Knowing Your Limits

KNOWING YOUR LIMITS

The TV advertising and billboards along the roads all promote “If it’s flooded… Forget it!”  We gaze at them and think that would never happen to me… But the truth is we all have the potential to make some pretty dumb decisions along the way that can get us into perilous situations. It’s one of the flaws of human nature to presume we will always be able to get out of a difficult situation should it arise… But the truth is there is a very big difference between wisdom and foolishness. And we all have that ability to be foolish in life.

I came across this children’s peddle car stuck in a river out in the middle of the western desert. It was a perfect day and the car looked so out of place. It had somehow been washed downstream after recent torrential rains and floods in the outback. It was a surreal picture but somehow reminded me of me. I have the ability to get myself stuck in situations I was never meant to be… either through foolishness, sin or lack of wisdom.

Don’t let the enemy or your own lustful desires cause you to become stuck on the road God has for you in life. Be aware of the warning signs and stick to what you know is true. Surround yourself with people who will make your stronger and wiser. We live in a world of distraction, deception and detours.. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus He enables us to make good strong decisions that keep us focussed on the visions and dreams He’s placed in our hearts. So keep the faith… and if it’s flooded… forget it. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2-4

Godspeed,
Steve Grace

News from Trenton Kruger

I want to thank each and every person who has been praying for my health over the past 6 months. After taking some time out, getting stuck into juicing, and adjusting a few lifestyle factors, I can thankfully say that many of the symptoms I was dealing with have gone, and I’m confident that in time, God will continue to heal the few symptoms I have left!

However I have some MORE exciting news!! Six weeks ago we were all in Alice Springs for the Will Graham “Reality 2016” Event. In my mind, we were purely there to work and serve the event, but The Lord had slightly different plans in mind. A beautiful young lady by the name of Amy McArdle, who was sent out by her church in Brisbane to serve the event, caught my eye as soon as I met her! It was an incredibly busy few days of ministry, but whenever I had spare time I’d make Amy a coffee just so I had an excuse to talk to her. By the end of the weekend, I asked if I could take her for a Harley Davidson ride after the event, thinking she’d say no, but she said yes! 200 kilometres later we rolled back into Alice, I took her to dinner that night and the rest is history.. I’ve never felt joy like I have with Amy, and I’m rejoicing that God’s brought her into my life.. So who knows.. 2017 might even hold a wedding! 

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favour from the Lord” - Proverbs 18:22

The Church that I See

Pictured: The singalong at Lake Nash Church dedication went for 8 hours last Saturday. 

 

They sang for 8 hours straight last Saturday… and then had Church Sunday morning and another singalong.. Even tonight in the middle of winter here in Australia families in many remote desert communities will gather around campfires and sing gospel songs, worship God and read from the Bible. Why? Because so many of my Indigenous brothers and sisters know that Jesus is the only way for them to know real life. For generations governments and policies and dispossession of traditional lands and persecution have not wavered their faith in what they have discovered to be true and absolute. The church I see in so many of these remote regions is so much like the early church we read of in the letters of the New Testament. Thank you to all the faithful families and fellowships in remote places for singing your songs to the God of the heavens and earth while we sit at home and watch the meaninglessness of life on our computer and TV screens. Keep singing the praises of Jesus!!

Heroes of the Faith

Pictured: Steve with local legend, Johnny Percy from Alpururrulam community on the Sandover Highway, Northern Territory.

Johnny is one of the church leaders at the Alpururrulam Christian Fellowship. 8 years ago Aunty Hazel Lauridsen, one of the missionaries to the region for decades, made him a red cowboy shirt. Johnny decided the shirt would only ever come out for sacred events and celebrations. Last Saturday was one of those ‘red shirt’ days. The opening of the new church was a dream come true for so many of the locals. When a revival took place a few years back in Lake Nash it changed the entire town. Gambling, alcohol abuse and domestic violence were exchanged for singing around campfires and Bible studies and helping one another build a better home in the remote desert region. Men like Johnny have been part of that ongoing revival and I’m so honoured to learn from them in my journey. Thank you Johnny for shining your light before all people’s in your bright red shirt!!!!

Joy for Generations to Come

When a large mining royalty contribution came to the Alpururrulam tribal elders they had the choice of distributing it among all of the clan groups and families in the region, or do something significant with the money. Unanimously, the entire community voted to build a new church facility that would be a blessing to everyone for generations to come. The building contractor listened to their ideas and concepts and designed a construction that will be useful in all the extremes of seasons. Every wall has large sliding doors that open up for the summer months and can keep out the cold winds of winter. The existing church to the right of the picture was the very first construction at Lake Nash community back in the 60’s so the dedication last Saturday was an historic event for all the locals. 300 people turned up to honour God and celebrate this milestone in the life of a remote community.

