The Lamb of God Chronicle February 2018

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle February 2018 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Christchurch 8640 Phone [04] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 News/Articles Page 2-4 Challenges Page 5 Web Sites Page 6 Members/Info/Records Page 7 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 7-8 National Prayer Watch Page 8-10 REFLECTIONS: FISHING FOR PEOPLE I recently was preparing to go away on holiday to Kaikoura. Kaikoura is known for its marine life so I thought it might be worthwhile taking some fishing gear. Around the same time in my daily reflections, I read through the gospel story where Jesus calls his first disciples to leave their boats and become fishers of men. Naturally that got me thinking of some of the analogies of fishing that may apply to spreading the gospel, which is not only the great commission Jesus left us, but one of the 3 aspects of our call, A Community of Disciples on Mission. I am not an enthusiast nor do I have a great deal of knowledge of fishing; I do have a couple of rods and lines, etc. On most occasions I have fished, I have caught something. I have found it helpful to do a little reading on the area (mainly online) and when purchasing bait or hooks etc. asking some questions from those more experienced. The more skills, knowledge, equipment, and experience you have increases the likelihood of more fish and larger fish. But by and large, most people can at some stage in their lifetime catch a fish (at least in New Zealand), they just need to get out and fish. This year we are looking to build on our knowledge of how to be fishers of people but don t let the lack of full or detailed knowledge deter you the most important thing is to have a little knowledge the right equipment and fish in the right places. I know many of you are doing that already and I honour you for your commitment. If you would like some advice on starting try, find out in your centre/branch who is good at sharing the gospel and get some tips from them. In Luke s gospel immediately prior to when Jesus calls the disciples to become fishers of men, Jesus tells the disciples (Luke 5:4), to push out deep and put out the nets out. The disciples state they had worked all night long and caught nothing. But in obedience, they would follow His request. The result was they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. I

2 2 encourage each of you to be open to the Lord on when and where to fish. We want to be available to Him and co-operate with Him build His kingdom. I don t want to let this opportunity go past without honouring those with significant wedding anniversaries over January and February. Alwin & Mira D Souza, Martin & Hazel Patrao (26 years) and Ron & Helen Elliott (50 years). What an achievement, each of you!! It is a great blessing to have models such as you in the community. Dave (our Outside Co-ordinator) and Jane Hughes are visiting us in the month of February. They will be at the South Island Family camp and also visit Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. Please do take the opportunity to get to know them if you are in one of these places; they are neat people. I can t let this opportunity go by without encouraging each of you to consider making a response to the End of Life Choice Bill. Submissions close on February 20. It is important that everyone in NZ makes known their beliefs, and for us, as Christians, it is an opportunity for us to honour the Lord through presenting His truth. The information on the Family First website is very helpful in assisting understanding on the Bill and how to make a submission. In Christchurch, we were fortunate to have Brendan Malone (from Focus on the Family) present in this area. One of the things I found most helpful is what Euthanasia is not. Please take some time to make a response. God bless, Mark C NEWS AND ARTICLES AUCKLAND BRANCH NEWS The Summer Oasis Conference was held from January 7 to 11, 2018 at The Burwood Christian Centre in Christchurch. Many youths from the Auckland Branch attended the Conference and spent their time strengthening their faith in God and their bonds with other brothers and sisters in the community from the different branches. Come, everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy, and eat! Isaiah 55:1 ESV Three of our first-timers share their experience in attending Summer Oasis along with feedback from Denver Saldanha who led the Single Men s Household. My first experience of Summer Oasis was very memorable and definitely brought me closer to God. The main scripture at Oasis was from Isaiah 55 and included the verse come to the water you who are thirsty. This verse stood out to me in particular because it tells us that God wants us to come to him and seek His help. During bible streams we would perform skits based on Jesus parables, teachings and miracles and this helped me a lot in understanding what an extraordinary man Jesus is; full of compassion and knowledge. My favourite part of Oasis was the Ministry and healing night as I felt the presence of God with me and thought that it was a good way to end Summer Oasis. - Kaitlyn Fernandes

