Concussion

At first I didn’t notice any difference but then it became apparent that I was, in fact, forgetting things.  Usually I have a really good memory and spend a good deal of my time ‘multi-tasking’ but on this particular afternoon it just wasn’t working.  I would get up from my desk in order to walk out of my office to do something and before I could get to the door I had forgotten what I stood up to do.  

You see, I was suffering from concussion after coming off my pushbike on the way home from work.  (Five stitches, a lump on the head and a well blackened eye) 

My memory is fine now, or at least I think it is.  Perhaps when you’ve lost your memory you can’t tell??? 

This experience made me think about amnesia and I toyed with the idea of what I would be happy to forget and what I would really like to remember.   

We all have circumstances we would like never to recall:  A bad date; an injury; a hurtful word.  But there are a good many things that I would want to remember: My family; my friends; and my Swiss bank account number!  

I don’t know what you would have on your list of ‘must remembers’ but mine wouldn’t be complete without remembering the Lord and all that He has done for me.   

So today, even if you don’t have a bump on the head…“Remember the Lord, great and awesome” Nehemiah 4:14 

Finding your seat

Excitement and anticipation changed to frustration and disappointment in a matter of seconds!  We had been looking forward for the last few months to our daughter singing at the Opera House with the combined schools choir.  We had booked our seats early and we had managed to get in the 4^th row (On the plan of the concert hall they looked like great seats).  We joined the proud parents as we filed in to take our places and then we realised that our great seats could see everywhere expect where our daughter was sitting.  A no time during the performance would we be able to see her.   

I had a choice to make; I could sit quietly and disappoint my self, my wife and my daughter or I could try and change the situation. So I walked over to the other side of the concert hall and started asking people if they would be willing to change seats, explaining the situation.  After a couple of attempts I found a very friendly lady who was in exactly the same predicament on the other side of the concert hall and so we exchanged seats and everyone was happy.  

But the truth is that if I hadn’t asked then nothing would have changed. The Bible says …“You do not have because you do not ask” James 4:2.   I want to encourage you today to ask God for those things you need.  Don’t just sit in your normal life missing the things you were created to enjoy!   Ask Him!

Water saver

I have a friend who doesn’t like to shower alone…in her shower every morning she diligently places one or two empty buckets.  At the end of her shower she dries herself off and then she carries, the now full buckets, outside to water her garden.  Suffice it to say, she has a great garden but even more importantly she is doing ‘her bit’ to conserve water!  

Australia is the most arid continent on the face of the globe and yet we have tended to be surprisingly free and easy when it comes to water.  Over the last few years I have noticed a trend towards significant water conservation because it is such a precious resource, one that is far too good to waste.  Gone are the days of sprinklers on the front lawn, washing the pathway leading to your front door and water fights every hot summer afternoon.  There is just not enough water around to go around.   

Jesus called out to each of us…  “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink”

Jesus made a promise about the possibilities if we will respond. “He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

 The thing that I love about the promise of God is that there is no lack, no limitation and no restrictions on who or how often you can come to Him. The Lord wants you full to overflowing with love, joy and His Spirit and the wonderful thing is…all you have to do is ask!