Ferdie Flores II & other HOME news...

Looks like the story could be a rumor as East Timor does not have that sort of punishment. Anyway please check out http://timorsunshine.blogspot.com/ and http://www.fbc-misawa.org/missionaries/Flores.htm

I tried to "Skype" Bridgett but could not get through.
On the home front, we checked with NECF and they haven't heard anything yet.
Whatever it is Ps Ferdie Flores is real and needs our prayer support.

Another piece of news is that Bro Gerard Wong's skull piece has been re-attached and he seems pleased about it. Let's keep praying for the Wongs. Plans are afoot for their move closer to GROW BM. More news soon...

Ferdie Flores

We're not sure how true the SMS that is circulating. However, we have discovered that there really is a Filipino missionary by the name of Ferdie Flores serving in East Timor. He is from the line of missionaries of Adoniram Judson, the man who brought the gospel to the Karens.

The SMS bulletin is as follows:
"Please pray for Pastor Ferdie Flores, missionary in East Timor. He is going to be executed tomorrow by beating. Pls forward to all Christians".


Let's say a quick word of prayer. We also found out that he has 2 young daughters with him.

For more info type ferdie flores in the search box above and search all blogs!

PRAY!PRAY!PRAY!

Sunday Re-cap 23rd October 2005

Amazing Race of Faith .....by Ps. Vincent Liew

Hebrews 12:1 - 3
The Christian life is a race. There is always a battle between the flesh and the spirit.
The reward of the Amazing race of Faith is Eternal Life / Eternal value.
12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.


Four Principles in running the race of Faith:
1) Involves people
~ External factor – we need people’s testimony. Learn the good things of people and avoid the bad things.
~ Internal factor – Look at our inward self before we see the sin in others. Everything we do will affect people.

2) Right Priorities
Let us put aside every obstacle that hinders our progress and causes a lot of annoyance.
~ It is a deliberate choice.
~ It is specific and targeted.

3) Involves Perseverance
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us; and be ready for a lot of hard work.
~ It is difficult but it is normal.
~ It is necessary in order to finish the race.
Rom. 5:4 Perseverance produces character and character produces hope.

4) Right Perspective
And let’s fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.
How we see things determines our perspective. Always see the big picture. Focus in the good and positive things; and we too will be positive.
~ Our source of focus should be Jesus Christ. Consider the role model of Jesus Christ.
~ Our faith is built on this foundation – focusing on Jesus Christ.

The purpose – we will not grow weary. It’s very human to grow weary. The song says ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus; and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim.....”
~ Our sense of hardships will grow dimmer in the light of what Jesus suffered for us.
~ When we fix our eyes on Jesus the pain and suffering of others become clearer to us.

“Our relationship with God is and must be our daily basis in running the amazing race of Faith!”

EMPTY CHAIR

A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat at his bedside.

The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me, he said. "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked,” I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up".

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.

"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. "I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago; my best friend said to me, Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, I will be with you always'.Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So,I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours everyday. I'm careful though if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.

"The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey". Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.
"Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,"I wish we could all go like that."

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.

I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Sunday Re-cap 16th October 2005

Remembering Why I am Here.............. by Michael Raj
Text Genesis 45:1-8

V.8 – Joseph acknowledged that he was put in Egypt by God for a purpose; and that is to preserve and save lives.

We ought to know why we are here in this church. Many a times we forget why we are here because:
Being busy- a sense of passion for the things we do, our career, ministry and daily chores etc.

Being so caught up with the issues of life that may seem to have the spirituality in church and out of church becomes totally different.

We are here because:

1. To serve and not be served- Serving God, serving one another and our leaders. To serve is to give up ourselves for others.

2. To learn and learn from one another; and to grow in faith by working and accepting together as a family of faith; building our character and integrity.

3. We are not called to be in-charge or take control; always trying to be heard. The more we want to be in-charge the more we easily hurt people.

4. We are to pray for each other.

5. Finally because God wants us to be here to fulfill His plan & purpose through us.

Remembering like Joseph why we are here is to preserve and save lives of others that the Kingdom of God may be built in our hearts and in each other!

Special Notice - GROW Office

Please take note that the Church Office will be closed from October 14th Friday 12.00 noon and on Saturday October 15th; since all our staff will be involved in the Lighthouse Youth Conference at Peniel Christian Fellowship, Bandar Sunway, Seberang Perai.

