Arrow Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program Director Cath Tallack has taken a moment to reflect on “Leadership and Loneliness” in their most recent Arrow Leadership blog.
Archives for May 2020
25/5/2020
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13
There is much debate at the moment about Teddy Sheean, whether he should receive a VC or not. Yesterday, while working in the new office we are creating at home, I was listening to the local Christian Radio station and they were speaking about a nurse (May Hayman) who had been a member of St John’s Reid Canberra, who went to Papua New Guinea as a missionary and was executed by the Japanese in 1942, while attempting to reach safety.
She is remembered as a person with a vibrant spirit and a personality through which the love, joy and peace of Christ shone through her. This did not mean that she did not have enemies as the local sorcerer wanted all the Christian missionaries destroyed.
Here is a person who displayed true courage in that she was willing to as a woman of God and of peace strive to bring Christ’s light into dark place fully understanding the possible result.
In coming to work today I came across a small booklet by ABM (Anglican Board of Missions) which outlines not only the missionaries martyred during WWII in the Pacific by the Japanese but also the Melanesian Brothers murdered during the troubles of Solomon Islands.
On a finally note it is interesting that one of the first Japanese people to visit Australia after the war was a Japanese Bishop who brought a small cross which he presented to St John’s Reid as an act of repentance and reconciliation with the people of Australia.
Take a moment today to reflect on your concept of courage.
Godspeed
Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest
22/5/2020
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The challenge in this chapter in Philippians is to rejoice, focus on Christ, allowing Him to work through us and reflect His love, gentleness and goodness to others despite what is happening around us. This then allows God to guard and protect our hearts and minds from the stresses of this fallen world.
There is a prayer in the Book of Hours 1514 Chester Cathedral which is a worthwhile prayer to add into your list of protective prayers. The Book of Hours is a Devotional Book from the Middle Ages which was developed to enable people to undertake daily prayers and worship at home. These Books could be quite ornate and were often personalised.
God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.
May God be wholly with you today.
Godspeed
Rev. Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest
18/5/2020
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
The verse quoted above from Isaiah is also translated as “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (NLT) or “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (NIV)
There is a consistency in these translations which is of note at this time of fear and anxiety for many – if you want peace of mind – you have to focus your mind steadfastly on Christ our Saviour and trust in Him.
There is a great hymn called “May the mind of Christ my Saviour” written by Kate Wilkinson, which speaks of the peace and triumph of focusing on Christ and absorbing His mind, thoughts and personality. Lyrics below.
Take time to focus you mind steadfastly on Christ today, meditating on the words below and letting God’s perfect peace enfold you.
Godspeed
Steve
Eagles Rest
5/5/2020
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37:39-40
If you ever happen to travel through Europe or the United Kingdom on the top of many of the hills there are forts. These are amazing structures and many of them protected the villagers when raiders or ‘the enemy’ came past over the centuries. Kamp Holland the military base I was at in Afghanistan provided us with protection and refuge, when we went “outside the wire” the story was very different.
When reading this Psalm two thoughts came to my mind – one was of a strong fort on a hill providing protection and shelter, the other was the strong grip of a hand holding you from falling providing reassurance and safety. God’s grip is stronger than Tarzan’s Grip and can hold you safe regardless of what is happening.
We do have to do something here – we have to be willing to walk into His stronghold to be able to take refuge. Sitting outside under the shadow of the wall will not save us from the raiders, we actually have to be willing to walk inside and trust Him to protect us.
So if you feel like things are piling up, take the time to speak with God about it and also look around and see if you are “inside or outside the wire” of God’s stronghold.
Godspeed
Rev Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest Ministries
4/5/2020
If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm, though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23
During the weekend Cath and I were out working at Eagles Rest doing maintenance on some of the buildings, so the place is prepared for when we can host people again to benefit from the beauty of God’s blessings and creation out there.
When walking back down the hill with Leita after she had come up to help with one of the tasks, she was finding the slope and uneven ground difficult to walk on and reached out for my hand to help her. Once I took her hand she was able to walk with confidence down the slope.
God has promised to be there for us during the difficult times, he is there with His hand out however we need to be humble enough to realise that we cannot do it on our own and need His help. Peter found this out when he hopped out of the boat and began to sink in the water. Jesus held out HIs hand to help Peter, Peter had to be willing to realise he was out of his depth and reach up and grab Jesus hand to be helped. (Matthew 14:29-31)
If you feel you are stumbling at this time, look at your hands and check out where they are.
Godspeed
Rev Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest Ministries