Cardboard Boxes Can’t Cut Grass.

I went down to Manila last Wednesday and came back on Friday night. We really desperately needed to get a pile of stuff for Sefton Village and so Jonathan & I headed down in my van with a local Pastor who came to help. It was non stop shopping! We got new lights for the Fire Centre, new PA for the church, heaps of things for the Children’s Home, 40 ring-binders & notebooks for the students etc. etc. We were jam packed.

One of the things that Jonathan really needed was a new lawnmower. We had two really old ones but they graduated to the big lawn in the sky a few months ago. Jonathan tried to resurrect them, but the old mowers were no mower. Ahem. Well, we managed to get a good deal on a new Briggs & Stratton 4hp lawnmower WITH a grass catcher! Wow, in the Philippines usually the guy who cuts the grass is also the grass gatherer at the end! So Johnny boy was over the moon.

We got back and unloaded all our stuff. Of course, being a good dad and living in the Filipino culture I had brought back my two kids Pasalubongs (gifts). Just a set of 3 cars from ‘Cars’ for Josiah and a Care bear for Lydia. They started playing enthusiastically for about 3 minutes and then I noticed them looking out the window. There, with a humungus (?) grin on his face, was Jonathan unpacking and building his lawnmower. “It’s very big dad”, “Can I have a go?”, and “Do you think Uncle Jonathan will give it to us?” I was initially very impressed at their apparent interest in things mechanical … but I was confused by their desire for a lawnmower.

They ran outside and the next thing I knew they had brought the object of their desire into the house … no, not the lawnmower but the box of the lawnmower! They played and played, tossed and tumbled, laughed (and cried!), jumped and slid around for around an hour. You should have heard their laughter and obvious excitement. They poked their eyes out the sides and pretended they were serving at McDonalds! Such imaginations. Lightning McQueen and Tender Heart were soon forgotten.

Got me thinking. When Briggs & Stratton built this box, they did not have playing in mind. They didn’t have kids in mind. They didn’t have McDonalds restaurants in mind. All they wanted was an attractive but strong cardboard carton that would protect and advertise their product. But my two excited kids they saw it as a boat, a car and a fast food restaurant. They were not interested in cutting grass; they were interested in having a good time.

A bit like us. Spiritually … we love playing with packaging. We love making the minor major. We often make the major minor. We love to miss the point. We love to dwell in the insignificant. We love to talk. We love to play in the shallows of greatness.

Don’t believe me? God has amazing things for us to do. He shows us plans, dreams and vision. He gives us gifts to use to do the job. He gives us all the authority in heaven to use in any given situation. He gives us His name to combat the works of the enemy. He bestows upon us all the power inherited and won by His Son.

And what do we often do? We argue, we debate, we plan, we consider, we procrastinate, we dwell … anything but get the job done.

Take evangelism. We read books, we watch DVD’s, we talk about it, and we debate the different styles and methods. But only few churches have an evangelistic department or programme. Gifts of Holy Spirit – we know all about each gift, how to use each gift, the purpose of each gift, the power of each gift, we can categorize them into different groupings … but so very few actually use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church … or just as importantly... on the street. Prayer – we know we should pray, how important it is, when we should pray, we know we should be at the prayer meeting, but … our prayer meetings are empty. Often our time with the Lord is pushed aside.

We love packaging. We love to talk. We love to play. But packaging will never cut grass. Jonah loved packaging. He was more concerned about a stupid little tree than the eternal destination of 120,000 people.

My friend, there is ‘grass to be cut’. There are people to be won for Christ. There are places that have absolutely no Christian witness. Whole towns and villages are going to hell. There are people who are desperate for a healing touch … just someone to visit them with some encouragement. There are broken people, oppressed people, lonely people, damaged people. Just down your street. You don’t have to walk far to find emptiness.

The crunch of my life came when a couple sang a simple song at a youth conference in Fraserburgh. The song was about a farmer who was a father. All his family and friend were in his house having a party. They were having a ball! But as he looked out to the fields and saw the huge harvest he said to himself, “My house is full … but my fields are empty. Who will go and work for me today?” For me, this was the call of God.

Don’t play with the packaging any more. It’s time to ask the Lord of the Harvest to equip you for the work he has for you. It’s time to seek Him. It’s time to eagerly desire spiritual gifts. It’s time to cry out for your purpose, your vision, your destiny.

