OPEC – You have an invitation as well!

21 nations spanning four continents, representing the most economically dynamic and diverse regions of the world, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of the world’s population, 56 per cent of world ‘Gross Domestic Product’ and 48 per cent of world trade. It is known as ‘Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation’ (APEC) and it is meeting in Sydney this weekend.  I heard someone describe this event as “all the inconvenience of the Olympics with none of the fun!” I also heard of hundreds of demonstrations being planned to coincide with the conference, member delegations requesting permission to carry guns and an unhealthy level of excitement being generated regarding the shirt that all the world leaders will be given to commemorate the summit!   

Hosting this event is quite a big deal: it draws attention to the fact that Australia is part of a larger world; that we have the right to host the most influential and powerful leaders; and it enables us to set much of the agenda of what will be discussed.  But to many people, this is just an opportunity for a bonus long weekend and they will give no more thought to it than that.  But that doesn’t change its importance.  

The Lord has called a summit of His own.  All nations, tribes and people are invited.  Many fail to respond but that doesn’t change the importance or significance of the opportunity.

 “All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name.” Psalms 86:9   You have your invitation…you have the weekend off…what are you waiting for?

Everest at a bargain price!

Have you got all your holidays planned for next year?  I found a great deal that you might be interested in.  

Authorities in Nepal are planning to slash the permit price for climbing Mount Everest by up to 75 per cent!

Normally it costs $87,600 for a permit for 10 people, but soon it could be as low as just $21,900. 

The only catch is that you have to climb in winter to get the discount!  

Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the summit of Everest on 29 May 1953. 

Last year saw over 500 people make the climb, bringing the total to 3017 individuals who have made it to the top of the 8,848 metre peak. 

The interesting thing is that 13 people died prior to the mountain being conquered and 241 have died since.  You have about a 1 in 10 chance of not making it down alive!   A blind man has climbed Everest; a double amputee has climbed Everest; a 70 year old has climbed Everest!  Why?  Because it is there, because it is difficult, because it takes them to the edge – a dangerous place to live! Your interests might not lead you to strap on crampons and grab an ice-axe but everything in life has an element of risk attached.  If we live our lives trying to avoid all risk, we will be compressed and limited in all that we do.  

I am attempting a great ascent – to live my life according to Christ’s example – the risks?  Criticism, ridicule and misunderstanding… but what a view!   

What are you climbing towards?

The ultimate tax deduction!

Work related car expenses, depreciation on my professional library & use of my home office…I spent some time yesterday getting all my tax affairs in order, double checking that I had everything right before lodging my tax return for the year.     

Most people I know dread the task of doing their tax but those same people really enjoy writing down any deductions they are allowed to claim.

I have never heard anyone whinge about the fact that they have too many deductions but I have heard heaps of people say that they think they pay too much tax! 

A couple of years ago I was audited by the Tax Office, they checked everything that I had claimed for the previous couple of years and found everything to be in order. (Phew!)

I wasn’t really concerned because I had been careful and fair in reporting and in claims but it still was nice to know that everything was OK. 

The one thing we all want to avoid is having a big debt at the end of the year, especially one that we cannot afford to pay! The Bible says that “We all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), that activity comes with wages: “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  This doesn’t sound so promising – but there is an option – something we can do about it! 

Jesus gave His life to take our place – He is the ‘ultimate tax deduction’ for your life. If you give your life to Him you qualify for what He offers – Your sin removed and your life restored!

That’s the best offer you are going to hear today! Don’t leave it too long before you do your tax and don’t leave it too long before you do your business with the Lord!

Things I hate!

There are not many things that I can say that I really hate but I know that I am going to have a challenging day when both of them happen before 6.00am!   

The first is waking up late and I am sure that every one of us has done this from time to time. 

That sinking feeling you get when you realise that the alarm has gone off but the only response you have offered is to lean over, turn it off and drift back to sleep. 

There is nothing like the overwhelming shock when you finally wake up 15, 30 or 60 minutes later!  

My second pet hate is when there is only enough deodorant left to spray under one arm! 

This might not bother you but it leaves me feeling lopsided all day.  I feel like my right side is a welcome friend and my left side is a slightly unkempt relative that I don’t really want to hug!  When one of these happens I can cope but on the rare occasion that they coincide I know that the day is going to be a challenge for me and anyone standing to my left! 

I don’t know how your day started today but I wanted to give you some encouragement that it can finish well! 

The Lord is with you even on the bad days and if you need someone to walk through whatever you are facing He is there.  He doesn’t mind how late you are or how much deodorant you happen to wear!

The first step is a doozy!

On the way up things were fine but the trip down was a whole lot quicker!  

My excuse (and I am sticking to it!) is that I usually work on a two sided ladder and I had borrowed one with rungs on one side and nothing on the other.  This was fine whilst I was on the way up but when I stepped over the ladder and started my journey down there was nothing left to do but head towards the floor quicker than I had planned! 

 Don’t worry, the ground broke my fall! 

It is amazing the things that rush through your head in a moment like that…first you think ‘Why am I falling?’ then… ‘This will probably hurt!’ finally… ‘I hope no-one is watching!’ 

The problem with a ladder is of course that if you miss one rung you are probably going to miss them all.  One stumble is enough to cause you a huge problem.   

The Bible says that the same is true when it comes to God’s Laws, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”   James 2:10   

If we have broken even one of God’s laws, even in the smallest way then it is like we are trying to climb down the wrong side of a ladder… but the good news is that hitting the floor is not the only option!   The Lord Jesus offers forgiveness and help when we find ourselves on the floor. 

All you have to do is allow Him to help you up!