Friday 15th October, organisers for the big day arrive to set up and the spirits remain high despite drenching rains, wild winds and the temperature gauge dropping by the minute.  Some equipment can't be set up yet because it's just too windy. Saturday 16th organisers and volunteers start arriving at 7am. Experts say that for every 1000 feet you go up, the mercury drops 2 degrees. Forecast of hail, strong winds and more rain, but the really bad weather is supposed to stay south of the ranges. There's been lots of prayer for "sunshine with a few white puffy clouds over Bridgewater". You may have heard the song......"be careful what you pray for, you just might get it!" Well, although the temperature was cold and the wind was strong, it looked like it was all systems go for the jump day, only problem was that severe weather had delayed planes leaving Melbourne and unless the weather cleared down there, the day would have to be abandoned. A small group of faithful servants went away and prayed some more. To cut a long story short, the day went off extremely well, all 36 parachute jumpers got up and down safely and everyone there had a fantastic time. The awareness and money raised for the Karen was incredible and once again God revealed Himself to me through others. So what did I learn? Prayer can be very specific, so be careful what you pray for and never give up praying. So often we don't see the big picture and this occasion was no exception. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray on all occasions with all sorts of prayers and requests. God's provision is as perfect as His grace. He knows exactly what we need. If we think small and pray small, perhaps we should expect small. So next time you pray, think as big as your imagination will let you and then some. Paul sums it up in the closing verses in his letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 3:20-21. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

It's the question on every football fan's lips. Who will win the 2010 AFL premiership? There's a black and white army of faithful followers who will defend their colours to the end and then there's the rest of the football world that will barrack for anyone but Collingwood. As a Collingwood fan myself, I love to go to the MCG and watch a game of footy and look around at 50,000+ people screaming and cheering for their club with a passion that seems to be barely controllable.

White line fever effects those that don't even play the game and there is another personality that looms inside just waiting to be unleashed by whatever it is that turns on the switch. I too get swept up with the excitement of it all and often stop to ponder if my desire to express my passion for the Lord can ever reach such heights, and wouldn't it be great if all this noise and excitement was created because we were praising Jesus.

But then it strikes me.....When we are sitting next to a fan from the opposition team and cheering madly, they don't hear a word. We can cheer as loud as we like and praise our side but they don't get what we are saying. If anything, they think we are completely mad and should barrack for their side. The same can be said for sharing our faith. If we shout through a megaphone to the world and tell them what we think they need to hear, they won't hear a thing and will probably suggest that their way is a better way. 

Sharing our faith is as much about modelling our lives on Jesus as it is about barracking for Him. So next time you're at the footy, scream 'til your hearts content 'cause the opposition supporters won't barrack for your team, and next time you get to share your faith remember that a gentle whisper or a kind gesture may have a greater effect.