A name is always associated with …?
Friday 11th March 2022
I was having my first coffee for the day at the desk in my study on Saturday morning. As I was going over my idea of what the day would be like, my cricket-fanatic-of-a-son came towards me with a tone in his voice that, I knew, is going to alter the course of the day: Dad…Shane Warne has died…! My son turned from Sanguine to Melancholic in one news report. My heart sank…not just for my son…but a bit for myself, the Warne offspring and everybody that had the benefit of balancing their behinds on the edge of a seat as Shane Warne dismantled the greatest defences in cricket.
I started following Shane Warne’s anticks in the early ‘90’s. At first, I held a deep-seated disdain towards him as I saw him make a mockery of my beloved cricket team – The Proteas from South Africa. I saw him gain weight…and loose it again. I saw him get dropped and be selected again. I saw him – through the eyes of the press – go through several transformations throughout the years.
If you track his transformations, you will see a very interesting phenomenon: As his values changed, his behaviour subsequently followed. What are values?
Value: The worth of something in the light of the number of other things for which it can be exchanged.
When we are young our values are fluid and its fluency is reflected in our words and deeds. As we grow older we gain perspective on life. As we gain perspective we start to analyse things in terms of their importance for us. Later on we tend to crystalize values into a handful of non-negotiable principles or habits that drive our behaviour. One of the definitions for maturity is the ability to make decisions based on your values and not on your immediate desires.
‘When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NIV
That’s Warney’s story…that’s yours and my story. A journey of discovering values. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians distils his values down to three concepts: Faith, Hope and Love. I can name a celebrity, and you would probably be able to identify their values fairly quickly – should they be portrayed accurately in the media.
That is the same with our movement… As we approach the naming of the movement and it’s different entities, we want it to be representative of the very same values that made us who we are. We love who we have been and been growing to be. It is therefore important to identify, celebrate and protect our core values:
BEING WELCOMING
Our people are friendly, inclusive and make you feel like you belong.
WE ARE LOVING
We value individuals based on their worth, being created in the image of God.
BEING HOPEFUL
We are filled with positive expectations for the future, and we are a demonstration of Christ’s light in the world.
WE ENJOY SERVING
We are caring and kind and understand that our purpose is to serve. Serving people validates them and grows us to maturity.
BEING HUMBLE
We are humble and understand that God is in control of everything. Therefor we can create room for all to enjoy life without feeling threatened or insecure.
Values are not just a good set of principles or habits, but they go far in helping you assess the value you add to society. Be bold…ask the value question: If I do this (fill in the blank) …. what value would I represent? Let’s bring our values to the front as we pursue to be who He has called us to be! If the challenge of choosing values seems daunting, here’s a good place to start:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt. 6:33 NIV
FUSE Youth | Tonight
This week at FUSE Youth is Time Trials and you will be competing against the clock in teams to win the Time Trials Title! Epic prizes, good food and a whole lot of competitiveness is included. Bring a friend and we will see you there!
Details:
- Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick Vic 3806
- Cost: $5
Sunday Service | Worship in Heavenly Places
When it comes to worship, many New Testament believers will approach God in an Old Covenant fashion. What do you think is the difference a revelation of the New Testament would have on our worship experience? On this Sunday we will spend time discovering the enormous difference this revelation has on our worship of God…and apply it!
If you can't make it Sunday in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 10am.
Kids Church | Joshua wins the battle over the Amalekites
Join us in person or online 10am this Sunday at Kids Church
PREP – GRADE 6 | Joshua Wins the Battle Over the Amalekites
Work together to help someone succeed | Exodus 17:8-13
WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | Everyone can be friends with Jesus
Matthew the Tax Collector | Matthew 9:9-12
Kids Church Pick Up | Important Info
- Our structured Kids Church Program finishes at 11:20am after which we will engage in planned games, parents/carers are most welcome to come and pick up their child(ren) once the service is over, preferably not before 11:20.
- Due to the limited number of Kids Ministry Team members, and a growing number of children each week we are looking for volunteers to join us to provide a great program for the expanding community.
If you have a heart to see kids flourish in the Lord, are patient and can cope with a little energetic noise then please come and chat with me out in the Kids Church area after Sunday services.
Thanks heaps!
Blessings, Glennie
Y&Y Service | Stand Up
Youth and Young Adult Service – Sunday, 13th March at 5:30pm
Guest speaker: Graeme Cann
Grab some dinner and come back after the service to connect with our Young Adult community.
Boys Brigade | 14 March 2022
There are no Boys Brigade programs running due to it being a Public Holiday. See you next week!
Partners Gathering | Sunday 27th March
We are looking forward to meeting up with our partners.
Details:
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor