CONNECTED Adventist

Everyone has been given a label. Most probably, everyone has been stereotyped or profiled, and I can guarantee, that everyone had had assumptions made about them. Most of us tend to base our opinion on experience. So what experiences are you creating from Adventism when you engage with people in your community? What labels are been placed on our denomination through your testimony? Can it be said of you that you're circumcised?

Baptism is supposed to be the most precious celebrations in the Christian life. But it is for everyone? And have we as a denomination go it all wrong? Like marriage, commitment is intended to be more than I one day event. It's a commitment to show up and build hope on what 'will be'.

The end is so so near! Before you know it I'll be near the QLD/ NSW boarder and be leaving 12 years of ministry and friends behind me. So what thoughts have these final days prompted? Regrets, mistakes and highlights. But it has also made me aware that we must live everyday for our Divine purpose. When the end arrives- there's no wishing for more time or opportunity for second chances. The end, is truely- the end for many aspects of our life and our mission and there's no turning back.

In Australia, Adventism is getting split down the middle. The church has two camps, those choosing to follow through with national vaccine mandates and those choosing to be the minority and not be vaccinated. The impact that this decision has had on our church is more divisive than women's ordination; and I thought nothing could seperate us more than that! So what can we do to repair the split on the very fabric of unity? Can the vaccinated and unvaccinated ever be sewn back together to be one body? And also, who's responsible for the division?

Pathfinders can teach children lots of valuable and life changing skills; how to tie knots, how to build a rafts, how to nurture your faith AND HOW TO COOK DAMPER BREAD ON A BRANCH! At our club's last pathfinder camp, my 'camp bread making' life was revolutionised! But I also learnt that memorable experiences can't be exchanged without making an investment. A dedication of time, energy and resources is the only way we can share and recreate the elements that have created an impact in our lives with others. Are you willing to invest in recreating that which you have, so others can share in your experience? And are you willing to invest all that is needed to gain the experience you desire for your Christian faith?

Joining a basketball team a month ago has taught me how important it is to have a COACH! Specially when you have no idea what you're doing! Often, coaches can see what most players can't and a good coach, can change the entire direction of a game from losing to winning or from losing to- learning.

Three years of podcasting has taught me more about myself than podcasting. Three years of CONNECTEDNESS is bound to reveal a lot about anyone. In these last 3 years, I've invited you all to journeyed through some of the most vulnerable stages of my life, But with that vulnerability, you've also witnessed God strengthen me- beyond measure.

We've all read or heard that illustrative Bible verse, 'if your arm causes you to offend cut it off, or if your eye causes you to sin pull it out'. It sounds kind of severe and an pretty graphic illustration but experience, heartache and regrets, have taught me that this verse is filled with wisdom. The reality is that some things, some habits and some people just need to be cut off! This week, after a cutting accident in the kitchen, I became a much stronger believer in this verse, or at least hindsight reminded me that what this verse outlines a crucial for true healing. Just cut it off fam!

Sometimes we seek comfort over grow. But comfort can limit our potential. Staying within the constraints of predictability can make life stagnant and hold us back from making dreams are reality. Within Christianity, comfort doesn't just limit just our dreams, it can potentially limits God's dreams for us too. Train to grow, train with the people that make you the most UNCOMFORTABLE!

Stop saving people! Wait up, I'll explain. Often, the natural response of many people is to save others before ourselves, and although that is honourable, I have seen too many people, marriages, families and churches crash and burn (symbolically) because they neglected to invest time in saving themselves first. Taking time to invest in our walk with God can strengthen us to do an even greater job at what we're already doing with God. If we put our oxygen mask on first, we'll be able to help MORE people put their mask on too.