Marriage Matters

“When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition until death do them part.” G.B. Shaw

What a thrilling time We had delving into our series “Marriage Matters”.  It was a joy and honour to preach through this series; firstly challenging and encouraging myself and Bridget before we could even teach and preach on this vitally important subject. You might be asking why are you making such a fuss about this subject. For me, a healthy marriage is the fibre and foundation of a healthy society.

Husband and wife or Mom and Dad do matter.  Somewhere in the recesses of my memory I was taught many years ago that marriage is a 50/50 deal. It is amazing that we simply believe stuff mostly in ignorance or naiveté . I am more than ever convinced that it is definitely not 50/50, but is 100/100.

If we took a moment to consider what the former idea was, it meant that I only had to give to my other half, half of me, ie 50%.   Surely you would want to give him / her 100%!

Anyway !!!!!

Delving into scripture to liberate and expand ourselves in this quest of this God-created institution, I pray we have all been challenged, encouraged, bolstered and our vistas in our marriages have been broadened to a new horizon that perhaps we have never even ventured forth into, or dared to discover.

If you only heard one or 2 parts of this series I encourage you to listen to the rest. As this will help you to achieve a full body of truth rather than misunderstanding some terms that are used.  For example, I am fully aware when we read from scripture; “wives submit…..”, Oh boy no one hears the rest of the text, or when we read from scripture “ husband love your wife”,  or “the head of a wife is her husband”, we tune out before we are fully tuned in, and we miss the beauty of what God ordained.

It is sad to say, that unfortunately modern day language and expressions, coupled with some who have unwittingly butchered the text to mean what they feel it should, have led this amazing institution of marriage down garden paths, where angels fear to tread, as the saying goes.

When we grasp hold of the true meanings of the intent of scripture, and the Fathers heart, these statements in their fullness, become a liberation and a joy to embrace.

When we read and understand the import of the text then we can honestly acknowledge that the intent is summed up this way, as ordained by God,

“ The woman chooses submission and the man chooses headship; anything else is an abdication of Gods Design” and when we both abdicate Gods perfect plan for marriage, we find more often than not that when we are vying for our own slice of this marriage, instead of both going for the gold ring we find, we have a poor imitation.

A wife who attempts to control her husband and a husband who attempts to dominate his wife, are living under the curse and the fall in Genesis.

We can live in the wonderment and beauty of this God designed life together called marriage, through His abounding Grace and love.

I Lost a Friend Today

I Lost a Friend Today……..

Often one is able to prepare for the passing of a loved one through an illness, or a traumatic situation where doctors have stated that they have given all the medical advise and treatment that is possible. Having lived through this with both my parents I can write on this subject. Yet it truly never fully prepares you for the final surrendering of a life into death, even with the best of stoicism, and the seeming acceptance of the inevitable has been liberally applied to the devastation at hand

When the final curtain call is made it still comes as a shock to ones emotions and the Oh so many questions of the Why’s.

However even more severe is the suddenness of a life passing when it comes out of the blue, and there just aren’t enough answers to the myriads of questions. Our human nature like every life is so, so fragile that we can turn in shock, horror, numbness and yes many times anger at the unfairness of this, and seek whom we can blame. In our immaturity we often shake our fist at God and scream why ?.

I lost a friend today……..I have had the privilege over the last decade to call Paul Mewhinney….. friend and family.

He was a valued member of our extended family  ” The Bridge – Church for All Nations” and even closer to home an ardent supporter of our BLGE ( Best Life Group Ever).

When Paul was around it was like an ever tirade of quips and not just off the edge, but right over the cliff humour, where I  often just wonder what really went on inside his head. I think he had a few minions running around in there egging him on to give a new quip for each situation. He would be classed as the “King of Quips”.

Paul was visiting friends out west, he felt ill and feinted, was rushed to the hospital within minutes, however on arrival went into full cardiac arrest, and soon after that stepped into eternity to spend the rest of time with his beloved Jesus.

Albeit there was this ever bubbling cascading rhetoric of humour with Paul, there was a serious side when it came to the things of God. After a sermon or a meeting he would step up and expound upon what had touched him, challenged him or as he would say “that got me right between the eyes” or “that was a direct hit to the heart”. I loved that vibrant honesty about him.

Paul was so gifted in many areas and a lover of great music over a vast genre of eras, we could say he was an aficionado; as I write I feel these word that might be apt for this……         “I look at you all and see all the love that is sleeping, while my guitar gently weeps – the Beatles

Let our love for one another become more evident.

Whist we grieve and feel the pain of loss, our hearts go out to his family his children Julie and Josiah, his mom Louise and the extended Mewhinney family.

We weep with you and share in your pain.

Yet we are assured that in that moment in time as Paul was absent from the body he was present with Jesus.

Our church family will forever have an empty seat, our BLGE will have an empty space at the table, yet in God grace and timing we will meet again.

