tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203965162024-03-13T21:58:31.599+08:00Ritchie's Real DealWelcome to the ministry, vision and dreams of the Ritchie Family. Prepare to be challenged and inspired as you get the low-down of all the happenings at Sefton Village, Philippines.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-72053909455322953602010-06-03T00:29:00.001+08:002010-06-03T00:29:37.118+08:00Floods upon the Dry Ground<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtkGFrSiI/AAAAAAAABKU/jfU3UH2fW90/s1600/field.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 255px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtkGFrSiI/AAAAAAAABKU/jfU3UH2fW90/s400/field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478186463619926562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Hi folks ... we're home!</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />After 7 weeks in freezing cold Arctic UK, we are back in beautiful Philippines. It feels as if we have stepped from the freezer into the oven but we are glad to say that the searing temperatures we came back to a fortnight ago have dropped. In fact, we have had the first rain for 6 months here in Santiago and all of a sudden the horrible yellow dusty colour of our grass has turned lush green.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It made me realise that we need constant spiritual refreshing in our lives.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It is so easy to become dry and arid ... so easy to let the 'cares of this world' take away the life of God in us. When we are dry and brittle it is not a good sight and is certainly not pleasing to the eye. When we go through difficult times - wilderness times - our attitude and our spirit can often be negative and so lethargic.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >But what a difference the rain makes. All of a sudden the yellow becomes green, the short becomes lush and the dead becomes alive. New life. New shoots. New energy. Sefton Village has become a paradise again ... all because of 3 days of rain! Wow. What a thought.<br /><br />No matter how dry we are of how difficult a time we are having or how long we are in the wilderness for ... there is always refreshing with God! he can always supply a drink of cool water. He can always pull us through and pick us up. He can always shower us with good things. No matter how hard it gets ... we have a God who can bring us to places of rest and refreshing.</span></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtklVIhYI/AAAAAAAABKc/cBdWY2Wn2BA/s1600/LJB_0035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtklVIhYI/AAAAAAAABKc/cBdWY2Wn2BA/s400/LJB_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478186472006256002" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Check out Psalm 23 and see how blessed we really are:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >He is my shepherd</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />I will not live in want</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />He MAKES ME lie down </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Where? In green, lush pastures ... places of plenty, much food and safety</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >He leads me beside quiet waters</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />He restores my soul. Again. Again. And Again.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >He guides me in his ways</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />We need not fear death ... for He is with us</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />His rod to comfort us<br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >His staff will lead us</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />He prepares a table for me.<br /></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Where? right slap bang in the middle of mine enemies!</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And they cannot scare me, touch me or harm me!</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Why? Because he anoints us with His spirit</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Our cup of blessing constantly overflows!<br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Goodness and Mercy will CHASE after me ...</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />EVERY DAY that I live</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And when it's all over here ...<br />it's just beginning in heaven</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />For I will dwell in His house ... forever</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />So whoever you are - a Filipino trying to make it through life, a Pastor trying to lead the church in the ways of God, a housewife in UK bringing up a family, a businessman in Singapore trying to survive recession ... let me tell you the great news today. Maybe you feel that life is yellow, arid, dry and dusty - but if you will stop for a while and reach out to God, his rain and refreshing is only a prayer away<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >.</span> No need just to survive ... you can thrive!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Listen to the promise of the Lord in Isaiah 44:3 (NLT)<br /><br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">For I will pour out water to quench your thirst</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">and to irrigate your parched fields.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants,</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">And my blessing on your children.</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A few showers will change your life!</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Pastor Mark Ritchie</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtlDFxBEI/AAAAAAAABKk/R1Q-8bFAjzQ/s1600/LJB_0093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CpTKvWV97-c/TAZtlDFxBEI/AAAAAAAABKk/R1Q-8bFAjzQ/s400/LJB_0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478186479994864706" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-80285877363298346602009-12-03T12:14:00.001+08:002009-12-03T12:16:53.061+08:00Cnristmas Update ...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Well, we are nearly at the end of 2009. I remember in August thinking 'I think the rest of the year is going to fly by so fast' .. and it has!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Sefton has been a hive of activity in 2009. Despite many challenges - particularly financially - we have seen the amazing provision of the Lord and have seen many new and exciting things happen. The ministry has developed in many ways and we are so grateful for a wonderful group of people who we are privelilaged to call or staff. They are magnificent.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">We have had so many visitors and teams this year. Each team and team member have added so much to Sefton Village and I know that they have gone back changed. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">We had to go back to UK in February for 6 weeks after we heard the news that Mary's dad had cancer. It has been a tough year for them and even for Mary .. but God has answered our prayers and David has had some great results over the last few weeks. thanks for your prayers.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">We have started some many wonderful minsitries this year - Theatre for Christ, New School Building, Powerhouse Schools Programme, Street Pastors ... if you want to see a short DVD that we made for a church in Hamilton please go to our blog www.markmaryritchie.blogspot.com</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">There are three things I want you to take note of:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1. Christmas Cards </span>- If you are in UK, please note that you don't have to spend a fortune sending cards to the Philippines for us. Many of you did this last year. David Strachan and his family are coming out in Dec 17th, so if you want to send a card to us, save some money and send it to them and they will bring it out. His address is:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">The Ritchies</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">c/o The Strachan Partnership</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">37 Hay Crescent,</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Peterhead,</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Aberdeenshire</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">AB42 1HH </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">If you in the Fraserburgh area you can drop it into my dad's house.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">2. New Blog:</span> We have decided to make a new blog for Sefton Village. In the past myself and Matthew have had the burden of blogging about all the news from Sefton. But now, hopefully every day, one of our staff will be writing about what's going on at Sefton.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Check it out - <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">www.seftonsoundbites.blogspot.com</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Please bookmark and leave a comment!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">3. Christmas Expenses</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Hate to repeat this again in 2009, but we always struggle at this time of year. By law, we have to pay all of our staff a 13th month pay in December. It's not an optional bonus ... it's law. We also have many extra expenses in December.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">So basically, we need around <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">5000 pounds</span> in the next two weeks! I know it seems impossible but if you can pray about it and help a little ... we can do it.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Please send any cheques to our agent (or email him if you want to put a gift directly into the Sefton RBS a/c):</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Dr. Norman Reid</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Hazelbank</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">83 Marjoribanks Street</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Bathgate</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">West Lothian</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Eh48 1QH</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Tel: <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">01506 653366</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Email: <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">dr_n@btinternet.com</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Thank you all so much for your interest and support regarding Sefton. We will be sending out a newsletter and gift in January. If you are not on the mailing list then please contact Norman on the above email address.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">As you prepare for Christmas we pray that you will not get too stressed! Remember who it's all about ... Jesus.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">We'd love to hear from you ...</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">All our love,</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Mark, Mary, Lydia & Josiah</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">xxxx </span></span></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-85179416504145010472009-11-26T20:38:00.001+08:002009-11-26T20:38:35.404+08:00Sefton Village 2009<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/tHxXciyaVJc' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/tHxXciyaVJc'/></object></p><p>What's been happening at the best place in the world...</p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-51764650432425829802009-11-12T15:21:00.003+08:002009-11-12T15:32:30.390+08:00Church Hopping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Svu5Y75xigI/AAAAAAAABkc/-ZNGWd0P49s/s1600-h/39998410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 411px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Svu5Y75xigI/AAAAAAAABkc/-ZNGWd0P49s/s400/39998410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403116016009054722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I was reading Roger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blackmore's</span> blog today and came across this article about church hopping. Someone was talking to me today about a church that was growing so fast ... but mostly by Christians who wanted a change and wanted a new scene. This is common the world over. Seems like these are a million excuses to leave a church and any one will do. But anyway ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >These are the top ten things church hoppers say, as listed in Bob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Franquiz</span>’s excellent book, <em><strong>Zero To Sixty</strong></em><br /><br />1. <strong>“But my old church…”</strong> This usually means they want your church to be like their old church.</span> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>2. <strong>“I just need time to be fed.”</strong> This means, “I don’t want to do anything. I’m here just to sit and see what I can get out of this church, so don’t expect me to serve in any way, shape, or form.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>3. <strong>“I’m looking for a church that teaches the Word.”</strong> This means, “I’m looking for a church that dispenses lots of information without challenging me to do anything.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>4. <strong>“We came here because we are looking for deep teaching.” </strong>This usually means their last church focused too much on actually obeying the Word. They want a church that just talks about the Rapture, the Second Coming, who the Hittites were and the identity of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Theophilus</span>.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>5. <strong>“I should know my pastor.”</strong> This means, “In my last church, I got to know the pastor, but when the church grew, and the pastor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">couldn</span>’t have dinner with us every Tuesday night, I left and came here.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>6. <strong>“We want a church that’s focused on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">discipling</span> people.”</strong> This means, “I want a church that’s focused on me, not people who are lost.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>7. <strong>“I wish you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wouldn</span>’t focus so much on what people need to do.”</strong> This means they don’t like commitment, they don’t like to be told the Bible actually tells them how to live and follow Jesus. They want to come to church, live in their sin and have no one tell them this is wrong.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>8. <strong>“I wish you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wouldn</span>’t talk about money.”</strong> This is the best way to tell a pastor “I don’t give.”</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span></span>9. <strong>“My old church/pastor was…”</strong> The way people come to your church is how they will leave. If your first conversation with them is all about their last church and pastor, that is how they will leave your church and how they will go to their next church.