3 3 This was my first Summer Oasis, and it was a very good experience. The Praise and Worship was different to most of the praise and worships I have attended as it was more youth-themed. I can now see why many former EJers [High school youth] and Edge members [post high school] count the days to the next Oasis. The theme this year was Come to the water from Isaiah 55:1. Every day at 9:00am we would start the day with Praise and Worship conducted by youth from Edge). We would then split and the EJ youth) would have a talk or do bible study. We had three bible studies and were given six talks - each of them inspiring me to be a better person every day. Before Oasis I didn t really think much about God. However, after Kirsten s talk about God ghosting us, I really started to reflect. The next day we were all prayed over at the night rally, and that s probably when I felt God. At Ministry Night I went into deep prayer and realised the extent of God s love and forgiveness. Oasis has the perfect balance of Praise and Worship, teachings and fun, where I was able to meet likeminded people who shared the same values and beliefs as me. I loved Oasis and cannot wait for the opportunity to attend next year. - Christopher Dalgado At Oasis we had lots of different talks on different subjects, but our main topic was: Come to the water. There were small talks on the following: Gender matters: However there are many people who think that gender is fluid, meaning it does not matter anymore. Negativity: How people only care about themselves and how some people are letting the smallest thing turn their whole day upside down. Prayer: How we should strive to make prayer a part of our day, constantly talking to God, letting God into your life so he can make a good change in you and in others around you. We also talked about how Jesus did and always will keep the promises he gave to us Three more talks on Jesus focused on: 1) He spoke in parables: We looked at the parables Jesus spoke about. 2) Jesus, Man of compassion: We talked about how Jesus showed compassion in every situation that came his way. 3) Jesus the healer: We talked about how Jesus met the needs of his people. In talks 2 and 3 we looked at the miracles Jesus did. On the last day, we were asked to put our names on a wooden cross that the members from EDGE walked around Christchurch with. It signified us giving ourselves fully to Him. - Glory D mello The single men's household which runs concurrently with Oasis 2018 was a blessed and positive time. Many of the attendees were present for the first time and found it to be as novel and enriching experience. We had attendees from Auckland, Nelson, and Christchurch which led to strong bonding between the brothers. Many were exposed for the first time to a sense of independence, Christian manly characteristics, the necessities for running a house and daily reflective morning and night prayer.

4 Oasis Men s Household Oasis Women s Household 4 There were social times, such as the climb to the summit of Foggy Peak (1741m!) along with more spiritual and sharing times. The men were open to the moving of the Holy Spirit, and many left having gained a personal and intimate purpose for 2018 from the Lord. As they go out back to their own homes and branches, I invite you to pray for them - that they will continue to grow in leadership, service, strength, faith, discipleship and manly Christian aspects which our society so very much needs. - Denver Saldanha WELLINGTON BRANCH NEWS CHRISTMAS EVE GET TOGETHER WITH ROSEMARIE A few families from the Wellington branch gathered on the 24 th of December in the 5 th Floor at the Wellington Hospital to celebrate Christmas with Rosemarie Buladaco, who is battling cancer, and her family. The families brought nice food to share in celebrating Christmas. After the light snack/early dinner, the brothers and sisters sang a few Christmas carols.