I lost a friend today………

The Bridge Family Camp 2015

Eph 3:14… I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

June is the Bridge family camp; what a great time to slip away from the grind of the city and breath in some fresh air. Get rid of the last frosties of winter, open the windows, stand in the sunshine and breath in deeply. C’mon people work with me on this one.

We know the old saying “a family that prays together stays together”; having spent a few years as part of my childhood in family camps and now latterly at our family camps I can add a few more like “a family that  eats together stays together”.

This year we welcome Steve and Debbie Sudworth from Chicago to inspire us, as we let down our hair in the wide open space of family camp atmosphere.

I love Paul’s heart for family unity when he speaks to young Timothy; 1 Tim 1:2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As we gathered together at camp this was the expression of our heart, may grace and peace from our Father abound. We came “Expectant” not only to receive but to give……

Holy Spirit came in power as we joined together to pray together, worship together, and play together.

What an amazing time was had by all, it was a feast in every conceivable way. A full-bodied time of worship from beginning to end.

The privilege of a lake baptism on Saturday afternoon, with Mike declaring openly his adoration for His Lord and master, a symbol of death and resurrection.

Worship that was “off the hook”, great spiritual truths from the Word.The younger dudes catching up on a few hours of fishing with some great results and the OOOhhhs of the one that got away.

A whole lot of noise and “no one competitive”, as we realized how much fun can be had with technology of “Kahoot”, a must. With most of the questions revealing leadership idiosyncrasies … hmmmmmm

OH well our hearts are full, our beds inviting,  as we arrive safely home.

I dare you to c’mon out to join in the Bridge Family Camp

Until 2016……

Jesus Loves the NLU’s of this World

The title alone should be intriguing enough and strange enough to pique your curiosity or interest to draw you forward into this adventure.

Bridget and I have recently returned from what I like to call “ an Apostolic Adventure” to Krakow in Poland with great friends who lead an amazing church. They, have counted the cost, paid the price to venture forth in Gods strength to accomplish only what God can do, through servants who will go ”for the sake of the Cross and for the sake of the lost”.

Ok so enough of the intro because you are burning to know what a NLU is right. Simply stated in our diverse society we have those that will be deemed as NLU’s and for the really snobbish class, we also have the NOCD’s. Today we love to label others so we know where to peg them socially or into which box we can fit them, then we can feel better about ourselves, and my world is at peace with me.

Jesus spent many hours with those that were NLU and NOCD, that should help us to accept and embrace them as Jesus did however when faced one on one with a NLU or NOCD, often all we can display, in acceptable parlance these days is AWKWARD !!!!.

We arrived at “church”, what I mean is the venue where we gather together to worship the king, we were very excited to be invited to preach / minster into this amazing community of believers, with whom we had already spent a few days ( oh the jet lag), I pray I made more sense than I felt.

As the people arrived, Bridget was doing what she does best hugging and encouraging and welcoming our new Polish family, I was preoccupied with making sure my notes and power point would work , how would the translation go etc, etc. How mundane, yet necessary. Then through the door came these two gentlemen ( NLU / NOCD). I watched with keen interest what pantomime would be played out before us. It was extremely obvious that they were not going to talk in hushed tones, were ever so inebriated, hung-over and one only had to look around the room and see their apparel hadn’t been freshly washed and ironed, colognes and deodorants were so passé. I remembered Paul’s words to the Elders of the churches gathered at Miletus when he said to them. Acts 20:33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.

Would you believe it one of the young men in the church had seen these homeless gentlemen on the streets and in his enthusiasm had invited then to church and promised to give them some clothing, as  I understood the story. Except he hadn’t arrived to take care of his charges; Oh what to do ? Another member stepped in and chatted to them and then it was time to start, we sang with gusto the first song and they seemed to enjoy the rhythm and beat, and actually got into the swing of things not too over raucously though, then a lady stepped forward…….

She read a scripture and then said that God wanted us to know it didn’t matter if you had been rejected, thrown away by family, your mother and father had abandoned you ….……

I don’t remember much of what she continued to say; as out of the corner of my eye I saw both of these tough, homeless men weeping almost uncontrollably, the tears were flowing unashamedly causing rivulets and streaks down their cheeks. Bridget ran around gathering Kleenex for them, and as they wept we worshiped the king. Holy Spirit was doing what we had asked that morning have your way in all peoples hearts.

As worship drew to a close Wojtek ( the Pastor), asked if anyone wanted to receive Christ as their Saviour, their hands in unison shot up, he asked if they would come forward to receive Christ, they boldly stepped forward, received Christ as Lord and Saviour, much tears, forgiveness and a cry for a new life.

I was reminded of another verse; Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. These two gentlemen came looking for clothing, and were totally oblivious of the God moment that awaited them, no silver or gold, no clothing was available except for robes of righteousness, and more wealth as children of God that they could ever imagine.

The story would not be complete, if it ended like that however they were also obviously “un-churched” or never been into a church setting like this one, and so unashamedly at the end they asked if they could speak. I mean a number of others had spoken, so wasn’t this the way things were done. Wojtek, said yes.

