We hope that you are with those you love today -- but even if you aren't, remember that the One who loves you the most is always with you.
Be blessed...
Nov 23, 2006
Nov 21, 2006
It's a smaller world after all...
Don't you love technology? I just had to share this...
A few moments ago I got on my computer, opened Skype to call my brother in Hungary. Cool in and of itself.
After several rings I'm talking to Dennis. He laughs and says, "Do you have any idea where I am? I'm standing in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg South Africa. Just a second, I have to smile for a photo."
He proceeded to tell me that, yes, water does indeed go down the drain counterclockwise. He also said how strange it was to see ads for those planning their summer vacations in January. He hadn't yet seen the up-side-down man-in-the-moon. That's a-lot-of-hyphens!
I love Skype. I love global cell phones. I love digital cameras.
I assume I'm not the only one, am I?
A few moments ago I got on my computer, opened Skype to call my brother in Hungary. Cool in and of itself.
After several rings I'm talking to Dennis. He laughs and says, "Do you have any idea where I am? I'm standing in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg South Africa. Just a second, I have to smile for a photo."
He proceeded to tell me that, yes, water does indeed go down the drain counterclockwise. He also said how strange it was to see ads for those planning their summer vacations in January. He hadn't yet seen the up-side-down man-in-the-moon. That's a-lot-of-hyphens!
I love Skype. I love global cell phones. I love digital cameras.
I assume I'm not the only one, am I?
Nov 19, 2006
Give Thanks
There is often much confusion for those who encounter this scripture for the first time:
"Are you crazy?" one might ask.
It does seem rather ludicrous on the surface to give thanks in all circumstances, when there are so many circumstances for which we can't even begin to feel grateful. All of us have had times of sorrow, times of struggle, times of frustration -- times that saying "thanks" is the last thing on our minds.
So why would Paul write this? I mean, look at some of the things that he suffered for the sake of the Gospel...
Five times received 39 lashes of the whip.
Three times beaten with rods.
Once stoned.
Three times shipwrecked.
Spent a night and a day in the open sea.
Constantly on the move.
In danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen, Gentiles, false brothers.
In danger in the city, the country, at sea.
Labored and toiled and went without sleep.
Often went without food.
Often cold and naked. (2 Cor. 11:24-27)
Yet he writes this as well -- "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Phil. 4:11)
You see, he wasn't necessarily thankful for his circumstances, but thankful through them. He knew that the end reward is far greater than the present suffering.
In many different, often difficult circumstances we find worship in the Old Testament often taking this form: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (1 Chron. 16:34)
(For a really good example of thankfulness in the midst of seemingly dire circumstances, read 2 Chronicles 20.)
It's not about our circumstances -- it's about God's goodness and his love for us.
This year, this week -- yeah, let's be thankful for our loved ones, for the things with which we have been blessed, for all the good gifts we have received.
But more so -- let's be thankful because we know that God is good and that His love for us never ends. All other circumstances pale in light of this fact. Our circumstances are temporary. God's goodness and love will carry us through eternity.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
"...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:18 NIV
"Are you crazy?" one might ask.
It does seem rather ludicrous on the surface to give thanks in all circumstances, when there are so many circumstances for which we can't even begin to feel grateful. All of us have had times of sorrow, times of struggle, times of frustration -- times that saying "thanks" is the last thing on our minds.
So why would Paul write this? I mean, look at some of the things that he suffered for the sake of the Gospel...
Five times received 39 lashes of the whip.
Three times beaten with rods.
Once stoned.
Three times shipwrecked.
Spent a night and a day in the open sea.
Constantly on the move.
In danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen, Gentiles, false brothers.
In danger in the city, the country, at sea.
Labored and toiled and went without sleep.
Often went without food.
Often cold and naked. (2 Cor. 11:24-27)
Yet he writes this as well -- "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Phil. 4:11)
You see, he wasn't necessarily thankful for his circumstances, but thankful through them. He knew that the end reward is far greater than the present suffering.
In many different, often difficult circumstances we find worship in the Old Testament often taking this form: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (1 Chron. 16:34)
(For a really good example of thankfulness in the midst of seemingly dire circumstances, read 2 Chronicles 20.)
It's not about our circumstances -- it's about God's goodness and his love for us.
This year, this week -- yeah, let's be thankful for our loved ones, for the things with which we have been blessed, for all the good gifts we have received.
But more so -- let's be thankful because we know that God is good and that His love for us never ends. All other circumstances pale in light of this fact. Our circumstances are temporary. God's goodness and love will carry us through eternity.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Nov 15, 2006
Only two months away
So our next trip to Ireland is only two months away. We fly on the 9th of January to Dublin, where we'll spend a couple of days before traveling to Cork for the weekend.
While in Cork we will be conducting a worship workshop for Grace Fellowship, a large (by Irish standards) church body with a great worship ministry. The picture to the left was taken at Grace in September.
