The Gospel According to the OC!

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

11 girls turned up on Friday lunch. One of whom was completely new!

It's quite funny as the new girls who think it's really cool that we watch the OC have come late both weeks to the group and so have missed out on the OC viewing bit and just get the Bible study - hopefully they will keep coming! Please pray they do.

I think out of the 11 girls 6 are Christians... so that means there are 5 girls I would really love your prayers for that God would bring them into his kingdom! Please pray for the Christian girls that they would come regularly and make it a priority.

Hannah mentioned to me on Friday that when she was at school the Chaplin would bring hot chips to the group - CHIPS n CHATS... and the smell of the chips got many girls in! So I may try this one week instead of doing a Pizza and Talk like last year.

Please also pray as I try to encourage the year 10 girl that this group needs to continue in years to come and get her on board with taking the group on into 2008 - as I will not be around!!!

iGod

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So in 5 weeks time we are launching a YOUTH version of Introducing God... 8 weeks, Friday nights, food, good times and friends!

Please pray for the youth as they start to invite friends along. Please pray for God to be at work in these friends lives that they may say yes to coming along and more importantly say yes to Christ.

Please pray for our 4 week series leading up to iGod, on "The Gospel - the treasure in clay jars!"

Prayer Update - July

Praise God for:

• the birth of my Niece. Liz gave birth to her on the 25th June. I think her name is still to be confirmed but more than likely will be Maisey or Evie! Pray for Toby and Liz as they adjust to the sleeplessness of parenthood and also wisdom to raise her to know and love Jesus!
  
  
• hanging out with Jerry Bridges the other Tuesday - as he spoke in a lounge room with 15 of us, about Perseverance of the saints. He was a great encouragement and loved his 4 G's in Isaiah 8 - GOD, GUILT, GRACE, GRATITUDE... motivation for continuing on in the service of our awesome and holy God!
  
  
• hearing Louie Giglio (from Passion Conf.) speak at the Hillsong Conference. His Indescribable passage really lifted my eyes to the majesty, awesomeness and brilliance of the God who created this universe. He made me look into my heart and reminded me not that I am at the centre of the universe. And he took us back to the wonderous Cross of our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, He is truely the centre of the universe. Also being led by Chris Tomlin & Brook Fraser in singing praises with 10, 000 others to this glorious God was a treat as well.
  
  
  The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork - Psalm 19:1.
  
  
• school holidays, which has allowed me to get ahead on preparation - especially "The Gospel According to the OC" series for Randwick Girls. I have about 4 complete studies.
  
  
• the gift of friendship. Thanks for all of you who uphold me in prayer. For my Christian brothers and sisters who continue to point me to Christ, when I am down, flat, sad, tired, miserable or overjoyed, elated and feeling good.
  But also thank God for the friendships I have with people outside the kingdom. Praise God for Lisa and the gift she is to me in my life, for our trip to the Hunter Valley last week and for opportunities to share Christ.
  
  
• the encouragement of seeing maturity and growth in people at Evening Church. It is God's kindness that he continues to transform his people to the likeness of His Son and gives us the joy to marvel at his hand in peoples lives.
  

Please Ask God for:

• smooth running of the Night Train Course I will be running - 6 Steps to Sharing Jesus. Ask for His sustaining hand to strengthen me as this term looks to be a busy one. Please pray that I would be wise with my time, be faithful and diligent in preparation and loving towards people I serve.
  
  
• my youth group girls, (Caitlin, Chloe, Verity, Suzanna & Ellen) as they soon hit their HSC trials.
  
  
• understanding, insight and creativity to finish a 6 more studies for the OC Series.
  
  
• for wisdom and clarity with decision making re: NEXT YEAR.
  God willing I hope to be at college next year, which means at some point I should go get an application form. Also need to work out where to church if I do go to college (or even if I don't go to college I will need to work this out). What's best for my training? Should I take up the opportunities to see other ministries and church life? Should I stay at Matthias and continue on with the many opportunites here?
  

Romans...

How great is the word of God?
Fantastic... I say!

I have been reading through Romans lately and it's been a real treat...

...especially as we have been going through Galatians at Evening Church and Bible Study - each letter really compliments the other! I have found this particularly helpful in understanding law v spirit & slave v free!

Last night I read chapter 12 of Romans and ahhhh verse 12 is a winner! How true it is that the certainty of hope secured in Christ is reason enough for great joy! REJOICE brothers and sisters as we eagerly await the hope of righteousness!

May this part of Scripture be sweeter than honey to your mouth!