STOP PRESS

News of the death of James Brown have been greatly exaggerated.

He assured me of this when we had coffee yesterday.

Art Installations & Grandmothers

Yesterday I spent several hours ‘womanning’ one of the 8 art installations along the tram route in the centre of the city. They are big shipping containers, looking like a wrapped Christmas gift on the outside, and inside, each one has a different part of the Christmas story. I was outside the Art Gallery in a realistic reproduction of a kiwi shepherds hut and outside the window are angels singing carols. It was good, thought provoking and over 100 people came to look while I was there.

It reminded me of when our 3 Grandchildren were born. Deb, and probably David, struggled through to the birth and behold, as new baby for us to love. The next day people were saying to James and I “Congratulations, well done!”

Yesterday I sat in the sun welcoming the people and ‘guarding’ the sound and lighting system and so many said to me how good it was, what a clever concept, well done, thank you etc.

It was giving credit where it was not due but I smiled and accepted it. In fact I should be saying, “WELL DONE DEB & DAVID” x3

And
“WELL DONE PETE & JOYCE MAJENDI!” of the Side Door Trust.

I Dont Do .........

If you and I are going to be faithful to the ministry God is calling us to, then we had better understand that God may call us somewhere out of our comfort zone. I reflected on the attitudes of key people throughout the Scriptures and the history of the church.

The world is a better place because a German monk named Martin Luther did not say,” I don’t do doors.”

The world’s a better place because an Oxford don named John Wesley didn’t say, “I don’t do preaching in fields.”

……..because Moses didn’t say, “I don’t do Pharaohs or mass migration.”
……..because Noah didn’t say ,”I don’t do arks and animals.”
……..because Rahab didn’t say, “I don’t do enemy spies.”
……..because Ruth didn’t say, “I don’t do Mothers-in-law.”
……..because David didn’t say, “I don’t do giants.”
……..because Peter didn’t say, “I don’t do Gentiles.”
……..because Mary didn’t say, “I don’t do virgin births.”
……..because Paul didn’t say, “I don’t do correspondence.”
……..because Mary Magdalene didn’t say, “I don’t do feet.”

The world’s a better place because Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t do crosses.”

And the world will be a better place only if you and I don’t say, “I don’t do………”

By Leonard Sweet