occured to me, that i didn't really have anything else to do... and my life sucked anyway, so some new faces could help... also i heard that church groups generally have lots of asian girls... so i thought perhaps i could pick up one of them, so i went.

Well, i spent the next 3 months going to ccm and eventually going to church.... i have no idea at all why... i spent the whole time sitting in the back, either

a) sleeping (which really really really annoyed nick... maahhha)

b) looking at everyone and thinking.... man christians are weird.But, by the grace of god i kept going, and suddenly one day, i saw how Brendan, helen, paul (only 3 i really knew then) loved people, and how no matter where you were from or what you did or how you smelt, they loved and cared for you... and i thought to myself... i want that... i don't know what it is, but my life is so crap, i want that, i want to be able to love people, and just care, with no hidden motives.

Thus I said the sinners prayer (all for the wrong reasons by the way, it was cause a girl i liked was christian and i thought i should have something in common) but god answered, and he came into my life and changed me in so many ways, he gave me hope, forgiveness, and strength... i use to wish i could have found him later so i could sin more... but now i wish i found him earlier.

What is my life like now? I wake, and have purpose... i can love people for who they are... i feel alive, i don't have all this hate in my heart, but a longing to love people more and more... i love life.

I am still flawed, and i still sin, and i still make mistakes, and life as a christian is hard... it's a constant battle, but i have unmentionable joy, and i know death is not the end for me.

God loves you, ALL of you, and he doesn't care about your past... He will forgive you of everything you've ever done wrong if you turn to Him, and you can never do anything that God's grace cannot cover, His forgiveness is beyond anything i could ever do, and he still loves me, and he loves you (reader).

God is the author and perfecter of our faith, and my life is aglow with love for Jesus.If you would like to know more about god, or have any questions, please feel free to email me at ben_delaney@hotmail.com

God loves You.

What a day at school!

2008-05-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

Went to meet my academic advisor for chinese. Which was kind of cool, i spent the first half of my time with students, training them in public speaking because they are in the debating team and wanted some tips.

Then the chinese club had an iron chef competition, in which they requested me to help a team (bad idea.... super bad idea)

well... they were cooking dumplings... so i thought to myself... how hard could that possible be... i'm 24, i'm manlyish.. i can do this.

So, we started cooking... turned on stove... all good... put pan there... add oil... turn up gas.... read instructions. 'add 2 table spoons of water'

Sure... why not... went and took the water... thew it into fry pan and.... VVVVVVAAAAAAMMUUUSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH!"!!"!"!"£!"$!"$!"$!

the whole entire fry pan went up in flames, with the flames reaching a good 3-4 feet in the air!! touching the roof........ all i was thinking was... 'oh bad'

luckily... the room didn't catch on fire, no one was hurt (only ben's ego) and i didn't get kicked out of the school thank God.

Thus moral of this short story!

a) don't ask Ben to help you cook..... ever
b) don't add water to boiling oil, fire can and probable will result.
c) if adding water, make sure oil is not boiling!

Praise God for the little things that make life interesting

Vid from Outing

2008-05-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

LoL this is something me and damien filmed!

Just to let you know dear parents... Fiona was taking care of them :)

Impact Youth Photo's from our first outing!

2008-05-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys this too me soooo long to get them out to you!!! Anyway, hope your enjoy! Some photo's from Oceana Camp!

A group of cool people :P

This was the best photo, just to let you know the names from left to right; Jerome, Danial, David Rebecca, Ben,Damien, Gabriel, Zach and Fiona

This is a photo of the youth group guys from 'Ablaze' in Hope Brisbane, they are really on fire for Christ, it's a real blessing to see young people completely sold out for God!! Amen!

This is me and Damien preparing for our 'Ultimate Random Sandwhich Game'

This photo was taken when we went to the beach. It looks like we are all normal, but when we got there it was about 12 degrees, windy and absolutely freezing!!! Praise God, He changed the weather shortly after to fine, sunny, and really great!

This is how we really felt :P

'Who are those good looking guys!!!'

More pictures to come!!! God bless!

Mr Right (Posting from elsewhere)

2008-05-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

This is a posting from a friend of a friend of a friend, but i thought it was really great!

God has a special plan for us for when we get married. Keep waiting for the right kind of person to commit yourself to! Hope your blessed guys/gals! Keep trusting in God, keep praying!