Because cardboard boxes can’t cut grass ….

Selah ...

The Beauty of a Tranformed Life

Last Saturday at 9am we had another Cornerstone baptismal service here at Sefton. We had eleven people follow the Lord through the waters of baptism. It is always a lovely time when we come together, worship and watch our friends enjoy being obedient to the Lord.

Nine young people from Naga were baptized … and Pastor Danny was so delighted! Pastor August has now left Bible School and is the Assistant / Youth Pastor at Naga and he is making a big difference. Some of the testimonies of these kids are heartbreaking. Below is a picture of Pastor Danny praying with a wee 11 year old boy who is going through a difficult time. Two years ago his dad just suddenly left the family home and has never contacted them again. And every week Wilfredo comes to the front of the church to pray that his dad would be safe and will come home again. He loves his dad. Wilfredo was also baptized on Saturday... please pray for him and his family.

God is doing a great work through Danny and his team in a very poor area of Santiago. Many have given their lives to the Lord and the great thing is that now the husbands of our lady members are giving their hearts to the Lord! Last Sunday they had over fifty attend our church - 40 adults & young people and 15 kids. God is going to turn that place from a place of shame to a place of honour!

There were a couple from Santiago who were baptized – Jimmar & Marie ‘Che’ Gutieres. Their story is a testimony to the grace of God. They were both Roman Catholics but they were never happy and were spiritually seeking for the Lord. It got to a stage where Che wasn’t really attending any more.

I met Jimmar (right) a year ago when we were trying to get my brother David’s broadband working. Jimmar is a computer expert and works for a local Computer company. I asked him to church and shared about the Lord, but it was not the right time.

Last Christmas they went on vacation to Manila and they found out that Che’s mum lived next door to a Pastor. Her mother went to the Cornerstone Church in Manila and gave her life to the lord. So when Che went to Manila they went to Cornerstone Novaliches, pastored by my friend Fred Abad. They loved it!

We came back from Scotland in January and I just could not get my Mac configured to the web. Jimmar came and the fist thing he asked was “Do you know any Cornerstone Church here in Santiago?” Not only did I know one … I pastored one!

So that week they came to Cornerstone with their wee boy Raj. Two weeks later they gave their lives to the Lord and the change in their lives is wonderful to see. They are radiant and so hungry for God. They are so responsive and desperate for more of God. Jimmar is so keen to help us with all our I.T. in the church and Che is now playing guitar in our Sunday services - as well as joining us in our Hospital & Prison ministries! Pastor Winston took them through baptismal classes and on Saturday they were both baptized. On Sunday, Jimmar was baptized in the Holy Spirit! Unbelievable. So amazing.

The unforced rhythms of grace …..

Selah

p.s. - This is my 100th blog!!!!!

p.p.s - Have you signed our Guestbook yet? C'mon, it will only take 2 mins!

Be My Guest ...

How are ya?

So much has been going on over here and it is hard to stop and catch a breath! Mary has been ultra busy with the start of the new school year and it became even busier because one of the Teacher's assistants started a new job without informing us! We are so glad Vivian could step in to help ... she has done amazingly because she cannot speak Tagalog. What a gal!

So Mary has to do interviews ... yyeeeuuuchh ... not what we wanted on top of everything else going on.


Josiah is doing well as school. After 4 days he is going into the class alone and really enjoying it - especially the stories (in Tagalog!) and the songs! Funny story: they were playing this game where the kids have to shout out their name when the teacher points at them. Well, at home wee Josiah has convinced himself that he is a certain cartoon character, and as Teacher Mary Jane pointed at him he shouted, "I am not Josiah ... my name is Pingu!" LoL!!! Wee Josiah, sorry Pingu, is a scream and I think his sense of humour is going to put a smile on many faces throughout his life.

The new students at the Bible School are doing great. I prayed for 40 students ... and that is the exact amount we got! We have 26 full time 1st years, 10 full time 2nd years and 4 part-time students. I will get a picture of them for the next blog. We had our 'Welcome Party' last night - what a laugh! We all enjoyed it so much. Pictured below is Philip, one of our new students, going through the pain of the 'stocking' game! Now, what kind of farmyard animal does he look like???!


