"If you have no friends who are sinners, if you have no friends who are disreputable, you are not Christlike." - Rick Warren
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Blessed Storm
It seems that Christianity shines best in adversity. Here is a report from the Church of God in Myanmar:
"Thursday, May 15, The Philippines – Representatives of the Church in Myanmar met with Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director of Children of Promise, in Manila. One of the pastors said, “More than 100,000 people lost their lives in the cyclone. Myanmar has never experienced a cyclone like this in the last 40 years.”
“Late in the day of May 2, 2008, we were informed that the cyclone would reach the coast of Myanmar that night, so we had no time to prepare,” explained the church representative. “The wind and rain were so heavy we could not sleep. When the storm had passed, we discovered that all the trees were down, roofs were gone, and many homes were destroyed.”
“Some local aid is being distributed in out-lying areas. Not a lot of foreign aid is getting to the people,” shared one of the leaders. With the price of oil so high, people cannot go to work because they cannot afford to buy gasoline. And because gasoline is so expensive, the church is unable to bus people in for church, so the workers are going out to the people and conducting services in homes.
Food staples have doubled in price; this includes rice which is eaten three times a day. Cooking oil is now $20 US per 2-liter bottle.
Despite daily persecution, the Church is growing in Myanmar. The cyclone has served as an impetus to strengthen their resolve to preach the gospel and make disciples. Church members are referring to Cyclone Nargis as “The Blessed Storm” because unexpected blessings emerged from the aftermath of the storm. Because the pastors, congregations members, and Bible School Training students helped clear streets of debris and assisted families with their needs, the Christians were able to befriend their Buddhist neighbors,. From that point on, non-Christian people have been willing to go to the Church for assistance.
The Church leaders asked for prayer for God to open the hearts of people to the Christ of Christianity, to rebuild the church, and that people will be released to live in freedom. The people are also bracing for another cyclone that may make landfall by Thursday or Friday of this week.
The Church leaders have confirmed receipt of the funds for the Church and her people. $70,000 US is being provided from Church of God Ministries, Children of Promise and Women of the Church of God. Fifty-thousand dollars is ear-marked to make repairs to the church buildings and provide food, water, and shelter for church families and others in their communities. The remaining $20,000 is specifically for families of the Children of Promise program to assist them in rebuilding their homes and obtaining any type of aid they need.
The Church in Myanmar is eager to begin distributing assistance and rebuilding as soon as possible, utilizing the help provided by the Church in North America. Church leaders express deep, heart-felt thanks to the Christians in North America for their support, care, and assistance. “There are no words to describe the depth of thanks we have. Thank you so much for caring for us. We are so comforted by your love and actions, “stated one leader."
"Thursday, May 15, The Philippines – Representatives of the Church in Myanmar met with Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director of Children of Promise, in Manila. One of the pastors said, “More than 100,000 people lost their lives in the cyclone. Myanmar has never experienced a cyclone like this in the last 40 years.”
“Late in the day of May 2, 2008, we were informed that the cyclone would reach the coast of Myanmar that night, so we had no time to prepare,” explained the church representative. “The wind and rain were so heavy we could not sleep. When the storm had passed, we discovered that all the trees were down, roofs were gone, and many homes were destroyed.”
“Some local aid is being distributed in out-lying areas. Not a lot of foreign aid is getting to the people,” shared one of the leaders. With the price of oil so high, people cannot go to work because they cannot afford to buy gasoline. And because gasoline is so expensive, the church is unable to bus people in for church, so the workers are going out to the people and conducting services in homes.
Food staples have doubled in price; this includes rice which is eaten three times a day. Cooking oil is now $20 US per 2-liter bottle.
Despite daily persecution, the Church is growing in Myanmar. The cyclone has served as an impetus to strengthen their resolve to preach the gospel and make disciples. Church members are referring to Cyclone Nargis as “The Blessed Storm” because unexpected blessings emerged from the aftermath of the storm. Because the pastors, congregations members, and Bible School Training students helped clear streets of debris and assisted families with their needs, the Christians were able to befriend their Buddhist neighbors,. From that point on, non-Christian people have been willing to go to the Church for assistance.
The Church leaders asked for prayer for God to open the hearts of people to the Christ of Christianity, to rebuild the church, and that people will be released to live in freedom. The people are also bracing for another cyclone that may make landfall by Thursday or Friday of this week.
The Church leaders have confirmed receipt of the funds for the Church and her people. $70,000 US is being provided from Church of God Ministries, Children of Promise and Women of the Church of God. Fifty-thousand dollars is ear-marked to make repairs to the church buildings and provide food, water, and shelter for church families and others in their communities. The remaining $20,000 is specifically for families of the Children of Promise program to assist them in rebuilding their homes and obtaining any type of aid they need.
The Church in Myanmar is eager to begin distributing assistance and rebuilding as soon as possible, utilizing the help provided by the Church in North America. Church leaders express deep, heart-felt thanks to the Christians in North America for their support, care, and assistance. “There are no words to describe the depth of thanks we have. Thank you so much for caring for us. We are so comforted by your love and actions, “stated one leader."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
He's Here!
The newest member of the Webb Family is here! Hunter Scott was born May 15th at 2:21 pm today and weighs 7'13". Congratulations to Mom and Dad!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Next Chapter Wrap-Up
This is the week! Sunday we will receive commitments for our remodeling project. I am spending the week in prayer and fasting asking God's hand to be upon us.
Will you join me?
Would you fast one week, or one day, or one meal?
What an incredible time of worship this week has the potential to be as we focus our hearts on the One who has called us.
You might enjoy beginning your week of worship watching this clip from Granger Community Church. Thank God for His Word.
Will you join me?
Would you fast one week, or one day, or one meal?
What an incredible time of worship this week has the potential to be as we focus our hearts on the One who has called us.
You might enjoy beginning your week of worship watching this clip from Granger Community Church. Thank God for His Word.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Parental Pride
My son just completed his last class of his second year of seminary. He received an A- in both Ethics and Old Testament. Interestingly, he didn't tell me his other grades.
Way to go, Jerry!
Way to go, Jerry!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
One Prayer
We will be participating in "One Prayer" this June. Check out these sites to learn more about it.One Prayer Web Site
Craig Groeschel's Blog about One Prayer.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Wildlife Report
I heard a White-Throated Sparrow this morning singing “Old Sam, Peabody, Peabody.” A sure sign of spring!
Sanctity of Life
I am continually amazed by society's view regarding sanctity of life issues. Below is a quote from "The Pastor's Weekly Briefing." It is an email newsletter published by H. B. London of Focus on the Family.Swiss Government Grants Rights to Animals and Plants
"Under a new law passed by the Swiss parliament last week, dog owners will be required to complete a canine treatment course, anglers must take classes on humane fishing and goldfish may no longer be flushed down the toilet. The government's ethics committee is also considering "plant dignity" rights to protect plant life — all of this from the same country that violates human dignity with legalized physician-assisted suicide and abortion, according to CitizenLink.org."
Genesis 1:27 through Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
National Day of Prayer
The first Thursday in May is always the National Day of Prayer. I hope you will take some time today to pray for the needs of our nation.2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
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