5 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY Resource for Reflection or House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Living Ordinary Lives Extraordinarily February And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. [2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV] We live our lives in a one-direction sequence - one day, one week, one month, and one year at a time. From the past comes the present, and later the future. We do not have a fast-forward button in our lives, and neither can we rewind and undo the mistakes of the past. Our days are like falling dominoes in a sequence of dominoes of a lifetime. As we walk through our daily lives, God is calling us not just to live and then die He is calling us to a relationship with Him so we can live now and live forever with Him. That daily falling dominoes of life have value, purpose, and meaning. He is probably not calling us to be great Saints but we are all being called to be saints in our own little way, in our own little world, and in our own borrowed time. That is all we can do to please God. Are you ready to accept the challenge of living an ordinary life lived extraordinarily? It is not going to be easy, but the rewards are tremendous. Are you willing to pay the price? So How Do You Live and Ordinary Life in an Extraordinary Way? 1. What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. [Teresa of Calcutta]. God is not probably calling you to start a new movement or be a great preacher, but God wants you to start where you can make a difference right in your own home. Think of your parents, spouse, children or neighbours. How can you be more loving to each of them? You cannot just change people directly; change starts with you. 2. Aim to make small differences daily. Continents and islands drift apart a few centimetres a year, but over millions of years, they make a huge difference they can be thousands of kilometres apart. It is the same way with you if you want to transform your home, school or your office, start with making small differences daily. Over a period of time, those actions will transform your environment and will become a blessing to everyone. 3. Think of and do little acts of love being thoughtful, kind, forgiving, generous, forbearing, understanding, and caring. It also means not judging people and being patient with them. Do as Jesus would in your situation. 4. Do not worry if you fail at times if you failed to act lovingly today, decide to change and decide to act lovingly tomorrow. While you are still alive, you will never be perfect; so don t expect perfection from anyone, including yourself. Like you, people also fail so be forgiving and understanding even if they do not respond to your acts of love. The measure you set for yourself should be the measure you have for other people too. 5. Try to make a small difference daily in your life and make it a habit. Thoughts lead to acts; acts lead to habits; habits lead to character, and character leads to destiny. [Ralph Waldo Emerson, rephrased] 6. There is a price to pay so you can be more loving each day. For love to be real, it must cost, it must hurt, it must empty us of self. [Teresa of Calcutta]. It will cost your selfishness and your pride it will be difficult, and it will hurt at times until being loving becomes a lifetime habit. The unredeemed self in us will resist stubbornly, but are you willing to let it die a slow death? Sometimes it looks like it is easier to be a martyr than a saint! 7. Living an ordinary life extraordinarily will lead to something magnificent eternal life. There you will appreciate the life you lived with a difference, not only for you but also for everyone else around you. OTHER SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: 1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [Galatians 5:22-24 ESV] 2. Other references: Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 4:31-32; Ephesians 5:2; and Colossians 3: FOR REFLECTION OR SHARING: 1. What one act of love can you think of and do to the one closest to you daily and consistently? 2. Are you willing to pay the cost of living an ordinary life extraordinarily?

6 SUMMIT 6 WEBSITES WORTH NOTING KAIROS South Pacific Web Site check it out at You can network and chat with other young people by going to this website: We designated every Friday night at 10 pm as a time to meet other young people. Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: We updated our Lamb of God website We also have two new domain names which point to the same website: and Try them! The Sword of the Spirit website is This website is where we can know more what is happening in our communities around the globe. The Lamb of God is a community of the Sword of the Spirit. Sign up [free] for Youth Culture Newsletter The most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. Please visit the website below: This link is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents. Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit Highly Recommended! This Sword of the Spirit online publication has received more than 43,000 visits (an average of 135 visits each day) in its first year. All back issues for the past 12 months are available at To view the current issue of the online magazine, go to SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION Branches are encouraged to news, photos, happenings and snippets to Tom Caballes at office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. We close on the 20 th of the previous month.

7 7 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDS Membership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible for keeping updated records and then ing all new attendee additions, deletions, address, phone changes, births, deaths, transfers, etc. to: Tom Caballes BIRTHDAY INFORMATION [Day and month, but the year is optional.] Branch leaders are asked to keep updated records and all new attendee additions to: Tom Caballes GETTING CHRONICLE & OTHER NEWS BY [1] If you are receiving The Chronicle as an electronic edition, we just need to hear if and when you change your address. Notify [2] If you are receiving this by hard copy but you have an address, please send your address to [3] The Chronicle has a national and international mailing schedule. If you want to add an address we can send the Chronicle, please notify office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. Wedding Anniversaries - Happy Anniversary! NAMES DATE BRANCH Clifton & Anora Loreno D'Costa 01/02 Auckland Ivan & Sheila D'Souza 02/02 Auckland Chris & Maureen Lyons 04/02 Christchurch Kerry & Christine O'Neill 10/02 Blenheim Paul & Christine Oliver 12/02 Central Allan & Sharmila Carvalho 15/02 Auckland Prasad & Jessie De Zoysa 16/02 Auckland Martin & Hazel Patrao 23/02 Auckland Andy & Carole Crocker 28/02 Nelson Birthdays for This Month - Happy Birthday! NAMES BIRTHDAY BRANCH Greg Hall 02/02 Auckland Aidan Misquita 02/02 Auckland Annette Fletcher 02/02 Ch/Ashburton Cheryl Garrett 03/02 Blenheim Carole Crocker 06/02 Nelson Sherwin Menezes 08/02 Auckland

