tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65798533105614850052024-03-14T01:32:58.904+13:00phamilynewsthe phamily....on the way to new zealandthe Phamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17835994419688653726noreply@blogger.comBlogger707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-85937967930854340902016-02-07T05:36:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.241+13:00Don't Despise Your Birthright<img class="wp-image-2065 alignright" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/will_testament-300x225.jpg" alt="will_testament" width="185" height="139" /> In Gen 25.29-34 we read that Esau, famished from a long day in the field, sold his birthright for some red stew! V34 says that ‘<em>Esau despised his birthright</em>’. In Heb 12.16-17, the author uses Esau as an example of someone who despised the spiritual things and was concerned more with the earthly and profane things.<br/><br/>But let’s take a look at ourselves also. We as children of God have a glorious birthright - we are adopted into God’s family, we have an inheritance, we have forgiveness of sins, salvation, eternal life, hope, peace, grace. We have the Holy Spirit; we have the Word. We have all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. In fact, we have Jesus! We of all people, are most blessed! That is our birthright.<br/><br/>And yet, isn’t it so easy to take it for granted at times? Or even worse, to despise it? Isn’t it easy at times to be more concerned with the earthly, profane things around us than with the heavenly and spiritual things? Isn’t it easy to make the excuse - ‘I don’t have time for spiritual things; my life is too hectic right now. I have no time to read the Bible, or pray or seek God.’<br/><br/>And over time, our hearts are in danger of becoming hard. See, for Esau it was too late to get his birthright back, even when he ‘<em>sought it diligently with tears</em>’ (Heb 12.17). But for you it might not be too late. Don’t let your heart become so hard that you don’t care anymore for the things of God. Ask God, in His grace, to light a fire in your heart and renew your faith, so that the earthly and profane things of the world might fade away and that you fall in love with Jesus and the things of heaven again.onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-70354313716349758162015-04-19T09:32:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:41.230+13:00Jesus, Creator of Worlds and HeartsI have been pondering this verse in Hebrews 1.1-2 for a while, that Jesus is the Creator of the worlds –<br/><br/><img class=" alignright wp-image-2042" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Universe-Collide_01-300x165.jpg" alt="" width="255" height="140" /><br/><br/>‘<em>God, who at various</em><em> times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, <strong>through whom als</strong></em><em><strong>o He made the worlds’</strong></em>.<br/><br/>We know and understand that Jesus made the physical world. Colossians 1.16-17 declares – ‘<em><strong>For by Him all things were created</strong> that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.</em>’<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_2046" align="alignleft" width="204"]<img class="wp-image-2046" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/earths_in_sun_scale_blank-272x300.jpg" alt="" width="204" height="225" /> Guess how many earths can fit inside the sun![/caption]<br/><br/>Think of the universe – the millions of stars out there. Or imagine our sun – it can hold 1.3M earths in it, or 64.3M moons! Or think of our heart which beats something like 2.5-3 billion times in an average lifetime. Amazing! And Jesus created all that!<br/><br/>And yet, that is not the greatest creation, not by a long shot! Paul writes that if ‘<em><strong>anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation</strong>; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new</em>’ (2Corinthians 5.20). Through His work at the Cross, Jesus has made me into a new creation, a new man! Now that is amazing! A sinner like me, filled with hatred, bitterness, sin; a man who rejected Jesus, laughed at Christians for their weak religion and who tried everything in the world to escape from God. And yet, here I am today - a new creation. A new man with a new life, with eternal life. How incredible is that! Because Jesus is Creator!<br/><br/>Have you experienced the creative power of Jesus yet? Are you a new creation in Christ? If not, what is holding you back?<br/><br/>Or maybe you are a believer and have already experienced the power of God when you accepted Jesus as Saviour. But what about now, or lately? When was last time you experienced the creative power of Jesus? Do you have a bitter heart? Are you downtrodden? Have life events burdened your heart? Ask Jesus to <strong>create a clean heart and to renew a right spirit</strong> in you (Ps 51.10). He who can create the universe and time and history can easily create a new heart in you, me, us. Let’s make it our prayer. Lord, create a new heart in me!<br/><blockquote>“<strong><em>Man cannot create the tiniest midge that e</em></strong><strong><em>ver danced in the summer evening's ray; man cannot create even a single grain of dust; but Christ created all worlds, so he can make us new creatures by the wondrous power of his grace. O sinners, see what a mighty Savior has been provided for you, and never say that you cannot trust him!”</em> </strong><strong>C.H. Spurgeon</strong></blockquote>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-19399275339541510872015-03-08T05:55:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.220+13:00In To...Out Of...<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Then He [God] brought us OUT from there [Egypt],<br/>that He might bring us IN, to give us the land<br/>which He swore to our fathers.</em></strong></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Deut 6.23 (my emphasis)</strong></p><br/>This past week, I have been going through Deuteronomy as part of my daily Bible reading and this verse really spoke to me. M<img class=" wp-image-2035 alignright" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/sign_in_out.jpg" alt="sign_in_out" width="239" height="162" />oses was instructing the Israelites to not disobey God, because He is a good God and faithful to His word. Moses then gives them the greatest example of all – how God was faithful to not only bring them OUT of Egypt and bondage, but to also bring them IN to the land that He promised them. How awesome is that!?<br/><br/>I sat there for about 15 minutes just thinking about this verse and what it means to us today. Isn’t this exactly what God does for all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ? Think about how this applies to our salvation…<br/><br/>He brings us out of sin and in to forgiveness.<br/>He brings us out of darkness and in to light.<br/>He brings us out of self-righteous works and in to amazing grace.<br/>He brings us out of the old and in to the new.<br/>He brings us out of death and in to life.<br/>He brings us out of fear and in to faith.<br/>He brings us out of constant striving and in to rest.<br/>He brings us out of turmoil and in to peace.<br/>He brings us out of rejection and in to adoption.<br/>He brings us out of uncertainty and in to assurance.<br/>He brings us out of the world and in to His Kingdom.<br/>He brings us out of Hell and in to Heaven.<br/><br/>And the list goes on and on and on….<br/><br/>Take a moment and think about what God has done for you; that He brought you out of ______ so He could bring you in to __________. You fill in the blanks!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-49980979803598248672015-02-04T01:18:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.208+13:00The Riverwalk - Team Phamily!<a href="www.gfariverwalk.org.nz"><img class=" wp-image-2027 alignright" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/The-River-CCW-version.jpg" alt="The-River---CCW-version" width="409" height="127" /></a><br/><br/>Pray you are all well and that 2015 has gone well for you so far. Our church, Calvary Wellington, is co-hosting (along with Gospel for Asia) a fundraising half-marathon (21 km / 13.1 miles) walk in our local region. The money raised will go towards Gospel for Asia’s Clean Water Initiatives in India and other parts of South Asia. You can read more about GfA’s Clean water initiative at <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz">www.gfariverwalk.org.nz</a><br/><br/>Becky and the kids have it on their hearts to do this walk and to support the needy (the Untouchables) in India. They want to fundraise as much as possible to support GfA in bringing the Gospel to India through serving and giving the people clean water.<br/><br/>So if you are able to and feel led to financially support Becky and the kids, below are the links to their individual fundraising pages. Every dollar helps!! And 100% of the funds raised will go to the mission field (GfA’s policy).<br/><br/>You can support through Paypal, even if you don’t have a Paypal account, just use a credit card. In Europe/Germany, you can deposit directly into our German Deutsche Bank account and we can forward that onto GfA (Kontoinhaber: David Pham, Bank: Deutsche Bank Freiburg, Konto: 0361469, BLZ: 680 700 24)<br/><br/>Becky’s fundraising page - <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/becky-pham/">http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/becky-pham/</a><br/><br/>Jesaiah’s fundraising page - <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/jes/">http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/jes/</a><br/><br/>Taliah’s fundraising page - <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/liah/">http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/liah/</a><br/><br/>Zachy’s fundraising page - <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/zac/">http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/zac/</a><br/><br/>Dariah’s fundraising page - <a href="http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/dari/">http://www.gfariverwalk.org.nz/2015Walk/dari/</a><br/><br/>Unfortunately I can’t do the walk this year as I am coordinating the whole event. Thanks in advance!