Jesus Film Harvest Partners

"I was just looking for a way to comment on your most recent article about giving to the hungry. I am a Nazarene from the states and do a great amount of work with JESUS Film Harvest Partners. I have been around the world with this organization and just wanted to make mention of another great organization within our own denomination. Nazarene Compassionate ministries does great work and because of Nazarene Missionaries being in 105 world areas the money and other donations go directly to a 'local' which is then distributed to a local body of believers or other ministry. This is likely not more then what these other organizations do but still worth a mention. Thanks so much for your blog I have been truly enjoying it!"

Andrew Howard

Matthew 6:19-21 - store treasures in heaven!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

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Genesis 4:9 - Brother's Keeper

Genesis 4:9
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
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Blair launches Faith Foundation

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has launched a Faith Foundation on Friday with the aim of improving understanding between different religions and fighting global poverty by mobilising people through faith.
"Religious faith will be of the same significance to the 21st century as political ideology was to the 20th century," Blair said in a statement before Friday's launch in New York.
"In an era of globalisation, there is nothing more important than getting people of different faiths and cultures to understand each other better and live in peace and mutual respect," he said.
Blair, who converted to Catholicism in December after stepping down as prime minister in June, was often reticent about his faith during his 10 years in power in Britain, where religion and politics rarely mix.

Time magazine, which published an interview with Blair on Thursday, said the foundation aimed to build up a "war chest" of several hundred million dollars to fund projects to fight global poverty, such as an anti-malaria campaign.
It aims to support the UN Millennium Development Goals, a set of targets adopted by world leaders in 2000 to reduce hunger and halve extreme poverty.
"Tony Blair has argued that faith has to be rescued from those who would use it to divide and those determined to write it off as an irrelevance," the statement from his office said.
"By stressing the values of respect, justice and compassion which the great religions hold in common, he believes faith can help unite the world and shape its direction for the better."
It said in the first three years of the Foundation, priority would be given to encouraging inter-faith initiatives to tackle global poverty and to improve understanding of the great religions through education at every level.
Blair, whose wife and four children are Catholic, converted from Britain's established church, Anglicanism, to Roman Catholicism, in December. He held private talks with Pope Benedict at the Vatican last year.
In a BBC documentary last year he spoke about the importance of his faith, adding that while politicians could speak about religious faith in the United States, it was difficult to do so in Britain because "frankly people do think you are a nutter (crazy)".
Blair, a part-time international envoy for Palestinian economic development, is due to start teaching at Yale University in Connecticut in September, leading a course on "faith and globalisation".

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Jeff Steinberg Ministry Team

Jeff, his wife, Ellen, and the Ministry Team dropped in on our Sunday service last week (bit behind on the posts). Jeff was born with no arms or hands and has deformed legs but a huge soul. Very interesting to chat about the work they are doing throught-out the world and we are hoping they will visit next year and share their story when they have more time. Good luck with the rest of your tour of the UK. http://www.tinygiant.com/

John Bunyan - Principles

I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eyebrows rather than make a slaughterhouse of my principles.
John Bunyan


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Global Food Crisis - and we think we have it bad!

Happy with your grocery bills these days? Do those petrol pump meters seem to whir like Vegas slot machines, except you never hit the jackpot?
The two issues are not unrelated and they’re affecting pocketbooks and bellies at home and around the globe. Some Westerners might react with detached shock to stories of food riots in places like Haiti, India, and Cameroon. But when your local Costco and Sam’s Club start limiting rice purchases (as recently reported), reality creeps in.
Americans seem worried. A USA TODAY/Gallup poll found 73 percent of US consumers concerned about food inflation; almost half said it caused their households hardship. Eighty percent expressed concern about energy prices.
Food price increases that may cause inconvenience or hardship in affluent nations can be devastating for families in the developing world. Recent food riots in Haiti cost the prime minister his job. The New York Times reports that spiraling prices are “turning Haitian staples like beans, corn and rice into closely guarded treasures.” Some Haitians eat mud patties containing oil and sugar to silence their grumbling stomachs.
“Silent Tsunami”
Economist and special United Nations advisor Jeffrey Sachs says of the global food problem, “It’s the worst crisis of its kind in more than 30 years. … There are a number of governments on the ropes, and I think there’s more political fallout to come.”
The UN World Food Program says skyrocketing food prices could create a “silent tsunami” turning 100 million people toward hunger and poverty. Executive director Josette Sheeran called “for large-scale, high-level action by the global community.” British Prime minister Gordon Brown asserts, "Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us and it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of nations."
World Vision, one of the world’s largest relief and development agencies, announced serious cutbacks, saying they are able to feed 1.5 million fewer people than last year. The well-respected Christian humanitarian organization appealed for international donors, citing swelling food prices and increased food need. Rising fuel costs boost fertilizer and food transportation costs. Corn diverted to make biofuels cannot become lunch, though some feel biofuel is a misplaced whipping boy.
Your Strategies
Of course folks in the developed world, not threatened with devastating hunger, can employ multiple strategies to stretch their resources. Careful shopping and research is one. (“Holy Coupon Clipping, Batman! Just look how much we can save if we time our grocery shopping to the sales rather than our impulses!”) Diet adjustment, portion control, and budgetary belt-tightening are others.
And while you’re trying to be sure your outgo doesn’t exceed your income – lest your upkeep become your downfall—may I suggest another wise move? If possible, share some of what you have with the desperately needy. World Vision founder Bob Pierce had as his life theme, "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." An ancient Jewish proverb says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!”
Many fine organizations can use your donations to effectively fight poverty and hunger. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof says, “Nobody gets more bang for the buck than missionary schools and clinics, and Christian aid groups like World Vision and Samaritan's Purse save lives at bargain-basement prices.” I would add World Relief and the Salvation Army to the list. Your local house of worship may be a good place to start.
As another of those ancient Jewish proverbs says, “Blessed are those who help the poor.”

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Pilots land on a wing and a prayer! Then a sign from God?

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Two New Zealand pilots whose plane ran out of fuel landed on a wing and a prayer, literally, local media reported on Wednesday.
Grant Stubbs and Owen Wilson from Blenheim, at the top of the South Island about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Wellington, were in a microlight plane when the engine cut out.
"When you're in a microlight if you crash, you usually die. I turned to O B (Wilson) and he said we had no fuel," Stubbs told the Marlborough Express newspaper.
"I asked what we should do. He said: 'You just pray Grant.'"
Stubbs said he prayed to God to get them over a ridge and they finally landed in a small grassy area, and beside a 20 foot high sign saying "Jesus is Lord -- The Bible."

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John 13:35 - Disciples

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35

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The Magician's Parrot - An old favorite!

There was magician on a cruise ship, and he was really good.He was performing the highlight of his show when a parrot walked onstage and squawked, ''It's in his sleeve!'' The magician chased the bird away.The next day the magician was performing his highlight again (in front of a smaller audience) when the parrot walked onstage and declared, ''It's in his pocket!''The next day, as he was performing the highlight, he saw the parrot in the crowd. But before the parrot could ruin the magic trick, the boat crashed into a rock and sank.The magician was lucky enough to find a board to hang on to. On the other end of the board was the parrot.

They stared at each other for three full days, neither of them saying anything, when suddenly the parrot said, ''I give up, what'd you do with the ship?''

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'Prince Caspian' seizes box office crown from 'Iron Man' - CS Lewis

The second instalment of CS Lewis’ beloved “Chronicles of Narnia” is about to be released across the US this week and the UK next month, once again exposing moviegoers to the truths of the Christian faith.
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, opening in theatres in the UK on June 26, is the follow-up to the 2005 box-office hit “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”.
In “Prince Caspian”, the Pevensie children – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – are magically and mysteriously transported from England back to Narnia to help Caspian regain the throne from his power-hungry uncle, Lord Miraz. But when the youths return to Narnia, they find that the land and people have greatly changed. While the siblings have only aged a year, 1,300 years have passed in the magical land. The Pevensies find that only a small number of Narnians still believe in the story of Aslan – who has not been seen in centuries, the Stone Table and a time when animals talked.
“We enter a world of skepticism that is very much like our own,” commented Mark Earley, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship Ministry in the US, in a column this week. “Let’s just say that the best-selling books of Miraz’s kingdom could easily have been titled ‘The Aslan Delusion and Aslan is Not Great.’”
The conflict changes this time from a direct good versus evil fight – where Aslan is pitted against the White Witch in the first Narnia story – to a war between followers of the opposing powers. But on a personal level, the characters struggle individually with their faith in the stories about Aslan, including Prince Caspian himself who has never seen the lion.
“Here is something with which Christians today can certainly relate,” Earley observed. “It is one thing to be among the first witnesses who exult in the risen Christ. It is quite another to act out of faith when the stories of His witnesses are so many centuries removed from our world.”
A review by The Associated Press describes “Prince Caspian” as “simultaneously darker and funnier, more substantive and more engaging, more violent and more technically accomplished” than its predecessor.
Although there were some changes to adapt the book’s storyline to the big screen, movie director Andrew Adamson, who made the first Narnia film as well as the wildly successful “Shrek” movies, said he was trying to stay true to the book when he made the film, according to an interview with Christianity Today magazine.
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is the second instalment in a seven book series.

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Romans 2:1 - Judgement

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Romans 2:1
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Christian's in Burma - Allowed to distribute aid.

As Burma’s military junta continues to shut the door on large-scale foreign aid, local Christians are doing their part to help foreign aid agencies bring vital relief to the millions who have been left destitute in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
The official death toll soured over the weekend to 134,000, whilst 2.4 million remain in need of emergency assistance. Yet the Burmese Government has refused to admit large-scale foreign aid for fear that its stranglehold on power will be compromised.
Christian children’s charity Global Care has managed to bypass the Burmese Government’s restrictions on foreign aid workers by sending funds to its partners on the ground in Burma. They are working with local Christian volunteers to bring relief items to their own hard hit communities.
The military junta has given local Burmese Christians permission to distribute aid within the ravaged Irawaddy Delta. The Global Care funds have enabled them to purchase vital food, water and shelter materials, and distribute them to those in greatest need, including orphanages, children’s day centres and schools in the Rangoon area.
Global Care is urging churches in the UK to support its emergency £50,000 Burma appeal.
Ron Newby, CEO and founder of Global Care, said: “With the help of churches throughout the UK we can now directly channel funds to help this ‘consortium’ of Christian believers to significantly increase their relief work in some of the worst-affected areas.
“We thank God for this way through the political complexities that have compounded this disaster, ensuring this vital aid effectively and reliably reaches those who need it the most.”
Although Global Care’s orphanage, day centre and Bible School in Rangoon were destroyed in the cyclone, all the children and students within their care survived.
‘J’, the leader of Global Care’s work in Rangoon, writes: “We are in great terrible need, but praise God that he kept us safe. Please pray for us. Our urgent needs are for clothing, blankets, food and fuel.
“We are now eating just one meal a day of rice soup because we do not have enough money for rice. Medicines are also needed as the disaster has caused us to suffer diseases.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is to visit Burma this week in the hope of securing aid access in a meeting with junta leader Than Shwe, who has refused calls from the UN chief since the cyclone hit two weeks ago.
Britain’s Asia minister, Mark Malloch-Brown, said on Sunday that diplomats had come closer to brokering an aid deal with the junta that could go some way to appeasing their deep distrust of the West.
Aid agencies are warning that the death toll will almost certainly rise considerably unless more aid reaches survivors. The UN’s World Food Programme said it had managed to bring rice and beans to just 250,000 of the 750,000 people it believes urgently need food.
Reports on Burma’s state television showed the 74-year-old Senior General meeting ministers involved in the rescue effort in Rangoon, and touring some of the affected areas.
"It is not insignificant that he has been forced out of his lair," one Yangon diplomat said. "There are obviously some in the military who see how enormous this is, and how enormously wrong it could go without further support."

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The String

A string walks into a bar with a few friends and orders a beer. The bartender says, "I'm sorry, but we don't serve strings here." The string walks away a little upset and sits down with his friends. A few minutes later he goes back to the bar and orders a beer. The bartender, looking a little exasperated, says, "I'm sorry, we don't serve strings here." So the string goes back to his table. Then he gets an idea. He ties himself in a loop and messes up the top of his hair. Then he walks back up to the bar and orders a beer. The bartender squints at him and says, "Hey, aren't you a string?"

And the string says, "Nope, I'm a frayed knot."

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Proverbs 10:12 - love

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs 10:12

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A living oxymoron - what would you do?

Time to contact confused.com!

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Holy Water or Sewage - Whose first?

