Dream Center Leg

{ October 31, 2008 @ 11:38 pm } · { 1 }
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This was the real reason for LA… and the Dream Center did not disappoint us.

Of course we did take the obligatory trips… Santa Monica, Bellaire, Hollywood etc. (along with a couple of Shopping Outlets and Dr Phil!)

But our inspiration was most definitely the LA Dream Center, pastored by Matthew Barnet. Shelagh and I were totally inspired by his father, Tommy when we heard him speak at a conference around 8 months ago. I had heard of the church a few years ago. Mafia Don’s getting saved, along with pimps and prostitutes, street folk and gangsters. The church has a phenomenal social outreach program for the poor and needy. For us it sounded like exactly what we were looking for.

Following this short note are a few photo’s from the trip, but sadly they in no way fully capture the incredible ministry of the Dream Center. Astonishing serventhood is the key component that Jesus has put ito this fellowship (running at around 3000 locally with around 60 churches now linked with them) I would just like to note that both Shelagh and I have seen the component of absolute serventhood several times on our tours. Edge, Hong Kong, Fiji and LA. I know that we have it in NCC… but I am also sure that we need to embrace it and teach it and do it even more

Enjoy… and see you all soon!

Muchas love, Pastor Mike and Shelagh xxx

Our highlight and real reason for coming to LA was after we heard Pastor Tommy Barnett talk of a ministry that his son is pioneering in Downtown LA. The Dream Centre… that all sounded kind of familiar to us, so we had to investigate further…

They have just purchased an old hospital that they are converting into a social welfare centre for street people, young people, in fact all people. Its whole ethos is 24/7. and organisation that has a very similar heart to NCC…

The place really is amazing. At the moment they have aound 500 people on site on any day. It has 1600 rooms and needs millions of dollars to refurbish it. Oh and by the way, they are debt free!

We were so encouraged to see their heart to reach out with that “tangible” love of God that we are so absorbed by here in NCC. It is NCC but just on a staggeringly bigger scale. We did realise afresh though that we have so much to learn.

Pastor Cresswell gave us the big tour, and then we had out 1 ½ hour appointment with…

Pastor Clarence. This amazing man of God is the associate of Matthew, the Senior Pastor, and just happens to be Matthews Father in Law. To be truthful, we met as strangers and left as friends… I hope he takes up our invitation to come and preach at NCC sometime! He is so worth listening to!

The church now meets at Angelus Temple, the ministry home in years gone by of one Amy Semple Mc Phearson, the founder (many would say) of the Foursquare movement. Kathryn Kuhlman ministered here under Amy’s watchful eye. The place is steeped in the prophetic and the anointing was utterly tangible…

We rocked up to the Thursday evening service. It was awesome. Millionaires from Beverly Hills sitting with street hobo’s. The service was radical, grungy and totally engaged with the younger culture of downtown, even though there was a great age mix in the congregation, it was predominantly young. Inspirational or what??!!

USA Leg

{ October 31, 2008 @ 10:46 pm } · { 1 }
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Before we went to the Dream Centre.. We had to visit one small unknown place to see if all of the legends were true…

We saw one or two faces on the street that we recognized from somewhere or other…

Max was the first to really get kind of excited… could it be? Could it really be…?

It is!!!! It really is! (Sadly Toto seemed to have a strange twinkle in his eye as he looked at Max, so Max took it as his cue to move on.. Like quick) and in his usual self protective Meer Kat way…

…Max found safety in a place that he never expected! “Yeh? Bring it on Toto! I’m like Toto-ly ready for you any day. ANY DAY!”

He was also thrilled to see that other animal types seemed to have made it big over here. (That’s BIG in the film sense of course)

There were some strange types here though that kind of gave him the jitters… both of the human variety…

…and also the canine variety. Ah well… it is America after all Max!

On a final note, Max thought that he would take the opportunity to take Shelagh to see someone who maybe able to… well help her….

…the trouble was that for some reason the security people had a problem with allowing a Meer Kat into Paramount studious. Really… it’s the truth. Poor old Max had to sit it out in the car. Good job it had a radio!

Fiji Leg

{ October 31, 2008 @ 9:49 pm } · { 1 }
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So then… we leave the wintery climate (well Spring actually) on NZ behind and set off for sunnier pastures… Fiji! As you will note in the pics below, it is a land of contrasts….

Actually Fiji was amazing, we met wonderful people there (for some reason I have no pictures of them…?) lots of Christians, lots of snorkeling and heap big plenty rain at times.

I was kindly invited to preach in the local AoG church on the Sunday, an event that we will probably never forget. Around 40 to 50 people in the church, an amazing worship band, and the presence of God… well, enough said!