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-16134468220638914462014-03-09T05:49:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.196+13:00In the Moment!Maybe some have been wondering - 'what's up with David, is it a midlife crisis (perhaps), why is he doing all these weird things (like running a marathon or performing a Maori haka)'. I guess I can attribute it to the fact that I have decided to follow my own advice. Funny, huh? After how many years of giving this advice, I now decide to follow it!? ;-)<br/><br/><img class="alignleft wp-image-2013" style="margin: 10px;" alt="maori kowhai" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/maori-kowhai.jpg" width="400" height="102" />For years I have told people to live in the present. I told people - 'Don't worry about the past because Jesus has got your back. Don't worry about the future because God holds it in his hands. So live in the moment, live in the present. Make the most of everyday'. Great advice. For someone else. At least that was what I thought.<br/><br/>But it occurred to me that I needed to take this advice myself. Now, living in the present means different things for different people. For me, it means challenging myself every day or week or year to do something I don't normally do, to experience new things and to live MY life to the fullest - today. And that's key - I am the only one ever born who can live MY life to the fullest. No one else can. On the same note I CANNOT live someone else's life to the fullest either - they must! I can't copy others - I can only be me and live my life, with all its (and my) quirks, weirdness, fun, monotony, people, loves and hates, etc. I can be inspired by others and their lives, but I cannot copy them nor live their lives.<br/><br/>In fact, last week, when I was at Uni residency and doing the Maori Culture and Language course, it hit me again. The Maori worldview is very much about being in the moment, living in the present. It acknowledges where a person comes from, their whakapapa (genealogy). This is very important in Maori culture, but it is also very much about the now - onāianei. Just what I have been telling people all this time! Live in the now! Live today! Jesus put it in the negative - '<em>do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble</em>' (Mat 6.34). So I'm living in the moment, in the now, challenging myself each day to live to the fullest.<br/><br/>So that's why you have seen some 'crazy' (but what is crazy anyways - it's all relative) things in the past few years from me. I have been challenging myself to live each day in the present. I have challenged myself sacrificially (donating a kidney), physically (started running and doing half and full marathons), intellectually (Uni studies) and now linguistically (trying to learn te reo Maori). Also, I am relatively shy and introverted, but I am forcing myself to meet new people and putting myself in situations where I must - huge challenge! And there will be more challenges - each one aimed at helping me live in the present.<br/><br/>Now, to live in the present, I must recognize who I was, who I am, and who I am becoming. It also involves where I came from, where I am presently and where I am going. I WAS a sinner, I AM a child of God and I am BECOMING a follower of Jesus. I came FROM the road to hell, I live NOW on earth as a sojourner and I am ON MY WAY home to heaven.<br/><br/>Paul understood this, he writes in his letter to the Philippians that he was putting the past behind him and presently pressing forward. And he had a destination, a goal - the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus - '<em>Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus' (</em>Phil 3.13-14).<br/><br/>So who are you? Where are you now? Whose life are you living? Yours? Your parents'? Society's? Are you living in the moment? In the present, now?onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-11845751457986044342013-12-22T08:25:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.181+13:00With God Nothing Is Impossible<p align="center"><strong><i>‘For with God nothing will be impossible.<br/>Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord!<br/>Let it be to me according to your word."<br/>And the angel departed from her.</i></strong><strong>’<br/><b>Luke 1.37-38</b><br/></strong></p><br/><p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><img class="alignleft wp-image-2002" style="margin: 10px;" alt="blog_impossible" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/blog_impossible-300x131.jpg" width="180" height="79" />God is a God of miracles - He delights in doing the impossible. Isn’t this what we celebrate not only at Christmas, but every day - God doing the impossible? He has the power to bring the Savior into our world through a virgin! In context that was what Mary was pondering - how can she, a virgin become pregnant? Look at Luke 1:34<strong> </strong>- '<em>Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" </em>' So the angel Gabriel responds - with God nothing is impossible. God has sovereign control and power over creation, time and space - everything!</p><br/>Now this verse in the English translation doesn’t give us the whole picture. In the original language, there is another dimension. There are implications that come out better in the Greek - ‘nothing’ is literally ‘no word’ and ‘impossible’ is literally ‘without power’. So literally it reads - ‘with God, <b>no word</b> will be <b>without power</b>’. That’s why Mary answered in V38 - ‘<i>Let it be to me according to your word</i>’. She got the message!<br/><br/>See, the angel brought this up to prove to Mary that with God none of His Words is without power. What He promised Mary (through the angel), He has the power to accomplish! A virgin will bring forth a Child - Jesus!<br/><br/>And for us today, it is the same, there is tremendous power in the Word of God. This is a very important principle in Christian life - God has power to effect change in us through His Word! Look at just a few verses….<br/><blockquote><b>Isa 55.11</b>- <i>‘So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please.</i>’<br/><br/><b>Heb 4.12</b> - ‘<i>For the Word of God is living and powerful….</i>’<br/><br/><b>Ps 33.9</b> - ‘<i>for He spoke and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast</i>.’</blockquote><br/>So the next time you face impossibilities, think - with God nothing is impossible / with God, no word is without power. And then go to Scripture and allow God to speak to you through His Word. Allow Him to transform you through His Word. Find strength, comfort, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and healing in His Word. The Lord through His Word, has the power to work in any ‘impossibility’ we face. He had the power to bring Jesus Christ into this world through a virgin - He did the 'impossible'. And He can also bring Jesus into the midst of your impossibility today. And you can have peace even in the midst of chaos.<b> Remember, with God nothing will be impossible.<br/></b>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-48850358813990361582013-12-16T08:53:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.162+13:00The Pastor's Wife - A Thankless 'Job'<img class="size-medium wp-image-1988 alignleft" style="margin: 10px;" alt="pastors_wife_survival" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pastors_wife_survival-225x300.jpg" width="159" height="212" />For years I have said this about my wife! Her 'work/ministry' is tougher than anyone ever realizes. Thanks Becks for being my wife and helpmate. Please read the following post from this <a title="Ryan Huguley Blog" href="http://ryanhuguley.com/ryan-huguley/preaching/6-ways-to-serve-your-pastors-wife-on-sunday" target="_blank">blog from Ryan Huguley</a> titled '<a href="http://ryanhuguley.com/ryan-huguley/preaching/6-ways-to-serve-your-pastors-wife-on-sunday" target="_blank">6 Ways to Serve Your Pastor's Wife on Sundays</a>'. Please pray for Becks as well as all pastors' wives.onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-88104470548475002422013-10-16T11:59:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.150+13:00The Story Behind 'Broken Hallelujah'Here's the story behind the song Broken Hallelujah by The Afters....<br/><br/> <br/><br/><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/XyUz4_2Ot98?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/XyUz4_2Ot98?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-7775554711566272112013-10-16T11:32:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.138+13:00Beauty From Ashes<img class="wp-image-1977 alignleft" style="margin: 10px;" alt="The Afters" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/blog_life_is_beaut-300x300.jpg" width="116" height="116" />Just bought the new The Afters album - Life is Beautiful (well, new to me at least, I think it came out in April of this year). And discovered the song ' Broken Hallelujah. It's been a long time since a song has instantly brought tears to my eyes, but this one did. The inspiration for the song comes partly from the Book of Job and partly from the life situations of the writers/musicians. I can't seem to hear it enough - I have fallen asleep listening to this song every night for the last week! It is such an uplifting song. Even the kids love it!<br/><br/>My favorite line in the song...<br/>'<em><strong>Even though I don't know what your plan is, I know You're making beauty from these ashes.</strong></em>'<br/><br/><object width="560" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="//www.youtube.com/v/pFDAyyFn3WY?