The Lamb of God Chronicle April 2018

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle April 2018 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Christchurch 8640 Phone [04] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 Our People/News/Articles Page 2-5 Challenges Page 6 Kairos NZ News Page 7 Web Sites Page 7 Members/Info/Records Page 8 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 8-9 National Prayer Watch Page 9-11 REFLECTIONS: Celebrate the Joy of Easter For the Christian Church, Easter is the pinnacle of the annual celebrations. Different church traditions approach this in different ways but all want to especially acknowledge and honour our triune God for the sacrifice and gift made to us. And what a gift, the forgiveness of our sins, the promise of eternal life, destroying the works of the devil and restoring our relationship with God. Little wonder is it that this gift is described as precious, treasure and an inheritance. 2nd Corinthians says (4:6-7) For it is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. Colossians 1 (12-14): giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. This knowledge is at times referred to as the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. The term to evangelise means to spread the good news and in the original writings the words, gospel and evangelise, are from the same root word. For me when I received the word of Christ in my heart it really turned my world upside down. What seemed to make sense no longer did as I became aware of His great love and the importance of living for eternity. The Bible came alive and the promises and

2 2 warnings spoken to God s people over the ages came to speak more directly to me in the way I live my life. Certainly I would say knowing Jesus and committing your life/ways to Him is the most important thing you will ever do. As we ponder the great sacrifice made for us those many years ago may be conscious of the wonderful gift we have received and how it has impacted our lives. I pray this Easter will be a time that God will deepen an awareness of His love, work and grace in you. This month, I have been saddened by the passing of our sister Rosemarie Buladaco in Wellington. I spent time with Rosemarie at Kairos events and on the National Kairos Service Team. She had a true joy and concern for God s people. I know that our Wellington branch will truly miss her. You could see the light of Jesus shining out from her right up until her final breath. May she reign in glory with our Saviour. God bless, Mark C (The biblical quotes are from the NRSV translation) OUR PEOPLE With sadness, yet confidence in the Lord, we remember: o Rosemarie Buladaco [Wellington], her family, and the Wellington branch, as she passed away recently. o Janet & John MacManus [Southern], as Janet s brother in law has died. o Trevor Wall [Ashburton-Christchurch] to the Bereavement section as his Mother in law has died. AUCKLAND BRANCH NEWS NEWS AND ARTICLES University Christian Outreach (UCO) Kickstart Retreat (Feb 23 rd Feb 25 th 2018): After having a week or so to reflect on the Kickstart retreat, I can confidently say that it has completely fulfilled its purpose. We are ready to take on the year, with all its challenges and triumphs; but most of all we are ready to listen to the Lord s call and carry it out through our ministry! Firstly, this weekend gave new members a fuller understanding of the meaning and intention behind UCO. We were able to understand how UCO began and its international progression since then. It is inspiring to think that we are now a part of UCO and that through our outreach, we can bring people of all races and denominations closer to Christ and unity within Christianity.

3 Secondly, this weekend gave us the opportunity to bond with each other, develop relationships and create a sense of belonging, support and joy. During the weekend, it was just us - no distractions (no WiFi!!!!) or restrictions. Instead we had board games, conversations and food obviously. We became familiar and comfortable with one another, not just with other members but the support staff as well. It became increasingly evident that we are a team. The retreat was a great way to end the summer holidays. Not only did we leave relaxed and tanned for the winter (we went to the beach!!), it was also a great way to begin the UCO year, invigorated and excited. I can proudly speak for all those who attended when I say that we are officially ready to take on 2018! On behalf of UCO, thank you all for the constant prayers, support and love that you, the community, surround us with especially in regards to the year ahead. We are grateful and have nothing but appreciation for you! - Erika Menezes University Christian Outreach (UCO) Orientation Week (Feb 26 th Mar 2 nd, 2018): University Christian Outreach's presence at University of Auckland s Orientation week was a resounding success, resulting in a compelling amount of new members signing up to be involved. It could be said that the week was an outreach event in itself. Amidst the various materialistic enticements offered to students by other clubs on campus, UCO was still able to capture the attention of both believers and non-believers through a friendly smile and a simple hello. It is such a testament to what the Lord can do through ordinary people when one surrenders himself and says Use me, Lord. This is an encouraging start for UCO, and the potential that lies within UCO s increasing numbers is substantial; it reaffirms that the Lord will continue to equip us so that we can carry out the work he has already begun is here, and UCO is ready. "Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. - 1 Timothy 4:12 - Fleur Carvalho Auckland Women s Breakfast (3 rd March, 2018): Topic: Women of God in our Speech - Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue 3

