BYRON BAY FILM FESTIVAL - OUTBACK RIDER

Pictured: The Outback Rider team outside the Byron Bay movie theatre for the first ever screening of the movie.

It sure was a ‘first’ for us as a team… Our own movie premier in an official Film Festival. The morning session was sold out despite the overnight rain and weather conditions. Our film was in the ‘documentary’ category and qualified in the final 5 for the Byron Bay Film Festival of 2017. Congratulations to Cheyne Grace (Producer), Peter John (Director - film maker), Trentan Kruger (soundtrack), Jordan Grace (audio engineering) and Josh Cunliffe (Photographer - Drone operator).

Already we are looking to the future and dreaming about other potential film projects. Thanks to everyone who supported this venture over the past two years.

We will be doing further film festival premieres and the DVD will be available at our events.

ROADSIGNS AND RAIN

Pictured: A roadsign in the rain on a road less travelled.. somewhere in Northern NSW.

"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it." - Jeremiah 6:16

Sometimes the best way to move ahead with your life and make progress is to look back and learn from the past. Our lives are bombarded with information via social media and news networks and advertising and unstoppable changes in technology every day. We live with the pressure of expectations on us to have an opinion about everything and just follow along with the noise of the crowd. Conforming to the latest trends or persuasions of politicians can often times be very damaging.

Sometimes it’s a good thing to just stop. Stop and go back to what you know is absolute and true… The reassurance of a road sign on an unfamiliar road always gives you confidence that you are heading in the right direction.

In our uncertain world, the Word of God sure helps us to keep heading in the right direction. When you are not sure about what to do or where you are going… get back into the Bible and seek the Lord for His best for your life. Somehow the truth and grace of God's word becomes like refreshing rain in a drought. 

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land". - Proverbs 25:25

Thanks for travelling with us.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

TILL TIME BRINGS CHANGE

" Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103:1-5

We all need forgiveness and second chances in life. Things don't always work out as we expect them to. We conquer mountains and we make mistakes.. But life is real and it is the journey we are all called to take. Life is a journey of giving and taking.. of gaining and losing, of fear and faith, of pride and humility… It is a journey. And yes it is never easy…. If it was easy we’d all be signing up to the latest ‘get rich quick’ prosperity program.  God is way bigger than that and His plans for us are eternal… This journey on earth is simply the beginning of something way bigger.

Sometimes the rust, decay and setbacks of life hinder the great plans we had a decade or more ago. We all experience the loss of opportunities, friendships, finances, good health and the energy of our youth. Yet above all that we have faith. Faith is a gift that we cannot create ourselves. Faith comes from a willingness to believe in someone far greater than our present circumstances. Faith comes from trusting in someone far greater. When we trust in the creator of all things and the one who gave His life for our failures and sins…. That’s when we find true freedom. God made you to be you…. He doesn’t mind the decay and disgrace… He is a God of restoration. He makes us new.

I look at an abandoned, rusty vintage car in a paddock and I see it as fully restored.. my trade after high school was repairing and painting damaged cars. So I look at a wreck in a field and see it completed...knowing the work it would take to make it complete. I’m sure God looks at you and me just like that…. and He has the power to redeem and restore us to completion. 

Thank God for Jesus.

Thanks for your support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

FAITH IN THE DRY TIMES

Pictured: Roadtrains transporting livestock from a drought stricken property in Outback Queensland. Photo Credit: Julie Zischke

Don't believe everything you see on the news or read on social media. Yes, there are people fearful about political tensions and nuclear weapons, confusion about marriage and corrupt government leaders and football players who refuse to honour their national anthem. It’s all a bit sensational to me. We simply need to ignore the manipulation of the global news media networks and just get on with life and with helping people. We are living in testing times and it is so real for many families living on the land. The droughts of the past few years have not yet ended and times are tough for graziers and farmers across the nation. It’s time to start praying for these issues and not selfish humanistic trends that flood the airwaves and news broadcasts.

The Bible warns us these times would come so expect that they will and get on with the good work of representing the character and love of Christ to a lost and dying world. That’s our job. That's our calling. Don’t get sucked into the controversies and confusion. Keep Jesus at the top of your day and allow the Lordship of Christ to cover your circumstances. Then stuff will work out ok. Keep it real. Christ in you is your only hope of glory!

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33

Don’t ever give up on faith, hope and love… And the greatest of these is love. 

