Over the past week the Lord has arisen the whole area of FEAR. In particular when FEAR stops us living the very way he created us to live. What happens when we experience fear? It paralyses, confuses and makes us doubt the very thing that we hold dear to us. Fear is not something that just fades when you follow Jesus. It seems to always be knocking at your door! But should this be the case? Is this just a fact of being human? or can it be overcome?
Jesus says “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Profound words by a profound King! Maybe we can't get rid of fear completely, but God gives a pretty cool tool to overcome it. "Take Courage." When we think courageously we can do more than we can imagine. Just think of crew that have accomplished enormous tasks, Sir William Wilberforce, Sir Edmund Hilary to name a few. We claim this courage, but i reckon when Jesus says "it is I" he gives a pretty good clue that he is the one who gives us courage if we choose to step out! So as you travel this week, this month, this year may you be drawing on the courage that is already in you just waiting to be released if you are willing! then your fear will dissipate!
God bless ya!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Plodding along the path of a calling!
Well the last three weeks have been tight to say the least! i never thought you could survive with no more than $12.56 in the bank, but we have managed. it wasn't easy though. At time i wanted to ring God's neck, at times i cried and sometimes i just wanted to throw the towel in. But something deep inside my heart said keep going! It reminds me of a great quote from a great missionary of the faith "expect great things from God, attempt great things for God and Plod." Plodding is sometimes the only way to get to the goal or whatever your heading too. Plodding is hard yakka and takes sacrifice, willingness to be open to anything and always remembering why you are doing or attempting the things for God that you are.
The plodding journey will continue and with a bit of light shining through by way of a great mate who has given me a door in some landscaping work that is flexible in time with CS work and so i will plod another day! By the way that quote comes from a guy called William Carey!(google him) He certainly expected, attempted and more than anything plodded to the God given goal that was in his heart!
God bless and have a great day!
The plodding journey will continue and with a bit of light shining through by way of a great mate who has given me a door in some landscaping work that is flexible in time with CS work and so i will plod another day! By the way that quote comes from a guy called William Carey!(google him) He certainly expected, attempted and more than anything plodded to the God given goal that was in his heart!
God bless and have a great day!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
NEW CHANGES HAPPENING!
Hey Crew,
Just wanting to ask for your prayers as there are a few changes happening in Liana and i's life. Our Good friends and neighbours Andy and Jessi have been led to aldinga and so we will have a vacancy next to us. this is a change because of the open house community vibe we had going and with a stranger moving in we still want to carry on this vibe! We also are wanting to transfer across to Andy and Jessi's house because with our open house ministry growing we would really benefit with the backyard and extra space. So please get your prayer on as these changes are happening soon!
God Bless
Just wanting to ask for your prayers as there are a few changes happening in Liana and i's life. Our Good friends and neighbours Andy and Jessi have been led to aldinga and so we will have a vacancy next to us. this is a change because of the open house community vibe we had going and with a stranger moving in we still want to carry on this vibe! We also are wanting to transfer across to Andy and Jessi's house because with our open house ministry growing we would really benefit with the backyard and extra space. So please get your prayer on as these changes are happening soon!
God Bless
Faithfully Report what you see!
"Faithfully report what you see (Rev 1:2)" these are the words that seem to be speaking to my heart! if i am to faithfully report what i see i will see people encouraged, challenged and inspired. The reason being because what i am seeing is God moving so powerfully in lives all the time.
Its such a journey when it comes to following the LORD completely with every aspect our lives. When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him he demands our whole self. A challenge that even after serving in ministry for over 10 years can really be hard at times. Sometimes the allure of the world and following a 'normal' path can sometimes get the better of you. its funny though cos as we serve in CS its not long until God brings something into our path that does assure us that there is no greater path than the one of obedience. And when things boil things down obedience is where true life lies. If you can say that you are obedient to the one who loves your obedience you will find life!
For Liana and i this obedience has seen us stretched and tested all the way! a word was given to me by that said "i was bruised reed, but i would not be broken and that God was proud of my obedience". these words pierced my heart and was certainly the reminder that God really did know where i was at. He is totally aware of how i am trying to serve him and he is proud. What a testament to God who is alive and well when a complete stranger can bring you to tears by his obedience. This was what this man saw in me and he faithfully reported it to me!
What i need to faithfully report to you all who have supported us is that God is alive and he breaking into new lives all the time. And the season that i am currently experiencing is one that is seeing God revealing himself completely and whispering that "i love you." I have had the privilege of seeing this a number of times in the last few months and it brings you no greater joy to see one of God children be awakened to the fact that God is wanting them. these awakenings are happening all the time of late, and i guess the challenge is to see these awakenings grow to maturity and then produce a harvest that carries on into new lives. I guess this is the question of true discipleship.
