MalcolmDow.com

We have just returned from a 9-day trip to Tasmania with Funtastic Christian Tours. A really well organised tour, taking in sights from Launceston to Freycinet National Park, Richmond, Bothwell, Mt Field National Park and Hobart. Kerry, the coach captain, drove well and entertained us with background to all the places along the routes we travelled, including some gravel roads through wonderfully green hills and valleys. We had a great lunch prepared by Geeveston Community Church and enjoyed singing in their picturesque church. There has been a worshipping community there since the 1880s. Travelling with a bunch of believers from a number of different traditions made for a stimulating time with lots of laughter. The accommodation was first rate and the the tour well paced so we returned home refreshed. Well done Kevin and Judy.

We completed the Baptist World Aid Australia five week 5050 program looking at poverty alleviation, and our role in bringing justice in the world. It was challenging, but also encouraging to know the value of our prayers and involvement.

God hears the cries of the poor and oppressed. We’re going to be looking at how we can hear God’s voice and live more closely to him in daily life. As followers of Jesus we want to learn to listen to the Father and obey him as Jesus did.

We had a great celebration on Christmas Day, worshipping the King. The birth of Jesus was both a beginning and an end. Then 13 gathered for Christmas lunch. We will continue on Friday evening with the usual 6 pm meal followed by some more carol singing and the Bible Study. Leading up to Christmas we had looked at the eight I AM statements Jesus made which are recorded in John’s Gospel. On Friday we will discuss I AM the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus’ statement in Revelation. When we gather on New Year’s Eve at 7.30 pm that theme will continue as we end one year and begin 2008. We’ll have a video, nibbles and share communion before watching fireworks at midnight on the television.

Friday evening gatherings will continue through January as normal, just as most other churches continue Sunday services even in holiday times.

Twenty-five ladies from seventeen different churches spent a great year in the Know Your Bible study in Williamstown. For some, the first study of the year – The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testament – brought them a deeper understanding of Who the Holy Spirit is, and how involved He was with the Father and the Son as the Godhead worked out our wonderful plan of salvation after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. He is the means by which we live our lives as followers of Jesus, just as Jesus, the Man filled with the Spirit, was able to obey His Father and fulfill the plan.

Then we considered More of God’s Women – Rebekah, Rahab, Abigail, Jehosheba, Lydia and Priscilla. Each in their different way taught us, some how ‘not’ to behave! How important each individual is, responding to the challenges of life and trusting God. He has a place for us all in His kingdom’s work.

Our final study, October – December, was of Psalms 73-89, entitled Psalms of Faithfulness. Honest, raw, faithfilled declarations of real human beings struggling with situations of trouble, injustice and difficulties of life. Through it all the Faithful God who can be trusted was seen.

We’re on holiday now until 31st January 2008 when we begin our next study, Ephesians. See the KYB page for more details.

Intimacy with God is a huge topic and we felt we were just scratching the surface. The old books by mystics like Madame Guyon, St John of the Cross and Brother Lawrence have been joined by the current rush on the topic: John Bevere, Mike Bickle, Jim Goll, Tommy Tenney and Gary Oates and so many others have shown the deep hunger for more of God than so often we experience in our Christian lives.

We realise that time is a major factor in developing intimacy in any relationship. The more we spend time with someone, through the ordinary, as well as the special, events of life, the better we get to know them. Part of the Wikipedia definition of intimacy describes the intimacy shared by members of the Godhead: Intimacy is linked with feelings of closeness, safety, trust and
transparency among partners in a collaborative relationship.” We are invited to join the Father, Son and Spirit in their relationship and share with others in the oneness in the body of Christ.

We explored the Why, the How and Obstacles to Intimacy with God and discovered helpful ways to grow in intimacy. How our God longs for us to draw near so that he can draw near to us.