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">10. <strong>“Pastor, I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ve</span> been talking to a lot of people and they all say…”</strong> Translation:<span> </span>“Me, my spouse and my mother think…” If they start this way, 99.9% of the time they have no one else who thinks this way, it is just the best way to complain. If someone has a complaint and uses this line with me, they need to list all of the names or my best assumption is they talked to the same person 10 times.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mmmm</span> ... sounds familiar! If we only moved when God said move we would always be in the right pace in the right time.</span><br /></span></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-58722884610947855192009-11-12T00:37:00.005+08:002009-11-12T00:46:46.127+08:00Rachel's Back ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SvrqSlaXrJI/AAAAAAAABkU/gsnWUnVx3sU/s1600-h/7bd4cddf33b872c2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SvrqSlaXrJI/AAAAAAAABkU/gsnWUnVx3sU/s400/7bd4cddf33b872c2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402888307985591442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span lang="EN-US">Hi everyone. Right now it is ultra busy at Sefton Village. This weekend we celebrate 10 years of the KMGLC school ... should be a great occasion. We also are opening our newest Cornerstone Church in Sta. Monica. It's all go!</span></span></div><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">We have a team here from Rotherham New Life. We are having a wonderful time with them and I have asked one of the team - Rachel Fields - to write a Guest blog for me. Rachel was here 18 months ago when she was a student at Mattersey. She is a wonderful lady and has a great attitude & spirit. Here is what she is thinking ...</span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">"Wow, back in the Philippines 18 months later. It is great to be back and see the wonderful people of Sefton Village!<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">We are a team from Rotherham New Life Christian Centre with 3 adults and three 16 and under girls. We have come out with a view to serve the people of Sefton, but we have been so blessed being here with the generosity of the people here.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">We have been here since Monday morning.. and thrown ourselves into the programme that Sefton village would normally carry out on a weekly basis. Feeding Programmes, Street Pastors, School Assemblies, Bible College Chapel Service, Praying for the sick in a local hospital, visiting a local prison… and this has only been three days.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">The most incredible thing about Sefton has been the incredible number of ministries that have started up in the last 18 months. I was impressed last year when I came, because they were extending the Kingdom of God more than I could ever imagine, now they have just blown my brains away with, Echague, St Mateo, Elementary School, the radio station is being built.. (I don’t know the rest, but I am sure there is plenty more) oh and of course 2 new churches planted in the last couple of weeks and one more this Saturday!<br /></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">I am amazed that got has enlarged the territory of Sefton Village in turn Sefton Village is extending the Kingdom of God!</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">The three teenage girls have experienced somethings they have never experienced before. My husband Stephen is experiencing his first ever missions trip (what a place to start!!!!) and Stephen Chambers, a senior leader from RNL has come back again this year!!</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Pray for us as we continue to minister through the next week!!</span><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">" </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="">Thanks Rachel. Will get some pictures posted soon!</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Talk soon ... goodnight!</span></span></span></span></p><p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Svrp-vZA2bI/AAAAAAAABkM/3WjABKzS_nI/s1600-h/DSC_0163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Svrp-vZA2bI/AAAAAAAABkM/3WjABKzS_nI/s400/DSC_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402887967066872242" border="0" /></a></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-43243670656161056152009-10-23T06:12:00.001+08:002009-10-23T08:21:23.051+08:00Helga Mosey Children's Home ... the New Look!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD-5zbljI/AAAAAAAABiA/Nr_3uw3w8KA/s1600-h/21102009942.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD-5zbljI/AAAAAAAABiA/Nr_3uw3w8KA/s400/21102009942.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395457470281520690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Over the last few months our workmen have been hard at work in our Children's Home. We have two kids and two adults in our house ... and we know how much punishment a house can take with four living here. But can you imagine a house that has around 15- 22 kids living there with 8-10 adults ... for 13 years!!!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >At the beginning of 2009 things were pretty bad. The vinyl tiles were coming up, the cupboards were falling apart, all the screens on the windows had huge holes in them, the toilets were all blocked - bar one, the paint was all faded, the play equipment outside was falling apart and ugly, curtains all torn ... etc. etc. I think you get the message. It all came to a head when we were showing an American Missionary couple around the home ... and we felt more than a little embarrassed! </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Yup, it was time for a makeover ... big time! By faith, I asked Jonathan, Matthew and Marilyn to make an estimate of everything we need to do. Everything. We have been struggling so much with the finances in the last year that it was impossible to budget for anything like this.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD_8F1nHI/AAAAAAAABiQ/I-uaqzSbhQ4/s1600-h/DSC03756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD_8F1nHI/AAAAAAAABiQ/I-uaqzSbhQ4/s400/DSC03756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395457488075463794" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD_UgeugI/AAAAAAAABiI/NCdZnV8zENo/s1600-h/DSC03755.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD_UgeugI/AAAAAAAABiI/NCdZnV8zENo/s400/DSC03755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395457477449792002" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >We prayed and I felt we should first contact the Helga Mosey Trust, headed by Pastor John Mosey (Helga's father). I only wanted to make them aware of the condition of the Home and that we wanted to start raising money for a face lift ... that same day they contacted me to say they would pay for everything. It was a tearful moment. Couldn't believe it.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDcLV8QFHI/AAAAAAAABig/jcGg1Zsb--4/s1600-h/DSC03789.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDcLV8QFHI/AAAAAAAABig/jcGg1Zsb--4/s400/DSC03789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395554441016382578" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD-ci_2UI/AAAAAAAABh4/dygwyD5Fch8/s1600-h/21102009938.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuCD-ci_2UI/AAAAAAAABh4/dygwyD5Fch8/s400/21102009938.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395457462427965762" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >We started in September and for around a month all the kids were squashed together in a few rooms and the Nursery had to stay in the Guest house (not that they complained!!) ... a challenging time. But not a complaint. Because what was happening inside the Home was fantastic. You can endure a little bit of hardship when you know there is a whole lot of blessing ahead!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDcKycrCBI/AAAAAAAABiY/H_8GEZMG1k8/s1600-h/DSC03778.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDcKycrCBI/AAAAAAAABiY/H_8GEZMG1k8/s400/DSC03778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395554431488690194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr0i4EdBI/AAAAAAAABjY/HL0tPxkvNnM/s1600-h/DSC03808.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr0i4EdBI/AAAAAAAABjY/HL0tPxkvNnM/s400/DSC03808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571641537557522" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Finally, we finished the face lift. Matthew has dome a great job with the guys. There is new ceramic tiles in the Living area, kitchen and workers rooms. The whole place has been repainted - the kids and aunties chose the colours. All new mosquito screen on the windows. New kitchen units and lovely black marble worktop. New curtains in every room and new soft furnishings throughout. All the toilets were unblocked (from teddies, toys, books, cutlery - you name it!!) and new toilets put in. All the kids room have vinyl laminate flooring. The whole outside of the building has been repainted, including windows and roof. We have a new wiring and electrical system. The swings and playground equipment are repaired and repainted. Amazing. Talk about a transformation!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDkh0yiMXI/AAAAAAAABio/2iFrFoYObyg/s1600-h/DSC03803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDkh0yiMXI/AAAAAAAABio/2iFrFoYObyg/s400/DSC03803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563623347270002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr1KTqiHI/AAAAAAAABjg/vdlIze41AxE/s1600-h/DSC03807.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr1KTqiHI/AAAAAAAABjg/vdlIze41AxE/s400/DSC03807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571652122282098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDki39GdxI/AAAAAAAABi4/IWq4war_UWE/s1600-h/DSC03898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDki39GdxI/AAAAAAAABi4/IWq4war_UWE/s400/DSC03898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563641376765714" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Everyone is so happy now. I went to take pictures yesterday and the kids and staff were over the moon. Delighted. They are calling it 'Malacanyan' - the place where the President of the Philippines resides! Even I would love to live next door at HMCH!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDzMnKKQ9I/AAAAAAAABjw/YLcYVG6obrA/s1600-h/DSC03806.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDzMnKKQ9I/AAAAAAAABjw/YLcYVG6obrA/s400/DSC03806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395579751585432530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDzMIfmSSI/AAAAAAAABjo/YoUpXZJXIdI/s1600-h/DSC03805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDzMIfmSSI/AAAAAAAABjo/YoUpXZJXIdI/s400/DSC03805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395579743353850146" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Enjoy the pictures and video ... they all looked a million dollars! I did a bit of a photo shoot for the staff and kids after taking the Home because they looked so good! Be amazed at what has happened. These children are precious to the Lord and the ministry of Marilyn and the Aunties is second to none. I am so happy for them. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDrztOBpZI/AAAAAAAABjI/tGRgKLmuVgs/s1600-h/DSC03892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDrztOBpZI/AAAAAAAABjI/tGRgKLmuVgs/s400/DSC03892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571627134133650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr0CmISUI/AAAAAAAABjQ/1YXCtZnZa_4/s1600-h/DSC03884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDr0CmISUI/AAAAAAAABjQ/1YXCtZnZa_4/s400/DSC03884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571632872376642" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >Sometimes, a positive change in the physical exterior can bring great joy and warmth to the whole ministry ... it has certainly happened at HMCH! Thank you Matthew & Jonathan. Thank you John & Lisa Mosey. Thank you Mary. Thank you staff. Thank you Lord.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDrzYG2U7I/AAAAAAAABjA/OA_PdpgBFSI/s1600-h/DSC03893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDrzYG2U7I/AAAAAAAABjA/OA_PdpgBFSI/s400/DSC03893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571621466887090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDkiTK9BLI/AAAAAAAABiw/WhbsgBMJmjo/s1600-h/DSC03904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SuDkiTK9BLI/AAAAAAAABiw/WhbsgBMJmjo/s400/DSC03904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395563631502754994" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-51617517383344722882009-10-23T00:11:00.001+08:002009-10-23T00:11:54.751+08:00Helga Mosey Children's Home ... Facelift!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/9Rcn450CfIw' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/9Rcn450CfIw'/></object></p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-8832420719834235162009-10-15T19:23:00.002+08:002009-10-15T22:07:12.160+08:00Amos 9<div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Lord speaks in many ways - through preaching, through the prophetic word, through dreams and visions, through circumstances, through words of knowledge ... and especially through His Word. I've learned that if the Lord wants me to take note of something or if He really wants to speak to me, He will let me hear or read the same passage of scripture three or four times. Same with you?<br /><br />Two days ago I was reading my Bible and I was going through Amos. Sometimes it is good to read a whole book at once. Chapters are there to break things down but most of these books were written and meant to be read as one book or letter. We can sit and read a novel or auto biography for hours but when we are reading God's Word we read a couple of pages, two or three chapters and say, "Right, that's enough for today." It's good - especially with the minor prophets and the Epistles (letters) - to read the whole book.<br /><br />Anyway, enough of me rambling on. I was reading Amos 9 and it hit me right between the eyes. I read it in the NLT and I wondered what it said in the Message translation. Yesterday, I was reading a blog and also a magazine ... and in both Amos 9 were used.<br /><br />Today, whilst driving to Church, I was listening to Paul Scanlon's message "Understanding Transition" and he uses it as his text ... from the Message! I knew God was speaking to me. He is amazing. So often He is desperate to speak .. but are we listening?<br /><br />Here is what it says in Amos 9:13-15, from the Message:<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Yes indeed, it won't be long now. God's Decree. </span></span></div></div><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won't be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I'll make everything right again for my people Israel: <br /><br />They'll rebuild their ruined cities.<br />They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.<br />They'll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.<br />And I'll plant them, plant them on their own land.<br />They'll never again be uprooted from the land I've given them.<br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">God, your God, says so.