Hundreds of gallons of water which rose from the cellar of a Cambridgeshire church are believed to have come from an old drain. Water was coming up from underneath the Trinity Church in March at a rate of about 10 gallons (45 litres) an hour. Reg Kemp, property steward of Trinity Church, had drunk the "holy" water and said he hoped it could be bottled and become an attraction.
But Anglian Water said tests proved it was "environmentally contaminated". The spokesman said: "It could cause an upset stomach, whatever the source. Even if it's a natural spring or rainwater it has come through the soil, so it's no longer sterile. If it has come through soil, we presume there is a graveyard nearby."
'Dead animals'
The water could also be infected by E-coli run-off from the roads, he said.
An Anglian Water spokeswoman continued: "The water could have pesticides if it has run-off from the roadways and land drainage. There could be dead animals, droppings, diesel and grit in it."
Tests carried out by the Environment Agency found there was no chloride in the water, meaning it is not mains water, as well as no ammonia - which indicates that it is not typical sewage.
"The only feasible explanation is that the water came from a drain near to the church," the spokeswoman said. "It's still a mystery how it began rising through the church though - it was possibly the earthquake."
'Tasteless and odourless'
Mr Kemp said: "We're still waiting to receive from Fenland District Council a copy of the analysis that was carried out on these samples.
"All we've had so far are interim results showing high levels of what is likely to be sewage but we're still awaiting confirmation. A drain, known as the hythe, used to take away surface water and sewage from the town and it has been suggested this drain runs under the church - but it doesn't - it runs across the front of the building but quite away from the cellar where the water is coming."

Mr Kemp said the water, which he described as "tasteless and odourless", had reduced in volume in recent weeks. "Only a few people have tasted the water and they've had no side effects - I'm as fit as a fiddle."

Augustine of Hippo - Evil

God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist.
Augustine of Hippo
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Have your say - on the walls of St Pauls

Public artist Martin Firrell is to challenge modern Britain with an innovative art project at one of London’s most famous landmarks. Firrell has unveiled a new art project involving St Paul’s Cathedral which aims to challenge modern Britain on issues of spirituality.

Commissioned by the Cathedral, ‘The Question Mark Inside’ intends to cultivate debate on the issue of spirituality in Britain’s multi-faith society by asking ‘What does St Paul’s mean to you?’
The public are being invited to contribute their thoughts, experiences and meditations on the St Paul’s website http://www.stpauls.co.uk/, which will serve as inspiration for the creation of a series of text projections to light up the London skyline in November 2008. The Cathedral building will take on a new life, re-coloured midnight blue and lead the viewer into conversation through Firrell’s characteristically provocative statements.
Firrell said, "I want to take the public on a journey. You begin by adding your voice to the project via the website, then in November you’ll see a series of single words lighting up the Dome. "You draw closer, feeling a sense of connection and ownership of the statements projected onto this fascinating landmark. Then you are drawn into the building, to the spiritual heart of the Cathedral, where you’ll read the conclusion of the piece on the famous Whispering Gallery surrounded by the breath-taking beauty of the Cathedral."
The installation will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the completion of the Cathedral and will serve to remind Londoners and visitors to the city, of the beauty and importance of St Paul’s by bringing it closer to their hearts.

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Crusader Choir - Tonight

Knowle Park Church of the Nazarene
is proud to present
Crusader Choir
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa ID USA
Wednesday 14th May 2008
7:30pm
Great Minds - Great Hearts - Great Futures
!GREAT VOICES!

Ephesians 4:29 - Bad Language

No bad language must pass your lips, but only what is good and helpful to the occasion, so that it brings a blessing to those who hear it.
Ephesians 4:29

Loosen up and take a risk - you never know what you might discover!

Today is the feast day of St Matthias, the man who replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the 12 Apostles, after Judas died. He was chosen by casting lots - not unusual in the ancient world, and a way of allowing God to have the final say.
It would be interesting wouldn't it, if our MPs were chosen like this! But the modern world, of course, does things rather differently. In commerce, look at how a whole industry has grown up around the task of recruitment. Matching the right person to the right job is big business, and a lot of time, money and effort's invested in making the right choice.
Generally, we like to have a lot more control over our choices, and would rather not leave things to chance. Chance is risky, leaves us vulnerable, who knows what might happen. The more we can control, the safer we are.

So in some places our children rarely go out to play, or we spend years of our lives longing for something different we haven't got, or we are so cautious as to keep our assets and our hearts safely locked away. The more we try to control, the sadder generally we are.
Choices must, of course, be responsibly made, with others in mind. But allowing ourselves, and others, a little slack, taking a step beyond the margins of our self-imposed restraints, could do wonders for our relationships, our work and our inner selves.
After all, it was chance that discovered penicillin, chance that revealed Australia to Captain Cook, chance that you are you and I am I.
Or perhaps not simply blind chance - there's always room for you, Lord God, to have the final say. Help us to loosen our grip a little, to take a risk, and discover ourselves, and maybe you, in the process. Amen

Sharon Grenham Toze - BBC Prayer for the Day

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James 3:16 - Selfish Ambition

Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:16

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Pentecost Festival - Coming to a church near you this Sunday!