These two gruff, NLU / NOCD people, said they simply wanted to thank the people here for accepting them opening their arms to them, loving them and allowing them to be there. They had felt a kind of love feeling as they had walked through the doors, and they would go about changing their lives.

Oh did I tell you what NLU and NOCD stand for ?……..  it refers to those in society that are deemed different to us, (obviouslythis is extremely subjective ) “Not Like Us”; or NOCD “Not Our Class Darling”. Jesus loves the NLU’s and the NOCD’s of this World.

I can only shudder at the thought of how this pantomime could have played out, had the church decided they were inappropriately attired for church, or their behavior didn’t fit the required standard, arriving at church drunk and hung-over, what were they thinking?

The grace expression of the Fathers love far outweighed the sermon I preached, albeit I heard it was hugely helpful to theses believers. Hmmmm.

I walked away more pondering about; what are we doing with precious souls destined for hell, that cross our path or we come into contact with everyday whilst we pass judgment and create our labels of NLU and NOCD.

We don’t have the privilege of selection, Jesus made that choice for us

Matt 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.

Some who read this blog might become offended that I deigned to even mention these gentlemen, however I can assure you I write this with heartfelt authority on the subject, as Bridget and I were once upon a time deemed as NLU and NOCD. Gods grace was enough to rescue us from ourselves and take us from darkness into His kingdom.

We pray for these two men, and for the community in Poland that so openly embraced them. Some poetic license please; as the Godhead nudge each other and boast about this community and see that in all Jesus name was lifted up and glorified in an act of kindness and compassion for those less fortunate.

Holy Spirit

Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created…… 2 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

In the book of beginnings; we know it as Genesis the first book of the Bible, there are foundational truths that run through the rest of Scripture, sometimes known as “place of first mention”. One of these is the Trinity. The union of the Godhead is fundamental to biblical theology, as is His almighty power, His care for mankind, and His judgment on sin. We see the Trinity in action right from the very beginning, operating and functioning in unity. However the person of the Holy Spirit is often misplaced. We get God the Father and Jesus the son, yet , we find it more difficult to accept or wrap our heads around Holy Spirit.

We see Holy Spirit in creation, in relationship with the Father and the son. Jesus delivered upon his promise to us, I will send you another “Helper” or “Counselor.”, which is sometimes translated as “Comforter.” It means, “someone called alongside to help.” He is given to help and guide us through life. Holy Spirit is the very Breath of God, for the Hebrew and Greek scholars in the OT and NT, He is known as a wind or a breath, denoted as (ruwach in OT and pneuma in NT), yet he is not a vapor or a mist, but a person.

John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Often due to the name of “Holy Spirit” as a Ghost ( KJV) or Spirit, we have the incorrect view. Some think He is an impersonal force that is an expression of God’s power, or that He is really Jesus in another form. We often misunderstand the teachings of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Due to our lack of relationship and fellowship with Holy Spirit, we sometimes

attribute “impressions or “intuitive feelings” to being “led by the Spirit”, instead of recognizing that these are sometimes simply our own human spirit.

As we have a relationship with God the Father and Jesus the son, we too should be encouraged to build a personal relationship with Holy Spirit.

Other titles of the Comforter show us what His powers and responsibilities are and how He will help us. He is called the Spirit of life, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of Adoption, the Eternal Spirit, Spirit of Supplication, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of Might, Spirit of Knowledge, Promise of the Father, Spirit of Jesus, Breath of Life, and the Spirit of God, Spirit of Revelation, Spirit of Victory – Do You Know Him ?

He is also known by prophetic symbols of the Anointing Oil, The Doorkeeper, Holy Fire, Clothes of Righteousness, God also speaks to Holy Spirit’s role as a guarantee of God’s intention and blessing on us. – Do you want to Know Him ?

2 Cor 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Journey with us as we delve into and acquaint ourselves with Holy Spirit.

O Death Where is Your Victory ?

1 Cor 15: 54  “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The month of April is full of joy and new life, a time of celebration as we step; – in the natural into spring, and the suns ray, bring warmth and vitality to our  depleted bodies. At this celebratory time of year our thoughts drift back a few thousand years, as we consider what it must have been like to be there…. on our annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Imagine with me as we stand in the shadow of the gates of Jerusalem, with my Galilean family, the pressing crowd, jostling one another, the noise, smells and clamour, as we press through the gate into Jerusalem.

Suddenly someone shouts “there he is !!!!”; where, where…… Look he’s riding a donkey, who is it ?..… , it’s the prophet Jesus, he’s from Nazareth in Galilee, he’s entering Jerusalem. The crowd in cheer delight and extravagance takes up the chant “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna !!!!.

Look they are laying their cloaks on the road and cutting palm branches from the trees and laying them on the ground – “grab me a branch to please, I also want to lay it on the ground”. We are all caught up in the moment as Jesus enters into the Holy City.