I have a favour to ask you. At the right hand side of my blog, just under the pictures, there is a new wee graphic saying 'Please Sign our Guestbook'. Sometimes, as I write the blog, I wonder "Who is actually reading this?" I look at the Cluster Map and see many dots all across the world, but I have no idea who you are. A few people put in comments, but usually nobody leaves their name.

So now ... here's YOUR chance to sign our Sefton Village Guestbook and let us know who you are. Just click 'Please Sign Our Guestbook' and away you go. I would love to know who you are and you can even leave a wee comment there. Maybe you have some ideas for my blog that I could integrate? Let me know. You can also see other people's entries.

Can you take 2 minutes and sign our guestbook for us ... please??

Will blog again pretty soon. So much to share. Right now I have a Leaders Cell group to go to and then a Leaders Meeting to lead. Pray for us as we seek to serve and honour the Lord in everything that we do.

Oh, by the way, did I mention about you signing our guestbook???? ............

A New Day ...

Today is a day of a whole lot of new things! I have been really challenged by my dad because at the start of the year he really challenged himself about doing new things ... or things he has always wanted to do. He sent me a list and said that he wanted to do at least one 'new thing' a month. What a challenge eh? If we all ha that attitude life certainly would not be boring! Mind you, I'll have to check up on him to see if the old dog is still doing new tricks! Ha Ha ... sorry dad.

By the way, it was my mum's birthday this week ... happy birthday mum! You are the best mum anyone could ever ask for and we are all looking forward to seeing you 'face to face' in October. Please pray for my mum as she is having some of health problems at the moment and we need the Lord to heal and strengthen her. Many are praying for you mum ...

Anyway, lots of new things happened today or at least this week.

* It's a new start to a new year at Sefton Bible Training Centre. Over the last few weeks we have been interviewing all those called to our Bible School, and yesterday they began to arrive. They live by Filipino time' here, so we are expecting more to turn up even in a few weeks!

But, Praise God, at the time of blogging we have around 22 first year full time students and around 9 second year students (some are 'stay out' students). My vision was for us to minister to at least 40 students this year ... so keep on praying. I have a real excitement in my spirit again for SBTC and I am going to put my best into making this year - our 10th year - a fantastic testimony to the grace and power of God. Will keep you posted with up to date numbers and pictures.

* Today is also the start of a new school year at KMGLC. Everyone was so excited today as the cars, jeepneys and tricycles began to roll up at Sefton Village. The kids were all beautiful and so happy. I just can't remember being so happy when I was at school!

Mary and all the teachers have been working hard for the last 2 weeks preparing for the start of classes. Well done ladies. They are superb teachers and they really see their 'work' as really a 'ministry'. Lydia has been so excited about being a Kinder 2 girl and she looked so beautiful and grown up as she went to her class this morning. She is longing to be 5 now. When do we actually make the change of looking forward to being older to dreading another year??

* Well, my wee boy Josiah had his 1st day at school today! He woke up half excited but had a bit of a grumphy start .. as you can see from the basket picture above! He is going through the stage of repeating our question and making it negative ..."No, I don't want to wash my hands ... don't want to..." It's funny, I asked him if he wanted his fave sweetie ... a chocolate football and he said, "No, I don't want a chocolate football, yes I do want a chocolate football daddy!" He's a bit like the guy on the vicar of Dibley at the moment! No, No, No, No ... Yes.

Anyway, off he went to nursery class. Actually, he did well but I heard him shout a few times, "I want to go home now." Unfortunately, he started shouting this after around 3 minutes of being in class! Poor soul ... it is so hard to have your house just over the creek. He has also got to get into his mind that aunty Mary-Jane - the lovely lady who takes him out to McDonalds sometimes and who has spent lots of time with him in the toddlers room at church - is now his Teacher! Pray for Josiah as we are really hoping that he can adjust to school life ... like his big sister.

* Our youth Pastor Winston has just started to do a blog about his ministry, Cornerstone Youth and life at Sefton Village. It will give you a wee peek at life from a Filipino Pastor. He is just learning and not many know about it yet. So if you could check his blog up and leave an encouraging message I am sure he would be very happy. The blog address for Winston is : http://winstonbaoin.blogspot.com

So there you have it. So many new things. How about you? When's the last time you did something you have never done before? Think about it ... and take a leaf out of my dad's book!