More than a year in the making, Share Jesus International’s highly anticipated first ever Pentecost Festival - two full days of Christian worship, teaching, comedy, dance, debate, social action and more –finally hit central London on Friday.
The Festival realises the vision of the late Rob Frost to put on a festival that “Jesus would want to come to”, and aims to take the church and the message of Jesus’ love out into the streets and straight to the people in a completely unprecedented way, hence its motto, “The church has left the building”.
“I’m very passionate about taking our worship onto the streets and our prayer into bars and cafes and our Bible reading into the public space, on the Underground,” enthuses Share Jesus director, Andy Frost. “We shouldn’t be a hidden, invisible church. We should be the visible church, out on the streets.”
“Pentecost Festival is an opportunity for the church to discover afresh how it can engage with the world, hear what God is guiding the church to do, and learn how we can leave our buildings behind.
“It’s about getting out of our buildings. We can be tucked away in our buildings having a great time but then we forget the world outside. It’s about how we reconnect with the world,” explains Andy.
The packed programme offers Londoners everything from a current affairs debate with former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, to a pop opera re-telling of the story of Esther, to a closer look at Dawkins’ “God Delusion”, or learning how to lindy hop, jitterbug and boogie woogie whilst at the same time hearing from Christian Aid about the impact of climate change on the poor.
Other events, meanwhile, are focusing in on issues painfully close to the heart of Londoners and how the church should tackle them. Most poignantly what the church can do to address the all too frequent incidences of gun and knife crime among the city’s young people, as well as other social ills blighting the capital like lingering racism and drug abuse.
Says Frost, “Hopefully for the church it will be a prophetic call to engage with new things and see what difference that can make. The church is already doing great things but it’s about how we can continue to grow in that.”
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C.S. Lewis - Humility

We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.
C.S. Lewis

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D Pope and Gzus - txt d WYD - msgs - luv ur NMEs

Pope Benedict XVI will send religious text messages to thousands of young Catholics when he attends World Youth Day in Australia, organisers say.
The move aims to help the Pope connect with his technology-loving audience.
Digital prayer walls will also be set up and a web-based social networking site established, organisers say.
The co-ordinating bishop, Anthony Fisher, said that the event would be "the most innovative World Youth Day to date".
"We wanted to make WYD08 a unique experience by using new ways to connect with today's tech-savvy youth," he said in a statement.
Attendees would receive daily inspirational text messages and religious teaching would be broadcast on the web, he said.
The six-day event will be held in Sydney in mid-July.
It expected to attract more than 200,000 young Catholics to the Australian city.

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Jean Eudes - Grace!

"There are some favors that the Almighty does not grant either the first, or second, or third time you ask him, because he wishes you to pray for a long time and often he wills this delay to keep you in a state of humility — and to make you realize the value of his grace."— Jean Eudes
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There's a hole in the saying, "No good deed goes un-punished"!

TORONTO (Reuters) - An attendant at a Canadian restaurant who was sacked for giving a bite-sized doughnut, worth 16 cents, to an agitated toddler was given her job back on Thursday after the case received wide media attention.
Nicole Lilliman, a single mother, said she was dismissed from a London, Ontario, outlet of the Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut chain after video cameras captured the 27-year-old giving a Timbit to a toddler.

"It was just out of my heart, she (the toddler) was pointing and going 'ah, ah...' I should have gone to my purse and got the change, but it was busy," Lilliman told the Toronto Star newspaper.
Tim Hortons said on Thursday that the firing was a mistake.
"It was the unfortunate action of one manager who unfortunately made an overzealous decision, and thankfully we were able to rectify the situation," said company spokeswoman Rachel Douglas.
Douglas said the company, a Canadian icon with stores on virtually every high street across the country, told Lilliman that she could have her job back, and Lilliman had accepted.
A single Timbit sells for 16 Canadian cents (16 U.S. cents), but most shoppers buy boxes of 10, 20 or 40 of the deep-fried goodies, which come in a variety of flavors.
Douglas said Tim Hortons had received a number of complaints. "Thankfully we're able to go back to them and say we were able to fix the situation," she said.

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Table Top Sale - Saturday 10th May 2008

The Friday Friendship attendees will be treated to a little early bird shopping on Friday for the Table Top Sale on Saturday, there will also be a few more plants available. Come by on Saturday from 10-12 for some bargains, maybe a plant for the garden, a cup of free coffee and a biscuit, or why not treat yourself to some home made cake! Volunteers and donations always welcome. See you Saturday!

Water - 900% rate hike!