We remember Palm Sunday as he rode in triumph into Jerusalem, this action announcing to the world the words of the prophet Zechariah as they now ring throughout the centuries.

We hail King Jesus, little did we know or realize at this moment in time we bore witness, we experienced the prequel to the next few days, which would bring about more noise and shouting; OH !! but to a very different drum beat. This would in the natural not be joyous or awe-inspiring, but would lead to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yet in the supernatural we receive entrance into the heavenly throne room by the work of the cross, the “sons” rays would emanate in all His glory bringing a new life, an abundant one. The resulting resurrection, ushers in an immortal new and living Saviour.

At this time of the year we gather to remember the first Passover lamb as the sacrifice for the exodus from Egypt until the time of Christ our Passover lamb forever.

Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our eyes are fixed on you Jesus and we sing with hearts of deep gratitude.

Thank you for the cross the mighty cross

That God Himself should die for such as us

And everyday we’re changed into Your image more and more

Yes by the cross we’ve truly been transformed

Death has been swallowed up in Christ’s victory………

Change is in the Air

     2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh  but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

As we Step into March, I am not sure, what to sing ” Let it Snow or “Let it Go”,  either way it’s time for the snow to go , and I am eagerly looking for the appearance of the telltale groundhog……

Oh please roll on March 20th. When spring will officially be sprung.

I can’t wait to haul out my spring jacket and exchange my salt boots for rain boots, to see teh first buds of spring breaking ground and bringing new life to all around us. The revealing of the kaleidoscope of the magnificence of beauty in the array of colours associated with spring and the display of creations that lightens the heart and (excuse the pun) puts a spring in our step; as we “Let it GOOOOOOO”

Until then, we forge forward in our quest to remove all that entangles us, castaway the stuff that weighs us down, the wintery confines of every weight and sin. We choose to press into the things of God, not waging war in the flesh but take hold of our weapons in the spirit that have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Our goal in Christ is to walk free and travel light, however in order to do that we need to cast off the baggage that we carry.

It takes great courage to take the first step in the right direction of this journey, an act of our will to acknowledge there has been some stuff we have carried perhaps for decades; but now is the season to cast away that stuff, John 8:36 If the son of man has made you free, you will be free indeed.

Truly we can’t go back and undo the stuff of the past, however we can see the attitudinal by-products of the past and deal with them with Gods solution for the present and future.

We don’t free ourselves, yet we do take that first step into our future today by saying I take this step in Jesus name, I trust in you Lord that you will free me from this stuff.

I exalt the name of our God most high as we walk free and travel light.

Remember we get to choose to enjoy the journey and the destination.

Wheels up lets go

Carrying Stuff ?

Heb 12:1…let us throw off everything

that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… 

I continue to be overly optimistic for us the Bridge family for 2015. I am Expectant of the more, the amazing and awesome pleasure of our Father. We as His children are favoured, by a loving Father. Although, we are still surrounded by the climatic winter chill, a fire burns from within, a Holy Spirit fire that warms us to increase our expectant togetherness.

Having started the year with a bang (pun intended), “Clearing the Mind Fields”, getting the cobwebs, “the mines of the mind” removed and cleared out, actively taking hold of Gods promises and changing the way I think. I am reminded of the powerful words of wisdom from Solomon, when he states in Eccl 3:1 for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven….. Solomon goes on to recount what some of those seasons and matters look like. I am gripped by vs 6 “a time to keep and a time to cast away, or throw away”.

Some things in life and lifestyle are worthy of treasuring and keeping for the rest of our lives, while other things belong in the dumpster.

Unfortunately often in life’s lessons after throwing away stuff, we have this unhealthy urge to go dumpster diving and retrieve what was meant to be thrown away and stay thrown away. We fetch it out of the dumpster and continue to carry “our stuff”.

What is it in your life that you feel to “Let Go and let God” rule and reign?

Heb 12:1 is a wonderful encouragement to get rid of “our stuff”, stop carrying around the stuff that entangles us, clings to us and prevents us living the expectant life, living fully as God intended.

Are you “Carrying Stuff ?”, my prayer is for each of us to throw away the “stuff” that holds us so that we may  Live Free and Travel Light

Thinking for A Change

Prov 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

I am fully aware that Gods ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts, and that God doesn’t function in a calendar year basis, yet there are season in Him. As I am earth bound, and we live in calendar cycles, I was pondering what God had in store for us as a family, and what God had for us as the Bridge family. In seeking Him and in prayer, I received one word “Expectant”. In truth what does that mean ?, coupled with all the earthly logical questions of the how, where and why. These I believe will be answered as we travel in time through 2015.

I am Expectant !!!!

As we step into a new year with expectation and anticipation of what will this year bring us, our thoughts, hearts and minds stand ready ( I trust), for a New year filled with God moments, discoveries, joy and the goodness of an abundant life.

Prov 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

We run into a new year normally with beating hearts of New Years Resolutions, mostly with the same gusto that after watching the Olympics, or some great sporting event, we want to take up running etc; well we know how far we got on that one.

