from wOn our journey we sometimes find a straight road and an easy path and our direction is clear. Other times the road is winding even dangerous.
Or we find a wall blocking the road we need to travel. Banging our head against the bricks only gives us a headache and bleeding.
Perhaps we need to find other paths, even step into the mud of the mangroves, squelshing our way forward.
Life isn't meant to be easy isn't it? Quotes from the novel The Shack.
‘Does that mean’, asked Mack, ‘that all roads will lead to you?’ ‘Not at all’, smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. ‘Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.’” (182)
Sarayu: “Mack, if anything matters than everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again” (235).
Ah seen the light, says the old American hymn. Hey, you guys in Labasa, smarten up, the evangelists are comin' down the road.
ReplyDeletePolice fork out for 300 pastors
By Serafina Silaitoga
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
THE Fiji Police Force has set aside $17,000 to fund a church crusade aimed at reducing the crime rate in the Northern Division.
The crusade budget will cater for accommodation and food for 300 pastors who are expected to attend the three-day event starting tomorrow.
Guest speakers will be accommodated in hotels with expenses included in the crusade budget while accommodation for other pastors have been arranged.
North police spokesman Mika Cabealawa said the budget was much less than what the force spent on community policing in past years which failed to reduce the crime rate in the division. "We know that criticism will come our way for hosting a crusade for 300 pastors but the budget is nothing compared to changing lives and helping people become better citizens of Fiji," Mr Cabealawa said.
"Our aim is to have an empty prison which is the best security for our nation so having this crusade will bring about good changes because we will work with pastors on ways to strengthen our outreach programs."
He said community policing programs by the force with previous governments had failed because the crime rate continued to increase.
"This new approach through crusades, more known as the Jesus approach, is working well and we have seen a fall in the crime rate especially here in the north."
"This budget is much less than what was used for community policing in past years and this new approach is more effective."
Mr Cabealawa said ever since involving the church, police have not only seen a fall in crime but change of character in offenders.
"We have had a lot of people come up and thank police and the pastors for counselling them through difficult situations that could have seen them go off-track.
"And we believe counselling and sharing Jesus to people who may not have any hope of facing tomorrow has changed their view of life and they turn to Jesus for help instead of breaking the law.
Mr Cabealawa said the guest speakers included senior pastors from Viti Levu.
Anon-i-mouse