Hi, Akita here - looking forward to the weekend!

40 Weeks.

Why do some things take a long time to come to fulfillment?
This reminds me of pregnancy; you have to wait 40 weeks before you have the baby, hold it, look at its face, + hear its cry. If you or your wife has ever been pregnant you know that the 40 weeks can drag on, and the last few weeks seem endless. (That 40 number keeps jumping up, doesn't it.)

What I found difficult was knowing I was going to have a baby, but having to go through the long process and waiting for it to arrive.

When you are promised something it is hard to wait, as you want it now. It's like someone saying "I have a present for you today, but I won't give it to you for a few more weeks, when it is your birthday."..... aughhhh. This example would just about kill any kid! It can seem like torture; waiting..... but there tends to be a reason behind the waiting/process. Things are developing, growing, and experiences are occurring that may be needed before the promise arrives.

I wanted to intervene and make the baby come out earlier. I wanted to see it's face as soon as possible. It would not of been ready or fully developed but the desire to "have it now" was quite overwhelming. Thankfully I did not take to my bulging belly with a stanley knife.. and with due time (not my timing) the baby arrived and all was well.

Abraham desperate for the fulfillment of God's promise to have a child, he sleeps with Sarah's maid and has a child by her; Ishmael - which caused great division + anguish for Abraham's family + Ishmael ended up being the nation that opposed Israel. Later, Abraham's wife gave birth to a child in her old age. Boy, did Abraham make a big mistake, by rushing ahead.

An understandable mistake... but still a mistake. If something is promised to you... it can be difficult not to fight for it, or peruse it, or help it to eventuate.

I am one who can't wait to see the baby..... I have a picture in my head and I want it as soon as possible thank you! But we must learn and accept that during that time/pregnancy/process there must be time for development and preparation for the outcome/project/promise/baby to be birthed into a prepared and ready environment... otherwise it may not be successful ... or we may end up like Abraham creating a rod for our own backs. Ouch.

.....learning with you.

Blessings,

Akita.
2-11-06

To view past editions of Thrive, click: THRIVE editions

To view some camp photos, or listen to the camp sermons online, or to enter the Oxygen monthly competition, visit the site to enter:

If you have any praise points, encouragement, favourite verses, or short teachings you wish to share... please send me an email (I know there are some out there) and we will try to include.

BV Youth - New term planner out, for term 4, for all Bunbury Vineyard youth. Keep an eye out for the planer. Lots planned - heaps of fun + challenges!!

ROC 11+ - Next ROC 11+ activity will be Q+As @ G+As on Sunday the 12th of November. Bring some food, friends, questions, and praise points.

Tomatoes - On Friday the 10th of Novemeber. 7-9pm. ALL welcome. @ church.

Prayer - every Sunday afternoon, 5-6pm @ church.

Oxygen - Next event will be on THIS Saturday the 4th November, held at Bunbury Vineyard Church, opp Old Silos, pre-show 4-6pm, then a $2 sausage sizzle, then the main-show 7:30pm-9:30pm. Bring your friends and your football. To view the dvd clip for this event go to the oxygen website... under the STUFF menu.

Friday Nite Live - 24th Nov @ CCC Bunbury, all welcome to attend this youth service. Who knows what to expect!!!! Come along.

praise Him praise Him: Today we had confirmation that we were successful in recieving a $3,000 grant from the Bunbury Recreation Entertainment Centre, for the Oxygen March music/rally planned. Thank you Lord..... with providing us favour, and assisting us since we took a step of faith + action.... you are amazing!

praise point: Man, camp was awesome. Thanks for the prayer! There were many healings, commitments, break-throughs, prophetic words, + more. Wonderful time with great: guest speaker, activities, worship, fellowship, teachings...etc Thank you all who served, attended, and those who covered it with prayer.

prayer request: for protection + financial support for a local youth named Joanne. Jo feels called to attend and serve in an upcoming YWAM mission. She has asked for prayer for safety as well as assistance financially, for the Summer of Service mission to Thailand in January 2007, with YWAM. If you would like further info on this please email myself. Thanks.

prayer: for the huge salvation rally planned for young people in March 2007.

prayer: for all the local school Chaplains out there doing His business.

.... if you have any requests you would like added here, please email me, contact details below.

Proverbs 16 v 32

Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Please feel free to forward this email-newsletter to friends + family.

Akita Olsen - Youth Pastor
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
Office phone: (08) 9721 3379
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

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