The Start of the Scottish Invasion!

Well, I am back from Manila (in one piece!). Crazy, crazy people on crazy, crazy roads. Seems like the most logical and acceptable place for some Filipinos with big cars to overtake is

* just before the brow of a hill
* at the outside lane of a hidden bend
* on the hard shoulder when all the rest of us have stopped for roadworks

Yup, I think we have seen a few 'near misses' in the last few days ... but praise God we are still in one piece. I am not joking! Had to laugh though. Many cars in Manila had these car stickers ...


...so funny!

We had a great service at Cornerstone United on Sunday. We had a lot of people there and we had the visit of a YWAM team. A local Pastor spoke about how we need to live in the grace and power of God. Really exciting to be there.

We left on Sunday afternoon to go to Manila. Wow, what a long drive. Monday was the first day of classes here in the Philippines and I think that every car, truck and bus was on the same road as us! We arrived there at 11pm, but safe.

Had a great time with my wee girl in Manila. Lydia behaved so well and really enjoyed herself. She thought she was a really big girl because she helped her daddy and took care of him! (I am only 38 ... not 83!!!) On Tuesday Vivian arrived and Lydia was over the moon to see her 'Aunty Viv-ee'. We left for home on Tuesday afternoon .. and we had a traffic-free journey! Bliss.

From now on it's all systems go as far as visitors are concerned. Vivian is here now and we are also expecting an Australian couple from John Partington's church in a few weeks. I am going down to the south of the Philippines to the island of Palawan to preach at my friend's church. On the way back we will pick up a team of 5 young adults from Cornerstone Singapore. They will be here for a week's mission and will minister in the church and at our various ministries and outreaches.

I will drop them off at Clark airport on July 2nd and then continue down to Manila to pick up a team from Fraserburgh. My cousin Elizabeth and her husband John are coming out with their two beautiful girls Libby & Milly. Another family is coming with them - David & Grace Strachan and their two kids and last but not least is a lovely young lady from Fraserburgh AoG called Kirsty. Lydia and Josiah are so excited to see their 'sorta cousins'!

They will be here until the 19th July and on the 26th July more friends will arrive - Michael & Alison Tait with their niece Jemma. They have been such a blessing in so many ways to Sefton Village for many years and this will be their third trip. It is always great to hear their enthusiasm and encouragement as they see what God is doing. Michael and I also share a love of good food ... believe it or not!

They will leave on 14th August and we have no visitors until October 2nd when some of the Ritchie tribe arrive. I am so delighted that my brother Paul is coming out with his whole family - Ashley, Nathan & Aaron. I am looking forward to some 'nephew time'. My mum and dad will be coming with them (their 123rd trip!!!) and also my cousin Alexander's wife Monica will be coming. She is so gifted in singing and songwriting and she has made two beautiful CD's.

Of course, at the end of September the newest part of our Sefton Team will arrive - the Kerr family. They will be doing the Missions Course at Mattersey and then coming out to join us here. We are about to start renovating their house next week. Please pray that all their practical plans will go smoothly and that everything will fall into place. They are so brave and we know that they will be such a blessing to Sefton Village.

There is word that my other brother David might be coming out with a friend at the end of the year ... so it is all systems go!

And that's not all ... it seems like Sefton Village is in hot demand for Missions Teams. In March, a team from Mattersey, led by Dr John Andrews, will be coming for a fortnight. In April, our good friend Pastor Steve Ritchie is working on sending out a team from Fraserburgh AoG. There has also been contact from a three churches in Scotland who are in the planning stages of sending teams out from their churches next summer.

Phew. It's all happening.

Please pray that, for every person and every team, they would be a blessing ... but be blessed. They would give a challenge ... and be challenged. Be an inspiration ... and be inspired. Bring change .... and be changed. For every sacrifice they make to come here ... God would send the fire on their altars. For every hope and vision they have ... God would do more.

This is my hearts desire ....

Seriously Good Music ....

Tomorrow, after our Cornerstone United service, I am going down to Manila to pick up Mary's cousin Vivien who is coming out to help us over the summer. I am taking Lydia with me ... a real daddy & little girl time! She is all set to 'look after me' and help me buy the hundreds of things that we need for Sefton village that we just can't get up here in the sticks.

