Purpose Driven Life

Well....what a year! As 2004 draws to a close, do you (like me) - look back and wonder where the year's gone? It's times like this, that I'm often reminded of a verse in Psalm 100.....

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His faithfulness endures to all generations.

His faithfulness endures hour after hour, day after day, month after month, year after year, and to ALL generations - hallelujah!

It's been an interesting (and exciting) year!! God has blessed me more than I could have imagined....I'm so thankful that He has a wonderful plan for each of our lives - far beyond what we could ever hope or dream (Jeremiah 29:11)!! I've been to new places (you can read about them on my blog), I've had new experiences, met new friends, had fresh challenges (thank You Lord!) - and am looking forward to everything that God has for the new year!! Life is SO much more than 'being blessed' though....I've been looking at the book 'Purpose Driven Life' - let's live 2005 for God's purpose!

We were planned for God’s pleasure, so your first purpose is to offer real worship.

We were formed for God’s family, so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.

We were created to become like Christ, so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.

We were shaped for serving God, so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.

We were made for a mission, so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.

Hope you all have an awesome 2005 - and enjoy serving our awesome God!!

People all over the world will be celebrating the new year tonight - but at this time, we particularly remember and pray for all those in South East Asia and Africa.

Pen xx

Prayer

I've been amazed (whilst watching the news over the past few days), just how many people have said that in the midst of the tragedy, when they didn't know what to do - they prayed.

Whilst looking at the BBC News website - I read an article about how blogs are aiding disaster recovery. The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami (The SEA-EAT blog for short) - news and information about resources, aid, donations and volunteer efforts.

We continue to pray for everyone affected across Asia and Africa.

The Tsunami Tragedy

There aren't really any words to describe Sunday's tragedy. On the 6 O'Clock News this evening, the latest death count was 60,000 - and there is now a danger of death and disease from contaminated water, together with lack of supplies.

Having been in India (Madras/Chennai) only one month ago - it is perhaps brought a little closer to home. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Burma, Bangladesh, Somalia (to name a few) - every Country which has been affected. We pray too for the relief workers who are on their way, even now.

To read the latest news from the BBC, click here

I received this e-mail earlier today, from a friend - a Pastor in India:

Dear Friends,

It is with heavy heart we write to you of the recent deaths in thousands due to Tsunami. The story does not end there; there are millions left behind homeless and as usual adding a heavy list to the already existing orphans and widows. There are thousands still being treated in the hospitals and/or not able to overcome the trauma of having lost everything.

India, of course, has been one of the countries worst affected given its population density and the vulnerability of its coastal communities. Even after 48 hours later, relief had yet to reach thousands marooned in isolated landmasses, with no means of communicating with the rest of the world.

Love and Care India being located close to most of these areas of disaster, are planning to extend relief work to these unfortunates. We are collecting clothes, food materials, and medicines for distribution. We are also planning to build some simple houses for their living and some household things to start their life immediately.

We welcome you to join us in extending the relief at the earliest possible moment.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

Have a great CHRISTmas - and a blessed New Year!!!!
Jesus is the reason for the season!

Christmas Day in the Penster household

Christmas celebrations begin in the London office!
(Click to enlarge pic)

Food for thought.....

A missionary is not someone who crosses the sea.
A missionary is someone who sees the cross.
J John

CfaN Crusade - Benin City, Nigeria

488,540 people saved in five days - hallelujah!!
To read more click here.

Inspiration on the web....

Click here to hear/watch messages recorded at Kensington Temple, London: Colin Dye, RT Kendall, J John, Bill Wilson, Rodney Howard-Browne, Mahesh Chavda, Cesar Castellanos and more.....

Thankfulness.....

This morning I had to wait ages for a train (they were all delayed!) and by the time a train came along, I was freezing cold - and then there weren't any seats, so I had to stand for 45mins (oh the joys of commuting).....so a good start to the day really!!