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed width="560" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="//www.youtube.com/v/pFDAyyFn3WY?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" allowFullScreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" /></object><br/><br/>Here are the lyrics to the song...<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><b>"Broken Hallelujah"</b></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">I can barely stand right now.<br/>Everything is crashing down,<br/>And I wonder where You are.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">I try to find the words to pray.<br/>I don't always know what to say,<br/>But You're the one that can hear my heart.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">Even though I don't know what your plan is,<br/>I know You're making beauty from these ashes.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">I've seen joy and I've seen pain.<br/>On my knees, I call Your name.<br/>Here's my broken hallelujah.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">With nothing left to hold onto,<br/>I raise these empty hands to You.<br/>Here's my broken hallelujah.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">You know the things that have brought me here.<br/>You know the story of every tear.<br/>‘Cause You've been here from the very start.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">Even though I don't know what your plan is,<br/>I know You're making beauty from these ashes.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">I've seen joy and I've seen pain.<br/>On my knees, I call Your name.<br/>Here's my broken hallelujah.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">With nothing left to hold onto,<br/>I raise these empty hands to You.<br/>Here's my broken hallelujah.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">When all is taken away, don't let my heart be changed.<br/>Let me always sing Hallelujah<br/>When I feel afraid, don't let my hope be erased<br/>Let me always sing Hallelujah.<br/>Let me always sing Hallelujah.</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;">I will always sing<br/>I will always sing<br/>Here's my broken hallelujah.</p>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-91142566441698422862013-09-08T10:00:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:41.126+13:00Pleasing God<blockquote><strong>It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1.9-11</strong></blockquote><br/>At baptism of Jesus, after He came up out of the water, God declared - ‘<em>This is My <strong>Beloved</strong> Son, in whom I am well <strong>pleased</strong></em><strong>’</strong> (<em>Mark 1</em><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1957" style="margin: 10px;" alt="blog_heart_cloud" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blog_heart_cloud-300x300.jpg" width="219" height="219" /><em>.11</em>).<br/><br/>Have you ever noticed that it says (1) God loves Him and (2) God is pleased with Him. And this is before Jesus ever did anything! This was at the start of His public ministry, so He had not done anything yet! Hadn’t taught anything publicly yet. Hadn’t preached a sermon yet. Hadn’t healed any one yet. Hadn’t walked on water yet. Hadn’t fed the 5000 men yet. Hadn’t done anything yet.<br/><br/>And God still declared - My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. How could God say this? Because of Who Jesus is, not just what He has done or will do. God loves Jesus and is pleased with Him because He is simply His Son.<br/><br/>And so it is with us. God loves us and is pleased with us not JUST for what we have done or will do. We can easily get into the habit of thinking that we have to DO something to please God or to earn His love. No, He loves us and is pleased with us simply because we are His children. Just like we love our children simply because of who they are.<br/><br/>So it is not JUST about keeping rules and regulations - that is good and needed too. But we can know that we are accepted and loved because we are God’s children first and foremost. We are well pleasing to God already! When God looks at us, He sees His Son Jesus. Amazing grace!<br/><blockquote><strong>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Eph 1.3-6</strong></blockquote><br/> onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-89797050250934032842013-07-28T06:25:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:41.112+13:00Is He Not Faithful?<img class="wp-image-1941 alignright" style="margin: 10px;" alt="blog_rainbow" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/blog_rainbow-300x225.jpg" width="192" height="144" />Sorry it's been about 6 months since I posted anything on this blog! Time flies! Here is a short(ish) devo from this past week. I have been looking back at our time here in New Zealand - 3 and a half years and counting - and the one underlying theme has to be God's faithfulness. Look what the psalmist said in Psalm 89 about God's faithfulness...<br/><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><i>…with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations (V1).<br/>…Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens (V2).<br/>…Your faithf</i></b><b><i>ulness also surrounds You (V8).</i><br/></b></p><br/>As it says in V1, <b>His faithfulness surrounds Him</b>. It is who He is. There is not a day, minute or second that goes by that God is NOT faithful. He is faithful even when we don't believe He is. He is faithful even when we turn away from Him. He is faithful even when we are faithless (2Tim 2.13)! But more than that, His faithfulness also surrounds us! What a joy and comfort! Look at some of the ways has He been faithful to us...<br/><ul><br/> <li>in carrying us through the trials and difficulties.</li><br/> <li>in providing for all our needs.</li><br/> <li>in leading and guiding us in many important decisions.</li><br/> <li>in bringing comfort or healing or peace when it was needed.</li><br/> <li>in keeping us safe in His hands.</li><br/> <li>in providing forgiveness for our sins at the Cross.</li><br/> <li>in sending His Son Jesus into this world.</li><br/></ul><br/>God is faithful. Again, it is the essences of who He is. He would not be God if He were not faithful. His faithfulness surrounds him.<br/><br/>Also V2 says <b>His faithfulness is established in heaven</b>, not on earth where things are constantly changing. No, it is established firmly and permanently in heaven, the dwelling place of God Himself. His faithfulness can be counted upon - it is 100% reliable everyday, in every situation, through all circumstances. Can we say that about anyone else? NO! As humans, we will always fail, always disappoint others, always let others down, always make mistakes, always doubt, always go back on our word - it's our fallen nature! But because God is perfect, His faithfulness is perfect also. That means all He says or does is certain - He is faithful. It means every promise He makes will come to pass - He is faithful. It means his plan will be worked out - He is faithful. It means every trial or tribulation we go through DOES have a purpose - He is faithful. God is faithful and His faithfulness is established in heaven!<br/><p style="text-align: left;">Lastly, the <b>psalmist writes</b> <strong>that</strong> <b>he would proclaim the faithfulness of God</b> to all generations (V1). When we experience God’s faithfulness, we can’t help but thank Him, praise Him and proclaim His faithfulness! And even when we are in the midst of trials and troubles, we must remember God IS FAITHFUL, even if we can't see it, recognize it or accept it in that moment. But when we do see His faithfulness, even years later in hindsight, it will cause us to break out in praise and proclaim the faithfulness of God to all generations. That is the automatic response! I look back over the years that I had the privilege of following Jesus and walking with God and I can see His goodness and faithfulness. And I have to simply proclaim - He is faithful, even when I was faithless, because He cannot deny Himself.</p><br/><p style="text-align: left;">So I challenge you, look back at your life - how has He shown Himself faithful to you? In your family? At work, school? How has He shown Himself faithful in the little things and the big things? I bet if you look hard enough you will see many examples of His faithfulness. So have you thanked Him for them? Have you praised Him for His faithfulness? Have you proclaimed it to all generations?</p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Also with the lute I will praise You and Your faithfulness, O my God!<br/>To You I will sing with the harp,</i></b><b><i> O Holy One of Israel.<br/></i></b></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 71.22</b></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b><img class=" wp-image-1942 aligncenter" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;" alt="" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/blog_keep_calm_god_faithful-257x300.png" width="154" height="180" /></p>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-11608790637000491702013-01-26T06:38:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.100+13:00Storms of Life<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_jesus_in_storm_backhuysen.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1919" style="margin: 10px;" alt="blog_jesus_in_storm_backhuysen" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_jesus_in_storm_backhuysen-300x245.jpg" width="209" height="171" /></a>Ever been in a major storm? Maybe a hurricane? Or tornado? Or massive rainstorm? Scary isn't it. But in life, we will all go through storms. Some are massive hurricanes and others are gentle drizzles. But we all go through storms. In Mark 4, we see the disciples going through a major storm on the Sea of Galilee - the winds and waves were threatening to sink the boat. Let's read....