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Greetings at the beginning of
2008. It
is cold and wet - and often dramatic - as winters in
Ireland predictably are*,
but winter time does help us to understand seasons in
life. On December 18th I crossed the line into my
sixties and am aware that I must make the most of the
healthy days months or years that the Lord has allotted
me.
Linda threw a surprise party for
me at a local hotel (I thought I was going out for a
meal with Linda and my sisters) and more than fifty
family and friends were waiting in a darkened room to
welcome me. It was very moving.
I had hugs and presents piled upon
me and it took me about an hour before I felt that I had
regained a measure of equilibrium.
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During the evening the
team surprised me with a brand new Apple Mac
computer. The latest 24" iMac! I had hoped
to purchase one when the home restoration work
was done but the costs turned out to be much
greater than we could ever have imagined so I
had written that idea off completely. This gift
has turned out to be real God -send as we will
need it for our plans to start filming the
teaching in future, and Apple Mac computers,
especially large ones, are the industry
norm for this kind of work. |
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We have just received the first
of two Sony High Definition Video cameras plus
accessories and software to begin the learning
process! By late Spring we hope to have the
first video DVD's available. |
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Our only
daughter, Joanne, became engaged at the end of
the year to Jason Harris, son of Paul and Barbs Harris
who have been directors of Ellel Springhill outside
Perth, Western Australia, since its opening. The
marriage will take place in Ireland during the summer
which has meant that our planned annual visit to
Australia has had to be set aside this year.
| Thinking of Oz, I
recently got an email from one of the men in
this picture - which was taken after a men of
God weekend several years ago. The picture sits
on my desk at home and his email reminded me
afresh of the event, bringing back so many great
memories. Thank you Nick!
As you know we love Australia
and it takes a major event like this to remove
it from the calendar! Maybe it is no surprise
that our daughter will become an Australian
citizen in the near future! |
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On January 13th
the new Green Pastures Church officially opened.
It seats 900+ and over 1000 people turned up for the
opening night. Since Green Pastures has featured so
regularly in recent newsletters and will feature
strongly this year I thought you might like to see what
it looks like inside. (I took these pics with my new
Apple iPhone - a birthday gift from my eldest son)
Last year the fourteen Friday evening
teaching series called 'Stronger' proved to be very
successful and it is planned that an eight week version
of this will take place every Friday during April - May,
and again in the Autumn. It is also planned that I will
teach at a monthly church get together throughout the
year.
In September it is planned that a one
year residential discipleship school will begin. More
details of that exciting development in future
Newsletters. |
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On
Friday 18th January I led a small CRi team to
teach and minister at 'God's Garage' in County
Tipperary. I taught on 'God's Seasons' on the
Friday evening and on 'Fear' at the CRi prayer
ministry school on Saturday morning, followed by
teaching on 'Controlling your thoughts' at the
11.30 am open teaching session. Prayer ministry
took place throughout the day and it was
wonderful to see God moving during the ministry
times. |
| One gentleman
could not contain his surprise and delight at
what God did during the ministry session. His
best explanation was "it is like champagne
inside me!" The following morning he
phoned the event hostess and said 'he was
absolutely blessed and didn't know it was
possible to receive such healing and experience
such freedom' She said that he could not say
enough about the team and the ministry. Thank
God for every encourager who takes the time to
encourage us! |
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CRi team member Simon was
asked to give his testimony at the monthly
'Living Waters' meeting in nearby Nenagh on the
Saturday evening. God is doing great things here
at the moment. The hotel room used is the
largest available in the area and is already
filled to capacity each month. Many who come
have never been to such meeting before. Simon
has one of the most dramatic God honouring
testimonies I have ever heard and in truth it
perhaps warrants a book to tell the story. He is
truly one of God's miracles! |
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February 8 - 10 we will have another
group of young men from Lifeline in
Dublin with us at the
Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor.
This will be the first of two weekends
for the group and this one will, as
usual, be the life changing 'Father
heart of God' Speaking to Lifeline
leader Phillip Richardson this morning
he was saying how strong these young
from serious drug addiction backgrounds
have become in their faith. We are
delighted that two leaders from Green
Pastures will be with us on this
occasion.
This is mobile phone
video from one such event last year
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Linda and I fly to
England on Tuesday 15th February to teach at
Ellel Pierrepont in Surrey. Shortly after
arrival I will be teaching term 4 students on
'Kingdom business' then all day Wednesday and
Thursday I will be teaching 'The Fatherheart of
God' to Nets Students and day visitors. Friday
is a free day and then Linda and I will be
teaching 'Marriage as God intended' on the
Saturday, flying home on Sunday |
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Prayer
ministry to individuals continues as usual
throughout each month.
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The CRi
Team Training evenings take place every Tuesday
evening. (9 years now!)
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The CRi
Prayer Ministry School continues every Thursday
evening and should finish at the end of February.
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CRi team
members minister every Thursday at Green Pastures,
Ballymena.
*The
picture at the top of the newsletter was taken
by Linda on the mile long Portstewart Strand on
Saturday January 27th during a much needed weekend
away in a caravan. 60-70 mph winds buffeted us most
of the weekend but on the Saturday morning there was
this calm between storms!
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