Hi, Akita here - New Year, new day, new opportunities!

Flying Lessons.

It is a new year... and one of my deepest desires is to fly and to find the right spot/area for myself that God wants me. So, here is a flying lesson I learnt at the beach this week, that may get you thinking:

I was walking along the shore when I spotted some funny looking birds in the water. They were not the typical sea gulls but were what appeared to be two dark coloured ducks, both swimming in the Indian Ocean. They got my attention and so I watched them for a while to make sure I was not dreaming.

The two ducks gracefully paddled all the way onto the shore and walked on the sandy beach for a few meters ... where they found a space on the beach that was empty, they made sure this place was in direct sun light, they opened up their wings fully, they allowed a fair bit of time to past for drying, then they moved with their legs along the beach, they jumped off the sand, they flew quite low across the shore, then they lifted and flew higher, and they were last seen high in the sky traveling in the direction of a local swamp land - where they no doubt they are more suited to.

As I saw all this unfold I felt a possible comparison between the ducks and Christians... this is the breakdown:

ducks: swimming in a place not perfect suited for them
us: sometimes floating around not quite in place we are designed to be
ducks: found some space that was not preoccupied
us: should find some space of our own, not on-top of anyone else
ducks: place themselves where the sun could shine on them
us: should place ourselves where the Son can shine on us + remove any moisture
ducks: waited a while in sun to get wings dry and not to stick - ready for flight
us: should wait in a Son-ny place to get equipped ready for flight
ducks: then they moved with their legs
us: begin to move, to help get things going
ducks: they jumped off the sand
us: should take a leap of faith to help get off the ground and start being airborne
ducks: they flew quite low across the shore at first
us: should start flying just above ground, to improve skills, learning, and for safety
ducks: then they tilted their wings and flew higher
us: once we have some experience we may have more movement and go higher
ducks: last seen flying high heading in direction of swamp
us: should be aiming at flying higher than before, and heading to a destination well suited to us individually, a place of purpose.... directed from above.

Stepping out... learning to fly with you,

Akita.
4-1-07

To view past editions of Thrive, click: THRIVE editions

To visit the Oxygen Youth website:

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 - Term 4 is now finished. During the summer holidays we will take a break from regular events... so watch this space + read your church bulletin for upcoming get-togethers.

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

prayer: for the team from Oxygen going to Tanzania in Feb 2007. Prayer for safety, funds, opportunities, effectiveness...etc.

prayer request: for protection for two of our young ladies currently travelling to different locations in Asia, to carry out short mission trips with YWAM. Both would love continued prayer for their protection, guidence, opportunities, and blessings. Both Rebecca and Joanna would like to thank the church for the prayer and financial assistance received last Sunday. Thanks for all the support.
We look forward to their safe return late January, and to hear them share some of their experience on a Sunday morning, once settled.

prayer: for the huge Battle of the Bands rally planned for Bunbury young people in March 2007. Prayer for the working team of this project. Prayer for acceptance into local high schools, tafes, and local uni. Prayer for sponsors to respond positively to requests. So far a good response, but still in need of major sponsors - big requests are going out this week, please pray.
Check out the Elevator website: www.oxygenyouth.com/elevator

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

1 Peter 1 v 13

Therefore, prepare your minds for action;
be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace
to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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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