September 15

WALKING FREE NEWSLETTER September 15, 2011

Hi everyone

 

Have you ever been on the wrong side of an argument where no matter what you say, you are wrong!  Have you ever had an argument where neither party would give an inch?

What has been the outcome? Did you win the argument but lost a friend?

At the end of Acts 15, it is recorded that Paul and Barnabas had a stand up argument. Paul wanted to go back to the churches that he and Barnabas had founded. Barnabas said Ok but he wanted to bring John Mark. Paul did not want to have a bar of this. John Mark had pulled the plug and could not be trusted anymore.

John Mark left Paul and Barnabas when they had landed on Asia Minor from Cyprus. We are not sure why John Mark left. Some of the suggestions were:  Objections to Paul’s Itinerary; Homesick; Fear of Bandits; Paul’s conflict with the church; Objections to Paul’s leadership; Objections to Paul’s preaching (circumcision not required).

The issue:

• Should a person who once walked away from a serious responsibility be given a second chance?
• Should someone who leaves people in the lurch be allowed to go on a similar mission?

Barnabas’s Perspective

ú   Barnabas was desirous (to will something forcefully) to take  John Mark

ú   John Mark was his cousin

ú   John Mark was young, inexperienced

ú   The first Missionary journey was accomplished despite John Mark pulling out

ú   He has learnt his lesson

ú   Barnabas is more about the man

ú   Bless the Lord who pardons all your iniquities, heals all your diseases and redeems our life from the pit (Ps. 103:1,3-4)

Paul’s Perspective

–      Paul kept on insisting

–      Lack of dependability

–      Tougher mission and would John Mark be able to stand up to it?

–      More obstacles

–      More about the mission

–      Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble (Prov. 25:19)

When you have strong disagreements:

• There is one issue but it has several and sometimes opposing viewpoints
• Each side has validity
• In heated disagreements, someone usually gets hurt

What can you learn from these situations?

• When in a disagreement, work hard to see the other point of view.
• When both sides have validity, seek a wise compromise
• When the conflict persists, care enough to work it through rather than walk out!
• When it cannot be resolved, graciously agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable and personal.

The tragedy for Paul and Barnabas was they lost a special relationship. God’s work multiplied as Paul took Silas back to where he had gone. Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus. Later Paul called for John Mark to minister to him (2 Timothy 4:11). There is a reference to Barnabas from Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:6. But there is no record of Paul and Barnabas getting back together.

In your family, business and social life there will be disagreements. The challenge is to keep the friendship in the midst of the feud!

India:  We have applied for our visas and wait for them to come next week to book flights and take advantage of the cheaper fares. Rev Sambabu has permission to conduct outside meetings for people to come. If the visas are issued, we will be looking for finances to fund the cost of the trip to India. We have received $2000 more towards our costs for which we are very thankful to the person who donated and to God. If you can help, that would be greatly appreciated. Giving to the Gift fund will give you tax deductibility if you would like that. We leave in 6 weeks time!

Ministry:  We continue to get new clients who have great needs. While the bulk of ministry falls on Liz and my shoulders, we are hopeful that new people will come on board to help us pray for these people. We continue to be blessed by the way God uses us to say the right thing, share the right scripture. WE continue to be amazed at how God does bring healing and freedom to people’s lives.

Healing Rooms:  We are moving to a Wednesday morning from October to meet. We are running a training program on Saturday October  8. We are looking for a premise to begin in a small way.

Twin Towns Church: God continues to bless us. We are now getting some new people coming along. Those who attend feel that God is speaking to them.

Conference: The conference was very good. The speaker was excellent and reinforced much of what we do. While treatment is different, the model and theory of trauma is the same. I met a number of Christians who work in the field and it was great sharing with them.

Family: I had Father’s Day in Adelaide for the first time since we left. David and Maddy rang from Chicago. We had meals with Liz’s family on the Saturday and with my family on the Sunday. Maddy has now her paperwork so that she can work in USA. One big answer to our prayers! My father is slowly getting better. Mum is busy being the carer. Liz’s mum is not as mobile as she was. Her heart is struggling. Naomi is busy with school and a boyfriend. Jess is settling in with work and life in Adelaide without a boyfriend. Our family continues to bless us.

We thank you for your support and prayers.

Prayer Points

• Thank God for His call upon our lives to make a difference to people
• Thank God for the new clients that are referred to Walking Free.
• Pray for the ministry of Pastor Devadas as he ministers to Hindu people in villages in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pray for Rev Sambabu and his church. Pray for converts and healings. Pray for finances to be released for our visit in November. Pray for our visas to come next week.
• Pray for new people to become prayer team members. Pray for a team to be established at Coolangatta.
• Pray for Coolangatta church as it seeks to be open to the leading of God re the Healing Rooms.
• Pray for our prayer teams: Hal and Debbie, Robyn and Jamie, Jenny, Liz and myself. Pray for our support people Desley, Jenny, Craig, Rod and Jamie.
• Thank God for the financial provision of this ministry. We are grateful to the many that are obedient and give to our ministry weekly, monthly and one off. We have been blessed with gifts of merchandise and money, computers and printing. We have been blessed with many talented and gifted people who give of their time, talent and treasure each week to help this ministry have a Kingdom impact.

 

If you would like to donate to our ministry and receive a tax deduction, direct debit using the bank details below or make out your cheque to Walking Free Renewing Ministries Gift Fund. You can pay through our website.

Bank Details: Walking Free Renewing Ministries Gift Fund. National Australia Bank: BSB 084-959   Account Numbers 82-215-5845

If you want to donate to help the Indian Conference costs, you can also use the Gift Fund account. Please mark donations “India” if you want to give to this specific cause.