Mr Wonderful

Specially for all singles out there waiting for 'THE ONE'....
By Arlene Pellicane

When I was in high school, I was blessed to have a lot of titles. Cheerleader. Honors Student. Student Body President. Youth Group Leader. But there was one title I was very displeased with. Dateless.I think I was the only one to graduate from high school without being asked out. No roller rink dates. No fast food jaunts. Nothing. But God had given me a promise.I went to a Christian school and one day after chapel, I was praying about my dateless state at the altar. To my surprise, the speaker came up to me and said, "I believe God has a message for you. He's preparing a man of God for your life." I cried tears of joy because like Hannah at the altar, I felt like my prayers had been heard.Mr. Wonderful was coming!

Starry eyed, I began attending a Christian college where I thought for sure I would meet my match. After all, there were so many new, cute Christian boys everywhere! But once again, dateless. Four years later, I received my B.A. but alas, no MRS. degree. But I did come close.My senior year, I began dating a terrific young man. He was involved in youth group and studying to be in the ministry. He was kind, smart, quick to smile, captain of the volleyball team, and cute to boot. The more I knew about him, the more I liked. I was in love! I thought beyond a shadow of a doubt, This is the Mr. Wonderful I've been waiting for all my life!We continued dating after graduation, and I waited. Would he propose? God was about to prepare me for the answer.One night, I felt terribly sad for no apparent reason. I began to cry in my bedroom. When I asked God why I was crying, I was drawn to the story of Abraham and Isaac. Was I willing to sacrifice my Isaac on the altar? Was I willing to let my relationship die? Tearfully, I said "yes" to God. A few days later, my boyfriend broke up with me.

I felt as though life had stopped. My heart ached for my boyfriend. I finally understood every sad song on the radio. I cried out for God to help me.One day, I was walking along the beach and felt impressed to sing "Great is Thy Faithfulness." I declared out loud that God was faithful and struggled to believe it with everything in me. I prayed that God would either restore my relationship or take away my desire for my college sweetheart and bring another man into my life.Months went by and God had clearly chosen the latter. So I waited for the real Mr. Wonderful to walk into my life. And waited. And waited.The months turned into years. I was in my late twenties and once again, dateless. But God had given me a story to cherish during that season of waiting in my life.

At a missions conference, I met a very godly couple who talked with me about being single and serving God. They took the time to get to know me and relate this story.Once there was a winemaker who lived in a small village. When his friends came over, he would serve bread and ordinary wine. Wine that had been opened and closed again and again. But one day, a very close friend from a faraway place came to visit. "For you dear friend," he exclaimed, "I have a very special wine." He went into his cellar and pulled out a bottle of wine that he had been saving for years. It had never been opened.The missionary went on to tell me that I was that special wine. That God was the Winemaker and someday, when the right man came along, God would present me to that man. Instead of being passed over, I was being saved for the perfect person by a tender and loving Winemaker.So when the waiting became difficult, I remembered that story.

The Winemaker was saving me for someone special.I'm very happy to say Mr. Wonderful did come along. The first time I ever saw James, he was flipping hamburgers at a welcome barbecue at the graduate school we both attended. It wasn't love at first sight at the condiment bar, but he did catch my eye. We became good friends and it was perfectly clear to me that he was THE ONE. Unfortunately, it took him longer to catch this revelation so once again, I was waiting.After months of being only good friends, I had to re-evaluate my desire for James. I was growing weary of the crazy way my heart beat when I saw him. He was dating other girls, so what was I waiting for? I surrendered my wish to be together to God. My theme verse was Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I prayed that God would take away my desire for James, or that God would place that same desire in James' heart. In that time of waiting, I learned to surrender my wishes to God.A few months later, James asked me on our first date to Outback Steakhouse. Thank God he talked to a friend who discouraged him from taking me to Dairy Queen! At dessert, he pulled out a red rose and a yellow rose which he had discreetly hidden in his jacket. He said, "We've been friends for a long time and I want to date you and see if there's something more." From that moment forward, we were inseparable. Five months later we were engaged. Mr. Wonderful had truly arrived and he surpassed all my high expectations.

Next year I'll celebrate my tenth anniversary with my Mr. Wonderful. Was he worth all those days of waiting in high school, college, and beyond? Without a doubt. The Winemaker had put together a perfect match.