4 Delia D Mello and her music team (Tili Hunt and Rachel McKenzie) lead us into a beautiful time of praise and worship with uplifting songs honouring our Awesome God. 4 Audris Hong delivered a very soul steering talk on Being a Women of God in our Speech. It was surprising to note the stats on how women, on average, speak 20,000 words daily compared to men who speak 7,000 words. surprise surprise..and how 80% of our time is spent on discussing other people and their habits!!! James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. The tongue is one of the most flexible and strongest muscles in our body. The bible teaches us that we ought to speak only the words that God wants us to say words that are good and pleasing to Him. Daily prayer and reading the word of God will help and lead us to be in tune with God who will prompt us to speak at the right time and using the right words. Our speech needs to be helpful for building others up and we need to refrain from unwholesome talk in the form of gossip, complaining about others, cursing/swearing, passing negative remarks, etc. We need to be conscious of the manner and the words that come out of our mouth and most importantly speak the truth in love. Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi stated I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. Mother Teresa also remarked Gandhi felt fascinated at knowing Christ. He met Christians, and felt let down. In the world, we are Christ s witnesses to all so let s be women of God who speak words of life, love and hope. We ended by listening to a beautiful song Speak Life by Toby Mac. Thanks to the music team, speaker and all who helped organise the breakfast. It was truly an enjoyable morning. - Cheryl Donald WELLINGTON BRANCH NEWS Experience at Epic Scavenger Hunt and Good Games Events The two separate days I attended and helped with these events were truly enjoyable! Meeting new people, chatting and working together in bonding exercises with the

5 5 surrounding sense of fun and relaxing atmosphere all around. Great games like the balloon popping and race competitions we had to do with our groups in "Good Games" Event. Plus the overall outdoor interactive activities in the Scavenger Hunt such as making funny videos and completing exciting tasks made it truly memorable. It can t get better for a student like myself who started out shy and uneasy throughout most of my life, now heading straight into the massive population of university I feel like it would be too much for me to handle. Though after I attended events like these, I can say that I feel more comfortable with my surroundings, while confidently meeting new people in university with no hesitation. This truly helped me in as there are always new and different people everywhere you look. My experience in these bonding and teamwork events helped me become who I am today. I hope anyone that is not forthcoming in their mind, just take a little step up and come attend an event like these two, it really will help you in the future! - Dan Gueco

6 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY Resource for Reflection or House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Redeeming Your Broken Life April And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28 ESV] We all probably have not lived a fairytale life, where everything is just hunky-dory. We all have faced failures, heartaches, and disappointments in life - redundancy at work, broken relationships, illnesses, unfulfilled dreams, rejection, unanswered prayers, and so on. In a way, we can say we are all living broken lives. But do you know what? We can still live a fairy tale life in spite of all our brokenness, mistakes and failures. God can turn the worst experiences in life into gold. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good. Jesus can redeem our past into something noble. Not only that, we are truly destined for a true fairytale ending - but instead of just living happily ever after, we will live happily with God and His people forever! Do you know the riches and the greatness that awaits you? It is worth the wait! So How Do You Live A Broken But Redeemed Life? 1. Offer to God your past, especially the darkest memories you have had. We all have hit rock-bottom at least once in our lives, yet God can work wonders in that rock-bottom situation if we allow Him. Let God heal you. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Let God transform you into the man or woman He wants you to be. 2. Forgive from the heart all those who have wronged and abused you, especially those who are closest to you. We sin against others like others sinned against us. Do not hold a grudge against others. Release your offenders from your mental prisons it is you who are imprisoned, not them. Forgive others from the heart, a hard as it may be. This is key for you to live a truly redeemed life; you are allowing yourself to be a new person in Christ, free from any bondage of bad memories, hurts, and anger. 3. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [2 Corinthians 5:17] You are a new person in Jesus. Your past does not define or dictate who you are now Jesus does. You can break the chains of the past. You don't have to repeat the past mistakes. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you can start a new path if you need to don t be limited or be imprisoned by your past. Be free! 4. Make your main goal in life to love as Jesus would. Love should be your motive in all your relationships. Do not let your past memories and experiences affect your motive and goal in life. 5. Make the most of your relationships do not take people for granted. Outdo one another in showing honour. Enjoy the gift of friendship now, which can be a start of an eternal friendship - with God in heaven. 6. Live your daily life in the light of your eternal destiny. Don't endanger your spiritual treasure and legacy with the pursuit of something fleeting, no matter how good it feels at that time. The highest joy you can have in this life is only for a fleeting moment. What God has in store for you lasts forever - see Matthew 6: Rejoice in the hope that you have in Jesus - because within your grasp in a fairytale life with God forever, where there is no mourning, crying, or pain anymore [Revelations 21: 4]. OTHER SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: 1. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [Jeremiah 29:11 ESV] 2. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57 ESV] 3. Others: 1 Peter 1:3-9; Romans 5:3-5; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 31:24; and Romans 8: FOR REFLECTION OR SHARING: What brokenness are you still suffering from your past? How can Jesus redeem that memory? What do you need to do to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what is ahead [Philippians 3:13]?

7 SUMMIT 7 Kairos New Zealand and Singles Schedule of Events to 10 July 2018 Winter Oasis 2018 [for high schoolers] 31 August to 2 September 2018 Get Set 2018 [for tertiary students/young adults] 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.