A church is facing a 900% hike in its water bills because of changes in the way buildings are charged for drainage.
Hundreds of people have signed an online petition in protest at the effect the changes will have on St Luke's Church in Thornaby, Teesside.
Charities and churches currently have exemptions and relief from "run-off" charges, but it is proposed they will be removed from 2010.
Industry regulator Ofwat has been urged to intervene.
Under the new rules churches and charities will be treated the same as businesses and will face the additional burden of having to pay full charges.
Charging regime
David Boddy, church warden of St Luke's said: "I cannot understand why churches should be targeted in this way.
"It is not our fault we have inherited such large buildings and we struggle to maintain them as they are."
Last year, the large Victorian church paid less than £70 for its water and sewage, after six months on the new charging regime, that will go up to around £600, according to Northumbrian Water, which provides services for the area.
A company spokeswoman said the new charges were being rolled out nationally, and are supported by Ofwat because it is deemed fairer.
She said: "The new method of charging reflects the surface water drainage services customers receive, some customers will be paying less for their surface water drainage services and some will be paying more.
Ofwat said churches should reduce bills by reducing run-off from roofs into the sewage system, and recommended allowing water to be soaked up by the graveyard.
Ofwat is due to meet representatives from all British churches to discuss the matter this week.

Richard Sibbes - God's Love

Measure not God's love and favor by your own feeling. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof.
Richard Sibbes
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More than 22,000 killed in Myanmar (Burma) cyclone - they need our help!

Cyclone Nargis slammed through a 30,000 square kilometer (over 18,600 miles) coastal area of Myanmar over the weekend, leaving destruction and death in its wake. Government run radio has confirmed 22,464 dead and as many as 30,000 missing the hardest hit area of the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region and Yangon. Tidal waves, some up to 12 feet high, were reported to have killed most of the victims in that region. The United Nations (UN) also reports up to 1 million people have been left homeless. The Church of the Nazarene's Southeast Asia (SEA) Field and mission personnel have been trying to establish contact with local church leaders but communication is extremely difficult. Several of the 21 Nazarene churches in Myanmar are located in areas hit by Nargis. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) and Field personnel hope to travel into Myanmar later this week to survey the situation and distribute relief supplies of basic food items, water, and emergency shelter. NCM is coordinating with other international relief and aid agencies in an endeavor to collaborate for an effective response to this disaster. Please continue to pray for the families of those killed in the cyclone, as well as those still missing. SEA Field NCM and mission personnel, partnering with the local church, would also appreciate prayerful support as they encounter significant challenges.Persons and churches wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks "Myanmar Cyclone" and send them to: Global Treasury Services, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. --NCN News--Asia-Pacific

Response of Other Christian Agencies

Christian Aid is responding to the devastation as well, already having committed £50,000 for local partners to carry out relief work. Ever since the Cyclone first hit on May 3, Christian Aid staff have been attempting to contact partners in Burma, but finding lines of communication has been difficult with power and telephone systems down. Christian Aid also points to Myanmar's lack of an early warning system as a concern that needs to be remedied for the future.
Samaritan's Purse is reporting that in addition to the rising death toll, some 41,000 people are missing. Many more are homeless, thanks to a 12-foot storm surge that swept away entire towns and villages.
Thankfully, Samaritan’s Purse has a team of water specialists who were in Myanmar when the storm hit. Other Samaritan’s Purse emergency teams in Southeast Asia are mobilizing to respond to needs for food, water, and emergency shelter.
World Vision is estimating that overall, 2 million people have been or will be affected by Nargis's devastation, therefore shelter and water are the most urgent needs as World Vision launches a "full-scale" response. They are asking for $3 million in global donations to provide that aid to children and families.
"News is only slowly trickling out of the country, but it is clear from the information already available that this is a major catastrophe demanding an urgent response," says Dean Hirsch, president of World Vision International. "My greatest concern is for the children of Myanmar who will be especially vulnerable at this time. We must get them shelter, clean water, and food as quickly as possible. The threat of the spread of disease is always at the door when people are living in such conditions and children are the most likely to succumb to illness."
The government of Myanmar has invited World Vision to provide assistance in the form of zinc sheets, tents, tarpaulins, and medicine. World Visision is also coordinating with authorities to explore an airlift of emergency supplies into the country from one of its global warehouses.

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Crusader Choir - 14th May

Knowle Park Church of the Nazarene
is proud to present
Crusader Choir
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa ID USA
Wednesday 14th May 2008
7:30pm
Great Minds - Great Hearts - Great Futures
!GREAT VOICES!

Send a Cow - but not by Royal Mail!

