A good few days

There are times in an Irish spring when everything just seems right with the world. As we drove the to St Patricks Day baptismal service last night it was one of those times. The sun was going down and the light reflecting off the LIffey in Newbridge was amazing.

The baptism serice was wonderful. Close to sixty people came from all over the place. What sweet fellowship and communion. We hosted Postal Bible School Monday night and that too was a great time for sweet fellowship.

We can miss so mush when we limit our fellowship to 'our kind of Christians.' Praise God for diversity in the body and for allowing us to expience it!

Learning about prayer

Sometimes we stand gobsmacked at how God works. A lot of what is going on is personal and not for public posting, but time after time recently we have been amazed to step back and praise God for answers to prayer. Some of these are mundane, some we can't see the end of the road yet, and in some there have been clear and obvious answers to prayer. 

I hesitate to say it, but church is really brilliant at the moment. There is an excitement there now. May the Lord allow us to continue to see it. 

I am really looking forward to next week and our St Patrick's Day baptism!

On a cold Thursday morning

I don't know where Spring went. It is COLD again and even some snow showers.

A lot of 'stuff' rolling around in my head today. Feeling kind of unsettled and I don't even know why. Been up early the last two mornings with it.

Everything important is fine though. Pleased with the ministry and that families. Satan is throwing up some real opposition, but so far everyone seems to be doing okay with it.

I have to say I am stunned at the Irish response the the recesssion/depression. I think this is the only country in the world that is trying to tax its way out of recession. We need people to spend more money and put it back into the economy, so that is the Irish response? Raise taxes, cut benefits, and give people less money to spend!?!?!

Tuesday morning

Gonna try to do this now :).

I have a heavy heart. A young adult that we are very close to is in serious trouble. Not only is this person in trouble, they seem to have no interest in solving the problem, but just getting out of trouble.

The problem is that the attitude is not limited to this situation. We all seem to want to get out of trouble, and too often we don't want to fix the root behind the problem. Sometimes we just want a tune-up when an overhaul is needed.

I am a bit concerned over American Christians under Pres Obama. I post on a Christian forum that has become very ugly, ungoldy, and unchristian since last summer. There is a vitriol and hatred that does not reflect Christ. I hope this is just there and not a general reflection of American Christianity.

Almost four years

Last post September 2005. Where has the time gone? I was listening to the radio this morning and thought about returning to this particular blog. I post daily on my devotional blog, but that is all about, well, my devotions :).

I want to try and discipline myself to a more normal blog.

A lot has happened in the last four years. We gained and lost co-workers. The church seems to have some kind of stability now. We are blessed to have a good strong Christian family visiting and looking for church.

For the moment at least I am loving being here!

September update

I haven't been here for a while. We had a great summer as documented at www.naaspreacher.blogspot.com and things are looking well for the autumn. Kid's Klub, Teen Time, and our services alll seem to be picking up!

Valley of Vision 05

The boys arrived home safe and sound, praise the Lord for that.

I was feeling very frustrated and discouraged this morning . I thought about the fellowship, family, and friends in Alabama. The work here is so slow and discouraging. As I mulled this over this morning and was kind of praying through things I opened this marvelous little book and these were the first words I saw

UNCHANGEABLE JEHOVAH,
When I am discouraged in my ministry
and full of doubts of myself,
fasten me upon the rock of eternal election,
then my hands will not hang down,
and I shall have hope for myself and others.

****

Grant me to rest on they power and faithfulness,
and the know that there are two things worth living for:
to further thy cause in the world,
and to do good to the souls and bodies of men;
This is my ministry, my life, my prayer, my end.
Grant me grace that I shall not fail.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

God knows what He is doing in Naas. In His foreknowledge He alone knows those who will one day come to Christ directly or indirectly through the ministry He has given us here.

Valley of Vision 04

Things are coasting along here. Came across these thoughts thing morning.

• Cement my oneness with me blessed Lord.
• that faith may adhere to Him more immoveably,
• that love may entwine itself around him more tightly,
• that His spirit may pervade every fibre of my being.
• Then send me out to make Him know to my fellow-men.

Valley of Vision 03

Saturday morning here. I never can sleep on the this long summer mornings in Ireland. I will be tired until August.

Mary's birthday was yesterday, Caleb's is today. All of the family/friends in Alabama are getting together for a cook-out on Monte Sano. Of course, I wish with all my heart that we were there are the moment. It is better, but I still have that yearning this time.

I needed this reminder from the "Valley of Vision" today -

• Lord, use me as Thou wilt,
• do with me what Thou wilt;
• but, O, promote Thy cause,
• let thy kingdom come,
• let thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!
• O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus!
• Let me see that glorious day,
• and give me to grasp for mutlitudes of souls;
• let me be willing to die to that end;
• and while I live let me labour for thee
• to the utmost of my strength,
• spending time profitbaly in this work,
• both in health and in weakness.
• It is thy cause and thy kingdom I long for, not my own.

Valley of Vision 02

As I struggle with the lack of movement in our work here - we only had one neighbourhood lad with us in church this morning - I am grateful for reminders from the saints of the past, as well as from the Word of God.

Enable me to realise as mine the better heavenly country. Prepare me for every part of my pilgrimage..."

As I mentioned earlier my focus is too much on me at the moment. I was reminded in the same reason today of this thought -

Teach me that Christ cannot be the end if I am the means...

I need the reminder that Christ it to be the means and the end.

I am thankful for Jack being in church week after week. God's Word will not return void.

Missing

You know what I really miss? Even though we only have one grandchild, Morgann, I really sense the loss of her not being around. I know she is only 20 months, and Lord willing will be here in a year or so - but I still miss her. Another part of my present pity party pit.

It sure helps me to indentify with Mary's mom and dad.

I really need to get myself out of this pity party pit - my focus is far too much on me and not enough on our Lord. My motivation for my thoughts is purely selfish.

Old posts

Saturday, May 21, 2005
Back from the airport

Just back from the airport taking Caleb and Jay for their trip to Alabama. I do wish that we could have been with them. My challange comes from the fact that we do not seem to be seeing anything happen at the moment here so we "might as well" be there instead.

The Lord was good - He gave me a special blessing in my devotions yesterday (See 20 May, 2005 at Rogers Reflections ) about how nothing is too hard for the Lord in His appointed time.

I do not do well at waiting. I want to wait on the Lord - but struggle with not "seeing" anything. Sometimes I feel like the Jews who "require a sign."

posted by Naas Preacher at 06:04 | 0 comments

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Thoughts on a May afternoon
I have been struggling a bit of late with discouragement in this work. I am grateful for all that God has given us with our children's ministries, but for the life of me can't understand why nothing really seems to get going with the church.

I keep hearing from the Word lessons on being patient. For example this morning I read how Abram and Sarai messed things up by trying to "help" God. I know all of that is true - I am sure we are serving God where we should, but I can't reconcile that to what I "see."

I think we need a furlough. Caleb and Jay are going to Alabama Saturday and I really wish we were going. This is the first time I have felt this way.

We must keep our focus on the Lord and strive to be faithful in our service.

posted by Naas Preacher at 18:03 | 0 comments