Church Conference

I have just come back from our church conference and I have to say it was FANTASTIC!!!

I found the talks given by Rick Smith really interesting and challenging- particularly the parts about the level of commitment I as a Christian put in. He gave an illustration of a Fish and Chip shop and only buying $2 worth of chips- this is sometimes how we (or I) view Christianity- we only want some bits and not the others- this has really impacted on me because I am guilty of this all the time. He also reinforced the idea that as Christians we need to guard where our hearts are- if they are here then that is what we look and hope for but if our heart is set on God then that is our hope. This is not a new idea to me but it helpful to be reminded of this especially when other stuff in this world threatens to overwealm.

The other great thing about camps like this is getting to hang out with friends- not only friends that I usually hang out with (though this is also really cool) but also with people from the other services (older people, families, etc.), people who I havent seen since last years house party.

The only low point of this weekend was that I was sick for much of it and had lots of work to do. though even then I wasnt as sick as some others.

I love going away to camp but it is always nice to come back and relax in my own house (and sleep in my own bed!!!) Tomorrow it is back to the real world (ie. work).

Augh!

Wow, have you ever had those times when things are going fantastic and smooth and you lul yourself into a false sense of security then when you least expect it and want it, things suddenly blow up and you didnt even see it coming? I seem to be having one of those weeks or actually fortnights. Things at work are a bit crazy other stuff is going haywire and to top it off I have this stupid cold- grrr. Anyway, thats my whinge for the day- yeah yeah- poor Melly and all that nonsense. The reason for writing this is not to have people feel sorry for me it is to write about how I seem to function- when things are going really well I am always thanking God and praising Him then when things go bad I automaticaaly go into 'self' mode and try to sort everything out on my own. When it gets to boiling point (which it rarely does) and I sit there for hours trying to figure out what to do- only then that I stop and think- "Right- you actually CANT do this on your own- you have to rely on God" and then I pray about it and it seems to reduce- I mean the problems are still there but it is like I am able to see through the fog and think it out- it took me a long time to realise this and you would think that I would do this before it gets to this point but with tedeous regularity I try to rely on myself- Not too bright huh!!!

Anyway I am looking forward to the Church Conference coming up this weekend- last year was fantastic and I am sure this year will be just as good- I love spending time with other people from church- particularly those who I dont see very often from other services and just being away from the rest of the world for 2 days- studying God's word and just hanging out- YAY!

Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote- up until recently my life has been completely boring and stress free and have not had anything to write about.