Hi, Akita here - looking forward to the New Year!

Boxing Day Test Match.

I was watching the Boxing Day Test Match (cricket game) earlier in the week, with excitement. I sit in a comfy couch in the lounge room not far from my Boonie + Beefy talking dolls, and watch the tv screen like a transfixed zombie.

The match was being held in Melbourne (MCG).. miles away from where I live in Bunbury. It was the first day of the match and we had around 30 degrees plus in Bunbury and I was wearing summer clothes and had our fans on full boar and it was still hot. I tried not to move very much due to the heat.

The cricket match was delayed at the beginning of the game because in Melbourne they were having rain. Although there was no play for a while I found myself still sitting there watching the MCG being rained on, I saw all the ground staff in rain coats, listened to the commentators talk about how cold it was, and watched the players sitting around wearing their long sleeved jumpers.

After a while of being fully absorbed by the cricket commentators and looking at endless scenes of rain I found myself feeling a bit cold and thinking that I should be going to get a jumper. I was about to hop out of the lounge room to go get my jumper when I questioned my thoughts. It was then that I realised how I had listened about the cold rainy conditions, that I believed it to be true for myself as well. I fell for it, I had listened to so much negativity and coldness that I took it on for myself - dangerous.

What funny humans we are, that what is said on the TV, in the movies, or on the phone does influence us and can change something from one extreme to another. In our life we can obviously be affect by others and comments, and this may take us off the path of reality and truth. Guess we must be careful of who we are listening to, and make sure we have a balance... not just listening to one negative person all day long, if we wish to remain on the right path. Watch what you are watching, and listen to what you are listening to.

Blessings,

Akita.
28-12-06

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 - 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 + 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 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.

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

Proverbs 14 v 15

A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

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

If somebody has forwarded this email to you and you'd like to subscribe, please visit www.bunburyvineyard.org.au/thrive.htm.