Max is conspicuous by his absence on this leg. He disappeared into the undergrowth as soon as we got there, muttering something about “relatives live around here” Happily we met up again at the airport… LA was not to be missed by him! HOLLYWOOD HERE HE COMES!!!!

Love y’all, Pastor Mike and Shelagh

Contrasts… Hmm. Fiji is very rural and very impoverished. I snapped these two future sandwich filling candidates on an early morning walk.

And the car, well! You won’t find me complaining about mine any more!

The beautiful island is surrounded by a reef… keeping the sharks out and the pretty coral loving fish in. as mentioned elsewhere, some of the finest snorkeling ever was to be had here.

Though it did have its moody days as well. We arrived in torrential rain. But then it is lush tropical forests etc. so you have to have rain to have that forests… right?

Our hosts at the AoG Church in the village. In a village of around 260 people they have 8 denominations. Most of the folk in the village were in one church or another.
Pastor Mike in action….. I am never sure if the translators are really translating what we preachers say, or if they are maybe using the opportunity to get a favorite message in of their own? Not really… they were great!
The local village…
….and a local villager.
A couple of closing scenes from the island. It is stunning by day and night. Ah well…. We had better prepare for civilization again. (sadly!)

New Zealand North Island Leg

{ October 11, 2008 @ 8:10 pm } · { 1 }
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Our hosts in the North Island.. Michelle, (Shelagh’s niece) Seamus her husband and Little Seamus Og (Og meaning “The Younger) Many of the photo’s on this leg are family type ones, so I will spare you just this once..

…but awww come on. He is like totally scrumptiously awesome isn’t he? He actually turned into our entertainment for the week.

He likes slides…

…eating…

…sitting in tupperware bowls..

…and well you get the picture. Well he is sixteen months old isn’t he?

Wellington is known as “Windy Wellington”, it lives up to it’s name…

…as can be seen in this photo from a view point over Wellington City. The Cook Strait acts as a kind of funnel for the wind… good for wind surfing I guess! We hung the washing out before we went out on this trip… and retrieved it from the roof when we got home. Really.

Koru.. (Maori for New Life) is seen on a fern that grows all over the place (The Silver Fern is the National Emblem here… you may have seen it on an All Black shirt when they wipe the floor with us) It turns into a full grown fern in its own right. Nice…

Before I disappear to get packed for Fiji (I know.. It’s a tough life…) I thought that I would include a couple of shots from days out…

And say a great “thanks to Michelle, Seamus and Seamus Og for looking after us so well. The evening at the restaurant will stay with us forever. You are a wonderful family. We appreciate you all. Meanwhile all, look out for the next exciting instalment from Fiji.. (Yehaaaawwww!)

New Zealand South Island Leg

{ October 8, 2008 @ 9:36 pm } · { 1 }
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Our hosts in the South Island.. Ross and Pam. A great couple who have known both us and NCC for over 15 years. After years of saying “We must come over…” we did! (so beware all of you who invite us… we may well come!)

South Island is a paradise of Alps, blue sea’s, sheep, seals, sub topical rainforests, sheep, cattle, sea scapes, sheep and generally all things stunning. We tried to spot hobbits… didn’t see one. Were advised by an Aussie not to stand under tree’s, apparently they have “Drop Bears” here, so we are taking no chances.

At Arthurs Pass on the way to the West Coast, we met the beautiful mountain parrot called the “Kea”

This huge bird is the most inquisitive creature that you could meet. You are warned not to leave the car unattended, don’t leave you belongings where they can get them… because they will! They are pretty endearing eh? A nice shot of three birds… The exotic one is mine!

A couple of typical road scenes on the South Island… a roundabout with a railway track going through the middle of it…

…and a bridge that is shared by both cars and trains! NZ is a maze of interesting stuff… it still has that “frontier feel” and its people exhibit that factor. All friendly and kind.

Christchurch High Street. (In Canterbury!) Trams still run here, it has a River Avon… a real touch of home! We wandered around just browsing…

…and eventually came upon one of the oldest building’s in the town… 1850 something. It is a heritage site. It Is a wonderful place.

Another shot of Christchurch, the cathedral this time…

…with it’s backdrop, the stunning Alps. Check out these puppies. Skiing is (apparently) wonderful here, the slopes are about to close as the summer begins to draw in. they are still having snow at the moment, in fact one of the main passes was pretty slowed down a couple of days ago.

A plaque commemorating the first European settlers on South Island. “I saw four ships come sailing in…”

And a shot of Christchurch harbour.