We don’t need New Years Resolutions we need a New Revelation !!.

A new revelation of how our hearts, minds and mouths are intricately connected. What is in our hearts, is revealed by our thoughts and our thoughts come alive through what we say and how we speak.

I am reminded of the statues, paintings and pictures that adorned peoples homes of the three monkeys, hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil, they were a sort of silent          ( excuse the pun) art décor of the day, reminding each family member of traps of not filtering our vision, speech and what we hear.

Being expectant is going up onto the balcony and throwing wide the drapes of life, and with abandonment allow God in 2015 to direct your steps, allow God to lighten your pathway. As a caveat for the New Year I am drawn once again to the power of Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Be available and teachable to change the way we think on various things, you can never change your life until you change the way you think.

In Phil 4 we are encouraged to think about these things……..whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, and worthy of praise, then it says if we put this into practice, the peace of God will be with you. As we make progress in this way, we will find that it is not simply the peace of God but the God of peace himself who will be with us.

Be expectant, be open, be willing, as for me and my house we lay ourselves bare before God; we are expectant.

The Poland Express

What an amazing 2,5 weeks,of Nov 2014, as I partnered with Keir, Callie and Wojtek into Poland, visiting 12 churches in 16 days traveling from Cieszyn in the South West on the Czech border to Biala Podlaska in the North East close to the Belarus border; hence the Poland Express.

Just as a heads up for each portion of these “Poland Express God Encounters”; let me say for every village, town and city we visited. There were some things that were evident to me as a first timer. The Polish people are truly welcoming and hospitable, they have a yearning to feed you; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner at 3 or 4 in the afternoon for us anyway and after the meeting at about 9 pm. we have “some more dinner”(got to use the accent).

They love to eat. Besides huge and welcoming hearts, they are truly hungry for the word of God and thirsty to encounter Him at every conceivable opportunity. Oh yes; you may also find yourself sleeping in every other area of their homes, truly hospitable and welcoming. Attempting to speak the language is well appreciated, however is undoubtedly the most difficult language I have ever encountered, so a few phrases had to suffice. Dzien Dobry !!!

I Landed in Warsaw  (Thurs 13th), after an uneventful flight with very little sleep, and had to run for my life to catch the connecting flight from Warsaw to Krakow, Keir and Callie were patiently waiting and by surprise we caught the same flight to Krakow.

I met Wojtek and his family, He and his wife Kirsten lead the church in Krakow : New Covenant Church Krakow, I am sure if I have a lost brother somewhere in the world then it’s Wojtek, can you imagine 2 of me, ( this does not require a response).

We were also joined by a young guy Tim Kleinleugenmors from Holland who wanted to hang out with us for the weekend and see what Translocal and Evangelism is all about         ( this is what I call commitment). This was the result of Tim receiving a prophetic word from Gill Patterson (NCMI team Bryanston Church). Tim wanted to act upon this word and put finances and feet into action.

Friday Nov 14^th – Cieszyn

Edwin and Kaisa Guznar : House on the Rock

We ( Wojtek, Keir, Callie and self), jumped in the car and traveled to the town of Cieszyn, to a small church abut 50 people. Wojtek would be our guide and interpreter and ministering partner for the next week. This was my baptism to Polish worship, we had a great time Keir preached, words of knowledge flowed and the people responded. We also called for people who were sick. We prayed and Jesus healed the sick. One gent said he felt a shock run through his body when I prayed and said the pain had gone and his hearing had improved. Through the words of Knowledge there was a number of deliverance’s and healing to peoples souls from depression, fears and heartaches.

Afterwards I had a prophetic word for the Pastor and His wife Edwin and Kaisa Guznar.

” I saw a trench that he had been digging like a construction worker laying pipes and foundations, and as he dug deeper waves kept coming over him, and he would cry out and seek God, “God where are you in this ?”. It was as if with all the digging he was getting nowhere, and being bombarded by these waves.  I felt the Lord say, while you have been digging down I have been building up. The Lord said you have been digging a trench and I have been building a lighthouse. I want this church to be a lighthouse, to the darkness around you, to the areas of your influence and to Poland”

Simply, out of curiosity I asked Edwin what the name of the church was, he said ” House on the Rock”,!!!!!!! I asked him what a Lighthouse was built on he responded “a rock”. I know God is a great encourager all the time. Gods people were touched, healed, delivered and encouraged; Jesus was honoured and exalted. We jumped back in the car and headed back to Krakow ( 2 hrs) and flopped into bed at midnight, and so the Poland Express burst into life……

Saturday Nov 15 th- Krakow

We had a slow and lazy morning back in Krakow, meeting and lunch with some of Wojtek’s Church, huddled in the lounge together 20 eager saints.  Keir and I did back to back preaches, with a tea break. Sharing on the body of Christ as family inspiring others to seek Jesus, be a witness, and love people into the Kingdom. Keir shared on the heart of Praying for the sick. People were encouraged and enthusiastic. Questions flowed….

