Queen Esther had a moment in time where she had clarity of mind to see clearly and understand fully that "for such a time as this" she needed to decide on a certain course of action. In so doing, she saved a Nation from destruction, indeed, her own people. Bible stories, looking back on history, constantly encourage us to trust that "God holds our times in His hands".

I have been thinking a lot about time in recent days, having made a decision to retire at the end of this term from forty years of teaching. What an immeasurable comfort to know my times are in His hands.

I wrote an e-mail to the twenty or so PE staff who have been my comrades for many years at Pembroke School, sharing my thoughts and struggles associated with the notion of retirement. I share below, in part, the message sent to my fellow teachers:

"Just to let you know, I'm leaving/retiring at the end of the term.

It's just that my time has come.

Woke up in the middle of the night a little while ago and jotted down my thoughts. It's not a poem; just words that mean something to me.

Time takes no prisoners. 

Everybody has their time. 

Time to grow and time to slow, 

Time to walk in through the door and time to leave through that same door. 

We watch as time is up for others, we say our goodbyes, and go right on. 

Now, it is my time, after 38 years, to leave.

Just like yesterday I walked in, and seemingly so quickly, it's time to go.

My life changes irrevocably from this moment on, not so much for you who remain. 

Momentous for me, because it is more than just a workplace I am leaving. I leave behind people, their personalities, laughter, stories, their lives. 

What a loss occurs when it's your time. I already feel it when contemplating my immediate future. 

Everyone in our Department matters to me. I think of you all fondly and often. I wish for you as a group further joy, laughter and purpose in this workplace. 

As I leave the door from which I entered, I say goodbye to the most fabulous group of friends and professionals."

Recently I have been further encouraged to think about "the times" in which we live, by a conversation with a fellow teacher who miraculously recovered from a near death experience. In trying to encourage her she became the agent of encouragement. She simply shared that she now has a new capacity to see each day as beautiful, full of opportunity and gratitude. How important that we each gain clarity and understanding for each and every day. In the now time in which we live, and, in the time, yet to come, we might increasingly live out our lives faithfully, graciously and perhaps in a measure, gloriously.

We all desire purpose in our lives. It is the time we have in the now which needs to be lived. Grasp this moment, act now, for our "times are truly in His Hands".

In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:10

My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Psalm 31:15

Our lives are in His hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling.

Psalm 66:9

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Occasionally in our Christian walk, we arrive at a lifechanging place that sets up a way of living for the next many years. I had one of those experiences in 1972 that has been a guiding factor in much of what I do as a Christian and as a Pastor.

A preacher from Argentina came to Adelaide. His name was Juan Carlos Ortiz. When I heard him speak, I drank in what he said as would a thirsty man in a desert when he comes to an oasis. His two main themes were the blessings of what we now call Home Fellowships or Connect Groups, and how there ought to be Unity between pastors and churches within a town, or city.

Alison and I used to be part of midweek meetings, usually for prayer and teaching. Often, either a husband or a wife might stay at home to look after the kids (if there were any). Ortizs revolutionary idea was that the whole family should attend. If there were any young kids, put them down to sleep (wherever. And we did, and have). Ortiz also said to often have fellowship meals together, discuss scripture in practical ways; how it related to daily living, and if a problem persisted in ones life, discuss it again shedding light and wisdom and hopefully coming up with a good solution. In doing these things, a group could build fellowship, trust, acceptance, and a place to feel loved, wanted, and at home.

When I heard this idea, my heart leapt within me as I thought to myself, Fantastic, this is how it ought to be. I went back to our church and began to evangelise the idea of home fellowships. Many people grabbed the idea too and out of that, Home Fellowships became part of our church life. That was literally 50 years ago, and Alison and I have hosted, led, been part of, encouraged, and enjoyed these meetings for almost all of that time. Sometimes at our house, and if that was not practical, sometimes at someone elses house. I could not imagine church life without these great meetings. If you are not part of a home fellowship/connect group, I commend them to you.

The second main theme from Pastor Ortiz was that the Pastors, Ministers, and Priests of a locality ought foster a spirit of Unity among each other by meeting together periodically, praying together, refraining from criticising each other, and understanding that Gods work might be done in different ways from your way, yet it would still be Gods work. Again, as I heard this preached, I thought to myself, Of course, this is how it ought to be. So I went back to our home church and began building these bonds of fellowship and love among the church leaderships. I found that they too, when presented with these thoughts, began to think, Yes, this is how it ought to be. I must add that not every pastor and priest grabbed hold of this with enthusiasm. But many did.

