Sowing Seed

Many years ago I heard an excellent rendition on the Sower and seed.

While the talk went on, I saw myself actually failing in this assignment...

It came to the part of the birds taking the seed...

I saw myself chasing after the bird - wanting the seed back.

I raced through the scrub being scratched by branches, tripping over rocks and skinning my hands and knees etc.

The pain I suffered in trying to get the seed back to the good soil was immense.

It was true in my own life - I placed more emphasis on the value of the seed.

I was challenged to realign myself with the Word of God - sow seeds - regardless of where they end up.

Time goes by... then you learn to be more intentional...

The other day a bloke who is planting churches in China was here...
He talked about finding the good soil...

Sowing seeds without intention can also be a waste of time...

finding good soil is important.

Frustration can be the ultimate outcome here because of aimlessness...

Being Spirit Led - hearing Gods voice and doing what He says can save you from alot of it.

Luke 8:5-8 The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold.

Let's spur one another on to find good soil - hearing God's voice - speaking the right word - watering the dry parched soul with the quenching thirst of a new life - may your aim be straight - seeing people free from their life of slavery - producing fruit that remains - a hundredfold!

First steps...

1976 - Sunday School Camp was an exciting time for me.
Stories; creating things; games etc.

I was decorating the cardboard suitcase...
The crowning glory was the three crosses on a hill picture in the middle...
"Jesus died for our sins" in large letters underneath.

I had drawn all this in felt tip pens and as I paused...

Knowing that the 2 blokes either side of an innocent bloke, needed to be punished for what they had done wrong. Thinking how one bloke was forgiven right at the last moment...

I thought of someone dying for me or what I had done wrong...
Tears welled up and dropped one by one onto my picture making spots in the colours.

PHILIPPINES 2008

God Made A Way…
It is a beautiful thing to see God’s Agenda being laid out in front of you and as you walk you see He is at work.

We were at the Manilla Airport and the same man who had defrauded my husband in June was also there, once again he was trying to block our way. After a small commotion, a woman in a jacket turned up and put this man to one side, clearing the way for our group to pass.

There were 53 people, majority were families, all travelling together. There was another family of 5 already in the Philippines; they arrived about a week before us with a view to stay for a total of 3 months. We were divided into smaller teams of about 8 with one team being specifically youth which was rotated. The youth team had an adult or 3 as the leader/s. One day our son was with them, the next day it was our daughter’s turn. Villages in many areas were visited, along with schools, hospitals, churches, parks and a rehab centre. We saw many people ask Jesus into their life, as well as many healings.

We saw an old man who could not walk, swing his legs with great ease and slowly walk home. One baby I prayed for, her fever went a few minutes later – which was a first for me.
The generosity of the Philippino’s moved me to tears on many an occasion.
They live in such humble homes, yet are happy.

One place we were in, there was a half grown chick walking in and out of the house during the middle of the meeting.

Our kids did very well.
The strength of the women, having seen many adversities, also astounded me.

My husband has done a wonderful job, along with others helping them to change their mindsets
from a traditional structure to simplicity.
Finding the man or woman of peace was an easy task.
We look forward to seeing a huge harvest and an explosion of Simple Church…
All in God’s timing!

Answered Prayer

A friend, separated from his wife, renewed his committment to Jesus.
After a time of struggle... he has achieved good things and is getting on his feet.
After a visit, he expressed some concerns...
some of his children had not made any contact, for a long period of time.
This moved the Holy Spirit, committed the children and others along their path.
All the children contacted him that week...
one shared how a woman who works a few shops away had asked if yhey called their dad lately... and encouraged them to do so.
How Good is our God!?! How amazing is the LORD!?!

Just love the way God does things...

We've busy working at renovating the bathroom. We left phone messages for a friend but he didn't reply. I finally rang his mobile... He isn't in town - he's away working. After hubby finished the conversation and filled me in - I suggested we give him some of our other friends' details as they live in this city. Hubby said no and we continued working. A little bit later I had to get some groceries and while I was away the othe friend texted me - they bumped into the bloke we just rang!?! A little bit later, the first friend rang us back... after he had a sleep, he realised it was a God thing! He said he recklessly turned into the shop. These friend's will be getting together soon for dinner. I pray they all get built up and encouraged. I cried as God revealed how these guys need this friend's input into their lives and God orchestrated the whole meeting without any help from l'il ol' me.

Simple Church?

When in Russia, a church of 1200+ people could no longer rent the theatre. My first question "Where are all these people going to go?" Their strength was in their homegroups. When home... I couldn't stop thinking of "What if we ever got persecuted?"
God told us to leave the Ichurch we'd been in for years.
This would be ground breaking... if we can do this at home, we can do IT anywhere!
The Journey... learnt life with Jesus is not an event.
What we do now?
We seek God's face as to His agenda for the year ahead. When the opportunity comes to go overseas - we go. Connect with others - encourage; build up each other.
We visit a caravan park and put on a sausage sizzle and chat with the locals.
We encourage the youth that will be soon going to the Philippines.
Hubby feeds the homeless on Tues nights.
When on this journey we all need Validation and a sense of Legitamacy... Like minded in the sense " Do you love God? Do you hear His voice? Are you doing what He said?"