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't want to elaborate or suggest anything right now. Maybe these verses are for one or some of you reading this. I believe they are for me .. I have read the words but now I have to ask God for the understanding. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pray about it ... maybe this is for you. If you want to comment or send a wee message, would be great to hear from you. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blog again soon ...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Selah</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-4376013974556642772009-10-12T21:22:00.011+08:002009-10-12T22:23:21.682+08:00Cornerstone@5<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwOg9ueiI/AAAAAAAABfQ/V7MOXMZ1-_M/s1600-h/IMG_4925.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwOg9ueiI/AAAAAAAABfQ/V7MOXMZ1-_M/s400/IMG_4925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391706204817750562" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >A few weeks ago we had a tremendous weekend celebrating five years of Cornerstone Churches. We have been amazed at the goodness of the Lord and what He has done since 2004. We invited Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong and his wife Daphne to be our guest speakers - they are the Senior leaders of Cornerstone Singapore. They brought three other team members from Singapore.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx6G0o16I/AAAAAAAABgg/Xh2v1WJD9p4/s1600-h/IMG_5593.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx6G0o16I/AAAAAAAABgg/Xh2v1WJD9p4/s400/IMG_5593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391708053226182562" border="0" /></a>What a weekend we had! On Friday we picked up the Team and on Saturday morning we did 'Street Pastors' in Santiago. On Saturday night we had 'Colours of Cornerstone' where every church and department gave a video or PowerPoint of their ministries and then did a song, dance or testimony as well. It was great! The Police sent representatives, as did the Bureau of Jail, politicians and business friends. So much effort had gone into organising the event - especially from Jane Mangadap and her team!<br /><br />We now have 12 Cornerstone Churches and we are planning to plant 6 more in the next 6 months. Every church wore different colours - what a night!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxIysPHuI/AAAAAAAABfw/uiK0bi3yKt0/s1600-h/IMG_5008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxIysPHuI/AAAAAAAABfw/uiK0bi3yKt0/s400/IMG_5008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391707206008643298" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwQFUDICI/AAAAAAAABfo/uMuQyO3uoAc/s1600-h/IMG_4961.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwQFUDICI/AAAAAAAABfo/uMuQyO3uoAc/s400/IMG_4961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391706231754924066" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwPmFYA7I/AAAAAAAABfg/uw42B0xNXtQ/s1600-h/IMG_4948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwPmFYA7I/AAAAAAAABfg/uw42B0xNXtQ/s400/IMG_4948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391706223371879346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxJe9ie9I/AAAAAAAABf4/jWr7pi68dFc/s1600-h/IMG_5022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxJe9ie9I/AAAAAAAABf4/jWr7pi68dFc/s400/IMG_5022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391707217892375506" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwO4Lim-I/AAAAAAAABfY/aBzx3MF9ev4/s1600-h/IMG_4943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwO4Lim-I/AAAAAAAABfY/aBzx3MF9ev4/s400/IMG_4943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391706211049708514" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxJ4RpgqI/AAAAAAAABgA/eyN0L5-4U6U/s1600-h/IMG_5063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxJ4RpgqI/AAAAAAAABgA/eyN0L5-4U6U/s400/IMG_5063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391707224687608482" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >On Sunday morning we had the Anniversary service and Pastor Yang spoke about being a prophetic church. He prayed for all our leaders and the praise & worship was wonderful - a taste of heaven! At the end of the service so many came forward for prayer and to be touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. Incredible morning!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx58TZtmI/AAAAAAAABgY/myOcX2I5xDw/s1600-h/IMG_5232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx58TZtmI/AAAAAAAABgY/myOcX2I5xDw/s400/IMG_5232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391708050402424418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxKR5NC-I/AAAAAAAABgQ/xXkUVAOwKbI/s1600-h/IMG_5161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMxKR5NC-I/AAAAAAAABgQ/xXkUVAOwKbI/s400/IMG_5161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391707231564401634" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >After the service we had a baptismal service at the Sefton pool. We had four groups of pastors baptising because we had around 60 candidates to be baptised. What a wonderful time. In the evening Pastor Yang and Pastor Daphne spoke to our Cornerstone leaders and then at 730pm other leaders from nearby churches joined us for a leadership seminar.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM598BKPFI/AAAAAAAABhg/AyFV7MXu9kE/s1600-h/IMG_5474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM598BKPFI/AAAAAAAABhg/AyFV7MXu9kE/s400/IMG_5474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391716915138411602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM5-PC8D2I/AAAAAAAABho/C7mU5gGjWUM/s1600-h/IMG_5581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM5-PC8D2I/AAAAAAAABho/C7mU5gGjWUM/s400/IMG_5581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391716920246144866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4GseoESI/AAAAAAAABhA/hyzIw-W--W8/s1600-h/IMG_5768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4GseoESI/AAAAAAAABhA/hyzIw-W--W8/s400/IMG_5768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391714866562601250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >On Monday we went to the jail and had a great service there. Pastor Yang spoke ... and the fire of God fell!! We baptised 15 new believers after the service.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4HIGzzCI/AAAAAAAABhI/SnAQYr-brlw/s1600-h/IMG_5754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4HIGzzCI/AAAAAAAABhI/SnAQYr-brlw/s400/IMG_5754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391714873978899490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx6ho3mNI/AAAAAAAABgo/XDG1kcJNqs8/s1600-h/IMG_5738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMx6ho3mNI/AAAAAAAABgo/XDG1kcJNqs8/s400/IMG_5738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391708060424575186" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwOGdoogI/AAAAAAAABfI/PWVSsGFAXpI/s1600-h/IMG_4882.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StMwOGdoogI/AAAAAAAABfI/PWVSsGFAXpI/s400/IMG_4882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391706197703827970" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >So we thank God for his faithfulness to Cornerstone in the last 5 years. It's incredible to see what He has done with a group of willing and surrendered leaders. Our theme was taken from 1 Samuel 7:12- "Ebeneezer - God has helped us every step of the way."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >And He has. And He is. And He always will.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Selah</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4HxgOndI/AAAAAAAABhY/3dyrCH0Xsv8/s1600-h/IMG_5597.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4HxgOndI/AAAAAAAABhY/3dyrCH0Xsv8/s400/IMG_5597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391714885091368402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4GMEv6bI/AAAAAAAABg4/MsWcM_rqpNY/s1600-h/IMG_5969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/StM4GMEv6bI/AAAAAAAABg4/MsWcM_rqpNY/s400/IMG_5969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391714857864128946" border="0" /></a></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-2874550507554511862009-09-08T11:24:00.002+08:002009-09-08T12:00:02.682+08:00Comeback ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SqXWopvq70I/AAAAAAAABfA/HQ5HI6-p82M/s1600-h/DSC05380.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SqXWopvq70I/AAAAAAAABfA/HQ5HI6-p82M/s400/DSC05380.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378941323852836674" border="0" /></a><br />... I am making a comeback in blogworld! It seems that a few folk are missing the blog...<br /><br />Check it out again next week! This week is unbelievably busy. We are going to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Cornerstone this weekend and Pastor Yang and his lovely wife Daphne are bringing a small team to speak and share for the occasion. Wow ... should be amazing. Will blog about it soon.<br /><br />So many things to share ... next week! If you have any comments, pls write below. If you really would like the Sefton blog to continue ... let me know.<br /><br />Until next week ... blessings upon blessings!<br /><br />Bye ...Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-54584239352661383632009-05-23T13:38:00.003+08:002009-05-23T13:50:01.147+08:00Bit of a Nothing Blog ... but at least you know I am Alive!<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Sorry ...<br /><br />... I really hoped to get some momentum with my blogs. Truth is that there is so much to blog about! So many things have happened and are happening around our lives and ministry. BIG problem is our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span>. In the last month it has been on around 5 or 6 part-days!! Even Mary is beginning to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">complain</span> ... and that's something! We are looking fir different options but o far there are none. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aaaaaaggggghhhh</span>..<br /><br />I am sitting in an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Internet</span> cafe again, but it is not the nicest of places with so many teenage guys blowing up and shooting the enemy playing their crazy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">violent</span> games! Hard to get some decent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">thought</span> processes going! Whatever brain I have after 39.99 years of use is finding it hard to put some words together!<br /><br />What's been happening here?<br /><br />* Just back from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AoG</span> National Conference<br />* Many kids discharged from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">HMCH</span> ... Ryan going to Italy!<br />* <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SBTC</span> Week of Refreshing<br />* <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">SBTC</span> Graduation<br /><br />I only have a few days left of being in my thirties!!! I will be 40 on Thursday 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> May!! I am looking back, planning ahead and working out my life!<br /><br />Blog soon ... promise! Just pray for good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Internet</span>!!!! Thanks</span>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-73070186900650579242009-05-14T05:30:00.004+08:002009-05-14T06:35:08.319+08:00Iron Shrpens Iron<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">Over the last weeks, I have had the amazing privilege of listening to three great men of God - Reinhard Bonkke, Ed Silvoso and David Shearman. All of them have done a significant work for the Lord in different ways.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSYToLuI/AAAAAAAABeI/K0_UAMJu3sw/s1600-h/bonkke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 111px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSYToLuI/AAAAAAAABeI/K0_UAMJu3sw/s320/bonkke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335436564638478050" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Reinhard Bonkke </span>- Incredible evangelist to Africa. I first heard about him as a teenager at an AoG conference. At that time he was making a 34000-seater tent that was going to touch Africa. Little did he know that the tent was far too small! Now he sees literally millions of people come to his evangelistic crusades and in 2009 alone, more than 2 million people have accepted Christ through his ministry. Incredible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">I was honoured to go with David Strachan to Singapore for the celebration of Reinhard's 50 years in the ministry ... what a weekend! Planetshakers were the worship leaders, so you can imagine how powerful the services were!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">As I listened and watched this great man, what did I learn?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Passion for souls. He has an incredible passion to 'plunder hell and populate heaven.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Integrity - He has not been tarnished by scandal or accusations. He has been a man of honour for many years and does not strive after worldly possessions. He even sold his house in the states to pay for an evangelistic crusade!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Focus - He knows who he is, where he is an where he is going</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Mentor - He is mentoring young men to work with him and one day he will release them into what he ha started. The work will go on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSiRs5LI/AAAAAAAABeY/uTaRs2EpvFo/s1600-h/ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 146px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSiRs5LI/AAAAAAAABeY/uTaRs2EpvFo/s320/ed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335436567314752690" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">I was invited by Brian Burton - a British AoG Missionary in Thailand - to go to a 'Transform Our World' Conference in Phuket last month. The main speaker was <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ed Silvoso.</span> I felt it was very strategic for where we are at Cornerstone so I brought our three leaders with me. I had met and heard Ed Silvoso in the 90's because there was a strong link made with his ministry and my home church in Fraserburgh. He has recently written a book about Transformation and I felt that we needed to be there. We had a great conference and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Ed, his wife and his world team.<br /><br />He is still an excellent communicator and his heart is to see Marketplace Ministers throughout the world in our churches. His presentations were excellent and very challenging.<br /><br />What did I learn from this man?<br /><br />* Loves people - seemed to me like he really genuinely loves people. There were many of his team there and they testified about how Ed had really poured his life into theirs. Again, he was a mentorer.<br /><br />* Burden - He has a tremendous burden to see Christians raised up to minister on the fields of work they live in. The world will only be transformed when the Pastors and Christian leaders raise up and recognise that not every person in their church needs to go to the ministry via Bible School! Teachers can reach teachers, shopkeepers can reach shopkeepers ... we need to raise up Marketplace Ministers.