Schoolies Australia

In Australia our media refers to "Schoolies," (that is, the week long alcohol fueled sex party after high school), as a "Rite of Passage into Adulthood". Most of these youth are only 17.
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I believe that these Year 12's and the so called "Toolies" are only attracted to "Schoolies Celebrations" because they are yet to have an 'extreme encounter' with Jesus Christ. I am not talking about sitting in Church singing a few songs and listening to a sermon, or playing games at youth group. I am talking about being totally blasted by the presence of God. Experiencing first hand, God healing people, setting them free, filling them with the Holy Spirit making them new, blasting them with joy.........As the old chorus says "and the things of this world grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
Bob Lipsys, Australia

Enjoy today

I recently celebrated my birthday. One of my daughters surprised me with a painting of a ‘vision’ I had some time ago. At that time I saw a dense forest of white leafless trees. Brightly colored spheres, like balloons were rising from the branches and floating up to heaven. As I look at my daughters painting tonight it strikes me that these spheres of praise and thanks to God are creating the atmosphere that exists around and over the trees. It is a ‘party’ atmosphere – with much Joy, happiness, peace and celebration.

Praise and thanksgiving to God change the atmosphere in which we live. The bleak, black background in my daughters painting is pushed back into the distance by the brightly colored praise spheres on the trees. The life of the tree is not in the seasonal conditions it experiences. Rather the life of the tree is in the heavenly fruit it produces. This fruit changes the atmosphere.
Your life is not dictated by the circumstances in which you find yourself today. Rather it is the heavenly fruit rising from your life that sets the atmosphere. Enjoy it.

Bob Lipsys, Australia

I'm looking forward to the End Times

Jesus told His followers that they need not be
afraid of the end times. He confirmed that there
would be wars, natural disasters, and very hard times.
But He also said to His followers that when these
happen don't be depressed, rather lift up your heads
for your salvation is near, (see Luke 21:28).
Jesus' disciples saw the end times
as a time of great signs, wonders and miracles,
a time when the Holy Spirit will be poured out.
A good time. A time of celebration and joy.
If you follow Jesus, the last days are good days.
Blessings are falling around you
Bob Lipsys
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The Bible also says this
What you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’ Acts 2:16-21