8 Maureen Lowe 12/02 Auckland Ivan D'Souza 13/02 Auckland Florence Quigley 13/02 Southern Maria Sequeira 15/02 Christchurch Annette Carvalho 17/02 Auckland Simone D'Mello 18/02 Auckland Rachel D'Souza 19/02 Auckland Prasad De Zoysa 19/02 Auckland Joshua Garrett 20/02 Blenheim Bernie Black 21/02 Christchurch Peter Dalgado 23/02 Auckland Bernadette Black 24/02 Christchurch Barbara Ryan 25/02 Blenheim Emily Homes 27/02 Southern Cosmos Misquita 27/02 Auckland Steven Homes 28/02 Southern Bea Blanch 28/02 Central Joan Lobo 29/02 Auckland Greg Hall 02/02 Auckland Aidan Misquita 02/02 Auckland Annette Fletcher 02/02 Ch/Ashburton Cheryl Garrett 03/02 Blenheim Carole Crocker 06/02 Nelson Sherwin Menezes 08/02 Auckland Maureen Lowe 12/02 Auckland Ivan D'Souza 13/02 Auckland Florence Quigley 13/02 Southern Maria Sequeira 15/02 Christchurch Annette Carvalho 17/02 Auckland Simone D'Mello 18/02 Auckland Rachel D'Souza 19/02 Auckland Prasad De Zoysa 19/02 Auckland Joshua Garrett 20/02 Blenheim Bernie Black 21/02 Christchurch Peter Dalgado 23/02 Auckland Bernadette Black 24/02 Christchurch Barbara Ryan 25/02 Blenheim Emily Homes 27/02 Southern Cosmos Misquita 27/02 Auckland Steven Homes 28/02 Southern Bea Blanch 28/02 Central Joan Lobo 29/02 Auckland 8 PRAYERWATCH FEBRUARY 2018 PRAYERWATCH 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE, Fight the good fight. Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose, Jeremiah 51: 12 NIV

9 9 As we start a new year, it is good to look at what happened on the Prayerwatch last year. In 2017 we had 36 new listings [18 previous years] on the Intercession Section with 14 coming off [59 the previous year], meaning we started the year with 93 on and ended with 115 on the list. Of the 36 new on the list, 11 went on the Healing Section, 10 went on the Family section, 14 families were affected by the death of a loved one going on the Bereavement Section, and the other 4 over the other sections. At the end of 2017, of the 115 on the Intercession list Auckland had 29 [25%], Central [Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson] 15 [13%], Blenheim 17 [15%], Christchurch 40 [35%], Southern [Timaru and South] 11 [10%]. The 36 requests to go on the list last year came from, Auckland 18 [50%], Central 2 [5%], Blenheim 4 [10%], Christchurch 10 [30%], Southern 0 [0%] Others 2 [5%]. God is calling us to take a stand as in the prophetic word given from January till June 2017, the theme of spiritual warfare was in 42 words out of 98 [45%] received. From July to December 2017 another 46 words out of 97 [50%] were received with encouragement to spiritual warfare. Note the percentage increase and 98% of updates had Prophetic word added. Ezekiel 22: 30 (NIV) I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Thankfully we have many faithful warriors who stand in the gap of the Prayerwatch which is the spiritual wall surrounding the Lamb of God Community. The Lamb of God is trying to cover 144 hours of 168 hours in a week as we have left free the Lord s Day but we still struggle. We really need to ask ourselves, is God calling me to be a part of the Prayerwatch? Am I protecting the Lamb of God and my family by being involved or am I leaving it to somebody else to stand in the gap? Over the years the need for spiritual warfare has increased as New Zealand has moved away from following God s ways. This year is no different with New Zealand facing debate over the End of Life Choice bill, an evil we need to avoid. The battle is not just here in the flesh but also is spiritual, so we need to stand in the gap on the spiritual wall of the Prayerwatch. If we are not taking our place on the Watch, we need to ask ourselves if we are being fair to our fellow members by not standing in the gap. We are asking members to take a time that suits when their branch is doing the Watch, not to take difficult times. Let 2018 be the year we have more people doing the Watch than there are hours in the week so contact your branch Prayerwatch leaders or talk with your pastoral group leader and take your place patrolling the wall surrounding the Lamb Of God. With what is happening in New Zealand today and the advance of evil on many fronts, we need to know our wall is strong and is a bulwark for all who need it. As part of the Prayerwatch a weekly update goes out by each Friday night, so if you do not get it and would like to receive it, please contact me at alan.mckenzie1@xtra.co.nz. Soldiers of Christ, Arise, and put your armour on, strong in the strength which God supplies, through His eternal Son. If you have any comments or questions concerning the Prayerwatch, then please send them to me or give them to one of your branch leaders to send to me.god bless and watch over you all. Alan McKenzie - National Coordinator, Prayerwatch