Meanwhile Max is totally getting into the NZ scene. We have been kind of struggling to keep tabs on him of late…. He is really trying to connect in with the local scene…

…chatting to the indigenous populous and all that…

…he insisted on coming to “Hamner Springs” a thermal water bonanza that is heated naturally by the volcanic effects around them. Shelagh found the hairy stowaway just as we got there…

….the burning question to him was “So why can’t a Meer Cat have a go in the pools? Who wrote the rules that say they are not allowed in? eh? eh? Answer me that!”

After hyperventilating awhile thinking about the prospects of a dip, he needed a quick sip of water (boy these sulphery places make a Cat hot) and then…

…time to get changed. It all sounds so easy if you are not a Meer Cat. But when you are a Meer Cat, clearly “Men’s” doesn’t fit, and…

…there is no way that any testosterone fuelled Meer Cat is going to get changed here so therefore what is a Meer Cat to do?

Ahhhh….. As it happens, no problemo! Problem solved as the “family” factor kicks in! Max got a little bit emotional at this point.. He never really got the fact that we are family. (He has not been a Christian for long…) so I have cut out some of the more weepy huggy photo’s .

…after which all that remained was for Max to find a pool that was warm enough for him to enjoy, but not so warm as to make him into Cat soup. Advice was needed… Who to ask?

…after which all that remained was for Max to find a pool that was warm enough for him to enjoy, but not so warm as to make him into Cat soup. Advice was needed… Who to ask?

Ahhhh Enough said Meer heaven!

A quick wrap up and then…

Back to the ranch with the old guys. Well, it’s been a long day, Max reckons he needs a cat nap. So with that in mind it’s time to say “Night night everyone, see you all soon!”

The Great Barrier Reef

{ October 7, 2008 @ 9:53 pm } · { 1 }
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For those who are interested, I thought that I would include a short “re-trace” on our day on the Great Barrier Reef. It was a definite high light for us both. Even though I could not dive (Maybe Fiji?) snorkelling was spectacular. A touch of heaven to us both. Hope you enjoy…

(*Footnote…. No of course Max could not come… he is a Mere CAT. Cats do not like snorkelling… though he did have a shot at the thermal Springs in Hamner, see South Island Leg… coming to a screen near you soon!)

The Reef was an incredible experience.. So many photo opportunities and so little time!

A few examples of life as seen by us under the Corel sea for those who are interested…

Michaelmas Cay on the outer reef… stunning or what? It is a bird sanctuary, the noise is deafening!

Pastor Mike as never photographed before….. I have a similar shot of Shelagh but I don’t think I am allowed to put it online)

Small blue something or other…

Giant clam (probably around a metre in size…)

Leg 3… Cairns

{ September 26, 2008 @ 8:43 pm } · { 1 }
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So the… at last I can spend a little time bringing you all up to date on the Pastor(s) World trip. I guess one word that the Aussie’s use a lot will come in handy here – AWESOME!

After a quick flight up on the Tuesday morning (and 80 minutes on the phone with Qantas again!) we eventually made it to our self catering accommodation. The name of the establishment I hear you ask? Yep it’s called “Max’s Place” Seriously, that is what it is called. I feel the hand of God in all of this some how! Max did slip off one morning.. Make sure you see his photo’s

The beach here is amazing and the temperatures are normally in the 30’s (that’s “C” as well!) with a balmy spring breeze it is hard to imagine being here in the summer when the temperature can hit the mid 40’s. Phew… I would spend all of my time hosing Shelagh down in the shade! Seriously all, we are having a wonderful time. I have just finished reading my second book of the sabbatical (Ravvi Zechariahs – The End of Reason)

Briefly it has gone something like this…. Beach, beach, beach, car (Mission Beach – North) car (Daintree Rainforests (North) car (Karanda / train / Skyrail) car (Cape Tribulation) car (Coffee Plantation and shopping)

I know that this is gripping for all of you, so do try to keep up! We were booked to go on to the Reef and a “Cay” today but owing to strong winds etc. it has been postponed until next Sunday. We were due to go to the Northern Beaches Church, but sadly (and I REALLY do mean that) we will not be able to make it. The reason we came to Cairns was for the reef.. So the reef it will have to be. Regarding Operation Jonah… I am unsure if I will dive. The problem is that I had an emergency dash to the doctors a couple of days before setting off on our trip from the UK and so am actually carrying steroids with me just in case. For some reason the Aussie medics are a tad nervous of people going underwater with such complaints, so I will keep you posted. I may just have to settle for a special something else. Either way, the love that the gift was given to me with is clearly at the fore. “Thanks” simply is not a good enough word…. Anyway, on with the pics and keep those comments coming on in folks!

