Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Monday Jan 18, 2010
To my dear friends who have followed my trip to the Philippines, on Saturday night Baseco was ravaged by fire in an area called Gasangan, this may be a familiar because I had Birthing Classes there, I knew many mothers, babies and children, John 14:12 had a Church, shelter, precious leaders, church members, pedicab drivers there too, now the pedicabs are burnt ruins, the area once packed with people and houses is a burning flattened smouldering mess. At the height of the fire there looked like 20-40 foot flames!
The reports are sketchy but we believe that 800 families have lost their homes and lives were lost……what a tradgedy!
Another disaster and setback for these struggling people, please pray, pray for individual mothers and their children now homeless…….their homes were humble and simple usually made from Bamboo, coconut wood, plastic and some tin…….but they were “home” to the family…………
The housing materials were simple however made a flammable fire trap also, open fires and candles are a constant risk………dry hot weather was another factor. I am devastated that we are not there to help and comfort…….
To my faithful followers, please pray especially for these precious mothers just like you and I who live, have a family, cook clean and strive to better their families, those who once had a little “something” now have nothing…..God help them!
PS I have just heard that the fire stopped 3 houses from the church, thank you God!!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Thursday Jan 14, 2010
I wanted to share some sermons that God laid on my heart when I was in Baseco………..that way I can remember them and record them, not that they are really profound or deep, they are really one older mum sharing and speaking to other women and like….but they may hit a cord in some one else…..God is like that
My heart often cries out for people who feel UNEQUIPPED or IMMATURE or UNSKILLED as Christians. In the world we often find that age, sex, health, education or even personality type work against us achieving goals and aspirations….but in The Kingdom things are very different………..God does not look at these kind of externals in fact He prefers not to, in some way confounding the senses of man, and using the unusable despite their abilities or lack of.
There is one example in scripture that JUMPED out and caught my attention whilst I was away it was found in 1 Chron 18:14
1 Chronicles 18:14-17 (New King James Version)
David’s Administration
14 So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people. 15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Shavsha[a]was the scribe; 17 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers at the king’s side.
The great King David was establishing his anointed rule and reign over his people, he had a team of men he appointed to help him administer judgement and justice…they included trusted friends and advisers from his years of struggles and hiding from Saul people who had showed commitment and loyalty and most importantly love to him. These men included Joab, Jehosophat and Abimalech just to name a few………….names we have read about as they battled by David’s side.
BUT
There is an addition to these men, in verse 17 it clearly says that……DAVID’S SONS WERE CHIEF MINISTERS AT THE SIDE OF DAVID…………
The Son’s of David were elevated above the mighty men from David’s past, the men who earnt David’s trust over the years and served him faithfully. These sons became CHIEF MINISTERS, meaning simply they were the 2IC (Second in Charge) they had the highest positions in the Kingdom under David, they had authority, power and position
We can also see from this scripture that David made ALL of his sons ministers, there was no evidence that he hand picked one or overlooked another but ALL of his sons were chief ministers at the kings side.
We also see another profound picture here, his sons had access to David at all times, THEY WERE AT THE KINGS SIDE………they were granted a privilege that perhaps the other leaders did not have, they were always at the King’s side, interacting and sharing his daily issues and routine.
SO WHAT DID THESE MEN DO TO EARN THEIR POSITION AT DAVID’S SIDE?
There is no doubt that some (if not all) of these men/sons were warriors and soldiers with David in his long battle with Saul,
No doubt that they were being trained and groomed in some ways, as son’s of David
But none of them made “names” for themselves, however in contrast Joab the mighty warrior made quite a name for himself with many mighty feats and deeds.
So what qualified these young men to serve as Chief Ministers at the hand and side of King David?
Their qualification was simply this
THAT THEY WERE SONS OF THE KING!
Interestingly enough there was NO mention of the son’s
* AGE
* ABILITY
* SKILLS
* SPIRITUAL EXPERTISE
* LEADERSHIP ABILITY
* PHYSICAL ABILITY
* PERSONALITY TYPE
They earnt their position and place from their RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING, they were his sons!
This is the key to leadership and usefulness in the Kingdom
We too minister at our Father’s side like the son’s of David, we rule a Kingdom and have authority over this world…….we are His Chief Ministers, but the key to this awesome elevation of our status is that we are son’s and daughters of the King………..but the interesting thing is that God is our FATHER/KING without each facet we would not be SONS/JOINT RULER……..each facet must “marry” to have authority and power……….Leaders such as Joab had authority and power but lacked the intimacy with the king, he was not granted to “minister at the King’s side” maybe, just maybe, he would not have made such stupid mistakes later if he was intimate with David and knew his heart!!!
