Where has the year gone?!  Hard to believe that it is the end of July, and we are past the half way point in 2011.

This week I have been touched by the terror attacks in Norway.  I always think of Norway as a peaceful, stable country with spectacular fjords and friendly people.  My heart goes out to them and the suffering that they are persevering through.  So many people killed, so many of them children & teenagers.  What a broken world we live in.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Until next month, stay safe, and be thankful for the peace we have in Australia at the moment

Rosie

ps. Apologies to those of you who received an April newsletter again this month; there has been a backlog of newsletters in our system that has been playing up.

Our hosts will be Northside Baptist Church in Crows Nest, where we will look at the theme 'Pure Gold." The aim of the weekend is to connect you with brothers and sisters in the mining industry and grow you as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Hopefully you will go away refreshed, encouraged and equipped with a network of friends who will help you in the years to come.

On the Friday afternoon, all the mine chaplians (and those interested in mine chaplaincy) will be getting together to go through some research we have been conducting into mine chaplaincy around Australia, This will be followed by a workshop on how we can improve and increase mine chaplaincy services in Australia.

There will be a fancy dinner on the Friday night, where we will have a chat with Simon Pillar, the founder of PEP private equity about his faith and the real value of money. (David Bussau, who was going to join us has been called overseas that weekend so had to decline for this year)

Saturday will be a time of worship, Bible teaching, workshops and fellowship time, with some Rugby World Cup screenings later on for those sticking around.  Ian Powell will bring us some solid Bible teaching on trust, trials and treasure. We will also have some teaching sessions on workplace ministry, running a small group on site, spiritual warfare and sharing your faith.

All are welcome, including partners! We look forward to seeing there - stay tuned in the next week for an e-mail with a link to the registration page.

Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to bring home his wandering sheep.  There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed in the wild.

It is a blessed sign of God when debt encroaches, when our business takes a downward turn, when these embarrassing events occur and in our distress we slide back to God.  Losses in business are often sanctified in our soul's enriching. If we fail to honor God in the pinnacle of our riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty.  Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! And fear not, when you have been rebuked, but recognise the loving hand which brings you back to him.

• Those families suffering as a result of the attacks in Norway, that they might be drawn closer to God
• The OOTP network, that we might find strength in each other
• Those who have given up meeting with other Christians, that they might be strong in the Lord, and come back
• The OOTP conference, that many may attend and be encouraged
• The organisers of the conference, that they will trust in God
• The Lord to bring us closer to him, through whatever means he uses

Thank God For:

• The safety and freedom we enjoy in Australia to worship Jesus
• The network of Christians in the Mining Industry in OOTP who can share and relate with us
• The opportunity to meet together at the end of September
• His love for us, that he knows us individually, and wants a relationship with us
• The gift of Jesus Christ.