The Next Phase: Becoming A Church Elder

At last Sun's congregational meeting, CA and another member were elected elders of Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church.

When I think about how new we are in Aus and how much we have to learn about so many things here, I am like "Wow! Really?"

I remember looking up 1 Timothy in the Bible to see what the apostle Paul had to say about church leaders.

It's quite a sobering list.

A church deacon/overseer must be:

• Husband of only one wife
• Temperate
• Self-controlled
• Respectable/Worthy of respect
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not given to drunkenness
• Not violent but gentle
• Not quarrelsome
• Not a lover of money/Not pursuing dishonest gain
• Must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect
• Must not be a recent convert
• Must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
• Must first be tested, and appointed only if there is nothing against them
• Must have a good reputation with outsiders

I reckon the bit about managing the family well is our Challenge of the Moment.

Beth has been acting up since she started school.

She actually defies us when we tell her to Go To The Corner, and says NO and has to be physically escorted there.

I can't believe how out of hand things get at home sometimes, and how inept I feel as a parent when the girls test our authority.

It makes me wonder: are we as a family up to handling CA's new position of responsibility?

Surely we ought to be role models like the ones described in Steve Green's Household of Faith song first?

On the other hand, this is our chance to serve in Hoppers Crossing, this community where we live, worship and go to school.

To - as a friend back home puts it - bloom where we are planted.

I need to trust that God knows what He's doing (even when I don't), that He has a plan for us, and that His plan is to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future here, right here in the suburb of Hoppers Crossing in the City of Wyndham in Melbourne, Australia.

And not only to trust, but also to obey.

As the hymn goes: "Trust and obey/For there's no other way/To be happy in Jesus/But to trust and obey".

Goals Are Gained Through Small Steps

I love this article from Beth's school newsletter.

GOALS ARE GAINED THROUGH SMALL STEPS!

Do you feel like there's a huge gap between your present position and your ultimate destination?

You say, "Yes, I'd like to be a lawyer, but that means I'd have to go to Uni and do a degree. That would take years!"

"I have so many other things I'd like to do."

"I don't think I could take the risk. It will create financial hardship."

"I don't know how to get started."

The excuses pile up like dirty dishes in a sink; it feels like it would take too long, cost too much, require too much energy, require too many sacrifices to get from point A to point B.

Whether it's making an effort at school, or starting your own business or applying the discipline required to make it happen, the temptation is to always put it off until another time.

How do you overcome the fear of starting? The simple answer is that you reach big goals by taking small steps! While it's tempting to think that the amount of time required is too long, those days and years will pass quickly - whether you're pursuing your goal or not! You need to make an early start and for students it is right now - at the beginning of the year!

You need to show up for duty and leave the provisions - to Him. The Psalmist writes: "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."
(Psalm 84:11)

Trust God and take the first small step, but do something! Don't just sit around hoping it will all just fall into place. If you do nothing, we will be here same time next year, asking the same questions.

Principal
Reynald Tibbens
Heathdale Christian College

Reflection:
When you consider that this article was written for the students of Heathdale, it's just amazing.
Can you imagine the ripple effect it can have on its readers - parents, siblings, friends - and its power to change the lives of those who are ready and open?
I felt so awed and inspired when I read it, and almost wished I'd written it myself.
Its simple and succinct content is at once a reminder, a clarion call to action, a nudge in the direction of self-discipline, and something I can paste on the fridge and refer to every day.
With a Christ-focused principal like RT, I know my daughter is in good hands.

Recommended Reading: 7 Strategies to Recession-Proof Your Career

Just want to share this article by Dr. Randall S. Hansen, QuintCareer.com's Career Doctor.

I always enjoy reading the articles on QuintCareers because they are informative, full of value and written for easy reading without being overly simplistic.

If you're an employee, protecting your career and boosting your chances of being retained and promoted require a delicate balance between knowing what's going on outside the company, and being your boss' trusted resource.

Dr Hansen recommends these 7 strategies to protect your career:

1. Stay alert to the grapevine.
2. Keep your resume current.
3. Build your brand internally.
4. Become a company man/woman.
5. Build your brand externally.
6. Find career development opportunities.
7. Network.

Read the article here.

The Next Phase: Becoming A Piano Teacher

Years ago, I remember asking my best friend to connect me with her friend who was a piano teacher.

We exchanged emails but I never got round to taking action on my then vague desire to teach piano.

I felt that my Dip. in Piano Performance just wouldn't hack it if I had to submit myself to a rigorous Yamaha audition, so why bother?

When Beth got to the age of being able to sit through a Kindermusik class, I thought: maybe I could teach kiddies music?

Again, I failed to take action.