<br /><br />* Networking - Ed and his ministry is known all over the world. He knows the power of networking and synergy. He knows what he needs to become and needs to say to get his message through to a lot of leaders from a lot of backgrounds in a lot of nations.<br /><br />* Transformation - At eth end of the day, Ed longs for societies and cities to be transformed. It is great to have a revival in church but far better to see a transformation in the community! We need both! If Christians touch God in the church, reach and bless people in their work places.. transformation will come!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSmPvH3I/AAAAAAAABeQ/hTqpgtk2Vh0/s1600-h/ds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 122px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgtHSmPvH3I/AAAAAAAABeQ/hTqpgtk2Vh0/s320/ds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335436568380252018" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">This week I am attending the Philippine General Council of the AoG Conference in Cebu, Philippines. One of the speakers in <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">David Shearman</span> from Nottingham, UK. David has been one of our national AoG Leaders for many years and is very respected in the movement. He has built a great church in Nottingham of around 1500 people. He has wonderful gifts in teaching and preaching with a strong prophetic edge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">When I know he was coming, I decided to email and ask if I could spend time with him and even help him while he was here. Si this week has been great for me. We have spent a lot of time together and I really am challenged by this man. What have I leaned so far?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Commitment and resilience - This man has been in Nottingham for 44 years - around 38 as the Senior Leader. Say no more. That's commitment. Many struggles over the years, but here he is still serving God and overseeing His work. He is committed to British AoG, his local church, to missions and to his family. God, make me passionately committed!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Prophetic - over here in the Philippines, the gifts of the Hole Spirit are not taught about much. You would never go to an AoG church and hear a prophetic word. But David has an amazing gift of prophecy - not only as words but also when he ministers the word of God. When he was preaching yesterday, I was thinking, "Wow, you are saying and touching things in your message that you know nothing about but are significant words from God." God, make me prophetic!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Mentoring - David has been known as a man who mentors the next generation. I love that. His heart is to train those coming behind. He does this at a local, national and international level. This makes him a great man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">* Humility - when you speak and share with David Shearman for any length of time you will see tears. This week I have seen him kneel in the services in times of consecration. As we speak together I have seen his compassion. His interest as I simply share my life and heart with him. It is so easy to get a hard heart in the ministry. But David has reminded me again of the importance of humility and compassion. Of we don't have these in our lives ... we might as well give up!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">So these three men have impacted me in many ways. I feel that God has been bringing me on a crash course this year to learn from these men and to sharpen my life and ministry. You may say,” Well, what a waste of your time, effort and money. Why can't you just listen to CD's and stay at home?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">Sometimes you have to be where the men of God are. There is something called Impartation ... when a man or woman of God lays hands on you, prays for you and imparts things of God into your life. You can't get this from buying a CD. You gotta go. Actually, going in itself is a sign to God that you are serious about what He wants to bring us into. You will never waste money of your goal is to receive from the Lord. He will always bless your life in so many ways. God loves "Those who have set their hearts to pilgrimage" Chasing the blessings? No. Cherishing the anointing? Yes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">I am a blessed man. I feel challenged and refreshed by what these men have said, but also how they have lived and are living. They are all, I think, in their 60's and I can see that the fire and passion of God is alive and well in each of them. I pray that they all 'Finish Well."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">And how about you? Well, my advice is to get around men and women of God who can impart something into your life. Get around people who will speak truth to you. Get around people who have proved themselves to be faithful. Get around people who can pour what they have into you. Get around people who will stretch you and challenge you. Get around people who are changing our world for God.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">You can sit in a church all your life and never be challenged. You plan your vacations to go to places where your soul will be happy but where your spirit is never fed. Why don't you change your heart? Why not, for maybe the first time, say, "God, I want to go and see what you are doing in this world. I want to go and spend time with a person who is making an impact for you. I want to experience you at work. I want to be challenged. I want to be refreshed. I want to learn new things."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">If you have the heart to go ... God will have the heart to bless. And your life will be changed ... forever!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">Michael Angelo said, "The problem for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss, but that we aim too low ... and hit."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">Selah</span></span><br /><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-11450416745861300652009-05-13T14:27:00.001+08:002009-05-13T14:27:12.402+08:00Crazy River in Santiago<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/1nYG0HLd3U0' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/1nYG0HLd3U0'/></object></p><p>Here is the river in Santiago last week! Unbelievable. See the power lines ... they are usually 15-20ft in the air. That's how high we are talking about. Scary stuff.</p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-60576552246753156212009-05-11T21:48:00.004+08:002009-05-11T22:44:35.888+08:00How Can a City Be Changed?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Over <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">the</span> last week I have been really challenged by what I have seen, heard and experienced. What we think changes us; but also what wee see, hear and experience moulds and shapes our lives. No matter how much <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">philosophy</span> we know or ideas we may hold on to ... when disaster comes, what we go through and how we respond to what we go through shows what we really believe and trust in.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Last week I watched my friends and fellow workers homes go under a deluge of water and mud. I saw it. I also saw for myself how they reacted. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aunty</span> Betty emailed me and said,"I cannot believe their faces (smiles)" I heard what they said and I experienced their deep emotions and positive <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">attitude</span>. They have preached louder last week than in the last 5 years behind a pulpit. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >How can we change city? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">The</span> same way in which I have been changed. Seeing. Experiencing. Hearing.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >There are a few basic things that you see in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">the</span> first few chapters of Acts - the beginning, the blueprint for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">the</span> church.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >1. Prayer</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >2. Power</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >3. Presence</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >4. Provision</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >5. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Proclamation</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Why is this still so important today? How can we still follow this simple example?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">1. Prayer</span> - believe it or not, prayer is still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">the</span> key that will unlock doors and open <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">the</span> way for a clear vision. If we pray ... He will answer. In this age of ready made videos & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">DVD's</span>, there is still no shortcut to revival or transformed societies. It starts with a group of people who are desperate for God to do <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">something</span> and even more desperate to be used by Him. Many churches are doing everything EXCEPT pray. Our fruit will be little and our vision will be good ideas.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">2. Power</span> - I am a Pentecostal, and I have preached so many times about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">miracles</span>, signs and wonders. We need them today etc. etc. And we do. this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">unbelieving</span> generation demands a sign that God is alive and sometimes only a miracle will prove He is there and He has power.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >We have been faced with many challenges in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">the</span> past 9 years and we could tell you story after story of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">the</span> miraculous power of God. When you trust Him ... He turns up. Back in the UK I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">believe</span> that people need to experience the power of God. Not just read about it or hear about it ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">but</span> experience it. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Trouble</span> is that very few Pastors and leaders see a true miracle from one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">years</span> end to another. We need to experience the power of God.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">3. Presence</span> - and where do we need this power? On <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">the</span> streets. In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">the</span> hospitals. In our homes. In our workplace. Church was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">not</span> made to be in church building alone. Church was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">designed</span> to be where the people were. My views on church have changed so much in my few years here.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >A few months ago <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">God</span> spoke to me. He <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">said</span>, "Mark, 99% of people in this city will never come to Cornerstone." What an encouraging word! Thanks Lord. He lead me to read the Gospel of Mark. Then I realised. Probably 90% of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">the</span> ministry of Christ was done on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">the</span> streets - in people's homes, in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">the</span> market, in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Fields</span>, in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">the</span> villages. When I looked at my church experience over <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">the</span> years, I realised that 90% of all ministry in most churches is done INSIDE the church building. We gather a few but multitudes outside never hear.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">God</span> designed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">the</span> church to have presence in the marketplace. this is where we belong. What about a church that never goes on to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">the</span> streets, never reaches out to the strangers, never touches the poor? What kind of a church is that? That, my friend is not a church as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">God</span> designed; it is a group of Christians who meet together for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">the</span> sake of meeting together. We are right when we call it 'Meetings" - we meet and leave. The church is not an end ... but a means to an end. Church without <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">evangelism</span> is not a church at all. A church with no presence on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">the</span> streets is a church that needs to wake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">up</span> and smell <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">the</span> harvest.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">4. Provision</span> - the early church ministered to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">the</span> poor, fed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">the</span> widows and found themselves reaching out into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">the</span> felt needs of Jerusalem. This is so importance. I am really beginning to see that there is an invisible secret that we know little about by reading the book of Acts. Yes, power and miracles are important for people to experience. But I believe that many accepted Christ because they SAW a church that ministered to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">the</span> poor day in day out. Not a fortnightly rota with a few buns and soup, but a group of people who cared consistently and selflessly.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >They gave. They fed. They prayed for people. They clothed. The sacrificed what they had. They <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">ministered</span>. Every day. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >I have seen the power of kindness last week. By giving out a few cakes and noodles last week I felt true appreciation from people <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">whose</span> lives were falling apart. They said things like, :I will never forget your kindness." Or "No-one cares for us apart from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Cornerstone</span>." or "Nobody came but you." They SAW something. Their felt need was met. Random acts of loving kindness can break the hardest heart.