In situations like this, when it would be SO easy to complain (believe me!), I'm often reminded of a teaching I heard once (by Gayle Claxton) about thankfulness.....which really showed me a few things. She shared that a friend of hers was very ill (literally dying) - and yet, was still thankful that the sun was shining through the window, and filling her room with sunlight..... Even when there was no strength left in her physical body - she found something to be thankful for.

How thankful are we? How thankful am I? How thankful should I be - for the fact that I've actually got two legs to stand on?

I was thinking about the verse in Colossians which talks about thankfulness, but before I had time to look it up - I saw that Pat's posted it on her blog today (well done Pat!) - so you can have a read. It's a good thought to keep in mind this Christmas - being thankful for everything that God has given us - most of all, His Son.

It's Friday!

Yep - it's Friday again! Is it me, or do the weeks just seem to pass more quickly? This week has been busy at work - but I did get to have a four hour lunch yesterday (there are some perks to my job!) - although I did have to read up on FSA authorisation beforehand!!

It's also been an interesting week at work.....a colleague said the other day, that he'd been thinking about what I was going to do in Heaven all the time (when I get there).....mmmm....interesting....what DO you do for eternity? I could think of a few things.....

I was also told today that I shouldn't be quite so positive in the office(!) - and should try to avoid using the words: brilliant, amazing and fabulous - oh, and my weekends should become 'average' - not 'great'! Believe me, I've had enough 'average moments' in my life - and prefer to live it to the full (John 10:10). I'm not saying that life is continously rosy - because 'life' happens, but as a Christian, you know that in every storm, every trial, every situation and every joy - Jesus is there - and that's something to get excited about!

It's a Sign of The Times....

A Trip to Salisbury.....

Around the World in 80 Days.....Around the M25 in 5 Minutes.....

This year, I've done quite a few 'new things' - one of which was last Sunday, when I drove round the whole of the M25 in one day (I do lead an exciting life - honestly!) Want to experience it too? Click here to go round the whole M25 in 5 mins! (Dad, if you're reading this - I was not driving that fast)!

I should at this point, say that I do have a life, and was not doing this just for fun! Sunday evening I went to Salisbury for The Well - awesome meeting in the Guildhall [pictured] (and great to catch up with some of the India crowd)!!

Think the M25 is boring? Prefer a bus tour round London? If so, click here Ok.....I'm going to stop here, before I bore you with any more 'virtual tour' websites......

Guess what?

The India pictures are all on here (at last)!!!
So grab a cuppa and start scrolling down >>>>>>
Enjoy! :-)

Friday Fun!

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu; kept people looking so hard for facts - and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so that she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.

Now for something really silly....
See how far you can throw Santa

Space Invaders

God Encounters

An encounter with God Himself is the greatest of all encounters you can ever have, and that is what life is all about - you being found by Christ, as you pursue Him with all you are.........

To read the rest of the article (from Darlene Zschech) click here

A fabulous soaking...

Whilst walking to the station today, a van drove past me (through a huge puddle) - and completely soaked me (this kind of thing is meant to happen in comedy films - not real life)! It made me laugh - so I thought I'd share the experience. The first word out of my mouth was 'fabulous' (yes, I know what you're thinking - and I have no idea why either!) - it wasn't really fabulous at all - but amusing none-the-less! :-)

Read a great article by Joyce Meyer on the train this morning (whilst drying out!) - all about eagles (and soaring). Basically, we shouldn't be "scratching around the chicken yard" and never getting far off the ground - but should be fulfulling our destiny and soaring with the eagles! Sometimes, we just have to 'grow up' and get out of our 'comfort zones' (which can be so easy to stay in).

Thought for the day:
Don't be satisfied with chicken-yard living - there's something much better!

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Isaiah 40:31 (Amp)

Thought for the Day

If you're not living on the edge - you're taking up too much space!

Monday....

Mmmm interesting morning at work today – told my Boss that I shared about India in Church yesterday, and after asking me what I had said, we got onto the subject of healing (amongst other things).