Give me the Sandover Highway

Pictured: A classic Australia Ghost gum on the Sandover Highway.

"Give me the Sandover Highway, some days it’s the only way to go.. Alice Springs to Camooweal and Mt Isa.. Give me that Sandover Road".

The new album ‘Nullarbor to Nashville’ features a song about one of Australia’s less known roads, but one of my favourites. This road passes through places like Utopia, Alparra, Soapy Bore and Ampilatwatja all the way to Alpururrulam and the famous Lake Nash Cattle station. It’s the shortcut to Camooweal and Mt Isa but takes plenty of extra fuel as there are no guarantees of fuel supply. But the Indigenous communities along this road are among the most welcoming and appreciative I‘ve come across as there is still a deep appreciation from the locals for the early missions work that took place in the early 1900’s. The Sandover Highway… 722kms of classic Australia.

Road to Reality

Pictured: The turn off from the Plenty Highway to Camooweal.. Stay alert for camels, kangaroo’s, cattle, emu’s and washed out creek crossings…

'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you’. Matthew 6:33

There are days when I feel completely misunderstood by the big modern churches in the cities and suburbs… by friends and at times even family. I look back and see the miracles and the milestones over the past 30 years of serving the local church across Australia, The South Pacific and beyond. It’s then I realise not everyone is going to understand or agree with the unique calling of travelling to the remote and forgotten places to share the Gospel. For Kerrie and our three sons it has not always been an easy road. Seasons of separation and school life or seasons of life on the road with Dad in whatever vehicles God has provided. We look back with gratitude at God’s faithfulness.

There are days when I realise my music will never quite fit in with what they call contemporary Christian / worship music. Not many Christian Radio stations play my music because it’s not ‘worship’ enough and not many mainstream networks play it because it’s considered ‘gospel’. So I just smile and thank the Lord for every opportunity to sing my songs and encourage people on the road. I’ve learned over the years to stop striving and ‘people pleasing’ and just get on with chasing after God’s heart for humanity. If we put Him first and do our best to live by the simple grace filled standards of the Bible all the other stuff seems to work itself out.  I am so grateful to a small handful of friends, family and churches and organisations like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association who believe in this work we are doing. Over the month of July we will be visiting up to 20 remote tribal communities and distributing some amazing resources to help the many people who came to faith in Christ at Reality 2016 with Will Graham back in May. Evening campfire Bible studies and Singalongs and cold nights in the desert!

I actually don’t mind these days if I ever get invitations to big fancy churches anymore. I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul and his unstoppable tenacity to get the Gospel out to where it has not yet been heard. There is a broken world out there and we are called to be part of its healing and hope. So wherever God has called you or planted you… stay true to the call. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Godspeed.

Steve Grace

Kombi Repairs

It was a fun few days staying with Cheyne at Lennox Head in northern NSW and working on his 1975 Kombi. The old Kombi gets used as a mobile cafe on Sunday’s at church and needed a little work done to keep it going strong. In the busy tour schedules and projects we all have going on it was great to just stop and focus on practical repairs on the good old bus. 

We really appreciate all that Cheyne Grace does behind the scenes to keep the ministry on the road and keep people well informed. Thanks Cheyne.

Crossing Australia Progress

Just as we are about to postpone the dream of Crossing Australia the hard way on a Harley there seems to be renewed interest in the project.

As a team we have all believed the crazy vision was beyond us financially and physically… But faith is an amazing thing. We still have faith to believe God is with us when it comes to crazy exploits for His kingdom. 

Here is an example of the XR1200 Harley Davidson set up with off road tyres and suspension. To our knowledge a Harley Davidson motorcycle has never been ridden across the inland of Australia from west to east before. So the first attempt will take place in August / September this year on a bike similar to this. Ironically it’s not really about the bike ride but all about people. The vision is to help with Depression and Suicide prevention events. The entire expedition will incorporate concerts, community BBQ’s, music workshops and church meetings as the team treks their way across the great deserts of Australia.

Pray with us that this venture will connect with communities and have an impact on people’s lives. We are still looking for some key sponsors to take the project to the next level. But at the same time we are amazed at the practical support and donations coming in from organisations like Rotary, Speedway clubs, Transport companies and individuals. Exciting days ahead!!!!