So a new atmosphere began to develop amongst those Pastors and Leaders. Working together rather than working alone, and remarkably, by Gods grace, across the broad spectrum of mainstream Christian belief.

Out of that revelation grew combined monthly prayer meetings which ran in our locality for 18 years, a 14-night cross-church evangelistic crusade with an Adelaide preacher/teacher, a 10-night tent evangelistic outreach, with an Australian evangelist, which brought many many people to faith in Christ. Work in the schools grew. Outreach concerts started taking place. It seemed like there was an open heaven about our locality.

As these events developed, fostered by leaders in unity of faith and purpose, Christians across denominational spaces began to appreciate more and more the wonderful work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit when unity was there among His people.

So for 50 years, those two themes have been in the mainstream of my life and ministry. They are still powerful today and are outworked today in my relationships with other churches and ministries in our Eastern Suburbs.

One of my favourite pictures of Jesus, is that of Him riding on a donkey. Why did He ride on a donkey? He made a particular point of asking His disciples to go and find the particular colt (a donkeys foal) for the job. And not only that, but this colt and its mother were known by Jesus to already be in a nearby village waiting. They were there by heavenly design for the moment when the King of kings would require them.

Talk about God paying attention to the little things. Can you imagine... God planning and shaping the circumstances in this village for a donkey and her colt to be there at the right time. He saw the birth of this colt, and indeed the birth of its mother in the years previous. And He fashioned history around this donkey and its colt and planted the picture of it in the mind of Zechariah the prophet who wrote about the event roughly 500 years before it happened!

.and why? Why did God write history in this way? Why did He want Jesus to ride on a donkeys colt into Jerusalem? Well I cant say that I have THE answer. But I can think of a few possibilities.

In religious culture through history, donkeys were portrayed as symbols of service, suffering, peace, and humility, as well as also being associated with the theme of wisdom (at least according to Wikipedia). In Exodus 13, the Lord gives a rule to His people, that every first born male (including the livestock) belongs to the Lord (v12) in order to remember how God brought them out of Egypt (v16). (in other words, they had to be killed.) However, a lamb could be sacrificed to redeem that first born and donkeys are specifically mentioned here. Redeem with a lamb every first-born donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.

That first born donkey is doomed according to the law. It needs a lamb to be redeemed.

Skipping forward a couple of books in the Bible, to Numbers 22, we see how God uses animals in His wonderful, mysterious plans. When Balaam the prophet was going a reckless way on his trusty donkey, the angel of the Lord appeared in his path blocking the way. Balaam could not see it. Only the donkey. And so the donkey dug his heals in, deviated from the road, even laid down and refused to walk while receiving impatient beatings from Balaam, as he could still not see the angel. So God allowed the donkey to speak so Balaam could understand him (v28). He basically said Why are you beating me? Im your donkey you know Ive never behaved like this before. Think about it buddy! And then Balaam saw the angel, and obeyed the Lord.

Of course we know well, that God used a donkey to carry the Lord Jesus while in His mothers womb on the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And thirty-odd years later, we read of another donkey, a colt, who had not yet been given any task to do. (Luke 19) He was too young to work and so he was inexperienced, and kept in the pen all day long, never yet been ridden by anyone. Jesus, coming back into Jerusalem, knew that this donkey was there, ready for Him. He sent two of his disciples to the village to find this donkey, tied up there. They were instructed to untie the donkey, and simply say to anyone who asked them why they were untying it that the Lord needs it. (v29-31)

The disciples did this and found the little donkey just as Jesus said they would. The donkey was brought to Jesus, cloaks were laid on his back, and Jesus King of kings sat down on him.

In doing this, Jesus was, as they say, making a statement. Zechariah the prophet who saw this moment by the power of the Holy Spirit wrote: Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey riding on a donkeys colt. And Matthew quotes this again in his recount the fulfillment of prophesy.

Not only is His entrance into Jerusalem a declaration of His humility, lowliness, and servanthood, it also tells of His role as Redeemer. In riding this young, lowly little colt, Jesus takes on the characteristics of everything this animal represents just like the stable and the manger help us to remember that He is meek, gentle, and stoops low, behaving as a servant. He bends to reach those who cant stand, He comforts the broken, He washes feet, keeps company with sinners, He gives His life to redeem undeserving asses like us.

Behold our King!