Sunday Nov 16 th – Krakow – New Covenant Church Krakow

Wojtek and Kirsten Kukulski ( Lead Elders) – Kayla, Matty, Natashe; Martin and Eva Bourcier ( elders)

We enjoyed a great morning of praise and worship, led by Kirsten and her musos. Keir preached Callie had a prophetic world of “the more in God” for NCCK. People came forward for healing and prayer, we ministered as a team, and prayed for a variety of ailments and general prayers. What a great group of people, mostly made up with international students from Norway, China, Madagascar, Ireland, Malaysia; Oh and Poland.What a great church planted into Poland almost 10 years ago, what an amazing family.

Monday Nov 17 th – Krakow

Day to chill and sight see in Krakow.This was probably the last rest time we would have on the Poland Express Adventure, little did we know.

Tuesday Nov 18 th – Tarnow

Jan and Barbara Scarbek : The Lord is our Banner

The 4 of us ( Wotjek, Keir, Callie and self), climbed into the car ( all aboard the Poland Express lives…….and headed for Tarnow (Tarnof). Cold and raining speed limit on the highway is 140 kms yeaahhh, gets dark by 3:30 /4 pm…… much more fun.

We arrived in Tarnow and met Jan and Barbara Scarbek. Wonderful group of people worship was off the hook, as we opened in prayer and started to worship Gods presence invaded the room. The tears fell down my face as Holy Spirit grabbed my heart and once again I was broken for the nation of Poland.

Keir gave a challenging word on building faith for healings “ go your way and be healed”, the response was great, we worked in pairs with interpreters to pray for each person. The responses were varied, with some significant changes. In particular, an old mans hand, which was swollen and he was unable to grab hold to handshake, at the end of the evening he was going around shaking hands. Another young school teacher had vocal chord damage and needed healing in order to teach, after prayer we could hear her voice had improved and she said that the strain in her throat was gone. God is more than good.

Late that night we drove home to Krakow our last night here with these amazing pioneers in Poland.

Jesus name was uplifted, exalted on high, the strains of Bless the Lord O my Soul ran through my head. Nothing better than making Jesus famous …….

Wednesday Nov 18 th – Tarnow

We headed back to Tarnow with great anticipation and expectation. We arrived

again to a capacity crowd, with outstanding worship, and a great message. Many people came forward for prayer and healing, the most notable was a young boy who only had about 40% hearing and after prayer his hearing levels greatly improved, as did and old gentleman whom we have prayed for, the previous evening for a damaged hand; he was running around shaking hands furiously, much improved on his efforts from the previous night. That night we had the privilege of a hotel room on the outskirts of the town, room sharing hmmmmm.

Thursday Nov 20^th – Wolka Tanewska

Roman and Danuta Grzywacz : Evangelical Christian Church

A dear couple who have been in the ministry for many many years, Wolka Tanewska is genuine Polish village, in a mostly agricultural district, their hospitality was outstanding. They hosted us in their home. They gathered 3 other churches from as far away as 70 kms to come to the meeting. Very different style of meeting with just an organ and one or two hymns, very friendly people.

Keir preached a great sermon challenging the churches where our heart was, there were 2 sessions with a tea break, 2^nd session was having faith for healing and then we got to pray for the sick. God is always faithful, the people were expectant, and there were many healings. From the simplest ailment of a headache which was immediately healed, to depression, fear, anxiousness, two different lady had thumbs healed one from unable to move her thumbs at all, the other had no feeling or numbness in her thumb to instant feeling, mobility and able to feel her thumb again. Much jumping about in jubilation. There was a lady who had, sort of floating chips in her knees and couldn’t kneel; after prayer all the pain had gone. The dearest Babshka responded to a word of knowledge and she had fire like pain in her lungs, after prayer the pain was gone and she was so overjoyed she jumped up and down kissing Callie all over.

Victory belongs to Jesus as 5 people gave their lives to Jesus. As is common amongst the churches is the universal word of ….. Hallelujah !!!!!!

This dear couple took us into their hearts and home and treated us like their children, overfeeding us, at every opportunity; remember ( some more dinner)

Friday Nov 21^st – Starachowice – Artur and Anita

A welcoming and small group of people, who welcomed us and asked specifically for an evangelistic message. Keir preached on the Good Samaritan. A salvation call was made and an elderly gentleman came forward to receive Jesus as Lord and savior. At the end He loudly declared to the church at last I found the courage to give my life to Jesus. Amazing and glorious

Saturday Nov 22^nd – Swidnik – Church of the Evangelical Faith Christians

Kuba and Agnieszke Szymczouk; Marcin Winnicvski, Piotr Jeczen’

What a great group of guys. They are closest to fulfilling a New Testament church with elders leading the charge in bringing life to this city.

Keir and I did back to back sessions, what a joy and privilege ministering to this church. After the preaches they said this is what God had been saying to them and this was a confirmation for them, wonderful not just to preach but to build into a body of believers.