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >When we schedule <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">evangelistic</span> programmes and powerful events, let us remember that a simple act of kindness and love can be just as powerful as the most wonderful message! Yes, we need <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">peop</span>le to experience <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">the</span> power. But just as important, we need people to SEE that we really care. We provide. We give. We sacrifice.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">5. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Proclamation</span> - Our mission at Cornerstone is "to Make Jesus Famous" People in Santiago need to be connected to Him ... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">source</span> of life and everything we need. In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">the</span> early church, it was all about Jesus. In every message in Acts, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">the</span> Apostles preached Jesus.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Today, we still need people to HEAR that Jesus is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">the</span> only one that can save, heal, deliver and bring joy, purpose and life! We still have a message to proclaim! Praise God, the way in which we can share <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">the</span> message has changed - blogs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">podcasts</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">internet</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">powerpoints</span> etc. etc ... but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">the</span> basic message is still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">the</span> same. Amazing.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >I believe the people in Jerusalem SAW the care and compassion of these young Christians; They experience the miraculous power of God and they heard the message of Christ. They believed, repented, were baptised ... and the church grew from strength to strength, from street to street, family to family. News about what was happening was the talk of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">the</span> town. Being with Christians was the place to be. The whole city was filled with awe and great joy.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >How I wish one day people will write this about Santiago!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > Can a city be changed? Yes. Absolutely. But somehow we have to allow <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">the</span> people to see, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">experience</span> and hear what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">God</span> is all about. He needs no props. When He turns up things will never <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">be</span> the same again. I feel we have to change <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">the</span> way we think. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Allow</span> God to show us new paradigms. New levels.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Gotta go and catch my bus!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >What do yo think? Please leave a comment and lets get talking!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">Selah</span> </span></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-85862389462591287622009-05-09T15:54:00.008+08:002009-05-09T17:03:08.753+08:00It Is Well ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDY71JQjI/AAAAAAAABdw/sBY4QC8i7wQ/s1600-h/IMG_2763.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDY71JQjI/AAAAAAAABdw/sBY4QC8i7wQ/s400/IMG_2763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333743429346738738" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday was was one of the most incredible days I have lived! I went to bed and it seemed as though the water was in my brain and between my ears .. I had seen so much of the stuff! Every time I closed my eyes I saw fast, muddy water that looked like coffee!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYxrj7xI/AAAAAAAABdo/X9EDNj4zIMc/s1600-h/IMG_2713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYxrj7xI/AAAAAAAABdo/X9EDNj4zIMc/s400/IMG_2713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333743426622189330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">It was heavy rain again last night and I feared the worst. I left St James Subdivision and literally hundreds of people were sitting on their tricycles or standing in the mud waiting for the water to subside. With the heavy rain I thought that they would have to wait a long time. But praise God ... I found out this morning that the water finally subsided in Pastor Adonis' house at 1am!</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Mary & I went to St James this morning to see the pastors and their families .. as well as many families who have sent their kids to our school in the past or at the present. A lovely christian lady texted us to swing by her house to take some food for the people. She gave us ten big boxes of noodles, two boxes of Coffee sachets and hundreds of buns. My car was full.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDZJrj88I/AAAAAAAABd4/y6LpE1HERbI/s1600-h/IMG_2749.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDZJrj88I/AAAAAAAABd4/y6LpE1HERbI/s400/IMG_2749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333743433064641474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAUsvtozI/AAAAAAAABdQ/gmT-2wpzwPc/s1600-h/IMG_0274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAUsvtozI/AAAAAAAABdQ/gmT-2wpzwPc/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333740058043065138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">When we entered St James, it was like a war zone! Che, one of our members, showed me how high the water came in her house (above) and look at her belongings! Everyone, and I mean everyone, had all their earthly possessions out on the street or in their garden and all of them were busy cleaning their furniture and possessions. We saw mattresses that were drenched... sofas that were soaking... everywhere!</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />We visited Pastor Jun and he had already cleaned his house and had gone to help Pastor Adonis. Pastor Marlou was almost finished his house. We went to Pastor Adonis' house ... what an absolute mess! His whole house had been caked in mud. The mud was around a foot deep and the water was about 7 feet - touching the ceiling! When we saw him he was busy washing his furniture ... with a toothbrush. I told him he'd better not brush his teeth tonight!</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">How can this man smile when everything he has has been under the water? Incredible.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAURRNHVI/AAAAAAAABdI/VKaOvTD0OeU/s1600-h/IMG_0257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAURRNHVI/AAAAAAAABdI/VKaOvTD0OeU/s400/IMG_0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333740050667347282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Pastor Adonis took a step of faith three months ago and rented the house next to his to start a new Cornerstone Church. He pays for the rent himself and he and his family, along with some neighbours, really sacrifices to make this simple house into a place of worship. I went there a few weeks ago and there was around 60-70 people attending! Below are the photos before the typhoon.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAUG5eO1I/AAAAAAAABdA/xUfpYS87j6w/s1600-h/IMG_0135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAUG5eO1I/AAAAAAAABdA/xUfpYS87j6w/s400/IMG_0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333740047883451218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAT0i5_LI/AAAAAAAABc4/HAba3Now3RA/s1600-h/IMG_0132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVAT0i5_LI/AAAAAAAABc4/HAba3Now3RA/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333740042956962994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVATlZecWI/AAAAAAAABcw/Rbb_PFtDaMI/s1600-h/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVATlZecWI/AAAAAAAABcw/Rbb_PFtDaMI/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333740038890877282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">But when I saw the devastation in the church .. I was so sad. All the PA equipment was covered in mud. The musical instruments - drums, keyboard, guitars - looked as if they were pretty much destroyed. The floor of the church was covered in mud. I just felt in the spirit, " We will get this place more beautiful than before!"<br /><br /></span></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7NoXQ32I/AAAAAAAABbg/wquknNeqKEU/s1600-h/IMG_0249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7NoXQ32I/AAAAAAAABbg/wquknNeqKEU/s400/IMG_0249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333734439049551714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7N3aiKpI/AAAAAAAABb4/F_7WEGhwIeY/s1600-h/IMG_0255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7N3aiKpI/AAAAAAAABb4/F_7WEGhwIeY/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333734443089799826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7N01vcMI/AAAAAAAABbw/wOA1EhkXCwQ/s1600-h/IMG_0253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7N01vcMI/AAAAAAAABbw/wOA1EhkXCwQ/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333734442398609602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7NlGFgHI/AAAAAAAABbo/Aqk1ntN5o-8/s1600-h/IMG_0250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7NlGFgHI/AAAAAAAABbo/Aqk1ntN5o-8/s400/IMG_0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333734438172196978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Some of our Cornerstone members' houses are in a bad way too. I said to one member, "Yesterday was a terrible day for you." His response? "Yes, but today is a day of challenge and opportunity for me and for us." In all of my travels in these last two days I have never heard one complaint or angry word. Filipinos are people of resilience, respect and gratitude ... and I admire and love them more and more.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">I was so proud of our Cornerstone Pastors and workers. Yesterday, Henry told me they fed 2000 people with Congee! He was so tired. But he asked if I had any money to give him ingredients to make another 1000 meals today! So he rose at 4am and started making food for everyone again. I met them going around every street in St James with free food. People came with huge pots ... and we filled them. These people were so busy cleaning they had no time to cook ... but thanks to Henry and the team a great need was met. We also went round on tricycles giving out coffee, noodles and buns! Meals on wheels ... Cornerstone style!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYVUnYnI/AAAAAAAABdY/4mASlFjHA1Y/s1600-h/IMG_0277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYVUnYnI/AAAAAAAABdY/4mASlFjHA1Y/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333743419009753714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYgPB42I/AAAAAAAABdg/57Eti1tVGsU/s1600-h/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVDYgPB42I/AAAAAAAABdg/57Eti1tVGsU/s400/IMG_0279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333743421939114850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7OOsulZI/AAAAAAAABcA/kskY0jpL1Ew/s1600-h/IMG_0272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgU7OOsulZI/AAAAAAAABcA/kskY0jpL1Ew/s400/IMG_0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333734449340126610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">I heard on the news that 24 people died in Isabela. When I saw the river yesterday, I knew that some people would have had no chance. Please pray for those who have lost so much. Pray for our Pastors as they try and get back to a normal life in their homes. Pray that we westerners could learn from these Filipinos about how to live by faith, how to respond to difficulty and how to smile. Pray for many Muslim families who had their homes completely destroyed. Pray for our Cornerstone churches .. that they would reach out and touch lives in this hour of need.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Pray for all our Pastors and staff and all the people we know in Santiago who are going to bed in wet homes with no electricity tonight.<br /><br />Thanks for all your prayers. If you have only started reading the blog in the last day or two, why don't you bookmark this page and check it out from time to time. Please sign our Guestbook on the right and leave a message or comment.</span></span> </div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I leave you with the words of an old hymn that I have been singing away over </span>the<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> last few days:<br /><br /></span></span><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,<br />When sorrows like sea billows roll;<br />Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,<br />It is well, it is well, with my soul.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" class="chorus"><span style="font-size:130%;">It is well, with my soul,<br />It is well, with my soul,<br />It is well, it is well, with my soul.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,<br />Let this blest assurance control,<br />That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,<br />And hath shed His own blood for my soul.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!<br />My sin, not in part but the whole,<br />Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,<br />Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:<br />If Jordan above me shall roll,<br />No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life<br />Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,<br />The sky, not the grave, is our goal;<br />Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!<br />Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,<br />The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;<br />The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,<br />Even so, <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">it is well with my soul...</span></span></p><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >... and that, my friend, is the most important thing</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >.<br /><br />Selah<br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">P.s. - there is one good thing that came out of the typhoon. Pastor Winston found two fish in his living room as he was cleaning it out! Will make a nice snack!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVGQpvv9sI/AAAAAAAABeA/KvrCVikqi0I/s1600-h/IMG_2732.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgVGQpvv9sI/AAAAAAAABeA/KvrCVikqi0I/s400/IMG_2732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333746585588201154" border="0" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-81939206397813018432009-05-08T19:43:00.001+08:002009-05-08T19:43:29.849+08:00Water Water Everywhere ...<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/MFS_o5Esaw4' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/MFS_o5Esaw4'/></object></p><p>Last night Typhoon Emong hit us here in the Philippines. The rain was incredible and caused flash floods. Many houses were completely submerged and people climbed on their roofs to be safe. This is the morning after...