Today, I'm glad to say I've just taught my 2nd lesson to an adult learner, and it's been all good.

I reckon I'm learning as much as she is.

It's not easy finding the right words to say and I'm having to be really careful so that I am generous with praise and encouragement, and that I gently correct without being critical or judgmental.

Having been raised in a high-control, perfectionistic environment, I have to consciously censor those thoughts and remarks that would otherwise slip out.

It helps that Beth has her Yamaha Junior Music Course in the morning, and that I get to sit with her through the class and absorb some of the positive vibes from her very enthusiastic teacher and classmates. The class gives me a high and I carry some of that zeal and joy with me into my teaching in the afternoon, so it's worked out really well.

I'm so thankful that after years of dithering and non-action, I've finally found my way into teaching piano.

I plan to get better and better in my teaching and my playing so that I grow alongside my student.

The Time To Act On Your Dreams Is NOW

We are not fearless enough to take charge of our lives.

We live in the shadows of those who are our heroes and whom we are content to applaud.

Sadly, most of us don't recognise that we too have the capacity to take home the gold and consequently we live a mediocre standard of life.

Every day there is sufficient time and reason for us to do something that will propel us into becoming something bigger and better...

It's NOW that we need to do those things that should be part of our spiritual progress but sadly we haven't time just yet. The lawn has to be mowed; the dog has to be washed. By the end of the week we think we will have more time and only then will we write the poetry that is simmering inside us...


We convince ourselves that later on, next week, afterwards, soon, presently, before long, it will happen.

Yes, maybe in days to come we will have time, but is it possible that we won't be well enough, have enough money to pay for the art classes or have the vision to read the book when we finally find that elusive time?


Talk comes cheaply.

Action costs a little bit more. It takes courage and tenacity.

And guess what? Each and every one of us has enough to rule the world if we wish.

It's time to challenge ourselves because the clock ticks quietly on as we fritter away those days, weeks and months of idle talk.

Action by Lorraine Hunter
Living Now, Jan/Feb 2008 - To inspire, nurture, inform and empower
Australia's largest and finest holistic publication

I Am Only One

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

Edward Everett Hale
Reformer, writer and chaplain of the U.S. Senate

Making Friends

I felt so proud today when Beth declared that she now has 5 friends at school: Emily, Jasmine, Madison, Connor and Joey.

She started school knowing just Joey, who was her best friend at kinder.

We're very blessed too that she has all these senior friends looking out for her, because all the kids from church are at Heathdale Christian College.

Yesterday, Georgia (Grade 3) came specially to look for Beth before school started.

When I got to band practice at church last night, the twins were disappointed that Beth wasn't with me.

But Beth's not the only one who's been busy socializing.

Dropping Beth off and picking her up everyday means I get heaps of opportunities to meet other parents.

I'm meeting new people everyday and trying hard to remember all their names and the names of their children.

A, dad to Jennifer.
L, mum to Kyle and mum of 4.
M, mum to Sarah and mum of 4 girls.
LA, mum to Jasmine and mum of 4 girls.
Sharon, mum to Riley and Alexandra.

It's a wonderful way to become part of the Heathdale community.

Just 2 days ago, one of the mums I'd struck up a conversation with, asked if I could do her a favour and take her daughter home for 2 days next week! Her husband works shifts and she hasn't got her 'P's yet. And she knows I've only just acquired my 'P's. How incredible is that?

So this afternoon, she and her daughter Sarah, who's also a Preppie, sat in our car and directed me to their home.

I assured her and her hubby I would devote some time over the weekend to memorize the route from school to their place. I know how frightening it must feel to place their daughter's safety and wellbeing in the hands of a complete stranger, especially one who's just passed her driving! They tell me they've been praying that they would meet someone they could trust to take their daughter home, and now "God has provided"!

I can think of only 2 words: Divine Appointment.

Perhaps God has planned all this so our 2 families can get acquainted and support each other.

I definitely feel like He's calling me to Higher Ground and out of my comfort zone....again.

Generation Nigella

From mX News, 1 Feb 2008

I've just learned of a new Generation, betwixt X and Y.

It's called Generation Nigella, named for Nigella Lawson, who has made home-cooking and domestication fashionable again.

Gen N refers to young, middle-class women who prefer a happy balance of home, work and family to working long hours and partying hard.

A survey of 2480 commissioned by the UK RED Magazine found that only 1% of young, middle-class women say their jobs take priority in their lives.

59% would rather work part-time if they can afford to.

36% would like to be full-time mums.

And women who give up work to stay home with young children are the happiest of all.

"Forget the '90s work/life balance, now it's home/life/work balance...Nigella has given 30-somethings permission to enjoy their homes again."