Peace

2008-04-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

Life has been going great lately.
God has really been speaking to me in regards to how i view myself and my studies. He has also been giving me strength which is beyond my normal capabilities. For example in just last week i managed to do 3 essays! Totaling 5500 words. Each essay only taking a single day... a very long day, but still only a day.

-disclaimer- not saying you should wait until last minute to do your work!!! it is terribly hard, but God was very gracious to me! Students.... DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

anyway, back to the story;
God has been really gracious to the youth group as well! We went and saw tony anthony, the author of a book called 'Taming the Tiger' that went really great! i will hopefully upload a photo soon, as the internet at my house is very dodgy. The message was great and a few youths were definitly touched by God!

Just last night youth had a movie night! Which was great fun, we watched ELF, and we all had many laughs together.... it's a pity the youth leader forgot his camera... tsk tsk.

Also yesterday in my quiet time i was praying and this song came to me...
I was thinking of peace... a scripture that talks about peace is John 14:27 which says
'peace i leave with you, My peace i give to you; not as the world gives to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'

So here is the song, it is in the key of 'C'

Peace,
Has fallen on my soul
Peace,
Has fallen on my soul

Cause i've found,
Jesus is my life
Cause i've found,
Jesus by my side

Yes my heart cries out
Joy instead of pain
Yes my heart cries out
No longer am i the same

LoL (laugh out loud for all the parents) i'm sure it doesn't sound nearly as good without any music :P but that too i'll get around too when i upgrade my internet !

God bless guys, keep praying keep reading your bible!

Jesus isn't just a part of our lives
He's the POINT.

A Past Conversation

2008-03-31T05:02:00.000-07:00

This is a really interesting converstion that i had with some random person on the internet. I thought it was a real time of testing and growth for me. Hope it encourages you!

It started with this post

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

A Choice of Comfort Or Purpose
I'm not really quite sure what to do about this little dilema of mine.I'm currently working at the hyatt regency adelaide... and well.... at times it's hard to get through the night, but god has really started to open doors for me to evangelise more and more to my fellow co-workers. My boss has told me that she wants to have lunch and talk about this god of mine, two of my co-workers tonight asked me to explain christianity to them. It's been going really really good. Although at times i don't like working there, but i really see gods hand moving at the moment.On the other hand, there is a guy offering me a job to which i can choose my own hours and i get to work on my person to person skills. I'm not sure about it, the boss and his son seem like really good people. But my current feeling is, that it's not the right time. Perhaps soon, but not yet. What do ya'll think... I think you would probable be agreeing with me.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Why Is The World Full Of Suffering?
To Joisuschrist,
I hope you don't mind me quoting what you wrote.
"joisuschrist said...you are an absolute evangelical freako!!! get real! god is not talking to you! stop using it as an excuse to indulge in your self-obsessed trite! go show how much god is loving to the millions of people dying of aids and starving in africa....maybe ur f****** "dilemma" at the hyatt regency wont seem like such a challenge as you walk in the footsteps of your creator. f******!"

First of all, thanks for replying to one of my posts, since all the other replies that i usually get are from some random porn site. Strangly enough i'm not at all insulted by what you wrote... I am definitly an evangelical freako, I enjoy talking about Christ more than anything else. Perhaps i do seem a bit self-obsessed and trite, but the God i know cares about the little things i'm going through, He cares about the things your going through too. You do make a really good point (which i've made bold) of why am I not off in so far off country trying to help these people? But I think more of the underlying question is why does God all a world to be full of suffering~ So let me try to answer both of those questions and I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

1) Why am I not in africa?
Well first of, i'm only 21, fresh out of university and still studying and trying to get a full time job. I'm currently going to Bible college and also doing a certificate in real estate. Short term wise, i want to complete my studies, and generate enough income to purchase fixed assets that will be able to give me money so when i go into full time ministry (going help people, etc) i don't need to be funded by other people. I do however sponser a child on my meager income, and donate money to other organizations. However I believe that there is a lot of work that can be done in the community around us, without flying 20,000kms away. I'm sure you know of homeless people, abused, loney, people in your city that could use your love and care as much as anyone else. So i try to help where I can.