</p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-83694202492716826562009-05-08T14:10:00.005+08:002009-05-08T14:54:11.767+08:00Emergency: Pray for us!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOp3LUyYI/AAAAAAAABaw/vn7tsg74ITc/s1600-h/IMG_2688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOp3LUyYI/AAAAAAAABaw/vn7tsg74ITc/s400/IMG_2688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333333602318207362" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the last few days it has been raining heavily here in Northern Philippines. Yesterday we were warned of a typhoon that was sweeping towards us in Isabela. Some typhoons are very destructive with heavy winds, some are destructive with heavy rain ... but when you get the two together, that's when real trouble comes. And that's what happened last night...</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">The rain was pouring down last night. We had to wade through the water to get to the Bible School for a meeting. We were worried because many of our Pastors live in a place called St James, which is very prone to flooding. In 2007, our Pastors had to evacuate five times. But for two years there has been no floods and the government was confident that the problem had been solved.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">But this morning we met one of our Teachers who lives in St James - Teacher Jennifer. She told us that she had a horrific night. She lives alone and she woke up at 2am to find the water coming up past her bed...and rising fast. She grabbed some things in her bag and ran. She left her mobile phone in her house along with everything else. She walked to Sefton Village through the storm .. and that's a long way in those conditions. On the way she was so exhausted that she just dropped her bag and let it float away. She has no way of knowing what has been destroyed in her house because it is completely submerged in water.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I texted all our pastors and staff who lived in St James. Pastor Jun told me that they were ok but stranded in their house. His pregnant wife Emmy Lou was sitting on a chair that was on top of their table. Jun said that even in the typhoon she looked like a queen! Most of our staff did not respond, so I decided to go and see for myself.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I went past the bakery and ordered 500 cakes. I went to the town while they prepared the cakes and I could not believe what I saw. On the bridges of Santiago hundred of people were looking over the river. But now, it was more like a raging ocean. Water was everywhere. The elecrticity lines were literally inches from the flowing water. People's houses were submerged. Many were on the roofs with all their worldly possessions. There was a boat going around saving people. I couldn't believe my eyes.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">The police officer in charge said that in all his years as a policeman in Santiago, this was the worst floods he had ever seen. I went to St James and didn't get very far. Even the main road down to the homes was flooded ... and I know that this road was far higher than the homes below. I went around and gave out my cakes. The people were so grateful ... even though many had lost so much. I felt, "What's a cake when their world was falling apart?" But anyway, it brought a lot of happiness to many people (especially kids!) and sometimes all you need to know is that someone cares.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">The police told us a few hours ago that the water was going to go higher. But as I went back to St James, I was happy to see it was receding. Please pray that he water will continue to recede. They say they are going to open up some dams nearby and that would raise the levels again. Please pray.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">As I speak, I don't know the full extent of the floods. I know that all of our staff are OK but that many will have lost most of their possessions. The Pastors of Cornerstone who were not effected by the flood have been working hard helping people. Pastor Henry has just finished making meals for 1000 people and he , along with Pastor Danny, is going to find those who have no home and no hope. We are planning to use the church or fir centre as a place of refuge, if needed.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Please please pray that there are no casualties. Please pray that at this difficult time we will be able to touch the lives of thousands with practical love. Pray that out of this typhoon many will turn to Christ. Pray for our staff that have suffered and that are worried. Pray for Jennifer and Pastor Adonis ... they are the worst affected and Jun said that he was so upset watching Adonis as he stood and watched his house go under the water. Adonis' roof is almost covered with water ... everything will be destroyed. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I will do another blog tomorrow with an update. Sefton Village is ok because it is high up. My family are doing well, although Lydia is a bit upset about Pastors Jun's house and the house of her friends (Adonis' kids) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am continually amazed at the attitude and resilience of Filipinos. Time and time again they suffer so mush with typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes ... and yet they seem to rise up and get on with life so quickly. I am just thanking the Lord today that in all my life in UK I have never had to go through what these lovely people go through again and again. Count your blessings ... and don't hold on too much to things that perish.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Many thanks for your concern. You mean the world to us ... especially in times like these.</span><br /><br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPPEAOhuiI/AAAAAAAABbQ/DrQRUvgD00M/s1600-h/IMG_2700.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPPEAOhuiI/AAAAAAAABbQ/DrQRUvgD00M/s400/IMG_2700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333334051424156194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqQejypI/AAAAAAAABbI/byT3HOl_3tg/s1600-h/IMG_2696.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqQejypI/AAAAAAAABbI/byT3HOl_3tg/s400/IMG_2696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333333609109768850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqRcigCI/AAAAAAAABbA/4QIScJOOZwY/s1600-h/IMG_2694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqRcigCI/AAAAAAAABbA/4QIScJOOZwY/s400/IMG_2694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333333609369731106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqP_k2JI/AAAAAAAABa4/0Vp-WKOWkbo/s1600-h/IMG_2691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOqP_k2JI/AAAAAAAABa4/0Vp-WKOWkbo/s400/IMG_2691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333333608979814546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOphqYUOI/AAAAAAAABao/8tzyS59lYEs/s1600-h/IMG_2679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPOphqYUOI/AAAAAAAABao/8tzyS59lYEs/s400/IMG_2679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333333596542882018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPPEbhLjjI/AAAAAAAABbY/yX7MsevN8K8/s1600-h/IMG_2709.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SgPPEbhLjjI/AAAAAAAABbY/yX7MsevN8K8/s400/IMG_2709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333334058750152242" border="0" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-77216846350517066632009-03-25T16:15:00.005+08:002009-03-25T17:19:47.879+08:00Still in Bonny Scotland ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnuY3AgUJI/AAAAAAAABaY/Ax9yJZao2Hk/s1600-h/IMG_0047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnuY3AgUJI/AAAAAAAABaY/Ax9yJZao2Hk/s400/IMG_0047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317042945937920146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Still here ... only just! We have booked our flights 'home' for Monday (30th March) from Aberdeen. So we will have been home for around 6 weeks altogether.<br /><br />We are sure that we made the right decision and we have been able to spend a lot of time with David & Wilma up in Wick.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">David had his 3rd chemo last Friday in Inverness and is learning to rest and not push himself too hard between treatments (not easy for us men!) The great news is that he gets his next one in Wick - so no 9 hour round trip by train. This has given him a real boost. But I think the greatest boost is to see Lydia & Josiah with him for a while ... they have been really good children. </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">We were able to celebrate David's 66th Birthday last week (below).<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnuYvyl7uI/AAAAAAAABaQ/FqcoBVK2xwE/s1600-h/IMG_0061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnuYvyl7uI/AAAAAAAABaQ/FqcoBVK2xwE/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317042944000519906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is always sad to say goodbye but our plan is to come home for itinerary next March, so it won't be long until everyone sees us again! Don't know if this is good or bad!!! We have been able to see almost all of our friends in the last few weeks, even our lovely friends down in the Central Belt.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Also been able to do quite a bit of ministry over here in many churches. I felt that the message God gave me was to 'look up and see the harvest'. I am preaching at New Hope, Peterhead on Sunday morning and I feel it will be a significant day. Pastor Neil Cameron and his team are doing great and I went there last Sunday night ... place was packed. On Sunday night we will be at Fraserburgh Elim but I will pop up to AoG to say goodbye to all our friends there.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">I leave you with a new link from one of our churches in the Philippines. It is San Isidro and they have started a new blog. I apologise on behalf of all the other blogs, I don't know what has happened to the Pastors over there! When I get back i will try and inspire them to blog. I think the internet connection has been off for nearly a fortnight, to be fair.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">But check this blog by Pastor Alex Ritua regarding San Isidro - it's encouraging!</span></span> <a href="http://www.ccsi-online.blogspot.com"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.ccsi-online.blogspot.com</span></span></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.ccsi-online.blogspot.com"><br /></a><br />Don't worry ... we are still experiencing Filipino life over here! I can park my car down the harbour and within 5 minutes of saying 'Kumusta' to a Filipino fisherman (there are around 300 here!) there will be a crowd of Filipinos everywhere! Even in Wick, we bumped into a few in Tescos ... and took them out for a coffee (below)<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnxC50HoHI/AAAAAAAABag/oQSXW61a6QA/s1600-h/IMG_0056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/ScnxC50HoHI/AAAAAAAABag/oQSXW61a6QA/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317045867269038194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Be blessed. Will blog soon ...</span></span><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-3673795933113464142009-03-11T07:19:00.005+08:002009-03-11T17:58:53.034+08:00Back Home<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2Kb7TkwI/AAAAAAAABZw/lOEIu469cv8/s1600-h/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2Kb7TkwI/AAAAAAAABZw/lOEIu469cv8/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311703469685707522" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sorry for the lack of blogs recently. So many things have been happening in the last few weeks and we are just catching up with ourselves! The main reason we are back in Scotland is because Mary's dad - David - was diagnosed with a serious strain of cancer and we decided to come home to spend time with Mary's parents and help them at this difficult time.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We only had a few days to get things sorted out at Sefton. I think Mary and I had around 20 meetings with people in a couple of days. The great thing is that Keith & Anne are still there and will return to UK in April 7th. Matthew & Claire are also there, so we decided that we had a window of opportunity to come home ... and we did. We only have one life and we are often faces with difficult decisions ... but I often preach that 'people are more important than things." No regrets.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We arrived back to cold & snowy Scotland on February 13th. We spent the first weekend in Fraserburgh and had the opportunity to attend the Dedication of our wee niece Eve (Mary's brother's girl) This was a real unexpected bonus!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb4gqeGdjI/AAAAAAAABaI/KVx4Mg3ZbQY/s1600-h/15022009748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb4gqeGdjI/AAAAAAAABaI/KVx4Mg3ZbQY/s400/15022009748.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311706050570122802" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We then went up to Wick and were there for almost two weeks. David was diagnosed at the beginning of February and then immediately started his first treatment of chemo. Many are praying for him ... and we are seeing the results of prayer. He reacted very well to the fist treatment and felt much stronger. The pain in his hip went and he was able to walk and even drive. This gave him a real boost. We had a great time as a family, with the kids, and that alone was worth the air fare!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We drove him down for his second chemo two weeks ago and then I took the kids down to Fraserburgh to give David & Wilma some peace! Again, David reacted so well with the chemo. Mary stayed in Wick for a few days and then joined us in Fraserburgh. We stayed there over last weekend and I was able to minister in Elim and Emmanuel churches in Fraserburgh. Really enjoyed it!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We needed to get away as a family and we managed to book into a fantastic place called Crieff Hydro. All you Scottish people ... you need to come here! Amazing. Whatever the age you are ... there is something for you to do. It has definitely the best kids facilities in any hotel I have ever been to. Today, the kids went swimming twice, went to soft play, went to the outdoor adventure playground, ate at the amazing 'Kidz Buffet (with tons of good food and also Angel Delight etc!) and tonight they spent 2 hours at the Kids Club - completely supervised by staff. This is all free as part of your accommodation! Josiah told me that "it was the best day of his life!" If you don't believe me ... believe him!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2KrYW2aI/AAAAAAAABZ4/qrLZNxY_HLA/s1600-h/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2KrYW2aI/AAAAAAAABZ4/qrLZNxY_HLA/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311703473834088866" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We are going down to the Central Belt on Thursday to visit some friends down there. We will go back up to Fraserburgh on Saturday (I will be preaching at Fraserburgh AoG on Sunday) and then on to Wick Monday. And then ... we'll take it from there!