Faith

Introducing “Pete on the Street”

Stable on the Streets introduces 2020 Mascot ‘Pete on the Street’!

Townsville’s Favourite Family Friendly Christmas Event, Stable on the Strand this year presents Stable on the Streets!

Stable on the Streets is an invitation for individuals, families, groups, churches, and sponsors to ‘Express Christmas’ in their driveway, shop front, car, veranda, street, etc.


Pete will be encouraging everyone to ‘Start with a Star’ for their decorations and the community will be invited to drive by. Townsville will come alive this Christmas as homes, businesses, and Churches present Christmas. There will be displays, banners, lights, and stars all over Townsville. Large spotlights will criss-cross the night sky as Townsville comes alive. Stable on the Strand will present 3 of its traditional Christmas story scenes at separate spots across the city. Carollers will sing in the streets! Empty shop fronts will be lit up!

Food carts will be available for those hungry children! The public will be invited to a Stable on the Strand ‘drive-by’ experience following our Discovery trails and joining in the massive scavenger hunt full of interactive and fun activities, especially for families.

Stable on the Strand organizer, Anne Harley said, “Although we are disappointed at not being able to bring Stable on the Strand to Townsville this year, we are excited that, ‘Stable on the Streets’ is bringing new and creative ideas. ‘Pete on the Street’ is one of these ideas. Pete will be front and center in our promotion of Stable on the Streets.”

Stable on the Streets will run from 18th – 22nd December and is a free event. 6:00-9:00 p.m. each night

For more information, you can visit- www.stableonthestrand.com.au or their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stableonthestrand

 

Don’t let the storms of life wash your marriage away

By Erin Smalley

Regardless of where you are in your marriage journey or what issues come your way, here are few tips to help keep you united through the storms of life.

In this lifetime, we will all face challenges and storms — it’s a part of the journey. Jesus acknowledged this reality when He was talking with His disciples before the Crucifixion. He clarified for them, ” I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Even country music recognizes this truth. One of Randy Travis’ first hit songs was called “The Storms of Life,” which laments “The storms of life are washin’ me away.”

Beyond the typical storms of life, if you are married, you know there are additional challenges that come your way. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:28 (NIV), “Those who marry will face many troubles in this life.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that marriage is the greatest gift God ever gave my husband, Greg, and me. However, there are days, weeks, and even months of challenges that come with this gift. Over the past 25 years, Greg and I have faced health challenges, repeated moves, seasons of conflict, the stress of completing post-graduate studies — and the list goes on. How about you? What have storms looked like in your marriage? Have you struggled with marital disagreements, sexual difficulties, health issues, or the pain of infidelity? Or have you faced difficulties that came from external sources — from outside your marriage — such as work-related issues, meddling in-laws, aging parents, a rebellious teen, or a natural disaster? Regardless of where the challenge may have come from, it has the potential to impact a marriage relationship. Although we may not have the option to choose our storm, we can decide if it will lead us to deeper intimacy with the Lord and with each other.

As human beings, we don’t have to go looking for difficult seasons because they seem to find us all on their own. However, as believers, we need to recognize that we have an enemy, Satan, who has calculated plans to destroy the unity in our marriage. The Enemy has been described for us in John 10:10 when Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Yes, we have an enemy seeking to destroy us, but the great news about marriage is that God gives us a life-long partner, a best friend, a journeying buddy with whom we can face life’s difficulties and withstand the Enemy. Unfortunately, rather than seeing our husband or wife as a support in the storms, we can begin to see our spouse as the “difficulty” or even the “enemy.” When we recognize the true source of our stress, we can face the challenge and fight the real Enemy together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) reminds us of the benefits of doing life with another person:

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lies down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

One couple chooses how to face their storm

Shannon and Chris sat with tears streaming down their faces. They were so young, still in their 20’s and married only 20 short months. And now they were facing something that no one would want to face in a lifetime. A few months earlier Shannon and Chris had been ecstatic to announce their first pregnancy. Then they were thrilled to learn they were having a son. Chris had always dreamed of having a boy so he could teach him his favorite sport — hockey. But life came crashing down around this young couple when their doctor called to discuss more results from their latest ultrasound. The doctor explained, “More than likely your baby has a genetic disorder that is incompatible with life.”

Since that time, Greg and I have been in awe as we’ve watched Shannon and Chris navigate this very difficult road together. They have intentionally chosen to face this storm as a strong, enduring couple — trusting God in His faithfulness and choosing to pursue Christ’s hope, joy, and peace in all their circumstances. The manner in which they have chosen to walk together — unified — through this heart-wrenching season has forever impacted and encouraged my husband and me.

Facing the storms of life together

But how does any couple stand united like Shannon and Chris? How does any married couple face challenges together? Regardless of where you are in your marriage journey or what issues come your way, here are few tips to help keep you united through the storms of life:

Acknowledge that life will always have challenges. There is something powerful about simply acknowledging that there will be challenges in this lifetime. Yes, you will struggle. Yes, you will have emotions of grief and sadness. But thankfully, you will also have each other. As Christian couples, we are called to walk these seasons with joy. With Christ in us, we can experience peace, joy, and forgiveness through the power of the Holy Spirit — even in the storms of life.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” — James 1:2

Recognize the real enemy. Often when a crisis hits, couples will begin to view each other as the problem or the cause of the storm. The truth is that the real enemy, Satan,wants to divide you from your spouse because he hates marriage and will do everything he can to cause disunity.

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” — Matthew 12:25

Even if your husband or wife has made poor choices that may have had a negative impact on you personally or on your marriage, remember that Satan would love for you to turn and run from your relationship. Ask God to lead and guide your steps — let Him hold the outcome of your marriage in His hands.

