Aid

There is a bumper sticker that reads "Life is fragile, handle with prayer". Though I've never been a big fan of bumper stickers, nor does my car boast any cheesy sayings or words of wisdom, there is still something so profound about the immovable truth that this particular phrase holds...

Japan has once again awakened us to the fragility of life, the power of a day and the uncertainty of these times we are living in. Our hearts have been stretched and continually broken as we watch the Earth around us respond with great power and destruction. The most recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami has killed hundreds, it has ruined entire towns, thousands are missing and the aftereffects and consequence of this natural disaster are still unfolding before our very eyes.

Psalm 90.12 says "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (NLT)

Hey Gorgeous Girls,

It is only 8 days till the opening night of COLOUR 2011 in Sydney and we are so excited about not only hosting you but hopefully your team and friends. We are bathing the conference in prayer (and crazy preparation) and have great expectation that God will do what only He can do in your personal world and in this growing and maturing SISTERHOOD.

The crumbled steeple of the Christchurch Cathedral, once a proud monument that towered above the city, lies in ruins - a symbol of the devastation we have seen over the past week. Growing up in New Zealand, I remember standing high above the city in the steeple lookout, as so many others have since its construction. It has been a place of worship, a place of refuge and a symbol of the strength of the New Zealand people for over 150 years.

On Tuesday, 22 February, a powerful earthquake struck the picturesque town of Christchurch, and the tower of beautiful stone that we once knew, now lies among the wreckage. New Zealand is my country of birth and our hearts ache as we watch the aftermath of this recent tragedy unfold on the news. Today, the death toll has reached 145 people and hundreds are still missing. More than 600 rescue workers have worked around the clock for six days - hoping and praying that they might still get a miracle and pull survivors from the wreckage.

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.”

What a great promise and hope we have in knowing that God is above all circumstance and that regardless of our lot in life, we can be steadfast knowing our soul has an eternal purpose and destination.

This week we were blessed to receive two letters of commendation from both the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, and the Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek; thanking Hillsong Church for supporting both the Premiers Appeal and clean up initiative, after the floods in Brisbane. I was even told that Mrs Bligh listened to the Hillsong Music recording in her office before ‘penning’ this letter!

Happy New Year. What an incredible thought, a NEW year. 2011 holds many unrealised opportunities and unforeseen circumstances. It holds so much intention and so much life. So much hope and so much promise. Yet, for some in our very own country, the first 2 weeks of 2011 has held great disappointment and tragedy.

The government has declared a state of emergency in parts of Queensland and NSW. Rivers are overflowing as rain falls in unprecedented amounts, leaving behind disastrous results. The police chief described flash flooding in one area of Queensland today as an ‘inland tsunami’. A literal WALL of water rushed through the town, taking many by surprise. People have lost their lives, many are missing; by the weekend they say 5 of 7 Australian states could be affected by flooding and the human toll is only expected to increase.

I have had the great privilege of leading our movement, The Australian Christian Churches (AOG) for the past 12 years. When the Victoria Bushfires began nearly two weeks ago, I was thrilled to hear that nearly forty of our own chaplains had gathered so quickly to minister Christ’s love to those in some of the most affected areas.

These men and women of God were there at a time when many heard the tragic news of their deceased loved ones, and came to the realization of lost property and business.

To date, this is Australia’s worst-ever national disaster, and has caused so much grief, shock and sorrow to our nation. Yet, on the same scale, it has also highlighted what a generous people Australians are at times of crisis.

Hope and faith remain, along with heroic stories and the Aussie spirit, even as the devastating news continues to come from the decimated communities of country Victoria. The bushfires continue to burn as more and more people are coming to terms with the magnitude of this disaster, and the enormity of their loss.

Currently, there are over forty chaplains representing our movement, the Australian Christian Churches, on the ground in some of the worst areas of Melbourne.  My hope is to visit them next week, along with the Victorian President of the ACC, Alun Davies, to pray with them, encourage and thank them for their great commitment and response.  I am so encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from our church family, and the tireless effort of incredible people lending a hand, and giving of their time and gifts to come alongside.

As Australians it is impossible (and unthinkable) to ignore the tragedy that has so recently devastated the state of Victoria. The recent bushfires have claimed too many lives, and changed the face of some communities forever.  Too many people have lost homes, and too many people are now facing the heartbreaking task of rebuilding their lives without loved ones.  Our hearts and prayers are with all of those affected by these horrible fires.