<br/><blockquote><strong><em>On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"</em> - Mark 4:35-41</strong></blockquote><br/>Let's look at some facts about storms...<br/><ul><br/> <li><strong>Storms are inevitable</strong> - we can't avoid them. As we journey through life, we will eventually encounter storms. And it seems like they come at the most inopportune and inconvenient times, don't they!</li><br/> <li><strong>Storms can happen even to those closest to the Lord</strong>. Who was in the boat? The 12 disciples, those who were closest to Jesus. In fact, there were other boats following Jesus and the disciples (V36) and they too got caught in the storm. Followers of Jesus are not immune to storms.</li><br/> <li><strong>Storms can also come from God</strong>. Jesus said '<em>Let us cross over to the other side</em>' (V35). Jesus told them to go over the sea to the other side. And because they obeyed Him, they ended up in a storm! This storm came as they were right in the middle of the Lord's will!</li><br/> <li><strong>Storms can be life-threatening</strong>. '<em>And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling</em>' (V37). The storm was so massive, the wind so strong, the waves so high that the boat was about to sink! And everyone aboard was at risk of drowning! Your storm might be cancer or some other illness. Or it can be financial debt that threatens to sink you.</li><br/> <li><strong>Storms can cause us to doubt</strong>. At the height of the storm, the disciples cried out to Jesus '<em>Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' </em>(V38)<em>. </em>They doubted His care and control. And they questioned His Word - He said they were going to cross OVER, not go under! Haven't we cried out to God in the midst of our storms - 'where are You? Don't You love me anymore? Don't You care?' Doubt.<em><br/></em></li><br/></ul><br/>You ever been in a storm like that? A storm that comes upon you even though you know you are right in the middle of God's will? Or because you have been obedient? Maybe it's a storm that comes upon you at work - your boss asks you to fudge a few numbers on the annual report and you say, 'no, I can't, that would be lying'. And now your boss brings the hammer down on you. And perhaps this storm even causes you to doubt God's goodness or justice. Yep, we all go through storms.<br/><br/>Let's look at a few things we can do...<br/><ul><br/> <li><strong>Take Jesus along</strong>. The disciples at least took Jesus with them! Look at V36 - '<em>they took Him along in the boat</em>'. Good job guys! Knowing that we will eventually encounter storms, shouldn't we always take Jesus along?</li><br/> <li><strong>Remember that Jesus is in control, not us</strong>. Remember, there were several fishermen in the boat. And maybe they thought - we can handle this! Maybe they even said to Jesus - 'Lord, You're tired, go take a nap. We'll take care of this - we're expert fishermen!! Been there, done that, got the T-shirt!' In the midst of our storms, we need to remember that the Lord is in control, not us.</li><br/> <li><strong>Remember that the Word of the Lord brings calm</strong>. The disciples, with great fear and perhaps some irritation, woke Jesus up from a good nap. He stands up, rebukes the wind, calms the waves. How? By His Words - '<em>Peace. Be still!</em>' (V39). He simply speaks and the wind and waves obey! In the midst of our storms, shouldn't we turn to the Word of God to find rest, peace and calm?</li><br/> <li><strong>Have faith</strong>. The disciples should have had faith in Jesus. In fact, Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith - '<em>Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?</em>' (V40). Remember, they had just previously seen Jesus heal, work miracles, confront the Pharisees. They had just heard Him teach several parables - one of them being the parable of the mustard seed. They should have had faith, even mustard seed faith.</li><br/></ul><br/><blockquote><br/><ol><br/> <li>They should have had faith in Jesus' <strong>presence</strong> - with Him in the boat, they wouldn't sink!</li><br/> <li>They should have had faith in Jesus' <strong>power</strong> - they saw Him do miracles and healings.</li><br/> <li>They should have had faith in Jesus' <strong>promise</strong> - He told them they were crossing OVER the Sea.</li><br/> <li>They should have had faith in Jesus' <strong>peace</strong> - He was asleep, at peace. They should have had faith that things were going to be OK!</li><br/></ol><br/></blockquote><br/><ul><br/> <li><strong>Worship the Lord</strong>. V41 says they '<em>feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"'. </em>That word 'fear' there means awe and respect and reverence. It is in fact a healthy fear of the Lord. It is worship - when we give to God the reverence and respect He deserves. The disciples were beginning to see that this ain't no ordinary carpenter! This is God in human flesh! And thus, they feared exceedingly. They worshiped.</li><br/></ul><br/>So what storms do you face at the moment? Take heart and remember to take Jesus along, let Him have the controls. You be still, be at peace, have faith. And worship Him for He is mighty to save.<br/><blockquote><strong><em>The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.</em> -</strong> <b>Zephaniah 3:17</b></blockquote>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-32901548472103614512013-01-10T21:48:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.089+13:00Please Pray...FOR BLOG FOLLOWERS AND FB FRIENDS WHO DON'T GET OUR EMAILS, HERE ARE THE LATEST PRAYER REQUESTS....<br/><br/>Hi all,<br/><br/>Hope you are having an awesome start to the new year. Can you believe it’s already the 2nd week of the year?! Here are a few prayer requests, please pray…<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_pass_heaven.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1895" title="Minolta DSC" alt="" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_pass_heaven-223x300.jpg" width="189" height="253" /></a><br/><br/>1. Permanent visas – as you know we applied for our PERMANENT residency visas back in August of 2012. I called Immigration NZ and discovered that they haven’t even assigned our paperwork to any case worker yet! So it’s still sitting in some pile of applications on someone’s desk somewhere! And our current TEMPORARY WORK visas expire in 21 days! So I am in the process of filling out more applications to renew/extend our current temporary visas while they process our permanent ones. But Immigration said that can take a month or 2 to process! So while they are processing our temporary visas, we need an INTERIM visa just to stay in the country. Ahhh! Please pray that we get the INTERIM visa so we can get the TEMPORARY work visas so we can eventually get our PERMANENT residency visas!<br/><br/>2. M – the recipient of my kidney has agreed to go through the Gospel of Mark with me! He still hasn’t made a decision for Jesus yet, but he is close! He says he wants to ‘learn more’ before he makes up his mind. Pray that we have awesome times in God’s Word and that God will speak to him and bring him to the point of accepting Jesus. We will start in Mark in a couple weeks and hopefully will do it weekly or every other week.<br/><br/>3. Z’s friend – our 8 year old son had shared the Gospel with his classmate a couple months ago and his friend had prayed to accept the Lord! For Christmas, Z bought his friend a bible. And now his mom and him read it often at night. She said it was a very special gift for them! I talked to her about her son’s new faith and she said she thinks it’s great – she wants him to learn Christian values and morals. She said she grew up in a nominal Christian home, but never practiced her faith. Her husband is agnostic. Pray that we can continue to be an influence in their lives as we seek to point them to Jesus.<br/><br/><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_happynewyear.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1894" style="margin: 10px;" title="blog_happynewyear" alt="" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blog_happynewyear-300x211.jpg" width="240" height="169" /></a>4. T’s friend – T had also prayed with her schoolmate and teammate (basketball) a few months ago to accept the Lord. But we haven’t had a chance to talk to her parents about her faith. Now that basketball is over, we don’t see them as much. Pray that we can talk to them soon about faith and Jesus.<br/><br/>5. School – the kids are on summer holidays at the moment (it’s summer in the southern hemisphere now) and will start school in less than 4 weeks. T will start middle school (year 7)! J will start his last year of middle school (year 8)! And Z and D are still in primary/elementary school – years 4 and 2 respectively. Wow! Pray they start well and that they can be light and salt for Jesus with their schoolmates.onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-50744977516885146592012-11-13T02:57:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.075+13:00A Day at the ParkOne of the things that the Director of the Mango Tree Centre tries to do when they have outreach teams come by is to take some of the disabled people for outings in the local area. They take them to the beach or for a drive along the coast or to a cafe for a meal out or out to a park for a picnic. They do this with the teams because often, they need the extra hands to help with all the wheelchairs and lifting and pushing and feeding. And they normally have to bring 2 vans - just in case one of the disabled people has a health issue, they can then get them back to the Centre or home without having to take everyone back. On this trip, J and I got to tag along and help out as we took three people t the park for a picnic.