For any information, kindly contact the church staff. The contact details are found at the right hand column of this BLOG.

God Bless & Thank you.

Ps.Abel.

Sunday Re-cap 09th October 2005

FOCUS: A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH by Frank McLean

Introductory story:
Tom and John dive to rescue passengers trapped in a sunken ship, but Tom gets distracted by gold. Only with John’s help does Tom remember his mission to “save the lost” and proceed to do so!

I. The world will not become a utopia before Jesus comes again.
Matthew 24:4,6-8,14
And Jesus answered and said to them, “ . . . . you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. . . . And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

II. The ways of this world are great distractions from God’s will: REALLY LOVING AND REACHING HUMAN BEINGS WITH THE GOSPEL!
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

III. We can overcome the world and the devil, by keeping our focus on Jesus!
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Conclusion: Therefore, let us, most solemnly, keep our eyes on Jesus!!!
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

AMEN!

MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE

Regardless of Make or Year or Tithe Amount, all units known as "human beings" are being recalled by the Manufacturer. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named "Adam" and "Eve," resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect is technically termed "Serious Internal Non-morality," but more commonly known as "SIN."

Symptoms of the SIN defect include, but are not limited to:
a) Loss of direction
b) Lack of peace and joy
c) Depression
d) Foul vocal emissions
e) Selfishness
f) Ingratitude
g) Fearfulness
h) Rebellion
i) Jealousy

The Manufacturer is providing factory authorized repair service FREE of charge to correct the SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus Christ, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.

To repeat...There is no fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is P-R-A-Y-E-R
Once connected, please upload the burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Christ, into the SOUL component of the human unit.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Christ will replace it with:
a) Love
b) Joy
c) Peace
d) Kindness
e) Goodness
f) Faithfulness
g) Gentleness
h) Patience
i) Self-Control
j) Everything He Has Is Yours.

Please see the Operating Manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details on the use of these fixes. As an added upgrade, the Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring assistance from the resident Maintenance Technician, THE HOLY SPIRIT. Repaired units need only make Him welcome and accept his Word and He will take up residence on the premises.

WARNING:
Continuing to operate a human being unit without these corrections voids the Manufacturer's Warranty, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and may ultimately result in the destruction of the human unit.
Thank you for your immediate attention. Please assist by notifying others of this most important recall notice.

FAITH & WORK

Transitions and the Workplace
by AMELIA VIJAYAMALA

Orville G Brim, the director of one of the most extensive studies on midlife funded by the John MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development, defines midlife as the years from as early as 30 until 70, with 40 to 60 being its core. Midlife is often associated with life transition amid changes, giving rise to crises. Furthermore, researchers mostly define midlife crisis as one's experience of personal challenges and turmoil brought on by anxieties related to one's advancing age and corresponding declining abilities. Added to that is the realization that half of one's life is gone and there are still dreams or goals yet to be achieved.

Interestingly, Cornell University sociologist and associate professor of human development Elaine Wethington concluded from the above study that the midlife crises cited by many midlifers involved in the survey were actually stressful life events or challenging situations that were not confined to midlife alone and would have called for definitive life changes at any other age. A job loss, career shift, relocation, a growing family, marriage turbulence, serious illness, family additions or losses - any of these events have taken place during young adult life ranging from 21 to 35 years as much as during midlife.

Experts have pointed out that while young adults may seem more resilient to changes, they usually have to cope with the anxiety and uncertainty of finding their niche in the corporate world and place in the community. Midlifers however may find themselves locked in a routine of family life and career, and respond to changes with more careful consideration and with the advantage of a wider range of experience and more skills sets acquired over time. Life changes and adjustments are common and are essential and inevitable elements of our growth and development. However, if not managed properly, changes can become crises.

Questions such as "Where am I headed in my life's journey?" or "Who am I really?" or "What is my true purpose on earth?" may arise among midlifers as they re-evaluate their direction in life, their values and convictions and the dreams that had consumed their energy and time. But these are valid questions to ask at any age as they help shape one's convictions and values, causing one to pursue wisdom for a life of meaning and purpose. Such wisdom can only come from God who has set life before us. He has given us His Word "…for attaining wisdom and discipline… for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair..." (Proverbs 1:2-3)

So how should Christians, particularly those in the marketplace, prepare for their middle years so that they can steer clear of crises? How should one already facing midlife challenges manage them better, turning them into opportunities to build further into their own lives and the lives of others?