With loads a mushy pommy love, Pastor Mike and Shelagh

One of my all time favourite photo’s. Shelagh fulfilling her dream for the second time in her lifetime. I kept the lady talking for as long as I could so Shelagh got a 10 minute cuddle. In Aussie terms that’s around $150 worth!!!!!!!

She actually cried whilst cuddling the little doped tree dweller. Awww everyone, isn’t she cute? (Shelagh I mean)

Paradise Cove, our home for two weeks. Someone has to do it! It really is this deserted, though the schools have just broken up so there have been around three children spotted…

Not only children, but the shark nets, the Crocodile warnings and the 8 different types of marine stingers (Jellyfish to us wurzles) makes it a really exciting swim.

Note to my friends from Northgate… you were RIGHT!!!!! There are killer things out there!

Cairns Lagoon. Right in the middle of the City is a free beached pool for the public to use. I wonder if Truro would consider…

Cape Tribulation. There we were with our swim stuff, snorkels etc. Ready to dive in when a ranger warned us that a (selfish) 5 meter resident was hanging around out there just waiting for a bit of exotic food. Shame, it took 2 hours to get there!

Off to Kuranda by train (45 mins through stunning rainforests) and then back via Sky Rail (45 mins Cable Car over said stunning rainforests) stopping at the Baron Waterfalls.

Meanwhile, Max who was getting totally fed up with being stuck in the back of the car for endless hours…

…decided to sneak out for a dawnie early one morning while we were still asleep…

… the surf looked a good clean overhead (for a Mere Cat that is)…

…just as he was about to go get his short board he spots a sign…

…ah well. Some compensation at least. He spends a couple of hours topping up his tan (he is of course black and tan) before…

…he skidaddles home before 11 am and no one is any the wiser.

That is apart from the photographic evidence that we found on his camera. Silly Mere Cat!

Closing thoughts…

I know that when I get back, people will want to know what God has been talking to me about. Lots actually. I have been quite impacted by the book that I mentioned earlier, a book written by a Hindo convert to Christianity who is now a renowned Christian philosopher and apologist. He has written a book called “The End of Reason” to refute Sam Harris’s recent “Letter to America” a scathing atheistic book that seeks to denigrate God and bring hopelessness to the world. Everything that Jesus actually came against.

In it he clearly puts forward a blow by blow response to the various points that Harris (and Stephen Dawkin in his “The God Delusion”) with huge vitriol throws out against Christianity.

It has done my soul good to read again of the absolutes of God, His love, moral reason etc. in this “anything goes if I like it” post modern world. Jesus truly is Lord, and the like of Harris and Dawkin need to hear well reasoned arguments against their brand of scientific hopeless message that brings humanity down to a bunch of molecules and gasses (no comments please!) Can I commend this book to you?

Folks, my $4 is now up and I must away. We leave for NZ on Tuesday (North Island) so I will try to keep you all as up to date as I can. Keep on reading, keep on coming back, and keep on with Jesus!
We love you guys soooo much, Pastor Mike, Shelagh (and of course, Max, the renegade Mere Cat)

The Cairns Leg

{ September 21, 2008 @ 7:02 pm } · { 1 }
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Hi All.. sorry, not much info yet… on beach… sunning selves… Seriously, I will do a propper update asap when I get more internet access. Watch this space!

Missing you guys… there is no place like home!
 
Mike, Shelagh and Mazx (Yes he is a Meer Cat and not a mere cat)

Introducing Max

{ September 15, 2008 @ 8:48 am } · { 1 }
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A quick update (for those who are following this trip from a distance…) Because of the difficulties that Shelagh has had conversing with me on occasions, we were really pleased when she made a new friend.. Max. Max does not read newspapers, watch the news or have temporary moments of absence. For those of you who were wondering, yes, he is a Mere Cat. (Don’t ask) Be sure to watch out for Max in later updates. Below are a few shots of Max at a local Restaurant. I have included them so that you will be able to spot him on our travels…

Max taking centre stage (er table) at the River Café…

…and looking adoringly at his new friend…

…and enjoying a fresh juice.

Along with a chocolate sweetie.

And in the shelter on the pier at Glenelg  beach in the freezing cold! (It’s not a typo… it’s the correct spelling.)

Pray for us.. I think that we may just be loosing it!