Turn toward God and trust Him. The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. He is waiting for you to turn toward Him in your time of need. Remember that He has your best in mind — it may not be what you had in mind, but you can trust Him with all your circumstances.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” —Deuteronomy 31:6

Keep your heart open and don’t lose hope. Will you walk through the storms of life bitter and angry or with an open heart? A heart that is closed runs the risk of hardening, and a hardened heart causes a husband or wife to behave in ways that are not true to his or her character. Horrible decisions are often made as a result of a closed heart.

“He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so.’ ” — Matthew 19:8

It is essential that we recognize the well-being of our heart is our personal responsibility so we don’t expect our spouse to do a job he or she was never created to do. We can each maintain a heart that is alive and full if we will turn to Christ to lead us to forgiveness, peace, and restoration.

Surround yourself with a faithful community, and seek outside help when needed. Don’t be afraid to seek help from a godly community of friends and family. Greg and I regularly say, “It takes a village to raise a marriage.” This is especially true during times of crisis and storms.

“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

And don’t hesitate to get help from a counselor if you feel your marriage is in need of outside assistance.

Don’t let the storms of this life wash your marriage away! Yes, storms will come, but you can choose whether they will strengthen you and your marriage or create disunity between you and your spouse.

© 2017 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Originally published at focusonthefamily.com
Erin Smalley serves in the Marriage and Family Formation department at Focus on the Family. She is a co-author of The Wholehearted Wife.

Why the world needs the Church/ Does the world need the Church?

“Is religion good for society?”

Would you be confident to ask this question to your friends or family that don’t profess any kind of faith? If you would hesitate — you have good reason to. According to the most recent National Church Life Survey (NCLS) report, six in ten people can’t think of a reason why religion is good for society.

It’s disheartening to hear. You’re probably thinking of all the good things your church does, benefitting not only your life but the wider community. It’s not a fair assessment! This may be true, but societal attitudes have been marred by the not-so-good things that the Church is known for.

The NCLS report also revealed something that seems contradictory at first glance: six in ten think the most important role for churches in society is to serve the poor. Australia has lost confidence in religion as a vessel for good – yes. However, there is a recognition that benevolence is the language of the Church.

This insight is directly from the vision of the Church from its earliest days, as found in James 2:16-17:

“If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

This is a crucial moment. Jesus commissioned the Church to continue what he started: to serve the poor, to save the lost, and to point people to his Good News. His good news is needed in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, and division, hurting from the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19. The economic fallout is predicted to be large and ongoing, being felt by our communities for a long time.

The Church is the people of God, bringing His kingdom here on Earth until it comes in fullness. But how does this translate to someone searching for employment alongside nearly 4 million others[1] after the government stimulus and rental freezes cease? What about those unable to afford groceries or are facing eviction?

The answer is in the way the people of God are instructed to live. James 2 instructs the people of God to provide for the needs of their brothers and sisters. We’re instructed not just to wish them well and offer up a Psalm, but to say “we’re with you” in the hardship, loneliness, and anxiety.

When you’re with someone, you’re attentive to their needs. If it’s only metaphorical, the sentiment becomes meaningless. That’s why CAP exists.

CAP is here to equip a movement of churches to carry out the mission to serve and include the poor in their communities and do so while confidently proclaiming the good news of Jesus.

Local churches know their communities best, hence why equipping is the nature of the partnership with CAP. CAP resources equip, and train churches to do what Jesus called all of us to do, in the context of need in modern Australia. Through CAP Debt Centres, churches are stepping into the homes of some of the poorest and at-risk, offering them a practical solution, and sharing the love of Jesus.

Churches have a unique opportunity to regain public faith by taking action to help people crippled by debt post-pandemic. CAP clients Mark and Sarah found themselves in a desperate financial situation when the pandemic hit, and their local church was able to stand with them through the storm they faced.

Almost immediately after social distancing was put in place, Sarah’s bookings as a professional photographer dried up. Mark’s hours at his retail position in menswear were at first dramatically reduced, then stopped altogether. Both unemployed, they were getting calls each day by creditors demanding repayments from debt incurred to pay for medical bills when their first child was born with a congenital condition.

It was tough, but straight away they were able to call their CAP caseworker and together work out a solution that would keep them afloat.

‍ “We feel like there’s so much uncertainty and there’s definite anxiety there. But I just can imagine it being so much worse.”

‍Sarah and Mark have the confidence to face this uncertain time because they have an advocate in CAP, someone who is with them, able to relieve the pressure and give them space to breathe.

‍ “We’re looking forward to things at the moment, which sounds ridiculous in the midst of a pandemic.”

Taking this opportunity to redeem the perception of the Church is not about ourselves. It’s about bringing transformation into people’s lives and bringing glory to God in the process. There are many reasons one could make a case for why Christianity has been good for society. But historical analysis aside, it’s quite simple.

Keeping our focus on Jesus’ mandate and example to truly care for the poor will inevitably shine the light of God into our communities and into the world. Recognition of this work will likely come and go, but transformed lives are forever.

For more information about CAP services or to get help, please visit: capaust.org

 

Rosie Kendall

Rosie is the CEO of CAP Australia and has been working for CAP both here and in the UK for 10 years. She loves the church and seeing the bride of Christ respond to Jesus’ call to serve the poor and save the lost. She is passionate about equipping others to flourish in all that God has created them to be. Rosie’s husband Dave also works at CAP and they have three beautiful daughters, Esther, Lydia, and the most recent addition, Maeve.

[1] http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8363-roy-morgan-unemployment-and-under-employment-march-2020-202004080900