THIS IS AUSTRALIA

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Pictured: The hardened soil of a desert clay pan near Blackstone community in Western Australia.

Like a work of abstract art the fractured surface of earth in an Australian desert clay pan says so much of who we are. We are made from the dust and the soil of this earth. We do our best to portray a tough impenetrable exterior…. Yet just beneath the surface there is moisture. There is a heart seeking rain that will bring life. I am amazed that most of our country Australia would not survive if it were not for the waters that come from beneath the ground. There are oceans of pure water beneath the sunburned hardened landscape of this land. A desert continent full of life and beauty. This is Australia. 

This is a reflection of you and me. And yes… We can become hardened and bitter… or we can choose to stay humble and sweet. But we can’t be both.

Be expectant of drought breaking rain in your life… the kind of rain that comes from the giver of life, the God of all creation. Don’t give up and become hardened to it all. He is with you and He has a way… sometimes it just takes longer than we want it to. Choose to be sweet and not bitter.  

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:11-12

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

FROM CITY TO COUNTRY

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Pictured: The Church in Minnipa South Australia where we served and worshipped last Sunday morning with the locals.

The Sunday before last I was singing at the Sydney Opera House. This last weekend I had the honour of singing at the Anglican and Uniting Church in Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Pastor Tim Coleman gave a great word from the book of Acts about the journey of faith we are called to take. He’s a pentecostal Pastor with a great vision for the entire region. People from various denominations of church attended and everyone bought a plate of food or a pavlova or cake. Lunch was a literal feast as James, a local sheep shearer cooked up the best BBQ steaks and chicken this side of the border. Life can be pretty tough in these parts, especially if the rains don’t come… but people are honest and real. They are generous and full of faith, They sing loud and they drive long distances to enjoy the fellowship of church family. There is a sweet spirit in these little churches that can sometimes be lost in the rush of life in big cities. I’ve learned to really appreciate it over the years. 

If your walk with God is all about programs and deadlines and schedules… maybe its time to go for a long drive and spend a Sunday in a little country church out bush.

Thanks for your friendship and interest in our mission.

Godspeed,
Steve

Teen Challenge Vision Night

Pictured: Ryan Grace speaking at the Living Waters Church in Kyabram, Victoria

The church in Kyabram was packed last Saturday night as we did our first ever TC Vision Night. The team from TC put on a great BBQ followed by our concert with Dave Graffin, Trentan Kruger, Steve and Ryan Grace. The highlight of the event was the stories of transformation of three men in stage 4 of their recovery program. Miracle stories from despair to hope through faith in Christ. 

$2,500 was raised on the night to support the ongoing work of TC and we are very grateful for the support from Ps Trevor and Lynette Kay and the church family at Living Waters for making the night possible. Thanks so much!

You can find out more about Teen Challenge at their website: http://teenchallenge.com.au/

THE LAW OF PROSPERITY

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.
– Psalm 1:1-3

Photo credit: Steve Grace

There’s something so powerfully inspiring about trees. They enable planet earth to breathe new oxygen, yet for as long as men and women have walked the earth they have provided timber for homes and warmth for every winter since our Genesis beginnings. Trees are a spectacular part of God’s creation.

When our delight is in pursuing God’s law of love and grace, we are like a tree planted firmly by streams of water. Water in the Bible is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit and our desire should be that the fruits of the Spirit are seen in our lives with every new season. That’s what real prosperity is… its not about becoming wealthy and influential and successful in the world’s eyes. It's about knowing who you are in Christ and living every day honouring Him. His laws are profoundly simple; Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love people as much as you love yourself. I like that!

Thanks for travelling with us.

Godspeed,
Steve

BROKEN DREAMS

Our amazing tour trailer took a big hit on the road back from Inverell, NSW. The Bruxner Highway is a shocking road and took its toll on our poor trailer. The main chassis frame of the trailer was fractured badly to the point that the insurance company have written the trailer off. This is bad news for us as it will take a lot to replace our custom built tour trailer. The reality is we have to let it go, move on and believe God for the next season.

Fortunately, our insurance company have helped us to purchase a smaller trailer to get us through this next tour across the Nullarbor plain to Western Australia and back. We will be on the lookout for a future touring trailer as we continue doing ministry.