Yesterday i was chatting to a pastor that had a refreshing view of discipleship. It wasn't about a program, a method or a strategy, but was just about doing life together! he said he didn't care how this was done, but said as long as in 12 months time he saw people grow thats all he cared about! As i reflect on this i realize that if we do just do life together we are going to see growth. When discipleship comes as naturally as this it becomes the very fibre of our being rather than something we just learn. Often discipleship is seen as a chore, and as far as i can see Jesus was just hanging with friends that he loved and new that if he was just to hang with them they would grow. Imagine if discipleship became just as naturally as this. I think we would see a lot more of growth!
Keep praying for us as we enter this next season which presents great opportunity to see God come even more alive in hearts and lives of new people we meet along the way!
Bless ya heaps!
Justin Monaghan
Its such a journey when it comes to following the LORD completely with every aspect our lives. When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him he demands our whole self. A challenge that even after serving in ministry for over 10 years can really be hard at times. Sometimes the allure of the world and following a 'normal' path can sometimes get the better of you. its funny though cos as we serve in CS its not long until God brings something into our path that does assure us that there is no greater path than the one of obedience. And when things boil things down obedience is where true life lies. If you can say that you are obedient to the one who loves your obedience you will find life!
For Liana and i this obedience has seen us stretched and tested all the way! a word was given to me by that said "i was bruised reed, but i would not be broken and that God was proud of my obedience". these words pierced my heart and was certainly the reminder that God really did know where i was at. He is totally aware of how i am trying to serve him and he is proud. What a testament to God who is alive and well when a complete stranger can bring you to tears by his obedience. This was what this man saw in me and he faithfully reported it to me!
What i need to faithfully report to you all who have supported us is that God is alive and he breaking into new lives all the time. And the season that i am currently experiencing is one that is seeing God revealing himself completely and whispering that "i love you." I have had the privilege of seeing this a number of times in the last few months and it brings you no greater joy to see one of God children be awakened to the fact that God is wanting them. these awakenings are happening all the time of late, and i guess the challenge is to see these awakenings grow to maturity and then produce a harvest that carries on into new lives. I guess this is the question of true discipleship.
Yesterday i was chatting to a pastor that had a refreshing view of discipleship. It wasn't about a program, a method or a strategy, but was just about doing life together! he said he didn't care how this was done, but said as long as in 12 months time he saw people grow thats all he cared about! As i reflect on this i realize that if we do just do life together we are going to see growth. When discipleship comes as naturally as this it becomes the very fibre of our being rather than something we just learn. Often discipleship is seen as a chore, and as far as i can see Jesus was just hanging with friends that he loved and new that if he was just to hang with them they would grow. Imagine if discipleship became just as naturally as this. I think we would see a lot more of growth!
Keep praying for us as we enter this next season which presents great opportunity to see God come even more alive in hearts and lives of new people we meet along the way!
Bless ya heaps!
Justin Monaghan
God morning down in beachport as i served with a surfer coaching for 6 days!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
He is Risen! Easter 2011
Well just wanted to keep getting the news out there to all you who support the ministry of Christian Surfers in SA. Its been a massive couple of months in the life of CS in SA. Highlighted by the Annual Tribal Gathering in which over 150 surf missionaries gathered in Victor Harbor over this past easter! We also have seen God really open up some 'secret doors' into lives in the surf community. Liana and I have had some time off since easter, but are ready and raring to go as we head into the back half of 2011.
EASTER 2011
Over this past easter Liana and i had 18 months of planning and hard work come together as South Australia hosted the 29th Annual Gathering of the Christian Surfers Tribe. A time that was that super hectic, but very rewarding at the same time. This was my first tribal gathering which i felt like i was in overdrive and sometimes wasn't really sure what was happening around me. I did know that the promises that God had given me about the gathering was happening even though i could not see them all the time. A real lesson to me actually as i now reflect. So often we strive, work hard and put our energy into something and look for outward signs of this hard work paying off. For some kind of recognition of your hard work! God taught me that i was wrong to look for such recognition and i just need to rest in the fact that God, my heavenly father was proud of me all along. A lesson that only rings true to me as i write this blog.
As this easter weekend rolled on i was able to see my brothers and sisters of the surf get inspired, challenged and pumped about being part of such a cool family! the CS family is exactly that. A group of people that meet once a year and yet we can just be who we are. And that is loved by Christ and redeemed by his Love. To be part of that environment really is what Jesus was talking about when he said "they will know they are my disciples (followers) by the way they love one another."
