The time is short

So finally, I've come to updating my blog. The delay has been a case of both busyness and laziness, but nonetheless here I am updating it.

What's been happening, well a lot has actually been happened and I can't remember every detail. However it has been a time of testing and perseverance. As my uni degree is closing to a end many issues have come up like, where am i going to live after uni? what am i going to do? PhD or job? in which situation will i be able to serve God the best? what about work placement, can't graduate till i complete 5 more weeks?, How will getting a job or PhD effect my longer term vision of full time ministry? Well in one sense these issues still remain as I am limited to skills in planning, but am slowly working to deal with those struggles.

However, I am persevering and serving the Lord, and hope to do so with the power of prayer and with God's help. Emu Plains Church has been going well, I am encouraged that the clergy are pushing towards mission minded and being a welcoming church. The preaching is faithful to God's word and is provocative in a good way. We recently got a new student minister, and his faithfulness and zeal has been an encouragement. It is truly amazing and thank God that we have partnerships in the Gospel.

Uni ministry has been going good, lots of committed first year student which once again is just great. The staff workers as well have been putting all there energy to growing, training and telling people the Gospel, which is another thing to praise God for. Let they continue is all i can say. Our training time has also been good, we have been looking at the reformation history period, some followup training and biblical theology. I've been really excited to teach biblical theology this semester, and even though the numbers are low, it brings great joy to see those guys developing a better grasp of the bible as whole, the kingdom of God. It has also been really encouraging to meet up with two guys one-to-one to encourage each other and disciple.

Scripture and Youth group have been going well. We started up a Youth group this year and it has been going well. The core group that is there is really keen and excited to look at God's word, we looked at biblical theology last week and the kids were really excited to see God's faithfulness in God's big picture that is found in the bible. I've also been going along to one of the bible studies at church, which has been really good to get to know some people from Church as we fellowship around God's word. God has been faithful this year in giving me opportunities to serve using God given gifts to build the church up in love. I have been really enjoying leading church, in particularly focusing people's on God's word. I also have another opportunity to preach in a few weeks on Joel 2 which i will have to start preparing this Sunday, so come and join me for it.

Now from the different things I do, one might ask, how do i get any uni work done, and besides that fact, i actually do get quiet alot done. I finished last year with first class honours, a GPA of 6, and in the to 10% of uni. However study as never been a real joy for me, and it is a struggle as it gives me a limited time to take all the opportunity for ministry. Nonetheless a balance is life under Christ is wise.

To those who have been reading my blog, know the struggles i had last year, such as the breakup, family situation and etc. However these small struggles are nullified when i think of God's grace and love. Oh i also got a ps3, its great fun. I hope someone still reads this blog.

Anyways, If you would like to pray for me, please pray for continued growth in Christ and trust in Jesus as Lord and pray for the different struggles that i mentioned in the Blog.

There is so much more that i can write down, however much time and many pages would be used to which will most defiantly weary your body reading it. So please do say hello next time you see me, and we can share some time encouraging and praying for each other.

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is Gain." Phil 1:21
God Bless,
Laurence