<br/><br/>That might sound so basic and simple to us but that is because we often take such things for granted. We can hop in a car or on our bikes or a bus or train or simply walk and pretty much go anywhere we want, any time we want. But not so for them. First, none of the families have cars or vehicles - they just simply cannot afford it. Second they don't have anyone who could drive them. And third, it often takes so much work to get one of the disabled people ready for an outing that the families simply have a hard time doing it. The 3 that we took out that day were actually relatively easy to get ready - they are all able to sit in a wheelchair. But many of the others are bed-bound, so they would need a 'mobile bed' or they don't go at all. Can you imagine being in bed your whole life? So for most of them, they rarely go out of their house!<br/><br/>So these outings are a special treat for them - just to get out of the house and experience something different. And you could see it on their faces as we sat at the park with them - they were looking around, gazing at the kids playing on the playground, watching the people walking by, hearing the waves on the nearby beach and the cars and the birds and the conversations around them - things that we take for granted! Makes me really think - maybe I should be more grateful for the simpler things in life!<br/><br/>Here are a few photos of the day at the park - click on the photos to enlarge.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="450"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04815.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1876" title="park outing" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04815-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a> We had a great time at the park with the whole gang.[/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1879" align="aligncenter" width="449"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04852.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1879" title="singing" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04852-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="336" /></a> One of the staff member brought his brand new guitar and sang a few worship songs - in Tongan![/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1877" align="aligncenter" width="444"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04819.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1877" title="lunch time" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04819-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="332" /></a> One of the special treats is to have a special meal with them. Often they are malnourished and so any extra food is a blessing for them! J also got to help feed this man.[/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1878" align="aligncenter" width="449"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04828.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1878" title="stroll through the park" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04828-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="336" /></a> Often, it's just the little things that mean so much. Here we just go for a stroll around the park.[/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1880" align="aligncenter" width="446"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04854.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1880" title="outing 2" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC04854-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="446" height="334" /></a> J said this was one of his favorite days - just to see the people so happy![/caption]onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-23574921230921911192012-11-11T06:46:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.063+13:00Before and After...One of the main reasons for this outreach to Tonga was to build a small house (more like a shed from our western perspective) for a family who has a blind child. The Mango Tree Centre for Disabled People ministers to about 80 families who have severely disabled family members. And this is one of those families. Not only do they have a blind daughter, but this family lives in a tiny, run-down 'house' that is literally just a few boards and pieces of wood nailed together (see photos at bottom of post/article). And there is no floor - the 'house' sits directly on dirt and is situated next to a small community rubbish dump/tip! When it rains (and boy does it really rain in Tonga!) the house gets flooded and literally sits in 20-30 cm (8-10 inches) of water constantly. Imagine what that dirt floor would be like with 20 cm of water sitting on it for days! So you can see the need for this family to have a house that is out of the flood-waters and can stay dry!<br/><br/>So that is what part of the team did during the two weeks they were there - build a small, simple one room house that is on a 60 cm (24 inch) high concrete foundation that will definitely provide a dry home for this family. Our church, Calvary Wellington and another church in northern NZ, Calvary Whangarei provided the funds for the building materials and the building team (all from CC Whangarei) devoted many loving hours into this house. During the days of building, we all had lots of opportunities to share the truth and love of Jesus with this family (we think they are Catholic or come from a Catholic background). When the guys were painting the new house, I got a chance to share the gospel with the father. I told him I love to see new houses being painted (his was painted white) because it reminds me of what Jesus does for us.<br/><br/>I told him - '<em>The new house with the new white paint job is clean - there are no dirt, stains or markings on the brand new paint. It's super white and clean!</em>' Then I pointed to his old house and said - '<em>that house has lots of stains and dirt on it, doesn't it? Can you see the difference? That is what Jesus does with our sins (which are like dirty stains)! The Bible says Jesus cleanses us white as snow, like your new house! So every time you look at the new, clean, white walls of your new house, remember that Jesus died on the Cross to bring us forgiveness from our sins (the stains and dirt) and gives us a brand new life - clean and white!</em>' He was silent - I don't know if he could really understand that or accept that, but I know a seed has been planted.<br/><br/>And to top it all off, on our last day there, the family cooked a wonderful meal for us all as we celebrated not their new house, but their new HOME!<br/><br/>Here are a few photos so you can get an idea of what the old and new house is like...<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1849" align="aligncenter" width="371"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSCF2575.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1849 " title="rubbish" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSCF2575-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="371" height="278" /></a> This is what they live next to - a rubbish dump / tip[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1852" align="aligncenter" width="369"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSCF25811.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1852" title="old house" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSCF25811-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="369" height="277" /></a> Old house - just a few boards and pieces of wood and tin nailed together.[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1855" align="aligncenter" width="368"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121023091037224.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1855 " title="their kitchen" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121023091037224-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="368" height="275" /></a> This is their kitchen - they cook over an old tire and some wire mesh[/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1857" align="aligncenter" width="383"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121023091620999.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1857" title="new house" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121023091620999-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="383" height="286" /></a> New house - dry and solid![/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1858" align="aligncenter" width="400"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024133849027.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1858" title="new paint" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024133849027-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="299" /></a> New paint job - white as snow![/caption]<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1863" align="aligncenter" width="394"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121026102235918.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1863" title="inside new house" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121026102235918-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="394" height="295" /></a> Interior of the new house - 27 sq.m. (290 sq. ft.). It will be divided into 4 'rooms' with curtains to house 6-8 people.[/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1860" align="aligncenter" width="409"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024135007986.