While horses are a symbol of war, donkeys are a symbol of peace. Jesus reminded us, all the time with the way He lived His earthly life, that Christianity is not about power. Any group or religion that gives power to its leaders cannot be trusted. For where there is power, there is corruption. Interestingly, the philosopher Agrippa placed Christian apostles on a level with donkeys/asses. He said, It is clear as day that no other animal is in a better position than the ass to receive the divine. If you do not look to the ass, you will be no position to receive the divine mysteries. He was really onto something there, but of course it was Jesus first who said things like Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth (Matt 5:5) and So the last will be first, and the first will be last. (Matt 20:16). Our friend the little colt, because he was so lowly, so humble before God, so undeserving of carrying a King, he was the perfect choice for doing just that!

At some point Jesus becomes the Lamb. And we must be like the donkey. Humble, lowly servants. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. We get to live, because He died. But while Jesus lowered Himself, we must remember, He was also raised! The Lamb who redeemed us is now sitting on the throne victorious!

We, are forever His, in freedom and in victory with Him. So can you see it? Can you see who He is and how He comes to us? Can you see who you are? And can you do it?

by Cynthia Lagadan

Thank you so much Burnside Family Church for your warm welcome during my six Sundays of worshiping with you. I was beyond blessed every Sunday. The Christmas service was extra special as I was able to bring along my goddaughter who came to visit me from Perth. She was very much encouraged and strengthened. I had the best Christmas in South Australia.

My ministry is in the area of intercessory prayer and I belong to a core group of an intercessory army. I enjoyed my worshipful prayer walks around Ken’s beautiful neighbourhood. As I was praying for Burnside Family Church, the Lord lead me to two specific verses to declare over this church. Isaiah 54:17 and Romans 12:21:

“No weapon formed against Burnside Family Church shall prosper. Burnside Family Church will not be overcome by evil but Burnside Family Church will overcome evil with good.”

Simple and powerful. There is power in declaring/ proclaiming. I believe a crucial word here is “overcome”. We are called to be overcomers and not defeated. Burnside Family Church is called to move from victory unto victory, from strength to strength, from glory to glory. In Jesus name. Amen and amen. This is my prayer for you brothers and sisters at Burnside Family Church. I fully join you in trusting for God’s provision for a pastor of His own choosing and leading.

I had a wonderful and productive six weeks’ stay. It was very therapeutic to not only share a portion of care to Ken but also to have a lengthy break from my normal job. I am now bracing myself to shift back to winter mood after the warmth of summer.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Before coming to Adelaide I prayed that I would not miss what God wanted me to see and that I would not miss what God wanted me to hear while in Adelaide. This trip was highly special – a trip of a life time. The children’s ministry at Burnside is something that strongly stood out to me while I was there. I go to a church where there are no little children. The majority of people are senior citizens. (Before I came to Adelaide there was a new addition to the church; one young couple with two toddlers.) I also work in a nursing home, and I live in a neighbourhood with mostly retirees. So no little children before my eyes.

Interestingly enough, the first Sunday service at Burnside had children’s involvement. It was Kid’s Club Sunday where the focus was on the twenty-third Psalm, - The Lord Is My Shepherd.  I was fascinated with the children and their clay works. I saw these little children not only as the future builders in His kingdom but I also saw them as already now kingdom builders as little as they are.

It remains interesting that on the last Sunday (even if I was not there physically), while watching intently online I was captured at once by the fact that the biggest chunk of the communion message (given by Steve Chapman) was geared towards children. It was followed by Laura’s joyful pounding announcement about Kids Church. I say amen and amen because if we don’t prepare these kids, then who will? Technology will take over. In response, I pray that the anointing over the children and teachers be protected from being snatched by the enemy. Because those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. (Ps 92:12-14) It is amazing grace that little children don’t stay little children forever, but they will soon be young men and young women, then become fathers and mothers.

This is what the Lord has laid in my heart. Overall I consider this six week Adelaide visit as the grandest vacation I have ever had so far. I remember Ken saying in his email before I came that I would be happy to meet his Burnside Family Church. He was right. I am beyond glad. I will always remember my very first welcome at the Christmas banquet two days after I arrived. It was funny listening to Let It Snow in a Summer land. I came to bless the weak, but in return I was blessed even more. It will take days to count them one by one.

To God be the glory, great things He has done and great things He is doing and great things He will do in 2023. We don’t put our hope in the new year but our Hope is in the One who makes all things new. Amen.

(Cynthia was a fellow missionary with Ken Clezy in Yemen.)