This intimacy with the Father (or any parental model) is obvious when you think of your own relationship with your parents…..if you have had a healthy relationship with your parents you would have had full access to the things that belong to the parents, I do not know what happens in your family but when I go to my Mum and Dad’s house I just walk in…..I may not even knock (hey they gave me the key!!) I just walk in and go to the pantry and help myself to food, I do not even think about it!! I just do it coz I know that they are my parents and they would not deprive me if I needed it! I have open access to them and what is theirs, I have intimacy with them, if they are sick/sad or mad they tell me, we are family, that is how it is!! Also if they asked me to do something for them if it was in my power I would do it, I would listen to them if they had something to say, or advise………I would do anything to make them happy……isn’t that how family is supposed to work???????
The picture of David gives us great hope, we are given full position and authority just like his sons as we enter into his SONSHIP, it is ours through our BIRTHRIGHT, we are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus the Son of God (Romans 8:17). This gives us access to the KING, God Almighty…….but not as a hired hand or servant…..as a SON!!!
Interestingly enough God makes NO mention of our
* AGE
* ABILITY
* SKILLS
* SPIRITUAL EXPERTISE
* LEADERSHIP ABILITY
* PHYSICAL ABILITY
* PERSONALITY TYPE
He gives us everything including intimacy with Him and power to be who we are meant to be on the earth!
In fact I reckon that without the intimacy (without that Father/Son daughter relationship) we really have no real and lasting power or authority…………
Just some thoughts, let God be Dad and out of that relationship real power and authority will stem, life changing, impacting, soul saving power!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Jan 12, 2010
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When I was in Baseco God began to speak to me about this beautiful reality from Malachi 3:3-4
Malachi 3:2-4 (New King James Version)
2 “ But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness. 4 “ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem
Will be pleasant to the LORD,
As in the days of old,
As in former years.
What an amazing reality that our God WILL do these things to us in His infinite love and gentleness
God IS
1. Like a Refiners Fire, making us beautiful like a golden ring or diamond
2. Like a Fullers Soap (or a launderers soap) I do not know about you but when you scrub clothes by hand they become magnificently clean!We too are made magnificently clean.
3. A Purifier of Silver, he promises to purify us!
4. A Purger of Gold and Silver, not only cleaned but purged with impurities rooted out and cast into the sea
Why would He do that???
It tells us in Verse 4……that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness……we offer back to Him the thing He created in us “Righteousness”…what a marvellous transaction, what a deal, what a joy
Just a little thought that I wanted to share with you….
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Jan 5, 2010
I have been encouraged to write out a recent comment I shared with Susan, on my own blog so here it is…….but it will not make sense unless you hear her quote that she blogged about by JC Ryle…….so thanks Susan for inspiration!
http://kerugma.net/blog
Begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing is to do it, and the way to read the Bible is actually to read it. It is not meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it; that will not advance you one step. You must positively read. There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read to you. But one way or another, through eyes or ears, the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.”
~ J.C. Ryle
This was my response and testimony
Years ago (when I was about 30 years old) when I had 3 or 4 children I had this insatiable urge to have read EVERY word in the Bible…….
I remember being in a meeting and seeing a preacher’s bible so marked/ noted/ underlined and USED……I was convicted but challenged……
I wanted to literally touch every page and write on it……I wanted a DIRTY (like well read) lively Bible, like a friend I write letters to, jotting thoughts ideas and even sermons……it sparked a challenge in my life
TO READ THE WHOLE BIBLE IN A YEAR, EVERY YEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER……
I even wrote the date I started on the first page of the Old and New Testament each time….I became accountable to myself
I refuse to be legalistic and pedantic, but I really LOVE my challenge…….I am aware we serve a graceful God…….but there is something EMPOWERING when you can say you have read His Word numerous times cover to cover……….
I bought a wide margin bible so I could write my notes next to the verses. I also write sermon notes with the dates and name of the preacher in my margins……..so amazing to look back on…….
Do not get me wrong I have “failed” over the years (especially when a new baby was born-huh reading was hard through bleary eyes)- but I refused to give up nor come under condemnation….God knew my circumstances, but I was still burning to be a woman of the word…..so I plodded on……
12 years later I can look back and see how many times I have read my God’s love letter to me…….and realise I HAVE GROWN and with some satisfaction I HAVE DONE IT…Ryle was right you JUST GOTTA DO IT……….The Nike Revelation…heee heee………JUST DO IT!!!