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1860" title="father and daughter" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024135007986-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="409" height="306" /></a> Proud owners of a new home - father and daughter[/caption]<br/><br/> onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-19358337957305654212012-11-09T07:47:00.000+13:002016-04-01T06:28:41.051+13:00Servant's HeartWell, we've been back for a week and a half now from Tonga and are getting settled back into life in New Zealand. But there are so many memories and experiences that are engrained in our minds and hearts. Our main purpose for the trip was to build the house for the family with the blind daughter and also to participate in the home visits and pastoral care of the disabled. We stayed at the Mango Tree Centre for Disabled People which ministers to 80 families with disabled family members who live in the community around the Centre<br/><br/>Over the next couple of weeks, I will share some of the experiences so that you can get a taste of what life was like in Tonga for us during the week-long outreach. In this post, I will start with what J experienced. Actually I will let you just read what he wrote about the time in Tonga and what God was showing him.<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024134027031.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1833" style="margin: 10px;" title="CameraZOOM-20121024134027031" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CameraZOOM-20121024134027031-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><br/><blockquote><em>While I was in Tonga I experienced the LORD working through me and the others around me, helping me and encouraging through the whole trip. I felt like I had a real purpose, to serve the LORD. The only things I gained while I was in Tonga were wisdom, friendship, and faithfulness. I met some great people who showed love and affection to me. The girl and her family who we built the house for were a great family, the girl we built the house for was blind, (but you wouldn’t know it) she was at a real disadvantage because of all the rocks and junk where she lived. So when we built the house for her family, we built a ramp so that she could get into the house without hurting herself. One of the most rewarding things while we were there was the looks on the family’s faces and their joy when we finished the house. All in all I think the best thing while we were there was the feeling of serving. - J -</em></blockquote><br/>A young man learning servanthood. :-) He helped do a little painting on the new house and digging the pit for the sandbox and building the shelves. And he went with us on all the home visits - he bought little balls and toys for the kids and helped to keep them entertained while the adults visited with the parents and the disabled family members. Almost every home that we visited had kids so he was pretty busy! He also played a lot with the director's 5-year-old son - who was only lonely because he is the only kid at the Centre for Disabled People. Overall, it was a an experience he will never forget!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-83462626672329130712012-09-22T23:11:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:41.040+13:00Make Your Mistake Work For You!<blockquote><em><strong>And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon--the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite--heard about it, that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord. But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us."</strong></em><br/><p style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>Joshua 9.1-6</strong></em></p><br/></blockquote><br/>Have you ever made a mistake? In Joshua 9, we saw that the Jews made a huge mistake in their dealings with the Gibeonites! Remember, the Gibeonites had tricked the Jews by dressing up in old clothes and sandals and bringing old dry, moldy bread and worn-out wineskins. They used all this as ‘evidence’ that they came from a far country, and thus the Israelites should make a peace treaty with them <em><strong><a href="http://www.calvarywellington.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blog_mistake.jpg"><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 10px;" title="blog_mistake" src="http://www.calvarywellington.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blog_mistake.jpg" alt="" width="335" height="152" /></a></strong></em>because they were not the enemy from the Promised Land. What a bunch of lies!<br/><br/>And the Israelites fell for this trick because they ‘<em>took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD</em>’ (Josh 9.14)! And imagine how foolish the Israelites must have felt afterwards, when they found out they had been duped by the Gibeonites into making a monumental error!<br/><br/>Yet, the story doesn’t end here. Even though they made a mistake, they didn’t allow that mistake to stop them. Read the last verse of the chapter - ‘<em>And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, in the place which He would choose, even to this day</em>’ (Josh 9.27). See what they did!?! They made their ‘mistakes’ work for them! The Gibeonites became woodcutters and water-carriers for the Jews! They learned from their mistakes and turned it into something useful.<br/><br/>Perhaps that speaks to you - you’ve been taken off guard by the enemy. He has tricked you into making a mistake and now you don’t know what to do. Or perhaps the mistake was of your own doing - simply bad decision making. Ask God to use your mistakes for your good. For ‘<em>we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose</em>’ (Rom 8.28). Our mistakes are not mistakes in God’s plan – they are opportunities to see God’s sovereignty and power at work!<br/><br/>Alexander Whyte writes – ‘<em>No matter what mistakes we may make, the worst mistake of all is not to try again; for the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings</em>’.<br/><br/>So don’t make the mistake of not trying again. That’s what the enemy wants – for you to give up, to walk away in defeat. Instead, learn from the mistake and put it to work for you! And continue walking in faith with God!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-38813463687236664322012-09-09T01:39:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:41.013+13:00Our Spiritual Citizenship and AmbassadorshipIn <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Phil 3.20</span>, Paul tells us that we are citizens of Heaven. And that is a glorious thought to meditate on! But in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2Cor 5.20</span> Paul tells us that we are also ambassadors of Christ on earth! See, not only are we citizens of heaven and foreigners on earth, but we are also ambassadors of Jesus while on earth. Citizenship in heaven describes who we are and where we’re really from (I can hear some of you slapping your foreheads and exclaiming - 'I knew he was from the heavens, from outer space!'). But ambassadorship describes our duty while living here on earth. It is what we are called to do while living here. Look at some of the characteristics of ambassadorship…<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blog_pass_heaven1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1807" title="" alt="" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/blog_pass_heaven1-223x300.jpg" width="223" height="300" /></a><br/><br/><strong>Ambassadors must live in a foreign country</strong>, even though they are citizens of a home country. That’s what they are called to do - live in the foreign country. They must also remember that it is a temporary home. For the Christian, we are called to live on earth although it isn’t really home. Our true home is heaven, we are in fact citizens of heaven. But we live temporarily in a foreign land called earth (and yes, it does seem foreign at times!).<br/><br/><strong>Ambassadors represent their homeland</strong> and its leader to others. As Americans, we represent the USA the President. As Kiwis, you represent NZ and the Prime Minister wherever you live. And as citizens of heaven and ambassadors of Christ, we are to represent heaven and Jesus to others.<br/><br/><strong>Ambassadors are under the authority</strong> of their home government, even though they temporarily live in foreign land. For instance, a US ambassador must obey the US President - if he says leave, come home, then the ambassador must submit and obey. Are we as Christians, submitted to our ultimate Authority, the Lord Jesus Christ?<br/><br/><strong>Ambassadors are ultimately under the laws</strong> and customs of their home country. We as citizens of heaven are not under laws and customs of earth - yes, we must respect and abide by them. But ultimately, we are under the spiritual laws and principles of God’s Word.<br/><br/><strong>Ambassadors should have a true love for and a loyalty</strong> <strong>to</strong> their homeland, its citizens, and what it represents. In fact, they must defend it and them! As citizens of heaven and ambassadors of Christ, do we have a true loyalty to heaven, its citizens (our brethren) and it’s Leader - the Lord? Are we willing to defend heaven - to even die for it? Are we willing to die for its King of kings and Lord of lords?<br/><br/>So remember, we are citizens of heaven! But while we live on earth, we are also ambassadors of Jesus Christ! So let's live out our identity and fulfill our duties!