CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT AUSSIE STYLE!!!!!

I was embarrassed to read the following report of a recent Carol service in Sydney

Man tasered at Carols by Candlelight

'Police say they were forced to use a Taser on an 18-year-old man after they were called to help a teenage girl at a Carols by Candlelight concert in Sydney's inner west last night. Police say an officer approached two men at Halliday Park in Five Dock who had allegedly been abusive and aggressive to people in the crowd, including the girl. Sonia Roberts from Police Media says the 18-year-old man from Five Dock allegedly punched the police officer, cutting him above his eye. "A sergeant has come across two men who were allegedly abusive and aggressive towards the crowd, he's approached them regarding their behaviour and one of them has allegedly turned on him and punched him in the face," she said. "At this stage the sergeant was then surrounded by the crowd and was forced to use his Taser to bring the man under control and defuse the situation." The man was arrested and charged with assault on police, resisting arrest and affray. He will appear in Burwood Local Court in January.'

I think the thing that most disturbs me about this incident is the complete lack of respect demonstrated by the young man not only to the event he was attending but to the authority of the police. It seems of late I have read countless reports of police being attacked and assaulted by young people both male and female. I believe this attitude represents a definite shift in Aussie society. I imagine also it is fuelled by alcohol dependence.

 
The bible says, "Do not get drunk with wine but be full of the Spirit". Drunkenness was obviously a problem in Jesus day and it is still with us today.The bible has relevance today!

Let me ask you a question! What controls you? Is it alcohol? Is it fear? Is it a desire to rule and exert power? God desires that our lives be controlled by the Spirit. If you are finding yourself relying on other things to control and calm you can I urge you to "get into the Holy Spirit". He is free and will provide you with the kind of highs that will last forever.

This Christmas may our Carol Services be full of Joy and Peace rather than violence and disruption.

God Bless You and give you a Fantastic Christmas
Peter 
 

Amazing Sacrifice and Amazing Courage!

The fire fighting season in Australia is upon us again and as it begins I thought it appropriate to give thought to those brave men and women who during this holiday season will be at the forefront of protecting lives, homes and the natural bush.

Just yesterday over 80 fires were blazing sending 100's of volunteers from the NSW Fire Service out to fight them. Apparently some were hospitalised yesterday, including one fireman and another fireman lost his own home as he was trying to protect surrounding homes. Unfortunately yesterday was just the beginning and after last years fires in Victoria there must be many who dread the coming season. Over 170 died and over 400 were injured last February in Victoria alone.

Fire must be one of the most horrendous enemies to fight. It is unpredictable, savage and can quickly rage out of control. I have often contemplated why so many Aussies volunteer to put their own lives at risk in order to protect others. I believe they have a genuine desire [which exists particularly in Australian rural communities] to have a go and support each other whatever the cost.

Like many of you, I imagine, I am unclear about the statistics or facts as they relate to climate change. One scientist claims one thing and the next another. Regardless though of all the controversy one thing we can be clear on is that during the summer we will have some harsh and hot days. On these days as you hear reports of fires breaking out across the country spare a thought for those brave men and women engaged in fighting them.

Could I urge you to too pray that the terrible days we experienced last Feb do not return. One missguided minister claimed "that God sent the fires on Victoria to punish that state" let me assure you that God is a God of compassion and vindictive strikes on innocent families is not what the God I know and love sends.

Yours Truly
Peter 
 

Love until it Hurts

Conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna are out of surgery following their successful separation. Surgeons at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital spent more than 27 hours separating the Bangladeshi girls, aged two years and 11 months who were joined at the head.

 Krishna                                                                      Trishna

The orphan twins were brought to Australia by the Children's First Foundation and Guardian Moira Kelly says caring for the twins has had a huge personal impact on her life.

"I am not their nurse. I am not Children First. I really have become their mother and they have become sisters to my sons Ahmed and Emmanuel," she said in a statement.

She said she now understands how Mother Theresa lived by the saying "love until it hurts."

Living in an age full of quick divorces and superficial internet relationships it is not often that we ‘love until it hurts’ but this story surely is a challenge to us to consider how we love those around us.

Jesus of course is the ultimate example of sacrificial love and he enables us to know true freedom in life just as Krishna and Trishna will hopefully be able to be freed by this operation to live a full life.

Yours in Christ
Peter