There is power and life in the word, even when it is dry bickkies there are pockets of life and amazing insight ESPECIALLY when you see the BIG picture of the WHOLE bible, even bible geography and timelines marriages, generational problems begin to make sense…….
Please note dear ones I am telling you this not to brag or boast but to urge you to read, praying for hours was not an option for me not with kids hanging off me 24/7, I became the queen of the arrow prayers……….but I could read….. here is my reading plan
Each Day
3 of the Old
2 of the New
You’ll read the Bible the whole way through
(A Marilyn Hickey saying and oldy but a goody)
In 12 years I have read the Old Testament 7 times and the New Testament 8 times, this does not include extra study and reading a chapter each day to my children, ………..so I have aimed for the stars and hit the mountain top…BUT I JUST DID IT……
I did it whilst Homeschooling, I did it with 3-6 children, I did it whilst being a wife, I did it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, I did it in hard times, I did it in good times………
Now looking back it was the BEST decision I ever made, I am who I am today because I JUST acted
You can “use” or “be used” by this busy time around babies kids and wifehood…….time will just fly by you especially while you are in the baby bearing season…so use this time to sow the Word into your life, there is lots we cannot do in the baby bearing season, but there are some things we can do. I pray we see the season and USE it wisely!
If you can read the Word during these days it will be like a seed……….. and this tiny seed the will burst into life 10 years down the track…….I am seeing this now in reality, and of course it helps your daily transformation too!!!!
So come on let’s get some Nike Revelation people……
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Monday Dec 21, 2009
We are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found amoung us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.
AW Tozer
I found this quote on my friend’s site by Tozer, it in part articulates some of my feelings since leaving Baseco……….over there everything was so simple, you just did God stuff all the time, no constraints no timetable no committees……….
This was one of my favourite classes……the ladies around here were so lovely and responsive
Gasungan is an area by the sea wall (River wall….ummmmm both!)
The houses are closely packed on sandy gritty soil with lots of water in wet season
They have an outdoor church, under a shelter that an Aussie team erected whilst we were there…..perfect for meetings, classes, even washing!!
The only downer was the flies……they were thick as there! Dunno why, just are.
Here are my ladies……….one of my ladies had 16 children and she looked a million bucks……amazing
Gasungan Church simple and humble…makes our churches seem gaudy
Built in benches and shelter from the sun and rain……..perfect for classes too
Classes range from formal to informal in a circle, I even play games with them!
This class was on breastfeeding, what is exciting is when the LIGHTS go on in the people’s eyes, when they understand what I am talking about.
This was very apparent as we talked about breastfeeding, especially the bans that they are NOT subject to in the Philippines…….they were amazed at the deception of the multinational companies and angered at the advocacy of infant formula. Rewarding indeed!!
Precy my faithful, gorgeous interpreter……in the begining the scary embarrassing words were too much for her, but by the end she was confident and secure!!
We were having a Brainstorming session on problems after birth, eg breastfeeding etc
Breastfeeding in action……………..
An informal fun photo of kids and mums in my class!
They LOVE my baby doll and pelvis…the kids just love the WHITE baby doll
Matilda’s son just loves baby doll!!
Sweet Matilda who is an upcoming leader in Gasungan
Don’t you love bulging bellies!!
A final goodbye photo!!
Classes were a drop in the ocean……but it was a start, the leaders were certainly impacted and learnt lots of things…this I think was a victory, but a small one……..
Education must result in change that is my prayer!
The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Friday Dec 18, 2009
This was one activity that surprised me in Manila…..
Manila is not known for rich tourist attractions despite it’s cultural idiosyncrisies and diversities which are fascinating
The money is not there to spend on such things
But the government is realising the lucrative tourist market is waiting to be tapped and have built this surprising and beautiful Aquarium which focuses on the ecology of the Island’s rich tropical aquatic life…it is actually a National Park in the Philippines (the sea that is)
Fascinating and extremely stimulating
To my upset I only had a mobile phone camera…..but you get the idea anyway
The tunnel was my personal favourite!
Enjoy
There were literally hundreds of these smaller tanks with the BIGGEST specimen’s of tropical fish I have ever seen!
Exotic and beautiful!
Cheeky Boys
The BIG tanks chock full of amazing fish!
Look at Esther! These tanks are huge!
Monster Fish!
This is for my dad giant Travali Fish (not sure of spelling)
Now I could have sat there for hours!! Amazing feeling!
The teen and preteen bored look, but I think they liked it!
You walked under this BIG tank filled with hundreds (literally) of stingrays of all sizes!!
Of Course the Aussie Sharks!! hundreds of them too!!!!
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