I was recently challenged and encouraged by the testimony of a friend who having grown up in Australia, has recently taken part in some relief-based short term mission opportunities. Sometimes I hear well meaning Christians say that instead of sending people on short term missions the money could be better spent going directly to the people in the needy situation. I am a believer in the value of short term missions for many reasons (write and ask me if you like). But here are a few quotes from my friend's testimony which I think may serve as a challenge to many.

My friend recently visited Cambodia with Samaritan's Purse and some refugee camps in Thailand. She learned of hundreds of thousands of people who "have only one meal a day and very few possessions, and many of them have never seen freedom, and never will."

Today was my last Sunday with West Penno church for quite some time. My good mate Dave Peacock preached a cracker sermon from 2 Peter 3 about the day of the Lord. I'm about to head back to Ukraine. I compare so many things between life here and there. I think about the up coming months and the plans further into the future. I was greatly challenged to have a much greater focus upon the day of the Lord. Do I look forward with joy and anticipation toward the coming of Christ? Am I making every effort to live a holy and blameless life?

Whatever this week holds for you, I hope this short note refocuses your vision, and mine, upon things which are eternal. And if you have the time, listen to Dave's sermon.

I was recently sent the following quote:

If our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them.    -- C. S. Lewis

Do you agree with this? Is this challenging or shaming? Those of you reading this probably have your own computer and at least have Internet access. Please feel free to make some comments on stewardship and how we as 'wealthy' Christians should budget and spend the money God allows to pass through how hands. What should be our mindset towards comfort?

I realise I'm only asking the questions - but it is an area I often consider and am challenged about.

"The time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time." Bertrand Russell

A large portion of this year for me has been "time out". It has been thoroughly necessary, worthwhile and rewarding. And also very enjoyable. But I have had to seriously deal with thoughts about time wasting, usefulness etc. I've grown to realise that so much of our thinking, and our yard sticks for success, revolve around what we accomplish: "How much can I accomplish? - and remember that time is money".

I have also been challenged about joy. God means for us to live lives full of joy. I believe joy is 5% what happens and 95% attitude  - or should I say 5% external and 95% internal.

So rather than asking, What can I accomplish?, I want to ask, Who does God want me to be? and How then should I live so He is glorified through me?

True joy finds it's source in Christ. Therefore, "the time I enjoy wasting, is not wasted time".

I wrote this psalm on December 7 while at

Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia.

I had recently been white-water rafting on the Zambezi. 

God You are Sovereign.

You created the amazing waterfalls that thunder.

The people that live here and all the animals.

The rich and the poor You made.

God, I don’t understand You or Your justice.

But I know You are just – the judge of all the earth will do right.

So God, I see my problem before me.

It looms up big like a dark cloud –

Like an overwhelming obstacle that will swallow me and consume me.

Today I was reading my diary and found a couple of entries I had meant to share but never got around to posting. This is one I wrote on October 25 while I was travelling in Scotland.

Yesterday I spent the day on the roof of the house, pulling up the old tin and putting down new tin. The old tin had lasted 95 years! Throughout the day I enjoyed cloud gazing. The cloud formations were just amazing. Marbled patterns, whispy strands, fluffy cotton wool, luminous grey threatening to rain etc. I just enjoyed the feeling that I was close to my Creator. Afterwards I commented that our God is so amazing. How did He think all this up? Before there was anything, there was God. And He decided to create. How did He possibly imagine what to create?

I don't qualify for old age yet, hardly even middle age. In fact one of the kids at school the other day thought I was 16. But I do recognise that I and the people around me are growing older (and maybe growing up).

I read the following prayer on the wall in Aunty Jan's toilet. I think it's a beauty - and a great challenge to the old, the almost old, and the going to be old one day folk.

LORD, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest LORD that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

The heart and the mind want to divide

Why can't they just live side by side?

I see what I see and love what I know

I think I know where I want to go.

But alone at night as I sit and ponder

My heart and my mind begin to wander.

One travels around the world and back

While the rest of me feels out of whack.

And then it hits me in the head

Lying there upon my bed

"Why are you trying on your own

When you placed Me upon the throne?

I am here to sort it out

So what is all this worry about?"

This morning in the shower I had a sudden realisation that I so readily find the source of my joy in people. Good people. Wonderful friends who love me - who love God and encourage me in the ways of God. And the meeting together of God's children should be a joyous occasion. But I place too much eager hope on the next meeting, email, sms, phonecall (or photo on facebook).

Does the thought of reading God's Word fill my heart with rapturous joy? Am I living each day in eager anticipation of His return? Do I live with thankfulness and the constant memory of the sacrifice He made for me? Does the thought of Jesus' love spur me towards a life of love and holiness?

These questions challenged me this morning. May they challenge you too. And may the sole source of our joy be Him - our wonderful, loving, majestic, risen Lord Jesus Christ.