10 10 LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS SPIRITUAL WARFARE Against strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits. INTERCESSORY PRAYER COMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, Patmos & Cornerstone Lamb of God [Fiji], Families for Christ [Melbourne], Vanuatu Group, Light of Christ [Nelson], The Covenanted Community For Christ, [Penang & Taiping], FAMILY: Auckland: Ashlyn & Felecia Fernandes, Neville & Karyn Coutinho, Martin & Hazel Patrao, Valerie Menzies, Anora D'Costa, Teresa Soares, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri & Cutie Zalamea, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom & Mhel Caballes, Peter & Stephanie O Connell, Blenheim: Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, Christchurch: Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai & De Stirling, Niul Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden, John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Chris & Maureen Lyons, Ian & Pārbati Hamilton, Trevor Wall, Joan Corbett, Steven & Maria Sequeira, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Mike & Judy Prendeville, OTHERS NEEDS Auckland: Clifton & Anora D'Costa, Southern: Florence & Susan Quigley, HEALING CANCER Auckland: Central: Ron Blackwell, Rosemarie Buladaco, Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, Christchurch: Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, Trevor Wall, Bev Cummins, Southern: Christine May, HEALING HEART Auckland: Collin Sequeira, Maryanne Hall, Central: Paul Oliver, Blenheim: Chris Fredericks, Philip Middlemiss, David Aberhart, Christchurch: Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Niul Kay, Andre a Forster, HEALING Auckland: Winona D'Costa, Mira D'Souza, Peter D'Souza, Maria dos Anjos D'Souza, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, Alwin D Souza, Joan Lobo, Alfred Saldanha, Shalini Saldanha, Allan D Souza, Simone D'Mello, Karyn Coutinho, Cheryl Lobo, Harry Lowe, Anthony Philippupillai, Christopher Dalgado, Olivia Fernandes, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Jojo and Ellamae Jalandoni, Cutie Zalamea, Blenheim: Grace Weston, Mike Garrett, Anita Fredericks, Barbara Ryan, Chris Fredericks, Lily McKenzie, Christchurch: Lisa Borkus, Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey, Bronwyn Harborne, Pauline Marsden, Ian Hamilton, David Black, Fr John Rea, Joan Corbett, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & Judy Homes & Family, Rhoda Woodfield, Alan McKenzie, Judy Prendeville, Richard May, International: Julianne Masilomani, John Keating, BEREAVEMENT Auckland: Anthony Philippupillai, Dorothy & George Fernandez, Central: Robert & Ethel Caballes, Christchurch: Lisa & Tony Borkus, Darren & Julie Humphries, Monica & John Haughey, COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of God Centre, Branch Visits, Clustering in Auckland, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment of Members, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extended family], and the Ashburton Group in Christchurch. I have made you a Watchman Ezekiel 33: 7