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At the beginning of the year we were given a word from a good friend -"Take one day at a time." We didn't understand it then,but we do now! David gets his 3rd Chemo on Friday March 20th and we are praying for continued strength. If he does well we will plan to go back to the Philippines on the last week of March. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pray for us as we learn to draw from God enough grace as we need for each day. Pray that we would do the right thing and not be impulsive in our decisions. Pray most of all for David as he journeys through these difficult days. For Wilma, as she supports him and tries to maintain her life. For Mary, as she tries to help her mum & dad at this time. It's not easy and she wants to do the best. For the kids, as they adjust to moving around and meeting new people. they are amazing really! For all at Sefton, as they have to adjust to us not being there.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks for your love and encouragement at this time. Will keep you posted on any news.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Many blessings,</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mark</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2Kk_jHmI/AAAAAAAABaA/jKK1oT_7BcM/s1600-h/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/Sbb2Kk_jHmI/AAAAAAAABaA/jKK1oT_7BcM/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311703472119422562" border="0" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-53393925066136310652009-02-06T15:08:00.001+08:002009-02-07T15:49:46.193+08:00From Sefton to the World!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY054E1pXoI/AAAAAAAABZE/ekmlS2M0OLE/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 121px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY054E1pXoI/AAAAAAAABZE/ekmlS2M0OLE/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299955972019150466" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">In December 2008 I challenged all our churches and Department Leaders to catch up with the rest of the world and start blogging! No excuse now ... we have quite a number of desktops and laptops around Sefton Village!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well, most of them have accepted the challenge and have taken the first step - getting a blogsite! Most of them have followed (copied!) me and used Blogger.com ... mainly because it is so easy to use ... even for the most computer-challenged pastor!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY054LqjsMI/AAAAAAAABZM/0z9yY1RnZEw/s1600-h/images2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 152px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY054LqjsMI/AAAAAAAABZM/0z9yY1RnZEw/s320/images2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299955973851689154" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, here are their blogsites. I know that some have not even got their first blog in, but I have challenged them to get one in by the end of this week! Why don't you look them up, bookmark them and write a wee comment to encourage them. News from Sefton is coming faster and thicker than ever!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check these out:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.winstonbaoin.blogspot.com/">Winston (Youth Director)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.seftonchildrenshome.blogspot.com/">Marilyn (Children's Home)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.cornerstoneonline.blogspot.com/">James Bastian (Ramon, St Mateo etc.)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.foodfortheworld.blogspot.com/">Henry (Feeding Programme)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ccnplaceofhonor.blogspot.com/">Danny (Nagassican)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.powerhousekidsclub.blogspot.com/">Jun (Powerhouse Kids Club)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://ccsgenerations.blogspot.com/">Daben (Youth Pastor @ Santiago)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://cornerstonechurchsantiago.blogspot.com/">Marlou (Pastor of Santiago)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://web.mac.com/leekerr/Leekerrs/blog/blog.html">Matthew Kerr</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.john-ccs26.blogspot.com/">Joboy (Keyboard player @ Santiago)</a></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">There are a few more blogs coming, which I will give you next week.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY08sa-McGI/AAAAAAAABZU/UNlbLtbn2NE/s1600-h/biblelaptop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY08sa-McGI/AAAAAAAABZU/UNlbLtbn2NE/s400/biblelaptop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299959070337036386" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is the latest blog from Winston Bao-in - just to give you a flavour! Remember, when you read these folk's blogs, English is their second language - so be kind!</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Hello everyone!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > I want to share about a friend named George....</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290589924384205810" style="width: 270px; height: 190px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pIQIguenzMM/SWvzgWcua_I/AAAAAAAAAEU/7sPBCoIlo0s/s200/IMG_1593.JPG" /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong>George came from a remote village in northern part of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Hes family is poor so they decided to search for greener pasture, and in the process he and his family are scattered. Due to poverty, they had never been to school, so George can't read of write. </strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>He got married and had 3 kids... In the course of time, his wife died while their kids are still small. A relative offered to help him raised the kids, and ask him to send one of his daughter to them in manila. His daughter is 9 years old that time. He send his child in a bus to Manila, and in the process, the daughter was lost. They searched for her, but no where to be found. In just two weeks, he lost his wife and a daughter.......</strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>He got married again for the second time, and God blessed them with 5 children. They are now living in Nagassican, Santiago City, and a faithful member in Cornerstone Church Nagassican. 3 years ago, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, and it is really acute. The doctor sent him home to die, and said hes got only a month to live. </strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>He and his family believed that God will heal him. He only take a medicine when someone give him, for they can't afford to buy.</strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>George is still alive, but he can't work, for he is not yet well. When he gets worse, he said hes medication is prayer. At the moment, he is sick again and he's here in Sefton Village for prayer. </strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>He said hes ready to be with the Lord. </strong><strong>Hes prayer request is that the Lord take him very soon to end his suffering, but if God wants to use him for His glory. That he will receive his healing very soon, for him not to be a burden to his family.</strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><strong><strong>Please pray with us, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray for him and his family.<br /><br /></strong></strong></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY05dRFTVUI/AAAAAAAABY8/7OLYjl8IEcE/s1600-h/IMG_1040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SY05dRFTVUI/AAAAAAAABY8/7OLYjl8IEcE/s400/IMG_1040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299955511449572674" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-27146371629254366622009-02-05T11:37:00.001+08:002009-02-05T11:37:52.150+08:00i Can Only Imagine<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/3zbNRFXjT6I' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/3zbNRFXjT6I'/></object></p><p>By our 'Theatre for Christ' group of young people from Cornerstone Churches, Isabela in the Philippines.<br /><br />Their first performance!</p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-8538866579303268712009-02-04T17:23:00.001+08:002009-02-05T01:56:38.228+08:00Drole Scottish Humour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYnWufH4QRI/AAAAAAAABY0/kXro_2dvnuk/s1600-h/1180603647175.jpeg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYnWufH4QRI/AAAAAAAABY0/kXro_2dvnuk/s400/1180603647175.jpeg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299002530694971666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Keith gave me a book to read yesterday and it looks so good ... and very Scottish! It is called "Tom Shields Takes the Fifth" and it is full of stories, funny pictures, anecdotes, fables and hilarious stories. Tom writes a daily column in the Sunday Herald and Daily Record. Looks great! </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's a wee sample:</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">"A linguistics class in a University in Ontario, Canada. The Professor tells the class, "In English, a double negative forms a positive. In some languages, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language in the world in which a double positive can form a negative."</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">To which a Scots voice replies, "Aye, right."</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:verdana;" >A Glasgow father was watching over his young daughter's shoulder as she sets up an email account on the family computer. She reaches the point where she has to put in the password and the message on the screen says that it has to have at least four characters. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:verdana;" >So, after thinking about it, she types in 'snowwhitebartsimpsonshrekwoodie'.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">A woman goes her personal trainer at her gym and asks, "Can you teach me to do the splits?'<br />The instructor asks, "How flexible are you?"</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">So the eager learner tells him, "I can't make Tuesdays."</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:verdana;" >A tale from the European tie penalty shoot out at Celtic Park. As the players line up for the vital kicks, a group of Celtic fans were discussing what to shout at the Valencia players to try and put them off. One said, "We need to shout out the Spanish word for Miss".</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:verdana;" >Raising his voice he shouted out, "Does anyone know the Spanish for miss?"</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:verdana;" >From behind, someone shouted, "Senorita".</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">In a similar vein, a friend of mine - a lady, wife and mother - out of the blue sent me some quotes about wives. She told me to read them but but maybe they should not be put in the blog. I read them ... and decided they would be great for my blog!<span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Just the kinda stuff I like!!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">I hope you enjoy them. I must say, at this point, that none of the below apply to my wife Mary. (I better get that off my chest because she told me to write that disclaimer!)<br /><br />Ok ... here they are!</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than<br />to let him keep her.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sacha Guitry</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy.<br />If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Socrates</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Dumas</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">I had some words with my wife; and she had some paragraphs with me.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anonymous</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">'Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Henny Youngman</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">'I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sam Kinison</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">'There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">James Holt McGavran</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">'I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me and the second one didn't.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Patrick Murray</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">2. Whenever you're right, shut up.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nash</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anonymous</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Henny Youngman</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rodney Dangerfield</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milton Berle</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'. Next day he received a hundred letters.<br />They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anonymous</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">First Guy (proudly):</span> 'My wife's an angel!'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Second Guy:</span> 'You're lucky, mine's still alive.'</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anonymous</span></span></span></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-35870857211514384052009-02-03T06:56:00.006+08:002009-02-03T09:17:21.013+08:00Theatre for Christ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIfXXJCQI/AAAAAAAABX0/VZTsLnpqjxU/s1600-h/31012009707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 354px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIfXXJCQI/AAAAAAAABX0/VZTsLnpqjxU/s400/31012009707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298353559053076738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Wow ... what a weekend! On Saturday morning I preached at the Cornerstone Men's Fellowship and I was so blessed with the great turn out. I talked about the story of Lot - "A Half Hearted Man and a Broken Hearted God." The need for no compromise!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMq_kgQqI/AAAAAAAABX8/MOfcQkjgJE4/s1600-h/IMG_2052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMq_kgQqI/AAAAAAAABX8/MOfcQkjgJE4/s400/IMG_2052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358156871615138" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Saturday night, the very first production of '<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Theatre for Christ'</span> took place. My very first Premier! Theatre for Christ is the vision God gave to Jane Mangadap (above) - the lovely wife of Pastor Danny. When they were young they started a few Christian Theatre/Drama clubs in the Catholic church - and they are still going after 20 years! Jane is an amazing lady - I think she can literally do anything ... drama, singing, I.T stuff, art, video, Admin, writing etc. etc. - and she is such a blessing to the whole Cornerstone family. She is the Director for the Communications Dept. at Cornerstone.