The Gospel was preached, and Keir encouraged them to exercise the priesthood of all Believers, teaching them how to pray for each other, and yes healings took place, people were freed, as the body drew near to one another laid hands and prayed for one another.

At this juncture, I am saddened to say goodbye to Wojtek,   ( my other brother from a different mother), as he heads back to Krakow, duty calls, we are now on our own into the Poland Express and how the east was won. Adventure looms… Yay !!!!!

I am introduced to our new guide, helper, interpreter, organizer, church planter, leader a man of many gifts and talents; Tomasz Manok, he is a connector of note, and has arranged our meetings for the 2^nd leg of our journey.

After the ministry time here, I am whisked off at more than break neck speed, through the drizzle to a boys dormitory on the outskirts of Radzyn Podliaski. We have dropped Keir and Callie off in Lublin and I have another 70 kms to go, can you hear the train in the distance, the noise on the track, whistling through the country side… the Poland Express !!!!!!!

This dorm, will be our sleeping quarters for the next few days, Tomasz drops me off, I literally fall into bed at 1120pm, blissful sleep rescues me, not truly aware of my surroundings, just locking a few doors on the way in……. I have no idea where I am……AAAHHHHH, the thrill of adventure

Sunday Nov 23^rd – Lublin

This band of travellers “go our own way”

Keir and Callie are in Lublin to minister in a church, and stay over in Lublin with an amazing “von Trapp” style family all playing instruments in their worship team. Later that day they join me in Radzyn Podliaski, with great reports of salvation’s and healings Jesus, Jesus ,Jesus……

Sunday Nov 23^rd – Siedlce – Joshua Community Church

Jurek and Agnes Niesceioruk; Alex and Lilya Sokol ( Interpreter)

I am collected from the dorm in Radzyn Podliaski, by Alex, who will be my interpreter for the day. Hey ho Silver, the Poland Express rides, we head about 50kms to Siedlce.

A church of about 40 people no instruments but who worship acapella led by Agnes and Lilya; powerful worship. I am catching on now in Poland there are no short prayers or short worship times, heart wrenching, full of gusto prayer and worship glorifying the King Yeaaahhhh…….

I preached, and ask for those who hadn’t given their lives to Jesus to come forward, half the church stood up. I feel like a GPS, recalculating, re-translate, 3 guys stepped up. What a privilege to lead these men out of the kingdom of darkness into Jesus glorious light. As for the rest healing’s, re commitments, Holy Spirit break through, what precious hungry souls!!!!

I am entertained with a great lunch, more food ??????.

The Poland Express rides again; 50 kms back to Radzyn Podliaski

Sunday Nov 23 rd PM – Radzyn Podliaski

Tomascz and Beata Manko : The New Jerusalem Church

The 3 of us ( Keir, Callie and Self) regroup at the dorm room, (the one with all the doors to be locked) share a few testimonies, try and grab some rest, what rest; hehehehe.

I have previously introduced you to Mr Connector; Tomasz Manko, who is known by half of Poland. In the eastern section, where the balance of our adventure will take place. With him there is never a dull moment, as I was soon to learn.

We are collected of course for dinner before the service, by now we are learning to pace ourselves, because we know secretly the is “some more dinner” after the service.

We are told the service is 3 hrs, so how many sessions with a break. We say one assuming that’s good for an evening service, spirit is willing but by now the Poland Express has got it’s grip on us and the bodies are failing. Oh sleep why do you evade me. Having done many forays into Africa, I coined a phrase in jest of course “On a mission everything is a mission”, well in Poland this springs to life

Great prayer, great worship, and Keir is up to preach, He preaches, the pastor thanks him and then says now that Pastor Marco from Toronto will now preach. Ever watched a goldfish in a bowl, I’m thinking where’s the break !!! well the bible says be ready in and out of season. Here we go, thank you Jesus for the words that you place on our hearts and in our mouths. Did I previously say “ never a dull moment”, after I am done, it is announced that Callie will now also bring a word, oh, oh, more goldfish, all in all a great trio effort. The net result healings, Holy Spirit encounters, the body of Christ encouraged and uplifted, Jesus glorified; and that’s what matters.

Much mirth (over yes,“ some more dinner”); was derived from our hosts methodology of, “one session”, comforted by a roaring fire in their dining hall, all is well with my soul. 1130 pm we succumb to the arms of father Morpheus.

Monday AM we walk through the town of Radzyn Podliaski, spying out the old Gestapo ex headquarters taking in the history of an era gone by. We are looking for a coffee shop, and the best we can do is an Indian Shwarma shop, who don’t sell pork in Poland… go figure.

Pack the bags, load the car – Poland Express departure 1300 hrs

Monday Nov 24^th – Pulawy – Pawel and Anette Krzywicki

A servant hearted couple who open their home to us, and have gone the extra mile in advertising this one night evangelism time, on the city website. A small group of people about 25. Keir preaches the gospel and asks for people to give their lives to Jesus. 11 people come forward from this small group. Get this, 9 off the street from the advertisement. We pray they will return to this body of believers, the church doubled in one night. Sounds like the book of Acts stuff, man oh man.

