Easter bursts into our world once a year, causing parents to scramble for chocolate Easter eggs as they pass the checkout line at the supermarket.  Easter is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated events on the Christian calendar, and amongst so many of its teachings, I can’t help but believe that this year one of the greatest messages of Easter is HOPE.

There’s no question that many people today are living in desperation.  Whether here in Australia or in my travels around the world, I come across so many people who are really hurting… gripped in fear… and looking for hope.

You know, the truth is that we are living in a time when so many people are confronted by pressure and seemingly hopeless situations.

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.

Emma Cowan, the Australian girl who was amongst the survivors in the ‘miracle on the Hudson’, is a pastor’s daughter. Her Dad is a pastor of one of our Australian Christian Churches in Western Australia. Maybe everyone else on board ought to be thanking God for at least one praying family? I am sure there were probably more.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” - James 5:16 (NKJV)

Well I got off to a great start yesterday. I was up at 4:30am working on my Sunday morning message but then left for church with my sermon notes on the roof of the car! (Yeah, I know… Mr absent-minded) That book has got my entire year’s messages written into it so I hope it has landed in good hands!

Well, isn’t that a public speakers worst nightmare? (To lose your notes). Afterward, various people dared to suggest that I should lose my notes more often! My message was about financial pressure - “Pressured, but not Stressed”.

Hi all! It was great to host Ed and Lisa Young as our speakers at the Sex, Love and Relationships seminar, we held at Hillsong Church in mid September. They did such a great job too; and then Ed wrote such a kind blog about their time and experiences in Australia, that I thought I would share it with you. Thanks Ed and Lisa!

Can you ever remember a week for international headlines like those we experienced in the past week? Here are just a few attention grabbing examples:

• John McCain: halts presidential campaign for economy crisis talks
  
•  U.N. Head: “Global Financial Crisis Threatens Fight Against Poverty”
  
•  Bush: “Our entire economy is in danger”
  
•  Warren Buffett: “bail out economy or face meltdown”
  
•  Iran’s Ahmadinejad Addresses United Nations, Declares ‘American Empire’ Reaching ‘End of Road’
  
•  EU Warns Iran Nearing Ability to Arm Nuclear Warhead
  
•  North Korea Removes Seals From Nuke Plant, Bars Inspectors
  
•  Russia arrived with its Navy in Venezuela for exercises today; AND
  
•  Russian President Medvedev announces the large scale production of nuclear vessels to begin immediately

I have been away overseas while a drama has unfolded in Australia about Michael Guglielmucci… writer of the song ‘Healer’, which has blessed and encouraged so many people.

Michael has confessed to making up the story that he was diagnosed with a rare form of terminal blood cancer and multiple secondary cancers. This is easily the biggest and most elaborate hoax I have ever personally witnessed. I still am perplexed by it. I have never felt any reason to question the validity of Michael’s story. I guess you don’t greet such horrific news as cancer with cynicism, and it’s a sad day when we have to do that.

I have known Michael’s parents since we were young people ourselves and they are great and genuine people. When Danny called me in 2006 to tell me of his sons illness I felt absolutely lost for words as he sobbed on the telephone. This family did not deserve such utter pain.

I just didn’t have any reason to doubt his story. There were one or two things that were hard to work out such as how anyone could function with multiple broken bones (I was in agony with one broken elbow, but I just thought I must have been a wimp). I saw Michael as an unbelievably gutsy and courageous man who was refusing to just lie down and accept his diagnosis.