I will write the second part of 'Plans of a Loving Father' next week. Until then, I want to recommend a fantastic CD that I know you will love. It is by a guy called Paul Baloche and the album is called 'A Greater Song'. When I was in Singapore they sang a lot of wonderful new songs ... the majority were his. He led the worship at Reinhard Bonkke's Fire Conference last year.

It's the kind of Cd where every song just hits the mark. No matter what mood you are in, there is a song here that can minister to you. 'Hosanna' is superb, 'I Will Boast' is upbeat & uplifting, 'Your Name' is beautiful, 'What Can I Do' and 'You Have Been so Good' are so challenging. Hey, there's even a verse of 'Just As I Am' in there!

He also has a website - www.leadworship.com - where you can get the lyrics and chords. You can even listen to sound clips free!

Go out and buy it (or in today's society ... order it online!) and give yourself a treat. If you like it ... write and tell me. If you don't like it ... give it away!

Have a great weekend ... and pray for us as we tackle some of the worlds worst drivers on these crazy roads. Pray that Lydia does a good job of looking after the old guy!

The Plans of a Loving Father (Part 1)

Hi folks. Here is a few thoughts I wrote down. Part 2 soon!

The Plans of a Loving Father (Part 1)

My, son … who is like him?

Perfectly made and a bringer of joy.

His smile makes me feel complete.

He is like a tender shoot, reaching upwards,

Finding his steps and letting his frail voice be heard.

Yet, I know, deep in my heart that he is not as handsome as others.

He is beautiful to me, but ordinary to the rest.

Yet, my heart is sorrowful, as I already know his life;

And it is not easy for me to watch. His experiences will almost break me.

He will be despised by many, completely hated.

He will not be known for his joy, but sorrow will follow him.

Bitterest grief will chase after him, day after day.

Many will turn their back on him … even me.

Words fail me. How can I turn my back on my son in his darkest deepest hour of need? My son.

Nobody will care for my boy.

And why? Why? Is it because of his own selfish ambitions? A wrong choice? A moment of madness?

Because of a mistake that he made, a crime he committed?

No, He will inherit the pain of the world.

He will carry the weaknesses of those He loves.

As he suffers, many will blame my son for his own downfall. Not knowing.

Beaten for peace. Crushed beyond recognition. Bruised for the healing of many.

Because of my son, my children will not have to walk in guilt; shame will be cast away. At last I can find a way of forgiveness. The only way.

I am so proud of Him. Even though He could rightly defend himself, he did not.

He did not waste his words on useless arguments. He knew what he had to do. And He did it.

His silent actions shouted louder than powerful words.

He was deemed to be guilty, yet I know that sin never entered his heart.

I know why He stood silently … for the sake of a lost world.

My beautiful one was treated like a beast.

My innocent child … a criminals fate.

The hardest thing for me? The most difficult confession I must make?

All this … the pain, the sorrow, the grief, the loneliness, the hatred, the utter shame…

… was my plan. My idea. My purpose. My proposal. My vision.

Mine. Not the idea of a demon from hell or from the warped mind of a confused father.

Mine. My plan. I can hardly say it.

My heart is breaking as I write and tears flow down my face.

What kind of a father am I? What father would plan such a horrific end?

And yet, I know I had to do it. Though it brought me temporary pain, I know the eternal benefits. I had to plan it this way.

Like a seed that dies and falls … new life will begin. The blood of my son is the seed of hope.

And, even though he went through indescribable pain for a moment … when He sees the reward of His suffering – blind eyes opening, people now free, the oppressed released, the lost being found – He will be satisfied.

When he sees the multitudes of Africa shout to me; when he hears the millions in South America call on me; when he experiences the throngs of Asians singing my name … He will know in His heart, “it was worth it.”

Because of my son, hell is defeated. Because if my son, death is a friend. Because of my son, sin has been destroyed.

If I could have written down another plan for my son, I would have. But I could not. When He cried out in desperation in the garden for another way ... I shook my head.

For the price of reconciliation was His blood. And I signed his papers.

And if you ever think I do not know what you are going through, the pain of a moment …

…think again.