His comment at the end was (exact words), "why on earth are you wasting your time in software development when you could be used somewhere like India for a more worthwhile purpose?" I didn't think I was exactly 'wasting my time at work' - but I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind before (erm, that's missions work - not time-wasting)!!

Anyway - talking of India (of which I will be for quite a while yet!!), I'm still in the process of updating all the pictures on here! Thanks for your patience :-) Keep scrolling down, as I'm adding pictures daily, but want to try and keep them in some kind of order. I'm slowly making my way through the 300 or so which I have.....

For those who have just come across my blog (especially the Salisbury & Oz crowd) - a big welcome! (to the weird and wonderful world of Penster)!! All comments and suggestions welcome - so feel free to post your thoughts - or just say 'hello'!

Have a great week!

Pen x

International Evening at Church

Another excuse to wear my Indian outfit - listen to a steel band, and enjoy a good curry!!!

The Penster Returns.....

Well....I'm back from India - and what an awesome time it was!!

I'm still on Indian time (woke up at 4.30am yesterday and 3.30am today) - and going back to work has been a bit of a shock to the system (as has dropping 30C in temperature)!

Anyway.....where do I start? The School of Healing in Chennai was fantastic. 3,500 people attended each day, and there was some great teaching by John Fergusson & his brother Rob (from Hillsong, Sydney). Pictures and more info will follow soon, but there were some amazing healings and testimonies.

We had a great open air meeting (right next to the airport) one night (I love open airs) - and visited several other churches too. I also realised that in India, you have to be prepared to preach, sing, share a testimony, or tell a children's story at any moment!! We saw God move in an amazing way - including approx 150 people saved!

Visiting the orphanage was a very moving experience. It was great to meet all of the children, and they did a wonderful dance and drama presentation for us. I don't think there was a dry eye to be found when we had to say goodbye to the children....

I think we were all greatly challenged, and humbled - and words can't really express what we all felt. I'm very grateful that a lot of the experiences were captured on video (huge thanks to Tom for the loan of his video camera). I now have to work through eight hours of film, and approx 300 photos! More news will follow soon - so watch this space!

People have been commenting about me not having a tan - well, we were busy with the Son, not the sun!

Big thanks to all who prayed!

Pen x

The 'Praise Bus'! Our amazing trip had come to an end, and it was time to head back to the airport - and take back what we'd been inspired and challenged with (along with our fantastic memories)!!!

Another memorable moment - taking our sponsored children on a shopping trip. There was not a dry eye to be found when we had to say goodbye........

Walking along the streets of Madurai....

The material is all packed, and ready to send to the tailors.

Jane and Diana - women on a mission (to find enough material to provide Christmas clothes for all of the children at the orphanage).

John F was invited to speak at a Sylvie & John's Christian wedding blessing service. They were a wonderful couple, and amazingly hospitable towards us. We pray they have a wonderfully blessed marriage!

Mountains in the distance.....another three hours of driving, and we would have seen tigers and elephants!

People crossing the river...

Afternoon trip to the country.....

Some school children we met along the way...

Cows by the side of the road (and IN the road) were a normal sight on every journey!

The finished result - one puppet (hair still to come!), completed within 20 mins!

More sewing...

The ladies start making their own puppets.

Puppets in action!

Disie demonstrates how to make puppets.

And still more..... :-)

More smiles!

Sundar on the left (third row back!)

Another group....

Group photo time!

The boys demonstrate how the Church is growing!

Another dance....

A gipsy dance.

The children put on a wonderful presentation of dance and drama for us.

The sun sets in Madurai....

A beautiful sunset.

A view (of the rice fields - all at different stages) from the top of the roof.

One of the helpers at the orphanage.

Making memories....

Diana makes a friend. The interaction was amazing!

Sundar - it was great to finally meet him.

Giving out toys to the younger children.

The children were waiting to greet us as we arrived.

Paddy fields next to the orphanage.

Diana & Pen in their Indian outfits.

And here is the curry.....

Yep, you guessed it - time for another curry!

Teaching the children some English worship songs (with a wonderful interpreter).