BLT Plus 2008

Tomorrow evening begins BLT Plus 2008. I've been asked to chair a couple of the sessions and I feel quite under-prepared for my chairing! But I know that God is good and faithful and will be at work within me to help me finish my chairing (hopefully tonight).

In the meantime, here are some prayer points that you could be praying for us this weekend.

Praise points:

• Praise God for the power of His gospel to change and transform lives. That though we were once his enemies and without mercy, we are now His chosen people and have been shown great mercy.
• Praise God for another opportunity to gather in Brisbane/Qld to hear God's word faithfully and passionately taught
• Praise God for the chance to grow in our understanding of how to teach and apply scripture faithfully

Petition:

• Pray for Steph and I - I've been recovering from a cold, and Steph is coming down with a cold.. Pray that God would sustain her through the busy weekend and that she would not crash too hard when we get home.
• Pray for my chairing sessions - pray that I would be godly and faithful in my speech and help point people towards Christ and His glory in my leading.
• Pray for the delegates there, for soft hearts to hear God's word and for encouragement in our speech and conduct towards each other.

Thanks all!
Steven

P.S - I've posted up some thoughts on the upcoming release of the ESV Study Bible over on my Salteee blog. Check it out!

Brisbane Leadership Training 2008

Come and update yourself :)





Or learn how to write nourishing bible studies




I'm telling ya...there's more to BLT than you might think...




Seriously...it's great!

BLT & YF Committee Retreat

Brisbane Leadership Training - 2007

I don't know whose idea it was for us to head up to Coolum at 6:00am (probably Steph's since she was doing the transport arrangements!) but we headed up early with Clifton and Betty (from a Gold Coast church). I was pleasantly surprised by the campsite even if the beds were designed for 10 year olds...

Michael Raiter and Eugene Hor, the two camp speakers, took us through the books of Judges and Revelations respectively. Each of them gave us powerful words to reflect upon and seek to change our lives in order to live, as the camp theme suggested, lives of 'No Compromise'. It was a powerful weekend with these particular highlights from the talks standing out:

• This history throughout the time of Judges is abominable. But also a massive reminder of how much God loves his people and how faithful he is to them, despite their unfaithfulness.
• The mark of the beast in Revelation 13 is not a physical mark in the future, but another way of saying 'God knows which people are his' (cf Ezekiel 9:4). And when we realise that the second beast's game is a game of deception, we should remember that even in our churches today there are people who bear the mark of the beast and not the mark of the lamb.

There was much more to the talks also, and I look forward to reviewing my notes and re-listening to the talks (should they be put up somewhere online - watch this post).

It was an excellent week of catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, challenging talks and workshops, and also great food. Next year we'll be pushing for a wider range of generation participation, the youth and the elders/deacons to come and receive this great encouragement and training.

I'll also not forgot the fun conversation that I had with Winston, Eugene, Ying Yee, Chris and Fi over party pies at 1:30am. What a crazy night!

The picturesque surrounds of BLT 2007

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YF Committee Retreat

A few weeks later, and just down the road from Luther Heights where BLT was held, we had our annual YF Committee Retreat. The purpose of the retreat was to gather the Committee, pray, study God's word and plan the semester for YF. This year there were a few changes to our regular retreats; we didn't have the privilege of having Steve and KY there for the whole duration and we extended the weekend from Friday night to Monday morning (instead of Sun afternoon).

That said, it was an encouraging time away and whilst I (Steven) was in the kitchen for the most part, it was good to listen into the thoughts and planning of the new committee members. This year is shaping up to be an exciting one, so pray with us that this be so!

Some samples from the menu...

Mee Goreng served with steamed Bok Choy

Steven's Spanish Eggs

Tomato Focaccia served with Cheeses,
Deli Meats and Sundried Tomatoes