Response (Induction)

Thankful to be here

so good to finally be here

Thankyou to Maddy and the pastors from the launceston area for coming today

Thankyou to friends and family for making the trip

The Journey

When Maria and I started 2021 we had in mind that we would be having a baby but not that the Lord would have these kinds of plans for us.

I found myself repeating the line in my Journal “My life and my leadership I lay down for your kingdom”

and later “I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

As it became clear that it was time to leave hobart and put our roots down somewhere else. I feel I have grown a little wiser in what Jesus meant when he said that the kingdom of God is here but not yet. To know the next step in our journey but it just took 4 months to take it.

In that time we have managed a new born, decluttering our house (with 3 kids that is a big mission), put it up for sale, managed an increased work load at citywide, bought a house in Newstead and sold our house in hobart. Sadly we have also lost a grandfather and friend who went to be with the lord.

We knowledge that your prayers for us in this time have been significate, thank you and continue to pray as we settling in to a new home later in the year.

The call and this journey is testiment of Gods faithfulness and provision.

The River

Each time I thought of todays response I have had the image of a river stuck in my mind.

Key passages come to mind

The New International Version (Chapter 47)

Ezekiel 47:1–12 - River coming from the temple

Revelation 22:1 (NIV)

… the river from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Psalm 23:1–2 (NIV)

he leads me beside quiet waters,

The image of the river is interesting to me as I thought I where I have been and my interest in the out doors.

The almost 20 years, growing up in Wynyard there were many times of enjoying the Inglis River. I enjoyed running along the river edge, swimming in it, fishing and kayaking along it. In fact the river flows not far from my parents property, we would enjoy seeing how much it had flooded in the winter aswell as the creek that flowed into it which run through the property.

When I moved to Hobart we had the Derwent River, can’t say I spent much time swiming in it but certainly looked at it alot. When I first started in hobart I lived in a green house in Dynnyrne not far from From UTAS Sandy Bay which I was attending. Now the green house was right named as it was a bright green house, you could actually spot it as you went over the Tasman bridge because of how bright green it was. I had an amazing veiw of the river and we would often watch the yatch racing across it. The River just looked so alive and a beacon as much as the mountian is.

Now in Launceston I discover we are surrounded by rivers, The South Esk, the Tamar and next to Newstead the Norht Esk. The three meeting together, the trinity.

Last year I read a great book called River Dwellers: Living in the Fullness of the Spirit by Dr Rob Reimer. Infact I just ordered a hard copy from the koorong store in Launy, sorry hobart friends. As this is a book I want to read annually about making sure I am always dwelling with the spirit, in my descision making and leading. I need God on this journey and to not get out of the river and doing things in my own strength.

The book reminded me of a word of encouragement that was given to me and 2 other guys (Sam and Alex Chee, Meeting Alex and Jenna for the first time here at Newstead) as we represented Tassie Baptist in a 2 year discipleship course with 3DM. The encouragement was that how ever deep we get in the river, God would be with us, we just have to take the first step.

Kind of echoing the lyics from the song oceans by Hillsong

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior

More recently Maria and I have resinated with the Song: In Over My Head by Jenn johnson which feels more apprate for this season we are in.

So All this to say I am excited to be here. I can see that God is already doing some great work in Launceston, and I look forward to getting in the river with you. We all have a call to step deeper with our Lord into His faithfullness and the river banks will be blessed from us doing so.

Can I finish with a blessing from Jeremiah 17:7-8 and a prayer

Read from the bible

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Prayer

God, You reign above all! You are above all things and You hold all things together. Your name is Holy, Your words bring life and healing. You make known to us the paths that lead to life! Help us step a little deeper. All praise belong to you alone! In Jesus name, as Scripture has said, may rivers of living water flow from within us. Continue to build your kingdom here we pray, amen

Build your kingdom here

If you have noticed in the songs Wendy is trying to burn the church down, I just trying to add some water to todays medaphors. But our last song is a great one a real athem for the church.