This years gathering while i spent most of the time with clip board in hand rather than surf board in hand i was able to reflect on some real moments of God's Glory just being present. One of these was when local board rider accepted a gift from CS at our community surf film night. To see the gratitude in his eyes and to hear the heart warming words that were said reminded me of what CS is all about! Another was when at dawn of a sunday we gathered on a beach called Kings to proclaim that the King has risen and to proclaim this in an awesome time of worship, prayer and the symbol of cross in the beauty of the Kings creation (see pic). And finally a communion service in which 150 surfers were united by the light of 150 candles which burned stronger and brighter when united! Memories that will forever will be entrenched in our hearts and will be the igniters until we meet again in 2012 in Queensland!
Whats Next...
Well after literally recharging after Easter Liana and i are waiting and praying through our next direction. We are confident that in seeking God he will show us the path to walk! Liana is currently looking and praying through going into a semester of full time study to bring her degreed to completion quicker. I am heading into winter season, which is always hard as we lose surf coaching work and have to rely on doors to open up. Some of which are starting to be revealed by way of my surf judging commitments, strategies for finance and other opportunities! The next stage for me in CS is a South East camp in June, Working at the Pro Junior in July and a potential mission coordinators gathering in July also!
So thats about it crew! thanks for your support and prayer and we look forward to being able to faithfully report all that God is showing and doing through us as we are salt to the people in which we find ourselves journeying with!
EASTER 2011
Over this past easter Liana and i had 18 months of planning and hard work come together as South Australia hosted the 29th Annual Gathering of the Christian Surfers Tribe. A time that was that super hectic, but very rewarding at the same time. This was my first tribal gathering which i felt like i was in overdrive and sometimes wasn't really sure what was happening around me. I did know that the promises that God had given me about the gathering was happening even though i could not see them all the time. A real lesson to me actually as i now reflect. So often we strive, work hard and put our energy into something and look for outward signs of this hard work paying off. For some kind of recognition of your hard work! God taught me that i was wrong to look for such recognition and i just need to rest in the fact that God, my heavenly father was proud of me all along. A lesson that only rings true to me as i write this blog.
As this easter weekend rolled on i was able to see my brothers and sisters of the surf get inspired, challenged and pumped about being part of such a cool family! the CS family is exactly that. A group of people that meet once a year and yet we can just be who we are. And that is loved by Christ and redeemed by his Love. To be part of that environment really is what Jesus was talking about when he said "they will know they are my disciples (followers) by the way they love one another."
This years gathering while i spent most of the time with clip board in hand rather than surf board in hand i was able to reflect on some real moments of God's Glory just being present. One of these was when local board rider accepted a gift from CS at our community surf film night. To see the gratitude in his eyes and to hear the heart warming words that were said reminded me of what CS is all about! Another was when at dawn of a sunday we gathered on a beach called Kings to proclaim that the King has risen and to proclaim this in an awesome time of worship, prayer and the symbol of cross in the beauty of the Kings creation (see pic). And finally a communion service in which 150 surfers were united by the light of 150 candles which burned stronger and brighter when united! Memories that will forever will be entrenched in our hearts and will be the igniters until we meet again in 2012 in Queensland!
Whats Next...
Well after literally recharging after Easter Liana and i are waiting and praying through our next direction. We are confident that in seeking God he will show us the path to walk! Liana is currently looking and praying through going into a semester of full time study to bring her degreed to completion quicker. I am heading into winter season, which is always hard as we lose surf coaching work and have to rely on doors to open up. Some of which are starting to be revealed by way of my surf judging commitments, strategies for finance and other opportunities! The next stage for me in CS is a South East camp in June, Working at the Pro Junior in July and a potential mission coordinators gathering in July also!
So thats about it crew! thanks for your support and prayer and we look forward to being able to faithfully report all that God is showing and doing through us as we are salt to the people in which we find ourselves journeying with!
Surf Film Night - A great community night which saw surfers come and be stoked by a great event!
Presenting local board riders a gift of blessing from behalf of Christian Surfers Australia
Sunday Morning Paddle Out at Kings Head, HE IS RISEN!
CSA Tribal Gathering 2011 - The crazy, full of life tribe we spent easter leading!
Bless ya heaps!
Justin and Liana Monaghan
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
How great is our God. All Glory to he!
The Lord is so Good! He leads us into new mercies each day and he gives us opportunity to be his hands and his feet! This last month has been filled with Mountains of Everest height as well as valley's that truly have been testing to say the least.
Over the past month i have seen surfers come into a new relationship with Jesus and have had the privilege of leading them on this walk. I have served with my CS brothers deep into the heart of the states best surfers and have had an amazing wife that has supported me all the way!
Psalm 117 is all I have to say!
Bless ya heaps!
Surfing SA Judges @ Pondalowie Bay, Yorke Peninsula
Rockpools! 6ft and pumping! one of the perks!
A day in the life of the Head Judge of Surfing SA
Friday, January 28, 2011
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