1. Build enriching and meaningful relationships
We are created for relationships, each of us having the need to relate to God and to one another. It is important that we do not allow tight deadlines and overloaded schedules to stifle relationships and rob us of quality time with God, family and self. Sadly, the danger is that some people strive for success at the expense of family, friends and personal needs until the initial sense of fulfillment gives way to the emptiness of failed relationships.

Be committed to building strong, healthy foundations within the family, nurturing an environment where challenges are shared and the necessary support and understanding are available. Commitment, integrity and hard work in the marriage partnership and a close family founded on godly principles will help toward working together through any change or transition.

It is also important to develop and deepen healthy and edifying relationships with other friends or colleagues at work with no other motive but to care for others. In making their lives more meaningful, we will find ours enriched too. Some experts say that most people by midlife have many acquaintances but very few friends. Nevertheless, it is never too late to learn to be a good friend.

2. Re-evaluate and rethink values and direction
Knowing that half of one's life is gone and yet one's potential has not been fully tapped nor personal dreams realized may lead a midlifer to desperately grab the last chance to change life's direction. Sadly, some make decisions without giving careful thought to re-evaluating their goals and life's purpose, their values or perhaps even revising spiritual foundations.

Some questions that might help in re-evaluation:
What are my strengths and God-given talents?
Am I using them in my work and does my work allow me to influence others and improve their lives?
What kind of legacy will I leave behind?
Am I actually living the life that God has purposed for me?

Consider using your God-given gifts and abilities to invest in other people's lives rather than just working for money and position. God's Word says: "…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness... the Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:10-11).

3. Walk intimately with God and know His purpose for our success
Some people weld their identity to their career, allowing their self-worth and image to be molded by what they do and how others see them. But no matter how stimulating and rewarding a career is, true fulfillment can only come through intimacy and fellowship with God and allowing Him to use us to touch other people's lives.

If we are convinced He has strategically positioned us in the marketplace to be salt and light, then our pursuit of success takes on a totally different perspective. A desire to succeed in order to make God known as the source of our excellence paves the way for our success and personal fulfillment. God takes what we have learnt from Him in the marketplace and expands our potential for His purposes so that " the righteous will flourish like a palm tree… they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my Rock…" ( Psalm 92:12-15)


Amelia Vijayamala is a staff member of MCCC and serving with the Impact! Ministry which focuses on the marketplace. Prior to joining MCCC, she was Senior Human Resources Manager in an established computer systems company.

Sunday Re-cap 2nd October 2005

Own Nothing, Use Everything
by Samuel Hari

Scripture:
31 Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.
Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 (1 Co 7:30-31). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

In continuing our theme on "Exalting Christ", we explore the idea of how can we be in the world yet not partake of it? It's a challenge that Paul addresses in the above scripture. He gives three keys to "those in frequent contact with the things of this world":

1. “should make good use of them”
   -Everything that God gives us has the potential for great good or great evil.
   -We are called to make good use of everything that God gives us i.e. our carriers, jobs, education, children, families, cars, houses, friends, churches, etc.
   -In making good use, we are called not to abuse anything that God has given us.
   -We sometimes abuse the things are not ours and must stop doing so because God expects us to be faithful stewards (Mt 25:14-30).
2. “without becoming attached to them”
   -We must be careful not to go into idolatry and put these things between us and God.
   -Like email “attachments” all attachments can have great potential for good or great evil (viruses). We need a good antivirus program (the Word of God) and a firewall (the Holy Spirit).
   -Some are so afraid of being hurt by attachments that they are unattached at all. God designed us to have good godly attachments that will bring GOOD.
3. “for this world and all it contains will pass away”
   -When we have the right perspective, we will not get attached to the things of this world.
   -The things that we see are temporary but the things that are unseen are permanent and have eternal value.
   -What are we going to be remembered for? As people of prayer and reaching out and loving others or as people who are simply building our own kingdom?
   
   Conclusion
   Jesus owned nothing and used everything. Lets make this our perspective, and we will truly “Exalt Christ” in all circumstances.