If we all passed on a little of what we have, the world would be very different. That’s the message from Send a Cow, which is celebrating 20 years of passing on hope in Africa this year.
The Christian charity was founded by a group of UK dairy farmers in 1988 with the spirit of sharing and giving at its heart. All families helped by Send a Cow pledge to pass on the skills and benefits they gain to another family in need – meaning that just a little assistance goes a long way.
Churches and church groups are being invited to hold fundraising events for the 20th anniversary of Send a Cow. A church pack contains fundraising ideas for groups, individuals and children, ideas for worship, and links to online resources, all inspired by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
“Christian values are at the heart of Send a Cow, and support from the Christian community has been key to our growth over the past two decades,” said Send a Cow Chief Executive Martin Geake. “Send a Cow’s 20th anniversary is a reason to rejoice in true sharing and fellowship with others, while helping to ensure that we continue to grow for another 20 years.”
Send a Cow was born when a group of dairy farmers sent pregnant cows from their own herds to poor families in Uganda. Today, Send a Cow works in 10 countries in Africa giving hope by providing a variety of locally bought animals and other assistance.
Other plans for the 20th anniversary celebrations include a network of Big Birthday Bashes, a Thanksgiving Service in Bath Abbey, and a Pass It On appeal.
Visit the Send a Cow stand at S3 in the National Christian Resources Exhibition, Sandown Park, Esher in Surrey from Tuesday 13 – Friday 16 May 2008.

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There's Always Never Been Anything Good on TV!

After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:4
church of the nazarene broadwalk knowle park bristol bs4 2rd

Interesting Words from Proverbs 18:6

A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
Proverbs 18:6

Nanjing, China, becomes Bible printing capital of the world!

Thirty years ago the Bible was banned there, but now China has one of the biggest Bible factories in the world.
A new, expanded printing facility is soon to make China’s ancient capital, Nanjing, the Bible centre of the world.
The Amity Printing Company – a joint venture with the Bible Societies – will be producing 23 Bibles every minute to keep up with growing demand for the Bible in China.
The new press will greatly increase the number of Bibles Amity can produce each year. In 2007 it printed six million Bibles. When the new press opens on 19 May that will leap to a potential 12 million – most of which will be distributed throughout China.

It’s a major step in the history of the printing centre. The People’s Liberation Army printed some of the first Bibles in China after the Cultural Revolution, including three million that were printed on presses of the Red Army. Amity Press – now one of the world’s largest Bible printers – began production in 1987. Last December its 50 millionth Bible was produced.
About 55,000 churches distribute the Bibles that come off Amity’s production lines. The new press was needed to help keep up with demand in a country where, until 30 years ago, Christianity was banned and Bibles were confiscated.
"We got to the point where the volume of work was so great we hadn’t got enough room to store the books in stages of binding and all the paper," said Peter Dean, the Bible Societies’ consultant in Nanjing. "It was everywhere."
According to Peter, there is "a really increasing interest in Christianity" in a country where an estimated seven per cent of the one billion population are believers.
"There are differing views on how many Christians there are," he admitted. "But everyone agrees there is a great interest and a lot of growth in the Christian Church.
"What excites me is our aim is to serve the Church in China. All of this new production capability is available 'first call' for the mainland Chinese Church. If they want to print 12 million Bibles a year, they’ve got it."
Since its inception in the 80s, Amity Press has printed 54 million Bibles – 43 million of which have gone to the churches in China. Some are free and all are made affordable. A pocket edition of the Bible costs about 68p and Chinese Christians can receive the full-size Bible at a subsidised cost of £1.16.

Bible Society plays a key role. "We feel really supported by faithful people who’ve raised funds to buy paper here," Peter explained. "If you want to help place a Bible in China, then giving money to buy paper is the best thing to do."
This is making it possible for the Church to distribute Bibles into rural areas and to provide them for people on low incomes. Amity Press prints in eight Chinese minority languages – as well as Braille Bible. With the move to a bigger press, it will be able to expand its range of books and Bibles.
"Young people need more than just the traditional printed Bible," said Rev Deng Fu Cun, a senior leader in the China Christian Council/Three Self Patriotic Movement, publishers of the Bibles. "So we’re planning to produce the Bible in various digital formats."
They aim to produce the Bible as downloadable audio books – so young people can listen to it on their MP3 players. "And we’re also focusing on the quality and variety of Bibles available. We need both large and small Bibles, Braille Bibles and luxury Bibles that can be given as gifts," he added.
Now with their new 48,000 sq m home, the Amity team can confidently take on large projects like producing Bibles for the Olympics in Beijing. Thanks to their new press, such initiatives won’t be a marathon task.