Tues / Wed Nov 25-26^th – Biala Podlaska

Piotr and Loca Brononwickione

At last a city that Keir and Callie had not visited, virgin territory for the 3 of us, what an adventure, Whoot Whoot !!!!!!

We met with the Pastor and his wife, an amazing couple with hearts open and ready to hear what God had in store for them. We were to be here for 2 nights, Tues and Wed.

Remember on a mission everything is a mission”, be ready to be surprised.

On Wed morning they had a number of their church members, who either by their own request or the pastors open heart. The idea was for the 3 of us to counsel a list of congregation members, for a number of issues. In truth we were not sure of this track, however, as we prayed with the list of people approximately 15 couples, we saw the finger of God move in many areas. We’re humbled and privileged for the opportunity, so deep into this Pastors congregation. Our interpreter for the day was Marcin, the Pastors son in law, he is a dude man. I love this guy……., ok back to the morning meeting.

I can’t relate all the events, needless to say Jesus is faithful when we are hungry for more of Him, people were filled, released, envisioned and encountered God. Some I should mention.

Two young guys, who were not on the list, sneaked in, the one hurriedly told us he was not supposed to be there, and urgently asked we pray for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as if waiting for the headmaster to chase him out. We prayed Holy Spirit fell upon this young man, who wept, shook and broke into tongues, glorious, I guess he was meant to be there.

The other guy, said his step dad was meant to be there, but wouldn’t come and his mother had sent him instead. He was full of anger, suicidal and depressed. After a few leading questions prompted by Holy Spirit he started to weep, he received Jesus as His Lord and Savior, we saw him again at the evening meeting, what a different man. I guess he was also meant to be there.

Two couples captured my heart, and I wept for them, at the sacrifice and the hunger in their hearts for more of God. One couple had driven 500 kms and another 160 kms, to come to the meetings to hear Gods word, be ignited and be touched, and encounter God. As we prayed for these couples Holy Spirit was faithful, overflowing in His love they wept at the joy of encountering Gods Spirit, broke into tongues, lives changed never to be the same again, Joy, joy, joy, laughter and reveling in His pleasure….

That evening Keir preached on the Holy Spirit, and asked for people to come forward, did I mention the word, chaos …. Hungry people filled, appetites satiated, Jesus glorified, church in chaos, lives changed forever…..

What an amazing couple who lead this church. The Pastor asked for a return visit into the future, “we want Gods word and Spirit”, just my kind of language.

Did I mention how well we have been fed, oh well.

Early Thursday AM

The Poland Express was on the move again, this time with our driver nicknamed Speedy Gonzales who drove us from Biala Podlaska to Warsaw, although the distance is not great about 170 kms, once you hit Warsaw it took over an 1,5 hrs to get through the city. Similar to the Don Valley Parkway in Canada. We dropped Keir and Callie off at the airport, one more cup of Polish kava, said our goodbyes and I headed for the Courtyard Inn to wait my flight the next day. Besides all that God has done it was great being with Keir and Callie and ministering alongside them, a leap back in nostalgia to our days together in Africa. However relaxing in a hotel room for the night was not on Gods agenda….

Thursday Nov 27^th – Warsaw

Andrew and Yolante Bralewsky : Praga Church for Christ

This amazing church, with a congregation for the homeless abused, addicted and a mixture of humanity; souls desperate for Gods Word and Spirit. The pastor and his wife have hearts larger than the city of Warsaw, in the Praga district. As the pastor described to me like downtown Brooklyn in New York. The setting was a soup kitchen. We all ate bread and soup together,, worshipped the king and I was privileged and humbled to preach to this small group. In all this seemingly different setting Jesus was glorified. Two men gave their lives to Jesus and there was much jubilation. I prayed for an old lady who was obviously in pain and limping. In her words “I felt heat go through my body and the pain is gone”; Praise Jesus, our healer and deliverer.

I tumbled into bed at 1130 pm after a Poland Express ride through the now quieter streets of Warsaw, what an amazing city. Satisfied in my soul, glory to God

Friday Nov 28 th – Warsaw

So many memories, so many new friends, so many faces, foods, and places that have comforted my tired body. Saints of Jesus healed, delivered, touched by the hand of God, new family members added to the body of Christ, churches, pastors and congregations encouraged, uplifted. I have laughed and cried for and with these people and this nation, may Jesus be glorified.

My thoughts now turn to my beautiful family, as I head home and the family we call “the Bridge”, whom I am privileged to lead, and who have invested in this amazing “Poland Express Adventure”. You too carry an inheritance as you have prayed for and lifted our arms as we have ministered, to these amazing saints of Poland and its people who are daily persecuted for being Christians.

Thank you Jesus, and as the old classic says “ living the life”

Dziekuje Polska