A very exciting thing is going to be meeting with the pastor of Cork United Methodist Church. His church is exploring the possibility of moving into doing some contemporary worship. In fact, they are to have a meeting later this month for all those who are interested in being a part of a praise team. Maybe by the time we arrive there will be a group of people to meet with and help them to focus and envision what God may have for them in the area of worship renewal.
We also plan to meet with Niamh Varian-Barry, who leads worship at Calvary Chapel Cork, and hopefully several other worship leaders from the area, for a time of encouragement, fellowship and vision-casting.
Back in Dublin we have a vocal workshop on the calendar at Swords Baptist Church and will be leading worship there on a Sunday morning.
We don't yet know what else the Lord has in mind for this trip, but I'm expecting it to be a full three weeks.
I realize that we didn't do a great job of keeping everyone updated when we were last in Europe, but we have solved some of our technical issues and hope to do better this time.
Prayer request time:
- pray for the events I have mentioned and for any others that may crop up -- that God would do His work in us and through us.
- pray for all those with whom we will meet one-on-one or in small groups -- that God would open up more doors for ministry.
- pray for us as we are away from three major sources of income for three weeks -- that God would provide our every need, as always.
Of course another thing to pray about is that we wouldn't freeze our tails off, which would make the plane ride home very uncomfortable! From a Florida winter to an Irish winter -- what were we thinking? Na -- it'll be great.
While in Cork we will be conducting a worship workshop for Grace Fellowship, a large (by Irish standards) church body with a great worship ministry. The picture to the left was taken at Grace in September.A very exciting thing is going to be meeting with the pastor of Cork United Methodist Church. His church is exploring the possibility of moving into doing some contemporary worship. In fact, they are to have a meeting later this month for all those who are interested in being a part of a praise team. Maybe by the time we arrive there will be a group of people to meet with and help them to focus and envision what God may have for them in the area of worship renewal.
We also plan to meet with Niamh Varian-Barry, who leads worship at Calvary Chapel Cork, and hopefully several other worship leaders from the area, for a time of encouragement, fellowship and vision-casting.
Back in Dublin we have a vocal workshop on the calendar at Swords Baptist Church and will be leading worship there on a Sunday morning.
We don't yet know what else the Lord has in mind for this trip, but I'm expecting it to be a full three weeks.
I realize that we didn't do a great job of keeping everyone updated when we were last in Europe, but we have solved some of our technical issues and hope to do better this time.
Prayer request time:
- pray for the events I have mentioned and for any others that may crop up -- that God would do His work in us and through us.
- pray for all those with whom we will meet one-on-one or in small groups -- that God would open up more doors for ministry.
- pray for us as we are away from three major sources of income for three weeks -- that God would provide our every need, as always.
Of course another thing to pray about is that we wouldn't freeze our tails off, which would make the plane ride home very uncomfortable! From a Florida winter to an Irish winter -- what were we thinking? Na -- it'll be great.
Nov 4, 2006
History Repeated - the Other Side
On Gardiner Street in the heart of Dublin stands a building constructed in 1839 to house Dublin's famous Trinity Church congregation. In 1909, the church closed its 
doors. Since then it has been occupied by various concerns -- most recently Dublin's Labour Exchange. Today it stands empty -- but that's about to change...
In the 1970's, Trinity Church, Greater Europe Mission's first church plant in Ireland was established. It is now perhaps the largest evangelical congregation in The Republic of Ireland, with three congregations throughout greater Dublin. Recently the Trinity Central congregation has been crowding into a small church building which happens to be only a few blocks from the aforementioned Trinity Church building.
Now, nearly a century after Trinity Church abandoned the property, in an interesting twist Dublin City Council and Trinity Church have worked out a swap of sorts. The city is taking possession of Trinity's current building while Trinity has agreed to pay a certain additional sum and gain the Gardiner Street property. The plan is to completely renovate the property so that Trinity Church (the congregation and the building) will once again fulfill its purpose as a beacon of light in a spiritually dark society.
Is that a God Thing, or what?
doors. Since then it has been occupied by various concerns -- most recently Dublin's Labour Exchange. Today it stands empty -- but that's about to change...In the 1970's, Trinity Church, Greater Europe Mission's first church plant in Ireland was established. It is now perhaps the largest evangelical congregation in The Republic of Ireland, with three congregations throughout greater Dublin. Recently the Trinity Central congregation has been crowding into a small church building which happens to be only a few blocks from the aforementioned Trinity Church building.
Now, nearly a century after Trinity Church abandoned the property, in an interesting twist Dublin City Council and Trinity Church have worked out a swap of sorts. The city is taking possession of Trinity's current building while Trinity has agreed to pay a certain additional sum and gain the Gardiner Street property. The plan is to completely renovate the property so that Trinity Church (the congregation and the building) will once again fulfill its purpose as a beacon of light in a spiritually dark society.
Is that a God Thing, or what?
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