2) Why is the world full of suffering?
Now this is a much more interesting question. I'll try to put it into a logical progression of thought. If it's too long or boring at times, please try to bare with it a little.
The world is full of suffering because God gave us all free will and with this free will comes the possibility of them misusing that freedom, even if this means hurting other people. What is freedom to love, (lets say) or not love unless it is the freedom to make someones life better or to harm them. If we could only choose one path, or one action, or one outcome of any situation, it would no longer be considered free will.
For instance, if i gave my newphew five dollars to spend on anything he wants, yet I stepped in and stopped him everytime I thought he was spending it on something wrong (according to my judgement) would that five dollars really be his?
In the same way, you and me have a huge capacity to love, and a huge capacity to cause harm to those around us. The choice is ours, we can either build people up or tear them to pieces. You see by the choices people have made in this world, it has made life harder. For instance, if all the rich countries in the world donated 10% of their surplus, no one would be starving in the world. We, ourselves had the cure for the worlds problems yet we choose, because of reasons such as money, power, or politics not to help these people and as a result these people suffer.

joisuschrist I know it's not your real name, but if you want to, please reply with your thoughts.Anyway, take it easy.Ben~

And another post :D

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Pain and Suffering~
"jesusissexy said...ok....so you are telling people that natural disasters that kill millions of people are a result of our choice and free will?put it this way...you say;god is all powerful and all loving i say; since there is disaster and turmoil in the world, god is either not "all powerful" or he is not "all loving" tell the millions of people, including children that die every year because of natural disasters, that it is "their" fault, and they have a choice to die. it must be very easy for you to preach your wacked ideals from the comfort of ur own home... have you ever tried taking a more public forum...you twat.

To Jesusisexy,I’m really sorry about the late reply. I have been intending to write back to you since you replied with your post. I had written a response, and then decided to rewrite it, mostly because I feel that you don’t really want an argument to prove which of us is more ‘smarter’ but rather a real answer that relates to the world around us, and a reason why there is so much pain, pain which we believe is completely undeserved.Suffering in the world is something that even I struggle with understanding. Being a Christian doesn’t stop bad things from happening to me either, I have seen those around me that I love and care about slowly succumb to cancer, people with no arms or legs having to beg for food, friends who have been raped or molested in their childhood. Suffering and pain, isn’t limited to third world people, but rather it is a universal stigma that affects us all.If indeed this life is the only thing that you, me and everyone else has and there is nothing more after we die, than all the suffering, tears and cries of those children and others go unanswered. Life is truly tragic and all we strive for is in vain. Everything we hope for, our longings, struggles, dreams, and desires come to nothing, absolutely nothing. “Life is a bitch then you die”. However I don’t believe that is so, I believe that we have a soul that will last for eternity and there is an “all powerful” and “all loving god” who also has perfect justice.Now in regard to all the natural disasters and pain and suffering in the world, I still believe that most of it is a result of evil people and not nature and that even the pain caused by natural disasters could definitly be minimized or eliminated if humans were as God created us to be. For example, famines, no one in the world would starve if people truly “loved his neighbor as himself”. The world has enough food to feed everyone but there are those that hord more than they need at the expense of others.

For example, America makes up 7% of the worlds population but consumes half of the worlds resources.There are a lot of “natural evils” in the world that could be prevented if their was no political wars, (for example; Cold War which resulted in wars such as Vietnam/ Korea which had side effects on the populations from Chemical weapons such as “Agent orange” which causes mutations) a balanced distribution of resources (a lot of south east asians eviromental problems are a result of exploitation from multinational corporations) or if people just didn’t have so much apathy towards the enviroment for example global warming which has resulted in huge climate changes causing extreme droughts and floods in different parts of the world. The world knows of this problem, yet there are countries that refuse to make changes such as America and Australia, who prefer profit and economic growth over safty.

Not always are disasters “natural evils” but rather the result of evil hearts.There are other disasters that are not caused by humans, and I would like to give you two reasons. Firstly we live in a fallen world. That might sound really stupid, but if what the bible says is true, then we live in a world that is tainted by sin (as a result of adam and eve eating the apple). If the world isn’t perfect anymore as it was ment to be, then natural disasters could be a reppercusion of sin. Which leads me to my next point.Saving your physical body from pain or disease would really acomplish nothing in the end. Gods goal is not for your physical body to be saved, but rather your soul. Jesus healed people as a demonstration of his power to make it clear to those who were watching that God could do anything. But the healings were not only to heal, but to save souls. It was about the soul not the body, all those people Jesus healed eventually died of one thing or another, and 2000 years later all that matters was that their souls were saved.