Keep loving people like Jesus does.

Godspeed,
Steve Grace

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Pictured: Jordan Grace laying down a final acoustic track for Children of the Western World.

I never saw it coming..  I thought I was simply going to check out the legendary Lucky Boy analogue recording studio in Byron Bay..  Yep, they still record everything on a classic 24 track Tascam 2" tape machine. But instead I soon discovered the real intent of my visit.. Jordan Grace, with some local musicians, had secretly recorded a brand new version of the song "Children of the Western World". It was the best Birthday gift.

This song helped to launch my music career and ministry 30 years ago. It was a beautiful gift that left me in silence and Kerrie in tears. 

The recording will feature on a new album soon to be released by Jordan Grace.

OLD SCHOOL IS COOL

Pictured: Steve and Jordan with Geoff Wright of Lucky Boy Analogue Studios, Byron Bay. Photo: Kerrie Grace

In this modern age of digital downloads and invisible information, there are many people yearning for the good old days of analogue sounds and real music, the days when you really valued your record collection and followed the artists. These days it's so much more superficial with formats like Spotify and Pandora. The younger generation grow up thinking music is free and get no real understanding of the hard work and costs involved in recording your songs. We are lead to believe the only way to get famous is to be a contestant on 'The Voice' or 'X Factor'. But these things come and go like TV ratings and the fashion trends of each season.

It was nostalgic to step back in time last week into an old fashioned recording studio, complete with that musty aroma of burnt coffee and stale cigarette smoke.. Thanks Geoff Wright for all your help and enthusiasm in the re-recording of Jordan Grace's version of "Children of the Western World". Old school is cool.

MAKING MUSIC AND FILM WITH MATES

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Pictured: Members of the bluegrass band "Change of Heart" with Ced Grace, Steve, Photographer: Josh Cunliffe, Film Maker: Peter John of Epik Films, Trentan Kruger and Drummer: James McLaren, Photo by Cheyne Grace

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. ”

— Proverbs 3:5-6 —

In that classic Australian way the word got out that we needed to produce a music video for the song, "The Night Slim Dusty played in my Hometown". Before we knew it we were offered an historic farm shed by a local farmer, then our good friend Peter John came for a visit and was keen to do a film shoot...  then a local bluegrass band heard about the shoot and before we knew it we were all on set and 'action'!!

Sometimes it's better to just let go and trust God with the work He is doing in your life. When you over think and strive to control everything it brings on stress and anxiety. As you step out in faith with a heart to serve others it's amazing how that spirit seems to impact everyone around you.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported us in this adventure. The Slim Dusty Songs album will be available very soon and a national tour is being planned for 2018. With a great team and a clear vision you can accomplish so much in life. I was reminded of that the other day at the end of the film shoot. A great team to work with!! Thank you.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

As we prepare for another busy season ahead, thank you for standing with us in prayer and practical support. We could not do this work without you!!

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

Thank You for your Support

Pictured: Steve and Kerrie and the new road into the future World Missions base in Tenterfield, NSW.

The end of a three month tour and we finally had time to visit the future property of World Missions in Australia. We are so humbled and grateful for what God is doing in our lives and very thankful to those who believe in the vision. This has been a 30 year journey. A patient and hard fought test of faith and God’s faithfulness. We just know in our hearts that God is up to something and we are totally excited about it. We are believing for miracles… And wisdom to build a great ministry base that will be a blessing to multitudes. 

In the coming months we hope to share the vision in more detail. But for now we just want to say thanks for your friendship and support.

Dreams of the Future

It has been an amazing journey seeking God and believing for a property that would one day be the future World Missions ministry base. It is slowly becoming a reality. We are very grateful to friends who have partnered with us in the dream. Last week we actually got to drive down the new entrance road into the property. We dream of a big shed. A shed that will be used as an events centre for Gospel Music festivals, Men’s Shed gatherings, Motorcycle Riders events and so much more… We dream of some cabins that can be used for people needing to get away from everything and hear from the Lord… The future of the Tenterfield property is very much in the Lord’s hands. But we are excited as He brings the right people and resources together for the vision. From the town where the original Federation of the nation of Australia was formed can come a new vision that will bring hope, reconciliation and revival for a nation. Pray with us. 

If you would like to get involved in helping us develop the ministry base in Tenterfield in the coming years please contact via Trent admin@stevegrace.com. Thank You.