<br/><blockquote><em>If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. -- <strong>Colossians 3.1-3</strong> --</em></blockquote><br/> onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-86983366752872813042012-08-26T05:52:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.998+13:00It Is Finished!I am sure like most of us, you have unfinished projects laying around the house (especially in the garage or workshop) - projects that you ‘will eventually get around to finishing’. Maybe it’s that jigsaw puzzle that you will ‘one day’ complete. Or maybe it’s the dining room chairs or that <span class="rg_ctlv"><a class="rg_hl uh_hl" id="rg_hl" style="width: 194px; height: 260px;" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=929&bih=770&tbm=isch&tbnid=PHsVFnYe-cynvM:&imgrefurl=http://www.myhealthguardian.com/kids-teen/emotional-concerns/how-to-choose-summer-camp&docid=MVoyJFos70C3EM&imgurl=http://www.myhealthguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pottery-making.jpg&w=444&h=594&ei=VmU4ULWJF4WXiQeHloEI&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=95&vpy=151&dur=8050&hovh=260&hovw=194&tx=100&ty=105&sig=114134213975069662651&page=1&tbnh=131&tbnw=104&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:126"><img class="rg_hi uh_hi alignright" id="rg_hi" style="width: 194px; height: 260px; margin: 10px;" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxYp-mCoitCMCutYLu3zIDGQC0t32twAH4_U0b-8FZFApPESmR" width="194" height="260" data-height="260" data-width="194" /></a></span>bedroom door that need to be painted ‘one of these days’. Or maybe it’s the book you are ‘working on and eventually publish’. Or perhaps it’s the quilt that you ‘just need to sit down and finish it’. Whatever the case, most of us have unfinished projects. But you know what, God doesn’t have any projects that He ‘will one day finish’ or ‘one day get around to’. No! What God starts, He finishes! Always. Every time.<br/><br/>Paul writes in <strong>Phil 1.6 - ‘<em>being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ</em>’</strong>. Let’s break that verse into 4 parts, but slightly out of order.<br/><br/><strong>The Meaning of the Work</strong> - First, we see that there is ‘<em>a good work in you</em>’. What is this good work Paul is talking about? I believe we can all agree that this verse can be applied to our walk of faith and thus the work is the gift of salvation - that we are saved from hell, saved unto God; that we are forgiven of all our sins and have eternal life. So how does this work become ‘<em>in you</em>’ as Paul writes? Simply by faith in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.<br/><br/>Do you know your ABC’s of salvation? (A)dmit your sins and that you are a sinner. (B)elieve Jesus died for you. (C)ome to Him and accept His free gift of salvation. That simple! It must be ‘<em>in you</em>’ because God’s work of salvation isn’t superficial. It is not the external things that we do that saves us. It is not doing more good than bad, not our Christian parents or upbringing, not our service or tithing, not our religiosity that saves us. None of those is the good work that Paul is writing about her. No, it is the work of salvation and it starts in our hearts (it’s personal) and then moves out into our lives (it’s practical). And it is a good work - God can only do good!<br/><br/><strong>The Person of the Work</strong> - Paul writes ‘<em>He who has begun</em>’. So who is Paul talking about, who has begun the work? Pretty obvious that in context, it is God! Almighty God, Creator of the Universe! It is He who spoke the world into existence. It is He who hung the stars and the moon and the sun in the sky. It is He who set this universe in motion, who spoke and it was. It is the Almighty, all-powerful God, the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth.<br/><br/>And it is the same God who has begun His work in us! See, it is not man who initiates the good work of salvation - no, God does! Yet, man still thinks he can do enough good to earn God’s acceptance or His love or approval. Maybe some of you have grown up being taught that - ‘keep these rules and regulations. Be good, do good and you’ll get to heaven!’ Absolutely not! The only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ (John 14.6) and the only way for God to save anyone is by faith in Jesus Christ. It is God who began this work, not man.<br/><br/><strong>The Certainty of the Work</strong> - next, Paul writes ‘<em>will complete it</em>’. God WILL complete this work. That is His Word and it is His promise - He is faithful to complete the work in us. Paul also writes that he himself was ‘<em>confident</em>’ of this - he’s 100% sure! Now, there are 2 key implications of this. First, we won’t lose our salvation because God promises to finish it. He is working on us now and will complete it in the future one day. God holds us in His hands and we are secure in Him and in His work. We as humans might start a project, work for a while, lose interest and eventually stop. But God never does that w/ us - it is not in His character to leave any work unfinished. We have security knowing that what He started in us, He WILL complete.<br/><br/>Secondly, it is God who finishes the good work in us, not us. It is not God starting the work, then sitting back and allowing us to take over and finish it for Him while He has a cup of coffee! No, God not only begins the good work, He finishes it. In fact, Jesus, God the Son cried out while on the Cross - ‘<em>it is finished</em>’! Feel the burden being lifted off your shoulders? God completes the work He began in us! Not us. (To balance this, we must also remember that SANCTIFICATION does depend on our obedience in living out the Word of God. Paul writes in Phil 2.12-13 that we are to ‘<em>work out our own salvation….for it is God who works in you both to will and to do</em>…’. We do have a part in our sanctification!)<br/><br/><strong>The Timing of the Work</strong> - so when does all this take place? It starts the day we accepted Jesus into our lives as Savior and Lord and it continues ‘<em>until the day of Jesus Christ</em>’. It is complete when we stand before God in heaven! Either when Jesus returns for us and takes us up to heaven. Or if we die before Jesus returns, we go immediately into the presence of God in heaven! Either way, it is the day we meet Jesus again! So come quickly Lord Jesus!<br/><br/>In closing, imagine with me a master potter taking a lump of clay. It’s basically just dirt and water, right? Just mud.. He puts it on the potter’s wheel and starts it spinning. Then he works that lump, up and down, in and out - pulling, molding, shaping the lump. Until it begins to take shape and becomes the vase or pot he imagined in his mind. But he’s not finished. If he stops then, the lump would deform again, fall in on itself and be ruined. He must let it dry and then fire, bake it. Perhaps paint it. And then finally glazes it and bakes or fires it again. And then - finished! A masterpiece.<br/><br/>That is what God the Master Potter is doing with each of us and He won’t stop until we’re formed, baked, glazed and finished! A masterpiece! Amen!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-11170640313798618342012-08-05T10:14:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.969+13:00Sowing and ReapingOver the last few days, I have been studying this biblical concept of sowing and reaping, and have been very challenged (and scared - see last point below) by what I have learned about this principle. I have never really stopped to think about all the different aspects of this principle, but am glad I did! As I said before, it's a very challenging principle to live out daily! Anyways, below are some highlights I have gathered during the study...<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog_sowing.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1781 alignright" style="margin: 10px;" title="blog_sowing" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blog_sowing.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><br/><br/><strong>You reap WHAT you sow</strong>. Apple seeds produce apples (not oranges). Corn seeds produce corn (not kiwi-fruits). Tomato seeds produce what? Tomatoes, obviously! At the creation of the world, God said let the grass, herb and tree reproduce ‘<em>according to its kind</em>’ (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gen 1.11</span>). And so it has been ever since (sorry evolutionists, that's just the way it is)!<br/><br/>So if a person sows evil constantly, then eventually he/she will reap evil back, in the form of consequences, even direct judgment. Yet, so many people (even Christians) sow in one field but want to reap in another! They want to sow in the field of worldliness and sin, but they want to reap from the field of righteousness!<br/><br/>Take for example Princess Di and Mother Teresa - remember back in 1997, both ladies passed away in the same week in August? Remember all the media Lady Di got - front page on every newspaper and magazine for weeks! And Mother Teresa got perhaps a couple paragraphs in a few newspapers. The first lady lived a life of often sowing to the flesh and the world. (Yes, she did a lot for charities, but her personal life was pretty worldly, with her marital affair and divorce). The second lady lived her life for others, sacrificing all. She truly sowed love and compassion.<strong> </strong><br/><br/><strong></strong>And see, most people want to live like Princess Di in luxury and style, but die like Mother Teresa in sacrificial giving! They want to sow to the world and the flesh but reap the blessings of sacrifice, compassion and love. It don't work that way - your reap what you sow! The Bible says ‘<em>For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life</em>’ (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gal 6.6-10).</span><br/><br/><strong>You reap AFTER you sow</strong>. Harvest comes after the plowing and sowing. You never reap before you sow, do you?! No, you must plow the field, sow next and then you will reap in time, when the harvest is ready. Not right away.<br/><br/>The Bible states ‘<em>And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in DUE SEASON we</em><em> shall reap if we do not lose heart</em>’ (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gal 6.9</span> - my emphasis). There is an appointed time for harvest. So when a person sows evil now, they might not reap judgment immediately because God is longsuffering and is waiting for people to repent. But there is a future time when they will reap what they sow!<br/><br/>Yet, people mistake God’s longsuffering for acceptance. They think that if God hasn’t done anything yet, then it must be ok; He must accept it! No, nothing happens immediately because God is longsuffering and patient. But in due season, when sin is ripe, God will judge and people will reap.