8 8 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 Mark & Mary Jackson 01/04 Blenheim Peter & Debbie Anngow 03/04 Christchurch Henri & Cutie Zalamea 05/04 Central Terry & Sue Greig 09/04 Central Steven & Judy Homes 11/04 Southern Brian & Joan Lobo 18/04 Auckland Jonathan & Helen McKenzie 18/04 Christchurch Russell & Gidget Mendonca 19/04 Auckland Robert & Karin Van Doorn 21/04 Christchurch Aaron & Leonora Fisk 23/04 Auckland Bernard & Andrea Forster 24/04 Christchurch Joseph & Theresa Gomes 26/04 Auckland Roger & Veronica Foley 28/04 Christchurch Birthdays for This Month - Happy Birthday! NAMES BIRTHDAY BRANCH Deanne D'Mello 02/04 Auckland Cherylyn Donald 03/04 Auckland Anila Collins 04/04 Auckland Danielle McKenzie 04/04 Christchurch Christopher Fernandez 06/04 Auckland

9 Blanche Hollingsworth 10/04 Auckland Denver Saldanha 10/04 Auckland Rachel D'Souza 11/04 Auckland Stephanie O'Connell 11/04 Nelson Imelda Currie 12/04 Christchurch Rico De Zoysa 13/04 Auckland Nicole Sequeira 16/04 Christchurch Diane Staite 16/04 Nelson Ivan Carvalho 17/04 Auckland Bill McElhinney 17/04 Blenheim Ian Hamilton 17/04 Christchurch David Hamilton 17/04 Christchurch Juliana Afamasaga 17/04 Central Mira D'Souza 18/04 Auckland Ron Elliott 19/04 Christchurch Kevin McCormick 19/04 Auckland Bruce Joslen 21/04 Christchurch Brian Lowe 21/04 Auckland Alexa Caballes 22/04 Central Tili Hunt 23/04 Auckland Carol Cullimore 24/04 Blenheim Sarah McCormick 24/04 Auckland Judy Kwan [Lim] 25/04 Auckland Michelle Amaral 25/04 Auckland Bronwyn Harborne 25/04 Ch/Ashburton Mary Anngow 26/04 Christchurch Peter Anngow 26/04 Christchurch Leander D'Souza 27/04 Auckland Apollo Geneta 27/04 Central Sandy Westbury 27/04 Nelson Bruce Donald 28/04 Auckland Elias Martis 28/04 Auckland Allan D'Souza 30/04 Auckland Harry Lowe 30/04 Auckland 9 PRAYERWATCH 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 Last year, I started looking at spiritual battles of the Old Testament covering Moses leading the Israelites to the promised land and then Joshua crossing the Jordan river and conquering the city of Jericho in God s way. Joshua and the Israelites turned their attention to the next city of Ai [Joshua 7 & 8]. They sent spies into the city and then a force to take it which was beaten back by the defender and the Israelites discovered God was not with them. Joshua sought the Lord and discovered one family had disobeyed God s instructions at the previous victory by taking things that were to be destroyed. The family was punished and the Israelites learned that obedience is important in the spiritual battles. The Israelite army approached Ai for a second time with the main force at the front of the city and a secondary force behind the city. The enemy attacked and the main force

10 10 retreated then when signaled the secondary force entered the city setting it on fire and Ai fell and was destroyed by God s people. There are lessons for us today from this incident in Israel s conquest of the promised land as the Israelites learnt that righteousness is important. We, too, need to watch what we do and always be obedient to God s laws so we do not need to learn the same lesson the hard way. Righteousness is important in Spiritual Warfare as we battle to drive back evil affecting our families, our communities, churches, schools and wherever we are involved in standing in the gap. Our righteousness involves reading and studying God s Word, participating in our pastoral groups and other meetings, living our way of life as a witness to God s love and salvation. As the Israelites used a sneaky plan with a second force to defeat the city of Ai. We to must always go forth in battle in God s plan, not necessarily facing the enemy head-on but doing it God s way. Faithfulness is an important part of righteousness as we are faithful to our families, the Lamb of God community, and whatever we do. On the Watch, we need to be faithful to our hour a week in driving back evil and in interceding for the Lamb of God and its people. As members of the Lamb of God, are we faithful to our brothers and sisters by standing in the gap on the Watch? We are soldiers of Christ. 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 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,

11 OTHER NEEDS 11 Auckland: Clifton & Anora, Cynaika & Antacia D'Costa, Southern: Florence & Susan Quigley, HEALING CANCER Auckland: Central: Ron Blackwell, Rosemarie Buladaco, Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, Christchurch: Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, Trevor Wall, 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, Simone D'Mello, Karyn Coutinho, Cheryl Lobo, Harry Lowe, Anthony Philippupillai, Christopher Dalgado, Olivia Fernandes, Anila Collins, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Jojo and Ellamae Jalandoni, Cutie Zalamea, Josiah Grieg, 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, Others: Julianne Masilomani, John Keating, BEREAVEMENT Central: Family - Rosemarie Buladaco - Wellington Branch Christchurch: Monica & John Haughey, Family - Beverley Cummins - Christchurch branch, Trevor & Nicola Wall, 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