I had one of the most amazing weeks.

This week in my role of being a Chaplain I was so blessed to be a judge in the interschool public speaking competition. I am so amazed by the confidence of students who are able to stand up in front of an audience to deliver a poem or to speak about a topic that they have researched. The competition was difficult to judge as the standard was so high. I wanted to give two first place prizes, but as a team of 3 judges we had to agree on one junior winner and a senior winner.

I think about myself in primary school and there would be no way at all that I would put myself up for a public speaking competition.

Another event that I attend was the interschool swimming event. I loved the students who went there and did their best to represent their school. There were nerves before and excitement. They supported each other, they cheered on each other on, they cheered for the other schools and their behaviour in the bay was so lovely.  They all represented their school with pride.

The school I was at won the interschool swimming competition. I saw such great sportsmanship, so much encouragement for each other and support for each other. They also cheered on the other schools and supported them

Yes, it made me a bit teary (lucky I had my sunglasses on). They inspire me, I was so proud of them.

On Friday, I went to the Convention Centre to attend a Leadership Conference with one of my other schools. We took 15 students and it was such an amazing day. There was so much to learn, we learnt about being a leader and what does that look like. We learnt about sharing our ideas and how to take action with them.

This was my fourth time attending a GRIP leadership conference and I love being able to see the students grow in their leadership.

There were some beautiful ideas that they wanted to do. Some ideas were about helping the homeless, helping to raise funds to help students who didn’t have a school uniform, another idea was for students who didn’t have a hat for play to set up some games in the undercover area. There were also ideas for the kitchen garden at school to sell the vegetables to help raise funds for the community. I loved how they brainstormed ideas and thought of others.

So, this is what I am passionate about people making a difference. About people standing up and using their gifts to help others.

I am so grateful.

 

 

 

Daily Devo

Shame a word that can cripple us with fear, that can condemn us, that can trap us in our own personal prison.

Is there something in your past that you feel shameful about?

Is there something in your life that you have done that you just don’t feel right about?

Is there something that when you are trying to get to sleep at night just keeps coming into your mind?

Is there something that causes you anxiety?

Is there something in your life that you think God will never love me, you don’t know what I have done?

We can become so upset and worried about what we have done that it stops us from experiencing all that God has for us.

If we are all honest we have all experienced shame in some form.

God gave his only Son for us that we can live in freedom.

God gave his only Son for us so that we can be free.

God want us to be free.

Maybe it’s time for you to give it to God.

He can handle it.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

There is no condemnation! Read this and receive it.

This verse will provide you with comfort.

Speak it out over your life.

Write it up and place it somewhere, so it will remind you that you are forgiven.

There is hope, there is forgiveness, there is His Grace and His love.

Shame you do not belong here anymore.

God is for me and with me.

He will comfort me and protect me.

Be kind to yourself.

Daily Reading

Romans 8:8-4