<br/><br/><strong>You reap MORE than you sow.</strong> When you plant one apple or corn seed, do you simply reap one apple or one corn cob? No, normally you reap more! Likewise, when we sow evilness, in time, we will reap - and more! The judgment and consequences can often be more than what was sown!<br/><br/>You might say - unfair! But God is just; He will mete out discipline justly. Think of it this way - if you sow tiny evils over a lifetime, it adds up. So don’t be surprised when judgment comes, that it is intense. It might seem like more than the sin, but actually, sin has been adding up for years. This is what is implied when Hosea declares ‘<em>They sow the wind and reap the whi</em><em>rlwind</em>’ (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hosea 8.7</span>). For years Israel sowed sin and evil and soon they will reap the consequences of those years! They sowed the wind, but soon will reap the whirlwind!<br/><br/><strong>What are we sowing in our lives</strong>, marriages and families? Are we sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? This <strong>principle</strong> <strong>applies in the positive</strong> also - we can sow good things and reap blessings! Maybe not immediately, but we will reap one day. And more than we have sown!<br/><br/><strong>So let us sow to the Spirit</strong>, let us sow goodness, kindness and compassion. Let us sow truth, mercy and life! Let us sow into the lives of our spouses, children, co-workers, neighbors, friends and acquaintances. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap the fruit of our faithful labors!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-598152528428329572012-07-21T07:35:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.948+13:00Phamily's Residents' Visas<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blog_logo_inz.gif"><img class=" wp-image-1757 alignright" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" title="blog_logo_inz" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blog_logo_inz.gif" alt="" width="290" height="86" /></a>Well, to update you all on the whole visa application process - we have been officially invited to apply for our residents' visas (got the invite while we were in the USA). So we have been in the process of gathering all the documentation - medical exams, blood tests (so sick of blood tests and needles!), x-rays, police reports, employment history, finance, bank statements, birth certificates, high school and university diplomas and transcripts, etc. Lots of paperwork and things to do!<br/><br/>We even have to prove that we have been married AND living together for at least the last 2 years or so. They want photographs of the two of us together at various functions, events, in public, etc. Also bank statements showing we have a joint banking account and any other proof of our 'commitment' to each other over the length of our marriage.<br/><br/>So that's where you can help us - if you by any chance have any photos of the two of us (Becky and me) together, could you email it to me? And can you tell me where (occasion, event, location) and when (month and year). And also pray that we can get all the paperwork turned in on time - we have until the beginning of Sept to get things turned in, but we would like to turn it in early, perhaps in mid-August. Thanks for your help!onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-51420761969974909922012-07-16T07:05:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.924+13:00Rainy Day Fun...It was a stormy, wet and rainy Sunday afternoon here in Welly, but at our house it was nice and warm from all the body heat! After service, we had the church over to our house for potluck - an awesome afternoon of 'phood, phun and phellowship' at the Phamily's! ;-) And it was amazingly peaceful, even with 15 kids cooped up in the house. Thanks to everyone for all the food - there was sooooo much that I think we will be eating it for the next 2 weeks! Here are a few photos...<br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050328_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1742" title="P1050328_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050328_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050321_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1741" title="P1050321_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050321_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050294_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1740" title="P1050294_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050294_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050285_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1739" title="P1050285_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050285_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050264_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1738" title="P1050264_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050264_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050245_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1737" title="P1050245_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050245_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050240_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1736" title="P1050240_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050240_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050273_Crop.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1750" title="P1050273_Crop" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050273_Crop-715x1024.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="717" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050333_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1752" title="P1050333_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050333_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p><br/><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050325_800x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1751" title="P1050325_800x600" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/P1050325_800x600.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-37991442178505300052012-06-30T23:40:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.903+13:00Are You Soaring, Running or Walking?For all those who wanted the mp3 of the teaching that I did at our home church (CC Murrieta) while we were in the USA, here it is. <a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blog_barefoot.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1726 alignright" style="margin: 10px;" title="blog_barefoot" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/blog_barefoot.jpg" alt="" width="256" height="256" /></a> It was recorded during the 2nd service - and i think it was also live on the radio in SoCal on that day. For those in Europe, this is a longer, more in-depth version of what I shared at CC Freiburg. Hope you enjoy it - it spoke to me!<br/><br/><a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ccm_dpham-6-10-12_crop.mp3">David Pham - Isa 40.31 - 10.June.2012</a><br/><br/> onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-32363003652610751272012-06-18T03:39:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.890+13:00Runner's World - The Human Race...As I mentioned a couple months ago, Runner's World magazine (Australia and New Zealand edition) had written me an email about including me and the kidney donation in their June issue. The section of the magazine is called 'The Human Race - What It Takes To...' and features just normal average every day runners (not professionals or Olympic class runners!!) and their unique stories. It's a great encouragement to read these stories of people like you and me and how running has played an unique part in their lives. In any case, here's my story of the kidney donation, from their perspective. Below is the cover of the mag and the article itself - just a couple short paragraphs, but hey, it's in RUNNER'S WORLD! ;-)<br/><br/>PS - click on the fotos to enlarge and read....<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1718" align="aligncenter" width="614"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/runnersworld_june2012_humanrace_600dpi_crop.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1718 " title="kidney donation article" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/runnersworld_june2012_humanrace_600dpi_crop.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="382" /></a> here is the article / blurb about the kidney donation...[/caption]<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1717" align="aligncenter" width="424"]<a href="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/runnersworld_june2012_cover_crop.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1717 " title="Runner's World - June 2012" src="http://phamilynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/runnersworld_june2012_cover_crop-757x1024.jpg" alt="" width="424" height="574" /></a> and here is the cover of the June issue.[/caption]<br/><p style="text-align: center;"></p>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579853310561485005.post-69678944965009266452012-04-19T20:09:00.000+12:002016-04-01T06:28:40.879+13:00Star Wars and Weird Al?Here's one for all you Star Wars and Weird Al fans - especially those with the last name of Pham! Love it! I think I'm gonna have to try this hairdo? What do ya think? ;-)<br/><br/>PS - for those of you too young to remember, this is the a parody of Don McLean's American Pie song from 1971.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><iframe src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/hEcjgJSqSRU?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="640" height="480"></iframe>onHISturf - dvphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13071486433311549270noreply@blogger.com0