Eliminating "Expectation" ... the beginning of being free!

I have had a number of interesting conversations recently regarding relationships ... good and bad ... and I have to admit, relationships are undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of being human. I've surmised that the reason for this is that even if you lived like a hermit, you would have a relationship with yourself. So if you don't love or even like yourself or you don't get along with yourself, you'll still have difficulty living with yourself. Living on my own has taught me this ... when you spend a lot of time with your own thoughts, you can influence yourself in a big way to think negatively (which is often easier) than to think positively about yourself. Too often in this world, a level of "expectation" (the dreaded word) is placed upon us ... from the moment we are conceived to the day we die, other people will project their expectations of how your life should be, could be and would be, if only you lived it their way, thought the way they think and behaved the way they behave. We all do it to each other, everyone is guilty of having at least some expectation of someone else. The unfortunate and often sad truth about the subject of "expectation", is that inevitably, almost undoubtedly, it is guaranteed that you will be disappointed because that person on whom you have placed your own limiting expectation, will be unable to meet it in the way that you initially expected them to ... and even if they do reach the level of expectation, you can almost certainly be sure that they will be unable to sustain it. Why? Because it was never their expectation in the first place and they were not acting out of self actualisation or realisation, but out of obligation to please you!

Get rid of expectation and you will free the people you love to be exactly who they are meant to be. I should clarify that in saying what I have said, I don't mean that we should pursue lawlessness or have liberty to go wild and create havoc. I also don't believe this means that you have to be a doormat or to accept bad behaviour or even abusive behaviour. I do however believe that you need to set your own boundaries and limitations for yourself, that relate specifically to yourself and in this way, you will know when to walk away from something or someone that does not allow you to be free too. It's not an easy thing to explain what I am really thinking ... just ponder it for a while ... and see how it takes effect in you ... eliminate expectation from your life and be free!

Life is for Love

I was thinking the other day about how much Jesus loves us ... he loves us so much that he was willing to sacrafice his life for our sake. That really sat deep with me for a long time because I have often found it very hard to love myself and yet, here was a man who loved me despite all my shortfalls and it really made me think, if Jesus can love me that much, I should at least try to love myself just a little. Self-love for some is really easy and doesn't take much effort ... self-love for me has come at a big price but I'm learning slowly and recently, I have felt convicted by something that I've heard at least twice in the last few weeks ... nothing I do, can make God love me any less .... NOTHING I do, can make God love me any less ... how awesome is that?

Last weekend, I went up to Katoomba with a bunch of good friends for the Reach Out conference to focus on mission in the world. I was so impacted by the people that I met who really have a heart to share Jesus with people from all nations and their stories were inspiring and challenging to the core. Some of the pearls of Godly wisdom that the key speaker, Sunny Philip, said, really made me pause and think ... he said "Say Yes to God, even if you don't understand or know how it is going to happen because I (meaning himself) know a God who is able to make it happen" and "When you come to God, you must come to God in faith and walk in faith" and "Our significance comes from what we let go, and not what we hold on to". So true ...

I am currently doing Part 2 of the "Perspectives Course". I believe that "Perspectives" is a foundational course that will prepare any committed Christian for mission through vital teaching on the history and purpose of God's mission plan, negotiating cross-cultural and language barriers and providing practical tools to effectively take the gospel to the world. Perspectives will open your eyes, strengthen your faith, soften your heart and set your feet firmly in God's word according to his will for you to respond and participate actively in world evangelisation. It opened my eyes to the Great Commission and has given me a world vision beyond my expectations. I fully recommend that anyone who is remotely interested in obeying God's word will invest the time and energy into completing this life changing course.

God Bless you wherever you may be when you read this !

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. (1 John 2:5)

St Matts - 40 Days of Purpose Celebration Dinner : 26 August 2005

In August 2005, St Matts held a 40 Days of Purpose Celebration Dinner at St Patricks Estate attended by members of all congregations ... it was a fun night with lots of entertainment and a lot of good laughs! We even had a surprise visit from "Rick Warren" aka Phil ...



Mars, Paul, Charl & Kerrie



Nadia, Julia & Alex



Rory, Al and me



Eugene & Henke



Phil, Bec and Jo



Karen & Jono



Munds & Nats



Paul & Mands



Paul, Ing & Lisa



Bernd, Mark, Rory and Pete



Josie, Christelle, Bel and Jim



Nic, Ben and Andy



Rachel, Heather and Linda



James and Rach



Jo & Dom



Henke, Eugene, Me & Christelle

Noosh Time Introduction

Noosh Time is a fun place ... a serious place ... a place of interest ... an insight into the "space" inside my head!

Noosh Time is a place to share some thoughts, ideas, suggestions and insights I have on life, love and everything else in between ... join me on the journey or just sit back and contemplate, reflect and ponder things with an open mind, an open heart and a willingness to accept my unique and different point of view!

I read a very interesting quote the other day which has stuck with me, and I think it is something we should all remember ... "The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now." (Rick Warren wrote this in his book "The Purpose Driven Life", pg 128) - A great read if you are wanting answers to the question - "What on Earth am I here for?"

My hope is that God will touch your life and bless you where you sit and as you read this BLOG !

Noosh :o)