Psalm 147:16-18 Amplified Bible

16 He gives [to the earth] snow like [a blanket of] wool; He scatters the frost like ashes. 17 He casts out His ice like fragments; Who can stand before His cold?18He sends out His word and melts the ice; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.

Genesis 8:22

“While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”

Now that is some serious frost on my windscreen! There was also plenty of ice fragments as well. Heading into work early one morning I received a very frosty reception when I went out to my trusty old ute. Lynda’s car is lovingly tucked up inside the garage every night–my old ute and I, well we just have to deal with it!

Isn’t that the way sometimes–we receive an extremely frosty reception from someone and “we just have to deal with it” as they somehow, in their mind, seem justified in the way they are treating us.

Often, we need to take a “winter windscreen lesson” and just “chill”. Step back a bit, breathe, refocus on priorities before we have this potentially damaging conversation! The frustrating thing is, we are all guilty of this... a sharp tongue, jump to conclusions, failed expectations... hopefully we are all growing in Christ– the grumpy side (and we all have that!) is diminishing and getting less and less whilst the love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control-fruit of the spirit side–is ever increasing.

Hopefully.

When I looked at my windscreen this morning, the sun was just starting to come up and two scriptures came to mind:

Proverbs 18:19 - A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,and quarreling is like the bars of a castle...

Hebrews 4:15-16 - 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ESV.

It was a hefty frost though–first time ever in my life that I’ve had frost on the inside of my windscreen–and yes all my windows were up!! You can see where I scratched the inside ice with my fingernails... cold morning! Love it!

Maybe these verses in Proverbs and Hebrews above were a gentle reminder from the Lord for me to be gracious and maintain correct priorities. Perhaps we all need that reminder sometimes. I think they are also a reminder to truly learn God’s wisdom – Deuteronomy 4:5, 6 – please study these verses, reading them every day for 6 months. More on that later.

Let’s Keep a Sensible View of all the Climate Change Rhetoric

Forgive me if you must for this, but I’m not a “climate change” person. Nowhere do I see in scripture where God loses control of the planet (and we are still here), nor do I see where He loses control of the processes that govern the operation of the planet. Psalm 147, Verse 17 above-do these people really think that the creator of Humans, Heaven, the Heavens and the Earth–the Universe-is unable to manage 1 or 2 degrees Celsius – providing of course that the so-called science is actually correct when it comes to this ‘planet-warming’ rhetoric.Think of the science and physics involved in creation of the universe!! (It’s 3.30 am and like many people in Australia, I’m fed up with politics!)

Most certainly, we have to properly steward our environment and take care of the wonderful earth that the Lord has given us–and we will give an account for that–but part truths and man’s own view are never correct, either separately or combined. That’s why we are taught Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25. Yes, look them up. Nothing(or no one)is ever as it(or they)first appear!! Never forget that.

Getting back to Deuteronomy 4: 5,6-How the west navigates through the next 20 years or so is very important. We MUST learn the wisdom of God to be able to work successfully with countering the various trends and fads as they come and go, come and go. No one likes a frosty reception, and they are avoidable...it’s a good thing I keep my “political” rants to 3.30am when no one is around.

I’m SO Excited...

It’s the June long weekend and I must apologise for our Tassie update being so late. Work has been absolutely hectic, I’ve had two trips to Sydney in the last 3 weeks and I’ve just recorded six radio programs on Navigating Through the Obstacles of Life.

So after two months of absolutely crazy busy(I’m actually pretty tired) Kimmi is cooking a boned back leg of the venison (deer) I shot last year. It’s howling wind and a bit of rain outside; I’m inside writing this to you precious people and we are just about to have a roast venison that’s been marinating in all this for nearly a day. God sure is good to me! Thank you Jesus!

Sydney Trips

I had the incredible honour of ministering a highly condensed version of my new 6-part series‘Navigating Through The Obstacles of Life’, at Botany City Church in May–on Pastor Al’s YouTube channel, Navigating through the Quagmire of Life.

It was incredible to see Pastors Al and Annette Persohn again along with their very special congregation. They are our dearest ministry friends and mentors of over 31 years and we treasure them with all our hearts. I actually first met Ps. Al in 1989. One of the precious things about Ps. Al is that he cares so much he is prepared to ask the awkward questions. Such a great perspective and position.

Now that all of the COVID circus has quietened down and we can travel again, I had the great joy of officiating at Lauren and Brendon’s wedding in Coogee – Ps. Al and Annette’s daughter. Lynda and I have known Lauren since she was 3 years old and she booked me in to “marry her” about 18 years ago. It was a real covid-induced tragedy to miss Bree and Cam’s wedding and Ali and Danny’s but third time blessed! – so a true delight and privilege indeed to be able to minister at Lauren’s and Brendon’s wedding. A precious weekend in Sydney indeed, even though a flying trip

Meet Shantal

Shantal is our new sponsor child. She is just over 2 years old and obviously is a precious wee girl. Please pray for her. We have had Frank and Juan since they were babies as well and Frank tragically passed away a couple of years ago with epilepsy at 21.

We contacted Compassion and this precious wee girl had no one to care for her so we instantly took responsibility for that. We will sponsor her until she is 18 as well and then hopefully help her into her career as well as we did with Frank (and his family) after he passed.

Juan is still with us, living in South America.

We are very blessed to have little Shantal join our Living Success Family.Please do pray for her. Thank you.

Radio

I have started recording again as mentioned above. I will copy the programs into the LSCC Church Family dropbox link – I hope you enjoy and are blessed with these. More will be added moving forward. I am now working on another project that will start to unfold next year it appears. I’ll keep you updated as that progresses.

LSCC Tasmania

I must admit I had a very big lump in my throat when I received the enclosed Incorporation Certificate from the Tassie Government (via Duncan). Thanks to Duncan who did a great job in working through on the constitution and our submission.

It certainly was great to have Duncan down for a few days as we worked through further progress on the Tas. constitution and our (slowly improving) website.

In discussion with our accounting oversight, who has done an excellent job indeed in seeing our closure of the NSW entity and the re-opening of LSCC in Tasmania, we do expect to cease trading of the NSW entity on 30th June and to open trading in Tasmania on July 1stthis year. Praise the Lord – please join with me in giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness across these 19 years of NSW trading. Thanks so much to Linda Green at Green Accounting Solutions for all her hard work–great job indeed keeping us on track and very much appreciated.

It's now mid June. I have to get this away to you all–again apologies for the lateness–it has been a crazy last couple of months. I have more for you also in the next Tassie update...coming soon. As always, Lynda sends her love and prayers to you all.