Leg 2… Adelaide

{ September 12, 2008 @ 11:04 am } · { Mike Robins }
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After going via Sydney (My bestest city in the world so far – sad that we didn’t go out of the airport!) we flew on to Adelaide and were picked up by our fabulous hosts Ralph and Margaret who will be looking after us for the week. To say that we have been spoiled is an understatement! Their hospitality is reflective of the Edge Church, a church that seeks to model the value of “giving more than we could ask or imagine…” Thanks so much for your hospitality.

Below are some pictures from the Sunday ministry that I was privileged to be able to deliver in two fabulous churches run by Pastor David Helyard and his amazing team. First at the Northgate Church in the morning and then in the evening to their satellite church in Walaroo. Interestingly enough, Wallaroo (I thought it was Waterloo… honestly!) is known as “Little Cornwall” because of the Cornish Pommes who settled here years ago as the Copper Mines opened up. Yes – you can actually buy pasties here and they also have a Lowender Festival once every two years. Spooky as Dame Edna would say. This Sunday I am preaching at Salt Church in Gawler.. And really looking forward to it.

What can we say about the Edge church and conference… Awesome! (Our friends in Northgate will understand especially the significance of that statement!) To be truthful, it is like the conference has been tailor made for us. Great ministry from Andre Olivier, Brian Houston, Leo Fontaine, Robert Fergusson, Geoff Woodward etc. and of course, even the great John Partington himself! We have made some new great friends that I trust will develop… Many of you know that church is facing a significant challenge at the moment. For me, the way that they are handling it is an inspiration. The last night of the conference was highlighted by a phenomenal spontaneous jazz sessions with Tommy Emmanuel (Ozz’s premier rock guitarist) James Morrision (Ozz’s legendary jazz trumpet player) along with professional newly saved singers Deborah Byrne and Lisa Edwards. What a night!

Hope that this short update finds you well. We fly to Cairns on Tuesday morning via Sydney for the two week beach break in the sun. its tough but someone has to do it….

Our incredible hosts, Ralph and Margaret who have so looked after us. Their house is.. Well, how do I describe it.. Its like, well… heaven!

The only complaint that we could think of was that we were not carried physically from the car to the front door, we actually had to walk!

Thanks so much for your love kindness and hospitality, it is recorded in heaven….

Bluff Cove…

Not a bad spot. This shot was taken in the crisp spring air in a temperature of around, say… 20 degrees

Our hosts at Northgate….

David and Carole Helyard (David is the Senior Pastor of Northgate)

Paul and Ann Helyard (Paul is the Executive Pastor of Northgate)

Ministry at Northgate, a wonderful church that feels like NCC.. It has the same spirit, though its two pastors were prone to exaggerating the dangers of Ozzie spiders, snakes, flying sharks and rabid Kangaroo’s etc. After three hours in a car with them both it felt like the safest thing for us to do for the rest of our stay in Australia would be to seal ourselves in a small room, whilst wearing overcoats, gloves and with our trousers tucked well into our socks, with wellies on!

Scenes from the conference. Around 900 pastors etc. joined together for teaching and inspiration. The whole “Social concern” element (Part of NCC’s DNA) is a cornerstone of the Edges philosophy of ministry.

All of the pastors (including us were totally spoiled for three days, with the very best of ministry, care, love and food (with a huge anointing of chocolate) the “servant spirit” of the church is both inspirational and wonderful to behold. Thank you JESUS indeed!

I was wondering what really summed up the message that God had for me at the conference. There were so many relevant messages that were faithfully delivered. The message of “ storms that reveal defects” from Leon, “warning triangles” from Robert Fergusson, along with “God’s message is a man, and you are that man” Geoff Woodwards “Seasons” impacted meI was massively challenged by Brian Houston’s “Would I meet the Pope” (seriously!) and the three kings that seek to depose us.

But actually, beyond the messages was an overwhelming sense of a church that was “together” in the most traumatic of times. A church that was focused despite the media attention that it was receiving, a church that was positive and inspirational, with a great leader who although he was struggling with huge pain, was magnanimous in his openness and frankness, and showed love warmth and friendship to all of the delegates that he was so intent on blessing. There was an real transparency from all of the speakers, that beyond all of the fun and laughter, and all of the great theology and teaching was fresh in its relevance to the clinical “professionalism” that is so often seen in churches today

A step further? I guess eclipsing everything was the overriding ethic of servant hood that shone through Edge’s volunteers and people as they gave up holidays, worked through the night and did everything within their power to ensure that all were looked after and well catered for.

The experience will last us a lifetime. Our appreciation of John and Andrene Partington, their invite to us along with making sure that we could have the best experience ever is deeply appreciated.. Thanks both… maybe a curry next time?

Love y’all, Pastor Mike and Shelagh

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