The Yellow Church.....

Yesterday, one of the evening bands from Church was invited to lead worship at an afternoon service at 'The Yellow Church' (in a lovely picturesque village). Pic above (but it's since been painted an amazing shade of yellow!)

Huge thanks to everyone who was involved and who came along - it was a great evening!

On the way home, I went through a number of villages that I'd never even heard of before.....may have to venture out that way again sometime!

Two crazy blondes.....

On Saturday I met up with Emm (cool Youth Pastor)....two crazy blondes, drinking coffee and chatting about missions etc - 1.5 hrs just wasn't long enough!!!

Two More.....

When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.

Don't waste your time telling God the size of your mountain, tell the mountain about the size of your God!

(Thanks to Luke for these!)

24 Beautiful One-Liners

1. Give God what's right - not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma but never let him be the full stop.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a full stop.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message - His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead - it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily - walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride - he will always want to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
22. Be fishers of men - you catch them and He'll clean them.
23. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
24. Read the Bible - it will scare the hell out of you.

What we do in life echoes in eternity....

God Bless your day!

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you"
Col. 3:12-13

It's a blonde thing....

A blonde girl enters a store that sells curtains. She tells the salesman: "I would like to buy a pink curtain in the size of my computer screen."
The surprised salesman replies: "But, madam, computers do not need curtains...."
And the blonde said:
Helloooo.... I've got Windows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you get when....

.....you've got:
too much time on your hands
a sharp knife
a green grapefruit
a very patient cat
and a camera..?!!

The Woodpecker might have to go!

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...
1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

A different perspective.....

An old story is often repeated of a retiring missionary coming home to America on the same boat as the president of the United States. Cheering crowds, a military band, a red carpet, banners, and the media welcomed the president home, but the missionary slipped off the ship unnoticed. Feeling self-pity and resentment, he began complaining to God. Then God gently reminded him, "But My child, you’re not home yet."

Wish you were here?

300,000 met in Jos, Nigeria today, at another CfaN Crusade, to hear the gospel preached by Reinhard Bonnke. To read the missions report, click here. Awesome!!

Worship

'The effectiveness of worship is not measured by atmosphere, or by how fast the songs are sung, or how deeply we meditate in solitude..... True worship is always measured by the response of the believer's heart to God.'
Elmer Towns in Worship Wars

Definition of worship by Warren Wiersbe:
'Worship is the believer's response with all that he is - mind, emotions, will and body - to all that God is and says and does.'

Psalm 96:1-2a
'Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise His Name.....'

Where have I been, you ask??

Well...last week I had to stop – quite literally (for a few days), as I got the nasty bug that's been going around! Am pleased to report that I'm now fit and healthy (well, as near as I'll get to it - this side of heaven!)

What else? Well....I've also been doing some cat sitting and dog sitting (that's looking after them – not actually sitting on them, you realise!)

Had a great day in Church on Sunday. Pat shared a word (you can read it here). I think it's quite interesting what's going on in the world at the moment.....it feels like there's a great sense of urgency....I think it's a challenge for us all.

Work has been busy this week....had my annual appraisal on Monday (two hours!)....Last night, I played badminton for the first time in AGES (so I am feeling the effects today!) - off to Youth Plus tonight - weekend looks busy too!

I have been blessed this week - in knowing (and remembering) that God is in the 'small stuff' as much as the 'big stuff'. It's good to remember that God has wonderful plans for our lives (and He's interested in the 'details' too)!

Thought for the day:
Bibles that are falling apart - are usually read by people that aren't.
(I read this somewhere a while back, and it was one of those lines which you just remember!)

Harry & Gladys

It was great to catch up with Harry and Gladys - my Sunday School teachers from way back....

When I was about 10 years old, and didn't really want to know much about God - they used to pray for us all, teach us in Sunday School and run a Youth Group too!

Never stop praying for people that don't know Jesus.....who would've ever thought, that a few years later, I'd be writing them a letter to say that I'd become a Christian. I thank God that they prayed for me (and continue to do so to this day)!

The rest (as they say), is history!

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