Which matters more to you 2000 years from now? Whether or not your cancer is cured or whether or not your soul made it into eternal life.I don’t know if I gave you the answer you wanted, but I know this for sure, that there are evil people in this world, and there is pain and suffering. We all eventually die, whether in the lap of luxury or in the gutter or on the battle field. All people die, even you and me. But what happens next is of greater importance than anything else in this life. This world is coming to an end, sooner or later the stars will stop shinning and the sun will run out of energy. But your soul will still exist.

I know God is all powerful and all loving and has perfect justice. I don’t understand why somethings happen, but I trust that God will make it right. I trust that God will judge all our actions, those done in public and those done in secret and that through Jesus’s sacrifice I will have eternal life with God.Please take care of yourself this Easter, and hope you can reply when you have time.

Finish Last

2008-03-17T06:51:00.001-07:00

This is a really Cool Song by Stellar Kart called finish last, i really like it because it sings about how we should not be looking to finish first in the eyes of the world, but to be looking to finish first in the eyes of God

People change and plans get changed and
Everything changes but You
Everybody moves around and
Everything gets pushed around but You
You always stay the same, stay the same

I want to finish last
Last in the world's eyes
No matter what I do
I will be first in your eyes

I am running in this race and
I am pressing onwards towards the finish line
You have promised me a better life
Far beyond this world, far beyond this place and time

Most Richly Blessed

2008-03-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

I asked God for strength,
that I might achieve;
I was made weak,
that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health,
that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity,
that I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy;
I was given poverty,
that I might be wise.

I asked for power,
that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness,
that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things,
that I might enjoy life;
I was given life,
that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for,
And almost despite myself,
My unspoken prayers were answered.

He’s always with me

I am, among all men, most richly, blessed.

Unknown author

"The man we need to be and the man we want to find"

2008-03-06T02:07:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and gals.

It's been a pretty intense and fantasic last couple of weeks in youth. We have been studying from the word of God, what are the characteristics of a 'man we need to be and the man we want to find'.

I hope all of you have enjoyed this short 3 part series, as we now come into finding out about 'the women we need to be and the women we want to find'!!!!

Sounds interesting :D

As follows is just my own notes, and your more than welcome to post questions or comments!
Hope to see you all in Youth! God bless!!!

Titus 2:1-8 (NKJV)
"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience:
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-
That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober minded,
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptability, sound speech taht cannot be condemned that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you"

1st, The points that follow will be impossible to carry out if you don't have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Yes, you may be able to do some of these things for a time, but in the end, you will fail to do them, and you will end up frustrated. What follows are characteristics of a man of God, that can only come through spending time, and letting God do His work in you, through the grace of Jesus.

a) the first thing that the passage says is to be Sober minded, which is also another way to be self controlled.

In todays society we see a great lack of control from people, whether it be with their money, their spair time, their sexual habits.
Guys, we need to be men, who can control ourselves. It is from lack of self control, that we fall into a lot of sin, and compromise our morals.

Self control goes into all areas of our lives; our money, time (what do i do with my time, am i playing games, am i watching excessive amounts of t.v), what we spend our money on, emotions (such as anger; Girls be very careful of a man that cannot control his emotions), how we treat others, over habitual sin (what do you do when no one is watching?), small things... such as speeding... etc.

b) 'a pattern of good works'

When we look at this part of the scripture, it is talking about having a pattern in your life that shows through good works. What do we mean by pattern??? we mean time....
THE TIME PRINCIPLE

Girls, and guys, if you are interested in anyone at church, you need to observe them for some time. People can fake it for a little while, but over time, you will see what type of person they truely are. If you meet someone you like, go ask around and see what people say of him, does he show a pattern of good works. If NOT, stay AWAY from him... if no-one knows him, STAY AWAY!!!!

c) 'Good works' = servanthood!!!
Finding someone who has a servant heart, will be someone that is willing to put others first, someone who is willing to put YOU (girls) first, and not himself!
Someone who is servent hearted, looks to help people, ESPECIALLY those that cannot be any benifit to them!
Look for this kind of man/women!

d) 'Integrity' SUPER IMPORTANT

Integrity is like character... but even more important. A good way of thinking of integrity is this "what would he/she be like, if no one else was watching, and no one would ever find out"

This goes to impact in future, how much you can trust them in marriage, can you trust them to be faithful to you, can you trust them to do the right thing??

other verses to look at about intergrity are 1 Samuel 16:7 and ecclesiastes 7:1

e) Reverence
Proverbs 1:7 "Beginning of all wisdom is the fear of God"
Does the person you like respect and fear God?
Does the person actively look to do what is right by God?
Does the person submit to authority?