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeZrR9SPVI/AAAAAAAABYk/jN2-eGiiS5I/s1600-h/IMG_2011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeZrR9SPVI/AAAAAAAABYk/jN2-eGiiS5I/s400/IMG_2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298372455458553170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">She felt the Lord placing on her heart the need for a dance/drama group in Nagassican Church. Nagassican is a place that is really scorned by everyone in Santiago but God has promised us that he will make it a Place of Honour! And in the church many young people have been giving their lives to Christ. Many come from broken families and difficult situations. Many have not finished their schooling. But God is using these young people is wonderful ways. They have become intercessors and God is showing them - even the children - many visions and words. But that's another blog ...</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeZrHZ730I/AAAAAAAABYc/2YhHYIudp9I/s1600-h/IMG_2086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeZrHZ730I/AAAAAAAABYc/2YhHYIudp9I/s400/IMG_2086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298372452625932098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jane felt that she should open the 'Theatre for Christ '(TFC) to other Cornerstone Churches. So she ended up with 49 young people from 4 churches. Jane got a vision for doing a production about the story of the Bible - from Genesis to the resurrection. She put it all together - script and all - and called the young people to rehearse. They met every Thursday night and from 8-5 every Saturday from mid-December. A big commitment ... but it really paid off!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIesxQBWI/AAAAAAAABXc/voZKPGxFAj8/s1600-h/31012009655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIesxQBWI/AAAAAAAABXc/voZKPGxFAj8/s400/31012009655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298353547619861858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">We found a sponsor from UK to buy all the materials for the backdrops, costumes, T-shirts, food for rehearsal days - a huge thank you (you know who you are!) Finally, January 31st came! To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect. But when I got there I could see that <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">A LOT</span> of effort had gone into this production by Jane & her amazing team.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">They started. The young people were human trees ... then came Adam & Eve .. well, you know the story! The music was great and Pastor August did great voice-overs. Then we were taken to the 21st century to the effects of sin - drug problems, gambling, prostitution, murder etc. Then, out came the devil - Pastor August - and his two demons. They started throwing the people into hell (red lights and all!). They started running into the congregation to try and throw some of the spectators - frightening! My kids are convinced that Uncle Winston really is the devil (and I am having a hard time convincing them he is not)!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIecqq3LI/AAAAAAAABXU/0026ciV44eE/s1600-h/31012009654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIecqq3LI/AAAAAAAABXU/0026ciV44eE/s400/31012009654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298353543297293490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Then Pastor James Aquino came and spoke for 5 minutes about "There is No Hope." Really really powerful. Next scene was the birth of Jesus and the dancers danced to 'Joy to the World.' Probably the most powerful time for me was when they sang "I could only Imagine' and they portrayed the healing ministry of the Lord. Then they acted out the crucifixion to 'Above All' - so powerful.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMrKwtDHI/AAAAAAAABYU/rXrN4fT6T50/s1600-h/IMG_2120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMrKwtDHI/AAAAAAAABYU/rXrN4fT6T50/s400/IMG_2120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358159875574898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Curtain down ... Pastor Winston came on and spoke about "There is Hope ... the Cross" He showed a 5 minute video. Again, really hard hitting. Part 3 was about the resurrection ... joy! All the young people danced and it was exciting to see them all dance together at the same time. Pastor Marlou finished things off with a challenge - "Your Commitment to Christ"</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMrIruk7I/AAAAAAAABYM/MRM3dh6Mezw/s1600-h/IMG_2110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMrIruk7I/AAAAAAAABYM/MRM3dh6Mezw/s400/IMG_2110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358159317832626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Then they had 'Curtain Call' and all the young people from the different churches did their own dance. There was such unity amongst these kids! They all gathered in front of the video screen and watched the credits and they even had a section of 'Bloopers' ... so funny.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIfPt6kdI/AAAAAAAABXs/o574fEWJVzc/s1600-h/31012009683.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIfPt6kdI/AAAAAAAABXs/o574fEWJVzc/s400/31012009683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298353557001114066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">I cannot describe the joy and emotion I felt that night. As a Pastor, I just stand back an watch in wonder as the Lord takes ordinary lives to do extra-ordinary things. It is on nights like these that I really think, "It's all worth it!'<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMq5e-umI/AAAAAAAABYE/i3OEPVOuKsQ/s1600-h/IMG_2075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeMq5e-umI/AAAAAAAABYE/i3OEPVOuKsQ/s400/IMG_2075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298358155237833314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">These 49 kids - so many from broken homes and difficult lives - so professional, humble and disciplined. So happy. Full of joy. Hearts of gold. The main purpose of TFC is to 'Bring Christ to the Streets' and they have plans to do a lot of street work, evangelism and schools ministry. Right now, almost every school is open to Cornerstone - even the 4 High School are asking for us to come and minister to the kids. We are entering a season of harvest ... an these young people are key.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIe7XXFJI/AAAAAAAABXk/tDNCS_gfSiU/s1600-h/31012009676.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYeIe7XXFJI/AAAAAAAABXk/tDNCS_gfSiU/s400/31012009676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298353551537804434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Enjoy the photos. They are good ... but you had to be there! Pray for Jane and her team. Pray for these young people. Pray for the ministry of TFC.</span></span><br /></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-27343500544468255022009-01-31T09:02:00.001+08:002009-01-31T09:02:50.866+08:00The Day the Wee Man Got Me!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/HCRTu9ov2G8' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/HCRTu9ov2G8'/></object></p><p>Here is a classic moment for a wee boy who knows he has his daddy round his little finger and in a sticky situation!<br /><br />We are at Cornerstone San Isidro Church and Josiah has been practicing his 'One Way' song all the way there in the car. But... when he gets up and Daddy announces that Josiah is going to sing, Josiah decides to pull a sucker punch. "Ayow," he says and repeats. <br /><br />Ayow means, "I don't want to" in Tagalog.<br /><br />Then, as quick as a flash he says, "Daddy, I have something to tell you. I will whisper in your ear. I want a little green toy tomorrow and a black one the next day. Then he starts singing .... ONE WAY, JESUS ..."<br /><br />And he sings away like a choir boy! He got me real good. Check out his cheeky wee grin when I am taking him off the seat!<br /><br />Yup, this kid is smarter than you think!<br /><br /></p></div>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20396516.post-22623801692878971382009-01-29T23:07:00.005+08:002009-01-29T23:55:57.500+08:00Let the Earth Hear His Voice ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLThhLMvI/AAAAAAAABWE/eMvnmPfxgvw/s1600-h/IMG_1684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLThhLMvI/AAAAAAAABWE/eMvnmPfxgvw/s400/IMG_1684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296738173039882994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >What a historic day! Today was a great day. I have loved living today.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Today we had the groundbreaking service for the new FEBC Radio Station here at Sefton. For those of you who don't know ...here's the story! In 1999, whilst here on our first visit to Sefton, on the day that we knew God was calling us here ... the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night and showed me a vision.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >He told me, "Sefton Village will become a centre of fire." In this vision, as real as watching a movie, He showed me many things. He showed me children praying with tears. I saw young people prophesying and reaching out. I saw SBTC students going with fire torches into the darkness. I saw many being healed. And I saw a Radio Station. In the vision, I saw someone speaking into a microphone and at the same time I saw people listening to the radio, falling to their knees and accepting Christ as their Saviour. I was amazed.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >As we went around the churches in 2000, I told them, "One day we will have a Radio Station at Sefton Village!" In truth, it seemed almost impossible and very unlikely. I know absolutely about Radio Stations, construction or programming. I had no contacts in the media world. But I had a vision ... and I knew that someday it would come to pass.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >In 2003, still nothing had happened with the Radio Station vision. I remember thinking, "Lord, I am not going to push this vision right now ( I was so busy with SBTC & the Fire Centre building) ... but if it is of you ... show me what to do." A few weeks later I was invited to a presentation by FEBC radio here in Santiago. Well, as I sat in that church, the Lord spoke to me and said, "This is the time for the birth of my vision." At the end of the service I stood up, went to the front and said, "Don't worry, I know were your Radio Station is meant to be!" Kinda bold (especially as they thought they had land to build a Radio Station at Cauayan - a town 30 miles away!)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHKlrULt4I/AAAAAAAABVs/nq5lz9ZBPpY/s1600-h/29012009625.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHKlrULt4I/AAAAAAAABVs/nq5lz9ZBPpY/s400/29012009625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296737385395763074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >I met the FEBC guys and asked them to pray. Another 18 months passed .... nothing much happening. I heard that FEBC had a new Director - Mr Dan Andrew Cura - who I knew and recognised from the TV. He was a very well known News presenter on the Philippines' biggest channel. We met ... and became friends with a mission. We have met many times since over the last few years and have taken things step by step.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">We leased a large portion of land to them at no cost for the next 50 years. I am pretty sure I won't be at Sefton at that time but if I am, we will sign it again for another 50! Pass me my zimmer ...</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Over the last 18 months FEBC have sent up Radio Station managers to set up the ministry. They are a lovely couple called Em & Miriam Perez. They have ministered at FEBC for many years! They have trained many new programmers who speak many languages. This is the first Radio Station FEBC have started since the 1970's .. so we are all kinda new at this stuff!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLTGrTr0I/AAAAAAAABV0/_WTWbGBPsew/s1600-h/IMG_1661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLTGrTr0I/AAAAAAAABV0/_WTWbGBPsew/s400/IMG_1661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296738165834624834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >The station is called DWMR 1143 they were joking today that MR stood for Mark Ritchie but actually it stands for Mission Radio!) The main aim of this station is to present the gospel in many different languages to many different people groups. Fantastic. There are around 5 or 6 Cornerstone Pastors who have already been trained.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >So today we all met together to thank the Lord and break the ground. We met beside the new school building and many were there - Pastors, SBTC students, Programmers, Politicians, FEBC Staff and Board Members etc. We had a short service where many spoke, encouraged and shared. I was meant to give the Welcome Address but it almost turned into a preach! Only 7 minutes though ... good for me! I felt so fulfilled and delighted.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLTWYdXHI/AAAAAAAABV8/kJHtWRMwDIo/s1600-h/IMG_1669.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XB34idH7u_M/SYHLTWYdXHI/AAAAAAAABV8/kJHtWRMwDIo/s400/IMG_1669.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296738170050534514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >We went down to the actual place where they will build and broke the ground and cut the ribbon. I was so excited. The vision, though it lingered, was coming to pass before my eyes. They are expecting to complete all the buildings in 5 months and start going full time on air by May. Almost all of the northern Philippines will hear Christian Radio ... all the way from Sefton Village! Can you believe it? God's words are sure and his promises will come to pass.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >I leave you with the words of the one and only song we sang today. But these words are a declaration that the world <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">WILL </span>hear about the Lord.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >Be blessed ... dream, and don't doubt!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">To God be the glory, great things He has done;</span><br />So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,<br />Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,<br />And opened the life gate that all may go in.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="chorus"><span style="font-size:130%;">Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Let the earth hear His voice!</span><br />Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,<br />Let the people rejoice!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> And give Him the glory, great things He has done.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="chorus"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,<br />To every believer the promise of God;<br />The vilest offender who truly believes,<br />That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.</span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,<br />And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;<br />But purer, and higher, and greater will be<br />Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.</span></p>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525386466092287230noreply@blogger.com13