Jono Miller

GOD MAKES GOOD CHOICES

This morning at church I was challenged. Rodney Trinidad preached about our participation with Christ in what God is already doing in bringing people to himself. I encourage you to listen to it via the church website. Tim Kirkegard also shared a prayer his young son prayed whilst praying for a sick friend. His son asked God to make good choices. Tim reflected that God always does. We don’t often understand, but God makes good choices. And joy comes to our lives when we choose to believe that God makes good choices.

WEDDING FEVER

55 days to go! Bring it on!

WANNA BE A CHAMPION?

Become a champion hugger. A hug says:

• Hello

• Goodbye

• I'm sorry

• I forgive you

• I like you

• I care for you

• You're special to me

• I love you

- Not always, but often far better than any words can ever do.

(Courtesy Uncle Roger’s father of the groom speech)

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

UKRAINE

VLAD

Tom writes:

STUCK IN MY HEAD

Camp was really good. I want to give all thanks to God first and then to such an amazing team of people to work with and great kids to serve. I have definitely gone away with a song stuck in my head. We did I’m A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord by Go Fish every morning and evening and it doesn’t take long to stick in one’s head. Go on, click the link, I dare you to!

Songs are great to get stuck in your head. What songs are you listening too? Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts.

WEDDING FEVER

69 days to go! Only 8 weeks until we fly off to the States. We really are on a countdown. This week we get to see Jason and Kirra (Aussie “cousins”) tie the knot and Marie gets her first taste of an Aussie wedding.

ARE YOU PROTECTED

A few years ago in Ukraine I remember preaching a sermon about the seven things you need each day.

* God's Word

* Prayer

* Faith

* Salvation

* Truth

* Right Living

* Peace

If you take these things into each and every day you will be able to stand strong. For the real struggles in this world are not to make a living, pay the mortgage, raise and educate the kids or even save the whales. But to stand against the devil who would claim your soul for hell. Strong words? Yes! I hope you understand the importance of the battle.

SOUGHT AND SAVED TO SERVE

Here are some notes from this morning’s sermon at church:

“God has sought me. His purpose for me is to be holy and blameless. He has adopted me as his child, for his glory.

God has saved me. I am saved from my sin which deserved God's wrath. I have been given life in Christ both now and forever.

God sought me and saved me to serve him. I serve the living God. I should serve others and I serve through his strength.

I am God's handiwork created to do good works. He has a plan for me to do and it is all for his glory.”

In what way were you challenged or encouraged when you met with God’s people this week? I’d love to hear from you.

WEDDING FEVER

83 days to go!

WHEN IS IT OK TO CHEAT?

The answer is “today”. I don’t have an inspirational or challenging thought ready for you today and I need to go to sleep. So I will repeat what I did once last year and copy and paste a few quotes from my website. A few people commented that they were blessed by them last time anyhow.

God provides the wind of His spirit; all we have to do is set our sails in the right direction. — Ken Duncan

Sport is a preserver of health — Hippocrates

The frontiers of the kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution. — J. Oswald Sanders

Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved.

— Henri Nouwen

Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free.

— Stormie Omartian

He became what we are that he might make us what he is.

— Athanasius of Alexandria

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. — Leo Tolstoy

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

NATIONAL ATHEIST'S DAY

Today is my little sister's birthday. That has nothing to do with Atheists. But because she was born on April 1st we were not allowed to do April Fools jokes in our house. Most jokes are harmless and a bit of fun. But being foolish or being a fool is not a great aspiration for one's life. The Bible tells us that the fool says in his heart "there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)

Today look around you and see God.

Today examine your heart and surrender to God.

Today consider the world and implore God.

Today abandon yourself and desire God.

Don't be a fool this April Fools.

UKRAINE

Update from Vlad. Praise God and keep praying.