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10 second Bible!

The lights came on,
we could see the rules,
but being lost,
we behaved as fools;
He came to save us,
died on the cross,
will we learn,
or are we lost?

www.cotn.co.uk

New Zealand, Canada join this year's Back to Church Sunday!

There are ideas here for the whole year year, "The Church is for afterlife, not just for Christmas!"


People in churches all over Britain, and for the first time, in other parts of the world, will be backing Back to Church Sunday on 28 September and inviting a friend back to church with them.
Thirty eight Church of England dioceses from Cornwall to Newcastle will join with Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches nationwide, Elim Pentecostal churches and Anglican churches in New Zealand and Canada.
This represents exponential growth for Back to Church Sunday, which began in Manchester in 2004 with the message ‘Missing You’, and spread to Wakefield in 2005, nine Church of England dioceses in 2006 and 20 in 2007, when 20,000 people came back to church in one day.
Research by the Diocese of Lichfield after last year’s Back to Church Sunday suggested that 6,000 people came back to church on that day and that, six months later, between 700 and 900 (12-15 per cent) had become regular members. About a further 3,000 are still in touch with their inviting churches and may have come at Christmas or to a social event.
The Archdeacon of Walsall, Bob Jackson, said: “People invite their friends on Back to Church Sunday with no strings attached. We know many people will gladly respond to this.
"What we’ve proved is that up to 15 per cent like it so much they want to come back for good. No wonder Back to Church Sunday has been such an encouragement. This year we want to work hard on improving our welcome even more.”
Ian Bunce, Head of Mission for the Baptist Union, which represents more than 2,000 churches, trialed Back to Church Sunday last year in the North West and is now promoting it nationally: “We are delighted to be part of Back to Church Sunday. We believe the concept of a personal invitation really works. For people to have the opportunity to try church again with a friend is a great concept.”
The 2008 resources centre on a special and personal invitation, with a place card bearing the emblem ‘VIP’.
The venture is supported by Traidcraft, which produces fairly traded and environmentally friendly resources for churches to advertise their invitation and welcome. Local churches buy a Back to Church pack, with invitations, posters, prayer cards, balloons, welcome team tshirts, with ‘friendly feedback’ cards for newcomers. Participating dioceses and denominations are additionally supported with multimedia training resources and ‘top tips’ style factsheets to use in ‘welcome workshops’ over the summer.

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Bob Dylan Talks to Jesus

Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Bob, why are you resisting me?" I said, "I'm not resisting you!" He said, "You gonna follow me?" I said, I've never thought about that before!" He said, "When you're not following me, you're resisting me."— Bob Dylan

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You don't have to donate a million, just one will do!

Hope08, the nationwide year of grassroots mission, has set the challenge to Christians to give a million hours of kindness to the UK this May bank holiday.
Christians and churches of all denominations and traditions will come together throughout the day to undertake a practical action that meets a particular need within the local community.
Mike Pilavachi, the Soul Survivor chief who founded Hope08 together with The Message Trust’s Andy Hawthorne and head of Youth for Christ Roy Crowne, encouraged Christians to demonstrate God’s love through their actions.
“The million hours of kindness is a million hours of worship – it’s as much an expression of love for God as it is an expression of his love for others,” he said.
The initiative, 'HOPE' Where You Live, is the third of the five Hope08 'high points'. The high points represent seasons of activity at different points of the year that encourage churches to carry out a particular activity knowing that other Christians across the UK are doing the same thing. ‘HOPE’ Where You Live will be followed up by ‘HOPE’ Explored, a season of outreach inviting the community to explore the Christian faith in September, and A Gift of ‘HOPE’ at Christmas.
Some of the activities taking place include graffiti cleaning, litter picking and painting community murals. Other more interactive acts of kindness will harness local people to help in the running of schemes like parent and toddler groups and community clear ups.
Hope08’s bank holiday action also brings together some well established events, including The Noise, in which Christians across Bristol show God’s love in practical ways, and Soul Action, set up by Tearfund and Soul Survivor to help Christians be good news for the world’s poorest by responding to God’s heart for justice.
Evening events are also proving popular, with many of the 1,500 Hope08 locations choosing to hold BBQs and gigs.
To ensure that every single act of kindness is counted, a new facility has been set up in the ‘For Churches’ section of the Hope 08 website (http://www.hope08.com/) where churches can log on and report their donated hours.
Hours from across the whole year will count towards the target of a million hours, with May regarded as a high point of activity.

www.cotn.co.uk