Paul Long's Ramblings

Thanks Z for sending me this link .... truly brightened up my day. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece December 27, 2008 As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset Matthew Parris Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people keep their village wells sealed and clean. I went to see this work. It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stu...

A few days ago I got an email from someone I first met many years ago (when he was a young man). He is older now and married and we were never close or talked that much except when we first met (in a special / exclusive classroom setting). And mainly on the subject matter we were studying. Back then I had a very positive impression of him - very smart yet very humble but most importantly very passionate about God and ministry. But also there was something about him that stood out to me - though I never could pin it down. Later on, a few years later I met his father and mother at a conference (on a totally different subject) and had a better understanding in part of why he gave me such a good impression. His parents were the old fashioned godly and down to earth people who held dear traditional values of hard work, thrift, respect for others etc. His father was a school teacher who was dedicated to his job and the very rare handful that refused to give tuition for money (hence he rema...

This is a very interesting and insightful article by Gordon MacDonald. What to Do With a Stranger What's the invitation here: "Pray this prayer" or "Follow me"? Gordon MacDonald  |  posted 7/26/2010 H e came to our church one Sunday morning accompanied by his wife and children. A friend had recommended us, and they'd come for a visit. Since I'd never seen him before, I moved quickly to introduce myself and make sure they met several other people who could make them comfortable.  • First impression: late thirties, a bit reserved, comfortable in his own skin, at ease when meeting new people. • Over the next few weeks, our paths crossed several times. He and his wife not only came to worship services, but they lingered in the Commons where people drank coffee and enjoyed extended conversation. It was clear that they were soon making friends. • Where were they in terms of faith? I had no idea, so I decided to find out by inviting him to breakfast at t...

A very helpful article. Very relevant as well to New Zealand... Mission Fields on the Move by J. Samuel Escobar The massive global migration we see today presents unparalleled opportunities for ministry. Migration is a major feature of the 21st century. A 2005 United Nations report claims that there are nearly 191 million international migrants worldwide. The International Organization for Migration estimates the number of foreign migrants at around 200 million. Another 100 million are on the move within their own borders. Migration is enormously complex. Its causes and its effects range from simple economic betterment to the horrors of war, ethnic conflict, and genocide. Whatever the causes, it is an undeniable opportunity for evangelization that the church dare not ignore, says veteran missiologist J. Samuel Escobar in this installment of the Global Conversation. I n our 50 years as missionaries, my wife and I have become familiar with immigration laws and offices in the countri...

If youth can "mainly" be reached this way, I wonder what changes will "have to" occur in how Sunday worship services are conducted. ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com Thursday, October 8, 2009 BGEA Today - A Ministry Grows Young By Erik Orgen, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Special to ASSIST News Service MINNEAPOLIS, MN (ANS) -- Billy Graham Crusades: we can all picture them in our minds. Large stadiums filled with people singing Just As I Am, streaming forward at the evangelist's heartfelt appeal to place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. More than 315 million people around the world witnessed this in person. Countless millions more were moved by it through the electric glow of their living room television sets, first in black-and-white and then in color. For years, one could say that Billy Graham Crusades WERE the Billy Graham Evangel...

Just posted up my latest Pastor's Notes . It's a reflection based on a Henri Nouwen quote (it's on the side bar) and also in conjunction with this Sunday' topic. Our speaker, who is the current director of Open Air Campaigners New Zealand , will be sharing on ... what else ... evangelism!

This morning I went to the Immigration office and in half an hour I got my Indefinite Permanent residence permit. This means I can stay in NZ as long as I want (and can leave for as long as I want and can still return). Praise God for this!! Another milestone. ... Yesterday I had the privilege of leading someone to Christ, supported by my wife and two church members. So another milestone! This one is not just permanent residence in the new heaven and earth but alos for heavenly citizenship. All glory to God!! And now I prepare to go out for lunch to celebrate the occasion and hopefully will get to share the gospel message with another person over lunch!