A person who fears God, will always have the heart (doesn't mean their perfect) to do what is right by God. We want to find that type of person, and we want to be that type of person!

f) Incorruptibility/ purity
Mattew 5:8 says "the pure in heart shall see God"

If you have habitual sin (something that you know is sin, and you keep doing it) it will greatly diminish how much God can use you.
This includes stuff like.... pornography, watching R rated movies and above, doing things that you know God has told YOU specifically not to do (for me it's playing computer games), perhaps even spending time with guys/girls that you know have a bad influence on your spiritual life. All these things will greatly hinder how much God can use YOU
and we want God to use us, because cool things happen, and we will get the most out of life, and we will be happy!!

g) Sound speach!

praise the lord, we are almost to the end... this is the most i've ever typed for a blog.

Mattew 12:34-35 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.'

You can always tell what someone is like, if you spend time with them and listen to what they say. If you are madly in love with them, get someone elses opinion... and if all your friends say 'i don't trust this guy/girl' STAY AWAY

Anyway guys and girls, God bless, and see you at YOUTH

p.s If you like someone, ask the pastor or youth leader, what type of person they are, because your leaders generally know what people are like, as they have seen them over a period of time, and know information about them. Trust their advice, as they care deeply for you!

KEEP PRAYING AND READ YOUR BIBLE!!!!

Happiness is KNOWING Christ

2008-02-11T05:26:00.000-08:00

I have just finished having a conversation with one of my friends on MSN, and my heart is really broken for her. Here is a girl, who has all the potential in the world, and the ability to do great things, and yet she is depressed, aimless and looking for more in life.

Pain, suffering, and the feeling of emptiness, is not something that is only found in 3rd world countries, or found only with poor people, but these are issues that effect everyone. In a fallen world such as ours, what hope is there for people who are lost, who are hurt, who are broken, who have had lives that nightmares are made of.

There is only one hope. Jesus says "The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" The thief here is refering to satan. It is satan's plan for us to feel misreable, to feel lost, to feel as if life is not worth living, however Jesus wants us to live fullfilling lives, ones that achieve our full potential! God has a perfect plan for us! Amen.

You know, the great thing about this verse... Jesus doesn't say that we will only have a 'mediocur life' but says that we will have life, and MORE abundantly!!! Praise the lord!

So back to my friend... you know... for me, it's scary to think that i could be still be in her position. God really blessed me, and came into my life. Most of the time, i feel i don't have the right words, and i feel inadequet to explain to her, how much God, the creator of everything loves her, and that she matters, and her life matters, that her life is not just about her job or about the mundane things, but that God has a plan for her, that will bring her more joy than anything else on this planet. That is the heart of God, for all. He wants everyone to come and to know Him.

I really encourage you, to pray for those who are hurting, pray for them to have an encounter with God. We can't save them with our own 'wisdom', we can only provide a bandaid, but God, can heal them, and change their lives for ETERNITY. Amen.

It begins!!!

2008-02-03T05:11:00.000-08:00

Praise the lord, Ben has finally got himself organized enough to start a website for IMPACT YOUTH!!!

Praise the lord for the kids that have decided to make an effort to come and meet with God even though they could be at home sleeping!

Special thanks goes to Damien, Jerome and Zach, who came extra early to really put in sometime to pray for the other students, and allowing themselves to be used by God to interceed for those who may or may not be able to come before God themselves.

Okay so what's this website all about!

1) a way for parents to make sure we're not doing anything too crazy!

2) To allow youths to get the message notes if they miss the message!

3) Allow ben to rant a little about God and what is really blessing the youth, and what are our plans in the short term future!

As for today, we had 10 ppl in Youth! Plus another 3 boy and girls who were being blessed in main service!

We are going through a short series on "The men we ought to be, and the men we want to find" which will probable be a 3 service long series (6 weeks, as youth is at the moment every fortnight) Looking at the verses Titus 2:1-8 especially verses 6-8.

I will get around to posting the notes for the lesson later this week! Plus photo's from YOUTH!

If your an adult or youth, please drop a comment to let me know your visiting!

God bless all!
Ben¬